Cellulose Nanofiber Rubber Composition Using Liquid Rubber and Surfactant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellulose nanofibers are difficult to disperse in rubber due to their hydrophilic nature, which hinders the creation of rubber molded articles with improved mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, despite their potential for low specific gravity and renewability.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising cellulose nanofibers, a liquid rubber component, and a surfactant, where the cellulose nanofibers lack ionic groups and are dispersed in a specific type of rubber with predetermined flow properties, allowing for uniform coverage by the liquid rubber and subsequent kneading to form a cured product with enhanced elastic modulus and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cellulose nanofibers are added to rubber to improve mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, then the elastic modulus and abrasion resistance are improved, but the dispersibility of cellulose nanofibers in rubber deteriorates due to hydrophilic-hydrophobic incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the hydrophilic cellulose nanofibers and hydrophobic rubber matrix. The surfactant reduces interfacial tension and improves wetting, enabling satisfactory dispersion of cellulose nanofibers in the rubber composition without compromising the mechanical properties enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the rubber system by selecting a liquid rubber with specific molecular weight (1,000 to 80,000) and viscosity characteristics. This parameter optimization enables the liquid rubber to effectively penetrate and disperse cellulose nanofibers during the mixing process, resolving the dispersibility issue while maintaining reinforcing effects.
2Weight of moving object
If cellulose nanofibers are used as filler to achieve low specific gravity and renewability, then environmental performance and weight are improved, but compatibility with hydrophobic rubber material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant serves as a compatibility bridge between the hydrophilic cellulose nanofibers and hydrophobic rubber, enabling the use of renewable, low-density cellulose filler in rubber applications without suffering from incompatibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a ternary composite system comprising cellulose nanofibers, liquid rubber, and surfactant. This composite approach combines the advantages of cellulose (low density, renewability) with rubber (elastomeric properties) while using surfactant to ensure homogeneous integration of components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If oxidized cellulose nanofibers with ionic groups are used to improve dispersibility, then affinity for rubber is enhanced, but the presence of ionic groups may adversely affect rubber properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a surfactant (a relatively simple, easily managed substance) to achieve dispersibility without requiring permanent chemical modification of the cellulose nanofibers. This avoids the need for oxidized cellulose with ionic groups, thereby preserving rubber properties while still achieving satisfactory dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the chemical structure of cellulose nanofibers (oxidation to introduce ionic groups), the patent changes the processing parameters by using a surfactant during mixing. This alternative approach achieves dispersibility through physical-chemical interaction rather than permanent structural modification.
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 enables the satisfactory dispersion of cellulose nanofibers in rubber, resulting in molded articles with improved elastic modulus and abrasion resistance without compromising the original rubber properties, effectively addressing the dispersibility challenge.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant... wherein the cellulose nanofibers lack ionic groups and are dispersed in a specific type of rubber with predetermined flow properties
Implementation Method 2
a liquid rubber component... with predetermined flow properties, allowing for uniform coverage by the liquid rubber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rubber composition in which cellulose nanofibers are satisfactorily dispersed in a rubber and which can form molded objects excellent in terms of elastic modulus, wear resistance, etc. This rubber composition comprises cellulose nanofibers, a first rubber component, which is a liquid rubber, and a surfactant. In one embodiment, the cellulose nanofibers contain no ionic groups. In one embodiment, the liquid rubber has a number-average molecular weight of 1,000-80,000.