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Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Melt‐Processable Ionomers based on Radiation Induced Styrene Grafted Natural Rubber
Author(s) -
Xavier Thommachan,
Samuel Jacob,
Kurian Thomas
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/1439-2054(20010901)286:9<507::aid-mame507>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - materials science , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , thermal stability , natural rubber , thermogravimetric analysis , polystyrene , styrene , polymer chemistry , ionomer , styrene butadiene , chemical engineering , copolymer , polymer , composite material , engineering
Graft ionomers based on natural rubber were prepared by sulfonating radiation induced styrene grafted natural rubber (SGNR) with acetyl sulfate reagent, followed by the neutralization of the precursor acid using methanolic zinc acetate. The modified natural rubber was characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as X‐ray fluorescence (XRFS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Fourier transform NMR (FTNMR), thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) and also by the evaluation of mechanical properties. The IR studies of the ionomers reveal that the sulfonate groups are attached to the para ‐position of the benzene rings of the polystyrene blocks. NMR studies give credence to this observation. Thermal analyses show that incorporation of ionic groups makes profound improvement in the thermal stability of SGNR. The presence of ionic groups results in enhancement of mechanical properties as well as retention of properties even after three cycles of processing at 150°C.