High-performing multi-walled carbon nanotubes/silica nanocomposites for elastomer application

Elastomer composites with high comprehensive performance have been the focus of the studies in the rubber industry. Especially, the multicomponent nanocomposites as fillers in the rubber matrix have attracted global attention. In the present work, silica nanoparticles (SiO2) were assembled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the resulting CNTs/SiO2 nanocomposites were incorporated into solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber (SSBR/BR) to fabricate CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR elastomer composites. The morphologies and structures of CNTs/SiO2 and CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR were characterized, and the performances of CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR composites were measured. The results showed that the SiO2 with small particle size (10-15 nm) could be tightly anchored on the surface of CNTs through covalent bonds, and the resulting CNTs/SiO2 nanocomposites were highly compounded with SSBR/BR in a uniformly dispersed status. With the increasing weight percentage of CNTs in CNTs/SiO2 nanocomposites, both the tensile strength and elongation at break of CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR is increased to 23.6 MPa and 603.9%, respectively. These results clearly illustrate the high reinforcement effect of CNTs/SiO2 nanocomposites to SSBR/BR. Meanwhile, compared with that of commercial Zeosil 1165MP highly-dispersed nano-SiO2 (Zeosil 1165MP)-SSBR/BR, the tan δ of the 2% CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR (2 wt% CNTs in CNTs/SiO2) is 17.1% higher at 0 °C and 17.3% lower at 60 °C, indicating the endowed high wet skid resistance and low rolling resistance of CNTs/SiO2-SSBR/BR. Also, the heat build-up and wear resistance exhibit significantly decline at the low weight percentages of CNTs. The enhanced comprehensive performances demonstrate the utilizability of CNTs/SiO2 as a reinforcing filler for the application of high performance green tire.