In Situ Hydrolyzed SiO2 Anchoring Carbon Black in Natural Rubber for the Excellent Performance of Green Tire

Silica-hybridized carbon black (CB-SiO 2 ) shows a promising eco-friendly filler for tread rubber, combining the advantages of both potentially. Here, in situ hydrolyzed nano-SiO 2 anchored on CB particles was prepared by varying the tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) dosage, and its effect on the properties of natural rubber (NR) composites was studied. Results demonstrated the existence of hydrogen bond between CB and SiO 2 , and increasing the anchored SiO 2 delayed curing, yet enhanced tensile strength by 35.6% and lowered rolling resistance (tan δ @60°C) by 22.7% while maintaining wear resistance (8 mL TEOS/10 g CB, no coupling agent). The improvement is attributed to the hybrid's higher specific surface area, favorable particle-size distribution, and surface protrusions, which strengthen rubber-filler interaction despite the reduced dispersive free energy ( γ s d $$ {\gamma}_s^d $$ ). This work presents a green and sustainable strategy for designing high-performance CB in its production process.