Liquid Natural Rubber Hydrogenation Optimization Reaction through Response Surface Methods

Optimization of research parameter using response surface methods (RSM) is expected to help save the overall time and cost of the reaction compared to traditional method of optimization. In this research, RSM is used for optimization of hydrogenation of LNR using diimide source from thermolysis of p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide (TSH) in o-xylene solvent. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) using RSM with 3 factors which are weight ratio TSH: LNR, reaction time and reaction temperature. Using this design, quadratic model for percentage of hydrogenation was obtained. This quadratic model was significant to the correlation coefficient of 0.9177. Based on ANOVA, the reaction time and reaction temperature were more significant on the percentage of hydrogenation of LNR compared to the weight ratio TSH: LNR. The optimum condition of the hydrogenation reaction was obtained at 1.41 weight ratio of TSH: LNR, reaction time of 2.22 h and reaction temperature of 114.05 degrees C with 81.83% of hydrogenation. The use of RSM in HLNR preparation assist in the production of desired hydrogenation percentage based on the quadratic polynomial equation obtained.