Composite Particles of Disinfectant Nanocapsules-Skim Rubber Latex

Abstract

Skim latex, a by-product of natural rubber latex, was prevulcanized by sulfur and then used in the preparation of composite particles with disinfectant nanocapsules. Each polymeric nanocapsule contained chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD) as a disinfectant agent encapsulated with poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) as a shell. The driving force for the heterocoagulation of CHD-PMA nanocapsule and sulfur-prevulcanized skim (SPVS) particle was the electrostatic interaction between the positive charge of lecithin residing on the surface of the nanocapsule and the negative charge from the indigenous surfactant (protein-lipid) and/or from sodium dodecyl sulfate on the surface of the SPVS latex particle. The zeta potential and morphology of heterocoagulated particles indicated the formation of the CHD-PMA/SPVS composite particles. Structures and formation mechanisms of the composite particles with different blend ratios were revealed by depth profiling confocal Raman spectra.

Keywords:

• Composites
• Core-shell polymers
• Nanoparticle
• Rubber
• Surfactants

Research grant (RTA5180003) from The Thailand Research Fund/Commission on Higher Education is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Mr. Alongkot Treetong (NANOTEC) for helpful assistance on Raman experiments.