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Modification of epoxidised natural rubber film surface by polymerisation of methyl methacrylate

  • Mahidol University
  • Prince of Songkla University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) latex, having 25% of epoxide content, was prepared by in situ epoxidation reaction using performic acid. The ENR latex film surface was modified by immersing into methyl methacrylate (MMA) emulsion and then alkaline aqueous solution of ferrous ion/fructose for redox-initiated polymerisation. Increasing polymerisation time caused an increase in percent conversion of MMA swelled in ENR sheet. The presence of poly(methyl methacrylate) on the ENR surface was examined by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The nano-scale indentation experiment performed on the cross-section of the modified ENR sheet indicated that MMA polymerisation occurred mainly near the rubber's surface. The surface morphology observed under scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed a pronounced roughness which, consequently, decreased the friction coefficient of ENR surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1782-1788
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Polymer Journal
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Epoxidised natural rubber
  • Poly(methyl methacrylate)
  • Surface modification

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