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<p>Maturation is a key step throughout the natural rubber latex (NRL) production process. It induces significant changes in non-rubber components and network structure. These changes directly affect the performance of the final products. Matured NRL has been widely applied in industry. However, research on the maturation mechanism of NRL remains limited both domestically and internationally. The underlying action mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, NRL was matured under different conditions. Results showed that the NRL-40-2 sample possessed a more uniform chemical cross-linking network and a denser physical entanglement network. This led to a 15.9% increase in tensile strength. This study systematically elucidated the mechanism of maturation treatment. Microbial and enzyme-mediated degradation removes the protein protective layer on NRL particle surfaces. It induces branching and cross-linking reactions of terminal groups in rubber molecular chains via hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds. At the same time, van der Waals forces form physical entanglements. These processes construct a denser natural network structure. Furthermore, degradation products from non-rubber components increase the vulcanization rate and cross-link density of the vulcanizates. This work provides new insights into NRL maturation.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Impact of network structure and non-rubber components degradation on the properties of natural rubber latex during maturation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月24日

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  • Rui Li,
  • Xinru Zhang,
  • Wentong Sun,
  • Zhaoxiang Wang,
  • Jingjie Han

摘要

Maturation is a key step throughout the natural rubber latex (NRL) production process. It induces significant changes in non-rubber components and network structure. These changes directly affect the performance of the final products. Matured NRL has been widely applied in industry. However, research on the maturation mechanism of NRL remains limited both domestically and internationally. The underlying action mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, NRL was matured under different conditions. Results showed that the NRL-40-2 sample possessed a more uniform chemical cross-linking network and a denser physical entanglement network. This led to a 15.9% increase in tensile strength. This study systematically elucidated the mechanism of maturation treatment. Microbial and enzyme-mediated degradation removes the protein protective layer on NRL particle surfaces. It induces branching and cross-linking reactions of terminal groups in rubber molecular chains via hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds. At the same time, van der Waals forces form physical entanglements. These processes construct a denser natural network structure. Furthermore, degradation products from non-rubber components increase the vulcanization rate and cross-link density of the vulcanizates. This work provides new insights into NRL maturation.

Graphical abstract