Photo-oxidation of the 2,4-dichloropentanes and PVC

The photo-oxidation of PVC and its model compounds, the dl- and meso-2,4-dichloropentanes, were studied by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. The structure, ? CHCl? CH₂? CO? CH₂? was found to be present in PVC after photo-oxidation. Two peaks, which corresponded to the CHCl and CH₂ groups next to the carbonyl group, were observed in carbon disulfide–acetone-d₅ mixture, at 6.15 and 7.25τ, respectively. From the NMR spectra, the ratio of the CH₂ to CHCl protons in PVC and the model compounds were found to increase linearly with the time of photo-oxidation after induction periods. The initial rates of the model compounds were comparable with that of PVC; i.e., 1.6 × 10^?2 hr^?1, at 30°C. Since similar gaseous products were also detected by mass spectrometry in the initial stage, their photo-oxidation probably assumed the same rate-determining step. According to the results that the dl-2,4-dichloropentane was photo-oxidized 1.5 times faster than the meso-compound, it would be likely that the syndiotactic sequences in PVC might be more easily photo-oxidized than the isotactic sequences.     

The Effect of Hydrotalcite and Zinc Oxide on Smoke Suppression of Commercial Rigid PVC

To reduce the smoke release of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) during burning, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and zinc oxide (ZnO) powders were used to modify the polymer. The results indicated that the addition of LDHs‐ZnO had a significant effect on smoke suppression. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) reached a maximum value and the smoke density rank (SDR) exhibited a minimum value when the weight percentages of LDHs and ZnO in PVC were 3% and 2%, respectively. Thermal stabilities of the modified PVC and degradation products were investigated by means of thermogravimetry and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectra (Py‐GC‐MS). The LDHs‐ZnO obviously accelerated the decomposition of PVC to release hydrogen chloride, and the decomposed PVC consequently produced the trans‐conjugated polyene sequences, which easily formed crosslinked structures. However, a cyclization reaction in PVC chain without the additives produced aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and naphthalene at 350°C. Even though, an amount of aromatic compounds was released from the PVC modified with LDHs‐ZnO at the temperature of 600°C, the content of the decomposed products is relatively lower compared to unmodified PVC.     

Chlorinated products of plastic pyrolysis

The formation of various chlorinated products in pyrolysis of polymers and plastics additives was studied. Formation of chlorobenzenes (in addition to the monomers) from poly(chlorostyrene) and poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) was observed. Hydrogen chloride is only produced from these polymers at above 600 °C when the chlorine atoms are cleaved off and abstract hydrogen. A similar process takes place in aromatic chlorine-containing dyes, in which the strong aromatic molecular structure prevents the thermal cleavage of chloroaromatic volatile products. We have observed that cupric and ferric chlorides chlorinate phenolic thermal decomposition products of plastic materials which originate either from the polymer or from the stabilizer. The highest yields of chlorophenols are obtained in pyrolysis at around 700 °C.     

Structural evolution of turbostratic carbon: Implications in H2 storage

Structural evolution of turbostratic carbon samples as a function of annealing temperature has been investigated in detail using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. From these studies, it is established that, samples heated at lower temperatures (700 °C and 800 °C) consist carbon particles with rough surfaces forming structure of surface fractal in nature. Whereas the sample heated at higher temperature (900 °C) consists of larger clusters with nearly smooth surface as well as smaller size particles forming dense mass fractal structure. For this sample, solid state NMR and Raman Spectroscopic studies indicate an increased extent of overlapping of 2p_z orbital of carbon atoms due to improved long range ordering and clustering. Hydrogen adsorption studies further substantiated that energetically more homogeneous surface exists for particles of 900 °C heated sample as compared to those of 700 °C and 800 °C heated samples. A highest hydrogen storage capacity of 0.152 H/M has been observed at 123 K and 45 bar pressure for the sample heated at 900 °C.     

Thermal degradation of polymers with phenylene units in the chain. IV. Aromatic polyamides and polyimides

The breakdown mechanism of an aromatic polyamide and four polyimides has been studied under vacuum in the temperature range of 375–620°C, by using techniques described earlier, involving collection and analysis of volatile products as well as analyses of residues at different temperatures. The decomposition of the polyamide up to 375°C yielded predominantly carbon dioxide, while between 375 and 450°C about equal amounts of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide formed. Hydrogen is the major product between 450 and 550°C, along with hydrogen cyanide, methane, and carbon monoxide. The major reaction at the lower temperatures seems to be the cleavage of the linkage between the carbonyl group and the ring, with subsequent formation of a carbodiimide linkage via isocyanate intermediates, and liberation of carbon dioxide. Alternatively, cleavage between the carboxyl and the NH-group leads to the formation of carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are also the major volatile decomposition products of the polyimides at the lower temperatures. The primary cleavage reaction is believed to be the rupture of the imide ring between a carbonyl and nitrogen, with subsequent formation of isocyanate groups. The latter react with each other to form carbodiimide linkages and carbon dioxide, while the remaining benzoyl radical is the source for carbon monoxide.     

Kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

Extensively studied thermal degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) occurs with formation of free hydrogen chloride and conjugated double bonds absorbing light in visible region. Thermogravimetric monitoring of PVC blends degradation kinetics by the loss of HCl is often complicated by evaporation and degradation of plasticizers and additives. Spectroscopic PVC degradation kinetics monitoring by absorbance of forming conjugated polyenes is specific and should not be affected by plasticizers loss. The kinetics of isothermal degradation monitored by thermal gravimetric analysis in real time was compared with batch data obtained by UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy. Effects of plasticizer on kinetics of polyene formation were examined. Thermal degradation of PVC films plasticized with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 1,2,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, tri-(3-ethylhexyl) ester (TOTM) was monitored by conjugated double bonds light absorption at 350 nm at 160, 180, and 200 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation kinetics and that of plasticized films were also obtained thermogravimetrically at temperatures ranging from 160 to 220 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation and spectroscopically monitored degradation of plasticized PVC films occurred with the same apparent activation energy of ≈150 kJ mol⁻¹. No difference in degradation kinetics of films plasticized with DEHP and TOTM was detected.     

A novel high-temperature (360 °C)/high-pressure (30 MPa) flow system for online sample digestion applied to ICP spectrometry

A flow injection sample digestion system has been developed comprising an indirectly electrically heated Pt/Ir capillary. Such a capillary allows reaction temperatures of up to 360?°C and pressures of up to 30 MPa (300 bar) and withstands concentrated acids. This temperature is 130?°C to 160?°C higher compared to the operating temperatures of microwave heated flow systems. A combination of an ultrasonic nebulizer and membrane desolvator serves as an interface between the flow digestion system and an ICP/AES spectrometer. The membrane desolvator removes interfering gaseous digestion products so effectively before the sample stream enters the plasma that the measured residual carbon concentration falls in the region of the detection limit of ICP/OES measurements. Sewage sludge samples were digested using nitric acid and the elemental traces online determined. The detection limits related to the original dry substances amount to the lower μg/g range.     

Assessing contaminated hydrogen peroxide for safe storage and transportation using the FTAI

Hydrogen peroxide is a very versatile oxidizing agent, and it is also environmentally compatible considering that the products of its exothermic decomposition are oxygen and water.When kept in a clean temperature-controlled environment, the self-reaction (decomposition) rate is extremely low. However, it is well known that even a small amount of contamination will dramatically increase the reaction rate. This paper describes the use of the fast thermal activity interpreter (FTAI) instrument to examine the chemical reactivity of commercially available 50% hydrogen peroxide at two different temperatures (30 and 40°C) both with and without contamination. The results show that at 30°C a small amount of rust (330 ppm) increases the reaction rate of 50% hydrogen peroxide by a factor of 50. When the temperature is increased to 40°C, the reaction rate is further increased by almost a factor of four. The implication for reactivity management is that at this contamination level most practical vessel sizes would require emergency venting capability. An evaluation was then performed to determine the emergency venting requirement for the safe transportation or storage of the contaminated hydrogen peroxide. It was determined that for quantities of the material less than 5 gallons, conventional breather vents would be sufficient to accommodate the gas evolved. However, for larger quantities, a safety relief device would be needed. For example, for a 400-gallon tote bin at 40°C the required minimum vent area is estimated to be 4.3 in², corresponding to a minimum vent diameter of 2.3 inches.     

Zum Aufbau schlecht geordneter Calciumhydrogensilicate. I. Bildung und Eigenschaften einer schlecht geordneten Calciumhydrogendisilicatphase

On the Structure of Ill-crystallized Calcium Hydrogen Silicates. I. Formation and Properties of an Ill-crystallized Calcium Hydrogen Disilicate Phase Investigations on ill-crystallized calcium hydrogen silicates (C? S? H phases) prepared by precipitation from sodium silicate solutions with calcium chloride have shown that at temperatures 0°C primarily hydrogen silicates with such an anion composition will be formed, which had been present before in the sodium silicate solution. They are not stable. On storing the precipitate in the mother liquid at 0°C they are converted into disilicate with a composition of 1.1–1.5 CaO/SiO₂, if the concentration of Ca(OH)₂ is more than 0.8 g/l. After drying the thermally very instable solid at ?10°C the calcium hydrogen disilicate phase can be isolated. A structure proposal for this phase is given.     

