Silica filled slightly epoxidized solution styrene-butadiene rubber nanocomposites with excellent performance for tire tread

In this work, epoxidized solution styrene-butadiene rubber (ESSBR) with low functionality was successfully synthesized using an in-situ green epoxidation reaction. The ESSBR x/Si69-Silica nanocomposites were prepared by compounding the ESSBR with Si69-modified silica. The effects of different low epoxy degrees on the structure and properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The results demonstrate that the ESSBR with a small number of epoxy groups, combined with Si69 modification, can play a synergistic role in improving silica dispersion and enhancing filler-rubber interaction. When the epoxy degree was 1.0 mol%, the nanocomposite exhibited excellent comprehensive performance. Compared to the SSBR/Si69-Silica nanocomposite, the ESSBR 1.0/Si69-Silica nanocomposite exhibited a 29 % increase in tan δ at 0 °C, a 20 % decrease in tan δ of 60 °C at 7 % strain, a 5.4 % reduction in Akron abrasion volume, and almost no change in elongation at break and Tg. Therefore, Si69-modified silica filled slightly ESSBR provides a new approach for the preparation of green tire treads.