Showing papers in "Journal of Polymer Science Part A in 1998"
TL;DR: The functional understanding and utility of hyperbranched polymers are still in infancy as discussed by the authors, and better understanding on physical properties of these polymers, such as solubility and miscibility of polymers in solvents or with polymers and functional group dependency to the thermal relaxation process are needed for further development of the subject.
Abstract: It has been about 10 years since the first intentional preparation of hyperbranched polymer was disclosed. Hyperbranched polymers, as well as dendrimers, may find utilities in the areas where the structural uniqueness of these polymers gives merit. There has been much progress in the structural understanding and the methods of synthesis of these polymers. However, functional understanding and utility of these polymers are still in infancy. Better understanding on physical properties of these polymers, such as solubility and miscibility of these polymers in solvents or with polymers, and functional group dependency to the thermal relaxation process are needed for further development of the subject. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A: Polym. Chem. 36: 1685–1698, 1998
709 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the discovery of oxidative polymerization and the commercial development of PPO® and Noryl® resins is described, and the scope of the oxidative polymerisation reaction is discussed.
Abstract: The discovery of oxidative polymerization and the commercial development of PPO® and Noryl® resins is described. The scope of the oxidative polymerization reaction is discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 505–517, 1998
245 citations
TL;DR: The application of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to homopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, a functional monomer, is reported in this article.
Abstract: The application of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to the homopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, a functional monomer, is reported. The polymerizations exhibit first-order kinetics, and molecular weights increase linearly with conversion. Polydispersities remain low throughout the polymerization (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.2). Reactions were conducted in bulk and in 1 : 1 (by volume) aqueous solution; the latter demonstrates the resilience of ATRP to protic media. Analysis of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) by MALDI-MS and 1H-NMR shows Mn,exp to be much closer to Mn,th than those observed by SEC using polystyrene standards. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1417–1424, 1998
222 citations
TL;DR: The self-condensing vinyl polymerization of 4-(chloromethyl)styrene using metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization catalyzed by the complex CuCl/2,2′-bipyridyl has been attempted.
Abstract: The self-condensing vinyl polymerization of 4-(chloromethyl)styrene using metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization catalyzed by the complex CuCl/2,2′-bipyridyl has been attempted. Given the unequal reactivity of the two potential propagating species in this system, a variety of polymerization conditions were tested to optimize the extent of branching in the products. Typical reaction conditions included polymerization in the bulk, or preferably in chlorobenzene solution, with catalyst to monomer ratios in the range 0.01–0.30, temperatures of 100–130°C, and reaction times from 0.1 to 32 h. Polymers with weight average molecular weights between 3 × 103 and 1.6 × 105 and different extents of branching are formed as evidenced by size-exclusion chromatography, light scattering, and NMR analysis of the reaction products. The influence of reaction conditions on the molecular weight and branching of the resulting polymers is discussed in detail. In sharp contrast to an earlier report, the weight of evidence suggests that, at a catalyst to monomer ratio of 0.01, an almost linear polymer is obtained, while a high catalyst to monomer ratio favors the formation of a branched structure. As a result of the unequal reactivity of the primary and secondary benzylic halide reactive sites, growth occurs by a modified self-condensing vinyl polymerization mechanism that involves incorporation of the largely linear vinyl-terminated fragments formed early on in the polymerization into the vinyl polymer, to afford an irregularly branched structure. Chemical transformations involving the numerous benzylic halide functionalities of the highly branched polymer have been investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 955–970, 1998
217 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of surface erosion on poly(L-lactide) films in 0.01N NaOH at 37°C and found that the degradation of PLLA spherulites resulted in preferred hydrolysis in the amorphous region.
