The preparation of microcrystalline cellulose–nanoSiO2 hybrid materials and their application in tire tread compounds

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was hybridized with nano‐SiO₂ to improve its interaction with a rubber matrix. The hybrids (MCC–SiO₂) were prepared with the “microreactor” and “sol–gel” technologies, using MCC as the carrier and tetraethoxysilane as the precursor. The structure and morphology of the hybrids were studied by infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the nano‐SiO₂ had been loaded successfully on the surface of the MCC with a loading ratio of approximately 30%. The nano‐SiO₂ can take on the morphologies of particles, tubes, or rods by controlling the size of the “microreactor”. The hybrids were then used in silica/SSBR compounds to replace part of the silica, and their effects on the physio‐mechanical and dynamic properties were discussed. The results showed that the vulcanizates with the hybrids had improved physio‐mechanical and dynamic properties. The vulcanizates of MCC–SiO₂ also had a higher wet‐skid resistance and a lower rolling resistance than did the silica vulcanizates when they were used in tire tread compounds. The SEM photos showed that the interfacial adhesion between the MCC and rubber was improved. The size of the MCC hybrids was also in situ decreased during the processing of the rubber compounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44796.