Impacts of filler covalent and non‐covalent modification on the network structure and mechanical properties of carbon–silica dual phase filler/natural rubber

The carbon–silica dual phase filler (CSDPF) was modified by bis (3‐triethoxy‐silylpropyl) tetrasulphane (Si69) and 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium chloride (AMI), respectively. The natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates filled with modified CSDPF were fabricated through mechanical mixing followed by a high‐temperature cure process. The impacts of filler surface modification on the curing characters, crosslinked junctions, network structure, and mechanical properties of NR vulcanizates were investigated. The results showed that the Si69 interacted with CSDPF through covalent bond, while the interaction between AMI and CSDPF was hydrogen bond. Both modifications increased the cure rate of CSDPF/NR compounds as well as the crosslinked degree, compared with those of pristine CSDPF/NR compound. The modifications improved the dispersion of CSDPF in NR matrix. The covalent modification by Si69 caused a limited movement of NR chains in the CSDPF surface, which contributed to a greater tensile modulus of Si69‐modified CSDPF/NR. However, the higher content of mono‐sulfidic crosslink and the poorer content of strain‐induced crystallization in the NR matrix led to a slight increase of tensile strength and tear strength of Si69‐modified CSDPF/NR, compared with those of CSDPF/NR. The tensile modulus of AMI‐modified CSDPF/NR had a lower value due to a faster polymer chain motion on the CSDPF surface. However, the tensile and tear strength of AMI‐modified CSDPF/NR increased significantly because of the increase of mono‐sulfidic crosslink, strain‐induced crystallization, and the existed hydrogen bond between CSDPF and NR. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis of novel Schiff base antioxidants to promote anti-thermal aging properties of natural rubber

There is of great interest in promotion of anti-thermal aging properties of natural rubber (NR) to improve the applicability. In this study, two novel Schiff base antioxidants (SBAOs) for NR were synthesized utilizing 4-aminodiphenylamine with 3,5-Di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or cinnamic aldehyde in an ethanol medium. IR, ¹³C-NMR, and ¹H-NMR confirmed the structures of SBAOs. Addition of SBAOs improved the rheometric properties, mechanical properties and thermal oxidative stability of NR vulcanizates. Introduction of SBAOs in NR increased the apparent activation energy of thermal oxidative degradation according to Kissinger and FWO methods. Anti-thermal aging performance of SBAOs for NR is related to the structures. The C=N double bonds in SBAOs improve the electron density of Ar–OH and/or Ar–NH–Ar structures, benefiting the release of active hydrogen. The active hydrogen could capture free radicals initiated during the thermal oxidative aging process. The lone pair electrons on nitrogen atom are also beneficial to delay or terminate free radical reaction. NR with SBAOs showed high mechanical properties of the tensile strength, tensile stress at 100% elongation and Shore A hardness compared to commercial BHT and 4010 during aging 96 h. It indicates potential applications of SBAOs as efficient antioxidants for NR.     

New Method for Determining H-Bond Energy: Fluorescence from Neutral Red in Water Compared to Fluorescence from Neutral Red in Benzene

A new method is presented for determining the H-bond energy between a fluorescent solute and water. In the current example the hydrogen-bond energy between neutral red (NR) and water was measured. The H-bond energy was obtained from the temperature dependence of the ratio of the 625 nm fluorescence intensity from NR in water, which increases with increasing temperature, to that of the 530 nm intensity from NR in benzene, which decreases with increasing temperature. The H-bond energy so determined is (10050 ± 60) J-mol⁻¹, which compares favorably with an H-bond E_HB value for pure water of 10170 J-mol⁻¹. Intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between water and NR increases the nonradiative deactivation process of the excited molecule due to fast energy dissipation through the vibrations associated with the hydrogen bonds. Some of the hydrogen bonds are broken with an increase in temperature, resulting in an increase in the number of free NR molecules, thus increasing the fluorescence quantum yield.     