Abstract: Hydrolysis of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) films in 0.01N NaOH at 37°C was investigated by gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing optical microscopy. The change in molecular weight distribution and surface morphology of PLLA films during hydrolysis revealed that PLLA film hydrolysis in dilute alkaline solution proceeded mainly via the surface erosion mechanism. An insignificant dependence of the rate of weight loss per unit surface area on the PLLA film thickness also supported this conclusion. Etching of the outside of PLLA spherulites resulted in preferred hydrolysis of PLLA chains in the amorphous region. The disorientation of lamella and inhomogeneous erosion in the spherulites implied that hydrolysis of PLLA chains occurred predominantly in the amorphous region between the crystalline regions in the spherulites. The rate of weight loss per unit surface area decreased linearly with the increase in the initial crystallinity of PLLA film, while the radius of spherulites had practically no significant effect on the hydrolysis of PLLA film. The specific low molecular weight of PLLA chains produced by hydrolysis increased with the rise in annealing temperature of the PLLA film, suggesting that the PLLA chains released were the component of one fold in the crystalline region. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 59–66, 1998
200 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the polymerization kinetics of photocurable compositions based on an epoxyacrylate oligomer and three analogous diacryl monomers were investigated, and the effects of the oligomer-to-monomer ratio, curing conditions, and monomer structure were considered.
Abstract: The polymerization kinetics of photocurable compositions based on an epoxyacrylate oligomer and three analogous diacrylate monomers were investigated. The effects of the oligomer-to-monomer ratio, curing conditions, and monomer structure were considered. The polymerization is characterized by a synergistic effect observed in a wide temperature range and occurring for the polymerization rate both in air and Ar and for final conversions in air. The final conversion in Ar is determined by viscosity of a formulation. The presence of a heteroatom (S or O) in the ester group of the reactive diluent is beneficial for the polymerization course, especially in air atmosphere. The best results were obtained for the sulfur-containing monomer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 665–673, 1998
174 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a sulfone-containing diamine, bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (p-BAPS), was used for phthalonitrile cure.
Abstract: Phthalonitrile monomers can be polymerized thermally in the presence of small amounts of curing agents into thermosetting polymers. The thermosets exhibit outstanding thermo-oxidative stability, display good mechanical properties, and offer promise as matrices for composite applications. The phthalonitrile cure reaction is typically accomplished with an aromatic diamine, 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (m-APB), added in the range of 1.5–2% by weight of the monomer in the melt phase. This article addresses the cure reaction with a sulfone-containing diamine, bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (p-BAPS), which shows lower volatility as determined from thermogravimetric studies (TGA) compared to m-APB at the processing temperatures typically employed for phthalonitrile cures. Rheometric studies conducted to monitor the viscosity increase during a cure reaction suggest that the cure reaction with m-APB is faster compared to the reaction with p-BAPS. Even though differences are seen in the initial cure rates, the final cured products are similar in terms of the glass transition temperatures and thermal and oxidative stabilities. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1885–1890, 1998
172 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a controlled free radical polymerization of sugar-carrying methacrylate, 3-Omethacryloyl-1,2 : 5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glucofuranose (MAIpGlc) was achieved by the atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) technique with an alkyl halide/copper-complex system in veratrole at 80°C.
Abstract: Controlled free radical polymerization of sugar-carrying methacrylate, 3-O-methacryloyl-1,2 : 5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glucofuranose (MAIpGlc) was achieved by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique with an alkyl halide/copper-complex system in veratrole at 80°C. The time–conversion first-order plot was linear and the number-average molecular weight increased in direct proportion to the ratio of the monomer conversion to the initial initiator concentration, providing PMAIpGlc with a low polydispersity. The sequential addition of the two monomers styrene (S) and MAIpGlc afforded a block copolymer of the type PS-b-PMAIpGlc. The acidolysis of the homo- and block copolymers gave well-defined glucose-carrying water-soluble polymers PMAGlc and PS-b-PMAGlc, respectively. The amphiphilic PS-b-PMAGlc block copolymer exhibited a microdomain surface morphology with spherical PS domains in a PMAGlc matrix. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2473–2481, 1998
170 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the precipitation polymerization of commercial divinylbenzene in acetonitrile containing up to 40 vol. % toluene or other cosolvents is shown to produce novel porous monodisperse poly(divinyl benzene) microspheres.
