Structural analysis of fuel-efficient tire rubber in nanometer scale by spin contrast variation technique

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

We applied proton spin contrast variation technique to silica filled SBR rubber, which is widely used for a fuel-efficient tire. In this technique, vapor sorption of TEMPO radical as an electron spin source played an important role for achieving high degree of proton spin polarization. As a result, we successfully evaluated the dispersion state of silica particles, which is known to be a key factor for tire's fuel efficiency.