SYNTHESIS AND TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR OF N-VINYLCAPROLACTAM-GRAFTED NR

ABSTRACT Temperature-responsive polymers are smart materials that respond to changes in temperature, making them suitable for a range of applications. We report the synthesis and temperature-responsive behavior of N -vinylcaprolactam-grafted natural rubber. The grafting reaction was carried out using deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex, with 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the free radical initiator. The temperature responsiveness of the graft copolymers was investigated using water swelling and contact angle measurement and compared with that of pure DPNR. The graft copolymer was found to be temperature responsive in the range 32–34 °C, whereas the DPNR was not responsive to temperature. Since the temperature responsiveness of graft copolymer is near the human body temperature, it can be used to fabricate biomedical and sensing materials. Dye adsorption studies revealed the Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer coverage. The novel temperature-responsive natural rubber demonstrated in this study has potential uses in a wide range of applications.