Creation of Nano-matrix dispersed polymeric materials

纳米基质结构是一种新型的聚合物复合材料结构，它由少量功能聚合物的基质和主要组分的分散体组成。由于纳米基质结构可以通过在非平衡状态下钉扎独特的相分离结构来形成，因此预计该结构不仅可以实现主要组分的突出特性，而且可以实现次要组分的功能特性。这可能有别于为聚合物共混而形成的普通岛状基质结构，其性质归因于作为基质的主要组分。因此，当我们形成天然橡胶的纳米基质结构时，我们可以在不降低其优异的力学性能的情况下改善天然橡胶的性能。研究了纳米基质分散天然橡胶的功能性能与橡胶形态的关系。以脱蛋白天然橡胶为原料，通过乳液接枝共聚法制备了纳米基质分散天然橡胶。透射电子显微镜证实，粒径约为0.5μm的橡胶粒子分散在厚度约为15 nm的聚苯乙烯或聚丙烯腈基质中。纳米基质结构的形成提高了纳米基质分散天然橡胶的力学性能和耐油性。

Nano-matrix structure is a novel structure of polymer composite, which consists of matrix of minor functional polymer and dispersoid of major component. Since the nano-matrix structure may be formed by pinning a unique phase separated structure in non-equilibrium state, it is anticipated that the structure may achieve not only outstanding properties of the major component but also functional properties of the minor component. This may be distinguished from an ordinary island-matrix structure formed for polymer blend, whose properties are attributed to the major component as a matrix. Thus, when we form nano-matrix structure for natural rubber, we may improve the properties of natural rubber without reducing the outstanding mechanical properties.In the present work, an attempt to prepare nano-matrix-dispersed polymer from rubbers was performed with styrene or acrylonitrile as a monomer. Functional properties of nano-matrix-dispersed natural rubber were investigated in relation to morphology of the rubber. The nano-matrix-dispersed natural rubber was prepared by graft-copolymerization of styrene or acrylonitrile onto deproteinized natural rubber in latex stage. The rubber particle of about 0.5 μm in diameter was dispersed in polystyrene or polyacrylonitrile matrix of about 15 nm in thickness, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Mechanical properties and oil resistance for the resulting nano-matrix-dispersed natural rubber was improved because of the formation of nano-matrix structure.