Radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylamide I. Preparation conditions and gel determination for polyethylene-grafted films

Radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) onto low-density polyethylene(LDPE) film has been investigated. The appropriate reaction conditions at which the graft polymerization was carried out successfully were selected. It was observed that the grafting process was enhanced remarkably by using distilled water as diluent. In this grafting system ammonium ferrous sulphate (Mohr's salt) was used as inhibitor to minimize the homopolymerization of AAm and the suitable concentration of such inhibitor was found to be 3 wt %. The dependence of the grafting rate on the monomer concentration was calculated to be 2.9 order, regardless of the irradiation atmosphere (N₂ gas or under vacuum). When the radiation grafting process was carried out under vacuum, higher degrees of grafting were obtained as compared to those in nitrogen gas or in air atmosphere. Network structure was formed in the graft copolymer and the gel formation was determined in the p-xylene-extracted grafted films. Results showed good evidence that the grafting process takes place by the front mechanism.     

Effect of isotacticity on radiation stability of polypropylene under lower dose irradiation

Relationship between radiation stability and isotacticity of polypropylene was studied. It was found that the higher the isotacticity, the better the radiation stability under lower dose irradiation. Special PP power with higher isotacticity can keep the melting index change less after γ-irradiation in air. Furthermore, the special PP powder with higher isotacticity has lower intention of branching after 1 kGy γ-irradiation in vacuum and has lower intention of degradation after 5 kGy γ-irradiation in vacuum.     

Modelling molecular weight changes induced in polydimethylsiloxane by gamma and electron beam irradiation

A commercial linear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was subject to gamma irradiation under vacuum and in air, as well as to accelerated electron beam radiolysis (EB). All irradiation treatments were done at room temperature. The molecular weight changes induced by the radiation processes have been investigated using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with refraction index (RI) and multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detectors to obtain the number and weight average molecular weights of the irradiated samples.

The analysis of the data indicates that crosslinking reactions predominated over scission reactions in all cases. Gamma irradiation under vacuum was the most efficient process within the analyzed dose range, reaching the gel point earlier. Irradiation in the presence of oxygen induces oxidative effects, both in gamma and EB irradiations. A previously developed mathematical model of the irradiation process that accounts for simultaneous scission and crosslinking and allows for both H and Y crosslinks fitted well the measured molecular weight data.     

结晶聚合物的辐射效应：多官能团单体对LDPE的结晶成核作用

根据x射线、电镜、DSC和凝胶分数的测试结果,讨论了多官能团单体结构对低密度聚乙烯聚集态结构的影响以及结晶度与辐射交联(或剂量)的关系。发现由于单体的存在导致低密度聚乙烯结晶度增加而结晶尺寸变小(即结晶成核效应);成核效应越大,增强辐射交联的效果也越大。添加具有高结晶成核作用的单体有利于低密度聚乙烯的辐射交联,同时也加速其结晶结构的破坏。     

结晶聚合物的辐射效应——多官能团单体对LDPE的结晶成核作用

根据x射线、电镜、DSC和凝胶分数的测试结果,讨论了多官能团单体结构对低密度聚乙烯聚集态结构的影响以及结晶度与辐射交联(或剂量)的关系。发现由于单体的存在导致低密度聚乙烯结晶度增加而结晶尺寸变小(即结晶成核效应);成核效应越大,增强辐射交联的效果也越大。添加具有高结晶成核作用的单体有利于低密度聚乙烯的辐射交联,同时也加速其结晶结构的破坏。     

Synthesis and characterization of polyfunctional crosslinking agents for cyanate resins

