Biobased Elastomer from Renewable Biomass β-Farnesene: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties

Abstract

With the aim of lowering the carbon footprint of rubber products and its growing environmental concerns, the demand for the development of biobased elastomers as sustainable alternatives for tire application is huge. In this context, polymerization of a renewable acyclic terpene, β-farnesene, using persulfate emulsion polymerization at a temperature of 70 °C was investigated for the first time. The synthesized polymer showed a moderately high molecular weight of 86,760 Da and a glass transition temperature (T g) of −68 °C. In addition, 1H NMR analysis of polyfarnesene (PFA) microstructures revealed the formation of predominantly 1,4-cis and trans configurations. The synthesized polyfarnesene exhibited rubbery behavior and displayed good thermal stability. Besides, the vulcanization characteristics and dynamic mechanical performance of the carbon black-filled PFA vulcanizate were also elucidated. With rising awareness for sustainable materials, it is evident that these kinds of biobased elastomers hold great potential to be used as future materials in a variety of applications without compromising performance.

Solvent-Free Environmentally Friendly Method to Prepare Thermo-Reversible Fully Bio-Based Elastomers

“…The average diameters of PDBIMFA samples with different FMA contents are in line with the standards of microemulsion, which is also consistent with the rule previously reported in bio-based emulsion polymers. 9 , 52 , 53 …”

“…The average diameters of PDBIMFA samples with different FMA contents are in line with the standards of microemulsion, which is also consistent with the rule previously reported in bio-based emulsion polymers. 9,52,53 We analyzed the structure of PDBIMFA-5 and its synthetic monomer by FTIR, as shown in Figure 3a. Among them, 1639 cm −1 corresponds to the peak of the double bond in DBI, My, and FMA monomers, but there is no peak in PDBIMFA-5, which confirms that the double bond of the three monomers disappeared due to successful copolymerization.…”

Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium of Monoterpene-Sesquiterpene System Containing Resin Acid

“…Pine resin, a non-wood forest product, is produced commercially from approximately 20 pine species in both planted and natural forests in many developing countries. , The volatile turpentine oil (mainly monoterpene and sesquiterpene) and non-volatile colophony obtained by steam distillation of pine oleoresin have hundreds and thousands of uses in the fields of the fine chemical industry, daily chemical industry, agriculture, and medicine. − α -Pinene and limonene are the major components of the monoterpene. α -Pinene has anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and anti-bacterial effects .…”

Toward Biosourced Elastomer from β-Farnesene and Styrene: Synthesis, Properties, and Mechanical Performance

“…Second, β-farnesene is produced by fermentation of sugars uprooted from Brazilian sugar cane and cellulose waste using microbial engineering technology. , Due to its characteristic chemical structure resembling the isoprene trimer, it is prone to different polymerization methods. A few developments in farnesene-based polymers via anionic and living/controlled radical polymerization pathway has been successfully claimed recently. − In our previous works also, the fabrication of biobased elastomers from β-farnesene using a catalyst and solvent-free polymerization process was reported . However, the derived biobased elastomer and its composites displayed low mechanical properties.…”

“…33−35 In our previous works also, the fabrication of biobased elastomers from β-farnesene using a catalyst and solvent-free polymerization process was reported. 36 However, the derived biobased elastomer and its composites displayed low mechanical properties. Therefore, the copolymerization of β-farnesene with commercial aromatic olefins provides a suitable way to obtain biobased rubber materials with promising properties.…”