Grafting of styrene onto low molecular weight polymers and copolymers of butadiene

The grafting of styrene onto low molecular weight polybutadienes and butadiene–styrene co-polymers was studied. A mathematical method was used for the design of experiments and for the determination of the optimum grafting conditions with respect to the conversion of styrene and the efficiency of grafting. The reaction parameters were temperature (65–105°C), time (2–10 hr), concentration of the initiator, polymer to monomer ratio (10/90–90/10) and dilution by solvent (toluene). The optimum grafting conditions were chosen under which 50–60 wt-% of styrene was grafted onto backbone polymer at a high conversion of the monomer. It was found that the reactions producing graft copolymer prevailed over the styrene homopolymerization when the temperatures employed were lower (65–85°C), and the reaction time (8–10 hr), backbone polymer/monomer ratio, and the dilution by solvent were higher. The efficiency, density, and degree of grafting were found to increase with the increase in the molecular weight of the backbone polymer. The efficiencies and densities of grafting onto low molecular weight polybutedienes were higher than those of grafting onto low molecular weight butadiene–styrene copolymers. Grafting efficiencies and grafting densities were in the ranges 37.8–61.6 wt % and 0.06–0.26, respectively, in the studied range of number-average molecular weights (M?_n = 2400–6000).     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic investigation of crosslinked polystyrenes and radiation‐grafted films

The crosslinking of functionalized polystyrene resins is often of critical importance in determining resin properties and performance in the application of these materials as membranes and supports. In this investigation model systems are developed for quantifying the infrared and Raman spectroscopic properties of copolymers based on poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene). Analytical curves appropriate for the quantification of para‐ and metasubstituted species and pendant double bonds are reported, and corrections to previously reported spectroscopic assignments and analytical methods are made. The usefulness of these two analytical methods in characterizing radiation‐grafted films and commercial copolymers is compared, and typical characterization results are given. The relative concentrations of the species found in the grafted films are quite different from their concentrations in the grafting solution, and empirical relationships between the two are developed. In addition, the graft composition varies as a function of the base polymer film thickness and type and the penetration depth in the grafted film. Radiation‐grafted films are more highly crosslinked in their near surface regions, and thinner films are more extensively crosslinked. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 59–75, 2004     

Crosslinked polystyrene with improved mechanical properties

The synthesis of some divinyl monomers—bis(vinylphenyl)ethane ( 2 ), bis(vinylbenzyloxy)hexane ( 3a ), and bis(vinylbenzyloxy)dodecane ( 3b ) is reported. Copolymers of the new monomers and styrene were evaluated as an alternative to divinylbenzene-crosslinked polymers for use as matrices and absorbents. The mechanical properties and the amount of residual double bonds in the copolymers were compared. It was found that the new copolymers, unlike the divinylbenzene-crosslinked polymers, retained their mechanical strength even at high crosslinking degrees. Stress at break values of 79, 68, and 18 N/mm² were found for the polymers crosslinked with 20 mol % of 3a, 2 , and divinylbenzene; 5, 25 and 45% of the divinyl units in these polymers were left as pendant double bonds. Porous styrene– 2 copolymers were synthesized and shown to have lower surface areas than the corresponding divinylbenzene-crosslinked polymers. The pore size distribution showed that this was due to the absence of the smallest pores which are found in the divinylbenzene-crosslinked polymers in between heavily crosslinked nodules. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of quaternary ammonium ion‐grafted polyolefins via activation of inert C?H bonds and nitroxide mediated radical polymerization

A TEMPO‐functionalized isotactic poly(1‐butene) macroinitiator was synthesized via rhodium‐catalyzed activation of the alkane C? H bonds in polyolefin side chain using a boron reagent and subsequent transformations of the boronate ester group in the polymer. These functionalization processes did not induce cross‐linking or degradation of the polymer chains. Nitroxide mediated radical polymerization of dipropyl(4‐vinylphenyl)amine with the macroinitiator produced high‐molecular weight amine‐grafted copolymers of the polyolefin. Adjusting the ratio of polar monomer concentration to macroinitiator concentration controlled the concentrations of amine blocks in the graft copolymers up to 10 mol %. Quaternization of the amine‐grafted copolymers with methyl triflate generated ammonium ion blocks along the side chain of the graft copolymers. A systematic decrease of contact angle in a series of ammonium ion‐grafted copolymers was observed through water contact angle measurements, suggesting that the graft polymerization and the quaternization led to increased hydrophilicity in the polymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4519–4531, 2009     

