Hybrid Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Few‐Layer Graphene Incorporated XNBR ‐ NR Blends With Enhanced Oil Resistance, Mechanical, and Antibacterial Properties

ABSTRACT Latex blends of carboxylated nitrile‐butadiene rubber (XNBR) and natural rubber (NR) were prepared at different blend ratios, and the optimized 50:50 (phr) blend was reinforced with mono‐ and hybrid fillers of h‐BN and FLG, making it suitable for dip‐molded products. Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed uniform dispersion of h‐BN and FLG within the blend matrix. Uniaxial tensile testing showed remarkable improvements in tensile strength of ~62.5% (FLG), ~50% (h‐BN), and ~113% for the hybrid (FLG/h‐BN) system compared with the control blend, along with enhanced elongation at break. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed two distinct glass transition temperatures ( T g ), confirming the immiscible morphology of the two rubbers. However, the heat capacity change at T g decreased from 0.312 to 0.192 J g −1 K −1 for the NR phase and from 0.219 to 0.078 J g −1 K −1 for the XNBR phase after incorporating the hybrid filler, indicating restricted chain mobility and enhanced interfacial interactions. The blends exhibited excellent resistance to ethylene glycol at room temperature and 100°C. Antibiofilm assays demonstrated significant activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa . Complete bactericidal activity was observed for all nanofiller‐reinforced systems, with excellent fibroblast viability, demonstrating a promising strategy for advanced biomedical elastomeric products.