Effect of Modified Natural Rubber on Morphology, Chemical Structure, and Crystallinity of Electrospun Polyvinylidene Difluoride Nanofibers

Natural rubber latex was chemically modified by enzymatic deproteinization, degradation, and epoxidation to produce deproteinized liquid epoxidized natural rubber (DP-LENR). Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) was blended with DP-LENR and then electrospun to produce nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy shows reduction in the fiber diameter and beading formation with increasing concentration of DP-LENR. Smooth surface of nanofibers suggests miscibility and chemical compatibility of PVDF with low concentration of DP-LENR. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis show the addition of DP-LENR has no effect on chemical structure and crystallinity of electrospun PVDF.