Preparation and properties of natural astaxanthin modified silica/natural rubber composites

The surface of silica was physically modified with natural astaxanthin and composited with natural rubber. The structure and properties of natural astaxanthin-modified silica/natural rubber composites were characterized by RPA, DMA and SEM. The results showed that compared with the modified silica without natural astaxanthin in the vulcanization characteristics, the scorch time and the positive vulcanization time of the rubber obtained by using natural astaxanthin-modified silica were shortened, which promoted the vulcanization process of rubber. In terms of physical and mechanical properties, the tensile strength of the obtained vulcanizate was substantially unchanged, the resilience and abrasion resistance were significantly increased and the compression heat generation was lowered. In terms of dynamic viscoelasticity, the Payne effect of the obtained vulcanizate was significantly reduced and the dispersibility of the filler was improved to some extent. In terms of dynamic mechanical properties, the rolling resistance of the obtained vulcanizate was lowered and the glass transition temperature was increased. In particular, in terms of aging resistance, the heat-resistant air aging performance of the natural astaxanthin-modified silica/natural rubber composite material was remarkably improved. © 2019, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.