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Open AccessArticle
From Waste to Styrene–Butadiene (SBR) Reuse: Developing PP/SBR/SEP Mixtures with Carbon Nanotubes for Antistatic Application
by
Edson Duarte de Melo Sobrinho
Edson Duarte de Melo Sobrinho 1,
Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira
Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira 2,
Flávio Urbano da Silva
Flávio Urbano da Silva 2,3,
Elieber Barros Bezerra
Elieber Barros Bezerra 4,
Renate Maria Ramos Wellen
Renate Maria Ramos Wellen 4,
Edcleide Maria Araújo
Edcleide Maria Araújo 2 and
Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna
Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna 2,*
1
Academic Unit of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Av. Aprígio Veloso, 882–Bodocongó, Campina Grande 58429-900, Paraíba, Brazil
2
Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Av. Aprígio Veloso, 882–Bodocongó, Campina Grande 58429-900, Paraíba, Brazil
3
Federal Institute of Education, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59015-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
4
Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172542 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 21 August 2024
/
Revised: 2 September 2024
/
Accepted: 4 September 2024
/
Published: 8 September 2024
Abstract
Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) waste from the shoe industry was repurposed to produce polypropylene (PP)-based compounds, with the aim of evaluating their antistatic potential. Styrene–ethylene–propylene (SEP) was added as a compatibilizing agent, while carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were incorporated as a conductive nanofiller. The polymer compounds were processed in an internal mixer, and injection molded. The properties evaluated included torque rheometry, melt flow index (MFI), impact strength, tensile strength, Shore D hardness, electrical conductivity, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology analysis. The production of the PP/SBR/SEP (60/30/10 wt%) compound resulted in a ductile material, enhancing impact strength and elongation at break to 161.2% and 165.2%, respectively, compared to pure PP. The addition of SEP improved the compatibility of the PP/SBR system, leading to an increase in the torque curve and a reduction in the MFI. Furthermore, the SBR/SEP combination in PP accelerated the crystallization process and increased the degree of crystallinity, suggesting a nucleating effect. Carbon nanotubes, in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2 phr (parts per hundred resin), were added to the PP/SBR/SEP system. Only the PP/SBR/SEP/MWCNT compound with 2 phr of MWCNT was suitable for antistatic applications, exhibiting an electrical conductivity of 4.52 × 10−07 S/cm. This was due to the greater distribution of MWCNT in the PP matrix, as demonstrated by SEM. In addition, remains tough at room temperature, with a 166% increase in impact strength compared to PP. However, there was a reduction in elastic modulus, tensile strength, Shore D hardness, and HDT due to increased flexibility. SBR waste can be reintegrated into the production chain to produce antistatic polymeric compounds, obtaining a tough material at room temperature.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sobrinho, E.D.d.M.; Ferreira, E.d.S.B.; da Silva, F.U.; Bezerra, E.B.; Wellen, R.M.R.; Araújo, E.M.; Luna, C.B.B.
From Waste to Styrene–Butadiene (SBR) Reuse: Developing PP/SBR/SEP Mixtures with Carbon Nanotubes for Antistatic Application. Polymers 2024, 16, 2542.
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172542
AMA Style
Sobrinho EDdM, Ferreira EdSB, da Silva FU, Bezerra EB, Wellen RMR, Araújo EM, Luna CBB.
From Waste to Styrene–Butadiene (SBR) Reuse: Developing PP/SBR/SEP Mixtures with Carbon Nanotubes for Antistatic Application. Polymers. 2024; 16(17):2542.
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172542
Chicago/Turabian Style
Sobrinho, Edson Duarte de Melo, Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, Flávio Urbano da Silva, Elieber Barros Bezerra, Renate Maria Ramos Wellen, Edcleide Maria Araújo, and Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna.
2024. "From Waste to Styrene–Butadiene (SBR) Reuse: Developing PP/SBR/SEP Mixtures with Carbon Nanotubes for Antistatic Application" Polymers 16, no. 17: 2542.
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172542
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