Modified Conjugated Diene Polymer Production via Silane-Amine Modification

The patent combines the modification step and crosslinking step into a single reaction process. The conjugated diene-based polymer is reacted with both the crosslinking agent (containing silane and amine groups) and the metal halogen compound simultaneously, achieving crosslinking and modification in one step rather than sequentially. This reduces the number of production steps while maintaining the desired shape stability and processability.

The patent introduces a preliminary modification step where the conjugated diene-based polymer is pre-modified with a compound containing silane and amine groups before crosslinking. This preliminary action creates active sites on the polymer chains that facilitate subsequent crosslinking with metal halogen compounds, enabling the reaction to proceed more efficiently and reducing the number of additional steps required.

The patent modifies the polymer chains with compounds containing both silane groups (for silica interaction) and amine groups (for carbon black interaction) at different locations along the polymer chain. This creates local regions with different affinities for different reinforcing agents, allowing the polymer to interact effectively with both carbon black and silica while maintaining good silica dispersibility. The dual-functional modifier enables selective interaction at different sites on the polymer chain.

The patent uses a composite modifier structure that combines silane groups and amine groups within the same modifying compound. This composite approach allows a single modifier to provide multiple functions: the silane groups interact with silica particles while the amine groups interact with carbon black, creating a synergistic effect that improves both reinforcement and dispersibility simultaneously.