Preliminary evaluation of properties and performance of natural rubber (NR) latex band for microplastic capturing in seawater

Microplastic particles are emerging water-laden waste that cause a worrying concern towards the environment and humans health. Due to its small size and geometry, and uncertain surface properties, the microplastic waste capturing method in water is still evolving. To date, a number of findings report on the emergence of microplastic surface charging, especially when exposed to water environment. In this study, the natural rubber (NR) latex band was utilized to capture the microplastic waste via a surface capturing mechanism. The NR band was produced using a film casting and curing methods. The surface charging mechanism on the NR band was introduced via the usage of high amount of ZDEC accelerator and, periodic stretching and relaxation procedures. In this work, ZDEC was used as an accelerator for the rubber formulation, and surface charge booster for the NR band. The surface charge of the NR band generates electrostatic interaction with the microplastic waste in water. The polypropylene (PP) microplastic was captured via the surface attraction mechanism using the manufactured NR band. Based on FTIR analysis, the presence of PP microplastic can be quantified on the contaminated NR band surface. The NR band shows the improvement in tensile and tear properties and crosslink density, mainly due to high amount of ZDEC used. At ZDEC loading of 20 phr, the NR band recorded the highest surface potential value, and this is owing to the formation of Zn2+ complex ions on its surface. XRF analysis indicates that the increment of Zn content in the NR band with increasing ZDEC content, that suggests the formation of Zn2+ complex ions.