Effects of beta-dextranase in raw natural rubber on the interface and performance of natural rubber/silica composites via simulation with an outer same protein

As one of the non-isoprene components in raw natural rubber (NR), proteins always act an important role to the final performance of the filled rubber composites. In this work, we involved a natural protein beta-dextranase externally to simulate the same protease in raw NR, and analyzed the effects of beta-dextranase content on the dispersion of silica particles, mechanical performance, viscoelastic loss of NR/silica composites. beta-dextranase acts with silica through an intense hydrogen bond interaction, which improves silica dispersion and strengthens the mechanical properties of NR/silica composites obviously when loading 4 wt% beta-dextranase, as well as the ameliorative UV aging resistance. As a consequence, the energy loss of the composites is decreased remarkably, showing great advantage in low rolling resistance tire. Besides, the results could offer the data reference to the breeding, deep processing and application of NR.