Bio‐based epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposites for high‐performance tire tread applications

Abstract In this work, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with low epoxide degrees is synthesized through in situ epoxidation and then blended with TESPT‐modified silica to obtain the corresponding nanocomposites (ENR‐ x /silica). It is found the filler‐rubber interaction is significantly enhanced by the ring‐opening reaction between silanol groups on silica and epoxy groups of ENR macromolecular chain. Therefore, wet‐skid resistance, fuel efficiency, abrasion resistance, and moduli of the ENR‐ x /silica nanocomposites are superior to those of NR/silica nanocomposites. ENR‐15/silica demonstrates a balanced “magic triangle” performance, with wet‐skid resistance increasing by 74%, abrasion resistance improving by 17%, and rolling resistance decreasing by 29%, in relative to NR/silica. Highlights ENR with low epoxide degrees is synthesized by in situ epoxidation. Epoxy groups enhance the silica dispersion and filler–rubber interaction. ENR‐15/silica shows the lowest rolling resistance. Wet‐skid and abrasion resistance increase with increasing epoxide degree. ENR/silica with TESPT composites show excellent performance as tire tread.