Effect of triphenyl phosphite on the radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

The effects of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) on the radical polymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated with α,α,-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was investigated at 50°C. The rate of polymerization of St and MMA at a constant concentration of TPP was found to be proportional to the monomer concentration and the square root of the initiator concentration. The rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization of both St and MMA increased with increasing TPP concentration. The accelerating effect was shown to be due to the decrease of the termination rate constant k_t with an increase in the viscosity of the polymerization systems. The chain transfer constant C_tr of TPP in St and MMA systems was determined from the degree of polymerization system. The C_tr of TPP was almost zero in the St system and 6.5 × 10^?5 in the MMA system.     

Synthesis of SiO2/polystyrene nanocomposite particles via miniemulsion polymerization

The SiO(2)/polystyrene nanocomposite particles were synthesized through miniemulsion polymerization by using sodium lauryl sulfate surfactant (SLS), hexadecane costabilizer in the presence of silica particles coated with methacryloxy(propyl)trimethoxysilane. Core-shell or other interesting morphology composite particles were obtained depending on the size of the silica particles and the surfactant concentration employed. By adjusting these parameters, it was possible to control the size and morphology of the composite particles.     

Synthesis and characterization of styrene grafted carbon nanotube and its polystyrene nanocomposite

Effective side wall functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with 4-vinylaniline was carried out through solvent free functionalization. The functionalized SWCNT was characterized through FT-IR and NMR. Typical peaks to identify the functionalization were observed. Thermal analysis shows around 48% weight loss in functionalized SWCNT in comparison to the pure SWCNT. The ratio of disordered to order transition (I_D/I_G) in FT-Raman, indicated the generation of some surface defects due to functionalization. Near infrared spectrum of functionalized SWCNT also confirmed the functionalization of SWCNT. The polystyrene nanocomposite materials were prepared with functionalized SWCNT as fillers by solution casting from tetrahydrofuran. The functionalized SWCNT nanocomposite showed significant improvement in mechanical properties and electrical properties. The dispersibility of the carbon nanotube in the composite was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy.     

Fabrication of polystyrene/upconversion nanocrystals nanocomposite spheres through in situ dispersion polymerization

This paper presents a feasible and efficacious procedure to synthesize polystyrene/upconversion nanocrystals (PS/UCNCs) nanocomposite spheres with raspberry-like structure via an in situ dispersion polymerization technique. During this process, polyacrylic acid (PAA) as stabilizer plays the key role in adsorbing UCNCs, including NaYF(4):Yb(3+)-Er(3+), NaYF(4):Yb(3+)-Tm(3+) and NaYF(4):Yb(3+)-Ho(3+) onto the PS surfaces. TEM and SEM images confirmed the raspberry-like morphology of the obtained nanocomposite spheres. The effect of synthetic conditions, for instances, PAA amount, type and concentration of UCNCs on the structure and fluorescence of the PS/UCNCs nanocomposite spheres were studied in detail.     

Preparation of styrene polymer/ZnO nanocomposite latex via miniemulsion polymerization and its antibacterial property

Styrene polymer/ZnO nanocomposite latex was fabricated using miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and hexadecane as hydrophobe. The size distribution and morphology of the composite latex particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron micrograph. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer results demonstrate that ZnO nanoparticles were encapsulated into polymer phases. The coupling treatment of ZnO with APTES can improve the dynamic contact angles of ZnO nanoparticle with water to enhance its hydrophobicity. When 0.6% APTES to ZnO (wt/wt) is used to modify ZnO, the encapsulation efficiency of ZnO reaches to 95%. It shows that the high encapsulation efficiency improves dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles in polymer film by scanning electron microscope. The stable structural hybrid latex can adequately exert unique function of nanoparticles in coatings. It indicates that the coatings added the composite latex exhibits perfect antibacterial activity, which has a tremendous potentiality in the field of coating materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of exfoliated polystyrene/ZnAl layered double hydroxide nanocomposite via emulsion polymerization

Exfoliated polystyrene (PS)/ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites have been synthesized via emulsion polymerization in the presence of N-lauroyl-glutamate surfactants and long-chain n-hexadecane. The samples were characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The XRD and TEM results demonstrate that the exfoliated ZnAl-LDH layers of 50-70 nm width and about 1 nm thickness were well dispersed at molecular level in the PS matrix. And the completely exfoliated PS/LDH nanocomposites can be obtained even at the 10 wt% LDH loading. When the 50% weight loss was selected as a comparison point, the decomposition temperature of exfoliated PS/LDH sample with 5 wt% LDH was ca. 28 degrees C higher than that of pure PS.     

