Adhesion of high polymers. II. Wettability of elastomers

Data on wettability of elastomers should be considered basic to the understanding of all phases of elastomer adhesion. However, no such data in the form of critical surface tensions were available for elastomers other than polydimethylsiloxane. For this study, 18 elastomers were selected to determine the effects of functional groups, of geometrical and structural isomerisms, of copolymerization, and of the induced orientation upon wettability. Most results support the constitutive law of wettability established by Shafrin and Zisman. The effect of structural isomerisms in the form of a vinyl side group and cyclization is discussed. An equation for the calculation of critical surface tension of a copolymer or of a mixture of isomers is proposed as follows: where N_i is the mole-fraction of the individual monomer in the copolymer and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \gamma _{c_i } $\end{document} is the critical surface tension of each homopolymer. Most elastomer adhesion studies conducted in the past were concerned with the diffusion theory of adhesion. This study further supports the conclusion on the role of diffusion and adsorption in adhesion advanced in Part I, especially with respect to the physical state of polymer at the time of application. The wettability data in this study could shed some light upon major basic mechanisms involved in elastomer reinforcement.     

Polyanhydrides. I. Preparation of high molecular weight polyanhydrides

Polyanhydrides composed of the following diacids–sebacic acid, bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane, bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane, isophthalic acid, 1,4-phenylene dipropionic acid, and dodecanedioic acid–were synthesized by a melt polycondensation process. Polymers of molecular weight up to 137,010 (weight average) and intrinsic viscosity of 0.92 dL/g were achieved. These high molecular weight polymers were reached by using pure isolated mixed anhydrides of diacids and acetic acid, under optimized reaction conditions (temperature of 180°C for 90 min under vacuum of 10^-4 mm Hg). Polymers of higher molecular weights were synthesized in shorter times by using heterogenic coordination catalysts: cadmium acetate, ZnEt₂-H₂O (1:1), barium oxide, calcium oxide, and calcium carbonate. By using these catalysts molecular weights of up to 245,000 were reached in 30 min of reaction. Films made of high molecular weight bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane–sebacic acid copolymers showed tensile strengths of 40–160 kg/cm²; the strength increased as a function of the bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane content and molecular weight.     

Lipid lowering effects of high linoleate and high alpha-linolenate diets in rats and mice. Consequence of long-term feedings.

Diets high in linoleate (safflower oil) or high in alpha-linolenate (perilla oil) were fed to rats for 11 months, and the effects of the diets on plasma and tissue lipids were compared. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (Cho), phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerol (TG) were significantly lower in the high alpha-linolenate group than in the high linoleate group, the differences being more than 30% in the levels of total Cho and TG. The diets had differential effects on the lipid contents of major tissues: the TG level in muscle was higher but both the TG level in depot fat and the PL level in muscle were lower in the high alpha-linolenate group than in the high linoleate group. In order to clarify whether or not the hypolipidemic effect of the high alpha-linolenate diet was due to changes in the distribution of lipids among tissues, whole body lipids were estimated in mice fed these diets for 5 months. The whole body Cho content was significantly lower, by 28%, in the high alpha-linolenate group compared with the high linoleate group, but the total lipid content, PL and neutral lipids were similar between the groups. Our results indicate that the high alpha-linolenate diet has a more potent cholesterol lowering effect in plasma and body tissue than the high linoleate diet; interestingly, whole body TG levels are similar but tissue distributions of TG are different between the two dietary groups.     

Characteristics of a.c. polarograms at high sweep rates

The single-sweep a.c. polarogram has fundamentally the same shape as the classical a.c. polarogram. It is recorded shortly before the drop detachment, which occurs every 32 s. The residual current is eliminated by subtraction of the output signals generated in a twin cell during the voltage sweep. The formula reported earlier for the peak current as a function of the amplitude and frequency, has been generalized by the introduction of 4 parameters. The equation fits most of the experimental data very well up to large amplitudes; 32 substances of great diversity have been investigated. The sweep rate does not affect the peak current for reversible systems, unless adsorption phenomena prevail. The analytically useful concentration range is 10^?6–10^?3 M.     

Low and high temperature bromination of exocyclic dienes: high temperature bromination. Part 16

The electrophilic addition of bromine to an exocyclic diene, 5,6-dimethylenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, in CCl₄ at 0°C led to the formation of non-rearranged (73%) and rearranged products (27%). However, high temperature bromination of the exocyclic diene at 77°C suppressed the formation of the rearranged products. Similarly, bromination of 9,10-dimethylenetricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,7]undeca-2,4,6-triene at −10°C gave only the exo-1,2-addition product. Bromination at +5°C resulted in the formation of a mixture consisting of exo-1,2- and 1,4-addition products in a ratio of (1:4). High temperature bromination at 77°C resulted in the formation of the endo-1,2-addition product. Furthermore, it has been shown that the 1,4-addition product converts smoothly to the 1,2-addition product. The formation mechanism of the products is discussed and supported by calculations.     

