Deproteinized natural rubber-graft-polyacrylamide-graft-polystyrene (DPNR-g-PAM-g-PSt): Preparation and performance study of a new water swellable rubber

In this study, the water swellable rubber DPNR-g-PAM-g-PSt (DPP) was prepared by emulsion polymerization in a tert-butyl hydroperoxide/tetraethylenepentamine initiation system using deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) as the substrate, acrylamide (AM) and styrene (St) as the monomers, and Brij-35 as the emulsifier. On this basis, the bentonite (BT) was added for coblending. The successful grafting of AM and St was verified by particle size, contact angle, Fourier transform infrared, H-1-NMR, scanning electron microscope, and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of blending with different amounts of bentonite on the mechanical properties and water absorption properties were discussed. The water swellable rubber DPP and DPP/BT prepared in this study have good prospects for applications in industry, construction, medical care, environmental protection, soil improvement, and nuclear waste treatment.

Automated summary

In this study, water swellable rubber DPP was synthesized by emulsion polymerization using DPNR as the substrate, AM and St as the monomers, and Brij-35 as the emulsifier. The successful grafting of AM and St was confirmed by various analysis methods. The effects of blending with different amounts of BT on the mechanical and water absorption properties were investigated. The prepared DPP and DPP/BT show great potential for a wide range of applications.