Novel Architecture of ZnO Nanobundles Grown on Porous Silica as High Performance Vulcanization Accelerators that Reinforce Rubber Composites

A novel functional rubber vulcanization accelerator, petallike ZnO nanobundles grown on porous silica (ZnO-g-SiO2), was fabricated via a facile and environmentally friendly process. The zinc sources were deposited in the silica pores and used as seeds to form ZnO nanobundles on porous silica, which formed due to the nucleation and growth of ZnO. With the incorporation of ZnO-g-SiO2 into the rubber matrix, the curing time of the rubber was greatly reduced by 8.0-61.2% compared to the filling made from mixed nano-ZnO and porous silica. The interaction between the filler and rubber was improved because the grown ZnO structures suppressed the agglomeration of porous silica and nano-ZnO. Using the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer analysis, we found that the efficiency of the grown ZnO nanobundles in the porous silica was superior to that of ordinary ZnO fillers. Combining the functions of porous silica and ZnO nanobundles to achieve a synergistic effect may result in new methods and technological innovations for preparing high-performance functional agents.