Rheological and phase behavior of polyamidobenzimidazole solutions under the effect of temperature and deformation

The viscosities and phase stabilities of solutions of rigid-chain polyamidobenzimidazole and its copolymer with poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) in dimethylacetamide are investigated during their flow within wide temperature and shear-rate ranges. These systems are characterized by amorphous separation with the lower critical temperature of mixing. In the range of the phase-separation temperature, viscosity passes through a minimum owing to the formation of a microemulsion followed by gelation of the reversible system accompanied by its blurring due to uncompleted phase separation. The temperatures of phase separation and the temperatures of minimum viscosity for the investigated solutions decline with an increase in the polymer concentration and increase with an increase in the shear rate.     

Molecular Origin for the Thermal Stability of Rice Amylopectin 1

Abstract

The non-Newtonian behavior and dynamic viscoelasticity of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin solutions were measured with a rheogoniometer. The Takanari and Reimei amylopectin showed plastic behavior at a concentration above 2.0% at 25 °C. The viscosity of Takanari amylopectin decreased a little with increasing temperature at 2.0%. However, a little increase in the viscosity was observed with increasing temperature from 0 to 15 °C, then it stayed at a constant value with further increase in the temperature up to 80 °C at a concentration above 4.0%. An increase in the viscosity was also observed in Reimei amylopectin solution at various concentrations. The dynamic viscoelasticity of Takanari amylopectin increased with increasing concentration at low temperature (0 °C) and it stayed at a constant value with increasing temperature up to 80 °C. On the other hand, dynamic viscoelasticity for Reimei amylopectin showed a weak sigmoid curve. The tan δ of both amylopectins showed low values, 0.32-0.38, at low temperature range and kept constant with increasing temperature up to 80 °C. A little decrease of dynamic modulus of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin was observed upon addition of urea (4.0 M). The dynamic modulus of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin solution decreased rapidly when the temperature reached 45 and 60 °C, which was estimated to be a transition temperature, in 0.10 N NaOH solution. The molecular origin for the thermal stability of rice amylopectin (Takanari and Reimei) was essentially attributed to intramolecular associations in aqueous solution. Possible mode of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces of attraction of amylopectin molecules are proposed.

     

PAmXD,6/PP-g-MA blends. III. Microstructure,blend melt viscosity,and copolymer concentration relationship

This work deals with the relationship between microstructure, melt viscosity, and copolymer concentration of PAmXD,6/PP-g-MA blends [poly(m-xylylene adipamide)/maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene]. The blends were processed in a Brabender plastograph at a temperature of 265 ± 5°C and at 45 rpm. The characterization of the microstructure was carried out through SEM analysis after microtome leveling and chemical etching. The melt viscosity of the components and of the blends was measured by the Brabender torque. It was found that the copolymers concentration controls the dimension of the dispersed phase. The composition of the blend (dispersed phase weight percent) has a more limited influence. Variations of the components viscosity ratio during the mixing time have little, if any influence on the dimension of the dispersed phase. A linear relation between the Brabender torque and the specific interfacial area was found. The determination of the copolymer weight fraction leads to the establishment of a close relation between the copolymer concentration and the specific interfacial area. For blends containing from 0 to 7.5 wt % of copolymer, this relation is linear and consequently the concentration of copolymer at the interface is constant at about one copolymer macromolecule per 16 nm². © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1313–1327, 1997     

Influence of ZnO on the properties of dilute and semi-dilute cellulose-NaOH-water solutions

The influence of ZnO as cellulose-8%NaOH-water solution stabilizer against gelation is studied. Cellulose intrinsic viscosity in 8%NaOH-water as a function of solution temperature is investigated in the presence and absence of ZnO. The addition of ZnO did not bring any improvement in terms of solvent thermodynamic quality. Non-dissolved ZnO particles were observed above 0.8–0.9% ZnO in 8%NaOH-water. Gelation of cellulose-8%NaOH solutions with and without ZnO are studied for various cellulose and ZnO concentrations (4–6% and 0–1.5%, respectively) in a wide range of temperatures (−5 °C to 50 °C). Gelation times were exponentially increasing with increasing ZnO concentration and with decreasing cellulose concentration and solution temperature. Gelation times of cellulose-NaOH-water-ZnO systems were found to follow a semi-empirical model correlating these three parameters. We suggest that ZnO is acting as water molecular “binder” stabilizing cellulose-NaOH-water solutions.     

