Application of modified, recycled nanosilica from battery wastes: A sustainable approach to enhance mechanical and aging properties of rubber nanocomposites

Nanosilica in different grades are used for producing rubber nanocomposites based on natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR) blends benefiting from appropriate mechanical properties. This study aimed to introduce recycled nanosilica (RNSiO2) extracted from lead-acid battery separator wastes as a new nanosilica filler to prepare rubber nanocomposites with appropriate mechanical and aging properties in a sustainable manner. Using RNSiO2, vulcanized nanocomposites were prepared based on NR/SBR blends (RT20 and RA20 samples) in the presence of Irganox 1010 as a hindered phenolic antioxidant. An increasing trend was observed in modulus, tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness while decreasing elongation at break due to the formation of filler-rubber networks and the synergistic effect of recycled nanosilica and Irganox 1010. Compared to the sample filled only by RNSiO2 (20 phr), modulus, tensile strength and tear strength were improved the almost 145 %, 59 %, and 37 % in the specimen filled with RNSiO2 (20 phr) and bis[3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl] tetrasulfide (3 phr). Furthermore, in the sample filled by RNSiO2 (20 phr) and Irganox 1010 (3 phr), the modulus, tensile strength and tear strength were increased by 181, 25, and 56 % compared to the control sample. The thermo-oxidative aging findings confirmed the appropriate aging behavior of the sample containing hindered phenolic antioxidants.