Direct imaging and elemental mapping of microgels in natural rubber particles |
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Authors: | Márcia?M?Rippel Carlos?A P?Leite Email author" target="_blank">Lay-Theng?LeeEmail author Fernando?Galembeck |
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Institution: | (1) Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13084–971 Campinas, SP, Brazil;(2) Present address: Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (CEA-CNRS), CEA-Saclay, , 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France |
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Abstract: | Elemental distribution maps of Hevea brasiliensis natural rubber gels have been obtained using electron energy-loss spectroscopy imaging in a low-energy (80 kV) electron spectroscopy imaging transmission electron microscope. Two types of gels have been investigated: a microgel contained within the natural rubber particle, and a macrogel prepared by equilibrating dry natural rubber in toluene. Both types of gels are found to contain a high amount of calcium. The intraparticle microgel is dense and rich in calcium but poor in nitrogen, indicating the predominant role of calcium in cross-link formation. The macroscopic gel is inhomogeneous, with dense calcium-rich microgels interspersed in a matrix of a less dense gel. The significant level of nitrogen associated with the matrix of the less dense gel supports the role of proteinaceous materials in the formation of the macroscopic gel. |
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Keywords: | Natural rubber particles Microgel Electron energy-loss spectroscopy imaging Elemental distribution map |
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