Characterization of end‐functionalized styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymers and their application in modified asphalt

Abstract

Abstract End amino, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl functionalized styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) triblock copolymers were prepared with 1,5‐diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, carbon dioxide, and epoxy ethane as capping agents, respectively. The effects of the end polar groups on the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy images suggested that the group at the end of the polystyrene (PS) segment made the morphology of the PS domains disordered and incompact. Dynamic mechanical results showed that the storage and loss modulus increased after SBS was end‐functionalized. End amino and carboxylic acid groups improved the compatibility and storage stability of SBS‐modified asphalt. However, the effect of the end‐hydroxyl group on the improvement of the storage stability of SBS‐modified asphalt was not obvious. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis of SBS‐modified asphalt further showed that the compatibility and storage stability of SBS‐modified asphalt were improved by the attachment of amino or carboxylic acid groups through the anionic polymerization method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 8–16, 2007