Natural cork/potato periderm derivatives enabled interface engineering of elastomer composites for tunable energy-absorbing capabilities

Suberin is a natural polyester providing the impermeability and mechanical damping of plant cell walls. It fascinating because ester bonds in suberin can be easily hydrolyzed to provide various functional chemical precursors for further applications. This study investigates an unprecedented way tailor energy-absorbing capabilities silica-reinforced styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composites by introducing depolymerized derivatives (DSDs) extracted from cork potato periderm. The filler–matrix couplings were experimentally analytically investigated through dynamic analysis (DMA) Huber–Vilgis model. DSDs modified silica–polymer interfaces seem offer substantial increase strength, toughness, energy-absorption nearly 47 %, 336 126 respectively, compared bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide (TESPT)-coupled elastomers, without sacrificing modulus. These findings could inspire materials enabled composite design high breakthrough utilizing resources next-generation structures such as urban air mobility or autonomous electrical vehicle, which typically require multifunctional performances including lightweight, capability.