Preparations of Semi-interpenetrating polymer network from natural rubber latex and polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract

This research aims to study the preparation of Semi-interpenetrating polymer network from natural latex (NR) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Firstly, the ratio of NR and PVA was varied (i.e. 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10). And then, the maleic acid proportion varies for crosslink agent (i.e. at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% w/w PVA) was studied. The mixture was stirred under room temperature and crosslink at 120^oC for 1 hour. The samples were characterized by Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). It was found that the absorption band at 3500 - 3200 cm^-1 was detected and the vibration of -OH which is found in PVA and Semi-interpenetrating polymer network that are amongst the hydrophobic properties. The results showed that ratio of NR and PVA at 60:40 and amount of maleic acid at 12 % w/w PVA have the highest percentage of adsorption around 69.64% for 72 hours. These samples appear porous which investigated by morphology technique. The disintegrated temperature of polymer network was measured by Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The results showed that the disintegrated temperature of Semi-IPN. NR / PVA have thermal resistance better than PVA.