Abstract: The precipitation polymerization of commercial divinylbenzene in acetonitrile containing up to 40 vol. % toluene or other cosolvents is shown to produce novel porous monodisperse poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres. These microspheres have diameters between 4 and 7 μm, total pore volumes of up to 0.52 cm3/g, and surface areas of up to 800 m2/g. As no surfactant nor stabilizer was used in the preparation of these particles, their surfaces are free of any such residues. The particles were slurry-packed into stainless steel columns for size exclusion chromatography evaluation, and the results show an exclusion limit at molecular weights of 500 g/mol. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1543–1551, 1998
149 citations
TL;DR: This paper showed that adding styrene as a second monomer (or comonomer) increases both the rate and yield of GMA grafting and reduces PP chain scission, and proposed a mechanism that when St is added to the PP/GMA/peroxide grafting system, St reacts first with PP macroradicals to form stable styryl macroradsicals.
Abstract: The free radical grafting reactivity of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polypropylene (PP) in the molten state is low. This article shows that adding styrene as a second monomer (or comonomer) increases both the rate and yield of GMA grafting and reduces PP chain scission. The proposed mechanism is that when St is added to the PP/GMA/peroxide grafting system, St reacts first with PP macroradicals to form stable styryl macroradicals. These latter then react (or copolymerize) with GMA to form GMA grafted PP. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1053–1063, 1998
148 citations
TL;DR: The enhanced features of a computer program ( RREVM ) for the estimation of copolymerization reactivity ratios using statistically sound techniques are illustrated with experimental and simulated case studies.
Abstract: The enhanced features of a computer program ( RREVM ) for the estimation of copolymerization reactivity ratios using statistically sound techniques are illustrated with experimental and simulated case studies. In parallel, a literature review is given on the estimation of reactivity ratios. Both aspects are extensions based on the articles by Dube et al. 1 and Rossignoli and Duever.
TL;DR: The story of the discovery of living polymers is presented in this article, where the quantitative aspects of electron transfer are fully discussed and theoretical and mechanistic considerations are discussed.
Abstract: The story of the discovery of living polymers is presented. Living polymers are polymers that retain their ability to propagate and grow to a desired size while their degree of termination or chain transfer is still negligible. Theoretical and mechanistic considerations are discussed. The living polymerization technique provides access to uniform polymers (Poisson molecular weight distribution) of controllable size, block copolymers, functional polymers, and star and comb-shaped polymers. The quantitative aspects of electron transfer are fully discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: ix–xv, 1998
TL;DR: A series of aliphatic poly(ester amide)s derived from 1,6-hexanediol, glycine, and diacids with a variable number of methylenes (from 2 to 8) have been synthesized and characterized.
Abstract: A series of aliphatic poly(ester amide)s derived from 1,6-hexanediol, glycine, and diacids with a variable number of methylenes (from 2 to 8) have been synthesized and characterized. Infrared spectroscopy shows that the studied polymers present a unique kind of hydrogen bond that is established between their amide groups. Thermal properties as melting, glass transition, and decomposition temperatures are reported. The data indicate that all the polymers are highly crystalline. Thus, different kinds of spherulites (positive and/or negative) were obtained depending on the preparation conditions and on the polymer samples. Moreover, all the polymers crystallized from dilute diol solutions as ribbonlike crystals where a regular folding habit and a single hydrogen bond direction could be deduced. A test of enzymatic hydrolysis was employed to assess the potential biodegradability of these polymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1271–1282, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, atom transfer radical polymerization has been used to prepare well-defined vinyl macromonomers of polystyrene using vinyl chloroacetate as an initiator.
