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A series of nanocomposite films based on natural rubber (NR), Na+‐montmorillonite (MMT), and cellulose whiskers (W) was prepared, keeping a total filler content equal to 5 wt.‐%. In the binary NR/MMT system, small stacks of intercalated montmorillonites were homogeneously dispersed within the polymer matrix whereas they were clearly lying in the vicinity of cellulose whiskers in the ternary NR/MMT/W blends. The effects of MMT and W on mechanical and gas barrier properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated. A significant increase of the rubbery modulus was obtained upon filler addition. The reinforcing effect was particularly important for the nanocomposite film reinforced with 1 wt.‐% MMT and 4 wt.‐% W. The improvement of the gas barrier properties observed upon filler addition was explained by a tortuosity effect. The calculated tortuosity values indicated that the simultaneous use of MMT and W could greatly slow down the gas diffusion rate in NR. Formation of MMT‐W subassembly should be responsible for this synergism effect. magnified image
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Bendahou et al. (2011) studied this question.
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