Determination of Filler Structure in Silica-Filled SBR Compounds by Means of Saxs and Afm

Abstract

The structure of silica particles network in two different solution styrene-butadiene rubbers (S-SBR) was studied by means of small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). S-SBR compounds with different silica contents were analyzed in comparison with their oil extended counterparts. A study into the application of Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering experiments was defined in order to quantify the structures of silica primary particles and clusters in filled rubber compounds up to very high levels of filler content. We propose a modified structure model, which is physically sounder than the widely used Beaucage model and leads to more robust quantification of the silica structures. In addition, an independent characterization of the filler structure was performed by means of AFM. The cluster and particle sizes deduced from both techniques are in close agreement supporting the here proposed approach. The synergetic application of SAXS and AFM allows a consistent and robust characterization of primary particles and clusters in terms of size and structure.These results were compared and discussed in the framework of previously published works.2

Biologically sustainable rubber resin and rubber‐filler promoter: a precursor study

“… In the equation, G is called the Guinier prefactor, R g is the radius of gyration, p is the power‐law exponent, R m is the Porod exponent, B is a prefactor specific to the type of power‐law scattering and Bkg is the Background, described by the Guinier and Porod for the agglomerates regime. In this case, the slope of a log I , intensity versus log q plot is 3 to 4 for a rough surface . The interfacial roughness can be correlated to the interaction of silica with a polymer chain .…”

“…In this case, the slope of a log I, intensity versus log q plot is 3 to 4 for a rough surface. [31] The interfacial roughness can be correlated to the interaction of silica with a polymer chain. [45] In order to investigate the HDS flocculation phenomenon, the radius of gyration R g for HDS was estimated according to eqn 7.…”

“…Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) techniques are very suitable for the study of filler morphologies in silica‐filled rubber compounds . In particular, we focus our study on the silica dispersion such as particle network and cluster formation by using the Beaucage model in newly developed green composites . Consequently, the development of green elastomer composite with the nontoxic, sustainable and renewable additive is highly desirable .…”

“…[28][29][30] In particular, we focus our study on the silica dispersion such as particle network and cluster formation by using the Beaucage model in newly developed green composites. [31][32][33] Consequently, the development of green elastomer composite with the nontoxic, sustainable and renewable additive is highly desirable. [34] In this article, we introduce a new family of bio-resin functionalized NR together with ENR and nano-ZnO for the highly dispersible silica (HDS) application, which has never been reported before.…”

Decoupling the Contributions of ZnO and Silica in the Characterization of Industrially-Mixed Filled Rubbers by Combining Small Angle Neutron and X-Ray Scattering

“…This interference impairs, therefore, a direct evaluation of the scattering response of the reinforcing fillers, which is the only component determining the performance of the rubber. The problem of the interference and also additional inhomogeneities have been discussed in the literature [5,6,14,[19][20][21][22]. Due to the difficulty in disentangling the contribution from the catalyst and the filler particles, the ZnO contribution was sometimes neglected or a simple weighted subtraction of a ZnO-containing background was applied as data correction.…”