Self assembled graphene/carbon nanotube/polystyrene hybrid nanocomposite by in situ microemulsion polymerization

Self-assembled graphene/carbon nanotube (CNT)/polystyrene hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by water-based in situ microemulsion polymerization. The resulting nanocomposites were used as filler in a host polystyrene matrix to form composite films. An admixture of the two types of carbon fillers provided better improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties compared to the neat polymer. The sheet resistance decreased progressively due to the formation of an extended conjugation network with the CNT bridging the gap between the graphene sheets coated with polymer nanoparticles. The details of the analysis are presented.     

Effects of substituted triphenyl phosphites on the radical polymerization of acrylonitrile

The radical polymerization of acrylonitrile in the presence of nuclear-substituted triphenyl phosphites (p-Cl, H, p-CH₃, p-OCH₃) initiated by α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C was investigated. It was found that the rate of polymerization decreased at low concentrations of phosphite, but after reaching a minimum the rate increased again with further increase in the phosphite concentration in the case of all substituted triphenyl phosphites. Formation of a weak complex between phosphite as donor and acrylonitrile as acceptor was confirmed from the change in chemical shifts of vinyl protons to higher magnetic fields on NMR spectroscopy. From the results of continuous variation method using NMR spectra, the complex was found to be of the 1:1 type. The effects of substituted triphenyl phosphite on the rate of polymerization and the chain-transfer reaction to substituted triphenyl phosphites are discussed on the basis of these results.     

Synthesis,characterization, and polymerization of brominated benzoxazine monomers and thermal stability/flame retardance of the polymers generated

Novel monofunctional brominated benzoxazine 3‐(2,4,6‐tribromophenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzoxazine (P‐bra) and bifunctional brominated benzoxazine 6,6′‐bis(3‐(2,4,6‐tribromophenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzoxazinyl) isopropane (B‐bra) were prepared and highly thermally stable polybenzoxazines were obtained by the thermal cure of the corresponding benzoxazines monomers. The chemical structures of these novel monomers were confirmed by FITR, ¹H‐NMR and elemental analysis. FTIR spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) suggested that the polymerization was thermally initiated and occurred via ring‐opening of the monomer in each case. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that brominatation could have a profound effect on increasing char yield and on thermal degradation temperatures. The results of UL‐94 burn test showed that the polybenzoxazines prepared from P‐bra and B‐bra had good flame retardance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of surfactant-free polystyrene/layered double hydroxide exfoliated nanocomposite via soap-free emulsion polymerization

The soap-free emulsion polymerization has been applied for preparing the surfactant-free polystyrene/layered double hydroxide exfoliated nanocomposite. The XRD and TEM determinations have been used to monitor the changes of interlayer spacing and morphology during polymerization. The results show that the obtained nanocomposite has the homogeneous structure of polymeric and inorganic components. Due to the absence of organic surfactant, the PS/LDH nanocomposite shows a remarked improvement on the onset decomposition temperature compared with virgin PS.     

A novel preparation of surface-modified paramagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres by radiation-induced miniemulsion polymerization

A novel and facile approach to the preparation of paramagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres by 60Co gamma-ray radiation-induced miniemulsion polymerization is reported. First, we modified the magnetite nanoparticles (MPs) with a Y-shaped surfactant: 12-hexanoyloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (HOA). Nanocomposite microspheres consisting of polystyrene-iron oxide nanoparticles then were prepared by the radiation-induced miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of HOA-modified MPs using HOA as stabilizer. The final products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of the dose rate, the amounts of added hexadecane (HD) and MPs, and the morphology of the final products were studied. We have also studied the polymerization kinetics to prove the miniemulsion polymerization mechanism of the nanocomposite microspheres.     

