Preparation of Natural Rubber/Condensed Tannin Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Network Composites by Hematin-Catalyzed Cross-Linking
(100-105) Journal of Polymers and the Environment 19 #1 (2011)
Kadokawa et al of Kagoshima University, Japan, prepared semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) composites composed of natural rubber and condensed tannin by means of the enzyme-mimetic cross-linking of condensed tannin catalyzed by hematin.  A solution of condensed tannin and hematin, and subsequently 30% (w/v) H2O2 aq. were added to natural rubber latex and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min to perform the cross-linking of condensed tannin, followed by drying of the reaction mixture at 50 °C for 5 h, which was subsequently put into a heat device and hot-pressed at 100 °C and 20 MPa for 20 min to give the semi-IPN composite. (RDC 4/22/2011)