Abstract
Nanoclay-modified polyisoprene latexes were prepared and then used as a reinforcing component in natural rubber (NR) thin films. Starve-fed emulsion (SFE) polymerization gives a higher conversion than the batch emulsion (BE), while the gel and coagulation contents from both systems are comparable. This is attributed to the SFE that provides a smaller average polymer particle size which in turn results in a greater polymerization locus, promoting the reaction rate. The addition of organo-nanoclay during synthesizing polyisoprene significantly lessens the polymerization efficiency because the nanoclay has a potential to suppress nucleation process of the reaction. It also intervenes the stabilizing efficiency of the surfactant—SDS or sodium dodecyl sulfate, giving enlarged average sizes of the polymer particles suspended in the latexes. TEM images show that nanoclay particles are attached on and/or inserted in the polymer particles. XRD and thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) analyses were employed to assess the d-spacing of nanoclay structure in NR nanocomposite films, respectively. Based on the overall results, 5 wt% of nanoclay relative to the monomer content utilized to alter the polyisoprene during emulsion polymerization is an optimum amount since the silicate plates of nanoclay in the composite exhibit the largest d-spacing which maximizes the extent of immobilized polymer constituent, giving the highest mechanical properties to the films. The excessive amounts of nanoclay used, i.e., 7 and 10 wt% relative to the monomer content, reduce the reinforcing power because of the re-agglomeration effect.
Highlights
Thin film-based natural rubber (NR) products are typically fabricated from NR latex and other compounds
The results showed that the nanoclay-modified PIP latexes can improve the mechanical strength of the NR thin films
Polyisoprene PIP latexes were modified in situ with organo-nanoclay during emulsion polymerization in order to prepare a reinforcing agent for natural rubber thin films
Summary
Thin film-based natural rubber (NR) products are typically fabricated from NR latex and other compounds. Condoms and gloves are good examples of products in this category [1,2]. One of the crucial end-use properties of these products, which is highly required by the users and a selling point of these products, is the film thickness [3]. Users prefer these rubber film products as thin as possible since touch sensitivity is better while wearing a thinner film [4]. Reducing a thickness of the rubber films is usually accompanied by a decrease in the mechanical properties [5]. A proper trade-off between these aspects of the thin film products needs to be fine-tuned
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