Abstract
Novel sustainable foams reinforced with a renewable, functional filler and modified via post-epoxidation were developed for shape memory and self-healing applications. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), extracted from durian husk waste, was used as a filler in natural rubber (NR) latex foam. The incorporation of MCC (0.5–2% relative to NR) enhanced the mechanical properties and slightly increased wettability. Post-epoxidation of NR/MCC foams was carried out via a heterogeneous reaction using a formic acid/hydrogen peroxide system, resulting in an NR core/epoxidized NR (ENR) shell structure. This post-epoxidation (5–40% epoxidation) significantly improved the mechanical properties and wettability while imparting shape-memory and self-healing functionalities. Overall, this approach demonstrates a simple and sustainable strategy for the development of smart materials.