Abstract:

Eucommia ulmoides gum(EUG) is a kind of natural polymer material with good biocompatibility, excellent rubber-plastic duality, and good mechanical properties, which has attracted much attention in the field of novel biomaterials in recent years. However, the poor elasticity and miscibility at room temperature have greatly limited its application in the field of functional materials. Therefore, the physical or chemical modification of EUG for broadening its range of applications has become the research hotspot. Combining with the structural characteristics of EUG, the common modification methods, formation mechanism and material properties of EUG by physical and chemical modification were firstly summarized, such as changing the hardness and elasticity of EUG by blending with other materials or epoxidation modification, vulcanization modification, etc. Then, the latest applications of EUG in green tire and road construction, shape memory and self-healing materials, anti-vibration and sound absorption, medical materials, and biodegradable composite are introduced, respectively. Finally, we envision that the EUG will play an increasingly important role in polymer science in future.

Key words: Eucommia ulmoides gum, blending, graft modification, shape memory, self-healing