Two new dimeric cadmium(II) and zinc(II) sulfate complexes with 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and 2,2:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine

The structures of two new sulfate complexes are reported, namely di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ³O,O′:O′′‐bis{aqua­[2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐κ³N¹,N²,N⁶]­cadmium(II)} tetra­hydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O, and di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′‐bis­[(2,2′:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine‐κ³N¹,N^1′,N^1′′)­zinc(II)] dihydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)₂]·2H₂O, the former being the first report of a Cd(tpt) complex [tpt is 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine]. Both compounds crystallize in the space group P and form centrosymmetric dimeric structures. In the cadmium complex, the metal center is heptacoordinated in the form of a pentagonal bipyramid, while in the zinc complex, the metal ion is in a fivefold environment, the coordination geometry being intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Packing of the dimers leads to the formation of planar structures strongly linked by hydrogen bonding.     

Kinetics of weight loss and chain scission in the thermooxidative degradation of poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] films

The kinetic model of thermooxidative degradation in air, proposed to be valid for poly(2-hexyne) in predicting the lifetime of substituted polyacetylenes, was applied to poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] films, with the differences in the oxidative behavior of both polyacetylenes noted. The effect of the molecular weight of the sample on the degradation process was analyzed. Kinetics of weight loss and chain scission were modeled, and the kinetic parameters were calculated. Also, the evolution of weight loss was related to the chain scission. The proposed model was validated with data reported in the literature. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4309–4317, 1999     

Evaluation of the transport properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its 3-hydroxyvalerate copolymers for packaging applications

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and ist 3-hydroxyvalerate containing copolymers form a family of fully biodegradable polyesters with many potential applications. In this work, the results obtained in our laboratory concerning carbon dioxide, water and organic solvent transport through PHB and three low 3-hydroxyvalerate copolymers are reviewed. Comparison established between the former results and some data taken from the literature, have revealed that PHB and the above mentioned copolymers show transport properties similar to other common thermoplastics such as PVC and PET, particularly in the case of carbon dioxide and water. Consequently, PHB and copolymers can be catalogued as good barrier materials against these penetrants. On the other hand, these biopolymers show a low barrier character against organic compound permeation. All these features conform a good balance of physicochemical properties for these polyhydroxyalkanoates, which may take them suitable for several applications, including its use in biodegradable packaging materials.     

Processing,properties and morphology of polypropylene-epdm blends

Blends of polypropylene and an elastomer (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, EPDM) are systematically investigated to determine the effect of the rubber on the polymer properties. Five compositions on the complete range of blend compositions are analyzed. The study reported here is a first of a series which main objective is to analyze in a systematic way the influence of the different factors that determine the effectiveness of EPDM as an impact modifier for PP. In this first part of the study, the processing behavior of the PP-EPDM blends are analyzed and the mechanical properties of the processed blends (tensile, flexural and impact resistance) are examined. Halpin-Tsai and porosity models successfully represent the mechanical behavior of the blends. The model results allow a physical interpretation of the role of the dispersed phase in terms of the aspect ratio and of the stress concentration factors associated to the dispersed particles. Moreover, the mechanical properties are correlated with the morphology of the blends studied by scanning electron microscopy, where two phases are clearly observed in the complete range of compositions. The results show that PP-EPDM blends with at low rubber content present a good processability, without significant deterioration with respect to neat PP and with a considerable improvement of the room and low temperature performance.