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Properties of concentrated skim rubber latex using membrane separation process and its comparison with other natural rubber latexes

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Abstract

Concentrated skim (CSk) latex was prepared from raw skim (RSk) latex of Hevea brasilliensis via membrane separation process. Since the properties of CSk latex have not been reported previously, this work aims to study the properties of CSk latex and juxtapose it with raw skim (RSk), field (FNR) and high ammonia (HANR) latexes. The physicochemical properties of the latexes, such as total solid content (TSC), zeta potential, and pH, were analogous to FNR latex. CSK and RSk latexes were composed of small rubber particles as confirmed by SEM, with low molecular weight polymer as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The Fourier infra-red transform (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that CSk film contained high fatty acid ester, nitrogen and gel contents. After the ultra-filtration (UF) membrane separation, TSC increased from 7.3 wt% to 39.6 wt%. The non-rubber components and metal ion content were markedly decreased by 50%, respectively. About 85% of fatty acid esters were removed by acetone extraction (AE) while nitrogen and gel content remained the same in CSk film. This could be attributed to proteins forming cross-links that lead to high gel content of skim latex. In addition, CSk film showed marked improvement in thermal stability as compared to that of RSk.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, (Nurul Hayati, Yusof), upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to containing information that could compromise the confidentiality of research participants and company.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Malaysian Rubber Board for divisional research under project ID 758. Special thanks and appreciate to Global Testing Centre (GtacR), Mdm. Faezah Ismail, Mr. Hamdan Abu Bakar, Mr. Hishamuddin Samat, Mr. Badrol Hisham, and Mr Selvom for their great assistance throughout the work.

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Correspondence to Nurul Hayati Yusof.

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Yusof, N.H., Singh, M., Mohd Rasdi, F.R. et al. Properties of concentrated skim rubber latex using membrane separation process and its comparison with other natural rubber latexes. J Rubber Res 26, 169–177 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00189-w

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