Influence of n-ZnO Morphology on Sulfur Crosslinking and Properties of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Vulcanizates | JoVE Visualize

Influence of n-ZnO Morphology on Sulfur Crosslinking and Properties of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Vulcanizates

Dariusz M Bieliński¹, Katarzyna Klajn¹, Tomasz Gozdek¹

¹Institute of Polymer & Dye Technology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.

Polymers|April 3, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Zinc oxide nanoparticle morphology significantly impacts styrene-butadiene rubber vulcanization. Hybrid and cauliflower shapes enhance mechanical properties, while rod-like shapes accelerate curing and reduce activation energy.

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) vulcanization is crucial for material properties.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) are explored as activators in rubber compounding.
Understanding nanoparticle morphology's role in vulcanization is key for optimizing SBR performance.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how zinc oxide nanoparticle morphology affects SBR vulcanization kinetics and mechanical properties.
To correlate n-ZnO morphology, specific surface area (SSA), and wettability with vulcanization parameters.
To determine the optimal n-ZnO morphology for different vulcanization systems (conventional and efficient).

Main Methods:

Characterization of n-ZnO morphology and SSA using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis.
Evaluation of n-ZnO wettability using tensiometry.
Vulcanization studies using conventional (CV) and efficient (EV) systems, analyzing vulcametric curves.
Calculation of cure rate index (CRI), activation energy, and assessment of mechanical properties and crosslink structures.

Main Results:

n-ZnO morphology significantly influences activation energy, vulcanization parameters, and mechanical properties of SBR vulcanizates.
In EV systems, hybrid (flat-ended rod-like on cauliflower) n-ZnO with high SSA yielded the best mechanical performance.
In CV systems, cauliflower morphology showed slightly better mechanical properties than rod-like morphology.
Rod-like n-ZnO reduced activation energy and increased vulcanization speed, while cauliflower morphology slowed the process.
n-ZnO addition, particularly rod-like types, reduced polysulfidic crosslink content.

Conclusions:

The morphology of zinc oxide nanoparticles is a critical factor in tailoring the vulcanization behavior and final properties of SBR.
Hybrid and cauliflower morphologies are beneficial for enhancing mechanical properties, especially in efficient vulcanization systems.
Rod-like morphologies are effective in accelerating the vulcanization process and reducing activation energy, with implications for crosslink structure modification.