Synthesis of high-reinforcing-silica@nanodiamond nanohybrids as efficient particles for enhancement of mechanical, thermal, and rolling resistance of styrene-butadiene rubber.

Present work illustrated that the performance of ultrafine silica (Si) particles was improved considerably by rational hybridization with nanodiamond (ND). For this, Si@ND hybrid particles synthesized by chemical hybridization were incorporated into styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) up to 10 phr. Scanning electron microscopy revealed coarse flower-like clusters for Si@ND nanohybrids, while Si exhibited rigid agglomerates in SBR. Comparing with physical hybrid (Si&ND) and single Si particles, it was revealed that chemical hybrids synergistically improved tensile properties, like 100% and 135% improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis of SBR/Si@ND revealed an increment of the wet skid (22%) compared with SBR and further reduction of rolling resistance, to ∼35%, with respect to SBR/Si due to better dispersion and improved polymer-filler interactions. Thermal conductivity of SBR increased considerably, i.e., ∼54%, by the inclusion of Si@10%ND, which was explained based on the promotion of phonon pathways. [Display omitted] • Ultrasil was chemically attached to ND resulting in Si@ND hybrid particles. • Si@ND exhibited flower-like structure with different sizes depending on ND contnet. • Si@ND increased synergistically tensile properties of SBR compared with Ultrasil and ND. • Wet skid and rolling resistance of SBR compound improved by Si@ND. • Si@ND improved thermal conductivity of SBR considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]