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Published on: August 25, 2016
Chemical Devulcanization of Crosslinked Nitrile Rubber Using Tetra-n-Butylammonium Fluoride (TBAF) as a
Jakub Wręczycki1, Katsiaryna Nauharodskaya1, Dariusz M Bieliński1
1Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 16 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland.
Tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) effectively devulcanizes sulfur-crosslinked rubber by cleaving sulfidic bonds. This fluoride-based method shows promise for recycling used rubber vulcanizates.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Chemical devulcanization is crucial for recycling sulfur-crosslinked diene rubber.
- Understanding crosslink structure and carbon black effects is key to optimizing devulcanization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as a novel devulcanization aid.
- To evaluate the impact of crosslink structure and carbon black loading on NBR devulcanization efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of rubber vulcanizates with TBAF solutions under varied conditions (concentration, solvent, temperature, time).
- Measurement of crosslink density and network properties post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) demonstrated effectiveness as a devulcanization aid.
- Up to 50% reduction in crosslink density was achieved.
- The fluoride-based approach successfully cleaved sulfidic crosslinks.
Conclusions:
- TBAF is a novel and effective chemical for devulcanizing sulfur-crosslinked diene rubber.
- The fluoride-based method offers significant potential for the efficient recycling of used rubber.
- Nucleophilic fluoride anions are key to cleaving the sulfidic crosslinks.
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