Effect of co-modification of silica with deep eutectic solvent and coupling agent on properties of tread compound

Abstract

The effect of silica modified by silane coupling agent （TESPT） and deep eutectic solvent （DES） on the properties of natural rubber （NR） composites as tread rubber was studied. The interaction between TESPT, DES and silica was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the interaction between silica and silica was analyzed by rubber processing analyzer and scanning electron microscope, the curing characteristics, mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composites were determined, and the rolling resistance and wet skid resistance were investigated by dynamic mechanical analyzer. The results showed that the synergistic modification of TESPT and DES could improve the dispersion of silica in NR, increase the vulcanization rate, improve the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composites, and reduce the rolling resistance. When the amounts of TESPT and DES were 1 phr （mass） respectively, the NR composites had lower rolling resistance and better wet skid resistance.

Keywords

• deep eutectic solvent
• coupling agent
• silica
• modification
• natural rubber
• dynamic mechanical property
• tread compound