Chitin was dispersed in 50% (w/w) NaOH solution and heated at
100 °C for 2 h. Then the mixture was cooled to room temperature,
filtered and washed with water several times until the filtrate was
neutral. The chitosan sample thus obtained was dried in oven at 60 °C
for 48 h. The chitosan solution was prepared by dissolving chitosan in
distilled water containing 2% (v/v) acetic acid. Maleic anhydride
(1 pphr) was dissolved in water and mixed with natural rubber latex.
The mixture was then slowly added to the chitosan solution and stir
well to get a homogeneous mixture. The mixture was then casted on a
Petri dish at 45 °C for 48 h. The films were prepared by compressing
these casted samples at 140 °C and at a pressure of 10 t for 10 min in a
hydraulic press. The resulting film thickness was 2–2.5 mm. The
vulcanized blends were prepared by dissolving dicumyl peroxide
(2 pphr) in benzene and then added to the blend solution.