Synthesis and properties of biodegradable hydrogels based on cross-linked natural rubber and cassava starch

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 574-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaiwute Vudjung ◽  
Sayant Saengsuwan

A series of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on cross-linked natural rubber (XNR) and cassava starch (CSt) as biodegradable membrane material were synthesized via free radical polymerization in latex state using N, N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) and maleic acid as cross-linkers. The IPN XNR/CSt hydrogels were confirmed and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that with increasing MBA content from 1.0 to 2.5 phr, cross-link density and gel fraction of XNR increased from 0.80 to 0.90 mol M−3 and from 19.7% to 30.5%, respectively. The gel fraction and tensile strength of the IPN XNR/CSt hydrogels also gradually increased as a function of MBA content but the water swelling and elongation at break decreased slightly. The IPN XNR/CSt containing 1.0 phr MBA displayed the highest water swelling of 82%. The weight retentions of IPN XNR/CSt hydrogels after soil degradations for 90 days increased from 48% to 56% with increasing MBA from 1.0 phr to 2.5 phr. The IPN XNR/CSt exhibited not only a good biodegradation but also high mechanical strength and flexibility. Also, the IPN XNR/CSt could be a promising candidate as a biodegradable membrane for longer released fertilizer application.

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaiwute Vudjung ◽  
Umapon Chaisuwan ◽  
Uraiwan Pangan ◽  
Nattiya Chaipugdee ◽  
Saowaluk Boonyod ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumyajit Ghorai ◽  
Dipankar Mondal ◽  
Sawar Dhanania ◽  
Santanu Chattopadhyay ◽  
Madhusudan Roy ◽  
...  

This article illustrates the reclaiming of guayule natural rubber (GNR) vulcanizate by bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT), and as-grown reclaim rubber facilitates the silica dispersion in GNR product application without adding any coupling agent. This article deals with the performance evaluation of silica-filled revulcanizates with promising application in green tire. The extent of reclaiming was monitored through the measurement of sol content, cross-link density, Mooney viscosity, and degree of reclaiming. The differential scanning calorimetry study was carried out to evaluate the fraction of immobilized polymer chains and its dependence on cross-link density of the vulcanizates. The Fourier transform infrared study and also sulfur analysis independently indicate the attachment of the fragmented TESPT with the polymer chain and cross-link bonds. The study of mechanical properties clearly shows that in revulcanized GNR, the optimum property is achieved when reclaiming time is set for 40 min. The effect of reclaiming time on dynamic mechanical behavior such as storage modulus and loss tangent was studied. The scanning electron microscopy studies show the coherency and homogeneity of silica-filled revulcanize rubber with reclaiming time.


2013 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rejitha Rajan ◽  
Siby Varghese ◽  
K. E. George

ABSTRACT The drawbacks of peroxide vulcanization can largely be overcome by introducing suitable co-curing agents (coagents) in the formulation. The role of various coagents, such as zinc diacrylate (ZDA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), and triallyl cyanurate (TAC) in the peroxide vulcanization of natural rubber (NR) was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cross-link density was measured by the equilibrium–swelling technique. Cross-linking mechanism of peroxide in NR was interpreted by comparing the spectra of cured and uncured vulcanizates. The predominance of hydrogen abstraction over the radical addition was established (at 160 °C). Coagent ZDA produces ionic as well as covalent cross-links in the vulcanizate. Ionic cross-links have the ability to slip along the hydrocarbon chains and thus resemble polysulfidic cross-links. Hence, ZDA can be chosen for applications where good mechanical properties are required. Coagent TMPTMA produces covalent cross-links between polymer chains and is suitable for high-modulus applications. TAC, although it bridges through covalent cross-links, is not a suitable coagent for highly unsaturated rubbers like NR.


2014 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Saiwari ◽  
W. K. Dierkes ◽  
J. W. M. Noordermeer

ABSTRACT The optimal process conditions for a high ratio of devulcanization to polymer degradation have been investigated for tire rubbers: styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), natural rubber (NR), and chloro-isobutylene–isoprene rubber (CIIR). These polymers all show their own particular breakdown characteristics. The temperature dependence of the breakdown mechanism was investigated by measuring sol fractions and cross-link densities. For SBR and BR, the highest reduction in cross-link density was found at a temperature of 220 °C, together with a moderate increase in sol content. According to the Horikx theory, which correlates sol fraction and a decrease in cross-link density, this is the result of a high degree of cross-link scission. Higher process temperatures result in a lower decrease in cross-link density due to recombination of active chain fragments. NR and CIIR show different behavior. Breakdown of NR in this temperature range results in an almost complete destruction of the polymer network; cross-link density is reduced to almost zero, and the sol fraction is close to 100%. The same result is found for CIIR at higher temperatures. Although different rubbers react via other devulcanization mechanisms, the best devulcanization conditions for whole passenger car tire material are optimized.


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