Performance evaluation and multiscale investigation of deodorant on mechanism of rubber modified asphalt

Asphalt fume emission caused by high-temperature is large during the production and construction of rubber modified asphalt, and the toxic and odor gas contained seriously pollutes the environment. This paper prepared rubber modified asphalt (RMA) and deodorant rubber modified asphalt (DRMA) and evaluated the impact of deodorants on the environmental and physical properties. Modern testing techniques, such as gel permeation chromatography, are used to explore the microscopic morphology of RMA, DRMA, and crumb rubber extracted from RMA and DRMA, so as to reveal the mechanism of deodorant in asphalt. Meanwhile, the effect of deodorant was monitored from macro scales by applying electrochemical sensing technology. The results show inhibiting the degradation of rubber in asphalt is the main mechanism of deodorant. Deodorant can not only promote the swelling of rubber in asphalt and improve the stability of sulfur elements, but also capture the odor particles in asphalt fume, reduce the concentration of polluting organic and H₂S, realize the application of rubber modified asphalt environmentally-friendly, and promote the recycling of waste tires and the sustainability of pavements for pollution and carbon reduction.