Abstract
The formation of covalently cross-linked 3D network makes it difficult to recycle conventional vulcanized rubbers. Introducing dynamic covalent bonds such as reversible ester bonds into the rubber network is a feasible method to solve this issue. However, the low mechanical properties of rubber with only reversible ester bonds make it unsuitable for most practical applications. This work reports a strengthened biobased epoxidized natural rubber/adipic acid/cellulose nanocrystal (ENR/AA/CNC) composite in which biobased AA covalently cross-links ENR to form a network with exchangeable β-hydroxyl ester bonds. This network is able to rearrange its topology at high temperatures, causing the ENR/AA/CNC composite to exhibit certain reprocessing capabilities. Meanwhile, the CNCs form a mass of hydrogen bonds between their hydroxyl groups and the hydrophilic groups of ENR chains, giving the ENR/AA/CNC composite an enhanced mechanical performance.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21875047), the Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Foundation of Guangxi University (Grant No. 2022JCC020), Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province (2019B121203004) and Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund for Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (No.1630122021005).
Funding
This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21875047), the Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Foundation of Guangxi University (Grant No. 2022JCC020), Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province (2019B121203004) and Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund for Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (No. 1630122021005).
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XY: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing—original draft, Writing—revised draft. LY: Software, Investigation. XT: Supervision. YW: Writing—review and editing, Funding acquisition. QW: Investigation. CX: Project administration, Funding acquisition, Writing—original draft, Writing—revised draft.
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Yang, X., Yang, L., Teng, X. et al. Strengthened adipic acid cross-linked epoxidized natural rubber by cellulose nanocrystals. Cellulose 30, 6971–6988 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05320-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05320-7