Abstract: Atom transfer radical polymerization has been used to prepare well-defined vinyl macromonomers of polystyrene using vinyl chloroacetate as an initiator. Because styrene and vinyl chloroacetate do not copolymerize, no branching or incorporation of the initiator into the backbone was observed. Macromonomers of several molecular weights were prepared and copolymerized free radically with N-vinylpyrrolidinone in varying feed ratios in order to produce poly(NVP-g-Sty) graft copolymers. The macromonomers used were of sufficiently high molecular weight to form physical crosslinks in solvents which favor the hydrophilic NVP, such as water, which prevent the copolymer from dissolving and cause it to swell. These materials, therefore, formed hydrogels of swellabilities in water exceeding 95%, depending on the amount of styrene that was incorporated into the copolymer. Limitations of and alternatives to this method are also discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 823–830, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, thin crosslinked polymer films have been produced by S-alkylation of the residual sulfinate groups with α,ω-diiodoalkanes having 4-10 (CH2) units.
Abstract: New mixed sulfinated/sulfonated polysulfone PSU Udel has been produced by partial oxidation of sulfinated PSU with NaOCl. From the mixed sulfinated/sulfonated PSU, thin crosslinked polymer films have been produced by S-alkylation of the residual sulfinate groups with α,ω-diiodoalkanes having 4–10 (CH2) units. The advantages of the partial oxidation process using NaOCl are as follows: (1) The desired oxidation degree can be adjusted finely. (2) No side reactions take place during oxidation. (3) The partially oxidized polymers is stable at ambient temperature. By variation of the oxidation degree of the sulfinated/sulfonated prepolymer and by variation of the chain length of the diiodo crosslinker, crosslinked membranes with a large range of properties in terms of ionic conductivity, swelling, and permselectivity have been produced. The partially oxidized polymers have been characterized by redox titration, 1H-NMR, and FTIR. The crosslinked membranes have been characterized in terms of ionic conductivity (resistance), permselectivity, and swelling in dependence on ion-exchange capacity and oxidation degree of the prepolymers. In addition, the thermal stabilities of the membranes have been determined by TGA, and FTIR spectra have been recorded on the crosslinked films. Selected membranes show low ionic resistances, low swelling, and good temperature stability which makes them promising candidates for application in (electro)membrane processes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1441–1448, 1998
IBM1
Abstract: Composites of polyaniline (PANI) with both conducting and ferromagnetic feature were synthesized by an improved method proposed by the authors. The electrical and ferromagnetic properties of the composites were measured as a function of the concentration of KOH solution used during polymerization. The conductivity of the composites at room temperature decreases with the increase of the concentration of KOH; the maximum conductivity of 8.0 × 10 -1 S/cm can be obtained when 25 wt% of concentration of KOH was used. For a high concentration of KOH, ferromagnetic properties of the composites including a high saturated magnetization (∼ 10.0 emu/g) depending on the concentration of KOH solution and a lower coercive force (H c 0) independent of the concentration of KOH solution were observed. It has been demonstrated that magnetic particles (Fe 3 O 4 ) with nanometer size in the composites can be attributed to the ferromagnetic properties of the composites observed. For a lower concentration of KOH solution, on the other hand, the magnetic properties of the composites can be decomposed to Curie susceptibility X c depending on the temperature and Pauli susceptibility X P independent of the temperature.
TL;DR: In this article, the empirical solvatochromic polarity parameters (α-, β-, and π *, AN and DN, as well as E T (30)-values) for cellulose, N,N -dimethylacetamide (DMA)/LiCl and cellulose dissolved in DMA/LiCl are presented.
