Role of lysine amino acid in zinc-based ionic thermoplastic elastomer: Dosage-properties correlation study

Ionic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials have substantial scientific and commercial value due to their recyclable nature and wide adaptive applications. This article presents experimental results and analysis on the effects of the addition of zwitterionic component on various properties of maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene-propylene (M-EPM)-based ionic TPEs. For this purpose, L-lysine amino acid has been used, which contains a zwitterionic group and a primary amine group. The present work aims to understand how zwitterionic compounds can influence the behavior of the typical ionic TPEs. In this work, a reference ionic TPE sample and different test batches were prepared by varying the dosage of lysine amino acid in the rubber compound. Samples were easily prepared by using conventional rubber processing equipment, such as an internal mixer, two-roll mill, and hydraulic press. Mechanical and other physical properties were investigated to examine the ionic cluster formation assisted by lysine amino acid. Adverse and favorable aspects of using lysine amino acid in zinc-based M-EPM ionic TPE have been discussed comprehensively.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of adding zwitterionic component L-lysine on various properties of maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene-propylene (M-EPM)-based ionic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and discusses the formation of ionic clusters assisted by lysine amino acid.