Toward Mechanically Robust Crosslinked Elastomers through Phase Transfer Agent Tuning the Solubility of Zn2+ in the Organic Phase

Zinc oxide (ZnO), which is toxic to aquatic organisms, is widely used as an activator in the rubber industry. The reduction of ZnO content is one of the efficient ways to tackle ecological environment impacts induced by ZnO. However, the incompatibility between Zn2+ and organic matrix inhibits the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2022-03, Vol.14 (6), p.1234
Main Authors: Liu, Shuang, Quan, Xin-Yao, Wang, Hao-Ran, Liao, Shuangquan, Luo, Ming-Chao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crosslinking
Design
Elastomers
Hydrophobicity
Incompatibility
Investigations
Polymers
Robustness
Rubber
Scandals
Solubility
Solvents
Spectrum analysis
Sulfur
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxides
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Summary:Zinc oxide (ZnO), which is toxic to aquatic organisms, is widely used as an activator in the rubber industry. The reduction of ZnO content is one of the efficient ways to tackle ecological environment impacts induced by ZnO. However, the incompatibility between Zn2+ and organic matrix inhibits the solubility and activity of Zn2+ in the organic matrix, causing the heavy use of ZnO. This work develops a phase transfer agent with Zn2+-philic structure and oleophilic structure to increase the solubility of Zn2+ in the organic matrix. The phase transfer agent and Zn2+ form coordination interactions, while the hydrophobic chains of phase transfer agent and organic matrix form hydrophobic interactions. The above two interactions improve the solubility and activity of Zn2+ in the organic matrix, contributing to the formation of crosslinking network. Through the phase transfer agent strategy, we obtain the mechanically robust elastomers, and the samples with low ZnO content still maintain the superior properties. This work provides an efficient way to reduce ZnO content without sacrificing the performance of elastomers.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym14061234