Graft Copolymerization of Natural Rubber with Maleoyl Chitosan for Antibiosis

Elastomers are necessary materials in building materials. Mouldy materials will not only influence the surface view but also mechanical properties. In this paper, maleoyl chitosan (MCS) was selected as antimicrobial for improving natural rubber (NR) materials' antimicrobial properties together with mechanical and ageing properties. The results demonstrated that MCS showed antimicrobial effects and it also reinforced NR materials in mechanical properties. MCS is of good oil resistivity and thermostability. The copolymerization of them can not only improve the oil resistivity and thermostability of the natural rubber, but also can increase its medicinal value. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), dipotassium sulfonatooxy sulfate (K2S2O8), azobisisobutyro-nitrile (AIBN), vulcanizing system (sulphur) were selected as initiators. A novel NR-MCS copolymer with much better mechanical property and antibacterial property was obtained at last which would be a good health and medical materials in the future.