Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
10:22
Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
Published on: November 30, 2020
Quantifying the Miscibility of Biobased Resins in Binary Polyisoprene Systems
Johannes Rochau1,2, Jürgen E K Schawe3, Jorge Lacayo-Pineda1,2
1Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
ACS Polymers Au
|August 15, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new quantitative method using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to measure molecular interactions in polymer-resin composites. The findings reveal varying miscibility between isoprene rubber and biobased resins, impacting material performance.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Rheology
Background:
- Polymer-resin miscibility is crucial for elastomer compound performance but often assessed indirectly.
- Developing quantitative methods for molecular interaction analysis in composites is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a quantitative approach for evaluating molecular interactions in amorphous polymer filler composites.
- To assess the miscibility of isoprene rubber (IR) with biobased resins using glass transition measurements.
Main Methods:
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for glass transition measurements.
- Investigated binary mixtures of isoprene rubber with terpene resin, rosin ester, and maleic-modified rosin ester.
- Mechanical testing via torque measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- An interaction parameter quantified molecular interactions, indicating stronger repulsive forces between IR and rosin ester.
- DSC measurements correlated with mechanical and microscopic analyses.
- Demonstrated a direct relationship between the interaction parameter and component miscibility.
Conclusions:
- The developed DSC-based method provides a quantitative measure of molecular interactions in polymer-resin systems.
- Miscibility is influenced by the specific type of biobased resin used with isoprene rubber.
- The findings offer insights for optimizing elastomer compound processing and performance through controlled miscibility.
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