Curing of Styrene-Free Unsaturated Polyester Alkyd and Development of Novel Related Clay Nanocomposites

Thermoset unsaturated polyesters (UP) are usually obtained by crosslinking of alkyd chains dissolved in an unsaturated reactive monomeric diluent, usually styrene. Recently we found that UP-alkyd chains (without styrene) are intrinsically cured into a crosslinked matrix in the presence of peroxide. The thermal, mechanical, dynamic mechanical and chemorheological properties and the network molecular structure of the crosslinked UP-alkyd are a function of the peroxide content used. All properties change considerably upon the addition of small amounts of peroxide (between 1 and 2%wt.) and change to a lesser extent upon employing higher peroxide concentrations (up to 6%wt.). Due to co-occurrence of crosslinking and scission events, the crosslinked system contains both gel and sol fractions. The sol fraction demonstrates a plasticizing effect on the crosslinked network, affecting the thermal and mechanical properties of the crosslinked polymer. The new materials developed in this work are interesting for utilization in innovative styrene-free UP-alkyd/organo-clay nanocomposites. It was found that inducing high shear levels for prolonged durations promotes the intercalation and exfoliation of the silicate layers, resulting in a better dispersion of clay particles. Crosslinking of the UP-alkyd/organo-clay nanocomposites alters their nanostructure, particularly affected by the peroxide content used. Thus, depending on the content employed, either an exfoliated or a combined intercalated/exfoliated structure may be realized.     

Effect of crosslinking on the photoinduced orientation of azo groups in thin polymer films

A series of amorphous copolymers containing disperse red 1 and crosslinkable acrylic groups were prepared. The crosslinked polymers were prepared in thin films by thermal polymerization of the acrylic groups in the copolymers. The orientation induced by irradiation with a linearly polarized laser was measured as birefringence at several temperatures, and the effect of crosslinking on the photoinduced orientation was investigated. Crosslinking enhanced the stability of the photoinduced birefringence. In particular, crosslinking helped to maintain the birefringence both at high temperatures and after the linearly polarized laser was turned off. The birefringence dynamics was analyzed with biexponential curve fitting. Crosslinking influenced not only the birefringence levels but also its rate of growth. The growth rate of the photoinduced birefringence decreased by crosslinking, whereas the relaxation was not significantly affected. Although crosslinking restrained the mobility of the azo chromophores, a certain fraction could orient or move randomly even in highly crosslinked polymer networks. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1686–1696, 2001     

Synthesis and study of polymerization and copolymerization of some oligounsaturated esters—V

A number of oligoacetylenic acrylates have been synthesized and characterized. The i.r. as well as the physical and chemical properties show the probable formation of oligomers possessing a proposed structure. The oligomers undergo further reaction in the presence of peroxide initiators to give crosslinked products. The i.r. spectra of the crosslinked products show that the oligomers undergo addition polymerization on the terminal double bonds. The triple bond in these oligomers is relatively unreactive under the conditions of polymerization, while that in the glycolic residue is reactive to a certain extent, as indicated by the higher per cent conversion of the oligomers having such unsaturated glycolic residue.Copolymerization of various oligoacetylenic acrylates, methacrylates and esters with terminal allylic group with styrene give crosslinked products. The polymers and copolymers are pale yellow in colour, glassy, insoluble in organic solvents and infusible; the copolymers were more rigid than the homopolymers. The volume shrinkage of various oligomers during polymerization lies between 5 and 13 per cent.     

Copolymerization of styrene and butadiene in emulsion. III. Crosslinking studies by partial conversion properties

Crosslinking in the styrene–butadiene emulsion copolymerization (21 parts styrene:79 parts butadiene) prior to gelation has been studied by means of partial conversion number-average molecular weights at 5, 15, and 25°C. It is shown that the macromolecular population begins to diminish at progressively lower conversions as the reaction temperature is increased. This is attributed to the relative increase in crosslinking over propagation as the reaction temperature is increased and also to the decrease in mercaptan regulating index with increasing temperature.     

