Eco-friendly EPDM nanocomposites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse-derived cellulose nanocrystals.

The goal of this work is to prevent environmental pollution resulted from burned agriculture waste, offering a pathway with the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions compared to direct combustion of sugarcane bagasse. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are produced by acid hydrolyzing cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse. It serves as a reinforcing filler within the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to examine morphology, thermal properties and crystallinity respectively. The empirical crystallinity (LOI) and average hydrogen bond strength (MHBS) were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). It was discovered that (CNC) is lower than CNC for both LOI and MHBS, demonstrating the breakdown of cellulose into CNCs. Two roll-mill was used to prepare EPDM/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) nanocomposites. Two to ten parts of CNC per hundred rubbers were used. Curing characteristics, mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), equilibrium swelling, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the EPDM/(CNC) nanocomposites. SEM pictures, show that some clumping, particularly at higher percentages of (CNC), and a uniform dispersion of (CNC) at 8 phr. It has been demonstrated that when the loading of CNCs increases, the cure time lowers and cure rate index increased, simulating a shorter industrial production cycle. In comparison to EPDM at 8 phr (CNC) loading, Additionally, the results showed an increase in tensile strength from 2.68 to 10.82 MPa i.e. increased by 403.7% and increasing in elongation at break by 233.47%. Also the hardness increased to about 83.33%. The modulus at 50, 100, and 200%, as well as a decrease in equilibrium swelling that confirm the mechanical testing. So, the prepared (CNC) may be enhanced the mechanical properties of the evaluated nanocomposites comparing to EPDM vulcanizates free.