Initiation of polymer degradation via transfer of infectious species

A novel dual stage chemiluminescence detection system incorporating individually controlled hot stages has been developed and applied to probe for material interaction effects during polymer degradation. Utilization of this system has resulted in experimental confirmation for the first time that in an oxidizing environment a degrading polymer A (in this case polypropylene, PP) is capable of infecting a different polymer B (in this case polybutadiene, HTPB) over a relatively large distance. In the presence of the infectious degrading polymer A, the thermal degradation of polymer B is observed over a significantly shorter time period. Consistent with infectious volatiles from material A initiating the degradation process in material B it was demonstrated that traces (micrograms) of a thermally sensitive peroxide in the vicinity of PP could induce degradation remotely. This observation documents cross-infectious phenomena between different polymers and has major consequences for polymer interactions, understanding fundamental degradation processes and long-term aging effects under combined material exposures.     

Chromatography-free product separation in the Mitsunobu reaction

Mitsunobu products can be isolated pure without column chromatography by first washing a solution of the crude reaction mixture in dichloromethane with 15% aqueous hydrogen peroxide followed by aqueous sodium sulfite. A final filtration through silica gel secures the pure Mitsunobu product.     

Solid state radioluminescent lighting

We have demonstrated novel types of tritium-powered, solid-phase radioluminescent (RL) light sources. These lights include: (1) all-organic formulations comprised of polystyrene and fluorescent organic dyes; (2) polydimethylsiloxane-based systems incorporating inorganic phosphors; and (3) inorganic aerogel-based systems doped with phosphors. Three principal design consideration for these new RL lights are described. These include: (1) incorporation of tritium into the solid matrix; (2) molecular engineering to maximize light-output efficiency; and (3) strategies for increasing longevity. The advanced RL lights, which are of interest due to potential advantages in efficiency, brightness and safety, are being developed for emergency lighting uses and for battery and lighting applications in remote locations.     

Small-angle X-Ray scattering from polyurethane elastomers

Small-angle X-ray scattering is shown to be an effective technique, complementary to mechanical and thermal methods, for the study of structural ordering in polyurethane elastomers. Wide variations in intensity were found for different sample compositions and are interpreted in terms of the degree of hard segment aggregation. The results support previous conclusions regarding the organization in these samples based on analysis by scanning thermal methods. The polyether polyurethanes studied showed a higher degree of organization than the equivalent polyesters, and longer urethane segments enhance the extent of domain structure. Studies of the temperature dependence of scattering strengthen the previous assignment of a transition at about 150°C to the disordering of domain structure.     

Application of isotopic labeling,and gas chromatography mass spectrometry,to understanding degradation products and pathways in the thermal-oxidative aging of Nylon 6.6

Nylon 6.6 containing ¹³C isotopic labels at specific positions along the macromolecular backbone has been subjected to extensive thermal-oxidative aging at 138 °C for time periods up to 243 days. In complementary experiments, unlabeled Nylon 6.6 was subjected to the same aging conditions under an atmosphere of ¹⁸O₂. Volatile organic degradation products were analyzed by cryofocusing gas chromatography mass spectrometry (cryo-GC/MS) to identify the isotopic labeling. The labeling results, combined with basic considerations of free radical reaction chemistry, provided insights to the origin of degradation species, with respect to the macromolecular structure. A number of inferences on chemical mechanisms were drawn, based on 1) the presence (or absence) of the isotopic labels in the various products, 2) the location of the isotope within the product molecule, and 3) the relative abundance of products as indicated by large differences in peak intensities in the gas chromatogram. The overall degradation results can be understood in terms of free radical pathways originating from initial attacks on three different positions along the nylon chain which include hydrogen abstraction from: the (CH₂) group adjacent to the nitrogen atom, at the (CH₂) adjacent the carbonyl group, and direct radical attack on the carbonyl. Understanding the pathways which lead to Nylon 6.6 degradation ultimately provides new insight into changes that can be leveraged to detect and reduce early aging and minimize problems associated with material degradation.     

A kinetic model for predicting oxidative degradation rates in combined radiation-thermal environments

The complex degradation behavior of a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) cable jacketing material in combined radiation/temperature/air aging environments is experimentally separated into two dominant radiation dose-rate effect mechanisms. The first, operative at high dose rates, involves diffusion-limited oxidation, which leads to heterogeneously oxidized samples. The second, important at low dose rates, involves thermally-induced breakdown of intermediate peroxides. In the homogeneous degradation regime, a theoretical kinetic model is derived which, based on experimental evidence, assumes unimolecular termination kinetics and rate-determining, hydroperoxide-mediated branching reactions. Dependent upon the ratio of particular rate constants, the model predicts that dose-rate effects will either continue to increase or eventually disappear as the dose rate is lowered. Theoretical analysis of sequential (radiation followed by temperature exposures) aging experiments allows a time–temperature–dose rate shifting procedure to be developed. Using this procedure, higher temperature combined environment results can be shifted to a lower reference temperature, thereby extending the lower temperature results to lower (and experimentally inaccessible) dose rates. By applying this procedure to experimental PVC data, evidence in support of the theoretical model is obtained. In addition, model predictions are shown to agree with 12-year real-time aging results.     

Differential inhibition of postnatal brain,spinal cord and body growth by a growth hormone antagonist

Background  

Growth hormone (GH) plays an incompletely understood role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we use transgenic mice expressing a growth hormone antagonist (GHA) to explore the role of GH in regulating postnatal brain, spinal cord and body growth into adulthood. The GHA transgene encodes a protein that inhibits the binding of GH to its receptor, specifically antagonizing the trophic effects of endogenous GH.     

Preparation of polymandelide by reaction of α-bromophenylacetic acid and triethylamine

Polymandelide was prepared in 77% yield by reaction of α-bromophenylacetic acid and triethylamine. The product was characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and IR spectra and isolation and identification of mandelic acid from hydrolysis of the polymer. The NMR spectra indicate the presence of tacticity at CH in the polymer. Molecular weights were determined by GPC and viscosity measurements; n values of 12–20 are comparable to those reported for polymandelides prepared by other methods. The x-ray powder diffraction pattern showed the product to be completely amorphous. Thermal decomposition was studied using DSC.