An efficient crosslinking monomer for a mixed cyanate/epoxy resin system, bisphenol-A-monocyanate monoglycidyl ether 3 , has been synthesized and characterized. The intermediate compound, the monoglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A 2 , was also isolated and purified by extraction and chromatographic separation using a silica gel column. The cyanate functional group in the crosslinking monomer 3 can be cured easily by heat to form a triazine structure 8 , but the epoxy functional group in the crosslinking monomer 3 can not be cured without affecting the cyanate group because the latter is more reactive both under heat and basic conditions. A practical approach for the application of the crosslinking monomer 3 is discussed and tested. Most interestingly, under heat curing, a very tough and strong resin material was produced from this crosslinking mixed resin mixture. By using a secondary amine, diethylamine, as a curing agent, the cyanate groups in the crosslinking monomer 3 react to form the structures 11 or 12 , depending on the molar ratio of monomer 3 to diethylamine. A bifunctional crosslinking agent for a mixed cyanate (thermoset) and polyolefin (thermoplastic) resin system, 2-allylphenyl cyanate 16 , has also been synthesized and characterized. Like 3 , 2-allylphenyl cyanate 16 easily forms the crosslinking triazine compound 17 upon heating. 17 is a crystalline solid with mp = 110–111°C. As a crosslinking agent, 2-allylphenyl cyanate 16 reacts not only with itself, but also with other cyanates to form heterogeneous triazine rings, exemplified by triazines 18 and 19 . Even though it does not self polymerize through the allyl double bond, it can copolymerize with an other olefinic monomer, such as methyl methacrylate, to form a crosslinked and insoluble polymer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Study on side-chain liquid–crystalline copolymer as a new β-nucleating agent to induce phase behavior of isotactic polypropylene

The nucleating activity of side-chain liquid–crystalline copolymer, as new β-nucleating agent (LCP-NA3), towards isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy. The effect of LCP-NA3 content, crystallization temperature, and time on the phase behavior of the iPP has been discussed. The results indicate that the relative content of β-crystal mainly depends on LCP-NA3 content, crystallization temperature, and time. A high content of β-crystal can be obtained by the combined effect of the optimum LCP-NA3 concentration, crystallization temperature, and time. The maximum content of β-crystal reaches 0.63 when the LCP-NA3 content, crystallization temperature, and time are 0.8 wt%, 130 °C, and 1 h, respectively. In addition, LCP-NA3 is identified to have dual nucleating ability for α- and β-crystals under appropriate kinetic conditions.     

Crosslinking and Oxidation of 1, 2-Polybutadiene by UV Irradiation

Photoinduced crosslinking and oxidation of 1, 2-poly-butadiene film were carried out with UV irradiation in vacuo and in air. A small amount of the structures of trans-vinylene, diene, and triene were observed in the infrared spectrum of the nonirradiated film, and bands attributable to conjugated double bond (230, 280 nm) were also observed in ultraviolet spectrum. In the film irradiated in vacuo, intensities of the bands assigned to trans-vinylene, methylene, and methyl groups increased with the increase in irradiation time, but the intensity of the band of pendent vinyl group decreased. With irradiation in air, the formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups and ether linkages was observed. Formation of H₂ with the irradiation in vacuo and of H₂ O with the irradiation in air was observed. The gel fraction increased with an increase in irradiation time in the absence and presence of oxygen. The gel fraction and the formation of carbonyl groups were markedly accelerated by irradiation with UV rays of wavelength near 280 nm and increased with decreasing concentration of pendent vinyl groups. Postreaction of the irradiated film took place in the dark. The gel fraction and the intensity of the carbonyl group increased by radical reaction with α, α'-azobisisobutyronitrile. On the basis of these results, mechanisms of photoinduced crosslinking and oxidation of 1, 2-polybutadiene were discussed.     

Reaction mechanism and rheological properties of polypropylene irradiated under various atmospheres

It is well-known that the melt-strength properties of a polymer increases with molecular weight and with long chain branching due to the increase in the entanglement level. This study is a contribution for the understanding of the following points: — the role of branching, crosslinking and degradation on melt strength properties; — the mechanism and the kinetics of PP irradiation with time of irradiation and the importance of double bond formation.

