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Reduction of surface sulphur upon microbial devulcanization of rubber materials

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Abstract

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, T. thioparus, Acidianus brierleyi and TH2 Lund, an archaeal isolate, were tested for sulphur oxidising capacity on ground rubber from spent car tyres. T. ferrooxidans converted 8 % (w/w) of the sulphur in cryoground spent rubber to sulphate in 20 days. Desulphurization of fresh made natural rubber was studied with scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. The average depletion of sulphur on the treated surface was 24 % compared to the bulk region. Oxidised sulphur species were detected on the surface after microbial treatment. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biotechnology, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    M. Chritiansson & O. Holst

  2. Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Stenberg

  3. Dept of Inorganic Chemistry 2, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    L.R. Wallenberg

Authors
  1. M. Chritiansson
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  2. B. Stenberg
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  3. L.R. Wallenberg
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  4. O. Holst
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Chritiansson, M., Stenberg, B., Wallenberg, L. et al. Reduction of surface sulphur upon microbial devulcanization of rubber materials. Biotechnology Letters 20, 637–642 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005306220566

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