Modified High-Cis Polybutadiene for Stable Aged Mooney Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-cis polybutadiene polymers modified for increased filler-polymer interactions face challenges with Mooney viscosity growth upon aging, affecting storage stability.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a lanthanide-based, nickel-based, or cobalt-based catalyst system is used to polymerize 1,3-butadiene, followed by reaction with a functionalizing compound and stabilizing agents to produce a modified high-cis polybutadiene with controlled Mooney viscosity, achieving a cis 1,4-bond content of 92-98% and aged Mooney viscosity of no more than 120.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-cis polybutadiene polymer is modified by functionalizing compounds to increase filler-polymer interactions, then filler-polymer interaction is improved, but Mooney viscosity growth upon aging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the functionalizing compound by introducing a cyano group at the terminal position of the hydrocarbylene chain. This structural parameter change in the functionalizing compound (from conventional silanes to cyano-containing compounds of formula (I)) enables simultaneous achievement of strong filler-polymer interaction and resistance to Mooney viscosity growth during aging storage.
2Strength
If polymer chains are functionalized to enhance filler interaction, then reinforcement is improved, but storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of the cyano group (-C≡N) at the terminal position of the hydrocarbylene chain in the functionalizing compound creates a unique chemical structure that provides both strong reinforcement through filler interaction and exceptional storage stability by preventing unwanted side reactions during aging, thus resolving the contradiction between reinforcement and storage stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If functionalizing compounds are used to modify polymer, then initial Mooney viscosity is controlled, but aged Mooney viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyano-containing functionalizing compound of formula (I) enables precise control of initial Mooney viscosity while simultaneously maintaining low aged Mooney viscosity. The cyano group's chemical properties prevent the viscosity growth that typically occurs during aging storage, allowing the polymer to maintain manufacturability and performance over time.
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 modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer maintains stable Mooney viscosity over time, ensuring effective storage and performance in tire components.
Implementation Method 1
using the catalyst system of (A) to polymerize 1,3-butadiene to produce polymer chains with a living end
Implementation Method 2
reacting the living end polymer chains from (B) with a functionalizing compound having formula (I) as follows
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tires having a component made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.