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Chemically Recyclable and Biodegradable Vulcanized Rubber
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Researchers developed a vulcanized rubber made from unsaturated polyesters that can be chemically recycled via solvolysis into its constituent monomers at over 90% recovery, and also undergoes partial biodegradation under environmental conditions, addressing the long-standing recyclability barrier of conventional cross-linked rubbers used in tires.
The cross-linked nature of vulcanized rubbers as used in tire and many other applications prohibits an effective closed-loop mechanical or chemical recycling. Moreover, vulcanization significantly retards the material's biodegradation. Here, we report a recyclable and biodegradable rubber that is generated by the vulcanization of amorphous, unsaturated polyesters. The elastic material can be broken down via solvolysis into the underlying monomers. After removal of the vulcanized repeat units, the saturated monomers, constituting the major share of the material, can be recovered in overall recycling rates exceeding 90%. Respirometric biodegradation experiments by 13CO2 tracking under environmental conditions via the polyesters' diol monomer indicated depolymerization and partial mineralization of the vulcanized polyester rubbers.
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This review covers recent advances in creating elastomers (flexible rubber-like materials) from renewable biological sources instead of petroleum, including natural rubber, plant oils, and bio-based polyurethanes. Current elastomers are mostly non-recyclable thermosets that take centuries to decompose, contributing to microplastic formation as they slowly fragment. Developing bio-based, recyclable alternatives could help reduce the long-term generation of microplastic pollution from rubber and flexible plastic products.
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This review examines bacterial and enzymatic degradation of natural rubber, which is widely used in tires and generates micro-plastics during end-of-life disposal. The authors highlight biotechnological approaches as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical rubber recycling, with implications for reducing tire-derived microplastic pollution.
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This review explores whether degradable rubber compounds could be incorporated into tire formulations to reduce end-of-life tire waste. Researchers found that while some degradable elastomers show promise, achieving the mechanical performance required for tires remains a major challenge. The paper identifies key research directions for developing more sustainable tire materials.
The Effect of the Recycling Process on the Performance of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Containing Recycled Rubber from End-of-Life Tyres
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Researchers evaluated thermal, chemical, and mechanical recycling methods for ground tire rubber from end-of-life tires to improve its compatibility in thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) composites, finding that optimizing recycling procedures and vulcanization systems reduced interfacial issues and produced materials with competitive mechanical properties for automotive and construction applications.
The Effect of the Recycling Process on the Performance of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Containing Recycled Rubber from End-of-Life Tires
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This study applied thermal, chemical, and mechanical recycling methods to ground tire rubber powder from end-of-life tires and evaluated the resulting thermoplastic vulcanizates, finding that optimized recycling processes can improve interfacial compatibility and mechanical properties enough to yield industrially competitive rubber products.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.