End-Modified Conjugated Diene Polymer for Tire Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber technologies for tires face challenges in achieving optimal compatibility and miscibility with reinforcing agents like silica and carbon black, leading to inadequate mechanical and dynamic properties, such as high cold flow and reduced storage stability.
Innovation Solution
An end-modified conjugated diene polymer is developed, featuring a conjugated diene polymer chain with alkoxysilane groups and tertiary amine components, which enhances binding with reinforcing agents through hydrogen and covalent bonds, improving wet resistance, rolling resistance, and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solution polymerization method is used to manufacture SBR or BR, then rolling resistance and wet resistance are improved, but compatibility with reinforcing agents remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by introducing functional groups (alkoxysilane and/or tertiary amine) specifically at the end portions of the polymer chain rather than throughout the entire polymer. This localized modification at the chain ends provides targeted compatibility enhancement with reinforcing agents while preserving the bulk polymer's dynamic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining the conjugated diene polymer chain with functional end groups (alkoxysilane and/or tertiary amine). This composite molecular architecture integrates the base polymer's mechanical properties with the functional groups' compatibility-enhancing characteristics
2Loss of energy
If alkoxysilane compounds including primary amine substituted with hydrolysable protective groups are used as end modifying agents, then hysteresis is reduced, but cold flow increases and storage stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter of the end modifying agent by using tertiary amine groups instead of primary amine groups with protective groups. This parameter change eliminates the need for hydrolysable protective groups while maintaining low hysteresis properties and improving storage stability
3Reliability
If molecular ends are modified to alkoxysilane compounds including epoxy group, then dynamic properties and mechanical properties are improved, but coupling rate control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning functional groups specifically at the end portions of the polymer chain, which provides controlled coupling with reinforcing agents. This localized functionality at chain ends offers better control over coupling rate compared to random or widespread functional group distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameter by combining alkoxysilane and/or tertiary amine functional groups at the polymer chain ends, which provides both improved dynamic properties and controllable coupling rate with reinforcing agents
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 end-modified polymer effectively controls coupling rates and cold flow, enhancing the binding force with reinforcing agents, resulting in improved dynamic and mechanical properties, reduced cold flow, and increased storage stability of tire rubber compositions.
Implementation Method 1
enhances binding with reinforcing agents through hydrogen and covalent bonds
Implementation Method 2
enhances binding with reinforcing agents through hydrogen and covalent bonds
Implementation Method 3
increasing compatibility or miscibility with the reinforcing agents through end modification
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention provides an end-modified conjugated diene polymer represented by Formula 1 below:wherein p is a conjugated diene polymer chain; R1 to R7 are each independently C1-C20 saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains; X is carbon (C), silicon (Si), or nitrogen (N); a is 1 or 2; and n is an integer of 1 to 200, and a method for preparing the same.