Design of Silyl Functionalized Emulsion SBR and its Application in Green Tire

Abstract

In this investigation, the nonpolar emulsion-based styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) was modified by grafting 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TESPMA) using the AIBN initiator at 80 °C temperature. The silyl-modified ESBR (Si-ESBR) was analyzed by using ¹H NMR, FT-IR, XPS, and thermal analyses. The synthesized Si-ESBR has been formulated with ESBR and a blend of ESBR/natural rubber (NR) along with silica and silica/CB fillers regarding “green tire” tread application (ESBR-silica and ESBR/NR-silica/CB). The implementation of Si-ESBR enhanced the silica and silica/CB fillers dispersion in the ESBR and ESBR/NR matrix. Consequently, the physical characteristics, including modulus, tensile strength, and reinforcing index of composites, are increased. The DMA analysis revealed that the composite ESBR/Si-ESBR2-silica had a 12.2% lower rolling resistance indicator; in contrast, dry, wet, and ice tractions were increased by 20.6%, 37%, and 14.5%, respectively, compared to the pure ESBR-silica composite. Also, composite ESBR/NR/Si-ESBR2-silica/CB had a 12.6% lower rolling resistance indicator, and traction properties (dry, wet, and ice traction) were enhanced by 20.5%, 61%, and 67%, respectively, in contrast to the ESBR/NR-silica/CB composite. Therefore, incorporating the Si-ESBR mechanism might provide a potential pathway for improving dispersion of fillers (silica and silica/CB) in the nonpolar elastomer matrix.