Emulsion Copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate and Vinyl Silanes: Kinetics and Development of Microstructure

The batch emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate with different vinyl silane functional monomers (vinyl trimethoxysilane [VTMS], vinyl triethoxysilane [VTES], and vinyl silanetriol [VSTO]) is studied. The nature of the silane strongly affects the development of the microstructure and crosslinking ability of the latexes. A combination of techniques (Soxhlet extraction, centrifugation, assymetric‐flow field flow fractionation AF4/MALS/RI) shows that the factor controlling the molar mass and crosslinking density is the degree of hydrolysis of the alkoxysilane, producing higher molar masses and degrees of crosslinking when the degree of hydrolysis is high. Thus, the copolymer containing VSTO produced a very crosslinked latex, the one with VTMS produced a latex with a low degree of crosslinking in the wet state that can yield high degrees of crosslinking upon drying, and the latex with VTES do not produce significant amounts of crosslinking neither before nor after drying.     

A post curing strategy toward the feasible covalent adaptable networks in polyacrylate latex films

The implementation of covalent adaptable networks (CANs) in general resin system is becoming attractive. In this work, we propose a simple post-curing strategy based on the core-shell structured acrylate latex for the achievement on both the improved general performance and the CANs characteristics in latex films. The building to the CANs was relied on the introduction of 4,4′-diaminophenyl disulfide as the curing agent, which cured the acetoacetoxy decorated shell polymer through the ketoamine reaction. The metathesis reaction of aromatic disulfides in the crosslinking segments enabled the thermally induced dynamic behavior of the network as revealed in the stress relaxation tests by comparison with other diamine crosslinking agents without the incorporation of disulfide. The synergism of the dynamic crosslinking of the shell polymer and static crosslinking in the core polymer contributed to the improved mechanical strength (15 MPa, strain% = 250%) and the suppressed water adsorption (~1% in 24 h of soaking) of the latex film, which exhibited above 90% of recovery in both strength and strain from a cut-off film damage within 1 h at 80°C. Moreover, the cured latex film could be recycled, and 75% of the mechanical performance was regained after three fragmentation-hot-pressing cycles. These, in addition with the feasible and environmental friendly characteristics, suggest a sustainable paradigm toward the smart thermosetting latex polymers.     

Comparative study of natural rubber/clay nanocomposites prepared from fresh or concentrated latex

Rubbers are usually compounded with different chemicals and fillers in order to modify their properties to suit the end applications. Natural rubber (NR) contains different natural occurring materials and this brings about subtle complexities in controlling compound and vulcanizate properties. Thus, the aim of this paper is to illustrate that the properties of compounds and vulcanizates of NR/clay prepared from fresh field latex and from concentrated latex are different. Different amounts of pristine clay were added to the two latices and their viscosity determined. The latex mixtures were next coagulated to form solid filled rubbers and their properties examined. Vulcanizates of these solid rubbers were then prepared and their properties, also, were determined. The cause of an observed variation is attributed to soluble proteins in the fresh field latex. Structural models to explain this are proposed.     

Properties of Natural Rubber/Recycled Chloroprene Rubber Blend: Effects of Blend Ratio and Matrix

The present study investigated the effects of two types of natural rubber and different blend ratios on the cure, tensile properties and morphology of natural rubber/recycled chloroprene rubber blends. The blends of natural rubber/recycled chloroprene rubber were prepared by using laboratory two-roll mill. The result showed that the cure time prolonged with the addition of recycled chloroprene rubber (rCR). Comparability, natural rubber/recycled chloroprene rubber (SMR L/rCR) blendcured rapidly than epoxidized natural rubber/recycled chloroprene rubber (ENR 50/rCR) blend. The addition of rCRalso caused a decrement in the tensile strength and elongation at break for both rubber blends. The SMR L/rCR blendsshowed higher tensile strength and elongation at break compared to those of ENR 50/rCR blends at any blend ratios.     

Role of Divalent Metals in Polymer Degradation

The role of divalent metals in the degradation of the physico-mechanical properties of radiation-vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) films was investigated. RVNRL films were prepared by the addition of metals (Cu, Mg, etc.) of different concentrations (0–30ppm) to natural rubber latex and irradiated with various radiation doses (0–20kGy). The radiation doses were optimized (12kGy), and the adverse effect of metal ions was studied against a reference film prepared with no metal ions. Tensile strength, tear strength, and cross-linking density of the irradiated rubber films decreased with increasing metal ion concentrations and decreasing radiation doses. The mechanical properties of the films were reduced by 10–15% for 30ppm metal ions and at the optimum dose. In contrast, elongation at break, permanent set, and swelling ratio of the films increased at the same conditions. The relative effect of metal ions can be explained by the classical electron concept, reported in this article.     