The results showed that degradation was the major reaction in the initial step of irradiation no matter the atmosphere and or antioxidant. However, double bond formation increased the production of branching and crosslinking reactions. Double bond formation had no effect on the crystallization kinetics, on the other hand, long chain branching had a marked effect on the crystallization temperature.     

Electron beam modification and crosslinking: Influence of nitrile and carboxyl contents and level of unsaturation on structure and properties of nitrile rubber

The structural changes of nitrile rubber with varying nitrile contents, hydrogenated nitrile rubber and carboxylated nitrile rubber in the presence and absence of a polyfunctional monomer, namely trimethylolpropane triacrylate, at different doses of electron beam irradiation, were investigated with the help of FTIR spectroscopy (in the attenuated total reflectance mode), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and sol–gel analysis. Solid-state NMR with gated high power decoupling technique was used to understand the mechanism of crosslinking of the irradiated samples. The allylic radicals generated in the butadiene chains react to form intermolecular crosslinkages. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of olefinic groups for the nitrile rubber on irradiation. This was also affirmed by the increase in the carbon resonances due to C–C linkages from the NMR technique, indicating more crosslinkages. The spectroscopic crosslink densities were determined and the results were compared with the swelling measurements. The variation in the crosslink clustering for rubbers with different acrylonitrile contents was explained using the NMR technique. The increase in crosslinking was also revealed by the increase in the percent gel content and dynamic storage moduli with radiation doses. The lifetime of spurs formed and the critical dose, an important criterion for overlapping of spurs, were determined for both the grafted and the ungrafted nitrile rubbers of different grades and compared using a mathematical model. The ratio of scissioning to crosslinking for nitrile rubber was determined using Charlesby–Pinner equation. The mechanical properties had also been studied for both the modified and the unmodified systems.     

Influence of radiation temperature on the crosslinking of nitrile rubber by electron beam irradiation

Nitrile rubber with 18% acrylonitrile content in presence and absence of polyfunctional monomers like trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (TPGDA), tetramethylolmethane tetraacrylate (TMMT) and m-phenylene bismaleimide was subjected to electron beam irradiations at different temperatures. The structural changes with different doses of radiations were investigated with the help of FTIR spectroscopy (in the ATR mode), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and sol–gel analysis. There was a decrease in the concentration of olefinic groups for this elastomer on radiation at high temperature as compared to the room temperature. The increase in crosslinking at elevated temperature was also revealed by the increase in % gel content and dynamic storage moduli with radiation dose. The lifetime of spurs, an important criterion for overlapping of spurs, was determined for both grafted and ungrafted nitrile rubber using a mathematical model. The ratio of scissioning to crosslinking for nitrile rubber was determined using Charlesby–Pinner equation. The mechanical properties were studied and the tensile strength was found to increase with grafting of polyfunctional monomers on irradiation at high temperature.     

Enhanced radiation crosslinking of carboxymethylated chitosan in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers

Carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCt) hydrogels were synthesized by γ-ray radiation-induced crosslinking in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers. Compared with that of CMCt hydrogels synthesized without additives, the gel fraction was improved and the gelation dose was decreased obviously after incorporating acids or polyfunctional monomers into CMCt hydrogels. The diffusion behavior of water in the CMCt gels prepared at different conditions was Fickian diffusion, and the swelling of the CMCt gels displayed characteristic pH sensitivity, which was analyzed by fluorescence molecular probes. Preliminary mechanism of radiation-induced crosslinking of CMCt in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers was discussed based on the FTIR and sol-gel analysis. Furthermore, it was found that CMCt hydrogels were hydrodegradable with high temperature (>60 °C), and incorporating polyfunctional monomers into the CMCt hydrogels also could improve the thermal stability of the CMCt hydrogels obviously.     