Grafting on polybutadiene with polytetrahydrofuran macroperoxyinitiators. Postpolymerization studies

Grafting reactions of polybutadiene with macro peroxy initiators and postpolymerization were studied. The cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) initiated by the cationic species derived from bis-(4-bromomethylbenzoyl) peroxide (BBP) or bis-(3,5-dibromomethylbenzoyl) peroxide (BDBP) gave the PTHF macroperoxy initiator (MPI). PTHF-b-PMMA macroperoxy initiator (MPIb) was also obtained by the redox polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with the hydroxyl ends of PTHF and Ce(IV) salts without decomposing the peroxide groups in the middle. Macroperoxy initiators thermally grafted on cis-polybutadiene (PBD) with thermal curing to yield graft copolymers containing crosslinked and soluble parts, which were separated by the sol-gel analysis. FTIR spectra of the crosslinked samples indicated the characteristic signals of the PTHF, PBD and PMMA blocks. The crosslinked copolymers decomposed at around 470 °C. Postpolymerization of the crosslinked products indicated the increase in crosslinking density which has been followed by measuring the gradual increase of swelling values. Postpolymerization crosslinking was estimated as a first order reaction rate.     

Thermally reversible linking of halide-containing polymers by potassium dicyclopentadienedicarboxylate

A novel crosslinker for thermally reversible covalent (TRC) linking of halide-containing polymers is suggested. Chlorine-containing polymers such as chloromethylstyrene copolymers, chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, chlorinated polyisoprene, and polyepichlorohydrin were crosslinked with potassium dicyclopentadienedicarboxylate (KDCPDCA). The crosslinker was prepared by reacting potassium ethoxide with dicyclopentadienedicarboxylic acid. Because of the low solubility of KDCPDCA in organic solvents, a phase transfer catalyst, benzyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide, was employed for the crosslinking reaction. The crosslinking reaction occurred at a higher rate in a polar solvent, such as dimethylformamide, than in a nonpolar one, such as toluene, and was affected by the nature of the chlorine-containing polymer. Some of the polymers crosslinked even at room temperature. The chain-extending reaction between KDCPDCA and a α,ω-dihalide compound such as α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene, 1,4-dichlorobutane, or 1,4-dibromobutane also was carried out to obtain linear oligomers. The IR spectra indicated that the crosslinking and chain-extending reactions were based on the esterification between the halide carbon bonds of the polymer and the COOK groups of KDCPDCA. The flowability at 195 °C and solubility on heating in a dichlorobenzen-maleic compound mixture of the crosslinked polymers indicated that the TRC crosslinking occurred via the reversible Diels–Alder cyclopentadiene/dicyclopentadiene conversion as long as the polymer was thermally stable and did not contain olefinic CC bonds. The TRC linking also was confirmed by the rapid decrease of the specific viscosity of the obtained linear oligomers on heating. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4390–4401, 1999     

甲基丙烯酸-3-三甲氧基硅丙酯/苯乙烯共聚乳胶粒微结构

我们曾制备了核-壳结构的杂化乳胶粒, 并用溶剂将核去除得到杂化空心微胶囊. 但由于此乳液聚合过程十分复杂, 在不同条件下反应得到乳胶粒的微结构有较大不同, 目前尚未见到各反应条件下所得产物微结构的表征和形成机理的研究报道. 本文将系统分析在不同反应条下, MPS和St种子乳液聚合过程中, 得到的乳胶粒壳层杂化聚合物的微结构, 并研究了其形成原因.     

Some properties of networks produced by the Diels-Alder reaction between poly(styrene-co-furfuryl methacrylate) and bismaleimide

Poly (styrene-co-furfuryl methacrylate) networks were prepared by the Diels-Alder (D-A) reaction in solution at 25 °C between the linear copolymer and bismaleimide (BM). The resultant crosslinked polymers were swollen to equilibrium in toluene at 25 °C and swelling properties were studied by gravimetric and dimensional measurements. The swelling behaviour of these organogels depended on the composition of the copolymer and the concentration of BM used. Shear and Young’s moduli and the effective crosslinking densities (ν_e) were determined by compression (stress)-strain measurements. The theoretical crosslinking density was higher than the ν_e for all the crosslinked copolymers. An endothermic peak without T_g was observed on the DSC curve on heating the dry crosslinked polymer. On reheating a T_g at ≈98 °C was found, which is attributed to presence of linear copolymer produced by the retro D-A reaction in the first heating. The thermal stability of a crosslinked copolymer under nitrogen and air showed differences with the stability of the linear copolymer. The increase in viscosity of the solution during the D-A reaction was followed with time, for initial linear copolymers of different molecular weights. It was found that onset of gelation increased to longer reaction times the lower the molecular weight of copolymer.     

