Proton spin contrast variation approaches; From basic polymer to fuel-efficient tire rubber

Noda, Yohei; Yamaguchi, Daisuke; Hashimoto, Takeji; Shamoto, Shinichi  ; Koizumi, Satoshi; Yuasa, Takeshi*; Tominaga, Tetsuo*; Sone, Takuo*

We have developed a proton spin contrast variation technique. It has been known that a good DNP performance is achieved in a polyethylene sample absorbed a vapor of TEMPO radical as an electron spin source. We recently applied this technique to silica-filled SBR rubber, which is used for tread rubber of fuel-efficient tires. Finally, we successfully evaluated silica particles' dispersion state precisely, which is supposed to have great effect on tire's fuel efficiency.