Internal polymerization of epoxy group of epoxidized natural rubber by ferric chloride and formation of strong network structure

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

In this work, studies are carried out to understand the crosslinking reaction of epoxidized natural rubber (50 mol% epoxy, ENR-50) by metal ion namely ferric ion (Fe3+, FeCl3, ferric chloride). It is found that a small amount of FeCl3 can cure ENR to a considerable extent. A direct interaction of the ferric ion with the epoxy group as well as internal polymerization enable the ENR to be cured in an efficient manner. It was also found that with the increased concentration of FeCl3, the crosslinking density of the matrix increased and therefore, the ENR offers higher mechanical properties (i.e., modulus and tensile strength). In addition, the glass transition temperature (tg) of ENR vulcanizate is increased with increasing concentration of FeCl3. Moreover, the thermal degradation temperature (Td) of the ENR-FeCl3 compound was shifted toward higher temperature as increasing concentration FeCl3.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number4145
JournalPolymers
Volume13
Issue number23
Publication statusPublished - 27 Nov 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-0967-4557/work/173054839
PubMed 34883648

Keywords

Keywords

  • Crosslinking density, Epoxidized natural rubber, Ferric chloride, Internal polymerization, Metal ion crosslinkers