An experimental study using 3-aminoproplymethyldiethoxysilane (APMDS) to improve biocompatibility of NR latex film

Abstract

To improve the biocompatibility of dipped films from natural rubber latex (NRL) without compromising physical strength, high ammoniated NRL (HA-NRL) compounding formulations were devised by manipulating the amount of compounding ingredients and additive materials. In this study, the compatibility of 3-aminoproplymethyldiethoxysilane (APMDS) with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) filler in zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) accelerated HA-NRL formulas were explored. It was found that ZDEC residue detected using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was less than 6 μ/g in all NRL-dipped films. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity response of the films showed a lower toxicity effect in the presence of APMDS. The occurrence of chemical interactions between APMDS, CaCO₃ and crosslinked NR was confirmed by the Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transmittance Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) spectrometer. Interestingly, the physical strength of NRL-dipped film was greatly improved when APMDS was incorporated together with CaCO₃ at a low dosage of ZDEC. This may be due to the adequate physical interaction between the APMDS-surface-modified filler particles and APMDS-surface-modified rubber particles. Overall, a biocompatible NRL film with satisfactory physical strength, low ZDEC residue and low cytotoxicity was achieved by employing a low dosage of ZDEC in the presence of APMDS and CaCO₃.