Abstract: Empirical solvatochromic polarity parameters(α-, β-, and π * , AN and DN, as well as E T (30)-values) for cellulose,N,N -dimethylacetamide (DMA)/LiCl and cellulose dissolved in DMA/LiCl are presented. The following solvent polarity indicators were applied: 2,6-diphenyl-4-( 2,4,6-triphenyl-1- pyridinio ) -1-phenolate(1), bis( 4-N,N-dimethylamino) -benzophenone (MK, 2), iron(II) -di-cyano-bis(1,10) -phenanthroline, Fe(phen) 2 (CN) 2 , (3), and copper(II )-N,N,N',N' -tetramethyl-ethylendiamine-acetyl-acetonate tetraphenylborate/chloride/bromide (Cu(tmen)(acac) + X - (4). The solvatochromic shifts (ν max ) of the indicators 1,2,3, and 4 adsorbed to cellulose or dissolved in DMA/LiCl reflect the corresponding properties of the surrounding, the dipolarity/ polarizability (π * ), the hydrogen bond donating ability or Lewis acidity(α), and the hydrogen bond accepting ability or Lewis basicity (β), respectively. Any indicator employed is well characterized (r > 0.97) by a linear solvation energy relationship ( LSER ) taking the Kamlet and Taft parameter into account: ν max (indicator) = ν max.0 + sπ * + aα + bβ. Cellulose, DMA/LiCl, and the cellulose/DMA/LiCl solution approach a similar polarity with an E T (30) parameter about 52 to 53 kcal mol 1 . The hypothetical interaction strength parameter (acid-base interactions, dipolar-dipolar interactions) between cellulose and DMA/LiCl are calculated by means of the individual Kamlet-Taft parameters α, β, and π * of cellulose and DMA/LiCl via a multiparameter equation. The specific chloride/cellulose interaction plays a dominant role in the cellulose solvent DMA/LiCl. Comparison of the polarity parameters of DMA/LiCl with the polarity parameters of other mixtures-such as N,N-dimethyl- formamide/LiCl, DMA/NaCl, or DMA/LiBr-are presented as well.
TL;DR: In this paper, the ferromagnetic properties of the resulting PAOABSA composites were measured as a function of the pH value of the reaction solution, the sulfonated degree of the copolymer, and the concentration of FeCl2.
Abstract: Composites of water-soluble conducting polyaniline copolymers, poly(aniline-co-aminobenzenesulfonic acid) (PAOABSA), containing γ-Fe2O3magnetic particles with nanometer size, were synthesized by a chemical method. The ferromagnetic properties of the resulting PAOABSA composites were measured as a function of the pH value of the reaction solution, the sulfonated degree of the copolymer, and the concentration of FeCl2. The structure of the composites was characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR, XPS, and X-ray diffraction. It was found that increasing the pH value of the reaction solution and the concentration of FeCl2 is favorable for an enhancement of the saturated magnetization. As high as 33.2 emu/g of saturated magnetization for the PAOABSA composites was observed. No hysteresis loop (i.e. Hc = 0) was observed, which is independent of the preparation conditions. Structure characterizations show that iron oxide existing in the composite is mainly γ- Fe2O3, which is responsible for the ferromagnetic properties of the PAOABSA composites, whereas γ- Fe2O3 magnetic particles nanometer in size (∼85 nm) may be attributed to a lower coercive force (i.e. Hc = 0) of the composites. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2749–2755, 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, a thermoplastic polyurethane was prepared from cardanol, a renewable resource and a waste of the cashew industry by double vacuum distillation, which was characterized by 1H-NMR, FTIR, and UV spectroscopy.
Abstract: A novel thermoplastic polyurethane was prepared from cardanol, a renewable resource and a waste of the cashew industry. Cardanol was recovered from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) by double vacuum distillation. It was characterized by CHN analysis and IR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy techniques. Cardanol is a meta-substituted long chain phenol. The long aliphatic chain unit substituent was found to be a monoene. The monomer, 4-[(4-hydroxy-2-pentadecenylphenyl)diazenyl]phenol was prepared from cardanol. It was a dihydroxy compound as characterized by CHN analyzer, UV, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The polyurethane was synthesized from this dihydroxy compound by the treatment with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent at 80–90°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The polymer was characterized by 1H-NMR, FTIR, and UV spectroscopy. The elemental analysis was done for determining the percentage content of C, H, and N, and the intrinsic viscosity [η] of polymer showed 1.85 dL/gm. Thermogravimetric investigations (TGA) of the cardanol, the dihydroxy compound, and the polyurethane were performed to study their decomposition. The semicrystalline nature of the PU was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) study of PU shew a broad amorphous halo indicative of absence of crystallinity in the polymer, which has been explained as due to strong hydrogen bonding in the hard phase. PU may possibly be useful as a telecommunication and as a nonlinear optical material. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 391–400, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the radiofrequency plasma polymerization technique was used to polymerize aniline onto polymer substrates including perfluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer.