Cationic Complexes of Monovalent Nickel as Catalysts for Styrene Polymerization

The interaction of the [Ni(PPh₃)₃]BF₄ complex with styrene and the products of styrene conversion in the polymerization reaction were studied by EPR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the σ-carbocationic complex of Ni(I) formed by the interaction of styrene with the [Ni(PPh₃)₃]BF₄ cationic phosphine complex of Ni(I) was characterized in detail. It was found that the reaction of styrene polymerization occurred with the participation of the coordination center of the σ-carbocationic complex (coordination catalysis), whereas the reaction of telomerization occurred with the participation of the cationic center of this complex (ionic catalysis). The resulting polymer contained active terminal double bonds; it is a promising macromonomer for the synthesis of grafted copolymers. The discovered capacity of alcohols to undergo nucleophilic addition to a growing polymer chain offers strong possibilities for preparing functional polymers and block copolymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of anionic graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) grafts

Anionic graft copolymers were synthesized through grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) onto terpolymers containing succicinic anhydride groups. The backbone polymers were prepared through radical terpolymerization of maleic anhydride, styrene, and one of the following monomers: methyl methacrylate, ethylhexyl methacrylate, and diethyl fumarate. MPEG of different molecular weights were grafted onto the backbone through reactions with the cyclic anhydride groups. In this reaction one carboxylic acid group is formed together with each ester bond. The molecular weights of MPEG were found to influence the rate of the grafting reaction and the final degree of conversion. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR, GPC, and ¹H-NMR. Thermal properties were examined by DSC. Graft copolymers containing 50% w/w of MPEG 2000 grafts were found to be almost completely amorphous, presumably because of crosslinking, and hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid groups in the backbone and the ether oxygens in MPEG grafts. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dynamic rheology and relaxation time spectra of oil‐based self‐degradable gels

In oil well treatments, such as matrix stimulations or water shut‐off, it is often necessary to temporary isolate or protect productive zones with chemical diverting agents. In this work, a solution of peroxide crosslinked styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) has been transformed to a self‐degradable gel system by adding hydroperoxide as a degradation agent to the formulation. This oil‐based self‐degradable gel has been characterized by linear oscillatory rheometry. In situ and ex situ experiments were performed to evaluate the evolution of crosslinking and degradation reactions, including the liquid‐solid transition. Relaxation time spectra were calculated from dynamic mechanical frequency sweeps. Structural changes in the polymer network were visible within the relaxation time spectra, since it qualitatively showed the contribution of local simple entanglements and chemical covalent bonds to the final rheological behavior. The influence of peroxide concentration, polymer concentration, hydroperoxide concentration, and temperature have been studied and described in terms of rheological changes. Finally, a hydrogen donor aromatic solvent was used as scavenger to retard both crosslinking and degradation reactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 433–444     

Peroxide-initiated crosslinking of maleic anhydride-modified low-molecular-weight polybutadiene. I. Mechanism and kinetics of the reaction

The crosslinking mechanism and kinetics of low-molecular-weight polybutadiene, its mixtures with maleic anhydride, and the products of its grafting with maleic anhydride and styrene, using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an initiator, were studied. It was shown that for all systems crosslinking is a radical polymerization of the double bonds. Modification of polybutadiene changes only the kinetic parameters of the crosslinking reaction and causes mainly a decrease of the termination step velocity. From DSC data the crosslinking reaction order, activation energy, and reaction heats were calculated.     

