An animal glycerol potassium salt without volatile organic compounds emission combined with plasma‐atomization technology and its application in green tires

• Published in: Polymer composites 2023-07, Vol.44 (7), p.3856-3873
• Main Authors: Xiao, Yao, Xu, Zhenchun, Gong, Zheng, Zhou, Yukun, Wang, Chuansheng, Bian, Huiguang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: atomization; Atomizing; Chemical bonds; Coupling agents; Crosslinking; Energy consumption; Glycerol; Hydrogen bonds; Mechanical properties; natural rubber; Oxidation; Ozone; Plasma; Potassium; Potassium salts; Rolling resistance; Rubber; silica; Silicon dioxide; Tires; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.27361

In this study, a VOC‐free animal glycerol potassium salt is introduced to replace the silane coupling agent, and the plasma is used to treat the modifier and silica. The impact of high‐energy electrons in the plasma increases the contact area between the modifier and silica. Combined with the atomization technology, the velocity difference realizes the microscopic dispersion of silica, the instantaneous thin‐layer drying reduces the oxidation of the rubber chains. XPS and SEM show that the plasma promotes the silanization reaction of silica. FTIR demonstrates that the existence of chemical bonds and hydrogen bonds between potassium oleate (PO) and silica, and there is a crosslinking between PO and sulfur. The PO/Si69‐silica/NR composites prepared by plasma‐atomization technology have better processing fluidity, mechanical properties and lower rolling resistance. The plasma‐atomization technology promotes the silanization reaction of silica, saves energy consumption and reduces dust pollution, meanwhile, the replacement of Si69 by PO reduces VOC emissions and the rolling resistance of the rubber, which provides an innovative idea for the development of green tires. “An animal glycerol potassium salt combined with plasma‐atomization technology and its mechanism”.