Abstract
Ester-functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber (dibutyl itaconate-styrene-butadiene rubber) (D-ESBR) was synthesized by low-temperature emulsion polymerization using dibutyl itaconate (DBI) as a modified monomer containing ester groups. Nonpetroleum-based silica with hydroxy groups was used as a filler to enhance the D-ESBR, which can provide excellent mechanical properties, low rolling resistance, and high wet skid resistance. During the preparation of the silica/D-ESBR nanocomposites, a hydrogen-bonding interface was formed between the hydroxy groups on the surface of silica and the ester groups in the D-ESBR macromolecules. As the content of ester groups in the D-ESBR increases, the dispersion of silica in the nanocomposites is gradually improved, which was verified by rubber process analyzer (RPA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Overall mechanical properties of the silica/D-ESBR modified with 5 wt % DBI were improved and became superior to that of the non-modified nanocomposite. Compared with the non-modified silica/D-ESBR, the DBI modified silica/D-ESBR exhibited a lower tan δ value at 60 °C and comparable tan δ value at 0 °C, indicating that the DBI modified silica/D-ESBR had lower rolling resistance without sacrificing wet skid resistance.
Highlights
With the international calls for energy conservation, environmental protection, and emission reduction, a growing voice to make motor vehicles more fuel efficient has become widespread all over the world, calling for a high-performance tire [1]
The hydrogen bonding formed between the hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica and the ester groups of D-Emulsion polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) can improve the dispersion of silica and enhance the interfacial interaction, resulting in a significant reduction of rolling resistance and heat generation of the silica/D-ESBR nanocomposites
D-ESBR with high molecular weight was successfully synthesized via a mild redox emulsion polymerization
Summary
With the international calls for energy conservation, environmental protection, and emission reduction, a growing voice to make motor vehicles more fuel efficient has become widespread all over the world, calling for a high-performance tire (i.e., a green tire) [1]. With the proposal of green tires, nonpetroleum-based silica has become one of the most widely used fillers in tire tread rubber [11] as silica can endow the tire tread rubber with excellent overall performance (excellent mechanical properties, low rolling resistance, and good wet skid resistance). An ester-functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber (dibutyl itaconate-styrenebutadiene rubber) (D-ESBR) was synthesized through low-temperature emulsion polymerization, and silica was used as a filler to prepare silica/D-ESBR nanocomposites. The hydrogen bonding formed between the hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica and the ester groups of D-ESBR can improve the dispersion of silica and enhance the interfacial interaction, resulting in a significant reduction of rolling resistance and heat generation of the silica/D-ESBR nanocomposites. This study provides an effective strategy for preparing high-performance elastomeric nanocomposites by forming hydrogen bonding between the filler and elastomer matrixes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
