Effect of Silica on the Performance of Natural Rubber/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) and Starch Blend Films

摘要

The preparation of biodegradable polymer blend was made from natural rubber (NR) latex, starch solution and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution by a latex-solution casting method. The swelling ratio of the polymer blend dramatically decreased as a function of silica content and NR content. With the increase in silica content, the tensile strength and storage modulus of the blend films was also improved. The polymer blend shows also good antibacterial activity. Moreover, the results indicated that an intermolecular hydrogen bond and a chemical bond -O-Si- were formed in polymer blend was confirmed by ATR-FTIR.