Influence of Emulsifiers on Acrylate Latex Blends

The poly(methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid) [P(MMA/BA/AA)] and poly (styrene/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid) [P(St/BA/AA)] latexes were synthesized using the emulsifier octylphenol polyoxyethylene(10) ether (OP-10) and ammonium sulfate allyloxy nonylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy)(10) ether(DNS-86). The optimum amount of OP-10 and DNS-86 was 1.5% and 2.5% respectively. The P(MMA/BA/AA) and P(St/BA/AA) latex containing 1.5% OP-10 or 2.5% DNS-86 were blended pairwise. The performances of latex blends and parent latexes as a function of emulsifiers content in parent latexes were determined. The results indicated that the stability of latex blends is favorable, and particle size distribution was more uniform and thermal stability was improved after blending.     

Lipase from Carica papaya latex presents high enantioselectivity toward the resolution of prodrug (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester

Besides the well-known papain, lipolytic activity is another interesting enzymatic activity present in latex from Carica papaya. This lipolytic activity is strongly attached to the latex solid phase, resulting in a naturally immobilized biocatalyst. In this work we describe the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester by Carica papaya crude latex and two partially purified latex fractions. Several parameters, such as substrate concentration and solvent effects were studied. The best results were obtained using decane as solvent with 50 mM of substrate and 50 mg/mL enzyme/reaction medium; under these conditions, a high enantioselectivity (E >200) was obtained with crude latex. A twofold increase of the initial rate maintaining E >200 was obtained using purified fractions without protease and without esterase. Lipase from Carica papaya latex is the most enantioselective wild-type enzyme ever described for the studied reaction.     

Three dimensional accurate morphology measurements of polystyrene standard particles on silicon substrate by electron tomography

Polystyrene latex (PSL) nanoparticle (NP) sample is one of the most widely used standard materials. It is used for calibration of particle counters and particle size measurement tools. It has been reported that the measured NP sizes by various methods, such as Differential Mobility Analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), differ from each other. Deformation of PSL NPs on mica substrate has been reported in AFM measurements: the lateral width of PSL NPs is smaller than their vertical height. To provide a reliable calibration standard, the deformation must be measured by a method that can reliably visualize the entire three dimensional (3D) shape of the PSL NPs. Here we present a method for detailed measurement of PSL NP 3D shape by means of electron tomography in a transmission electron microscope. The observed shape of the PSL NPs with 100 nm and 50 nm diameter were not spherical, but squished in direction perpendicular to the support substrate by about 7.4% and 12.1%, respectively. The high difference in surface energy of the PSL NPs and that of substrate together with their low Young modulus appear to explain the squishing of the NPs without presence of water film.     

固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱法测定乳胶儿童用品中15种N-亚硝胺及其前体物的迁移量

建立了同时测定乳胶儿童用品中15种N-亚硝胺及其前体物迁移量的固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱(SPEGC-MS/MS)分析方法。以人工唾液作为迁移模拟物,以Chromabond Easy固相萃取柱(填料的主要成分是极性修饰的聚乙烯-二乙烯基苯共聚物)对迁移液中的N-亚硝胺分析物进行净化,采用HP-5 MS UI色谱柱分离,MS/MS在多反应监测模式下进行定性及定量分析。15种N-亚硝胺在5~2 000μg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0.998;方法定量限(S/N=10)为0.625~12.50μg/kg,低于欧盟2 009/48/EC指令的限量要求。在低、中、高3个添加水平的回收率为53.8%~116.2%、52.7%~105.1%和49.5%~102.9%;日内精密度分别为1.3%~14.0%(n=6),日间精密度为1.6%~7.6%(n=4)。采用本方法对婴儿奶嘴样品和气球样品进行了测定,其中4件奶嘴和7件气球样品中检出亚硝胺及其前体物,奶嘴和气球中N-亚硝胺的总检出含量分别为0.049 9~0.126mg/kg和0.515~41.2 mg/kg;N-亚硝胺前体物总检出量分别为0.026 4~0.030 0 mg/kg和0.187~12.5mg/kg。     

Blending of Natural Rubber/Recycled Ethylene-Propylene-diene Rubber: Promoting the Interfacial Adhesion Between Phases by Natural Rubber Latex

This article deals with blends based on natural rubber (NR) and recycled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (R-EPDM). Natural rubber latex (NRL) was introduced into the blends to enhance interfacial adhesion between NR and R-EPDM. A new route of compounding was also suggested. The blends were prepared by mixing R-EPDM and other additives in NRL before blending with natural rubber on a two-roll mill. By applying this method, the homogeneity of the blends and cross-linking distribution are significantly improved. The blends exhibited superior state of cure, swelling resistance, mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical properties. The degree of entanglement between NR and R-EPDM also increased after NRL modification.