Hydrogen Halide-Catalyzed Thermal Decomposition of Poly(vinyl Chloride)

The thermal decomposition of solid PVC was studied in the presence of added hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide over the temperature range 170–210°C. Under certain conditions the decomposition was shown to be dependent in a first-order manner on the hydrogen halide pressure. These gases acted as catalysts, increasing the rate of HCl evolution and the degree of discoloration but not producing longer polyene sequences. Activation energy for the HCl-catalyzed process was found to be similar to that of the uncatalyzed decomposition of PVC. A unified mechanism is presented for an overall process consisting of three steps: random generation of a single carbon-carbon double bond in the cis configuration; 1,4-elimination of HCl via a six-centered transition state yielding a polyene; HCl- or HBr-catalyzed isomerization of the polyene formed by HC1 elimination to regenerate the initial structure. Hydrogen chloride catalysis is seen as an integral part of the overall process.     

Etude de la chloration du PVC en masse—II. Influence et evolution de la stereoregularite de la chaine en rapport avec les mecanismes de reaction

Bulk chlorination of PVC has been studied by i.r. and NMR. The evolution of chain stereoregularity during reaction and its significance to reaction mechanism have been specified. In particular, for temperatures <80°, the ratio Cl/C cannot exceed 0.75 because changes of conformation are impossible. To exceed this ratio, additional energy is necessary but then there is a parallel loss of hydrogen chloride. In all cases isotactic diads of TG conformation would be first chlorinated. At temperature above 100°, the microstructure of bulk chlorinated products is similar to that of products prepared in solution while their configuration and conformation are different.     

Study of Self-Ignition of PVC

The self-ignition of rigid PVC has been studied under static and dynamic conditions. Only a high-temperature boundary has been found, and the self-ignition temperature in air at atmospheric pressure lies between 555 and 560°C. The effect of preliminary HC1 evolution has been investigated, and it is shown that the more the HC1 evolution, the higher the self-ignition limit. It has been impossible to make polyacetylene ignite spontaneously in the presence of HC1 in oxygen up to 900° C. This is attributed to a special role of HC1 in combustion of PVC. The rate of HC1 release was measured by a potentiometric method, and the overall activation energy of the process was found to be 9.4 kcal/mole. This low value seems to be due to the presence of oxygen. Chromatographic analysis showed CH4 and CO to be the major gaseous products of oxidation of PVC in this parametric zone.     

Degradation of β-Tritiated Polystyrene by Self-Irradiation

β-Tritiated polystyrene undergoes decomposition due to seif- irradiation. The effects of irradiation in air and high vacuum at 25°C were studied and simultaneous chain scission and cross-linking were observed under both conditions. Analyses of gaseous products and polymer residues were carried out. Hydrogen was the only product of vacuum irradiation while water, formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, styrene and hydrogen were formed on irradiation in air. Possible mechanisms of degradation are discussed.     

Mechanism of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

The mechanism of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) has been studied by pyrolysis up to 400°C in a thermobalance under four kinds of dynamic atmospheres: helium, oxygen, air, and hydrogen chloride. The gaseous product from the thermobalance was analyzed for hydrogen chloride by the argentometric determination of chloride ions by using Mohr's method. An attempt was made to analyze for other gases in the product stream by chromatography with the use of a glass column, but failed due to the accumulation irreversibly of hydrogen chloride on the column. The molecular weights of the samples were determined by measurements of viscosities at 25°C in cyclohexanone; their molecular weight distributions were studied by fractionation and gelpermeation chromatography (GPC). From the thermograms, the mechanism of degradation in different heating atmospheres, the rate, the heat effect, the energy of activation, and the order of decomposition were deduced.     

