ABSTRACT
The effect of replacing carbon black (CB) by rice husk derived type-I nanocellulose (RHNC) in natural rubber vulcanization is presented in this study. The synthesized RHNC was characterized using various analytical techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, TGA etc. The cure characteristics, mechanical, technological, thermal, barrier and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were analysed. The mechanical properties of the NR composites containing 30â¯wt% of CB are comparable with the composite containing 25â¯wt% of CB and 5â¯wt% of RHNC. The DMA studies show that the loss tangent (tan δ) at 60⯰C is lower for the composite containing 5â¯wt% of RHNC and 25â¯wt% CB compared to the composite containing 30â¯wt% CB. This shows that RHNC can impart low rolling resistance, which is a crucial parameter for green tire applications.