Modification of perfluorinated polymers by high-energy irradiation

This review surveys about the possibilities for the modification of perfluorinated polymers using high-energy irradiation: degradation, functionalization, branching, and cross-linking. The reaction mechanisms for the different reaction conditions are discussed. Electron irradiation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with a very high dose leads to a complete degradation of the macromolecules to low-molecular products. In the presence of oxygen perfluorocarboxylic acids and in an inert atmosphere, mixtures of perfluorinated olefins and paraffins can be obtained. Virgin PTFE is disintegrated by high-energy irradiation in air with a lower dose into a micropowder modified with COOH groups. This powder can be homogeneously incorporated in other polymers. So, the special properties of PTFE can be made effective in these polymers. Micropowders functionalized with COOH groups and polyamides (PA) form by reactive extrusion PTFE-PA blockcopolymers which can be used as slide bearing materials. The copolymers poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropyl vinyl ether) (PFA) irradiated in air show a significantly higher degree of COOH functionalization compared with PTFE. Irradiation of molten PTFE in an inert atmosphere leads to formation of different kinds of double bonds, CF₃ side groups, long-chain branches as well as cross-links. Irradiation of PFA in vacuum results in the generation of COF and COOH groups; in molten state also branches and cross-links are formed.The focus of the present paper is on the work that has been carried out at the Institute of Polymer Research Dresden.     

Thermal degradation behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyamide 6 composites

This paper focuses on the thermal degradation behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/polyamide 6 (PA6) composites under air and nitrogen atmosphere using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the dispersion of amino-functionalized MWNTs (f-MWNTs) in PA6 is more homogeneous than purified MWNTs (p-MWNTs). The presence of MWNTs improves the thermal stability of PA6 under air obviously, but has little effect on the thermal degradation behavior of PA6 under nitrogen atmosphere. The activation energies for degradation under air, E_a, estimated by Kissinger method, are 153, 165 and 169 kJ/mol for neat PA6, p-MWNTs/PA6 and f-MWNTs/PA6 composites, respectively. The p-MWNTs/PA6 composites show two-step degradation not only under air but also under nitrogen atmosphere, however, neat PA6 and the f-MWNTs/PA6 composites exhibit two-step degradation only under air.     

剪切对玻璃珠填充聚丙烯结晶行为的影响

应用Linkam CSS450剪切仪、广角X射线衍射仪(WAXD)和小角X射线散射仪(SAXS)等研究了剪切对玻璃珠填充聚丙烯结晶行为的影响, 结果表明, 与纯聚丙烯相比, 填加玻璃珠的聚丙烯体系中, 玻璃珠起到成核剂的作用, 不利于β晶的生成. 玻璃珠直径较小(4 μm)时, 剪切对聚丙烯β晶的生成影响较小; 当玻璃珠直径增加到35 μm时, 剪切速率为20 s-1左右最有利于β晶生成; 剪切速率和玻璃珠直径的增加, 有利于聚丙烯片晶的取向, 而且玻璃珠含量越高, 片晶的取向程度越大.     

The influence of irradiation temperature and oxygen on crosslink formation and segment mobility in gamma-irradiated polydimethylsiloxanes

By swelling to equilibrium and esr spin probe technique the changes in crosslinking density and polymer segment mobility in γ-irradiated polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) were determined in dependence of irradiation atmosphere and irradiation temperature. In comparison with the polymer samples irradiated in the presence of oxygen, the samples irradiated in vacuum showed in spite of a higher degree of crosslinking a higher mobility of the polymer segments. The discrepancy can be explained taking into account that irradiation in presence of oxygen generates polar side groups: -COOH, -CHO and -OH. Dipolar interactions and hydrogen donor acceptor interactions should contribute to the decreased mobility of polymer segments in presence of these groups.     

