Surface Modification of Natural Rubber Latex Film by N-Vinypyrrolidone Graft Copolymerization

Abstract

The surface modification of natural rubber (NR) latex film by argon plasma pretreatment and subsequent UV-induced graft copolymerization of N-vinypyrrolidone (NVP) was carried out to improve the hydrophilic behavior. The effects of plasma pretreatment time and UV irradiation time on the graft yields were studied. The peroxide functionalities formed by the oxidations in air after plasma pretreatment are the activated species for the subsequent UV-induced graft copolymerization of NVP. ATR-FTIR and XPS analyses indicate that the PVP molecules have covalently bonded onto the surface of NR latex film. The argon plasma pretreatment time of 2min and UV irradiation time of 10min are the proper conditions for the graft polymerization of NVP onto NR latex film, which can reduce the water contact angle value of NR latex film from 95oto about 57o.