Role of epoxidized natural Eucommia ulmoides gum in modifying the interface of styrene‐butadiene rubber/silica composites

Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG) is a renewable and sustainable polymer, which could be used as rubber or plastic by altering its crosslinking density while the complicated extracting process and nonpolar molecular chains limited its application. In this effort, a novel extraction method was introduced, which could simplify the extraction process of EUG. Then, the extracted EUG‐chloroform (CHCl₃) solution was directly used to prepare epoxidized EUG (EEUG) with an epoxy degree of 40.0% to improve its polarity. The epoxidized natural EUG exhibiting both polar and nonpolar motives had an advantage in working as an interfacial compatibilizer for polymer composites, especially bio‐based composites due to its inherent biocompatibility. Accordingly, the role of EEUG in modifying the interface of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites were explored. The results showed that EEUG in SBR/silica composites acted not only as a compatibilizer but also as a constructure generating better mechanical properties than other compatibilizers, such as silane couplings, Si‐69 and KH‐550, and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). The simplified extracting process and the epoxy modification of EUG would extend its application in rubber materials, medical materials, and biopolymer materials.     

Triple shape memory effect of foamed natural Eucommia ulmoides gum/high‐density polyethylene composites

This paper proposes a new technique for the preparation of foamed Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) shape memory composites and establishes the relationship between structures and properties in foamed shape memory composites. Eucommia ulmoides gum/HDPE shape memory composites are designed to memorize 2 temporary shapes by exploiting the different melting points of the 2 phases; the triple shape memory effect in the composites is investigated via mechanical measurements, thermal analysis, and shape memory behavior analysis. The results show that HDPE phase enables the composites to effectively memorize the first temporary shape and EUG phase contributes the second temporary shape. When the ratios of EUG and HDPE were 80/20 and 70/ 30, the composite exhibited satisfactory shape memory behavior with favorable shape fixity ratio and shape recovery ratio, in addition to excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength of 15 MPa, tear strength above 51 KN/m, and foam porosity of about 11%).     

Facile fabrication of a superhydrophobic surface from natural Eucommia rubber

In this study, we introduce a fabrication method for a superhydrophobic surface made from natural Eucommia rubber. Based on the Eucommia rubber extract solution, we prepared a type of superhydrophobic material using the simple phase separation method and the addition of a low‐surface‐energy substance method, thus developing a new approach for the application of natural Eucommia rubber. The experimental results showed that a superhydrophobic film could be obtained by both the addition of acetone and induction by water vapor. Additionally, the film exhibited properties closely related to the crystalline Eucommia rubber spherical particles with a hierarchical structure. The addition of hydrophobic silica also increased the hydrophobic property of the Eucommia rubber film. When the content of the silica was 4% (wt%), the contact angle of the composite film reached 160.7°, which could be attributed to the properties of the nano‐silica and the micro‐nano structure of the composites. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of nanosilica on thermal oxidative degradation of SBR

The effect of silica content on thermal oxidative stability of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites has been studied. Morphologies of silica in SBR with different contents are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, which indicates that silica can well disperse in SBR matrix below the content of 40 %, otherwise aggregates or agglomerates will generate. Composites with around 40 % silica content show excellent mechanical properties and retention ratios after aging at 85 °C for 6 days. The values of activation energy (E _a) of pure SBR and its composites are calculated by Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods based on thermogravimetric (TG) results, which suggests that composite with about 20 % silica has minimum E _a, and composite with 30–40 % silica has maximum E _a. According to TG curves, it is found that silica can suppress the formation of char leading to decline in stability to some extent. On the other side, silica also has positive effect on improving thermal stability of the matrix as filler. Thus, the SBR/silica composites with silica content of 30–40 % can possess both excellent resistance to thermal oxidative degradation and superior mechanical properties.     

Preparation and properties investigation of PMMA/silica composites derived from silicic acid

Hybrid materials based on silicic acid and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were prepared by in situ bulk polymerization of a silicic acid sol and MMA mixture. Silicic acid sol was obtained by tetrahydrofuran (THF) extraction of silicic acid from water. Silicic acid was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of sodium silicate in the presence of 3.6 M HCl. As a comparative study, PMMA composites filled by silica particles, which were derived from calcining the silicic acid gel, were prepared by a comparable in situ polymerization. Each set of PMMA/silica composites was subjected to thermal and mechanical studies. Residual THF in PMMA/silicic acid composites impacted the properties of the polymer composites. With increase in silica content, the PMMA composites filled with silica particles showed improved thermal and mechanical properties, whereas a decrease in thermal stability and mechanical strength was found for PMMA composites filled with silicic acid dissolved in THF. With a better compatibility with polymer matrix, silicic acid sol shows better reinforcement than silica particles in PMMA films prepared via blending of the corresponding THF solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Epoxidation of Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-endo- and Exodicarboxylic Acid N-Arylimides

Epoxidation of endo- and exo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid N-arylimides with a solution of peracetic acid in anhydrous dioxane affords 5,6-exo-epoxybicycloheptanedicarboxylic acid N-arylimides. The epoxidation reaction is not sensitive to the configuration of the imide fragment, to the character and position of the substituent in the aromatic ring. The reaction is determined only by oxidation conditions.     

