Synthesis of sustainable polymers from terpenes via a facile and green approach has evolved as a high-impact research field. In this work, we have designed a new molecular architecture and synthesized a highly reactive epoxy group-functionalized biobased elastomer, poly(myrcene-co-glycidyl methacrylate), by an environmentally friendly emulsion polymerization technique with the ultimate aim to have better reinforcement ability for silica reinforced tires. The copolymers displayed molecular weights in the range of 71 500–105 870 Da and a subambient glass transition temperature between −48 and −8 °C. By combining the molecular structure with nonpetroleum based silica, a silica/elastomer green nanocomposite was designed to investigate the effect of the epoxy groups on the interfacial interaction, morphology, and performance of the nanocomposites. The silica reinforced elastomer vulcanizate exhibited better silica dispersion, higher mechanical properties, and greater traction and wet skid resistance than the pristine elastomer. The current approach provides an effective route to make sustainable elastomers for diverse applications replacing petroleum-based analogues, which would be particularly useful to the automobile industry.

中文翻译：

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使用生物资源通过绿色途径设计改进的二氧化硅增强纳米复合材料的分子结构。

通过简便而绿色的方法从萜烯合成可持续聚合物已发展成为一个具有重大影响的研究领域。在这项工作中，我们已经设计了一种新的分子结构和合成的高反应性的环氧基团官能化的生物基弹性体，聚（myrcene-共-甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯），通过环保的乳液聚合技术，其最终目的是为二氧化硅增强轮胎提供更好的增强能力。共聚物的分子量在71 500–105 870 Da之间，玻璃化转变温度在-48和-8°C之间。通过结合分子结构与非石油基二氧化硅，设计了一种二氧化硅/弹性体绿色纳米复合材料，以研究环氧基对纳米复合材料的界面相互作用，形态和性能的影响。与原始弹性体相比，二氧化硅增强的弹性体硫化橡胶表现出更好的二氧化硅分散性，更高的机械性能以及更大的牵引力和抗湿滑性。