Effects of Plant Polyphenols on the Interface and Mechanical Properties of Rubber/Silica Composites

Abstract

Based on the abundant surface hydroxyl groups of plant polyphenols and their tendency for complexation with metal ions, a facile and green approach to improve the interfacial interactions between silica and a rubber matrix is proposed. The interface interactions of plant phenols with silica and Zn ions are characterized by attenuated total refraction Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results suggest that, with the introduction of plant phenols, strong interface interaction between rubber matrix and silica can be formed through hydrogen bonding and chelating effects. The investigation of mechanical performance of the composites indicates that the proposed approach produces remarkable reinforcing effects on the rubber matrix.