SBR composites reinforced with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-phenyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine-modified clay

SBR compounds including the N-isopropyl-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-modified clay(organoclay) were prepared.Effects of modified clay and antioxidant(IPPD) contents on mechanical and rheological properties of SBR composites were studied.FTIR results confirmed that the clay was chemically modified by IPPD and changed into an organoclay.X-ray diffraction(XRD) results confirmed the increase in interlayer distance of the clay due to the insertion of IPPD.Rheological and cure characteristics of SBR compounds were determined using RPA(Rubber Process Analyzer) and rheometer.Scorch time and cure time of SBR compounds decreased with introduction of the organoclay.Mechanical properties and heat aging resistance of the SBR composites were improved significantly by incorporation of the organoclay.     

平衡溶胀法研究谷氨酸二硫代氨基甲酸镧对SBR/SiO2复合材料界面作用的影响

通过合成一种含有二硫代羧基,羧基和镧离子的新型稀土促进剂——谷氨酸二硫代氨基甲酸镧(简称La-GDTC),并利用平衡溶胀法研究了La-GDTC对丁苯橡胶(SBR)/SiO2复合材料界面作用的影响.交联密度测试表明,SiO2的加入能够有效提高SBR/La-GDTC/SiO2复合材料的交联密度;而SBR/La-GDTC/S...     

Understanding the effect of filler shape induced immobilized rubber on the interfacial and mechanical strength of rubber composites

Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites with silica, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared and the interfacial and mechanical properties were compared to understand the reinforcing behaviours of these fillers based on the results of SEM, DSC, DMA, etc. Due to the formation of interparticle domain, HNTs immobilized more rubber approaching their surface than silica and MMT. Interestingly, only tightly immobilized rubber chains made contribution to the enhancement of interfacial and mechanical strength of SBR composites. This was because the tightly immobilized rubber acted as a bridge in the filler-rubber interface and induced the formation of stretched rubber chains linked filler network when the composites were loaded in tension, while loosely immobilized rubber were easy to slip off from filler surface, causing the separation between filler and bulk rubber. Therefore, silica with more tightly immobilized rubber approaching its surface showed better reinforcing effect on rubber than HNTs and MMT.     

Physicochemical Characteristics of Styrene-Butadiene Latex- modified Mortar Composite vis-à-vis Preferential Interactions

The interaction between styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) film and the ions from C₂S and C₃S hydration of Portland cement mortar composites has been evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and the morphology of the composites characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specimen used was cured for 28 days. FTIR spectrum supports the interaction of SBR with cement in the composite. Compressive strength, bulk density and water absorption properties of the cured composites were tested. Addition of SBR latex in Portland cement mortar increases the compressive strength and decreases the water absorption. Bulk density study revels interface formation in the composite. The role of the interface in relation to compressive strength of the composite has been discussed. A simple Matrix System model is shown to account composition dependence of bulk density.     

Comparative absorption kinetics of seven active ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides extracts by intestinal in situ circulatory perfusion in normal and spontaneous hypertensive rats

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (E. ulmoides) is a valuable and nourishing medicinal herb in China that has been used in the treatment of hypertension. Given the fact that most traditional Chinese medicine is mainly used to treat disease, investigating the pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicines in the pathological state is more useful than that in the normal state. However, the differences in the absorption kinetics of active ingredients of E. ulmoides extract between pathological and physiological conditions have not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the rat intestinal in situ circulatory perfusion model was used to investigate the differences in absorption kinetics of seven active ingredients of E. ulmoides extract in normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats, namely, genipinic acid, protocatechuic acid, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, (+)-pinoresinol di-O-β-D -glucopyranoside and (+)-pinoresinol 4′-O-β-D -glucopyranoside. Our results indicate that the pathological state of spontaneous hypertension may change the absorption of active components of E. ulmoides extracts, and these findings may provide a reference for improving the rational use of E. ulmoides in the clinic.     

