Surface‐Modified Molybdenum Disulfide ( MoS ₂ ) Reinforced Natural Rubber Composites for Tire Tread Applications With High Abrasion Resistance

ABSTRACT The strong filler‐rubber interactions and good dispersion of fillers play a key role in enhancing the overall mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR) composites. In this study, Molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ) nanosheets were synthesized using the hydrothermal method, in which sodium molybdate and L‐cysteine were used as starting materials, while sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was used to synthesize partially exfoliated MoS ₂ nanosheets. The synthesized MoS ₂ and MoS ₂ ‐SHMP nanosheets were then incorporated into NR/carbon black (NR/CB) composites to primarily evaluate the effects of fillers dispersion on morphology, thermal stability, and both dynamic and mechanical properties. Morphological analysis revealed that MoS ₂ ‐SHMP greatly improved CB dispersion and effectively inhibited its agglomeration in the NR/CB composites. The synergistic interactions between MoS ₂ fillers and CB significantly enhanced the filler dispersion, leading to improved overall dynamic and mechanical properties of the NR/CB composites. The incorporation of MoS ₂ and MoS ₂ ‐SHMP fillers significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the composites. Notably, the low amount (1 phr) of MoS ₂ ‐SHMP led to substantial enhancement in dynamic and mechanical properties, resulting in 22% higher abrasion resistance, 25 MPa tensile strength, 6% improvement in wet grip, and 23% reduction in rolling resistance. These results underscore the potential of using modified MoS ₂ in the development of green tires with excellent performance.