Sustainable, Processable, and Oil-Resistant Biodegradable Thermoplastic Elastomer via Dynamic Vulcanization

The thermoplastic vulcanized rubber (TPV) industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward biobased materials, making a critical transition from nonrecyclable rubber to environmentally sustainable and recyclable alternatives. Biobased TPVs, featuring adjustable elasticity, enhanced strength, and excellent degradability, were fabricated via an in situ dynamic vulcanizing strategy incorporating biobased degradable polyester rubber (BPR) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) as the constituents. A substantial quantity of BPR, which provides flexibility and elasticity, was rapidly cross-linked and uniformly dispersed within the PBAT matrix, which imparts strength and processability. Meanwhile, chemical grafting at the BPR-PBAT interface promoted in situ compatibilization and bolstered the mechanical performance of the TPVs. The TPVs achieved a tensile strength of 14.6 MPa and elongation at break of 811%. Notably, the TPVs demonstrated outstanding oil resistance with weight and volume change rates below 8.8% and 13.4%, respectively, after prolonged oil immersion. Additionally, the TPVs exhibited efficient degradation in both soil environments and alkaline conditions. The newly developed biodegradable and biobased BPR/PBAT TPVs expand the application range of conventional biobased materials for oil resistance.