Dodecanol and KH-592 Co-Modify Silica to Prepare Low Heat Build-Up and High Performance Natural Rubber Composites

Friction between filler/filler and filler/matrix in rubber composites is the main factor affecting the heat build-up. In this study, we used dodecanol and silane coupling agent KH-592 to co-modify silica to prepare silica/natural rubber (NR) composites. When dodecanol and KH-592 are grafted onto the surface of silica at the same time, dodecanol can also shield part of the hydroxyl groups by its molecular chain length, which further improves the dispersibility of silica particles. The silane coupling agent KH-592 can form a bridge structure between the silica and the NR matrix under the action of a mercapto group, and improve the interaction between the filler and the matrix. By controlling the use ratio of dodecanol and KH-592, the dispersion of the filler and the interaction between the filler and the matrix can be adjusted. Thereby, the friction between the filler/filler and the filler/matrix is reduced, and a low heat build-up rubber composite material is prepared. Through co-modification, we prepared a series of low-heat build-up silica/NR composites, where the minimum heat generation reached 13 ∘ C. The co-modified silica/NR composite material not only meets the requirements of green tires, but also has low heat build-up characteristics, providing a new strategy for preparing green and energy-saving tires.