Solution Mechanochemical Approach for Preparing High-Dispersion SiO2-g-SSBR and the Performance of Modified Silica/SSBR Composites

Designing a Coupling Agent with Aliphatic Polyether Chain and Exploring Its Effect on Silica/Natural Rubber Nanocomposites under the Action of Non-Rubber Contents

In order to prepare engineering tires with lower rolling resistance and better wet slip resistance in a more environmentally friendly way. In this study, a series of low volatile organic compound (VOC) M_x-Si69 coupling agents (x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, which means the number of ethoxy group in bis-(γ-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide (Si69) substituted by the aliphatic polyether chain) were applied to silica/NR nanocomposites to prepare tire tread with excellent performance. Firstly, M₁-Si69 was substantiated as the best choice of M_x-Si69 and Si69 to achieve comprehensive optima in the mechanical properties of silica/NR nanocomposites characterized by dynamic and static mechanical properties. Afterwards, the modification of silica with M₁-Si69 induced by Non-Rubber Contents (NRCs) in silica/NR nanocomposites was revealed by comparing the filler network, micromorphology, and mechanical properties of isoprene rubber (IR) and NR nanocomposites. Furthermore, compared with Si69, the M₁-Si69 coupling agent was found to conspicuously reduce the energy loss and improve the safety performance of engineering tires according to evaluations of the rolling resistance and dynamic thermomechanical properties of the silica/NR nanocomposites. Finally, the critical function of M₁-Si69 in reducing ethanol (a kind of volatile organic compound (VOC)) emissions from the reaction of coupling agent and silica was disclosed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Polyethyleneimine-Modified Amorphous Silica for the Selective Adsorption of CO2/N2 at High Temperatures

Mechanochemistry is very attractive as an efficient, solvent-free, and simplified technique for the preparation of composite adsorbents. Here, a series of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified SiO₂ adsorbents were prepared via mechanical ball milling for selective adsorption of CO₂ at high temperatures. The structural properties of these adsorbents were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR, and N₂ adsorption-desorption. This method can better disperse the PEI evenly in the SiO₂ as well as maintain the porous structure of the adsorbents by comparing with the impregnated adsorbents. These adsorbents presented appreciable performance in separating CO₂ at high temperatures, and the CO₂ adsorption capacity of PEI(70%)/SiO₂ is up to 2.47 mmol/g at 70 °C and 1.5 bar, which is significantly higher than that of the same type of CO₂ adsorbent reported in the literature. Furthermore, the adsorbent of PEI(70%)/SiO₂ provided an ideally infinite selectivity for CO₂/N₂ (15:85) at 70 °C. These results showed that mechanical grinding methods are a simple and effective approach to producing amine-modified silica composite adsorbents.

Emerging Applications of Silica Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Modifiers for High Performance Polyester Composites

Nano-modification of polyester has become a research hotspot due to the growing demand for high-performance polyester. As a functional carrier, silica nanoparticles show large potential in improving crystalline properties, enhancing strength of polyester, and fabricating fluorescent polyester. Herein, we briefly traced the latest literature on synthesis of silica modifiers and the resultant polyester nanocomposites and presented a review. Firstly, we investigated synthesis approaches of silica nanoparticles for modifying polyester including sol-gel and reverse microemulsion technology, and their surface modification methods such as grafting silane coupling agent or polymer. Then, we summarized processing technics of silica-polyester nanocomposites, like physical blending, sol-gel processes, and in situ polymerization. Finally, we explored the application of silica nanoparticles in improving crystalline, mechanical, and fluorescent properties of composite materials. We hope the work provides a guideline for the readers working in the fields of silica nanoparticles as well as modifying polyester.

