The preparation of microcrystalline cellulose–nanoSiO₂ hybrid materials and their application in tire tread compounds

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was hybridized with nano‐SiO2 to improve its interaction with a rubber matrix. The hybrids (MCC–SiO2) were prepared with the “microreactor” and “sol–gel” technologies, using MCC as the carrier and tetraethoxysilane as the precursor. The structure and morphology of the hybrids were studied by infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the nano‐SiO2 had been loaded successfully on the surface of the MCC with a loading ratio of approximately 30%. The nano‐SiO2 can take on the morphologies of particles, tubes, or rods by controlling the size of the “microreactor”. The hybrids were then used in silica/SSBR compounds to replace part of the silica, and their effects on the physio‐mechanical and dynamic properties were discussed. The results showed that the vulcanizates with the hybrids had improved physio‐mechanical and dynamic properties. The vulcanizates of MCC–SiO2 also had a higher wet‐skid resistance and a lower rolling resistance than did the silica vulcanizates when they were used in tire tread compounds. The SEM photos showed that the interfacial adhesion between the MCC and rubber was improved. The size of the MCC hybrids was also in situ decreased during the processing of the rubber compounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44796.

Promoting the dispersibility of silica and interfacial strength of rubber/silica composites prepared by latex compounding

“…Firstly, it is of significance to modify silica to improve its dispersibility in the rubber matrix, and many related studies have been conducted. [15][16][17][18][19][20] For example, silica modified by silane coupling agents, [21][22][23][24][25][26] surfactant, [27][28][29][30] both silane coupling agents and surfactant, [31] grafting polymer, [32,33] adding other fillers, [34][35][36] ionic liquid. [37] What's more, mechanical force can also improve the dispersibility of silica, but it has little effect on the enhancement of interface strength due to the bad compatibility of silica and rubber.…”

Silica nanoparticles reinforced natural rubber latex composites: The effects of silica dimension and polydispersity on performance

“…Furthermore, it is well‐known that the rolling resistance and wet‐skid resistance of tires suggest that the viscoelastic of tire tread compounds can be evaluated by the curve of loss factor versus temperature. High performance tires require lower tan δ value at 60 °C in order to reduce rolling resistance and higher tan δ at 0 °C to enhance the wet‐skid resistance property . As shown in Figure (b1), the tan δ value of MAS/NR vulcanizates was relatively lower but not very different at 0 °C compared with that of MPS/NR composites.…”

“…The temperature of tire tread will rise due to the friction and dynamic deformation of tire moving the road. If the temperature rise is higher, it will be easier to deteriorate the mechanical properties of the tire trade . The effects of silica contents and types filled in NR matrix on the heat build‐up and dynamical compression set were illustrated in Figure (e,f), respectively.…”

Emerging Advances in Rubber Technology by the Suitable Application of Sol-Gel Science and Technology

“…Sun et al 73,74 explored the preparation and use of sol-gel-based microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/silica (SiO 2 ) hybrid materials in rubber compounds. In one work, Sun et al 73 preparation of sol-gel-based MCC/SiO 2 hybrid materials by using TEOS precursor via three different processes (Figure 8). In their next study, Sun et al 74 followed a nearly similar procedure to prepare MCC/SiO 2 hybrid materials in the presence of different amount of TEOS.…”