摘要：

    Bio-based polymer products derived from renewable agricultural and biomass feedstock have become increasingly important as sustainable and eco-efficient products which can replace the products based exclusively on petroleum feedstock. Within this framework, the concept of bio-based engineeing elastomer (BEE) is proposed and demonstrated here as a practical solution. Large-scaled bio-based monomers, such as sebacic acid, itaconic acid, succinate acid, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and vegetable oils were chosen to generate polyester typed BEE (PE-BEE), poly(di-alkyl itaconate-co-isoprene) typed BEE (PDII), and poly(epoxidized soybean oil-co-decamethylene diamine) typed BEE （PESD）, which are linear and noncrystalline elastomers with low glass transition temperature (Tg) and crosslinkable groups. The nanoparticles such as silica, carbon black and even graphene were then introduced into the BEE matrices to successfully realize the great strengthening and improve environmental stability. (1) The acquired PE-BEE demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and advanced comprehensive performance. Various fundamental researches for the applied potential of PE-BEE including PE-BEE toughening Polylactide (PLA), PE-BEE/PLA thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), shape memory materials, low temperature oil-resistance elastomers and low voltage driven dielectric elastomers were extensively conducted and many new results were found out. On this basis, a pilot production line (100 ton/year) of PE-BEE was designed and constructed. (2) PDIIs with various side chain lengths and properties were synthesized by Redox initiated emulsion polymerization. Carboxyl groups were further introduced into polymer chain to increase the interactions between PDII chains and silica. By adjusting the side chain lengths and the mole ratio of di-alkyl itaconate to isoprene, the dynamic viscoelasticity of PDII could be flexibly tailored for the requirement of green tires and other rubber products. PDII latex with and without pyridine group are co-coagulated with natural layered silicate/water suspension, and the resulted nanocomposites exhibited excellent air barrier property. PDII/hindered phenol hybrids were also successfully prepared, which displayed the excellent damping performance. Furthermore, 10L-scale PDII reaction kettle was designed and constructed, and 2 kg PDII could be prepared each batch. Preparation of PDII tires and the investigation of tire performance were in progress. (3) PESD was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization from epoxidized soybean oil and decamethylene diamine. The tensile strength of cross-linked PESD could be adjusted by using different amounts of succinic anhydride as crosslinker. The final elastomer possesses good damping property, low water absorption, and low degradation rate. (4) What’s more, as many tissues in the body have elastomeric properties, successful replacement or tissue engineering of pathological parts require the development of compliant biodegradable elastomeric scaffolds that readily recover from relatively large deformations. Our research group prepared several novel biodegradable elastomers based on biocompatible acid and alcohol. Besides, the nano-hydroxyapatite, nano-silica and carbon-nanotube were separately incorporated into these elastomers. The results showed that these polyester typed biodegradable elastomers displayed excellent elasticity and adjustable biodegradation capability and fine biocompatibility. Plasticized starch was also investigated and found to possess low modulus and high biocompatibility. Consequently, foamed plasticized starch/PVA was prepared, which illustrated extremely good cell-compatibility. (5) Finally, as a naturally grew and rubber contained plant, the study on the planting and abstracting of Russian Dandelion was initiated again in China in 2011. The research progress of this biobased elastomer with another special natural rubber (namely Eucommia ulmoides) in China was briefly introduced.

关键词：biobased elastomers, engineering, medical, natural rubber
 

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