Beijing University researchers develop bio-based itaconate butadiene
Beijing, China – The Beijing University of Chemical Technology has launched a bio-based itaconate-butadiene.
This project is researched by Professor Liqun Zhang’s team in the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. They started the research in 2008. After 13 years of hard work, a new generation of high performance and bio-based itaconate butadiene rubber has been successfully developed. Epoxy group functionalized poly(dibutyl itaconate-co-butadiene-glycidyl methacrylate) (PDBIBG) is the first class of macromolecular chain structures based on an itaconic acid resource, which can realize the high value-added utilization of biomass resources and promote the green and sustainable development of the rubber industry.
The comprehensive properties of the functionalized biobased itaconate butadiene rubber finally obtained are comparable or even superior to traditional rubbers. By calculation, the production of biobased itaconate butadiene rubber per ton can reduce carbon emissions by 1.44 tons, comparing with traditional petroleum based rubber, which can provide positive support for the world’s carbon peak and carbon neutral strategy.
By combining a molecular structural design with non-petroleum based silica and an in situ process to tune the viscoelastic properties of the elastomer composites, silica/PDBIBG nanocomposite based green tires that have low rolling resistance, excellent wet skid resistance and good wear resistance were successfully manufactured, which can promote fuel efficiency and reduce dependence on petrochemical resources.
With the joint efforts of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Shandong Chambroad Sinopoly New Material Co., Ltd., Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd. and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, the world’s first thousand-ton production line of PDBIBG materials has been successfully established in China, and PDBIBG tires were manufactured and tested. The rolling resistance and wet skid resistance are rated as B level by the EU Tyre Labelling Regulation 1222/2009, which includes the first batch of functionalized bio-based itaconate-butadiene rubber radial tires in the world.