Radiation effects on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Radiation effects on the formation of conjugated double bonds in the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were investigated. Thin films of PVC and PVA were either irradiated with γ-rays at ambient temperature (pre-irradiation) and then subjected to thermal treatment, or irradiated at elevated temperatures (in situ irradiation). An extensive enhancement of the thermal degradation was observed for the pre-irradiation of the PVC films, which was more effective than the effect of the in situ irradiation at the same absorption dose. For the PVA degradation, however, the effect of the in situ irradiation was larger than that of the pre-irradiation. The results were explained and related mechanisms were discussed based on radiation-induced chemical reactions and their individual contributions to the thermal degradation behaviors of the two polymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3089–3095, 1998     

Physical properties of ion beam treated electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers

We show that the mechanical properties of nano-sized electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers can be modified using broad-energy ion beam implantation. The elastic moduli were determined using atomic force microscopy multi-point mechanical bending tests on individual fibers before and after treatment. With a dose of 8.0 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm² of nitrogen ion we observed 30% increases in fiber elastic modulus with a simultaneous fiber diameter reduction. Two additional doses of nitrogen ion as well as a 8.0 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm² of helium ion treatment showed that this stiffness improvement effect was dependent on ion dosage and ion species. The surface morphological features of the fiber mat were shown to be unaltered due to the ion beam treatment. Key chemical modifications via nitrogen ion treatment were the introduction of the functional groups amine and amide. These groups are important in promoting cell compatibility on polymer surfaces.     

Influence of electron beam irradiation on physicochemical properties of poly(trimethylene carbonate)

Electron beam (EB) irradiation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), an amorphous, biodegradable polymer used in the field of biomaterials, results in predominant cross-linking and finally in the formation of gel fraction, thus enabling modification of physicochemical properties of this material without significant changes in its chemical structure. PTMC films (M_w: 167-553 kg mol⁻¹) were irradiated with different doses using an electron accelerator. Irradiation with a standard sterilization dose of 25 kGy caused neither significant changes in the chemical composition of the polymer nor significant deterioration of its mechanical properties. Changes in viscosity-, number-, weight-, and z-average molecular weights of PTMC for doses lower than the gelation dose (D_g) as well as gel-sol analysis and swelling tests for doses above D_g indicate domination of cross-linking over degradation. EB irradiation can be considered as an effective tool for increasing the average molecular weight of PTMC and sterilization of PTMC-based biomaterials.     

Mechanical properties of blends of PAMAM dendrimers with poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinyl acetate)

Hybrid blends of poly(amidoamine) PAMAM dendrimers with two linear high polymers, poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, and poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc, are reported. The interaction between the blend components was studied using dynamic mechanical analysis, xenon nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and tensile property measurements. The data suggest a much higher degree of interaction between components of PVAc-containing blends compared to those containing PVC. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2111–2117, 1998     

On the distribution of dye molecules in stretched poly(vinyl alcohol)

The symmetry of the orientational distribution function of dye molecules in stretched PVA films is studied using polarized fluorescence. The different symmetries are monitored by a simple experimental technique in which angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization ratios are measured. A uniaxial distribution of rhodamine 6G molecules is obtained on stretching the film at temperatures above 60°C. In contrast a biaxial distribution of trypaflavine molecules is found for stretch temperatures in the 50–115°C range. It is suggested that the hydrogen bonding between the PVA chains, and between the dye molecules and the PVA chains, influences the symmetry of the distribution upon stretching.     

Effect of ozone on poly(vinyl chloride) degradation

The influence of ozone on the kinetics and mechanisms of poly(vinyl chloride) degradation has been studied. The rate constants for reaction of ozone with saturated and unsaturated units of macromolecules have been measured. The products of the reaction of ozone with double bonds are inactive and do not influence the subsequent thermal dehydrochlorination of the polymer. The products of reaction of ozone with saturated units greatly increase dehydrochlorination.     

弹性体偶联剂结构对PVC/PPC性能的影响

NBR－PPC弹性体偶联剂能促进PPC（聚丙撑碳酸酯）与PVC（聚氯乙烯）之间的相容性，改善共混物的力学性能，并在共混体系中产生轻度交联。偶联剂组成在NBR／PPC比例为70／30，NBR（丁腈橡胶）含腈量为34％，BPO过氧化苯甲酸用量为2．5份时，共混物的综合力学性能最佳，但偶联剂预先硫化时间不宜过长．     

Dynamic mechanical properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The complex compliance in extension of gels of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP) and in tricresyl phosphate (TCP) was measured over the frequency range from 0.6 to 0.006 cps and the temperature range from ?66 to 65°C: the weight fractions of DOP and TCP in the gels were 0.32, 0.40, 0.49, and 0.59. Measurements were carried out in an apparatus using forced low-frequency longitudinal osillations. Data for the gels could not be combined by the method of reduced variables, since there were gradual changes with decreasing temperature, attributable to an increase in crystallinity. Application of the reduction method of Ninomiya and Ferry for solutions of crystalline polymers was found to be successful. The apparent melting temperatures (T′_m) were obtained from the temperature dependence of the vertical shift factors. An apparent heat of fusion of ca. 120 cal/mole of monomer unit was found. This melting range was in agreement with that of secondary crystallinity in plasticized PVC reported in calorimetric studies by Juijn. With decreasing temperature, two phenomena occurred in the temperature range from T_g + ca. 80°C to T_g: the vitrification of a concentrated amorphous solution and the slight crystallization of the polymeric component. The larger the difference between T_g and T′_m the broader the primary dispersion zone on the frequency scale. This broadening effect was explained as due to the difference in dependence of T_g and T′_m on plasticizer concentration, without any need to consider any specific interaction between plasticizer and PVC.     

