Positively charged crosslinked polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles were first synthesized by emulsion polymerization using CTAB as emulsifier

and crosslinked PS nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide hybrids (PS@rGO) were fabricated by electrostatic self-assembly

accompanied with in situ reduction.The obtained PS@rGO hybrids were incorporated into SBR matrix to fabricate SBR/PS@rGO composites.The structure and morphology of the composites were investigated.The results showed that GO was efficiently reduced by in situ reduction

and the obtained reduced graphene oxide (rGO) exhibited strong π-π interactions with PS nanoparticles.PS particles with their size of 60~70 nm were uniformly adsorbed onto the surface of rGO sheets

which effectively prevented rGO sheets from re-stack and aggregation.Then vulcanization performance tests further indicated that the inclusion of PS@rGO hybrids not only shortened the curing time (Tc90) by accelerating the vulcanization rate (CRI)

but also improved the total crosslinking density of the composites.When 30 phr PS@rGO were introduced into SBR

the CRI was enhanced by 67.07%.And as expected

the morphology and performance analysis

and Mooney-Rivlin equation further demonstrated that PS@rGO hybrids were preferably dispersed in the matrix because of the synergistic effect resulted from PS and rGO

forming a 3D hybrid filler network in the rubber matrix.Also

it was reasonably concluded that the PS served as bridges connecting SBR matrix and rGO

resulting in strong interfacial interactions between PS@rGO and the rubber matrix.Thus

the improved filler dispersion and enhanced interfacial interactions greatly improved the mechanical performance and abrasion resistance of the SBR composites.For example

SBR/PS@rGO composites with a lower density exhibited higher mechanical performance and abrasion resistance in comparison with the SiO2 filled composites.These enhanced performances significantly conduce to reducing energy consumption under the dynamic condition

which further makes SBR/PS@rGO composites very promising in the application of rubber products

such as tire

etc.