Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber/Rice Starch Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel
Novel hydrogels based on natural rubber latex (NRL) and rice starch (RSt) (1:2 ratio) were prepared with various amount of N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) and 2.5 phr of maleic acid to form interpenetrating networks (IPN) using free-radical polymerization technique. The thermal and mechanical properties were performed by differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical tests. From data obtained, the change in Tg of rubber and melting point of RSt indicated that polymer-polymer interaction could be formed in IPN hydrogel. The higher amount addition of MBA created more mechanical strength of IPN hydrogels caused by the higher of interlacement formation. However, their mechanical strength of such hydrogels was lower than that of NRL alone due to the formation of amorphous structure in IPN hydrogel. These IPN hydrogels also improved the swelling property which will be utilized for wound healing application.