In this work, an eco-friendly chitosan-based biomass
macromolecular
antioxidant containing double bonds and polyphenol structure (COS-UC-GA),
prepared by coupling 10-undecenoyl chloride (UC) and gallic acid (GA)
onto chitosan (COS), was employed as an antioxidant for styrene–butadiene
rubber (SBR)/silica composites. Its effects on the anti-aging properties
of SBR/silica composites were systematically explored. The corresponding
small molecular organic compound gallic acid (GA), commercial antioxidant
butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and N-isopropyl-N′-pheny-p-phenyl-ene diamine (4010NA)
were used as control samples. The results of the accelerated thermal-oxidative
aging test, crosslinking density test, and thermogravimetric (TG)
test demonstrated that the chitosan-based biomass macromolecular antioxidant
COS-UC-GA can significantly enhance the anti-aging properties, thermal
stability, and apparent activation energy (E) of
SBR/silica composites. Moreover, the results of the extraction resistance
test indicated that the chitosan-based biomass macromolecular antioxidant
COS-UC-GA can present better migration resistance and extraction resistance
in SBR/silica composites compared to the corresponding small molecular
organic compound GA, commercial antioxidant BHT, and 4010NA. The superior
antioxidative properties of the chitosan-based biomass macromolecular
antioxidant COS-UC-GA for SBR/silica composites originated from the
synergistic antioxidative effects between amine or amide groups of
COS-UC-GA and polyphenol structure as well as the outstanding migration
resistance and volatilization resistance of COS-UC-GA. The eco-friendly
chitosan-based biomass macromolecular antioxidant COS-UC-GA can be
used as a promising green candidate in the rubber industry to replace
traditional small molecular antioxidants.