Improving thermal‐oxidative stability of nitrile butadiene rubber composites by surface modification of zirconium phosphate

Abstract Zirconium phosphate (α‐ZrP) was modified by o‐phenylenediamine (OPD) grafting to its surface, named ZPD, and used to improve thermal‐oxidative stability of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by direct blending method. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction, and contact angle test, demonstrated that OPD was grafted to the surface of α‐ZrP successfully. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that OPD could effectively improve the interaction between α‐ZrP and NBR and a better the dispersion of α‐ZrP in the rubber matrix. The fracture strength of the NBR composites was increased by 3.3 Mpa with the addition of 3 phr ZPD fillers, respectively, compared with unmodified NBR/α‐ZrP composites. In addition, TGA, DMA, and FWO analysis showed ZPD fillers, combined lamellar barrier of α‐ZrP with radical trapping ability of OPD, could retard oxidative cross‐linking and fracture reaction of rubber chains, and improve the thermal‐oxidative aging resistance of the NBR composites. This work provides a practical and effective methodology for surface modification of α‐ZrP and preparation of high‐performance NBR composites.