Biobased Elastomer from Renewable Biomass beta-Farnesene: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties

Abstract

With the aim of lowering the carbon footprint of rubber products and its growing environmental concerns, the demand for the development of biobased elastomers as sustainable alternatives for tire application is huge. In this context, polymerization of a renewable acyclic terpene, beta-farnesene, using persulfate emulsion polymerization at a temperature of 70 degrees C was investigated for the first time. The synthesized polymer showed a moderately high molecular weight of 86,760 Da and a glass transition temperature (T-g) of -68 degrees C. In addition, H-1 NMR analysis of polyfarnesene (PFA) microstructures revealed the formation of predominantly 1,4-cis and trans configurations. The synthesized polyfarnesene exhibited rubbery behavior and displayed good thermal stability. Besides, the vulcanization characteristics and dynamic mechanical performance of the carbon black-filled PFA vulcanizate were also elucidated. With rising awareness for sustainable materials, it is evident that these kinds of biobased elastomers hold great potential to be used as future materials in a variety of applications without compromising performance.