Yukun Zhou

In this article, a biodegradable ternary deep eutectic solvent (CGL‐DES) was prepared by choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor and glycerol and lysine as hydrogen bond donors. CGL‐DES and latex were pre‐expanded and dried by microwave irradiation technology. FTIR confirmed that the internal components of CGL‐DES constructed a hydrogen bond network, and this network formed interfacial hydrogen bonds with proteins in natural rubber latex, achieving green functional modification of rubber. The results indicated that the synergistic effect of CGL‐DES and microwave irradiation enhanced the plasticity retention index of raw rubber and the processing flowability of mixed rubber. Compared with the standard natural rubber (SVR 3L) composites, the composites prepared by CGL‐DES combined with microwave increased crosslinking density, tensile strength, and aging coefficient by 37%, 21%, and 22%, respectively. The deep eutectic solvent and microwave are biodegradable materials and clean energy, respectively, providing new ideas for the green preparation of high‐performance natural rubber raw materials.

Due to its high surface polarity and tendency to agglomerate, sepiolite exhibits weak interfacial bonding with the nonpolar natural rubber (NR) matrix, leading to poor mechanical and dynamic properties. This limits the high‐value application of natural minerals in high‐performance NR composites. In this paper, a hydrogen bond network‐enhanced ternary deep eutectic solvent (CGA–DES) was prepared using glycerol and aspartic acid as dual hydrogen bond donors and choline chloride as the hydrogen bond acceptor. The effects of CGA–DES dosage on filler dispersion, vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, aging resistance, and dynamic mechanical properties of sepiolite/NR composites were investigated. SEM showed that CGA–DES promoted the dispersion of sepiolite and its interfacial bonding with NR. When 2 phr of CGA–DES were added, the processing flowability of the compound was improved, the vulcanization time was shortened, the mechanical properties and aging resistance were enhanced, and the rolling resistance decreased, resulting in the best overall performance. Compared with the unmodified Sep/NR, the tensile strength, tensile product coefficient, aging coefficient, and DIN abrasion volume of 2 CGA/Sep/NR reached 20.15 MPa, 11801.98, 0.32, and 0.198 cm ³ , which improved by 67%, 82%, 78%, and 21%, respectively. Meanwhile, the rolling resistance decreased by 54%, and better dynamic mechanical properties were achieved. Aspartic acid contains both carboxyl and amino functional groups, enabling the formation of an enhanced hydrogen‐bonding network with sepiolite and facilitating more effective crosslinking reactions during the vulcanization process. This paper provides a new approach for regulating filler–rubber interfacial interactions by using a bio‐based deep eutectic solvent, which is expected to promote the development of high‐performance green tires and rubber products.

In the current industrial practice, skim natural rubber latex (SNRL) is usually coagulated with strong acids to produce skim natural rubber (SNR) for recovery and reuse. However, strong acid coagulation generates large volumes of wastewater, causing environmental pollution and requiring strict treatment before discharge. To address this issue, this study proposed a green SNR preparation method based on electrophoresis. Electrophoresis skim rubber (ECSNR) was compared with SNR prepared by traditional strong acid or metal salt coagulation, and its application in bead apex rubber composites was investigated. FTIR and XRF results showed that ECSNR contained higher contents of non‐rubber components, such as proteins and phospholipids. TGA results indicated that ECSNR had lower ash content and improved thermal stability. Compared with bead apex rubber composites prepared from conventional natural rubber, BAC‐NR/ECSNR prepared by partially replacing natural rubber with ECSNR showed a 20.25% increase in 100% modulus and a 1.59% improvement in thermo‐oxidative aging resistance, while the tensile strength did not decrease significantly. The electrophoretic preparation process proposed in this study does not require the addition of coagulants such as strong acids or metal salts, reducing the environmental damage caused during SNR preparation and realizing the high‐value application of SNR in rubber products.

