Ribbon‐like microfiber of vulcanized and non‐vulcanized natural rubber obtained by the solution blow spinning

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR) microfibers were obtained from NR/chloroform solutions with or without vulcanization agents, by a solution blow spinning (SBS) technique. The microfibers showed a ribbon‐like morphology with average widths ranging from 15 to 45 μm, depending on the processing conditions. Concentrations of 3%, 4%, and 5% (wt/vol) of NR/chloroform were compared; at 4% wt/vol the spinning process was most stable, and fiber width was the most homogeneous. Microfibrous NR membranes incorporating vulcanizing agents were treated at temperatures of 70, 80, and 90°C for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Membrane tensile strength and elongation at break varied with temperature and treatment time. The best result was found with the sample treated at 90°C for 3 h. In this case, the tensile strength and elongation at break was (4.9 ± 0.8) MPa and (867 ± 18) % which is about 310% and 330% higher than the values found for the same sample without the incorporation of vulcanizing agents. This expressive increase was attributed to the vulcanization of the rubber, which also provided a shift to a higher value of the glass transition temperature. Overall properties of the blow‐spun films, especially the high elasticity‐contraction, suggest they are attractive candidates for use in robotics, and biobased electronics including wearable sensors.