High-performance natural rubber nanocomposites with marine biomass (tunicate cellulose)

Due to the importance in economic and environmental benefits, marine biomass has gained increasing attention in recent years. In this work, marine biomass-based materials were prepared and characterized. Highly reinforcing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with length of 1–2 μm and aspect ratio of ~75 were extracted from tunicates (t-CNCs), and CNCs with length of 100–300 nm and aspect ratio of ~15 from cotton (c-CNCs) were presented for comparison. In order to enhance interfacial interactions between CNCs and rubber, modification of natural rubber (NR) was conducted via epoxidation reaction to obtain epoxidized NR (ENR). Fully bio-based rubber nanocomposites were produced by latex mixing. Compared with NR nanocomposites, hydrogen bonding formed between ENR and CNCs, which led to homogeneous dispersion of CNCs and enhanced interfacial adhesion between them. Moreover, t-CNCs with longer length and larger aspect ratio facilitate filler entanglements, which led to higher reinforcing efficiency. Consequently, both hydrogen bonding and filler entanglements contributed to the improved mechanical properties of ENR/t-CNCs nanocomposites.     

Waxy Maize Starch Nanocrystals as Filler in Natural Rubber

Starch nanocrystals obtained from acid hydrolysis of waxy maize starch granules consist in crystalline nanoplatelets about 6–8 nm thick with a length of 20–40 nm and a width of 15–30 nm. New nanocomposite materials, i.e. natural rubber (NR) filled with waxy maize starch nanocrystals were processed by casting. Dynamic mechanical analysis has shown that starch nanocrystals were a good reinforcing agent for NR at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature of NR. Tensile tests have shown that until a weight fraction of 20 wt%, this new filler presented the advantage to reinforce natural rubber without decreasing significantly the strain at break of the material. These properties may be due to both the morphological nature of starch nanocrystals, and the formation of a percolating starch nanocrystals network within the NR matrix, resulting from hydrogen bonding forces between starch aggregates.     

195Pt NMR of heteropolymetallic complexes containing secondary dithiooxamides as binucleating ligands

Monometallic [Pt{S-S2C2(NR)2H}2] (S-S2C2(NR)2H = kappa2-S,S-S2C2(NR)2H = bis-dialkyl-dithioxamidate, R = methyl, isoamyl, benzyl) and binuclear and trinuclear heterobimetallic complexes [Pt{S-S2C2(NR)2H}{mu-S2C2(NR)2}MLn] (mu-S2C2(NR)2 = kappa2-S,S(Pt)-kappa2-N,N(M)-S2C2(NR)2) and [Pt{{mu-S2C2(NR)2}MLn}2] (MLn+ = [(eta3-allyl)palladium]+, [bis-(2-phenylpyridine)rhodium]+, [(eta6-p-cymene)(chloro)ruthenium]+, [(1,4-cyclooctadiene)rhodium]+, [(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(chloro)rhodium]+) have been prepared and characterized. The progressive substitution of the residual amidic hydrogen in the [Pt{S-S2C2(NR)2H}2] complexes with a MLn+ metal fragment results in the deshielding of platinum nuclei, a red shift of the MLCT absorption maximum, and a decrease in the oxidation potential. Such behavior has been interpreted as a progressive electron shift from platinum to the binucleating ligands, the extent of which depends on the nature of MLn+ metal fragment.     

The cure of elastomers by dicumyl peroxide as observed in differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been used to determine the enthalpy changes accompanying the thermal homolysis and subsequent radical reactions occuring in the dicumyl peroxide (DCP) cure of elastomers (NR, EPDM, SBR, BR, NBR, and EPM). The thermal degradation of DCP alone, dispersed on kaolin clay in a hydrocarbon solvent, was also studied.The degradation of DCP alone results in an exothermic enthalpy change of ～ 215 kJ mole^?1. In elastomer systems, the observed enthalpy exchange can be ordered BR >; SBR ; NBR (34% ACN) > NBR (27% ACN) > NR > EPDM ～ EPM.Low enthalpy values are associated with systems containing predominantly secondary hydrogen atoms (EPDM, EPM). The high enthalpy of cure for BR appears associated with the known ability of the polybutadienyl radicals to propagate a limited chain reaction. The relative extent of cumyloxy radical disproportionation to hydrogen abstraction was determined in each system and this has no apparent effect on the observed enthalpy change.The method of Borchardt and Daniels was used for data reduction and calculation of apparent activation energies. For DCP degradation alone the calculated activation energy is in good agreement with literature values. In elastomer systems, the calculated activation energies must be treated with caution because, as pointed out by Borchardt and Daniels, their method does not apply to solid state reactions.     

