Wet Mixing with Organic Solvent for Synthesized cis-1,4-Polyisoprene-Based Rubber Composites

In this work, well-dispersed fumed SiO₂/cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber (IR) masterbatch was first obtained through an effective wet mixing method, and the properties of the corresponding vulcanizate were studied. Before curing with activator and sulfur, IR solution was blended and co-coagulated with SiO₂ suspension modified by bis(3-trimethoxysilypropyl) tetrasulfide in n-hexane. The modification of TESPT imparted evenly distributed SiO₂ particles in IR and improved interfacial binding among SiO₂ and IR. Hence, the prepared compound presented better processability and the corresponding vulcanizate presented higher physical performance, including higher tensile strength, lower heat buildup, and better fatigue resistance than that prepared in the dry mixing method. Additionally, higher wet skid resistance and lower rolling resistance could be observed in fabricated SiO₂/IR vulcanizate. The employed wet mixing method is economical and efficient, which is promising in preparing rubber composites with comprehensive performance.