The effect of irradiation of fresh pork loins on the protein quality and microbiological changes in aerobically—or vacuum-packaged

The effect of γ-irradiation on the physico-chemical, organoleptic and microbiological properties of pork was studied, during 43 d of storage at 4°C. Irradiation treatments were carried out under air or vacuum packaging on fresh pork loins at a dose of 6 kGy, at two dose-rates: 2 and 20 kGy/h. Regardless of the type of packaging and dose-rate of irradiation, all irradiated pork samples were prevented from bacterial spoilage during 43 d. Meat redness and texture of irradiated loins were well preserved during storage especially when samples were stored under vacuum. The physico-chemical and organoleptic changes in pork loins appeared to be relatively little affected by the 6 kGy dose.     

Gelation of β-lactoglobulin in the presence of propylene glycol alginate: kinetics and gel properties

The role of the non-gelling polysaccharide, propyleneglycol alginate (PGA), on the dynamics of gelation and gel properties of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) under conditions where the protein alone does not gel (6%) was analyzed. To this end, the kinetics of gelation, aggregation and denaturation of β-lg in the mixed systems (pH 7) were studied at different temperatures (64–88 °C). The presence of PGA increased thermal stability of β-lg. The rate of β-lg denaturation was decreased and the onset and peak denaturation temperatures increased by 2.2–2.4 °C. PGA promoted the formation of larger aggregates that continued to grow in time. An average aggregate diameter of approximately 300 nm is reached at the gel point in the mixed β-lg+PGA systems, irrespective of the heating temperature. Comparing the activation energies for the aggregation (193 kJ/mol), denaturation (422 kJ/mol) and formation of the primary gel structure (1/t_gel) (256 kJ/mol) processes in the mixed protein–polysaccharide system, it can be concluded that the rate determining step in the formation of the primary gel structure would be the aggregation of protein. E_a values for the processes after the gel point (solid phase gelation) suggest a diffusion limited process because of the high viscosity of the solid gelling matrix. The characteristics of the mixed β-lg+PGA gels in terms of rheological and textural parameters, water loss and microstructure were studied as a function of heating temperature and time. The extent of aggregation and the type of interactions involved, prior to denaturation seem to be very important in determining the gel structure and its properties.     

Effects of ultraviolet irradiation on substituted polyacetylenes

Effects of UV irradiation on various substituted polyacetylenes were examined. Upon irradiation in air, main-chain scission and crosslinking occurred with a wide range of probabilities dependent on the nature of substituents. For example, poly(2-alkyne)s rapidly degraded to low molecular weights, whereas polymers from aromatic monosubstituted acetylenes [e.g., poly(o-CF₃-phenylacetylene)] were quite stable. Several other polyacetylenes [e.g., poly(1-Me₃Si-1-propyne)] showed intermediate degradability. Polymer degradation was minimal in vaccum. The polymers irradiated in air contained C?O and O? H groups, and dissolved in polar solvents which are nonsolvents for the initial polymers. These results indicate that oxidation causes degradation. Only poly(1-chloro-1-alkyne)s of the polyacetylenes studied, formed gels upon UV irradiation. The amount of the gel was larger, when the polymer was irradiated in vacuum than in air. Further, the longer the alkyl pendant in the polymer, the higher the gel fraction. Differences between photo-and thermal degradations are discussed.     

Preparation and properties of siloxane liquid crystalline elastomers with a mesogenic crosslinking agent

A mesogenic crosslinking agent M-1 was synthesized to minimize the perturbations of non-mesogenic crosslinking agents in liquid crystalline elastomers. The synthesis of new side chain liquid crystalline elastomers containing the rigid mesogenic crosslinking agent M-1 and nematic monomer M-2 by a one-step hydrosilylation reaction is described. The chemical structures of the monomers and network polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties and phase behaviour were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The influence of the crosslinking units on phase behaviour is discussed. Liquid crystalline elastomers containing less than 15 mol % of the crosslinking units showed elasticity, reversible phase transitions and a threaded texture. The experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature of polymers P-1-7 increased with increasing concentration of crosslinking agent M-1; but the isotropic temperature and liquid crystalline range decreased slightly.