Biologically sustainable rubber resin and rubber-filler promoter: a precursor study

Enthused by the ever growing demand for sustainable and green based materials in responding to applications based on macromolecules, an attempt was made in seeking a bio-resin (Terpene). Herein, we report the functionalization of bio-resin with natural rubber (NR) to produce new sustainable and greener functional polymer. Bio-resin functionalized NR was prepared by melt mixing using di(2-tert butyl peroxy isopropyl) benzene initiator. Structure elucidation of the bio-resin functionalized NR was established by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Bio-resin functionalized NR facilitates the augmented interaction with highly dispersible silica. Amended state of highly dispersible silica dispersion has been achieved in the absence of toxic process oil, expensive silane coupling agent and conventionally used zinc oxide. Remarkable improvement in overall properties corroborated with various meticulous characterization including nanoindentation, rheological, physico-mechanical and small angle X-ray scattering using Becauge model, etc. The dynamic mechanical properties of the greener polymer demonstrated low rolling resistance coupled with high traction. More decisively, the macromolecule system toned up sparingly in the presence of the bio-resin. Our contribution facilitates a novel avenue to develop sustainable high-performance elastomeric macromolecule. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.