Polymerization of aromatic nuclei. XV. Polymerization of 2,5-di- and 2,3,5-trichlorothiophenes with aluminum chloride–cupric chloride

2,5-Dichlorothiophene was polymerized to a solid in 93% yield on treatment with aluminum chloride–cupric chloride in carbon disulfide under mild conditions. The product is believed to be poly-5-chloro-2,3-thienylene on the basis of elemental analysis and infrared and NMR spectral data. Hydrogen chloride was collected in 90% of the theoretical amount. Dimer- and tetramer-type fractions were isolated from the polymer. 2,3,5-Trichlorothiophene underwent an analogous transformation in trichlorobenzene at 90–100°C. Polythienylenes coupled through the 2,3-positions have not been reported previously. The net effect of the reaction is nuclear coupling by dehydrohalogenation. We believe that the mechanism involves cationic polymerization accompanied by loss of hydrogen chloride. 2-Chlorothiophene and thiophene gave products of complex make-up.     

Polypyromellitimides: Details of pyrolysis

Polyimide films from 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and pyromellitic dianhydride were pyrolyzed at 400–600°C. in non-oxidative systems. Major gaseous products were carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; hydrogen evolution occurred above 525°C. A mobile n-imide-isoimide equilibrium is in accord with the gas evolution data. Carbon dioxide arises from isoimide decomposition and carbon monoxide arises from the normal imide.     

Waste poly(vinyl chloride) pyrolysis with hydrogen chloride abatement by steelmaking dust

Experimental study on PVC-based materials (PVC = poly(vinyl chloride)) pyrolysis; in the presence of various amounts of steelmaking dust was performed. Dust from steel manufacture employing zinc plated scrap contains a considerable amount of zinc oxide (ZnO) and its utilization in metallurgy is quite complicated. However, the dust can react with hydrogen chloride (HCl) released from heated PVC in the temperature range of 200–400°C. Material balance of the pyrolysis process was studied by thermogravimetry, and the data obtained were compared with the results of larger laboratory oven experiments. In excess of PVC, the amount of captured HCl stoichiometrically corresponds to the content of ZnO; additional HCl is probably captured by FeCl₂, while FeCl₃ is not formed at elevated temperatures. In excess of the dust, the captured amount of HCl is approximately 100%. The suggested co-pyrolysis seems to be a promising method to prevent the formation of dangerous chlorinated organic compounds during the thermal treatment of waste PVC. Furthermore, the obtained ZnCl₂ is a valuable material and the zinc depleted dust can be reused in metallurgy instead of its disposal.     

Conductivity of carbon black-loaded styrene–butadiene rubber

Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) charged with 50 phr of HAF carbon black has been found to show a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity close to 0.07/°C at 27°C. Beyond a point (75°C) of minimum conductivity, however, it behaves as a normal noncrystalline semiconductor with a resistivity which decreases with rise of temperature with an activation energy of 0.56 eV. Blending the composition with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) shifts the minimum towards lower temperatures. The descending branch of the conductivity versus reciprocal absolute temperature characteristic is probably associated with thermal expansion of tunnelling paths separating the conducting carbon particles.     

Preparation of hydrogen for feeding fuel cells by low-temperature conversion of ethanol on Ni/ZnO and Ni-Cu/ZnO catalysts

Preparation of hydrogen by low-temperature steam conversion of ethanol on nickel and binary nickel-copper catalysts supported on zinc oxide was studied experimentally in the temperature interval 200–450°C. High efficiency of hydrogen evolution in the course of ethanol conversion on these catalysts was demonstrated. At temperatures lower than 350°C, the main conversion products are hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. At 400°C, the conversion products contain no carbon monoxide, which allows the mixture obtained to be used for feeding fuel cells with proton-conducting membranes.     

Electron spin resonance studies on graft copolymerization of gaseous styrene onto preirradiated polypropylene. I. Preirradiation in the presence of oxygen

Graft copolymerization of gaseous styrene was carried out onto polypropylene preirradiated in the presence of oxygen at ?78°C and at room temperature, respectively. The origin of the graft initiation activities of these polymers was investigated by means of electron spin resonance (ESR) of trapped radicals. More grafting was found for the polymers irradiated at ?78°C than for those irradiated at room temperature. The difference of grafting between polymers irradiated at ?78°C and those irradiated at room temperature was not explained by the total amounts of trapped radicals, and it was found that all radicals are not effective in the grafting reaction. ESR measurements showed that there exist two kinds of peroxy radicals, one has more effective ability of abstracting hydrogen atoms from the surrounding polymer chains to form carbon radicals, and another is less effective at the temperature of grafting reaction (40°C). Although the samples irradiated at ?78°C contain the both types of radicals, those irradiated at room temperature do not contain the former type of radicals. It was shown that the carbon radicals produced by such a hydrogen abstraction reaction are actually the effective centers in the grafting reaction of polymers irradiated in the presence of oxygen.