Microbial desulfurization of ground tire rubber by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

This study focused on the microbial desulfurization of ground tire rubber (GTR) by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, which selected from the soil of an iron mine had strong sulphur oxidizing capacity. GTR was desulfurizated in the modified Silverman medium during the cultivation of T. ferrooxidans for 30 days, and T. ferrooxidans was able to maintain a high biomass. The continuous increase of SO42− in the medium indicated that the sulfur on the surface of GTR was oxidized. FTIR-ATR and XPS spectra revealed that a rupture of conjugated CC bonds and a reduction of sulfur content on the surface of GTR had occurred during desulfurization. The sol fraction of GTR increased from its original 4.69%-7.43%. Compared with GTR sheet, desulfurizated GTR (DGTR) sheets had much smoother surfaces, better physical properties, and higher swelling values. NR vulcanizates filled with DGTR (with 10-40 phr loading) had lower crosslink density and better mechanical properties than those filled with GTR at the same loading. The results determined by DMA suggested that NR vulcanizates filled with DGTR had a reduction of molecular chain friction resistance during glass transition and SEM photograph indicated a better interface coherence between DGTR and NR matrix.