In situ assembled C3N4/SiO2 nanohybrids for high comprehensive performance solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber

In this work, a series of C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 nanohybrids were prepared and incorporated to solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber (SSBR/BR) to prepare “green tire” tread rubber. As expected, C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 nanohybrids are uniformly dispersed in SSBR/BR, and SiO 2 possesses a small average particle size of ~15 nm. In addition, the interfacial interaction between C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 nanohybrids and rubber matrix are significantly enhanced. Hence, the mechanical properties of C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 -SSBR/BR nanocomposites are greatly improved. The tensile strength of 5% C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 -SSBR/BR nanocomposites (5 wt% C 3 N 4 in C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 ) improved 1580% compared to pristine SSBR/BR. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analyses indicate the increasing wet skid resistance (10.8% higher) and decreasing rolling resistance (50.5% lower) of 5% C 3 N 4 /SiO 2 -SSBR/BR nanocomposites compared with SiO 2 -SSBR/BR. In addition, the wear volume and heat built-up are reduced at the same time. This work paves the way to prepare high comprehensive performance “green tire” and could be extend to the reinforcement of elastomer composites.