Preparation and Properties of Natural Rubber with Organic-Inorganic Nanomatrix Structure

Effect of minor constituents on mechanical properties of natural rubber was investigated in relation to the nanomatrix structure. Structure of natural rubber was analyzed through FT-IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanomatrix of the non-rubber components was found to be inevitably formed in natural rubber, in which natural rubber particles linking to fatty acids were dispersed in the nanomatrix of the proteins and phospholipids. The nanomatrix disappeared after deproteinization of natural rubber with urea. Tensile strength and modulus of natural rubber were reduced by removal of the fatty acids and the proteins, which resulted in disappearance of the nanomatrix structure. Attempt to prepare natural rubber with organic-inorganic nanomatrix structure was investigated by mixing natural rubber particles with inorganic nanoparticles, i.e., silica and zirconia, in latex stage under alkaline condition.