Developing Shelf Stable Formulations to Improve the Industrial Utilization of Lignin in Automotive Tires
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Templin, Clara Blue
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The disposal of used automotive tires presents a significant environmental challenge, compounded by the tire industry's reliance on non-renewable petrochemical materials such as carbon black. This research explores the development of shelf-stable natural rubber-lignin formulations as sustainable alternatives for tire manufacturing. Specifically, the study investigates how varying pH and ionic conditions affect the stability of natural rubber (NR) latex mixed with plant-derived lignin. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis revealed that mildly acidic conditions improved the colloidal stability of the rubber-lignin matrix, slightly reducing particle size distribution and polydispersity, whereas basic and ionic conditions generally destabilized the formulation. These findings contribute toward the industrial viability of lignin-based, environmentally friendly tire materials and inform future work focused on additive optimization and 3D printing compatibility of uncured rubber systems.
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Undergraduate Research Option Thesis