Grafted Methyl Methacrylate and Butyl Methacrylate onto Natural Rubber Foam for Oil Sorbent

摘要

Natural rubber (NR) foam was modified via graft copolymerization with oleophilic monomer such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) or butyl methacrylate (BMA). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polybutyl methacrylate (PBMA) were prepared by emulsion polymerization. The average particle size of PMMA and PBMA emulsion were 58.7±5.3 nm and 57.6±0.8 nm, respectively. The effect of PMMA or PBMA emulsion loading onto NR foam was studied over the range 0.05 - 2.0 phr. The functionality of modified NR foam was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal properties of modified NR foam were confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed two step degradations which were attributed to natural rubber and PMMA or PBMA contents. The modified NR foam could quickly absorb gasoline and organic solvent such as toluene and xylene, which found in petroleum product. The maximum oil absorbency (gram of absorbency per gram of foam) of gasoline, diesel, engine oil, toluene and xylene were achieved at 9.95, 8.37, 6.01, 11.81 and 10.96, respectively. Modified NR foam had high oil absorption capacity, reusability, easy to use and good environmental friendly. It can be used as an alternative sorbent material for oil spill cleanup.