Modified natural rubber latex film-forming enhances bamboo scraps/magnesium oxychloride composites

Bamboo scraps/magnesium oxychloride composites are new low carbon and environmentally friendly building materials. Its development not only reduces carbon dioxide emissions, but the use of bamboo scraps can improve bamboo utilization rates and play important roles in protecting the environment. However, in some environments, water resistance is problematic and mechanical strength decreases, thereby seriously affecting applications in architectural settings. Natural rubber latex (NRL) can be coated after dehydration and film forming, and modified by surfactants to improve cement properties. In this study, natural rubber latex modified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (S-NRL), was used as a modifier to improve bamboo scraps/magnesium oxychloridee composite properties. The results showed that after S-NRL addition, latex films formed by water loss not only filled voids in bamboo scraps/magnesium oxychloride composites, but also generated surface negative charges. These were adsorbed by magnesium (Mg2+) ions, at strength phase-5, and formed surface waterproof protective films to prevent water erosion. Thus, composite mechanical and water resistance properties were enhanced; when S-NRL was at 0.3%, mechanical strength and water resistance properties were at a maximum after curing for 28 days. •Natural rubber latex and bamboo/magnesium oxychloride composite are both non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials.•The natural latex dehydrates and forms a soft protective film to block the voids in the composites.•The rubber emulsion modified by sodium dodecyl sulfate can form a protective layer during the hydration process of Mg2+.