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TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) sol particles were first prepared through ClHNO2-EtOH catalysis; and then incorporated into methylated grafted natural rubber (MG49) polymer host. Resultant MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites were characterized through XRD and FTIR analyses. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had exhibited extensive reduction in semicrystalline phase; but no significant change in structural properties. Low crystalline MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites were further characterized through SEM, TGA and DRA analyses. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had exhibited different dispersion state on fracture surface. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had demonstrated significant improvement in thermal properties, and also some improvement in rheological properties.

In the present research, [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes were first prepared through simple stepwise in situ techniques: sol-gel technique and solution-cast technique. [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes were then characterized through different experimental techniques. [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes had exhibited significant structural changes upon different salt concentrations. In the present investigation, [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes had attained maximum ionic conductivities (σ~10-7 S/cm at ambient temperature; 10−4 S/cm at 100°C) upon 25 wt.% salt insertion. [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes had exhibited distinct conduction mechanisms in similar experimental configuration. [MG49-LiClO4]:[HNO3-THF/TiO2-SiO2] and [MG49-LiClO4]:[ClHNO2-THF/TiO2-SiO2] polymer electrolytes had exhibited different stability characteristics over certain operational condition.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle was achieved in an alternative sol-gel route, as involved in 1 M acidic solution: HCl-tetrahydrofuran (HCl-THF), HNO3-tetrahydrofuran (HNO3-THF), and ClHNO2-tetrahydrofuran (ClHNO2-THF) solution. Resultant TiO2 nanoparticle was further investigated in a systematic analytical approach. Nanoscale TiO2 structure was observed at a moderate hydrolysis ratio (8≤RH≤16). Particle size range was much narrower in an aprotic HNO3-THF medium, as compared to a differential HCl-THF medium. Biphasic TiO2 structure was detected at a certain hydrolysis ratio (RH≥16). Even so, relative anatase content was rather insignificant in an aprotic HCl-THF medium, as compared to a differential HNO3-THF medium. Tetragonal TiO2 structure was observed in the entire hydrolysis ratio (4≤RH≤32). Interstitial lattice defect was evident in an aprotic HNO3-THF medium but absent in a differential ClHNO2-THF medium.