Natural rubber (NR) latex gloves are widely used as a very important barrier for healthcare workers. However, they
can still be perforated easily by sharp devices and instruments. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the
addition of graphene oxide (GO) to low-ammonia NR latex on its puncture resistance, mechanical properties and thermal
stability. GO was synthesized using modified Hummers’ reaction. The produced GO was mixed into the NR latex solution at
various doses (0.01-1.0 wt. %), followed by a coagulant dipping process using ceramic plates to produce film samples.
Puncture resistance was enhanced by 12% with 1.0 wt. % GO/NR. Also, the incorporation of GO improved the stress at
300% and 500%, the modulus at 300% and 500% and the tear strength of low-ammonia NR latex films.
Absorption is one of the effective, simple and economical methods to remove oil from oily wastewater. The most widely
used approach is to utilize lignocellulosic biomass as oil absorbent. However, the hygroscopic of cellulose have limited
the oil-water separation capability of lignocellulosic fibers. In this study, the surface functionality of oil palm empty
fruit bunch (EFB) fibers was slightly altered by grafting reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The modified EFB fibers show
a distinct morphological and chemical characteristics changes as the surface of fibers has been coated with rGO. This
was supported by FTIR analysis with the diminishing peak of hydroxyl group region of EFB fibers. While the surface
modification on EFB fibers shows a diminution of a hydrophilic characteristic of 131.6% water absorption in comparison
with 268.9% of untreated EFB fibers. Moreover, modified fibers demonstrated an oil-water separation increment as well,
as it shows 89% of oil uptake and improved ~17 times of oil selectivity in oil-water emulsion than untreated EFB fibers.