Strengthened, Recyclable, Weldable, and Conducting-Controllable Biobased Rubber Film with a Continuous Water-Soluble Framework Network

Abstract

At present, achieving recycling of rubbers is the main method for their sustainable development. However, it is a challenge to recycle rubbers without retained pristine reinforcing-fillers. Herein, we report fully bio-based rubber films prepared by mixing epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) solution. CMCS was regenerated and selectively located in the interstitial space between the ENR latex particles during film-forming process, forming a CMCS framework network in the films. The special CMCS network with hydrogen bonding interactions with ENR endowed rubber films with improved mechanical properties. At the same time, the self-sticky characteristic of ENR with the assistance of chain diffusion and reversible hydrogen bonding interactions made the cut films to be welded. Because the water-soluble CMCS is a continuous phase, the ENR could be perfect recycled by soaking films in water to remove the CMCS. Furthermore, the CMCS framework running through the whole films, whic...