Catalytic poly(vinyl alcohol) functionalized membranes obtained by gamma irradiation

Polymeric catalytic membranes bearing sulfonic acid functions have been prepared by mutual gamma irradiation at a ⁶⁰Co source, of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes and methanesulfonic acid. The effect of various synthesis conditions on membranes' physical–chemical properties and catalytic activity in the esterification reaction between acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol to obtain isoamyl acetate (banana flavor), was evaluated. The membranes were characterized by ATR-FTIR, TPP, AFM and SEM. Water contact angle determinations were also performed. The obtained results showed that within the range of conditions studied the increase in sulfonic acid groups' content is accompanied by an enhancement in the membranes catalytic activity, while the increase in absorbed dose leads to a decrease in catalytic activity.     

用DSC研究线形多嵌段聚氨酯与聚氯乙烯、氯化聚氯乙烯共混相容性

用示差扫描量热法（DSC）研究了线形多嵌段聚氨酯（PU）与聚氯乙烯（PVC）、氯化聚氯乙烯（CPVC）共混相容性，说明了PU／VC、PU／CPVC的相容是由于共混物中形成了新的氢键的缘故．聚酯型聚氨酯与PVC、CPVC的相容性要好子聚酸型聚氨酯，CPVC与PU的相容性又要好于PVC．聚氨酯中硬段的引入不利于PU／PVC、PU／CPVC的相容性．     

Some optical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

The optical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) film were examined by observing both the stress and birefringence during stretching at constant rate, during relaxation at constant length and during a dynamic birefringence experiment. Experiments were also done by varying the temperature at constant length. The changes in birefringence are interpreted in terms of changes in negative distortional birefringence, changes in positive orientation birefringence, and possible reversible changes in birefringence with temperature arising from conformational changes in the polymer chain and changes in the contribution of birefringent crystals.     

Mechanochemical reactions on poly (vinyl chloride)

This paper is concerned with molecular phenomena appearing during deformation of poly(vinyl chloride) under tensile stress conditions. By using indirect techniques (reactions with radical acceptors, with vinylic monomers, electron microscopy) the formation of free radicals, appearing as a consequence of splitting of chemical bonds, is evidenced. The amount of reacted radical acceptor or monomer was proved to be related to solution concentration and to the duration of mechanical stress.     

Reaction of sulfur with poly(vinyl chloride)

The reaction of elemental sulfur with poly(vinyl chloride) is studied in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and without any solvent under various conditions. Black polymers containing 3.77–57.64% chemically bonded sulfur and, according to IR spectroscopy, including >C=C< and >C=S groups in macromolecules are obtained. It is shown that the diffraction curves of poly(vinyl chloride) and of the reaction product containing 7.82% almost coincide but that the thermal stability of the latter is considerably higher than that of the initial polymer. The prospects of the practical use of the products of the reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) with elemental sulfur are demonstrated.     

Study of the miscibility of poly(vinyl pyridines) with poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol) and their copolymers

Miscibility of poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) with poly(viny acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA and poly(vinyl acetate-co-alcohol) (ACA copolymers) has been investigated over a wide composition range. Differentiaal scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicate that P2VP is immiscible with PVAC, PVA, and their copolymers over the whole composition range. In turn, P4VP appears to be immiscible with PVAC and PVA, but miscible with some ACA copolymers in certain range of composition. The P4VP-ACA phase diagram for different copolymer compositions has been determined. The variation of the glass transition temperature with composition for miscible mixtures was found to follow the Gordon-Taylor equation, with the parameter κ dependent upon copolymer composition. FTIR analysis of blends reveal the existence of specific interactions via hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups and the nitrogen of the pyridinic ring, which appear to be decisive for miscibility. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reaction of n-butyllithium with poly(vinyl chloride)

The reactions of poly(vinyl chloride) and butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran were investigated. A deep purple color developed at first with addition of butyllithium to the THF–PVC solution, and a spontaneous color change of the misture occurred successively to blue, green, and finally pale vellow. In these reaction stages, the PVC might be butylated, dehydrochlorinated, and partially lithiated by BuLi. These facts were substantiated by the results of successive reactions with various substances such as Michler's ketone, carbon dioxide, and styrene.     

Effect of mixed solvent on solution properties and gelation behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)

In this work, the static and dynamic light scattering measurements were used to investigate the solution properties and the aging effects on PVA/DMSO/water ternary system in dilute region at 25 °C. It was found that the phase separation and aggregate behavior occurs rapidly and obviously when DMSO mole fraction (X₁) in the solvent mixture is between 0.2 and 0.33, especially at 0.25. In this solvent composition range, a broad peak which indicates phase separation and chain aggregation can be observed from static light scattering measurement. However, when DMSO mole fraction is increased to 0.37, no such peak is present. For this ternary system, the gelation mechanism and the relationship between the phase separation behavior and the gelation of the formed physical gels were also investigated through the gelation kinetic analyses in the dilute and semi-dilute region. It is concluded that the cononsolvency effect in the dilute solution is not the sole origin that affects the phase separation, aggregation, and gelation behavior for the ternary system in a higher polymer concentration range. The hydrodynamic factors such as the higher viscosity and slower polymer chain diffusion that are resulted from higher polymer concentration should be also considered.