Optimization of nanosilica fabrication technology process and its application in rubber composite Material production

Abstract

Rice husk (RH), an inexpensive waste material, was used to produce nanosilica that was then applied to fabricate composite with natural rubber. The optimization of process parameters on the weight of nanosilica using the Taguchi method was performed. Experimental specimens were then made to confirm optimum values for each process parameter. The results indicated that the weight of the optimal nanosilica was improved to 7.9 g with addition of NaOH concentration of 5M and stirring time of 5h from only 10 g of original rice husk. The structural properties of nanosilica were studied by scanning electron microscope. The results of mechanical tests exhibit improvements of tensile strength and elongation by 52.5% and 20.4%, respectively, at 6.0 pphr (part per hundred of rubber) nanosilica as compare to those of the pure polymer specimen. Morphologies of the fracture surface of resulting nanocomposites observed by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed good adhesion between the filler and the resin.