Hyperbranched polymers with maleic functional groups as radical crosslinkers

The crosslinking performance of the unsaturated hyperbranched polyester poly(allyloxy maleic acid‐co‐maleic anhydride) (MAHP) was investigated with copolymerizations of three different monomers: styrene, vinyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate. Both styrene and vinyl acetate afforded interpenetrating‐polymer‐network copolymer gels. The gels exhibited crosslink density gradients through the polymer matrices on a macroscopic level, and density maximums were concentrated around the MAHP moieties. The heterogeneity of the gels is briefly discussed in terms of a modified two‐phase model, where one phase consists of an elastic part of low crosslinking density and the other phase consists of an inelastic dendritic part with a highly condensed bond density. Unlike the two‐phase model developed by Choquet and Rietsch, the modified two‐phase model takes into account that both phases swell in good solvents. Unlike copolymerizations employing styrene or vinyl acetate, the copolymerization of MAHP with methyl methacrylate afforded noncrosslinked starbranched copolymers that consisted of a MAHP core from which long poly(methyl methacrylate) branches were protruding. The different behaviors of the copolymerizations of the three monomers used in this study can rationally be explained by their different reactivity ratios with maleic end groups of MAHP. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 964–972, 2001     

THE COMPATIBILITY OF BLENDS OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE) OR CHLORINATED POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE) WITH POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

IR spectral shifts of carbonyl vibrational absorption for ethyl acetate, which acts analogically as the structural unit of poly(methyl methacrylate), in cyclohexane, chloroform, chlorinated paraffins, poly(vinyl chloride) and chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) were measured. The results suggest that there are specific interactions between the carbonyl groups and the chlorinated hydrocarbons which could be responsible for the apparent compatibility of poly(vinyl chloride)—poly(methyl methacrylate) and chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)—poly(methyl methacrylate) blends. Additionally, the effects of the preparation mode of blend films on phase separation and observed compatibility are discussed.     

Phase‐equilibrium behavior of vinyl chloride/n‐butane and its application in determination of vinyl chloride heterogeneous polymerization kinetics

Studies of the phase‐equilibrium behavior of vinyl chloride (VCM)/n‐butane mixtures and the kinetics of VCM heterogeneous polymerization, using n‐butane as a reaction medium, were carried out using a 1‐L glass autoclave. The vapor composition was measured by gas chromatography, showing that the vapor pressure of the VCM/n‐butane mixture was located above the line connecting the points for pure VCM and n‐butane. The concentration of VCM in the vapor phase was greater than that in the corresponding liquid phase. It was confirmed that the presence of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin had no significant influences on the phase equilibrium of VCM/n‐butane mixtures. Thus, the phase‐equilibrium equations were applied to determine the conversion of VCM during heterogeneous polymerization. The conversions calculated from the variations of vapor pressure or composition agreed with those determined by the weighing method. The conversion–time and polymerization rate–time curves obtained for VCM heterogeneous polymerization showed that the polymerization accelerated at low initiator concentration, but the polymerization rate decreased with an increase of conversion at relatively high initiator concentrations. The chain‐transfer reaction to n‐butane was confirmed by a decrease of the molecular weight and broadening of the molecular weight distribution of PVC. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2179–2188, 2001     

One-step functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by radiation-induced graft polymerization and their application as enzyme-free biosensors

This paper describes the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by radiation-induced graft polymerization (RIGP) of vinyl monomers with functional groups and the application of these MWNTs in enzyme-free biosensors. The vinyl monomers used were acrylic acid (AAc), methacrylic acid (MAc), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), maleic anhydride (MAn), and 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBAc). Tubular-type MWNTs were obtained via RIGP of various vinyl monomers. The poly(VPBAc)-grafted MWNTs (PVBAc-g-MWNTs) were used as sensing sites in enzyme-free glucose sensors for the detection of glucose without enzymes. The PVBAc-g-MWNTs electrode displayed an excellent linear response to glucose concentration in the range 1.0–10 mM. The functionalized MWNTs prepared by RIGP can be used as biosensor materials.     

