Novel interpenetrating amphiphilic Co‐networks based on compatibilized NBR/SBR‐montmorillonite composites: A study on the oil absorption characteristics

Abstract

This work explores the fabrication of novel amphiphilic interpenetrating co‐network structures that may afford a reasonable solution to the problem of oil spills. It depends upon compatibilization of the binary immiscible rubber blend, containing the polar acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber and the non‐polar styrene–butadiene rubber. The compatibilization process was accomplished successfully using organic‐inorganic hybrid structures based on montmorillonites, priory treated with a hydrophobic cationic agent to different levels so that they acquire wide range of amphiphilicity. With achieving the goal of compatibilization using bi‐polar montmorillonites, the formed amphiphilic interpenetrating network structures are thought to qualify as oil absorbent materials for oils exhibiting a broad spectrum of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. For this purpose, toluene, which exhibits both polar and non‐polar characters, was chosen as model to predict the oil absorption and swelling extent as a function of the clay philicity. The capacity of oil uptake showed good correlation to the cross‐linking density. The combination of both polar and non‐polar moieties in polymer structures used as oil absorptive materials provides a good tool to control the properties of the resulting materials supposing that the polarity and/or content of the inserted clay are the key variables: toughness offers buoyancy, stability, and easy recovery of absorbed oils irrespective of their polarity. Furthermore, the recovered oil‐swelled materials are suitable for regular oil‐refining processes (economic, no waste, green approach). The developed materials in this work are additionally advantageous because of cost‐effective concerns with respect to other developed materials in recent years in particular in the presence of the clay as one of the main constituents of these structures. This approach can reduce the environmental impacts from oil spills and help recover one of most precious natural resources. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1494–1501, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Silica and modified silica fume waste (mSF) as reinforcing fillers for rubber industry

“…This may be due to the high polarity of NBR rubber which causes rubber chains to be attached to mSF particle, leading to more smooth and homogeneous surfaces than unmodified silica fume and commercial silica. This means that, the surface treatment of SF with R1 helped in improving the dispersion in the rubber matrix, these behaviors were confirmed with that obtained by Essawy et al (2014b, 2015).…”

Oil spills adsorption and cleanup by polymeric materials: A review

“…In addition, the contact angle 43 (the angle formed by the intersection of the oil-water interface) gives a better idea about the wettability of the sorption surface. Small contact angles (80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86)(87)(88)(89)(90) correspond to high wettability, when the liquid spreads on the surface. Similarly, large contact angles (140)(141)(142)(143)(144)(145)(146)(147)(148)(149)(150) correspond to low wettability, when the liquid beads on the surface.…”

“…Essawy et al 87 reported a novel interpenetrating amphiphilic co‐networks based on compatibilized acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/styrene butadiene rubber (NBR/SBR) montmorillonite composites provide a possible solution to oil spills problems. The polymer network consists of polar acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and the non‐polar styrene butadiene rubber and the compatibilization were accomplished by montmorillonite.…”

Antimicrobial and Haemostatic Effect of Chitosan/ Polyacrylic Acid Hybrid Membranes

“…This leads to more free volume in the copolymer network and consequently; more water can be absorbed (20) . This can be attributed to the presence of the pores inside the formulation (21) .…”