The present study investigates the mold‐filling problem during the curing and shaping of green tires using finite element simulation. A novel optimization method for designing air vents in tire molds based on gas flow fields is proposed. The research focuses on addressing the air accumulation issue in the tire molding process to ensure the quality and efficiency of the curing and molding. Additionally, the study thoroughly analyzes the impact of key factors such as shear heat generation, temperature variation, dynamic viscosity, and degree of curing on the quality of tire shaping. Experimental validation and simulation improvement were carried out by making a resin model. Compared with the traditional design scheme, the new design scheme effectively reduces the number of exhaust holes (by 81.2%) while meeting the exhaust requirements. This study addresses the air accumulation problem in tire molding, offering theoretical and practical guidance to improve mold design and production efficiency.Highlights: The influence of key factors on tire molding quality is revealed. Optimized mold plan reduces the number of vents while meeting requirements. Simulation simplifies the mold process, providing new ideas of vent design.

This study employed a high-speed rotating crushing process to modify pyrolyzed carbon black (CBp) using self-lubricating and low-friction polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The effects of PTFE content on the dispersion, mechanical properties, wear resistance, and thermal stability of modified PTFE-CBp/natural rubber (NR) composites were investigated. The rotating crushing process from the high-speed grinder altered the physical structure of PTFE, forming tiny fibrous structures that interspersed among the CBp particles. This arrangement encouraged the alignment of CBp particles in specific directions and improved the surface activity of CBp, enhancing the dispersion of CBp within the NR matrix and consequently improving wear resistance. The experimental results indicated that as the amount of PTFE fibers increased, the hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability of the PTFE-CBp/NR composite significantly improved. Compared to untreated CBp/NR composites, the hardness, modulus at 300%, and wear resistance of the 3 phr PTFE-CBp/NR composites increased by 20%, 24%, 21%, respectively, achieving the preparation of highly wear-resistant CBp/NR composites.

In this paper, chitosan (CS), which is naturally degradable and low‐cost, was incorporated into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), the effects of chitosan amount on the properties of the NBR composites were investigated, and the optimal amount of chitosan was determined. On this basis, CS, silica and Si69 were modified by ball milling and plasma to prepare NBR composites with higher oil resistance and high temperature resistance. The results showed that the overall properties of NBR composites filled with 2phr CS is better. FTIR and SEM demonstrated the surface polarity of ball milling combined with plasma co‐modified CS/silica was weakened, the dispersion of fillers in the NBR matrix was promoted, the oil resistance and high‐temperature resistance of the composites were enhanced, the cross‐linking density and tear strength were improved by 28.12%, and 51.76% compared with that of the NBR composites without CS. The investigation on the oil and high‐temperature resistance of NBR composites for blowout preventer cores has been carried out, which promotes the development of blowout preventer cores toward high safety, low cost, and sustainability.Highlights: The effect of chitosan amount on nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites was explored. Chitosan, silica, and coupling agent were modified by ball milling and plasma. The oil and high‐temperature resistance of NBR composites were improved. The tear strength was increased by 28% under double destructive environment.

Pyrolysis carbon black is the pyrolysis product of waste tires. The high‐value utilization of pyrolysis carbon black can reduce black pollution of the environment, achieve sustainable development, and solve the problem of energy supply and consumption in the world. This paper mainly studies the modification and excitation of low‐temperature plasma on pyrolysis carbon black. It proposes a micro flocculation wet process (DMLI process) for preparing master rubber by wet mixing. Combined with DMLI process, the vulcanization performance, physical and mechanical properties, Payne effect, and dynamic mechanical properties were also analyzed and characterized. The results showed that the properties of the rubber compound prepared by low‐temperature plasma modification of pyrolytic carbon black were significantly improved. The modified pyrolytic carbon black had the characteristics of less ash, higher activity, and stronger affinity with rubber, and the wettability was significantly improved. In wet mixing, the new DMLI process can effectively improve the degree of combination and dispersion of carbon black and natural rubber latex. Therefore, the modified pyrolytic carbon black can completely replace the industrial carbon black N330, thereby preparing high‐performance rubber composites, realizing the high‐value utilization of pyrolytic carbon black and sustainable green development.