Copolymerization of allyl esters of some fatty acids

Attempts have been made unsuccessfully to homopolymerize a number of allyl esters of substituted fatty acids by radical initiation in emulsion systems. Copolymerizations of these allyl esters with styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl chloride have been investigated. Of these comonomers, styrene and methyl methacrylate do not copolymerize well with the allyl esters, whereas vinyl chloride does. Reactivity ratios for the radical copolymerization of allyl 11-iodoundecanoate, M₁, and vinyl chloride, M₂, determined at 60°C. in benzene, are r₁ = 0.42 and r₂ = 1.64. A copolymer of allyl 10, 11-dibromoundecanoate and vinyl chloride was fractionated and found to be fairly homogeneous.     

Ketone-zinc chloride combination as an initiator of polymerization

Dihydrocivetone, a macrocyclic ketone, has been found to be a weak initiator of vinyl polymerization. Anhydrous zinc chloride strongly promotes this to form a novel initiating system. Monomers tried successfully are methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and α-methylstyrene. The characteristic feature of polymerization of α-methylstyrene differs greatly from those of other monomers and those have been discussed and compared.     

Compatibility studies on solutions of polymer blends by viscometric and ultrasonic techniques

Detailed viscometric and ultrasonic velocity studies have been conducted on solutions of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) with poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl chloride) with poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) with polystyrene over an extended range of concentrations and temperatures in toluene, chlorobenzene and toluene respectively. The plots of both absolute viscosity and ultrasonic velocity vs composition deviate from linearity according to the degree of compatibility of polymer blends, at all concentrations and temperatures. The curves for compatible systems are linear. These investigations offer an entirely new approach to the study of the compatibility of polymer blends.     

Copolymerisation of maleic anhydride with electron-acceptor monomers

Copolymerisation of maleic anhydride with tert.-butyl methacrylate and trimethylsilyl methacrylate was studied. Both monomers form random copolymers with maleic anhydride and in both cases the acceptor monomer is incorporated preferentially into the copolymer. Maleic anhydride which does not homopolymerise has reactivity ratios of approximately zero. The esters have reactivity ratios of 12.8 for trimethylsilyl methacrylate and 2.95 for tert.-butyl methacrylate. Thermal behavior and molar masses were investigated as a function of composition. Conditions for hydrolysis of the trimethylsilyl ester groups to give free acid groups have been established.     

Organometallic polymers. XXIV. Radical-initiated copolymerization of ferrocenylmethyl acrylate and methacrylate with acrylonitrile,maleic anhydride,and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone

Ferrocenylmethyl acrylate (I) and ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate (II) have been readily copolymerized with maleic anhydride in benzene–ethyl acetate solutions. Similarly, II has been copolymerized with both acrylonitrile and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in benzene solutions to give higher molecular weight copolymers in high yields. In all cases azobisisobutyronitrile has been the initiator. Based on e values obtained, the metal carbonyl substituent acts as an electron-withdrawing group. Over a wide range of comonomers (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, styrene, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and maleic anhydride) I and II exhibit r₁ values lower than (and r₂ values higher than) similar copolymerizations with methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate. Further more, the Q values found for I (0.03–0.11) and II (0.08–0.18) are smaller than those for methyl acrylate (0.46) and methyl methacrylate (0.74). Thus, I and II are less reactive than expected, presumably due to steric effects.     

Head to Head Polymers. 42. Head to Head Poly(Vinyl Halide) Blends: Thermal and Degradation Behavior

Abstract

Improved halogenation techniques for poly(1, 4-butadiene) have made well-defined head to head poly(vinyl chloride) and head to head poly(vinyl bromide) accessible in larger quantities. This allowed the preparation and study of blends of poly(vinyl chloride) or poly(vinyl bromide) with polycaprolactone and poly(methyl methacrylate); blends were also prepared between the poly(vinyl halides). The thermal behavior and the thermal degradation behavior of these blends were investigated. It was confirmed that head to head and head to tail poly(vinyl chloride) are immiscible over almost the entire range of compositions.     

