Multi-block copolymer as reactive multifunctional compatibilizer for NR/BR blends with desired network structures and dynamical properties: Compatibility, co-vulcanization and filler dispersion
writer：2. Hao Wang, Xinping Zhang, Huarong Nie*, Riguo Wang*, Aihua He*
keywords：Rubber blends，Compatibility，Cure behavior，Filler dispersion
source：期刊
Issue time：2018年
Filled natural rubber (NR)/cis-1, 4-polybutadiene rubber (BR) blends are commonly used as tire sidewall stocks. However, the incompatibility and mismatched curing rate between NR and BR and selective distribution of fillers in BR phase result in unsatisfied dynamical properties of NR/BR blends. Herein, we have proposed a facile approach to modulate multi-scale structures in NR/BR blends including the polymer and filler network structures by introducing trans-1,4-poly (butadiene-co-isoprene) copolymer (TBIR) with multi trans-1, 4-polyisoprene (TPI) blocks as novel reactive multifunctional compatibilizer. Both DMA and TEM results prove that the incorporation of crystalline TBIR not only improve the compatibility between NR and BR with greatly reduced domain size, but also enhance filler dispersion with reduced filler segregation in BR phase. In addition, the co-vulcanization between NR and BR is enhanced with the incorporation of TBIR which could participate in curing reaction. As a result, NR/BR/TBIR vulcanizates show excellent comprehensive dynamical performances.