Self-healing (S-H) vulcanized natural rubber (V-NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (V-ENR) were prepared using a magnesium oxide-zinc oxide (MgO-ZnO) coactivator. Compared to ZnO alone, the MgO-ZnO system enhanced disulfide and polysulfide bond formation, boosting self-healability through metathesis. Various accelerators, including N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazyl sulfenamide (TBBS) and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), were tested, and the optimal formulation was applied to V-ENR. The curing behavior and healing performance of V-NR and V-ENR were evaluated. V-ENR with MgO-ZnO showed superior healing due to multiple S-H factors, including disulfide and polysulfide bond reformation and thermoreversible hydrogen bonding.
- Thuong Thi Nghiem
- Ba Lam Nguyen
- Seiichi Kawahara