Effects of the acid chain length and copolymer crosslinking on the acylation of N-hydroxysuccinimide copolymers with carbobenzoxyoligo-ϵ-aminocaproic acids

N-Hydroxysuccinimide-type soluble copolymer with styrene and three similar divinylbenzene (3–4 mole-%) crosslinked copolymers with styrene, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide were prepared from their precursor copolymers of N-acetoxymaleimide. Acylation of these N-hydroxyl polymers with carbobenzoxyoligo-?-aminocaproic acids was conducted in dimethylformamide at room temperature by using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as condensing agent. The soluble styrene copolymer was acylated in good conversions (76–89%) in every case (n = 1–3), whereas the acylation of the crosslinked copolymers decreased slightly from n = 1 to n = 2, and dropped suddenly to only small conversions (4.7–7.4%) with n = 3, showing a marked inhibitory effect of crosslinking when the acids became longer. The effect of the microenvironment of the polymer did not appear significant. All the acyl polymers, including the precursor polymers, yielded the corresponding cyclohexylamides when treated with cyclohexylamine.     

Interfacial reciprocal grafting by free radical reactions in polymer blends

Recent developments in the field of reactive compatibilization of polymer blends prepared by melt processing focus on the addition of low molecular weight compounds. This work deals with in situ compatibilization through the formation of graft or crosslinked copolymers at the interface. Mixtures of semicrystalline hydrocarbon polymers have been subjected to free radical reactivity, in a co-rotating twin screw extruder (ZSK 30) in a single step. The particular system, high density polyethylene and polyamide 6, was blended in the presence of a peroxide and a reactive bifunctional monomer, maleic anhydride. Because of a combined effect, the reaction appears to occur mainly at the interface, where the resulting grafted copolymer acts as an anchor for the final stabilization of the biphasic system. Different analytical techniques, such as differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing, helped in characterizing the resulting blends and confirmed the high level of interfacial grafting and the expected improvement in mechanical properties.     

Acryloylated α,/β-poly (N-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide and α,β-polyasparthydrazide. Synthesis, characterization and radiation formation of polymeric networks

 In the present study the derivatization of two water-soluble and synthetic polymers, such as α,β-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy), with glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) is described. This reaction allowed the introduction of double bonds in the macromolecular chains of PHEA and PAHy in order to make easier the crosslinking by a radical mechanism. Different parameters affected the reaction of derivatization, such as reaction pH, GMA concentration and reaction time. As far as PHEA is concerned the amount of GMA linked to the polymer increased until reaching a plateau. On the contrary, the reaction of PAHy with GMA proceeded with a zero order kinetics and the GMA amount in the polymer increased regularly. Some aqueous solutions of PHEA-GMA and PAHy-GMA copolymers at various GMA content were submitted to gamma radiation processing, thus obtaining crosslinked structures. The derivatization of PHEA and PAHy with GMA was a convenient method to introduce insaturations in their chains and it allowed to obtain gels at lower doses with respect to the starting polymers. Received: 2 April 1996 Accepted: 30 June 1996     

About crosslinking of low molecular weight ethylene‐propylene(‐diene) copolymer‐based artificial latices

Crosslinking of artificial latices based on ethylene–propylene copolymers (EPM) and/or ethylene–propylene–diene copolymers (EPDM) has not thoroughly been studied yet. Moreover, crosslinking of EPM and/or EPDM particles is a prerequisite for the formation of a shell using seeded emulsion polymerization of, for example, methyl methacrylate (MMA), as described elsewhere. Therefore, the aim of this article is to improve the general understanding of the chemistry involved in the crosslinking process. This work especially emphasizes the influence of the initiation method, that is, a peroxide or a pulsed electron‐beam, on crosslinking efficiency. All crosslinking efficiencies were obtained after extraction of the soluble polymer by tetrahydrofuran. The incorporation of the coagent, that is, divinylbenzene, into the EPM/EPDM phase was studied on a microscopic level by solid‐state ¹³C and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Crosslinking of a low molecular weight EPM/EPDM latex requires the presence of a coagent, for example, divinylbenzene, 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate, or poly(1,2‐butadiene). The efficiency of crosslinking initiated by a pulsed electron‐beam was improved to a great extent by the presence, in the aqueous phase, of potassium nitrosodisulfonate, also referred to as Fremy salt. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization–Time of Flight–Mass Spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) was used to determine the influence of electron‐beam irradiation on the chemical stability of surfactants. It was demonstrated that sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is not degraded by the irradiation, and is therefore the surfactant of choice for the stabilization of EPM/EPDM‐based latices subjected to electron‐beam irradiation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3600–3615, 2005