Abstract
A cobalt-ion-modified silica filler was produced that can be used as an adhesion promoter in elastomer composites intended for the rubber coating of metal cord. Electron scanning microscopy with energy dispersive analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XFA), and IR spectroscopy were used to establish the qualitative and quantitative composition of the modified silica filler, and also its structure. The influence of the concentration of ammonia and of cobalt ions in the solution, the influence of the time for which the mixture is left to stand, and the influence of the amount of water used for washing on the number of cobalt ions on the surface of the silica filler were investigated. The mechanism of the reaction of silica filler with cobalt ions, consisting in the formation of complexes as a result of the interaction of surface silanol groups of the silica filler and cobalt ions, was investigated.