Synthesis and Evaluation of Styrene–Butadiene Copolymer and Polybutadiene Latex Using Biomass 1,3-Butadiene Model Gas as a Monomer

Abstract

1,3-Butadiene is an important raw material for styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and polybutadiene latex (BR latex), which are synthesized via emulsion polymerization. In this study, we synthesized 1,3-butadiene from erythritol, a biomass-derived product, as a sustainable alternative to the conventional fossil-based methods. This approach leverages renewable resources, offering environmental benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions and alignment with green chemistry principles. Although we developed an efficient method for the synthesis of 1,3-butadiene, this method also produces butenes as byproducts. We investigated the impact of these byproducts on emulsion polymerization to conduct copolymerization with styrene using either naphtha-derived 1,3-butadiene or a biomass 1,3-butadiene model gas (containing 1-butene, cis-2-butene, and trans-2-butene). The resulting styrene–butadiene copolymers showed comparable conversion rates, microstructures, molecular weights, and glass transition temperatures regardless of the source. Similarly, BR latex synthesized using naphtha derived and biomass 1,3-butadiene model gases showed similar particle size distributions with nearly identical conversions, microstructures, and glass transition temperatures. The vulcanizate of the SBR obtained from the biomass-derived 1,3-butadiene model gas exhibited mechanical properties equivalent to those of naphtha-derived SBR in tensile tests. Overall, this study demonstrates that erythritol can serve as a viable substitute for conventional 1,3-butadiene with potential industrial applications.