Thermal degradation of copolymers of styrene with dicarboxylic acids - II: Copolymers obtained by radical copolymerisation of styrene with maleic acid or fumaric acid

Thermal degradation processes in copolymers of styrene with two stereoisomers of 1,2-ethylenedicarboxylic acids (i.e. maleic acid (the cis-isomer) and fumaric acid (the trans-isomer)) have been studied by mass spectrometry, FTIR and TG measurements. The influence of the chemical composition on thermal degradation of copolymers with acid by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TG) was also studied. The stereo-configuration of carboxyl groups in copolymers was analysed by potentiometric titration. It was found that copolymers degrade in two main complex stages. The initial step in the decomposition involves the formation of cyclic five-membered anhydrides. The presence of trans configuration of carboxyl groups hinders the formation of cyclic anhydrides and shifts the decomposition to higher temperatures, making decarboxylation competitive. At higher temperatures anhydride decomposition takes place and finally the degradation of main chains occurs.     

THERMOPROCESSIBLE HYDROGELS. I. SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLYACRYLAMIDES WITH PERFLUOROALKYL SIDE CHAINS

ABSTRACT

Copolymers composed of acrylamide (AM), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAM), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamido) acrylamide (FOSA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The chemical structure of the resulting polymers was characterized with NMR spectroscopy and thermal properties were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). ¹H-NMR spectra of the copolymers of NIPAM with FOSA showed that FOSA was incorporated quantitatively. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymers and the terpolymers decreased with increasing FOSA content. The T_gs, however, were higher than predicted for a random copolymer by the Fox equation, which was attributed to microphase separation of the hydrophobic, fluorinated species. Copolymers of AM and FOSA became discolored above 180°C due to formation of cyclic imide and nitrile moieties through cyclization or dehydration of amide groups. The equilibrium water sorption of the copolymers decreased with increasing FOSA content, but increasing FOSA suppressed the water desorption kinetics. Water sorption and thermal stability were improved by terpolymerization of AM, NIPAM, DMAM and FOSA.     

P and H NMR studies of the transesterification polymerization of polyphosphonate oligomers

Polymeric phosphonate esters are an interesting class of organophosphorus polymers because both the polymer backbone and phosphorus substituents can be modified. These polymers have been prepared by ring-opening polymerizations of cyclic phosphites, stoichiometric polycondensations of dimethyl phosphonate with diols in conjunction with diazomethane treatment and by transesterification of polyphosphonate oligomers. Our initial attempts to prepare high molecular weight polymeric phosphonate esters by the transesterification methods were unsuccessful. Results indicate that the reactions of dimethyl phosphonate with diols to form polyphosphonate oligomers with only methyl phosphonate end groups are plagued by a serious side reaction that forms phosphonic acid end groups. These end groups do not participate in the transesterification reaction and limit the molecular weights of the polymers that can be obtained. The phosphonic acid end groups can be converted into reactive methyl phosphonate end groups by treatment with diazomethane, however diazomethane is explosive and the polymerization is slow. An alternative route for the production of high molecular weight polymers is the transesterification of the 1,12-bis(methyl phosphonato)dodecane, formed by the reaction of excess dimethyl phosphonate and 1,12-dodecanediol, with a Na₂CO₃ promoter. This allows polymers with molecular weights of up to 4.5×10⁴ to be prepared, and no phosphonic acid end groups are observed in these polymers. Thermal analyses of the poly(1,12-dodecamethylene phosphonate) have shown that this polymer has reasonable thermal stability (onset of thermal decomposition at 273 °C). This polymer also undergoes a cold crystallization process at 15 °C similar to that which has been observed in some polyesters, polyamides and elastomers.     

Thermal degradation of vinylidene chloride/[4-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy)phenyl]methyl acrylate copolymers

Vinylidene chloride polymers containing comonomer units capable of consuming evolved hydrogen chloride to expose good radical-scavenging sites might be expected to display greater thermal stability than similar polymers containing simple alkyl acrylates as comonomer. Incorporation of a comonomer containing the phenyl t-butyl carbonate moiety into a vinylidene chloride polymer has the potential to afford a polymer with pendant groups which might interact with hydrogen chloride to expose phenolic groups. Copolymers of vinylidene chloride with [4-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy)phenyl]methyl acrylate have been prepared, characterized, and subjected to thermal degradation. The degradation has been characterized by thermal and spectroscopic techniques. The degradation of vinylidene chloride/[4-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy)phenyl]methyl acrylate copolymers is much more facile than the same process for similar copolymers containing either [4-(isobutoxycarbonyloxy)phenyl]methyl acrylate or methyl acrylate, a simple alkyl acrylate, as comonomer. During copolymer degradation, [4-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy) phenylmethyl acrylate units are apparently converted to acrylic acid units by extensive fragmentation of the sidechain. Thus, the phenyl t-butyl carbonate moiety does function as a labile acid-sensitive pendant group but its decomposition in this instance leads to the generation of a phenoxybenzyl carboxylate capable of further fragmentation.     

On the thermal behavior of 4-(o-carboranyl)-1-butylmethyl siloxane–dimethyl siloxane copolymers

Polysiloxanes containing carboranylbutyl and methyl pendant groups were investigated, to determine their resistance to thermal decomposition when heated in air. Results indicate that the copolymers degrade through Si? C as well as Si? O bond rupture. At 300°C. thermooxidative scission of pendant groups was the predominant reaction. whereas Si? O and Si? C bond rupture occurred at 500°C. Variations in the behavior of the copolymers studied suggest that the carborane nucleus provides some inhibiting influence on their thermal decomposition. This is mainly attributed to steric hindrance effects rather than polarity factors. Chain extension with tin octoate caused a reduction of thermal stability, probably because of the addition of Sn? O bonds to the molecules.     

Gel Permeation Chromatography of Polyethylene Terephalate

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique for the measurements of cyclic trimer content, molecular weights, and molecular weight distribution of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), utilizing a solvent system of o-chlorophenol-chloroform. Mark-Houwink constants for this solvent system are also described.

The GPC technique was applied to the study of the cyclic trimer content, molecular weights and molecular weight distribution of a variety of commercial PET resins. The results indicate that the cyclic trimer content in PET is dependent on molecular weight, polycondensation process and catalyst system. Solidstate polymerized PET contains less cyclic trimer than PET made by the melt-phase process of the same molecular weight. The cyclic trimer content in solid-stated PET appears to be dependent on the conditions of solid-state polymerization.

The polydispersity index determine for a variety of PET samples is higher than the theoretically predicted value of 2.0; however, there is no systematic dependence on molecular weight or polycondensation process.     

Grafting of Polymers Having Pendant Peroxycarbonate Groups Onto Carbon Black and Postpolymerization of Vinyl Monomers

Abstract

Postpolymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by pendant peroxycarbonate groups of grafted polymer chains on carbon black (CB) was investigated. The grafting of polymers having pendant peroxycarbonate groups onto CB was achieved by the trapping of polymer radicals formed by the thermal decomposition of copolymers of t-butylperoxy-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-carbonate (HEPO) with vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate (VAc), styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). The copolymers having pendant peroxycarbonate groups were prepared by copolym-erization of HEPO with vinyl monomers using azo initiator under irradiation of UV light at room temperature. The amount of remaining pendant peroxycarbonate groups of the poly(VAc-co-HEPO)-grafted CB obtained from the reaction at 90°C was maximum and decreased above the temperature. Furthermore, the postpolymerization of vinyl monomers, such as St, MMA, and VAc was initiated in the presence of poly(VAc-co-HEPO)-grafted and poly(St-co-HEPO)-grafted CB and the corresponding polymers were postgrafted onto CB to give branched polymer-grafted CB. The percentage of poly(St)-postgrafting (proportion of post-grafted poly(St) to poly(MMA-co-HEPO)-grafted CB used) increased with increasing polymerization time, but became constant at 20% after 4 hours.     

Synthesis and characterization of maleimide polymers with pendant pyrazole groups. IV. Copolymerization of pyrazole-modified maleimides with vinyl ethers

The synthesis of maleimides that have pyrazolic or bipyrazolic pendant groups is described. Their homopolymerization and their copolymerization with 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether (CEVE) is reported. The homopolymerizations of such maleimides were performed under various conditions and led to low molecular-weight polymers. However, alternating copolymers were obtained from CEVE as comonomers whatever the monomers feed compositions. A similar behavior was also observed for maleimides that do not exhibit any spacer, whereas for bulky vinyl ethers, random copolymers were produced. A comparison of the thermal behavior between these copolymers (glass transition temperatures, T_g, and decomposition temperatures) and other copolymers having different spacers between the nitrogenated cycles and the chain are related. Thus, an important decrease of T_g, was observed when C₃H₆CO₂CH₂ groups were used as the spacer instead of methylene groups. Moreover, the thermal weakness of these copolymers may come from the substituents of the vinyl ether and is discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermogravimetrie von Styrol—Chloranilcopolymeren

The thermal decomposition of styrene-chloranil copolymers is investigated by dynamic thermogravimetry. The decomposition occurs at relatively low temperatures and is correlated to the chemical structure of the polymers.

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Mit 1 Abbildung     

The Thermal Decomposition of Polydichlorophosphazene

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of polydichlorophosphazene has been examined. The decomposition was found to be first-order with an activation energy of 22.5 ± 2 kcal mole^?1. The products comprised a wide range of cyclic and linear dichlorophosphazenes. It is suggested that the decomposition reaction is initiated at the ends of the macromolecules.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel conjugated copolymers containing 3,4-dialkoxythiophene and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units

In this report we describe the synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of new conjugated copolymers (P1-P4) based on 3,4-dialkoxythiophene and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units. The copolymers are prepared using the precursor polyhydrazide route. The chemical structures of the copolymers are confirmed using FTIR, NMR spectroscopy and CHNS analysis. The polymers exhibit good thermal stability with the onset decomposition temperature in nitrogen at around 300 °C. The optical and charge-transporting properties of the copolymers are investigated by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The polymers depicted blue/green fluorescence under the irradiation of UV light. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that these copolymers have low-lying LUMO energy levels ranging from −3.28 to −3.32 eV and high-lying HOMO energy levels ranging from −5.26 to −5.62 eV, which indicated that they may be promising candidates for the fabrication of polymer light-emitting diodes. In addition, the copolymers showed good third-order non-linear optical properties.     

Recent Advances in MALDI Mass Spectrometry of Polymers

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) allows the identification of repeat units and end groups, the structural analysis of linear and cyclic oligomers, and the estimate of composition and sequence for copolymers. MALDI has also been applied to the measurement of molar mass distributions in polymers and to the study of thermal and oxidative processes in polymers. This paper illustrates the detection of self-association in macromolecules made by coupling MALDI and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), the investigation of polymer oxidation phenomena, and the characterization of copolymers formed in the processing of reactive polymer blends.     

Mass spectrometric evolved gas analysis (MSEGA) study of the thermal decomposition of poly(1,2-acenaphthenediylidene) and poly(1,2-acenaphthylenylene) in vacuo

A mass spectrometric study of the thermal decompositions in vacuo of two polyene polymers, poly(1,2-acenaphthenediylidene)-I and poly(1,2-acenaphthylenylene)-II, was performed in order to establish the differences between their structures. Evolution of repeating units from a chain depropagation process of both polymers was observed. Annealing of the polymers prior to decomposition changed the temperature at which maxima were observed on the MSEGA ion current temperature profiles. These profiles of both polymers after annealing became more similar in shape and temperature location. These changes in MSEGA behaviour as a result of annealing can be attributed to an equalisation of the single and double bonds in the structure of the polymers. The kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of non-annealed polymers showed that the decomposition reaction for polymer I is isokinetic, i.e. of the same kinetic mechanism, when the fraction of sample decomposed “α” is in the range 0.4–0.7 with values of 127.8 ± 3.6 kJ mol^?1 for the activation energy and 2.6 ± 2.2 × l0⁷ s^?1 for the A factor. Polymer II did not show clearcut isokinetic behaviour, the activation energy increasing from 99.4 kJ mol^?1 at α = 0.4–113.5 kJ mol^?1 at α = 0.7. This change is attributed to the structure of the polymer altering during the course of the decomposition. The differences in the thermal properties lead to the conclusion that there is a bond alternation in the polyene chains of both polymers.     

NEW BLUE CROSSLINKABLE POLYMERS FOR ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICES

Here, we report on new blue electroluminescence (EL) crosslinkable polymers containing fluorene/phenylene alternating repeating units. Additionally, they contain polymerizable oxetane groups attached through flexible hexyloxy chains to phenylene units of the polymer backbone. The copolymers were synthesized via Pd-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reactions. The copolymers obtained were found to be soluble and easily processable from common organic solvents such as chloroform or toluene and have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The degree of polymerization has been determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal properties of the copolymers have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optical properties of the polymers were investigated in solution by UV/VIS spectroscopy. The polymers were photo-crosslinked in spin-coated thin films to yield insoluble networks.     

Thermal degradation of deoxybenzoin polymers studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The thermal degradation behavior of novel ultra-fire-resistant polymers and copolymers containing deoxybenzoin units in the backbone was studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The polymers were synthesized by the polycondensation of 4,4′-bishydroxydeoxybenzoin (BHDB) with isophthaloyl chloride (to give polyarylates), phenylphosphonic dichloride (to give polyphosphonates), and their mixtures (to give poly(arylate-co-phosphonate) copolymers). The thermal decomposition, under nitrogen conditions, of BHDB-polyarylate was characterized by a simultaneous degradation of both the bisphenolic (deoxybenzoin) and isophthalate sub-units, whereas a three-step decomposition phenomenon was observed for the BHDB-polyphosphonate. BHDB-polymers containing phosphonate groups in the backbone did not show any phosphorus-based volatile decomposition products, whereas the corresponding bisphenol A-based polyphosphonates released volatile decomposition products comprised mainly of phosphorus-containing compounds.     

Thermal degradation behaviour of novel wholly para-oriented aromatic polyamide-hydrazides containing sulfone-ether linkages

Thermal stability and degradation behaviour of a series of novel wholly para-oriented aromatic polyamide-hydrazides containing flexibilising sulfone-ether linkages in their main chains have been investigated in nitrogen and in air using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis. All of these polymers have similar structural formula except for the presence of sulfone, ether, or sulfone-ether linking groups between appropriate aromatic nuclei in their main chains. The influence of incorporation of these linkages on the thermal stability and degradation behaviour of these polymers has also been studied. The polymers were prepared by a low temperature solution polycondensation reaction of 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzhydrazide (4A3HBH) and an equimolar amount of either 4,4′-sulfonyl dibenzoyl chloride (SDBC), 4,4′-[sulfonyl bis (1,4-phenylene)dioxy] dibenzoyl chloride (SODBC), 4,4′-[sulfonyl bis (2,6-dimethyl- 1,4-phenylene)dioxy] dibenzoyl chloride (4MeSODBC), or 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride (ODBC) in anhydrous N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) as a solvent at −10 °C. A related polyamide-hydrazide without the flexibilising linkages is also investigated for comparison. It was synthesized from 4A3HBH and terephthaloyl chloride (TCl) by the same synthetic route. The results clearly reveal that these polymers are characterized by high thermal stability. Their weight loss occurred in three distinctive steps. The first was small and was assigned to the evaporation of absorbed moisture. The second was appreciable and was attributed to the cyclodehydration reaction of the o-hydroxy polyamide-hydrazides into the corresponding poly (1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-benzoxazoles) by losing water. This is not a true degradation, but rather a thermo-chemical transformation reaction. The third was relatively severe and sharp, particularly in air, and corresponded to the decomposition of the resulting poly(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-benzoxazoles). There is a slight shift of the decomposition temperature of these polymers to a lower temperature as the sulfone-ether linkages were introduced into the polymer chains. The decomposition seems to start by breaking the sulfonyl groups as confirmed from DSC measurements. The results also indicate that the incorporation of the flexibilising linkages into the polymer main chains did not seem to significantly influence the thermal stability of these polymers in comparison with that of the polymer free from these linkages.     

Thermal Degradation and Fire Behavior of High Performance Polymers

Abstract

High performance and high temperature polymers are a class of polymeric materials exhibiting high thermal stability and their resistance to fire makes them valuable assets for many applications. Those applications include as typical examples high temperature gas separation membranes, automotive and aerospace industry as well as the construction industry. The high performance polymers have been synthesized since the early 1960s, and have developed rapidly over the past few decades. Most high performance polymers comprise a highly aromatic backbone, linear chains, and strong inter-chain interactions. This review deals mostly with commercial polymeric materials. Studies regarding their thermal behavior, degradation mechanism and their reaction to fire have been synthetically combined in order to bring out potential insight concerning the effect of the thermal decomposition and thermal behavior on the fire properties of those polymers.     

Study of the thermal behaviour of some transition metal acrylate-styrene copolymers

The processes of thermal destruction of copolymers of styrene with zinc, cobalt, nickel and copper acrylates have been studied by TG and the temperature characteristics have been determined. While the thermal stability of zinc-containing copolymers increases at higher metal contents, that of other metal-containing copolymers decreases and, depending on the metal, changes in the sequence Co > Ni > Cu. The kinetic parametersn, E _a ,Z and ΔS have been determined by the Horowitz-Metzger method and discussed. The resultingE _a sequence is in agreement with the observed sequence of thermal stability of the copolymers. The entropy factor suggests thermodynamic hindrance in the decomposition of copolymers of low thermal stability and a preference for the decomposition of copolymers of high thermal stability.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviours of side-chain liquid-crystalline poly[N-(4-methoxyazobenzene-4′-oxyalkyl)ethyleneimine]

A series of side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers, poly[N-(4-methoxyazobenzene- 4′-oxyalkyl)ethyleneimine](PEnZO), has been synthesised in which the number of methylene units in spacers varies from two to six. The structures of the synthesised monomers and polymers were confirmed by infrared (IR) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. The thermal properties of these polymers have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical macroscopic (POM) X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The test results indicated that the obtained polymers exhibited thermotropic liquid-crystalline mesomorphism of nematic type with schlieren textures. It was observed that the thermal behaviours of the polymers were strongly dependent on the degree of substitution and the length of spacers. Polymers containing less than 57% of mesogenic groups did not exhibit mesogenic phase and resembled amorphous polymer. A more pronounced odd–even effect in the melting points and their enthalpy changes was observed on increasing the spacer length in which the odd members displayed lower values, which were also slightly dependent on the substitution degree of polymers. The mesomorphic temperature ranges of odd members were wider than those of even members. The decomposition temperatures of copolymers were near 230°C.     

Side-chain liquid-crystalline copolymers containing charge transfer groups

A series of side-chain liquid crystal copolymers have been prepared based on a polystyrene backbone and having 4-nitro-4'-oxyazobenzenealkyloxy and 4-methoxy-4'-oxyazobenzenealkyloxy pendant groups. All the polymers exhibit solely smectic behaviour. The thermal stability of the smectic phase is significantly enhanced in the copolymers when compared to the homopolymers. This is compared to the behaviour of the analogous monomeric compounds. The enhancement of the thermal stability is attributed to a specific interaction, possibly charge transfer.