Abstract
A new class of thermoplastic elastomers has been created by introducing nanoscale-dispersed lignin (a biomass-derived phenolic oligomer) into nitrile rubber. Temperature-induced controlled miscibility between the lignin and the rubber during high shear melt-phase synthesis allows tuning the material's morphology and performance. The sustainable product has unprecedented yield stress (15-45 MPa), strain hardens at large deformation, and has outstanding recyclability. The multiphase polymers developed from an equal-mass mixture of a melt-stable lignin fraction and nitrile rubber with optimal acrylonitrile content, using the method described here, show 5-100 nm lignin lamellae with a high-modulus rubbery interphase. Molded or printed elastomeric products prepared from the lignin-nitrile material offer an additional revenue stream to pulping mills and biorefineries. A novel and powerful method for synthesizing a new class of high-performance renewable thermoplastic elastomers is introduced. This new class of multiphase polymers shows 5-100 nm thick interconnected lignin lamellae with a high modulus rubbery interphase. The success in developing this unique morphology is the key innovation behind this first report on lignin-based elastomers with unique yield stress.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2677-2685 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 25 2016 |
Keywords
- elastomers
- lignin
- nanostructured morphology
- recyclable polymers
- renewable thermoplastics