An environmentally friendly and efficient technology to prepare high-performance natural rubber: Electrophoretic coagulation

Natural rubber is bio-based rubber, which plays an important role in carbon neutralization to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is widely used in the national economy because of its strain-induced crystallization properties. However, the preparation process for natural rubber is backward and in urgent need of reform. Electrophoretic coagulation, as a new natural rubber coagulation process, was proposed in this paper. We designed electrophoresis equipment and optimized it through finite element analysis. Compared with traditional coagulation methods electrophoretic coagulation has outstanding advantages: high efficiency, no wastewater, and low odor. Compared with commercial natural rubber, electrophoretic coagulated natural rubber has a stronger supramolecular structure, better mechanical performances, and dynamic compression heat buildup. We also revealed the relationship between the structure and properties of different natural rubber.