Catalyst Screening in Diimide Hydrogenation of Latex

Natural rubber from particular rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) which has supreme mechanical properties compare to the synthetic rubber, is a basic constituent for nowadays modern transportation, industrial and medical equipment. Its high elasticity and plasticity contribute to its remarkable tensile strength. However, latex as the precursor of natural rubber tends to coagulate. This colloidal characteristic makes it unstable for thermal treatment such as hydrogenation and compounding, which are required for it to be processed further. Therefore, latex treatment before and during hydrogenation are necessary. In this research, 1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) as a surfactant, 200 rpm of stirring velocity, 20% of dry rubber content were used as the treatment processing parameter, where the temperature was used as the independent variable, to determine the highest turbidity and the lowest viscosity condition of the latex. After optimum processing temperature, has been obtained, the latex was then hydrogenated with and without the addition of DPNR (Deproteinized Natural Rubber) catalysis. In this case, hydrogenation efficiency measured by means of the degree of hydrogenation that represented by numbers of C double bond. It was found that the interplay between all the variables has different effects towards the colloidal stability of the latex and the effectivity of the hydrogenation itself.