Synthesis of anisotropic nanoparticles with controlled aspect ratios and their use as a reinforcing filler

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Rubber reinforcing fillers used in the tire industry consist primarily of nano- or micro-particles of carbon blackor silica; these particles are isotropically shaped and consequently uniform in exposing targeted positionaland/or directional properties in a hosting matrix (e.g., rubber). A game-changing advance would result from theintroduction of anisotropic one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure-based (e.g., nanorods, nanowires, nanofibers)fillers that are expected to show unique size- and directionality-dependent material characteristics. As anexample, mechanical properties of hosting polymer matrix (e.g., Young's Modulus, tensile strength, elongation)are expected to be dependent upon the orientation of filler particles.This project with Michelin Canada aims to establish a practical understanding of how the morphologyinfluences the reinforcement properties of silica fillers when included into rubber-based materials used in themanufacture of tires. To realize this understanding we will develop methods for preparing silica nanorods withappropriate aspect ratios in a controlled fashion and comprehensively characterize them. These materials willbe provided to our industrial partners for testing in rubber composites.