Abstract: The radio-frequency plasma polymerization technique was used to polymerize aniline onto polymer substrates including perfluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer. The plasma-polyaniline films were characterized by ultraviolet/visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. Preliminary conductivity measurements were also carried out. It was demonstrated that the chemical and physical characteristics of the plasma-polymerized poly-aniline films changed significantly with discharge conditions, indicating the possibility for tailoring the structure and properties of the polyaniline films by optimizing the discharge conditions. In particular, the contents of quinoid sequences and aliphatic crosslinking moieties were found to increase with increasing power input and/or discharge duration. By contrast, the number of free radicals trapped in the polyaniline films and their mobility were shown to increase with decreasing the power input and/or discharge duration within the plasma conditions covered in this study. Furthermore, a correlation was found between surface hydrophilicity of the resultant plasma-polyaniline films and the atomic ratio of C to N. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 633–643, 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, solid-state NMR was used to characterize surfaces of silica gels chemically modified by alkenyltrialkoxysilanes and trialkoxyilyl terminated 1,4-polyisoprenes.
Abstract: The solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to characterize surfaces of silica gels chemically modified by alkenyltrialkoxysilanes and trialkoxysilyl terminated 1,4-polyisoprenes. The formation of covalent bonds created between alkoxy functional groups from alkenyltrialkoxysilane or trialkoxysilyl-terminated 1,4-polyisoprene and silanol groups on silica was clearly demonstrated by means of 13C and 29Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Quantitative data, including calculation of the grafting yields in relation with the initial silanol concentrations, were also obtained by using solid-state 29Si-NMR leading to a final well-defined characterization of the silica surfaces. A relatively good agreement was noticed between the grafting yields calculated from 29Si-NMR spectra and those determined from other analytical techniques such as Wijs titration or elementary analysis. The reactivity of the various silica silanols towards each coupling agent was clearly characterized and estimated, as were the proportions of the various grafted structures formed at the silica surface. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 437–453, 1998
TL;DR: The kinetic mechanism of the thermal cure of a phenylethynyl-terminated imide model compound, 3,4′-bis[(4-phenyleth-ynyl)phthalimido]diphenyl ether (PEPA-3, 4′-ODA) and a PETI-5 (MW 5000 g/mol) was studied in this paper.
Abstract: The kinetic mechanism of the thermal cure of a phenylethynyl-terminated imide model compound, 3,4′-bis[(4-phenylethynyl)phthalimido]diphenyl ether (PEPA-3,4′-ODA) and a phenylethynyl-terminated imide oligomer PETI-5 (MW 5000 g/mol) was studied. FTIR was used to follow the cure of the model compound, while thermal analyses (DSC) was used to follow the cure of the PETI-5 oligomer. The changes in IR absorbance of phenylethynyl triple bonds at 2214 cm−1 of PEPA-3,4′-ODA as a function of cure time were detected at 318, 336, 355, and 373°C, respectively. The changes in the glass transition temperature, Tg, of PETI-5 as a function of time were measured at 350, 360, 370, 380, and 390°C, respectively. The DiBenedetto equation was applied to define the relative extent of cure, x, of the PETI-5 oligomer by Tg. For the model compound, the reaction followed first order kinetics, yielding an activation energy of 40.7 kcal/mol as determined by infrared spectroscopy. For PETI-5, the reaction followed 1.5th order, yielding an activation energy of 33.8 kcal/mol for the whole cure reaction, as determined by Tg using the DiBenedetto method. However, the cure process of PETI-5 just below 90% by this method followed first-order kinetics yielding an activation energy of 37.2 kcal/mol. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 461–470, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, a single-mode channel waveguide made of FPAE-F20-PEP was fabricated by conventional photolithography and O2 reactive ion etching (RIE).
