Description:
Reference #: 01058
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for a method synthesizing polyisoprene grafted nanoparticles to prepare rubber on silica surfaces.
Invention Description:
The subject invention is a new method for polymerizing isoperene on silica nanoparticle surfaces that allows more dispersion of silica fillers in the rubber or polyolefin matrix.
Potential Applications:
Functionalization of rubber for improved mechanical properties
Advantages and Benefits:
1. Enhances the mechanical properties of the resulting composite materials
2. The surface anchored polyisoprene possesses a much higher molecular weight than reports in literature, which is tremendously important for industry applications.
Background:
Polyisoprene is recognized as an important class of rubber materials for the automotive industry. It can be prepared in a variety of traditional ways, but few reports explore the polymerization of isoprene in a controlled manner. Polyisoprene contains many double bonds in the polymer backbone, which allows further functionalization and chemical modifications