Synthesis of Vinyl Polymer—Poly (α-Amino Acid) Block Copolymers by End-Reactive Oligomers

In order to synthesize block copolymers consisting of segments having dissimilar properties, vinyl polymer - poly (α-amino acid) block copolymers were synthesized by two different methods. In the first method, the terminal amino groups of polysarcosine, poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate), and poly(γ-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine) were haloacetylated. The mixture of the terminally haloacetylated poly (α-amino acid) and styrene or methyl methacrylate was photoirradiated in the presence of Mo (CO)₆ or heated with Mo(CO)₆, yielding A-B-A-type block copolymers consisting of poly(α-amino cid) (the A component) and vinyl polymer(the B component). The characterization of block copolymers revealed that the thermally initiated polymerization of vinyl compounds by the trichloroacetyl poly(α-amino acid)/Mo(CO)₆ system was most suitable for the synthesis of vinyl polymer - poly-(α-amino acid) block copolymers. In the second method, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene having a terminal amino group were synthesized by the radical polymerization in the presence of 2-mercaptoethylammonium chloride. Using these polymers having a terminal amino group as an initiator, the block polymerizations of γ-benzyl L-glutamate NCA and e-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine NCA were carried out, yielding A-B-type block copolymer. By eliminating the protecting groups of the side chains of poly(α-amino acid) segment, block copolymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) with poly(L-glutamic acid) or poly(L-lysine) and polystyrene with poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(L-lysine) were successfully synthesized.     

Oxychlorination–Dehydrochlorination Chemistry on Bifunctional Ceria Catalysts for Intensified Vinyl Chloride Production

Ceria catalyzes the one‐step production of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from ethylene with a high yield because of its bifunctional character: redox centers oxychlorinate ethylene to ethylene dichloride (EDC), which is subsequently dehydrochlorinated to VCM over strong acid sites generated in situ. Nanocrystalline CeO₂ and CeO₂‐ZrO₂ lead to a VCM yield of 25 % in a single pass, outperforming the best reported systems and reaching industrially attractive levels. The use of CeO₂ intensifies the current two‐step process within PVC production encompassing CuCl₂‐catalyzed oxychlorination and thermal cracking. In addition, ceria‐based materials offer stability advantages with respect to the archetypical CuCl₂‐based catalysts.     

Reactive polymers on the basis of functional peroxides

The copolymerization constants of new monomer containing ditertiary peroxide groups with styrene have been determined. The peroxide monomers were prepared by the acylation of 3-(tert-butylperoxy)-3-methyl-1-butanol with methacryloyl chloride or maleic anhydride in the presence of tertiary amines. Peroxide containing copolymers were obtained by copolymerization of peroxyalkyl methacrylate and peroxyalkyl maleate with styrene.     

Polymere für Frisuren: Haarsprays,Festiger & Co.

Polymers play an important role in hair cosmetics due to their ability to change the properties of the hair. In order to tailor the properties such as fixative power, wash‐out and elasticity, polymers are generated by smart choice of monomer composition and process technology. Up to the seventies, polyvinylpyrrolidone and its copolymers were dominant. In the seventies, copolymers of vinyl acetate with further monomers followed and copolymers of methyl vinylethers with maleic acid half esters. Polyquaternium compounds were developed (copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone with quaternized vinyl imidazole or dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate)to ease the combing of hair. In the seventies and eighties, copolymers of acrylate monomers and their esters or alkylacrylamides were supplied. The latest developments aim for polymers with covalently bound silicon compounds in order to ease the demanding formulation work, or for polymers which allow a formulation with water as substitute for alcohol as solvent.     

