Juntuek P., Ruksakulpiwat C., Ruksakulpiwat Y., humsamrong P., Ruksakulpiwat C., Ruksakulpiwat Y.
Suranaree University of Technology, TH
Keywords: natural rubber, polylactic acid, polymer blend, reactive blending
Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was grafted onto natural rubber (NR) using emulsion polymerization method and using cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) as an initiator. Glycidyl methacrylate grafted natural rubber (NR-g-GMA) were melt blended with polylactic acid (PLA) using an internal mixer. The effect of %content of NR-g-GMA on impact property of PLA were studied. The addition of NR-g-GMA in PLA improved impact strength of PLA blend compared to that of neat PLA (Figure 1). The interaction of PLA and NR-g-GMA were studied using fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). Results obtained from FTIR indicated the chemical reactions between the end carboxyl groups of PLA and epoxy groups of NR-g-GMA as shown in Figure 2. The chemical reaction between the carboxyl groups and epoxy groups led to an increase in the miscibility of PLA and NR. This results in the improved impact property.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2010 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 302 - 305
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Energy & Sustainability
Topics: Materials for Sustainable Building, Sustainable Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3419-0