Authors: Márcia M Rippel Carlos A P Leite LayTheng Lee Fernando Galembeck
Publish Date: 2004/09/28
Volume: 283, Issue: 5, Pages: 570-574
Abstract
Elemental distribution maps of Hevea brasiliensis natural rubber gels have been obtained using electron energyloss spectroscopy imaging in a lowenergy 80 kV electron spectroscopy imaging transmission electron microscope Two types of gels have been investigated a microgel contained within the natural rubber particle and a macrogel prepared by equilibrating dry natural rubber in toluene Both types of gels are found to contain a high amount of calcium The intraparticle microgel is dense and rich in calcium but poor in nitrogen indicating the predominant role of calcium in crosslink formation The macroscopic gel is inhomogeneous with dense calciumrich microgels interspersed in a matrix of a less dense gel The significant level of nitrogen associated with the matrix of the less dense gel supports the role of proteinaceous materials in the formation of the macroscopic gel
Keywords: