Physicomechanical properties of grafted polymers obtained by radiation-induced polymerization by radical and ionic mechanisms

The radiation-induced grafting of acrylonitrile, 4-vinylpyridine, and styrene was carried out by both radical and ionic mechanisms. Grafted polymers with equal percentages of graft were obtained by the radical and ionic propagation of the grafted chains. The molecular weight of homopolymers has been determined. The thermomechanical properties of the graft polymers were investigated. The yield temperatures for the graft polymers obtained by ionic propagation of the grafted chains is higher than that of graft polymers obtained by a radical mechanism. This is attributed to the higher molecular weight of the grafted chains obtained by the radiation-induced grafting by the ionic mechanism. The radiation-induced grafting of polyacrylonitrile increases significantly the thermal stability of polyethylene. The differential thermal analysis shows no marked differences in properties of the polymers.     

Effect of sovents on radiation-induced ionic graft polymerization

The influence of various solvents on radiation-induced cationic (grafting of vinyl-n-butyl ether onto polyethylene) and anionic (grafting of 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine onto polyethylene) graft polymerization was studied. This ionic grafting was performed in thoroughly dried systems at room temperature. It was established that electron-acceptor solvents promote cationic grafting but that electron-donor solvents promote the anionic. A clear correlation between the donor number of solvents and grafting value by the anionic mechanism was shown. There was no correlation between dielectric constants and grafting values. The reaction orders, according to monomer concentration by 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine grafting in various solvents, were equal to approximately 1.5 and 2 for the radical and anionic mechanisms, respectively. The effect of solvents on radiation-induced ionic graft polymerization is discussed. The results of this study indicate the correct choice of solvents for radiation-induced ionic grafting.     

Radiation-induced grafting polymerization by the anionic mechanism

The radiation-induced grafting polymerization of phenylacetylene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine (2M-5VPy) onto low-density polyethylene has been investigated under strict identical conditions, using crude and thoroughly dried monomers. In the case of thoroughly dried monomers, the radiation-induced grafting is performed by the combined (radical + anionic) mechanism. The kinetics of radical and anionic grafting of 2M-5VPy are investigated in detail. The activation energies are 4.8 ± 0.3 and ?2.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mole for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. The initial rate of grafting is approximately proportional to the dose rate to the 0.47 ± 0.03 and 0.92 ± 0.03 power for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. The initial rate of grafting is approximately proportional to monomer concentration to the 1.55 ± 0.05 and 2.1 ± 0.05 power for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. These data conform to the contribution of the anionic mechanism in a thoroughly dried system. The mechanism of radiation-induced anionic grafting is discussed.     

Recent Progress of Photo- and Radiation-Induced Ionic Polymerizations

Photoinduced ionic polymerizations of the monomers α-methylstyrene, cyclohexeneoxide, nitroethylene, and acrylonitrile were carried out in the presence of electron acceptor or donor molecules. These polymerizations are proved to be initiated by ions formed through the dissociation of the photoexcited electron donor-acceptor complex and to proceed by ionic mechanism.

The molecular weight distribution of the polymer and the light intensity dependency on the rate of polymerization indicate that free ionic and ion-pair propagations coexist in the cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene.

Anionic polymerizations were observed for the nitroethylenetetrahydrofuran and acrylonitrile-dimethylformamide systems.

Radiation-induced cationic polymerizations of styrene and α-methylstyrene were found to proceed by free cationic propagation. The effect of added electron acceptors in these polymerizations was investigated.     

The formation of radical cations of styrene and α-methylstyrene in the irradiation of mixtures of these monomers with TiCl4 and SnCl4 in a semicrystalline heptane matrix

The formation of paramagnetic intermediates following the irradiation of styrene, α-methylstyrene, and their mixtures at ?90°C in the presence of TiCl⁴ and SnCl⁴ in the polycrystalline heptane matrix was investigated. The effect of light on vinyl aromatic monomers leads to the formation of radical cations of styrene and α-methylstyrene, which subsequently initiate the polymerization. The polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene supposedly proceeds via the cationic mechanism.     

Improved Graft Copolymerization of Some Modified Cellulose Polymers with Vinyl Monomers Using Dibenzoyl Peroxide (DBPO) as Initiator

An improved efficient method for grafting of mercerized cellulose with acrylonitrile, acylamide, 4-vinylpyridine and styrene monomers using dibenzoyl peroxide (DBPO) as an initiator was studied. The results show that the order of the reactivity of the monomers is styrene > 4- vinyl pyridine > acrylonitrile >acrylamide. Under optimal conditions, the extent of graft copolymerization of styrene onto cellulose has shown a substantial increasing trend. The percentages of grafting yield (G.Y.%), grafting efficiency (G.E.%), IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction were measured. The I t was shown that X-ray diffraction spectra of grafted cellulose increases one more peak than that of pure cellulose with a noticeable decrease in crystallinity.     

Crown Ether As The Phase-Transfer Catalyst for Free Radical Polymerization of Hydrophobic Vinyl Monomers

Various crown ethers were used as phase-transfer catalysts for free radical polymerizations of some water-insoluble vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate and styrene with persulfate as initiator. The catalytic abilities of these crown ethers for free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile with S₂O₈^2?ion as an initiator were in the order: 18-crown-6 > 15-crown-4 > 12-crown-4 > benzo-15-crown-5 > dibenzo-18-crown-6. Among various persulfates such as Na₂S₂O₈ K₂S₂O₈ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, ammonium persulfate was the optimum initiator for the polymerization of acrylonitrile catalyzed by 18-crown-6 or 15-crown-5. Among the organic solvents used, chloroform seems to be the best solvent for the catalytic polymerization of acrylonitrile. An apparent activation energy of 72.9 kJ mol^?1 was observed for the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The catalytic reaction rates of free radical polymerization for these hydrophobic vinyl monomers were in the order: acrylonitrile > methylmethacrylate > styrene > isoprene. Effects of concentrations of crown ether, initiator, and nitrogen on the polymerization of these vinyl monomers were investigated.     

Vinyl Polymerization. 401. Polymerization of Vinyl Monomer Initiated with Poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate

The polymerization of vinyl monomer initiated with poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA) in water was carried out at 85°C. Cu(II) ion was not necessary for this polymerization. Methacrylate monomers were polymerized, while styrene and acrylonitrile were not. The polymerization was found to proceed through a radical mechanism in the interior of PHEMA which was swelled in water. The grafting efficiency of MMA polymer obtained was about 90%. The overall activation energy was estimated to be 32.9 kJ/mol.     

Ketone-zinc chloride combination as an initiator of polymerization

Dihydrocivetone, a macrocyclic ketone, has been found to be a weak initiator of vinyl polymerization. Anhydrous zinc chloride strongly promotes this to form a novel initiating system. Monomers tried successfully are methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and α-methylstyrene. The characteristic feature of polymerization of α-methylstyrene differs greatly from those of other monomers and those have been discussed and compared.     

聚乙烯载体催化剂的制备与表征

不同目数的聚乙烯粉末通过辐射方法接枝了4-乙烯基吡啶官能团.经甲基铝氧烷(MAO)预处理后负载了茂金属催化剂Cp₂ZrCl₂.光电子能谱和红外光谱结果表明催化剂通过MAO的作用负载在聚乙烯接枝4-乙烯基吡啶聚合物上.4-乙烯基吡啶的接枝含量、催化剂的负载率以及载体催化剂对乙烯单体的活性均随着聚乙烯粉末的颗粒减小而增大.     

可控／活性正离子聚合的研究与发展

综述了近二十年来乙烯基单体正离子聚合领域的研究和进展,详细介绍了活性/控制正离子聚合体系的机理研究和新引发体系和水相正离子聚合体系的研究新进展,以及采用活性/控制正离子聚合方法设计合成基于聚异丁烯链段的弹性体材料及其在生物材料领域的应用。     

Polymer/Solvent Interaction in the Radiation-Induced Grafting of Vinyl Monomers on Polymeric Films

More evidence has been obtained concerning rate effects in the radiation-induced grafting of vinyl monomers on polymeric films resulting from plasticization of the film by the grafting solution, the plasticizing efficiency of the solution being indicated by its Hildebrand solubility parameter. Two types of solvent acceleration mechanisms are defined and illustrated by the styrene/nylon and styrene/polyethylene systems in terms of grafting rate measurements for selected grafting solution compositions. The grafting mechanisms are elucidated by the construction of three-component phase diagrams for the polymer/solvent (1)/solvent (2) grafting systems using equations based on the Flory-Huggins theory of polymer/solvent interaction.     

PREPARATION OF NOVEL POLYETHYLENE-graft-POLY(4-VINYLPYRIDINE)-SUPPORTED METALLOCENE CATALYSTS FOR ETHYLENE POLYMERIZATION

Polyethylene (PE) grafting 4-vinylpyridine copolymers has been produced as powders of different rushes by theirradiation method. After treatment with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the copolymers were used as supports for Cp_2ZrCl_2catalyst Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy andscanning electron microscope measurements show that the catalytic sites have been linked through MAO on the PE-graft-4-vinylpyridine (PEVP). The percentages of grafting 4-vinylpyridine and supported Cp_2ZrCl_2 depend on the size ofpolyethylene powder. The smaller the polyethylene powder, the more percent of 4-vinylpyridine groups and Cp_2ZrCl_2 existon the polyethylene chains, and the PEVP-supported catalyst has a relatively high activity for ethylene polymerization.     

Trends in Radiation Polymerization

Previously it was generally assumed that high energy radiation could only initiate radical polymerization in solutions of monomers. However, examples of radiation-induced polymerization have recently become known that proceed via an ionic mechanism. Thus, solutions of a monomer can be polymerized ionically, preferably in the presence of a solid, at low temperatures. Suprisingly, this may also be accomplished with ultra-pure, mainly anhydrous systems, even at room temperature. The nature of the ions has not yet been fully elucidated.     

Radiation-induced polymerization at high dose rate. II. α-Methylstyrene in bulk

Bulk polymerization of α-methylstyrene was carried out in a wide dose rate range, 7.6–256 rad/sec by γ rays and 8.5 × 10³–2.1 × 10⁵ rad/sec by electron beams. At high dose rate by electron beams, cationic polymerization took place along with formation of oligomeric product of DP _n = ～4. At low dose rate by γ rays, radical polymerization was found to occur in water-saturated monomer. The cationic polymerization at high dose rate proceeds with essentially the same mechanism as was already known in γ-ray polymerization of dry monomers. Relatively low reaction rate of the cationic polymerization compared with that of styrene is explained with the fact that the propagation of α-methylstyrene is much more easily inhibited by a slight amount of water.     

Photoinduced ionic polymerization. II. Cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene in the presence of tetracyanobenzene

The dependence of the rate of polymerization on light intensity and the stereoregularity of the polymer was studied to elucidate the propagation and termination mechanisms of the photoinduced cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene in the presence of tetracyanobenzene in methylene chloride. The rate of polymerization was proportional to the light intensity. The polymer is highly syndiotactic, and the stereoregularity is similar to that of polymers obtained by radiation-induced cationic polymerization. The initiation mechanism was also studied by electron spin resonance, by which the anion radical of tetracyanobenzene formed from a photoexcited complex between α-methylstyrene and tetracyanobenzene was observed. The cation radical of α-methylstyrene, counterpart of the anion radical, is believed to initiate the polymerization.     

Effect of diphenylbutadiyne on the free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers in solution

The free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers such as styrene, methylmethacrylate, methyacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinylacetate, etc. in the presence of diphenylbutadiyne, was investigated. Both rates of polymerization and molecular weights of polymer decreased by the addition of diphenylbutadiyne. The degree of retardation depended on the stability of propagating radicals. The butadiyne does not react with the propagating radicals having high Q values, but it seems to trap the radicals temporarily thus retarding the polymerization     

Novel synthesis of photocrosslinkable polymers

A new preparative route to photocrosslinkable polymers in which the polymers are produced directly from the polymerization of vinyl monomers having photocrosslinkable groups has been investigated. The photosensitive resins thus produced have higher sensitivity and resolution than conventional photosensitive resins. The monomers were synthesized from the esterification of vinylphenols or vinyl β-chloroethyl ether with cinnamic acid, β-styrylacrylic acid, and their homologs, and from the etherification of vinyl β-chloroethyl ether with hydroxychalcones. Homopolymerizations of these monomers and their copolymerizations with other comonomers were investigated with the use of both radical and ionic initiators. It is shown that radical polymerization of the monomers gave soluble polymers only at low conversion. Anionic initiators did not initiate polymerization. Cationic polymerization imparted soluble polymers in high yield, except for the monomers bearing cyano groups, which generally gave insoluble polymers. Infrared and NMR spectroscopic investigation of the cationically obtained soluble polymers and comparative investigation by cationic polymerization of model compounds indicated that polymerization of the monomers proceeds through the vinyl double bond without affecting the photosensitive unsaturated bond. Thus, linear photocrosslinkable polymers with an intact photoreactive group may be produced by cationic polymerization. In general, these polymers have uniform structure and modifiable physical properties depending on the monomer used. The polymer thus obtained from β-vinyloxyethyl cinnamate has been shown to have excellent properties for use as a photo-resist.     

Synthesis of 1-chloro-1-phenylethyl-telechelic polyisobutylene,a new potential macroinitiator by living cationic polymerization

1-Chloro-1-phenylethyl-telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) was synthesized by living carbocationic polymerization (LCCP). LCCP of isobutylene was induced by a difunctional initiator in conjunction with TiCl₄ as coinitiator in the presence of N,N-dimethylacetamide in CH₂Cl₂/hexane (40:60 v/v) solvent mixture at −78°C. After complete isobutylene conversion a small amount of styrene was added leading to a rapid crossover reaction and thus to the attachment of short outer polystyrene (PSt) blocks to the PIB segment. Quenching the living polymerization of styrene yielded 1-chloro-1-phenylethyl terminal groups. The resulting telechelic polymer (Cl-PSt-PIB-PSt-Cl) is a potential new macroinitiator for atom transfer radical polymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers.     

Electro‐Controlled Living Cationic Polymerization

Cationic polymerizations have long been industrialized; however, stimulus‐regulated cationic polymerization remains to be developed. An electrochemically controlled living cationic polymerization is presented for the first time. In the presence of external potential and organic‐based electrocatalyst, a series of monomers can be polymerized under a cationic chain‐transfer mechanism. The resulting polymers exhibit well‐defined molecular mass, narrow dispersity, and good chain‐end fidelity. By controlling the external potential to switch the electrocatalyst between its oxidized and reduced states, ON/OFF polymerization can be achieved. This method is a versatile way to a large range of monomers, including vinyl ether‐type and p‐substituted styrene‐type monomers. Given the sustainability feature and broad interest of electrochemical synthetic techniques, we envisaged that this method would lead a new direction of external regulated living ionic polymerization.