Bio-based Elastomer Nanocomposite Silica Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rubber products face challenges with mechanical strength, wet-skid resistance, and rolling resistance due to poor silica dispersion, which is exacerbated by the use of silane coupling agents and VOC emissions in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The development of a bio-based elastomer nanocomposite using poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) that improves silica dispersion through ester groups and epoxy functional groups, eliminating the need for silane coupling agents and reducing VOC emissions, thereby enhancing mechanical properties and wet-skid resistance while lowering rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If silane coupling agent is used to improve silica dispersion, then the dispersion effect of silica is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the silane coupling agent from the rubber compounding system, replacing it with a bio-based elastomer that has inherent silica dispersing capability through its molecular structure containing ester groups and hydroxyl groups that form hydrogen bonds with silica surface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the elastomer by introducing specific functional groups (ester groups and hydroxyl groups) that can interact with silica surface, thereby changing the interaction mechanism from requiring external coupling agents to inherent molecular-level dispersion
2Manufacturing precision
If silane coupling agent is used to improve silica dispersion, then the dispersion effect of silica is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the silane coupling agent from the rubber compounding system, replacing it with a bio-based elastomer that has inherent silica dispersing capability through its molecular structure containing ester groups and hydroxyl groups that form hydrogen bonds with silica surface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a cost-effective bio-based elastomer formulation that eliminates the need for expensive silane coupling agents, making the overall manufacturing process more economical despite the specialized polymer structure
3Strength
If traditional rubber processing is used, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the wet-skid resistance and rolling resistance are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system combining bio-based elastomer with silica filler, where the elastomer's molecular structure (containing ester groups and hydroxyl groups) forms hydrogen bonds with silica surface, achieving improved mechanical strength, wet-skid resistance, and rolling resistance through synergistic interaction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in improved mechanical strength, wet-skid resistance, and reduced rolling resistance without the complexity and cost of silane coupling agents, while also eliminating VOC emissions, making it a promising 'green tire' material.
Implementation Method 1
ester groups form a hydrogen bond with silica surface to improve the dispersion effect of silica
Implementation Method 2
Ring-opening crosslinking is occurred between epoxy functional group and '-OH' on silica surface, and it improves the dispersion effect of silica in elastomer and interfacial interaction between silica and rubber elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure involves a preparation method of bio-based silica/poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposite. Bio-based silica/poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposite is environment-friendly, and silica and poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) are derived from non-petroleum base materials, which do not rely on fossil fuel. Compared with nanocomposite without nanocomposite, nanocomposites with glycidyl methacrylate have better silica diffusion, mechanical properties and wet-skid resistance of rubber product are improved while consuming the same time. Further, rolling resistance is decreased so that using silane coupling agent is avoided. Therefore, the processing technology is simplified, and VOC emission is avoided. It is a kind of "green tire" rubber product.