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of alpha‐eleostearic acid with calf thymus DNA

Interaction between alpha‐eleostearic acid (α‐ESA) and calf thymus DNA in Tris‐HCl buffer (pH = 7.4) using neutral red (NR) dye as a spectral probe was investigated using UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectral data matrix of the complexed reaction between α‐ESA and NR with DNA was processed with an alternative least‐squares (ALS) algorithm, the obtained concentration profiles and the corresponding pure spectra for species (NR, DNA–NR, and DNA–NR–ESA) demonstrated three kinds of reactions might occur in the system. The major groove binding between α‐ESA and DNA was further validated using circular dichroism, viscosity, DNA melting, and ionic strength effect measurements. Moreover, the calculated values of thermodynamic parameters, such as enthalpy (ΔH^θ, ?22.04 kJ/mol) and entropy change (ΔS^θ, 91.52 J K^?1 mol^?1), suggested binding between α‐ESA and DNA was mainly driven by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds without electrostatic force.     

纳米微晶纤维素对炭黑补强天然橡胶力学性能和动态性能的影响

采用酸水解工业微晶纤维素(MCC)制备纳米微晶纤维素(NCC),将其与天然胶乳共凝沉,混炼时加入炭黑(CB),制备了天然橡胶(NR)/NCC/CB复合材料,研究了NR/NCC/CB和NR/NCC/CB/RH(间苯二酚-六亚甲基四胺络合物)复合材料的力学性能和动态性能,并与NR/CB体系的性能进行对比.结果表明NCC可以均匀分散在天然橡胶基体中,且依拉伸方向取向,随着NCC替代炭黑的份数增加,Payne效应减弱,说明NCC本身并不构成强的填料网络,NR/NCC/CB与NR/CB比较,前者整体的网络化程度减弱,体系的损耗因子变化不大,NCC的加入改善了NR/CB的力学性能和抗屈挠龟裂性能,降低压缩疲劳温升和压缩永久形变,当NCC取代5～20 phr CB后,仍然保持高耐磨炭黑补强天然橡胶的耐磨耗性能.动态力学性能显示NR/NCC/CB的玻璃化转变温度较NR/CB变化不大,0℃的tanδ略有下降的同时60℃的tanδ明显降低.NR/NCC/CB/RH体系的Payne效应较NR/NCC/CB明显减弱,力学性能、抗屈挠龟裂性能和耐磨耗性能进一步改善,体系的压缩疲劳温升和压缩永久形变更小.     

Effects of Epoxidation Content of ENR on Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Blended PVC

This research work has concerned a study on toughness of PVC/natural rubber (NR) blends compatibilized with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of degree of epoxidation on morphology and mechanical properties of the blends. Epoxidized natural rubber with a variety of epoxidation contents were prepared by reacting the NR latex with formic acid and hydrogen peroxide at various chemical contents. Chemical structure and epoxidation content of epoxidized natural rubber were evaluated by FTIR and ¹H-NMR techniques. After that, three grades of ENR with epoxidation contents of 15, 25 and 42 % (by mole) were further used for blending with PVC and NR in an internal mixer at 60 rpm and at 170 °C. From tensile and impact tests, it was found that tensile elongation and impact strength of the materials remarkably increased with degree of epoxidation. On the other hand, tensile strength and modulus of the materials rarely changed with the epoxidation content. An increase in toughness of the blends with epoxidation content was related to a better molecular interaction between PVC and ENR as suggested by torque-time curves of the materials.     

