Impact of surface modification on the properties of sol–gel synthesized nanotitanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites

The present paper provides a modern route to reinforce styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites by the proper utilization of sol–gel synthesized nanotitanium dioxide (TiO₂). In order to achieve proper dispersion within the SBR matrix, the surface of nano-TiO₂ is modified by cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB). The surface modification of nano-TiO₂ is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The result reveals that after surface modification, sol–gel derived nano-TiO₂ is much more efficient to improve the cure, mechanical and thermal properties of SBR nanocomposites in comparison with unmodified nano-TiO₂. This is due to the excellent dispersion of modified nano-TiO₂ within the SBR matrix, leading to the good compatibility between SBR and nano-TiO₂, as confirmed from morphological analysis. Further, CTAB-treated nano-TiO₂ has superior ability to enhance the resulting properties of SBR nanocomposites in comparison with either untreated or TEAB-treated nano-TiO₂.