Abstract: Crosslinkable fluorinated poly(arylene ethers) (FPAE-Fn-PEP) with high transparency and high thermal stability have been investigated for low-loss optical waveguide materials. FPAE-Fn-PEP bearing phenyl ethynyl moiety at the polymer chain end were synthesized by the reaction of 4,4′-(hexafluoro-isopropylidene)diphenol with an excess decafluorobiphenyl, followed by the reaction of 4-phenyl ethynyl phenol. The Mns and Mw/Mns of the polymers determined by GPC with polystyrene standard were in the range of 6200 to 19,400 and 1.4 to 2.04, respectively. The resulting polymers were thermally crosslinked at 320°C for 2 h. The cured polymers show good chemical resistance and high thermal stability up to 510°C under nitrogen. The refractive indices of their films were controlled between 1.495 and 1.530 at 1.55 μm by adjusting molecular weight. A single-mode channel waveguide made of FPAE-F20-PEP was fabricated by conventional photolithography and O2 reactive ion etching (RIE). The propagation loss of the channel waveguide was measured and found to be less than 0.2 dB/cm at 1.55 μm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2881–2887, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, a critical look at the possibility of controlling the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of polyolefins by combining metallocene/methylalumoxane (MAO) catalysts is offered.
Abstract: A critical look at the possibility of controlling the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of polyolefins by combining metallocene/methylalumoxane (MAO) catalysts is offered. Catalysts investigated were bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2), its titanium and hafnium analogues (Cp2TiCl2 and Cp2HfCl2), as well as rac-ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride (Et(Ind)2ZrCl2). As observed by other researchers, the MWD of polyethylene can be manipulated by combining soluble catalysts, which on their own produce polymer with narrow MWD but with different average molecular weights. Combined in slurry polymerization reactors, the catalysts in consideration produce ethylene homopolymer just as they would independently. Unimodal or bimodal MWDs can be obtained. This effect can be mimicked by blending polymers produced by the individual catalysts. We demonstrate how a variability in catalyst activity translates into a variability in MWD when mixing soluble catalysts in polymerization. Such a variability in MWD must be considered when setting goals for MWD control. We introduce a more quantitative approach to controlling the MWD using this method. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 831–840, 1998
TL;DR: ABC triblock copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), DMAEMA, and tetrahydropyranyl methacyl (THPMA) consisting of 12 units of each type of monomer were synthesized by group transfer polymerization (GTP) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: ABC triblock copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), (dimethylamino)-ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), and tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate (THPMA) consisting of 12 units of each type of monomer were synthesized by group transfer polymerization (GTP). These were the three topological isomers with differentblock sequences: DMAEMA12-THPMA12-MMA12, DMAEMA12-MMA12-THPMA12, and THPMA12-DMAEMA12-MMA12. The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in tetrahydrofuran, and their number-average degrees of polymerization and copolymer compositions were calculated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). These molecular weights and degrees of polymerization corresponded closely to the values expected from the monomer/initiator ratios. The polydispersities were low as expected for GTP, and ranged from 1.09 to 1.25. The three triblocks were chemically modified by converting the THPMA units to methacrylic acid (MAA) units either by thermolysis or acid hydrolysis. The resulting ABC triblock poly-ampholytes were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and hydrogen ion titration. Aqueous GPC studies in 1.0M NaCl at pH 8.5 showed that the triblock copolymers form micelles whose size depends on their block sequence. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 617–631, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, methyl methacrylate (MMA) plasmas were stored in ambient air after fabrication, and XPS and FTIR was used to study the changes to the compositions of the films as they were stored for longer than 1 year.
