What are the latest research advances in rubber antioxidants?

2025-04-30 15:31:20

In recent years, research on Rubber Antioxidants has mainly focused on aspects such as developing new types of antioxidants, exploring antioxidant mechanisms, and addressing environmental and safety issues. Here are the specific research advancements:

Development of New Antioxidants

Macromolecular Antioxidants: To solve the problems of low molecular weight antioxidants, such as poor thermal stability and solvent extraction resistance, the development of macromolecular antioxidants has received attention. For example, the research team led by Li Hongqiang from South China University of Technology prepared a star  shaped macromolecular antioxidant based on β  cyclodextrin. This antioxidant has a special conical cavity structure and contains multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups, which can improve the thermal stability and antioxidant properties of natural rubber. The research shows that compared with traditional small  molecule antioxidants, macromolecular antioxidants have better thermal stability and more durable antioxidant effects.

Polymer  based Antioxidants: In the face of the toxicity problems of traditional aromatic amine  based antioxidants, there is a growing demand for the development of polymer  based antioxidants. Some studies have found that oligomers and polymers containing diphenylamine repeating units have antioxidant and anti  ozone properties, and have lower toxicity to humans and the environment. This makes them promising alternatives to traditional antioxidants in rubber compositions.

Exploration of Antioxidant Mechanisms

Research on the Oxidation Mechanism of 6PPD  Q: 6PPD  Q, a highly toxic derivative of the antioxidant 6PPD in rubber tires, has received much attention. The research team led by Liu Wen from Peking University used a solar  light  activated periodate advanced oxidation system to degrade 6PPD  Q in water. The study found that the main active species generated by the photo  activation of IO₄⁻ is IO₃•, which attacks the quinone ring of 6PPD  Q, leading to hydroxylation and ring  opening of the quinone group, thus forming small  molecule degradation products and final mineralization products. The research also reveals the reaction mechanism of free radicals with 6PPD  Q at the molecular and atomic levels, providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of 6PPD  Q in water.

Study on the Antioxidant Mechanism of Macromolecular Antioxidants: The research on the antioxidant mechanism of macromolecular antioxidants has also made progress. For example, in the study of star  shaped macromolecular antioxidants based on β  cyclodextrin, it is found that the phenolic hydroxyl groups and carbamate groups in the macromolecular antioxidants can play a synergistic antioxidant role. They can capture free radicals, inhibit the chain reaction of rubber oxidation, and thus improve the antioxidant properties of rubber.

Environmental and Safety Issues

Research on the Environmental Behavior of Antioxidants: The environmental behavior of antioxidants has become a hot topic in recent research. For example, the research team led by Liu Wenbin from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences has quantitatively analyzed the sources, transformation characteristics, and health risks of p  phenylenediamine and p  phenylenediamine quinone derivatives in rubber consumer products and typical urban dust. The study found that N, N′  substituted p  phenylenediamines (PPDs) are widely used as antioxidants in the rubber industry and are released into the environment during the production and use of rubber products. Their quinone  type transformation products (PPD  Qs) are highly toxic. The research also found that transition metals in dust, especially Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺, may promote the transformation of PPDs to PPD  Qs.

Solutions to Environmental and Safety Issues: In response to the environmental and safety issues of rubber antioxidants, some research teams are committed to developing new treatment technologies and strategies. For example, the above  mentioned solar  light  activated periodate advanced oxidation system provides an effective method for the degradation and detoxification of 6PPD  Q in water. In addition, some studies have also proposed strategies to reduce the use of toxic antioxidants and promote the development and application of environmentally friendly antioxidants.

Market Trends

Analysis of Market Scale and Growth Trends: According to market research reports, the global and Chinese rubber antioxidant markets reached 12.234 billion yuan and 3.011 billion yuan respectively in 2024. It is expected that the global rubber antioxidant market will reach 15.68 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.22%. This shows that the rubber antioxidant market has a good development trend.

Analysis of the Competitive Landscape: The market research report also focuses on the competitive landscape of the rubber antioxidant industry. It analyzes the sales volume, sales revenue, price, gross profit, and gross profit margin of rubber antioxidants of leading companies, as well as their competitive strategies. This provides important information for enterprises to understand market competition and formulate development strategies.

In summary, the latest research on rubber antioxidants is moving in the direction of high  efficiency, low  toxicity, and environmental protection. The development of new antioxidants, the exploration of antioxidant mechanisms, and the solution of environmental and safety issues will be the main research directions in the future. These research advancements will help promote the sustainable development of the rubber industry and reduce the impact of rubber products on the environment and human health.