Epoxy Acrylate Functional Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer Silica Compatibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Styrene-butadiene copolymers prepared by emulsion polymerization exhibit poor silica compatibility, requiring the introduction of carboxylic acids which disrupt micelle formation and increase viscosity, making it difficult to process and achieve optimal blending with silica for tire applications.

Innovation Solution

A functional styrene-butadiene copolymer is developed by incorporating an epoxy acrylate monomer and undergoing ring-opening polymerization, enhancing silica compatibility and mechanical properties through optimized polarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carboxylic acid monomers are introduced to improve silica compatibility, then silica compatibility is improved, but micelle formation is interrupted and viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesilica compatibilityVSAvoidmicelle formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the monomer from carboxylic acid to epoxy acrylate, which has different reactivity characteristics. The epoxy group reacts with silanol groups on silica surface without interfering with micelle formation during emulsion polymerization, thus improving silica compatibility while maintaining proper micelle structure and controlling viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The epoxy acrylate monomer serves as a functional component that provides silica compatibility without the long-term negative effects of carboxylic acid monomers. The epoxy groups react with silica surface and are consumed in the process, providing the needed compatibility without persistent issues with micelle formation or excessive viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If carboxylic acid monomers are introduced to improve silica compatibility, then silica compatibility is improved, but processing difficulty increases due to high viscosity and hardness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesilica compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the monomer from carboxylic acid to epoxy acrylate, which has different reactivity characteristics. The epoxy group reacts with silanol groups on silica surface without interfering with micelle formation during emulsion polymerization, thus improving silica compatibility while maintaining proper micelle structure and controlling viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If monomer content is increased to improve silica compatibility, then silica compatibility is improved, but blending processing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesilica compatibilityVSAvoidblending processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the monomer from carboxylic acid to epoxy acrylate, which has different reactivity characteristics. The epoxy group reacts with silanol groups on silica surface without interfering with micelle formation during emulsion polymerization, thus improving silica compatibility while maintaining proper micelle structure and controlling viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 copolymer demonstrates superior tensile strength, wear resistance, and wet stopping performance when blended with silica, suitable for tire tread materials and other industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

a functional styrene-butadiene copolymer which is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of a styrene monomer, a butadiene monomer and an epoxy acrylate monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the copolymer represented by Chemical Formula 2 has optimized polarity adequate for blend compounding with silica

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarity optimization: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS9328176B2Functional styrene-butadiene copolymer

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 KOREA KUMHO PETROCHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A functional styrene-butadiene copolymer is disclosed. More specifically, the copolymer is prepared by radical polymerization of a styrene monomer, a butadiene monomer and an epoxy acrylate monomer in an emulsion state and ring-opening of the resultant styrene-butadiene-epoxy acrylate copolymer. When blended with silica, the disclosed copolymer provides excellent wet stopping performance and superior wear resistance. Therefore, it can be usefully applied for industrial materials including fuel-efficient tires, snow tires, belts, hoses, etc.