Synthetic routes to modify hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene for various potential applications

Abstract

Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is widely used in various purposes especially as a binder in the solid rocket propellant (SRP). Recent trends of modifying HTPB to be used as a binder is at high demands but structural modification without affecting core physiochemical properties of HTPB is very challenging synthetic task. In this article, we have summarized the various synthetic routes for the modification of HTPB without altering any physical properties of pristine HTPB. It was established that terminal functionalization method is extremely advantageous for maintaining all the unique properties of pristine HTPB even after other structural modification, additionally it helps to improve significantly some of the important properties of HTPB based polyurethanes. Besides, the utility of our modified HTPB based polymers has been briefly outlined here and it was shown that few of our modified HTPB based polymers are most suitable to replace HTPB completely from the propellant formulations. We also highlighted modification of HTPB by grafting polymer chains/small functional molecules in the vinylic position. Overall, this review is expected to greatly impactful for further studies in these fields.