Kinetic model-based experimental design of the polymerization conditions in suspension copolymerization of styrene/divinylbenzene

The use of a mechanistic model-based experimental design technique to determine the polymerization conditions and polymer properties in suspension copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene is reported. The technique consists of using a mathematical model to design the polymerization conditions of a copolymer with characteristics specified beforehand. The properties (conversion, gel content, molecular weight averages, and copolymer composition) of the copolymer synthesized using this approach agree very well with the calculated properties for the pregelation period, but accurate prediction of properties during the postgelation period is still uncertain. It is demonstrated that the use of mechanistic modeling for experimental design purposes can be more adequate (when the model is sound, yet simple to solve) than other design techniques (e.g., factorial designs). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2081–2094, 1998     

Dynamics of development of particle size distribution during styrene suspension polymerization

A variation of number particle size distribution during the suspension polymerization of styrene stabilized by poly(vinyl alcohol) has been studied. It has been disclosed that the dispersion of polymer-monomer particles plays a substantial role at the initial stage of the reaction up to a monomer conversion of ～60%. This phenomenon explains the occurrence of three peaks in the current and final distribution curves. This result provides an explanation for the previously observed polymodal particle size distribution. The typical S-shaped variation in the maximum particle diameter with time suggests a nonequilibrium dynamic character of the development of particle size distribution.     

A facile route to hollow superparamagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres via inverse miniemulsion polymerization

In this article, we report a facile route to the preparation of hollow superparamagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres via inverse miniemulsion polymerization at room temperature and under ambient pressure. Water droplets act as a soft template for the formation of hollow structure. Meanwhile, the existence of amphipathic magnetite nanoparticles (MPs) which can assemble at the interface of W/O is favorable to the interfacial polymerization of styrene, ensuring the formation of hollow nanocomposite microspheres. The final products were thoroughly characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which showed the formation of hollow magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurements revealed that both MPs and hollow nanocomposite microspheres displayed superparamagnetism. The effects of the content of H₂O, sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and styrene and the dose rate on the morphology of nanocomposite microspheres were studied. Furthermore, the mechanism of the formation of the hollow magnetic microspheres was also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3900–3910, 2008     

Thermal behaviour of covalently bonded phosphate and phosphonate flame retardant polystyrene systems

Pyrolyses of the reactively flame retarded polystyrene copolymers styrene/diethyl(acryloyloxyethyl)phosphate(S/DEAEP), styrene/diethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl)phosphate(S/DEMEP), styrene/diethyl(methacryloyloxymethyl)phosphonate(S/DEMMP) and styrene/diethyl(acryloyloxymethyl)phosphonate(S/DEAMP) have been investigated with a view to obtaining information pertinent to the mechanism of their flame retardant behaviour. Studies were also carried out on the additive polystyrene systems containing triethylphosphate (TEP) and diethylethylphosphonate (DEEP) for comparison. All the systems contained 3.5 wt% of phosphorus. A range of techniques were used, namely TG with EGA, DSC, SEM, laser and microfurnace pyrolysis mass spectrometry and isothermal pyrolysis/GC-MS, to study the decompositions under a range of conditions. In the case of the additive systems, the additive was shown to be evolved before polymer decomposition occurred. Very little, if any, char residues were observed. Thus the main mechanism of fire retardant action of the phosphorus incorporated into the polystyrene as an additive would occur in the vapour phase. This mechanism prevailed regardless of whether the additive was a phosphate (TEP) or a phosphonate (DEEP). The effectiveness of the fire retardant action would be limited as the fire retardant and fuel did not volatilise together. There was evidence that some interaction occurred in the condensed phase. In all the copolymers the phosphorus content of the char was substantial. This is characteristic of the condensed phase fire retardant action of phosphorus. SEM studies showed the interior of the char to be a network of channels which would give the char a sponge-like interior which would enhance thermal insulation. The surfaces were relatively dense thus providing a barrier to escape for any gaseous products formed in the interior. Char formation and cross-linking are assumed to be the result of the presence of the strong phosphoric and phosphonic acids resulting from initial pyrolysis. Since phosphonic is the weaker acid, the polymer degradation and release of volatile products may be less inhibited in the case of the phosphonate-containing copolymers compared to the phosphate-containing copolymers. This is consistent with their shorter times to ignition. There was also evidence for some potential phosphorus vapour phase fire retardant action as phosphorus-containing species were identified among the pyrolysis products for all samples. The rate of volatile evolution from the copolymers was reduced compared to that of the corresponding additive system.     