Abstract: Plasma polymer films were deposited from methyl methacrylate (MMA) vapor under various plasma conditions and XPS and FTIR used to study the changes to the compositions of the films as they were stored in air for longer than 1 year. The plasma power input per monomer mass unit (W/FM) markedly affected the composition of the freshly deposited MMA plasma polymers. A low value of W/FM led to a high degree of retention of the original monomer structure, whereas a high value of W/FM resulted in substantial monomer fragmentation and the formation of a partially unsaturated material considerably different to conventional PMMA. As the MMA plasma coatings were stored in ambient air after fabrication, all showed spontaneous oxidative changes to their composition, but the extents and reaction products differed substantially. Deposition at low W/FM led to moderate oxidative changes, whereas high power led to a pronounced increase in the oxygen content over time and resulted in a wide range of carbon–oxygen functionalities in the aged material. As the initial compositions/plasma deposition conditions thus influenced the oxidative postdeposition reactions, MMA plasma polymers deposited under different conditions not only varied in their initial composition but then became even more diverse as they aged. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 985–1000, 1998
TL;DR: In this article, peroxy radicals in the interior of polyethylene polymers abstract hydrogens and form hydroperoxides, inducing chain reactions and a slow but continue increase of ketone.
Abstract: Following gamma irradiation in air which causes bond scission and yields large concentrations of peroxy radicals, maximum oxidation and an increase in crystallinity occurs on the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. Here, bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals generate carbonyls, mostly ketones. On the polymer surface, peroxy radicals continue to react over time periods of years to generate carbonyls and chain scission. Peroxy radicals in the interior of the polymer abstract hydrogens and form hydroperoxides, inducing chain reactions and a slow but continue increase of ketone. Within the polymer sample, to a decreasing depth with increasing dose, a reduced concentration of oxygen is available to react with radiolytic radicals, so that more efficient crosslinking and a low level of hydroperoxide chain reaction occur. After long periods of time a surface maximum in carbonyl concentration is produced. Heating polyethylene in high pressures of oxygen accelerates the oxidative process.
TL;DR: In this article, a combination of FT-IR, high-resolution solid-state 13C-NMR, pyrolysis GC-MS, and microelemental analysis was employed for PAN degradation.
Abstract: PAN undergoes chemical decomposition in stages on thermal treatment. In the literature, several mechanisms were proposed for the degradation process. However, the decomposition pathway and the structural rearrangement of solid residue in relation to the loss of volatile products are not fully understood. The degradation process has therefore received further attention in this work by employing a combination of FT-IR, high-resolution solid-state 13C-NMR, pyrolysis GC-MS, and microelemental analysis. These investigations have established that PAN decomposes to gaseous and volatile products over a range of temperatures (150–590°C) with concurrent stabilization of the structure of residual matter occurring on a parallel course. While linear polymerization of nitrile group is the principal reaction in the decomposition process, cyclization followed by extended conjugation is the notable exothermic process. No evidence has been obtained for the formation of oxygen-containing chromophores either as intermediates or as part of the chemical structure of the residue. Temperature sensitivity of oligomer formation has been established through pyrolysis–GC-MS studies. The overall decomposition profile of PAN has thus been established. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2503–2512, 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of styrene (St) as a comonomer greatly promotes both GMA's grafting yield and grafting rate onto polyethylene (PE), and the dominant mechanism of the free radical grafting of GMA onto PE is that St reacts first with PE secondary macroradicals and the resulting styryl macrorads then copolymerize with GMA leading to grafted GMA.
Abstract: Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is a very useful monomer as it bears an epoxy group which is capable of reacting with various other functional groups. However, its melt free radical grafting reactivity onto a polymer backbone is low. In this study, we show that the use of styrene (St) as a comonomer greatly promotes both GMA's grafting yield and grafting rate onto polyethylene (PE). It is proposed that, in the presence of St, the dominant mechanism of the free radical grafting of GMA onto PE is that St reacts first with PE secondary macroradicals and the resulting styryl macroradicals then copolymerize with GMA leading to grafted GMA. We also show that the contribution of St is not related to an improved solubility of GMA in the molten PE. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2763–2774, 1998