Structures and catalytic properties of PtRu electrocatalysts prepared via the reduced RuO2 nanorods array

Structures and properties of PtRu electrocatalyts, derived from the aligned RuO2 nanorods (RuO2NR), are investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry toward COads and methanol oxidation. The catalytic activity of methanol oxidation and the CO tolerance are promoted significantly by reducing RuO2 into Ru metal before decorating with Pt. Reduction of RuO2NR was carried out by either thermal decomposition at 650 degrees C in vacuum or H2-reduction at 130 degrees C in low-pressure hydrogen. Reduction assisted by hydrogen allows infiltrating decomposition at low temperature and produces an array of nanorods with rugged walls featuring small Ru nuclei and larger surface area. Pt-RuNR, whose surface Pt:Ru ratio=0.58:0.42 was prepared by decorating with 0.1 mg cm(-2) Pt on the H2-reduced array containing 0.39 mg cm(-2) Ru, demonstrates a favorable combination of CO tolerance and high methanol oxidation activity superior to other RuO2NR-derived catalysts. When compared with a commercial electrocatalyst of PtRu (1:1) alloy (<4 nm), the activity of Pt-RuNR in methanol oxidation is shown to be somewhat lower at potential<0.48 V and higher at potential>or=0.48 V.     

Cuttlebone as reinforcing filler for natural rubber

Cuttlebone was proved to be a biomass for new reinforcing filler for natural rubber (NR). The cuttlebone particles were obtained by crushing cuttlebone and followed by sieving. Density and crystal structure of the cuttlebone were 2.70 g/cm³ and an aragonite form of CaCO₃, respectively. The surface area and average diameter of the cuttlebone particles were measured and the reinforcement effect as filler for NR was investigated. The cuttlebone particles did not prevent a peroxide cross-linking reaction of NR, and mechanical properties of peroxide cross-linked NR filled with cuttlebone particles were found to be comparable with those of peroxide cross-linked NR filled with commercial CaCO₃ filler. Presence of chitin on the surface of the cuttlebone particles was speculated to result in a good interaction between cuttlebone particles and NR, which may be ascribed to the mechanical properties of cuttlebone filled NR samples.     

Strain‐induced crystallization and mechanical properties of functionalized graphene sheet‐filled natural rubber

The effects of functionalized graphene sheets (FGSs) on the mechanical properties and strain‐induced crystallization of natural rubber (NR) are investigated. FGSs are predominantly single sheets of graphene with a lateral size of several hundreds of nanometers and a thickness of 1.5 nm. The effect of FGS and that of carbon black (CB) on the strain‐induced crystallization of NR is compared by coupled tensile tests and X‐ray diffraction experiments. Synchrotron X‐ray scattering enables simultaneous measurements of stress and crystallization of NR in real time during sample stretching. The onset of crystallization occurs at significantly lower strains for FGS‐filled NR samples compared with CB‐filled NR, even at low loadings. Neat‐NR exhibits strain‐induced crystallization around a strain of 2.25, while incorporation of 1 and 4 wt % FGS shifts the crystallization to strains of 1.25 and 0.75, respectively. In contrast, loadings of 16 wt % CB do not significantly shift the critical strain for crystallization. Two‐dimensional (2D) wide angle X‐ray scattering patterns show minor polymer chain alignment during stretching, in accord with previous results for NR. Small angle X‐ray scattering shows that FGS is aligned in the stretching direction, whereas CB does not show alignment or anisotropy. The mechanical properties of filled NR samples are investigated using cyclic tensile and dynamic mechanical measurements above and below the glass transition of NR. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Spectroscopic studies of the interaction between pirimicarb and calf thymus DNA