Synthesis, characterization, and cure properties of phosphorus-containing epoxy resins for flame retardance

An organophosphorus compound, 10-(2,5-dihydroxyl phenyl)-9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DHPDOPO), was synthesized through the reaction of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphnanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and p-benzoquinone, and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), and ¹H-NMR and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopes. Consequently, the phosphorus-containing epoxy resins with phosphorus content of 1 and 2 wt.% were prepared via the reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A with DHPDOPO and bisphenol-A, and confirmed with FTIR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Phenolic melamine, novolak, and dicyanodiamide (DICY) were used as curing agents to prepare the thermosetted resins with the control and the phosphorus-containing epoxy resins. Thermal properties and thermal degradation behaviors of these the thermosetted resins were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Phenolic melamine-cured resins exhibited higher glass transition temperatures than the other cured resins due to the high rigidity of their molecular chain. TGA studies demonstrated that the decomposition temperatures of the novolak-cured resins were higher than those of the others. A synergistic effect from the combination of the phosphorus-containing epoxy resin and the nitrogen-containing curing agent can result in a great improvement of the flame retardance for their thermosetted resins.     

Thermal Degradation,Flame Retardance and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites Based on AluminumHypophosphite简

Aluminum hypophosphite （AP） was used to prepare flame-retarded thermoplastic polyurethane （FR-TPU） composites, and their flame retardancy, thermal degradation and mechanical properties were investigated by limiting oxygen index （LOI）, vertical burning test （UL-94）, thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）, cone calorimeter （CC） test, Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and tensile test. TPU containing 30 wt% of AP could reach a V-0 rating in the UL-94 test, and its LOI value was 30.2. TGA tests revealed that AP enhanced the formation of residual chars at high temperatures, and slightly affected the thermal stability of TPU at high temperatures. The combustion tests indicated that AP affected the burning behavior of TPU. The peak of heat release rate （PHRR）, total heat release （THR） and mass loss rate （MLR） greatly reduced due to the incorporation of AP. The tensile test results showed that both the tensile strength and the elongation at break slightly decreased with the addition of AP. The digital photos and SEM micrographs vitrified that AP facilitated the formation of more compact intumescent char layer. Based on these results mentioned above, the flame-retarding mechanism of AP was discussed. Both the self-charring during the decomposing process of AP and its facilitation to the charring of TPU led to the great improvement in the flame retardancy of TPU.     

Solubilities,thermostabilities and flame retardance behaviour of phosphorus-containing flame retardants and copolymers

Thirteen phosphorus-containing flame retardants were synthesized in this work. The solubilities of flame retardant [(6-oxide-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin-6-yl)-methyl]-butanedioic acid (DDP) in selected solvents are measured. TGA measurements of the 13 phosphorus-containing flame retardants were carried out and thermal stabilities of three flame-resistant PET (FRPET) resins were investigated. A FRPET incorporated by DDP with terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol reported in literature was also discussed and compared. The thermal stability of the FRPET is improved by the incorporation of phosphorus-containing flame retardants. The LOI values of all phosphorus-containing polyesters are higher than 27%. The improvement of the flame-resistant ability is due to the formation of the char that is not only caused by the existence of phosphorus elements in the resin but also by the relative large number of carbon atoms of the phenyl group in the flame retardants.     

Morphology influence on the permeation properties of styrene and polystyrene modified polyethylene membranes

Influence of the structure of styrene and polystyrene modified PE membranes on their permeation properties is presented. It is demonstrated that the temperature of styrene treatment (N membranes) and the presence of polystyrene (P membranes) results in high differentiation of the permeation properties. SALS studies have shown the structural reorganization depending on modification extent and diffusion of the penetrant. It is also shown that the morphology of the dried films remains unchanged. This work proves that the appropriate modification of PE films results in membranes with controlled permeation behavior.