Study of Plasma Electrolysis Method on Starch-Based Hybrid Latex Synthesis

Abstract

The plasma electrolysis is a rich source of free radicals, it commonly induces unusual chemical reaction. This paper focus to study plasma electrolysis induces grafting reaction between latex and starch to prepare a functional material – ether bond – with radicals as the initiator to produce hybrid latex which presume has acoustic property. By the method of plasma electrolysis, the reaction can take place and the difference of polarity between the reactants can be overcome. The synthesis – both by using anodic and cathodic plasma – is said to work qualitatively when the characterization results by using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) arises a new ether bond waves at around 1560 cm-1. The synthesis processes – both by using anodic and cathodic plasma – were investigated more specifically by looking at the effect of electrolyte, Na2SO4 concentration used with variations of 0.02; 0.03; 0.04 M to the efficiency of synthesis. The applied operating voltage of the process are 567.5 and 340.5 volt for anodic and cathodic, respectively. The reaction time is 10 minutes, and the efficiency of synthesis is represented by % yield of hybrid latex per kJ of electric energy consumption. The obtained efficiencies – from anodic and cathodic – were 0.04; 0.02; 0.01 and 0.18; 0.13; 0.12, for each of electrolyte concentrations, respectively.