Functionalized Polymers with Silylated Amino Groups for Tire Hysteresis Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber vulcanizates used in tire manufacturing exhibit high hysteresis, leading to increased rolling resistance, and the predictability of functionalizing polymers to reduce hysteresis is unpredictable due to variability in functional groups and their interactions with filler particles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the polymerization of conjugated diene monomers with an anionic initiator, followed by reaction with carboxylic or thiocarboxylic esters containing a silylated amino group to form functionalized polymers, which reduce hysteresis by modifying filler interactions and polymer chain ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional rubber vulcanizates are used in tire manufacturing, then the tire components can be produced with standard performance, but the hysteresis is high leading to increased rolling resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by introducing specific functional groups (silylated amino groups) through controlled reaction with carboxylic or thiocarboxylic esters. This parameter change reduces hysteresis loss by modifying how the polymer interacts with filler particles and reduces free chain ends, thereby lowering energy loss while maintaining manufacturability through a predictable functionalization process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite functionalized polymer system where the base polymer is combined with specific functional groups (silylated amino groups attached to acyclic, heterocyclic, or non-aromatic cyclic moieties). This composite structure reduces hysteresis by improving the interaction between the polymer and filler particles, effectively reducing filler agglomeration and energy loss
2Loss of energy
If functionalized polymers are used to reduce hysteresis, then rolling resistance decreases, but the predictability of functionalization becomes unpredictable due to variability in functional groups and their interactions with filler particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by introducing specific functional groups (silylated amino groups) at particular locations on the polymer chain. The silylated amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from acyclic, heterocyclic, or non-aromatic cyclic structures, creating localized functional regions that consistently interact with filler particles to reduce hysteresis in a predictable manner
Solution Approach 2:
The silylated amino group acts as an intermediary between the polymer chain and the filler particles. This intermediate functional group mediates the interaction by reducing filler agglomeration and providing consistent, predictable bonding that reduces hysteresis without the variability associated with other functional groups
3Ease of operation
If free polymer chain ends are present in the crosslinked rubber network, then the polymer can be easily processed, but hysteresis increases due to these free chain ends
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes the harmful effect of free polymer chain ends by introducing functional groups that react with these chain ends. The silylated amino groups attach to the polymer chain ends, converting them from free, hysteresis-causing ends to functionalized ends that reduce filler agglomeration and energy loss while maintaining adequate processability
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 functionalized polymers demonstrate reduced hysteresis in tire components, resulting in lower rolling resistance and improved tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
Anionic initiators are known to be useful for the polymerization of conjugated diene monomers to form polydienes having a combination of 1,2-, cis-1,4- and trans-1,4-linkages
Implementation Method 2
reacting the reactive polymer with a carboxylic or thiocarboxylic ester containing a silylated amino group
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a carboxylic or thiocarboxylic ester containing a silylated amino group, where the silylated amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and nonaromatic cyclic moieties.