LAUSR

Abstract Engineered blend structure with tailor-made distribution of nanoparticles is the prime requisite to obtain materials with extraordinary functional properties. Here, preferential location of carbon black (CB) has been achieved in a binary elastomeric bend based on natural rubber (NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). Meticulous investigation has been conducted via thermodynamic, microscopic and electromagnetic analysis in order to illustrate the morphology-promoted performance behaviors. It is found that the filler-rubber interfacial tensions difference induces the preferential localization of CB in NR/ENR blend, thus endowing the composites with lower electrical percolation (2.11 vol.%), higher microwave absorption capacity (−19.31 dB) and broader effective absorption bandwidth (2.96 GHz). Such improved electromagnetic properties are ascribed to the higher conduction loss, stronger dielectric relaxation and more interface scattering of CB/NR/ENR composites.