Biomass-Derived Styrene-Butadiene Rubber for Sustainable Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire materials rely heavily on petroleum-derived components, which are environmentally unsustainable and limited in supply, lacking the fuel efficiency and wet grip performance of synthetic rubber while aiming to transition towards a sound material-cycle society.
Innovation Solution
A method to produce biomass-derived styrene-butadiene rubber through catalytic reactions using biomass-derived alkyl alcohols, alkenes, and unsaturated carboxylic acids, and microbial fermentation, achieving a high percent modern carbon content, which is then polymerized to match the performance of conventional synthetic rubber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If natural rubber is used to replace synthetic rubber in tires, then the dependence on petroleum resources is reduced, but the fuel efficiency and wet grip performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of synthetic rubber by incorporating specific amounts of polybutadiene rubber (5-30 parts by weight) and styrene-butadiene rubber (70-95 parts by weight) to optimize both environmental sustainability and performance characteristics, achieving high wet grip performance and fuel efficiency while reducing petroleum dependence
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber composition by combining multiple rubber types (polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber) with specific fillers (silica, carbon black) and functional additives, where each component contributes specific properties that collectively achieve both environmental and performance goals
2Reliability
If petroleum-derived raw materials are used in tire production, then the performance requirements are met, but the environmental sustainability and resource availability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the raw material composition parameters by replacing a portion of petroleum-derived synthetic rubber with bio-based alternatives, specifically using polybutadiene rubber with 10-50% bio-based content and styrene-butadiene rubber with 30-70% bio-based content, thereby improving environmental sustainability while maintaining performance through optimized composition ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces bio-based rubber compounds as intermediary materials that bridge the gap between petroleum-derived synthetic rubber and fully natural rubber, providing a transitional solution that maintains performance requirements while reducing petroleum dependence and improving environmental sustainability
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 resulting biomass-derived rubber achieves the same level of fuel efficiency, wet grip performance, and processability as conventional synthetic rubber, while significantly reducing environmental impact and dependence on fossil fuels, thus meeting the requirements of a sound material-cycle society.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said alcohol mixture with a dehydration catalyst, thereby forming an olefin mixture comprising one or more linear butenes and isobutene
Implementation Method 2
contacting the olefin mixture of (b) with a dehydrogenation catalyst, thereby forming a di-olefin mixture comprising butadiene and isobutene
Implementation Method 3
a step (B) of preparing styrene using at least one selected from the group consisting of microorganisms, plants, and tissue cultures thereof
Implementation Method 4
a step (C) of polymerizing the butadiene prepared in the step (A) and the styrene prepared in the step (B) to prepare a biomass-derived styrene-butadiene rubber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
AI summary
Provided are rubber compositions for tires capable of providing tire components and pneumatic tires that have the same level of fuel efficiency and wet grip performance (particularly, wet grip performance) as those of tire components and pneumatic tires containing conventional synthetic rubber, while satisfying the requirements for a sound material-cycle society. The present invention relates to rubber compositions for tires containing a biomass-derived rubber polymerized from an aromatic vinyl compound and a diene, the biomass-derived rubber having a pMC (percent modern carbon) measured in accordance with ASTM D 6866-10 of 1% or higher.