Design, preparation and properties of bio-based elastomer composites aiming at engineering applications

Bio-based polymer products derived from renewable agricultural and biomass feedstock have become increasingly important as these sustainable and eco-efficient products bring a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and saving of fossil energy in comparison with conventional pertrochemical-based materials. A series of bio-based elastomers from large-scale produced and petroleum independent monomers such as succinic acid, sebacic acid, itaconic acid, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, soybean oil, glycerol, citric acid, etc have been developed by authors. Same as conventional elastomers, bio-based elastomers possess low glass transition temperature, high elasticity and low strength, and this implies that they must be reinforced by nano-fillers. However, they also possess particular and novel properties due to their characteristic macromolecular structures and aggregation structure. For example, the existence of abundant ester groups, terminal carboxyl groups, and terminal hydroxyl groups in bio-based polyester elastomers endow polar fillers like silica disperse homogeneous in the elastomer matrix without surface modification. Even though, for incorporation of easily agglomerated fillers like graphene and layered silicates, elaborately dispersion and interfacial tailoring technique is necessary. Combined with specific structures and relevant effective composite technology, bio-based elastomer composites exhibit versatile potential applications in tire tread, PLA toughener, thermoplastic vulcanizates, and dielectric elastomer, etc.