Epoxidation of 1-Substituted 3-Cyclohexenes. Theoretical and Experimental Investigation

Epoxidation of 1-substituted 3-cyclohexenes was investigated. The stereoisomeric composition of the forming epoxides mixture was established by means of GLC and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The spectral parameters of the epoxides are considered. The thermodynamical stability of cis- and trans-epoxides was evaluated by molecular mechanics method. For the epoxidation of 1-substituted 3-cyclohexenes with peracetic acid was carried out a quantum-chemical calculation of the potential energy surface by PM3 method.     

Open spaces and molecular motions in carbon‐black‐ and silica‐loaded SBR investigated using positron annihilation

Lifetime spectra of positrons were measured for styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) vulcanizates filled with carbon black (CB) or silica. At temperatures between 10 and 420 K, no large difference between the size of the open spaces in the CB/SBR vulcanizate and that in the specimen without the filler was observed. Above the glass‐transition temperature (T_g = 230 K), the same was true for the silica/SBR vulcanizate. Below T_g, however, the size of the open spaces was reduced by the incorporation of silica as a result of the suppression of local molecular motions in the SBR. The density of the open spaces was reduced by the incorporation of the fillers. However, above 400 K it started to increase in the silica/SBR vulcanizate. For the CB/SBR vulcanizate, the introduction of open spaces was well suppressed, even at 420 K. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 835–842, 2001     

Mechanical properties and structural characteristics of PP/PP‐g‐SBR nanocomposites prepared by dynamical photografting

Poly(propylene) (PP)/PP grafted styrene‐butadiene rubber (PP‐g‐SBR) nanocomposite was prepared by blending PP with PP‐g‐SBR using dynamical photografting. The crystal morphological structure, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties of PP/PP‐g‐SBR nanocomposites have been studied by photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PAS‐FT‐IR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical measurements. The data obtained from the mechanical measurements show that the PP‐g‐SBR as a modifier can considerably improve the mechanical properties of PP/PP‐g‐SBR nanocomposites, especially for the notched Izod impact strength (NIIS). The NIIS of the nanocomposite containing 2 wt% PP‐g‐SBR measured at 20°C is about 2.6 times that of the control sample. The results obtained from PAS‐FTIR, WAXD, SEM, and DSC measurements revealed the enhanced mechanism of impact strength of PP/PP‐g‐SBR nanocomposites as follows: (i) the β‐type crystal of PP formed and its content increased with increasing the photografting degree of PP‐g‐SBR; (ii) the size of PP‐g‐SBR phase in the PP/PP‐g‐SBR nanocomposites obviously reduced and thus the corresponding number of PP‐g‐SBR phase increased with increasing the photografting degree of PP‐g‐SBR. All the earlier changes on the crystal morphological structures are favorable for increasing the compatibility and enhancing the toughness of PP at low temperature. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal stability of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with kaolinite/silica hybrid filler

Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with fillers, such as modified kaolinite (MK), precipitated silica (PS), and the hybrid fillers containing MK and PS, were prepared by melt blending. The kaolinite sheets were finely dispersed in the SBR matrix around 20–80 nm in thickness and reached the nano-scale. The SBR composites with fillers exhibited excellent thermal stability compared to the pure SBR. The thermal stability of SBR composites was improved with the increasing of MK mass fraction. When MK hybridized with PS, kaolinite sheets were covered by the fine silica particles and the interface between filler particles and rubber matrix became more indistinct. SBR composite filled by hybrid fillers containing 40 phr MK and 10 phr PS became more difficult in decomposition and was better than that of 50 phr PS/SBR and 50 phr MK/SBR in thermal stability. Therefore, the hybridization of the fine silica particles with the kaolinite particles can effectively improve the thermal stability of SBR composites.     

Mechanism analysis of Eucommia ulmoides gum reducing the rolling resistance and the application study in green tires

Eucommia ulmoides (EU) gum is a natural polymer material extracted from Eucommia ulmoides (EU) oliver, which can be applied in the tire industry to reduce the rolling resistance of the tread compound and save the energy. However, the mechanism is not explicit, which limits EU gum to be applied widely. Therefore, the crystallization characteristics and mechanical properties of EU gum with different cross-linking densities are studied systematically to reveal the mechanism. It is found that the “forced crystallization”, namely the crystallization of EU gum is hindered by the internal stress caused by numerous cross-linking points, is the main reason to reduce the rolling resistance. When the temperature reaches the melting point (about 60 °C), the EU gum converts into the random elastic network state immediately under the internal stress without the viscous sliding existed in the traditional molten polymer material, which greatly decreases the tanδ value at 60 °C, an index can evaluate the rolling resistance of tread material. Compared with the pure EU gum, the tanδ value at 60 °C decreases with a maximum drop of 45.2% under the forced crystallization caused by vulcanizing. However, EU gum cannot be made into tire directly for its crystallization at ambient temperature, which damages the high elastic property of tire. So EU gum is blended into natural rubber (NR) and reinforced by the carbon black. As a result, the comprehensive properties are improved when the content of EU gum is controlled lower than 30phr. Compared with NR nanocomposite, the NR/EU gum nanocomposite with 10phr EU gum can reduce the rolling resistance by 25.6% and improve the abrasion resistance by 9.5%.     

