Advanced coal fly ash modification by using corrosive microorganisms as alternative filler-reinforcing fluororubbers

Abstract Effective control of a fly ash/polymer interface is often hindered by poor compatibility. Advanced surface modification of fly ash by using corrosive microorganisms is proposed in this study. Microbial adhesion and catabolism of corrosive microorganisms resulted in a lipophilic surface and a cellular structure of fly ash, which contribute to the compatibility between fly ash and polymers. The mechanisms of corrosive microorganisms modifying the fly ash were revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Owing to the favorable interface bonding between modified fly ash and rubber, the fluororubber compounds achieved a favorable tensile strength exceeding 10.0 MPa. The reinforcement effect, which was almost identical to that of medium thermal black, indicates that microbial modification can be used to treat fly ash and other similar inorganic particles.