Stabilization of high nitrile polymers. I. Effect of dienophilic compounds

The effect of certain stabilizers on the discoloration of high nitrile polymers is discussed in terms of an in situ Diels-Alder reaction. Dienophiles react with cis azadienes formed during thermal degradation of the nitrile polymer to interrupt conjugated sequences prior to oxidative chromophore formation. Several nondienophilic additives decompose upon heating to release a strong dienophile that stabilizes the polymer.     

New high temperature polymers. VI. Ordered heterocycle copolymers

A new class of linear, thermostable polymers is reported. The compositions are ordered heterocycle copolymers in which two different heterocycles alternate regularly along the polymer chain. Examples of combinations studied are: oxadiazole–benzimidazole, oxadiazole–pyromellitimide, and thiazole–pyromellitimide. The heterocycle copolymers, or alternatively, the corresponding precursor polymers, were prepared by condensing preformed di-or tetrafunctional blocks which contain one type of heterocycle with a second di- or tetrafunctional monomer under such conditions that no rearrangement of bonds occurred. The polymers are characterized in general by neither melting nor decomposing below 500°C. when heated in an inert atmosphere at a rate of about 10°C./min. Some of the copolymers are readily soluble in organic solvents; many, however, are soluble only in solvents such as concentrated sulfuric acid. In the case of the more intractable polymers, soluble precursor polymers can usually be prepared. In such precursor polymers only one of the heterocycles is preformed; the second heterocycle is formed by post-treatment after the polymer has been fabricated into an end product. All of the polymers yielded self-supporting films, some having very high strength; films of several of the polymers were hot-drawable. Drawn film of an ordered oxadiazoleimide copolymer was shown to be well oriented and moderately crystalline.     

Thermodynamics of crystalline linear high polymers. V. Extended-chain copolymers of polyethylene

Ethylene—propylene and ethylene—butene-1 copolymers with up to 1.7 side groups per 100 carbons have been crystallized at 227°C. and under 4100–4900 atm. pressure. The resulting crystalline polymers are at least partially of extended-chain crystal morphology. Comparison with the same polymers crystallized at atmospheric pressure, which gives folded-chain crystal morphology, revealed: (1) a density higher by 0.008–0.019 g./cm.³ depending on copolymer content; (2) a similar decrease of crystallinity with side group concentration; (3) a similar decrease of the beginning of melting from 125°C. for homopolymer to 65°C. for 1.7 side groups per 100 carbons; (4) a higher (138 ± 0.8°C.) experimental maximum melting point which, in contrast, is independent of copolymer content and seems to vary only with the fraction of low molecular weight material; (5) a decreasing amount of high-melting crystals with increasing copolymer content (72–8%) and an increasing amount of low-melting crystals (27–53%) with increasing copolymer content. In addition, superheating, which reached 5.5°C. for 50°C./min. heating rates, was detected. It was concluded that high-pressure crystallization leads, at least for part of the crystals, to solid solution formation, while atmospheric pressure crystallization does not. Which mode of crystallization is achieved seems kinetically determined. Experimental techniques were dilatometry, DTA, and calorimetry.     

New high temperature polymers. I. Wholly aromatic ordered copolyamides

Wholly aromatic ordered copolyamides of unusually high thermal stability were prepared by the condensation of aromatic diacid chlorides with symmetrical diamines containing preformed aromatic amide units in an ordered arrangement. The preservation of order in the condensation step was assured by using interfacial or solution polymerization techniques at temperatures below 50°C. Each polymer contains units derived from aminobenzoic acids, arylene diamines, and arylene diacids. By use of para- and meta- phenylene units, eight different polymers are possible; all were prepared. Differential thermal analyses and thermogravimetric analyses showed these polymers to have melting points or decomposition temperatures in a range from 410°C. for the all-meta polymer to 555°C. for the all-para one. Substitution of the internal N-hydrogens of the diamines with methyl groups or phenyl groups leads to additional ordered copolymers. Several were prepared, but their melting points were much lower than those of the parent polymers limiting their usefulness in high temperature applications. Tough pliable films were prepared from all eight unsubstituted polymers, and crystalline fibers with tenacities of ca. 6 g./den. were prepared from three of the polymers. The properties of the fibers were retained to a high degree even when determined at temperatures up to 400°C. Fibers aged at 300°C. for extended periods of time showed remarkable retention of fiber properties.     

Adsorption phenomena at high pressures and temperatures.

Equilibrium isotherms of adsorption of methane on crystalline Rho zeolite were measured with the use of a precision volumetric gravimetric setup that was developed for determining the equilibrium and Kinetic parameters of adsorption in the pressure range of 0.1–160 MPa and temperature range of 300–600 K. The method of determining the accessible volume of an adsorption system (free volume + micropore volume) and the micropore volume of a sorbent was used. Two independent methods for calculation of micropore volume on the basis of the isotherms of excess adsorption were used. The discrepancy in the results of the calculation of the micropore volume by three independent methods is within the limits of the calculation accuracy. An evaluation of a change in the isosteric heats of the excess and absolute adsorption of methane on Rho zeolite was carried out in relation to filling and temperature. An evaluaton of the adsorption volume above the outer surface of the zeolite crystals was performed. The results of experimental investigations of methane adsorption on Rho zeolite can be used to solve the problem of encapsulation of gases by solid sorbents. kg]Key words kw]adsorption kw]micropore volume kw]surface kw]isostere kw]heat kw]zeoliteFor Part 1 see Ref. I.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 568–573, March, 1996.     