Palladium based heterogeneous catalyst by evaporation-induced self-assembly: use of biopolymer as a surface functionalizing and reducing agent

Palladium-based composites are widely used as a heterogeneous catalyst in carbon–carbon coupling reactions and in catalytic converters used in the car industry. In this work, we demonstrate a simple, green and scalable synthesis procedure to obtain palladium (Pd) based heterogeneous catalyst. Surface functionalized silica microparticles were obtained in one-step by spray-drying a colloidal suspension of silica nanoparticles and gum arabic, an environmental-friendly biopolymer. Subsequently, palladium nanoparticles were reduced and attached to the substrate by gum arabic. The as-synthesized composite was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The Pd@SiO₂ composite was used as a catalyst in the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride. The catalyst showed good recycling properties. The present environmental-friendly approach for fabrication of Pd-based heterogeneous catalyst circumvents various complex chemical steps involved in conventional chemical methods and could be generalized for the production of ceramic or magnetite-based Pd composites.     

Interaction between 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and oil palm ash in styrene butadiene rubber compounds using response surface methodology

Oil palm ash (OPA) is available in abundance and is renewable. The effects of a combination of OPA and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane on the properties of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds based on their mixing ratios were studied using response surface methodology. The cure characteristics and tensile properties were selected as the responses. The significance of these factors and their interactions were analysed using ANOVA. The results showed that the presence of OPA and AMPTES had a significant effect on the properties of SBR compounds, whereby all the responses had R² of above 0.9. This indicates that the regression model is accurate in describing and predicting the pattern of significance for each factor studied. In addition, with the highest level of AMPTES (6 phr) and OPA (80 phr) in the SBR, the tensile strength of the mixture was significantly improved by 151.6% compared to that of gum SBR compound. These findings were further supported by scanning electron microscopy.     

Mechanical,acoustical and flammability properties of SBR and SBR-PU foam layered structure

In this work a layer structure from styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites and PU foam with improved flame retardancy property and high sound absorption coefficient at frequency range (200–500 Hz). Different types of flame retardants; iron (acrylic-co-acrylamide) as metal chelate (MC), magnesium hydroxide (MOH) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) were blended with SBR. The type and loading level of flame retardant had a great effect on filler dispersion and consequently on mechanical properties of SBR. MOH exhibited the best dispersion as indicated from scanning electron microscope (SEM), and SBR/MOH samples had almost the highest crosslink density (16.04*10⁻⁵ g⁻¹ mol) and the best mechanical properties where the tensile strength was improved by 32.7% at 40 phr MOH. Horizontal burning rate of SBR composites indicated that MC and MOH reduced the rate of burning of SBR at all loading levels. TGA data presented that the addition of flame retardants to SBR increased the maximum decomposition temperature in all composites. A double and triple layer structures of SBR composite and PU foam was designed. The effect of 2.5 cm air cavity on the sound absorption coefficient of SBR-PU foam layered structure was studied. The presence of air cavity behind the layered structure improved the sound absorption in the range of (200–500 Hz) better than the existence of it between the layers. The triple-layer structure gave higher sound absorption coefficient at lower frequencies than that obtained with the double-layer structure where it reached to ≥0.98 at 315 Hz.     

Morphology and properties of cyanate ester/liquid polyurethane/silica nanocomposites

The high‐speed homogeneous shearing method was applied to prepare nanocomposites of cyanate ester (CE) with liquid polyurethane elastomer (PUR) and silica. To investigate the influence of various components on the morphology and properties of the ternary composites, the binary composites of CE/PUR and CE/silica were also involved in this article. The morphology of the cured materials of binary and ternary systems was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the results show that silica nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the ternary and binary matrix. Phase separation of elastomer in composites was not observed by TEM. FTIR test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) proved that chemical linking was existent between PUR and CE. Scanning electron microscopy examinations and mechanical properties tests were carried out. The results show that ternary composites displayed higher fracture toughness and impact strength compared with most of the binary systems. This suggests that the addition of PUR and nanosilica can synergistically improve the toughness of CE. DMA studies confirmed that the incorporation of silica can increase the storage modulus and T_g for CE and CE/PUR system, since there are a good adhesion and a strong hydrogen bonding between silica and polymers. The thermal property of ternary composites increases with the increase of silica nanoparticle loading. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1243–1251, 2008