Simulation of β‐dextranase from raw natural rubber to investigate structure and properties of natural rubber/halloysite composites

Abstract The effects of crude β‐dextranase in raw natural rubber (NR) on the structure and properties of NR/halloysite nanotube (HNT) composites are investigated by introducing external biological β‐dextranase. Results of curing tests as well as mechanical and dynamic mechanical analyses show that the curing time of the composite increases with β‐dextranase concentration and then plateaus at 6 wt%, at which the maximum values of the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and crosslink density are achieved and the lowest hysteresis loss factor at 0–80°C is observed. Morphological investigations show that the addition of β‐dextranase improves the dispersion of HNTs and enhances interfacial adhesion in the composites owing to hydrogen bonds between β‐dextranase and HNTs, as revealed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. We envision the use of β‐dextranase in NR as a novel interfacial modifier in NR composites.