Effect of Micro and Nano Zinc Oxide on the Properties of Pre-Vulcanized Natural Rubber Latex Films

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized through a solution free mechano-chemical route and their effects on pre-vulcanized natural rubber latex properties were investigated. Effect of nano ZnO loading on swelling, antimicrobial, mechanical and ageing properties of pre-vulcanized latex vulcanizates were examined and compared with conventional micro ZnO filled vulcanizates. In comparison with micro filled system, nano filled system exhibits better performance in all respects. The ageing resistance of nano ZnO incorporated latex films was found to be high.