Biomass-derived Fillers

Towards a global sustainable future and a circular economy, the utilization of renewable and high-performing biomass-derived fillers for the rubber industry is highly desirable but challenging. Carbon black (CB), produced by incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons, is the most dominant reinforcing filler, followed by mineral fillers. However, the manufacture of CB has a considerable carbon footprint due to its fossil-based resources; mineral fillers have higher density and are generally incompatible with rubbers. It is important to find abundant, sustainable, and cost-effective fillers as substitutes for petroleum- and coal-derived fillers. Biomass-derived fillers, such as cellulose nanocrystals, lignin, polysaccharides, biochar, and rice husk silica, have been extensively explored as substitute fillers for rubbers. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of sustainable biomass-derived fillers and their applications in the rubber industry. The structure, morphology, and properties of the biomass-derived fillers are introduced. The surface modification and processing methods for biomass-derived fillers in high-performance rubber composites are critically reviewed.