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Preparation of epoxidized acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and its compatibilization effect on water‐swellable rubber composites
Author(s) -
Lv Guozheng,
Cen Lan,
Tan Xinwen,
Wu Qihao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.47694
Subject(s) - materials science , natural rubber , vulcanization , acrylonitrile , composite material , absorption of water , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , elastomer , nitrile rubber , swelling , compatibilization , polymer , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , copolymer , polymer blend , engineering
In this research, water‐swellable rubbers (WSRs) were prepared by the blending of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with epoxidized acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (ENBR), precipitated silica, vulcanizing agents, and polyacrylic acid sodium (PAAS) as superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). ENBR was prepared with a molybdenum trioxide catalyst and a tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide oxidant through a free‐radical reaction under specific conditions and was used as a compatibilizer to improve the interfacial adhesion of the NBR matrix and hydrophilic components of the WSRs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to analyze the structure and properties of ENBR. The dispersion of silica and SAPs in the rubber matrix was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The presence of ENBR enhanced the water‐absorption properties of the WSRs. The NBR–ENBR composites exhibited a higher mechanical performance after water absorption than that without ENBR. Both the swelling ratio and the absorption rate increased with the ENBR content. When the weight ratio of NBR–ENBR was 25/75, an equilibrium swelling ratio of 172% (13% higher than that of the sample without ENBR) was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the addition of ENBR improved the compatibility between the SAPs and the NBR matrix. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47694.