Lignin‐Reinforced Ethylene‐Propylene‐Diene Copolymer Elastomer via Hydrogen Bonding Interactions

Abstract

It is still a great challenge to prepare lignin/polyolefin composites with good strength and toughness. Inspired by the energy sacrificial mechanism from biomaterials, dynamic hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) are incorporated into the lignin/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) composite system to improve the interfacial interactions between lignin and EPDM. Such H-bonding interactions are demonstrated to be able to simultaneously improve the modulus, strength, and toughness of lignin/EPDM composites without sacrificing the extensibility. This work provides a facile method for the high-valued utilization of lignin in the preparation of high-performance elastomer composites using bio-renewable resources as reinforcing agent.

Nacre‐inspired construction of soft–hard double network structure to prepare strong, tough, and water‐resistant soy protein adhesive

“…Bio‐based materials are non‐toxic, and renewable, which makes them attractive alternatives to formaldehyde‐based adhesives. Various natural bio‐based materials, including tannin, 6 starch, 7 lignin, 8 and protein 9 have been developed and utilized.…”

Improved Performance of Environmentally Friendly Blends of Biobased Polyethylene and Kraft Lignin Compatibilized by Reactive Extrusion with Dicumyl Peroxide

“…[37] DCP has also been successfully used to improve polymer-fiber interactions in highdensity PE-sisal fiber composites, with a typical DCP loading of 1 phr, showing its efficiency during REX of fiber-reinforced composites. [38] In addition, REX has been developed using other compatibilizers, for instance, Mei et al [4] reported that interfacial interactions between lignin and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) could be improved with the use of maleic anhydride grafted PE-octene elastomer (POE-MA) as a reactive compatibilizer. Moreover, they reported the use of 3-amino-1,2,4triazole (ATA) as POE-MA modifier to enhance improved reactivity.…”

“…[ 2,3 ] Lignin contains a large variety of functional groups, such as hydroxyls groups, carboxyl groups, which can form efficient H‐bounding interactions. [ 4 ] In addition, lignin is considered the main renewable source of aromatic structures. [ 5 ] Different kinds of lignins, called technical lignins, are obtained after the delignification process, such as kraft lignin (KL), soda lignin, and organosolv lignin.…”

“…[ 38 ] In addition, REX has been developed using other compatibilizers, for instance, Mei et al. [ 4 ] reported that interfacial interactions between lignin and ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) could be improved with the use of maleic anhydride grafted PE‐octene elastomer (POE‐MA) as a reactive compatibilizer. Moreover, they reported the use of 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (ATA) as POE‐MA modifier to enhance improved reactivity.…”

Flow mark defects reduction of injection‐molded polypropylene by dynamically vulcanized polyolefin elastomer

“…[ 36 ] Moreover, the dynamic vulcanization process can increase the elastomeric viscosity, [ 37,38 ] implying that the process can change the microstructure and morphology of elastomers. Ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer is widely used in the PP blends, [ 39 ] and dynamic vulcanization of EPDM leads to an increase of elastic recovery, [ 40 ] a decrease of size, [ 41 ] and a fine dispersion [ 42 ] of EPDM in the PP. Furthermore, smaller agglomerates of polyolefin elastomer (POE) can be obtained after POE is appropriately vulcanized.…”