In situ assembled C₃N₄/SiO₂ nanohybrids for high comprehensive performance solution polymerized styrene‐butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber

Abstract In this work, a series of C₃N₄/SiO₂ nanohybrids were prepared and incorporated to solution polymerized styrene‐butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber (SSBR/BR) to prepare “green tire” tread rubber. As expected, C₃N₄/SiO₂ nanohybrids are uniformly dispersed in SSBR/BR, and SiO₂ possesses a small average particle size of ~15 nm. In addition, the interfacial interaction between C₃N₄/SiO₂ nanohybrids and rubber matrix are significantly enhanced. Hence, the mechanical properties of C₃N₄/SiO₂‐SSBR/BR nanocomposites are greatly improved. The tensile strength of 5% C₃N₄/SiO₂‐SSBR/BR nanocomposites (5 wt% C₃N₄ in C₃N₄/SiO₂) improved 1580% compared to pristine SSBR/BR. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analyses indicate the increasing wet skid resistance (10.8% higher) and decreasing rolling resistance (50.5% lower) of 5% C₃N₄/SiO₂‐SSBR/BR nanocomposites compared with SiO₂‐SSBR/BR. In addition, the wear volume and heat built‐up are reduced at the same time. This work paves the way to prepare high comprehensive performance “green tire” and could be extend to the reinforcement of elastomer composites.