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. 2025 Jan 27;26(3):1101.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26031101.

Elastomeric Biocomposites of Natural Rubber Containing Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide

Anna Sowińska-Baranowska  1 , Magdalena Maciejewska  1
Affiliations

Elastomeric Biocomposites of Natural Rubber Containing Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide

Anna Sowińska-Baranowska et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were successfully synthesized through the green method using aloe vera extract and zinc nitrate (1:1). The structure, morphology and properties of the biosynthesized ZnO (bioZnO) particles were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and thermogravimetry (TG). The morphology and the size of ZnO particles were elucidated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Then, the ability of bioZnO to activate sulfur curing of natural rubber (NR) was tested and compared to commercial ZnO traditionally used as vulcanization activator. The bioZnO showed similar activity in the vulcanization process to commercial ZnO. NR composites containing bioZnO were pro-ecological in nature and exhibited better mechanical characteristics and durability against thermo-oxidative aging than NR with commonly used micrometric ZnO. Moreover, NR vulcanizates containing bioZnO showed good mechanical properties in dynamic conditions and satisfactory thermal stability. The present research is new and in addition to the analysis of biosynthesized ZnO particles, the effect of the activator in the vulcanization process of the NR elastomer and its influence on the properties of the final products were additionally discussed.

Keywords: biocomposites; biosynthesis; natural rubber; vulcanization; zinc oxide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanism of bio-ZnO nanoparticle formation using aloe vera extract.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Thermogravimetric (TG) curve of bioZnO powder.
Figure 3
Figure 3
FTIR spectra of ZnO powders.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Diffraction pattern for bioZnO.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) spectra for commercial ZnO: (a) negative ions; (b) positive ions.
Figure 6
Figure 6
TOF-SIMS spectra for bioZnO: (a) negative ions; (b) positive ions.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (a) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) (b) analysis for pure commercial ZnO.
Figure 8
Figure 8
SEM (a) with EDS (b) analysis for bioZnO.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Distribution of curatives in NR composite with commercial ZnO: (a) SEM image; (b) EDS spectrum.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Distribution of curatives in NR composite with bioZnO: (a) SEM image; (b) EDS spectrum.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves of NR compounds containing commercial and bioZnO.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Loss factor (tan δ) graphs against temperature for NR vulcanizates with commercial and bioZnO.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Changes in the properties of NR vulcanizates due to thermo-oxidative aging: (a) crosslink density; (b) stress at 300% elongation; (c) tensile strength; (d) elongation at break; (e) hardness.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Thermal stability of NR vulcanizates: (a) TG curves, (b) DTG curves.
Figure 15
Figure 15
The scheme of biosynthesis method used in this study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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