Polymers from 12-hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietic acid and its vinyl and acrylate esters

12-Hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietic acid has been homopolymerized by melt condensation and homopolyester has been obtained. Vinyl 12-hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietate has been prepared from 12-hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietic acid by vinyl interchange procedure with vinyl acetate, and has been homopolymerized, copolymerized with vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, and terpolymerized with styrene and acrylonitrile. The acrylate ester of 12-hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietic acid also has been prepared from 12-hydroxymethyltetrahydroabietic acid and acrylyl chloride. The acrylate thus obtained has been homopolymerized and copolymerized with vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. Polymers thus obtained have been characterized.     

Calculation and Applications of VCM Distribution in Vapor/Water/Solid Phases during VCM Polymerization

The distribution of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in vapor, water, swollen polymer, and free monomer phases as a function of conversion of VCM can be calculated from the related partition coefficients. It was found that the amount of monomer in the vapor and water phases is particularly significant, being 20% (at 60°C) of that in the polymer phase at the peak exotherm. Neglecting the VCM dissolved in water and that in the head space of the reactor would seriously overestimate the polymerization rate and overdesign the required cooling capacity of the reactor. From the distribution the relation between conversion (x) vs pressure (P) after the pressure starts to drop can be developed and used to determine conversion at termination by pressure measurement. The results of ×vs P from our partition coefficient approach are consistent with those derived from Flory-Huggin's equation. Also the knowledge of VCM distribution at termination of the polymerization will assist VCM accountability and stripper design.     

Compatibility of binary systems of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinyl acetate)

The influence of the thermal treatment on the stability in time of the dispersion degree of films containing binary polymer mixtures, poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(methyl methacrylate), was studied by thermogravimetry and optical microscopy with phase contrast. The dispersion degree depends particularly on the composition of the polymer mixture and can be improved by thermal treatment at temperatures above the glass temperatures of both homopolymers. It seems that this thermal treatment yields exclusively metastable structures with a general tendency to phase separation in a short time after thermal treatment, the heterogeneity mixtures (as film) being more pronounced.     

Block copolymerization with trapped radicals

Acrylonitrile–styrene, vinyl chloride–styrene and vinyl chloride–methyl methacrylate block copolymers were obtained by employing trapped radicals in polyacrylonitrile or poly(vinyl chloride) formed in a heterogeneous system by tri-n-butylboron in air as initiator. The trapped polymer radicals were activated on addition of dimethylformamide as solvent. Confirmation of block copolymers was carried out with solvent extractions, elementary analysis, and turbidimetry. In block copolymerization, the polyacrylonitrile trapped radical was more active than the poly(vinyl chloride) radical. Results of kinetic studies were used to consider the mechanism of polymerization.     

Copolymerization and homopolymerization reactions in systems containing electron-donor monomer,electron-acceptor monomer,and lewis acid

Investigations of the copolymerization of acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, acryloyl chloride, methyl vinyl ketone, and acrolein with styrene, and of acrylonitrile with acenaphthylene and 1,3-cyclopentadiene in the presence of Lewis acids as catalysts have been carried out. It was found that the free-radical alternating copolymerization and ionic copolymerization or homopolymerization reactions can proceed in these systems. The yield of the competitive free-radical and ionic reactions was related to the type of monomers and strength of the Lewis acid. The mechanism of the catalytic effect of Lewis acids in the reactions studied is discussed.     

A Grafting Study on Partially Dehydrochlorinated Poly(vinyl chloride) by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

HCl elimination in low ratio was first carried out from poly(vinyl chloride) to increase allylic chlorines. Partially dehydrochlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), having a macroinitiator effect, was grafted with tert‐butyl methacrylate via atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine at 64°C in tetrahydrofuran. Original poly(vinyl chloride) was also grafted with tert‐butyl methacrylate under the same conditions to compare with that of partially dehydrochlorinated poly(vinyl chloride). The graft copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermal stabilities of the graft copolymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis as compared with those of the macroinitiators.