The interaction between pirimicarb and calf thymus DNA in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) was investigated with the use of Neutral Red (NR) dye as a spectral probe by UV-vis absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, as well as viscosity measurements and DNA melting techniques. The results revealed that an intercalation binding should be the interaction mode of pirimicarb to DNA. CD spectra indicated that pirimicarb induced conformational changes of DNA. The binding constants of pirimicarb with DNA were obtained by the fluorescence quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔHθ) and entropy change (ΔSθ) were calculated to be -52.13±2.04 kJ mol(-1) and -108.8±6.72 J mol(-1) K(-1) according to the van't Hoff equation, which suggested that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces might play a major role in the binding of pirimicarb to DNA. Further, the alternative least squares (ALS) method was applied to resolve a complex two-way array of the absorption spectra data, which provided simultaneously the concentration information for the three reaction components, pirimicarb, NR and DNA-NR. This ALS analysis indicated that the intercalation of pirimicarb into the DNA by substituting for NR in the DNA-NR complex.     

Sol–gel derived nano zinc oxide for the reduction of zinc oxide level in natural rubber compounds

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are synthesized by polymeric sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The cure characteristics, mechanical properties and thermal behaviour of natural rubber (NR) systems containing nano ZnO are investigated and compared to those of NR with micro-sized (conventional) ZnO. The NR vulcanizate with 0.5 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) sol–gel derived nano ZnO shows improvement in the curing and mechanical properties in comparison to the NR vulcanizate with 5 phr conventional ZnO. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that nano ZnO impose better thermal stability than conventional ZnO in the NR vulcanizates. Thus, nano ZnO not only acts as a curing activator but also nano filler to improve the resulting properties of the NR vulcanizates. More essentially nano ZnO leads to the reduction of ZnO level in the NR compounds. Therefore, sol–gel derived nano ZnO diminishes the pollution of aquatic environment due to higher amount of conventional ZnO in rubber compounds.     

原位接枝炭黑/天然橡胶复合材料的制备及性能

采用原位固相接枝方法,使在高温和强剪切作用下降解的天然橡胶接枝到炭黑表面.通过对接枝前后炭黑填充天然橡胶的性能对比发现,原位接枝炭黑不但能提高天然橡胶的硫化速度,还能提高拉伸强度,定伸应力和撕裂强度等;动态力学性能的测试结果表明接枝炭黑填充的天然橡胶中接枝炭黑网络化程度较低,这些结果主要归因于接枝炭黑在橡胶基体中分散性的改善及炭黑与橡胶之间作用力的增加.     

Effect of Deproteinized Methods on the Proteins and Properties of Natural Rubber Latex during Storage

Summary: Three different methods of deproteinization, i.e. saponification, surfactant washing and enzymatic treatment were employed to unravel the effect of deproteinized on the properties of natural rubber (NR) latex. The cleavage of proteins in NR latex was found to proceed with concomitant formation of low molecular weight polypeptides. This results in a lowering in gel formation of the enzyme-treated latex, indicating modification of the remaining proteins at the rubber chain-end. Washing NR latex with surfactant would efficiently reduce and remove proteins from NR latex particles through denaturation and transferring them to the serum phase. The relatively stable gel formed during storage of surfactant-washed NR latex is an indication of the absence of branch formation of proteins at the rubber molecule terminal. Saponification by strong alkali would hydrolyze the proteins and phospholipids adsorbed on the latex particle surface. The reason of the significantly higher gel formed in saponified NR latex is still not clear. The present study shows that deproteinization treatments result in modification of the proteins at the surface of NR latex particles and also those freely-suspended in the serum. The cleavage or the denaturation of the rubber proteins during purification by washing has a profound effect on the properties of the deproteinized NR latex upon storage, in particular the thermal oxidative aging properties of the rubber obtained.     