INTRODUCING BIOBASED NONPOLAR BOTTLEBRUSH β-MYRCENE SEGMENTS TO IMPROVE SILICA DISPERSION FOR SUSTAINABLE SSBR/SILICA NANOCOMPOSITES

To overcome the problem of fossil fuel depletion and associated environmental issues arising from the use of tire tread elastomers, a convenient, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient strategy was developed to prepare high-performance green solution polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber (SSBR)/silica nanocomposites by improving silica dispersion in the nonpolar polymer matrix via the introduction of a biobased nonpolar bottlebrush segment with two double bonds. Various elastomers containing biobased nonpolar bottlebrush β-myrcene segments were synthesized using an industrially robust anionic polymerization method. Results of rubber process analysis, small-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy revealed that rubber with myrcene could significantly improve silica dispersibility and inhibit the strong filler–filler interactions, which are due to the formation of hydrogen bonding between the double bonds in the myrcene block and silanol groups on the silica surface and possibly to the spreading or infiltrating of myrcene bottlebrush segments onto silica. Furthermore, for the modified rubber, rolling resistance decreased by 41.7%, tear strength increased by 20.78%, and tensile strength increased by 77.8% with the elongation at break remained practically unchanged as compared with the unmodified silica/SSBR composite. On the basis of aforementioned assessment, we believe that silica-reinforced β-myrcene–based styrene–butadiene integrated rubber is a versatile and promising candidate for future tire tread elastomers.

Wet Mixing with Organic Solvent for Synthesized cis-1,4-Polyisoprene-Based Rubber Composites

In this work, well-dispersed fumed SiO₂/cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber (IR) masterbatch was first obtained through an effective wet mixing method, and the properties of the corresponding vulcanizate were studied. Before curing with activator and sulfur, IR solution was blended and co-coagulated with SiO₂ suspension modified by bis(3-trimethoxysilypropyl) tetrasulfide in n-hexane. The modification of TESPT imparted evenly distributed SiO₂ particles in IR and improved interfacial binding among SiO₂ and IR. Hence, the prepared compound presented better processability and the corresponding vulcanizate presented higher physical performance, including higher tensile strength, lower heat buildup, and better fatigue resistance than that prepared in the dry mixing method. Additionally, higher wet skid resistance and lower rolling resistance could be observed in fabricated SiO₂/IR vulcanizate. The employed wet mixing method is economical and efficient, which is promising in preparing rubber composites with comprehensive performance.

Itaconate Based Elastomer as a Green Alternative to Styrene–Butadiene Rubber for Engineering Applications: Performance Comparison

In response to increasingly stringent requirements for the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the rubber industry, the application and development of bio-based elastomers have received extensive attention. In this work, we prepared a new type of bio-based elastomer poly(dibutyl itaconate-butadiene) copolymer (PDBIB) nanocomposite using carbon black and non-petroleum-based silica with a coupling agent. Using dynamic thermodynamic analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), we studied the effects of feed ratio on dynamic mechanical properties, micro morphology, and filler dispersion of PDBIB composites. Among them, silica-reinforced PDBIB60 (weight ratio of dibutyl itaconate to butadiene 40/60) and carbon black-reinforced PDBIB70 (weight ratio of dibutyl itaconate to butadiene 30/70) both showed excellent performance, such as tensile strength higher than 18 MPa and an elongation break higher than 400%. Compared with the widely used ESBR, the results showed that PDBIB had better rolling resistance and heat generation than ESBR. In addition, considering the development of green tires, we compared it with the solution polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber with better comprehensive performance, and analyzed the advantages of PDBIB and the areas to be improved. In summary, PDBIB prepared from bio-based monomers had superior performance and is of great significance for achieving sustainable development, providing a direction for the development of high-performance green tire and holding great potential to replace petroleum-derived elastomers.

Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Silica/Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Vulcanizates with Eco-Friendly Ionic Liquid

In this paper we designed greener rubber nanocomposites exhibiting high crosslinking density, and excellent mechanical and thermal properties, with a potential application in technical fields including high-strength and heat-resistance products. Herein 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc) ionic liquid was combined with silane coupling agent to formulate the nanocomposites. The impact of [EMIM]OAc on silica dispersion in a nitrile rubber (NBR) matrix was investigated by a transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The combined use of the ionic liquid and silane in an NBR/silica system facilitates the homogeneous dispersion of the silica volume fraction (φ) from 0.041 to 0.177 and enhances crosslinking density of the matrix up to three-fold in comparison with neat NBR, and also it is beneficial for solving the risks of alcohol emission and ignition during the rubber manufacturing. The introduction of ionic liquid greatly improves the mechanical strength (9.7 MPa) with respect to neat NBR vulcanizate, especially at high temperatures e.g., 100 °C. Furthermore, it impacts on rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites and tends to reduce energy dissipation for the vulcanizates under large amplitude dynamic shear deformation.