Green and Catalyst-Free Cross-Linking of Bio-Based Elastomers toward Robust, Reprocessable Abilities and Improved Thermal Aging Resistance Enabled by β-Hydroxyl Esters

• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c05827
• Publication Date: 2023-02-03T18:29:32Z
• Authors: Weixiao Song; Zixuan Wang; Yihao Xing; Ganggang Zhang; Xi Zhang; Yonglai Lu; Tianwei Tan; Liqun Zhang
• Keywords: Maleic anhydride; Maleic acid

The bio-based epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) is considered a promising platform to design and fabricate sustainable high-performance materials. epoxide sites in the ENR chains contribute designing green cross-linking strategy reduce release of toxic volatile organic compounds achieve recycling end-of-life rubbers. However, it still challenging catalyst-free effective obtain cross-linked with mechanically robust properties. Herein, series carboxylic acids different chain lengths degrees functionality were synthesized through solvent-free alcoholysis maleic anhydride served as cross-linkers for ENR. We demonstrated that increased conducive increasing rate efficiency epoxy–acid reaction improving mechanical properties compared those commercial acid. Hence, could be facilely effectively by modified without additional additives, producing β-hydroxy ester linkages. ENR/carbon black composites adjusted via changing structure content cross-linkers. Due introduction exchangeable linkages, covalently networks able topological rearrangements transesterifications, thus conferring good reprocessability. Moreover, acid-cured showed improved thermal-oxidative aging resistance sulfur-curd one because formed cross-links are thermally stable. This work provides catalyst-free, efficient elastomer, which open broad application scenario vitrimer-like