Effects of a high alpha-linolenate and high linoleate diet on hemolysis and lipid peroxidation of rat erythrocytes.

alpha-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3) is known to autoxidize several fold faster than linoleic acid (18:2n-6). Feeding a high alpha-linolenate or a high linoleate diet to rats resulted in significant changes in the n-3/n-6 ratios of 20 and 22 carbon highly unsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes. However, the rates of hemolysis observed in N2- or O2-atmosphere were similar between the two dietary groups. No significant amounts of conjugated dienes were detected and no measurable changes in the fatty acid compositions were observed during the incubations, indicating that the hemolysis occurred without involving significant lipid peroxidation. When stimulated with a free radical initiator, [2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride] (AAPH), hemolysis occurred more rapidly, conjugated dienes formed and unsaturated/saturated ratios of phospholipid fatty acids decreased. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in these parameters of the two dietary groups. These results indicate that hemolysis occurs without involving lipid peroxidation but is accelerated by free radicals through lipid peroxidation, and that the difference in autoxidizabilities of alpha-linolenate and linoleate is not reflected in the rates of hemolysis and autoxidation in rat erythrocytes.     

Gamma radiation-initiated polymerization of styrene at high pressure. II. Chain termination

The pressure dependence of the termination rate constant k_t for the free radical polymerization of monomers such as styrene is a function of polymer chain length, chain stiffness, and monomer viscosity, all of which influence the rate of segmental diffusion of an active radical chain end out of the coiled polymer chain to a position in which it can react with a proximate radical. Although k_t is not sensitive to changes in chain length, the large increase in molecular weight is responsible for a significant reduction in k_t at high pressures. For most of the common vinyl polymers, which exhibit some degree of chain stiffness, k_t is inversely proportional to a fractional power of the monomer viscosity because it depends in part on the resistance of chain segments to movement and in part on the influence of viscosity in controlling diffusion of the chain ends. The fractional exponent appears to increase with pressure and this is interpreted as evidence that the polymer chains become more flexible in a more viscous solvent. Because the fractional exponent is higher for more flexible chains, the value of the activation volume for chain termination is an indication of the degree of flexibility of the polymer chains, provided that the monomer is a good solvent for the polymer and that chain transfer is negligible.     

Dewetting of liquids on ceramic surfaces at high temperatures.

The influence of surface structure and chemistry on high-temperature dewetting of silicate liquids on ceramic surfaces has been investigated. Model systems based on well-defined crystallography and known chemistry have been used to illustrate the effect of surface roughness and chemistry on the dewetting process. Reconstructed ceramic surfaces provide ideal substrates to study effects of surface roughness. It has been shown that the morphology of dewet droplets depend on the length scale and the crystallography of the facets on the surface. Complex pattern formation due to solute redistribution during dewetting is illustrated in the case of SiO2 dewetting on (001) rutile substrates. The role of kinetics on the dewetting process has also been clarified.     

Graphene-modified electrode. Determination of hydrogen peroxide at high concentrations

A gold electrode partially coated by graphene multilayer is developed and tested with respect to high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The effective use of conventional electrode materials for the determination of such an analyte by anodic oxidation or cathodic reduction is prevented by the occurrence of adsorptions fouling the electrode surface. This prevents reliable and repeatable voltammetric curves for being recorded and serious problems arise in quantitative analysis via amperometry. The gold–graphene electrode is shown to be effective in quantitative evaluation, by cathodic reduction, of hydrogen peroxide at concentration levels that are of interest in an industrial. Acid, neutral, and basic pH values have been tested through correct adjustment of a Britton Robinson buffer. The experiments have been performed both by cyclic voltammetry and with amperometry at constant potential in unstirred solution. The latter technique has been employed in drawing a calibration linear plot. In particular, the performances of the developed electrode system have been compared with those of both pure gold and pure graphene electrode materials. The bi-component electrode was more sensitive; co-catalytic action by the combination of the two components is hypothesised. The system is stable over many potential cycles, as checked by surface-enhanced Raman spectra recorded over time.     

Radiation-induced polymerization at high dose rate. III. Isoprene in bulk

Radiation-induced polymerization of isoprene in bulk state was studied at 25°C in a wide dose rate range. Variations of the rate of polymerization and molecular weight of the products were essentially the same as those observed in the monomers which were capable of both radical and cationic polymerizations. At low dose rate, 7.0-230 rad/sec, radical polymerization took place. At high dose rate, 8.8 × 10³-2.2 × 10⁵ rad/sec, radical and cationic polymerizations took place concurrently. The average molecular weight of the high-dose-rate product was about 850, independent of dose rate. The microstructure of the products at high dose rate consisted mainly of trans- 1,4 units with only about 7% of cis- 1,4 and 10% of 3,4-vinyl units. The residual unsaturation in the high-dose-rate products was 90%. Decreases in cis units and residual unsaturation at high dose rate were accounted for by the change in predominant mechanism of polymerization with dose rate.