Preparation of hydrogenated nitrile rubber using palladium acetate catalyst: Its characterization and kinetics

Hydrogenated nitrile rubber was prepared by using palladium acetate as the homogeneous catalyst system. The effect of different reaction parameters on the level of hydrogenation was studied. The extent of hydrogenation increased with increase in reaction time, temperature, pressure, and catalyst concentration. A maximum conversion of 96% could be achieved. The degree of hydrogenation was estimated from IR and NMR spectroscopy. The selectivity of the catalyst in reducing ? C?C? in presence of ? C?N was supported by IR and ¹³C-NMR spectra. ESCA studies further confirmed this observation. Properties of hydrogenated nitrile rubber were investigated by various techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), glass transition temperature (T_g), stress-strain behavior and rheological measurements. GPC studies showed no significant change in molecular weights of the products after the reaction. T_g value decreased with an increase in the level of hydrogenation. The ultimate stress improved significantly with the increase in the extent of hydrogenation. The die swell decreased with hydrogenation at a particular shear rate. The kinetics of the NBR hydrogenation were investigated. With the increase of the hydrogen pressure and catalyst concentration, the rate of the reaction increased. The reaction was apparently first order with respect to olefinic substrate at higher hydrogen pressure. The apparent activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy of the reaction were calculated as 29.9 kJ/mol, 27.42 kJ/mol, and –0.20 kJ mol^?1 K^?1, respectively.