Thermoplastic elastomer based on high‐density polyethylene/natural rubber blends: rheological,thermal, and morphological properties

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) comprising air‐dried sheet or natural rubber (ADS or NR) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) was prepared by a simple blending technique. NR and HDPE were mixed with each type of phenolic compatibilizer (HRJ‐10518 or SP‐1045) or liquid natural rubber (LNR) at 180°C in an internal mixer. The mixing torque, shear stress, and shear viscosity of the blends increased with increasing amounts of NR. Positive deviation blend (PDB) for the blends containing active hydroxyl methyl phenolic resin in HRJ‐10518 or dimethyl phenolic resin in SP‐1045 was obtained. PDB was not observed for the blends without the compatibilizers or with LNR. The blends with HRJ‐10518 or SP‐1045 were compatible or partially compatible while the LNR blends were incompatible. In the phenolic compatibilized blends, NR dispersed in the HDPE matrix was found in the NR/HDPE blends of 20/80, 40/60, and 50/50 ratios. HDPE dispersed in NR matrix was obtained in the NR/HDPE blend of 80/20 ratio, and the co‐continuous phase was accomplished in the NR/HDPE blend of 60/40 ratio. The NR/HDPE blend at 60/40 ratio compatibilized with HRJ‐10518 and fabricated by a simple plastic injection molding machine exhibited higher ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break (EB). Incorporation of parafinic oil caused a decreasing tendency in tensile strength with increases in EB. The TPNRs exhibited high elastomeric nature with low‐tension set. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An innovative approach to utilize waste silica fume from zirconia industry to prepare high performance natural rubber composites for multi-functional applications

Silica fume (SF) is silica-rich amorphous waste by-product obtained during zirconium silicate electrofusion process. The key objective of the study was to determine the efficiency of SF as a reinforcing filler in Natural Rubber (NR) compounds vis a vis the conventional filler, high abrasion furnace (HAF) black. Inter-particle distance and particle size distribution analysis from Transmission Electron Microscopy exhibited homogeneous dispersion of filler in hybrid composite (NR SF20/HAF30) with Bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT). NR composite with 20 phr SF loading improved modulus by 107%, tensile strength by 12%, and tear strength by 28% over gum NR. Hybrid composite showed 111% increase in modulus than NR SF20 composite. Theoretical modelling of Young's modulus with volume fraction of filler quite fit with Guth-Gold equation. Hybrid composite with TESPT showed 72% reduction in heat build-up compared to NR HAF50 composite. Thermal stability improved by 6 °C and rolling resistance reduced by 64% for hybrid TESPT composite compared to NR HAF50 composite. Constrained region in NR composites obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis showed improved rubber-filler interaction in hybrid TESPT composite. Hence, this work not only provides a new approach to utilize industrial waste but also provides for a high performance NR composite at low cost.     

Fly ash particles and precipitated silica as fillers in NR/CR vulcanizates under thermal and thermal‐oil ageing

The loading effect of precipitated silica (PSi) and fly ash‐based silica (FASi) on mechanical properties of natural rubber/chloroprene (NR/CR) under thermal and thermal‐oil ageing was investigated with variation in NR content in the NR/CR blends. The selected results were compared with vulcanized NR/nitrile rubber (NR/NBR) blends. The cure time of CR vulcanizate was found to decrease with increasing NR content, but increased with silica fillers. The Mooney viscosity for CR vulcanizates reduced with increasing NR content. The addition of NR had no effect on tensile modulus and tensile strength for the FASi filled NR/CR, but the opposite trend was observed for the PSi filled NR/CR. The post‐curing effect was more significant in PSi filled NR/CR than in FASi filled NR/CR. The tensile strength of the NR/CR vulcanizates was slightly reduced after thermal ageing especially at high NR content, more extreme reduction being found by thermal‐oil ageing. The elongation at break of NR/CR with both silica fillers ranged from 400 to 900%. The hardness results were similar to the tensile modulus. The addition of PSi in NR/CR considerably increased the tear strength, but less pronounced effect was found for FASi. The resilience properties of NR/CR tended to decrease with increasing silica content. The compression set became poorer when NR content was increased. The PSi showed higher improvement in compression set than the FASi. The effects of silica and ageing on the mechanical properties for NR/CR vulcanizates were similar to those for NR/NBR vulcanizates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.