Preparation of TiO2/PS-rGO incorporated SBS modified asphalt with enhanced resistance against ultraviolet aging

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has detrimental effects on the service time of asphalt pavement. To effectively mitigate these impacts, Titanium dioxide/polystyrene-reduced graphene oxide (TiO2/PS-rGO) was synthesized and applied as an anti-UV aging agent for styrene–butadienestyrene (SBS) modified asphalt. UV aging test results revealed that TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS modified asphalt exhibited lower degree of aging in terms of improved ductility retention rate by 8.97 and decreased viscosity aging index by 65.36 than SBS modified asphalt. The IC=O and IS=O of TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS modified asphalt (0.0576 and 0.0406 respectively) were much smaller than those of SBS modified asphalt, while the ISBS of TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS asphalt (0.0358) was much larger than that of SBS modified asphalt, indicating lower degree of oxidation of TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS asphalt than SBS modified asphalt. Dynamic shear rheometer and multistress creep recovery tests showed that TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS modified asphalt exhibited higher viscoelasticity and higher rutting resistance than SBS modified asphalt. Compared to pure TiO2, TiO2/PS-rGO exhibited better dispersibility and stronger UV light absorption, which led to the improved resistance of asphalt against UV aging. This study could be of potential value for the preparation of TiO2/PS-rGO/SBS modified asphalt as high UV light resistant asphalt for practical applications.