A Model Study of the Influence of the Natural Rubber (NR)- Endogenous Gel Fraction on the Rheological Performance of NR Using Synthetic Polyisoprene Rubber (IR) Blends with Different Ratios of Gel
Issued Date
2022-10-14
Resource Type
eISSN
26376105
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85139526196
Journal Title
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
Volume
4
Issue
10
Start Page
7061
End Page
7069
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
ACS Applied Polymer Materials Vol.4 No.10 (2022) , 7061-7069
Suggested Citation
Payungwong N., Inoue T., Sakdapipanich J. A Model Study of the Influence of the Natural Rubber (NR)- Endogenous Gel Fraction on the Rheological Performance of NR Using Synthetic Polyisoprene Rubber (IR) Blends with Different Ratios of Gel. ACS Applied Polymer Materials Vol.4 No.10 (2022) , 7061-7069. 7069. doi:10.1021/acsapm.2c00979 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84044
Title
A Model Study of the Influence of the Natural Rubber (NR)- Endogenous Gel Fraction on the Rheological Performance of NR Using Synthetic Polyisoprene Rubber (IR) Blends with Different Ratios of Gel
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
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Abstract
Nonrubber components (NRCs) contribute to the natural networks and endow natural rubber (NR) with exceptional qualities. It is known that the previously proposed NR microstructure has two types of terminal groups, the ω-terminal, which binds to proteins by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and the α-terminal, which is linked with phospholipids. These connections are believed to be the basis for the formation of naturally occurring networks or gels, which is attributable to the distinctive properties of NR. Using a model of synthetic polyisoprene rubber (IR), the contribution of the gel structure was scrutinized by removing the endogenous gel component derived from NR and adding it in varying quantities to the IR. Through the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and super-resolution laser scanning confocal microscopy (SR-LSCM), the microstructure of the prepared materials was analyzed. The SR-LSCM analysis revealed that phospholipids exclusively dominated the structure of the sol fraction, whereas both of proteins and phospholipids made up the majority of the gel fraction in NR. The gel microstructure was verified by the GPC analysis, which revealed that short NR chains were networked together. The viscoelastic and mechanical properties of rubber were assessed using an oscillatory shear measurements and tensile testing. The viscoelastic and mechanical performance of the mixed IR with the NR-endogenous gel fraction were strengthened when a substantial proportion of the gel or branch points was incorporated.