Polyisoprene modified poly(alkyl acrylate) foam as oil sorbent material

Abstract

Biorenewable polyisoprene latex obtained from natural rubber, Hevea brasiliensis, was used to prepare the reusable polyisoprene-poly(alkyl acrylate) foam for petroleum-based liquid absorption. The foam was produced via latex vulcanization and cured by steaming. The effect of various types of poly(alkyl acrylate) such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) on oil sorption capacity of the foam were studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed interconnected open-cell macrostructure with the foam porosity greater than 75% and good compression set. The oil sorption capacity of the foam was in the range of 2.0-16.6 g g 21 . The addition of poly(alkyl acrylate) enhanced hydrophobicity and oil sorption capacity of the foam. The absorbed oil was easily recovered by squeezing and the foam can be reused up to 30 sorption-desorption cycles and still preserve high quality sorption.

Natural rubber/reduced-graphene oxide composite materials: Morphological and oil adsorption properties for treatment of oil spills

“…Next, the sorbent was weighed and immersed again into the oil–seawater system. This adsorption–desorption cycle was performed for up to 30 cycles to determine the oil removal efficiency ( Re ) [32]:Re()%=(W1-W0)W1×100.…”

“…Therefore, NR foams are good candidates as oil sorbent materials. Several techniques have been studied to improve the oil adsorption capacity of NR foams, including chemical modifications [32], [33] and the preparation of composite materials [26], [34], [35], [36], [37].…”

Recent Progress in Processing Functionally Graded Polymer Foams

“…First, the polymer matrix is saturated with a physical blowing agent (gas or supercritical fluid) at constant conditions. Next, the supersaturated state is brought about by phase separation, induced either by rapidly increasing temperature or reducing pressure, for generating gas bubbles, and therefore cells, inside the polymer matrix [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The cells grow to reach the point that the viscosity of the polymer matrix is increased corresponding to the force opposing the expansion of the foam until it becomes sufficiently high [ 31 ].…”

Enhancement of the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Rubber Latex Foam by Blending It with Chitin

“…Compared with the former three, natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) is a porous material with a low density [4,5]. NRLF has the characteristics of elastic resilience, absorbency, providing sound insulation, being shockproof and providing ventilation [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. At present, the commercial products made from NRLF mainly include mattresses and pillows.…”