Regenerated cellulose/epoxidized natural rubber blend film

Regenerated cellulose/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50) blended films were prepared using an environmentally friendly ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl). The films were obtained by casting solution method. The hydrogen bonding interactions between epoxy groups in ENR with hydroxyl groups of the RC in the blends were investigated by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that ENR dispersed homogenously within the RC matrix. The blends show significant enhancement of thermal stability as compared to the regenerated. The elongation at break remarkably improved by about 39% at 20 wt.% loading of ENR in dry state. This work demonstrates an effective approach to processing biodegradable regenerated cellulose and epoxidized natural rubber blend. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.