Gelatinization Mechanism of Rice Starch

ABSTRACT

The non-Newtonian behavior and dynamic viscoelasticity of rice starch (Nihonbare; amylose content, 15.8%) solutions were measured with a rheogoniometer. A gelatinization of Nihonbare starch occurred above 3.0% after heating at 100 °C for 30 min. The Nihonbare starch showed shear-thinning behavior at a concentration of 2.0%, but plastic behavior above 3.0% at 25 °C. The viscosity of Nihonbare starch at a concentration of 2.0% solution decreased gradually with increase in temperature from 10 to 55 °C, then it stayed at a constant value with further increase in the temperature. However, for 4.0% solution, rapid decrease in the viscosity was observed after the temperature reached 25 °C up to 50 °C, then it stayed at a constant value. The dynamic modulus of Nihonbare starch stayed at a constant value during increase in the temperature at 4%. The tan δ of the starch showed low values, 0.28, at low temperature range and stayed at a constant up to 30 °C, then it increased a little with increasing temperature. A little decrease of dynamic modulus of Nihonbare starch was observed at low temperature range upon addition of urea (4.0 M). The dynamic modulus, however, decreased rapidly when the temperature reached 50 °C, which was estimated to be a transition temperature. The dynamic modulus also decreased rapidly in 0.10 M NaOH solution above 50 °C. A possible mode of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between amylose and amylopectin molecules of Nihonbare starch is proposed. The short chains (A and B1) of the amylopectin molecules may take part in the intermolecular association in aqueous solution.     

Ring‐chain interactions in solutions of cyclic and linear poly(methylene) ester oligomers in p‐dioxan and chloroform

The thermodynamic behavior of ternary solutions containing one cyclic (CYC10 and CYC20) and one linear (LIN10 and LIN20) poly(methylene) ester oligomer, respectively, in p‐dioxan and chloroform were investigated through vapor‐pressure measurements. Experiments were carried out at 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C. The ring‐chain interaction parameters χ″ were evaluated using the Leonard's equation for a ternary polymer solution containing one ring polymer. Results indicated that the values of χ″ are concentration and solvent dependent, and they vary with molecular size and slightly with temperature. All χ″ values were positive for both CYC10/LIN10 and CYC20/LIN20 blends, with the higher values for the former system, indicating that both ring‐chain oligomer blends are nearly immiscible, and the difference between cyclic and linear oligomers decreases as molecular size increases. The positive χ″ agrees with differential scanning calorimetric measurements performed on ring‐chain oligomer blends that show two distinct endotherms for the blends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1425–1433, 2002     

Solution properties of thermothickening copolymers bearing hydrocarbon end‐capped oxyethylene units

Novel thermothickening copolymers composed of acrylamide and a macromer bearing hydrocarbon end‐capped oxyethylene units were synthesized. Influences of polymer concentration, salt content, shear rate, and temperature on the solution behavior were investigated. The polymer solution exhibited shear‐thickening behavior at low‐to‐moderate shear rates (<50 s^?1), and the shear‐thickening behavior was dependent on polymer concentration, NaCl content, and temperature. With the increase of salinity, apparent viscosity of polymer solution increased dramatically (especially at low shear rates). At higher NaCl content (>20 wt %), polymer solutions became physical gel, and the apparent viscosity increased by several orders of magnitude. The polymer solutions exhibited excellent thermothickening behavior, even at the low concentration of 0.15 wt %. The results of rheological measurements showed that the storage and loss modulus were successfully fitted to a single Maxwell element at low temperature (<60 °C). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1799–1808, 2010     

Co60 γ-radiation-induced copolymerization of ethylene and carbon monoxide

The γ-radiation-induced free-radical copolymerization of ethylene and CO has been investigated over a wide range of pressure, initial gas composition, radiation intensity, and temperature. At 20°C., concentrations of CO up to 1% retard the polymerization of ethylene. Above this concentration the rate reaches a maximum between 27.5 and 39.2% CO and then decreases. The copolymer composition increases only from 40 to 50% CO when the gas mixture is varied from 5 to 90% CO. A relatively constant reactivity ratio is obtained at 20°C., indicating that CO adds 23.6 times as fast as an ethylene monomer to an ethylene free-radical chain end. For a 50% CO gas mixture, the above value of 23.6 and the copolymerization rate decrease with increasing temperature to 200°C. The kinetic data indicate a temperature-dependent depropagation reaction. Infrared examination of copolymers indicates a polyketone structure containing ? CH₂? CH₂? and ? CO? units. The crystalline melting point increases rapidly from 111 to 242°C., as the CO concentration in the copolymer increases from 27 to 50%. Molecular weight of copolymer formed at 20°C. increased with increasing CO, indicating M?_n values >20,000. Increasing reaction temperature results in decreasing molecular weight. Onset of decomposition for a 50% CO copolymer was measured at ≈250°C.     

Temperature effect on the viscoelastic properties of solutions of cylindrical mixed micelles of zwitterionic and anionic surfactants

The viscoelastic properties of semidilute mixed aqueous solutions of oleyl amidopropylbetaine and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate are studied in the temperature range of 20–40°C. It is shown that, at 20°C, the solution viscosity can be as high as 390 (Pa s), which is related to the formation of a network of entanglements of long cylindrical micelles of surfactants. It is revealed that, upon heating, the viscosity and relaxation time of the system decrease, while the contour length of cylindrical micelles decreases consider-ably. It is shown that this susceptibility of viscoelastic surfactant solutions to temperature is due to the low energy of break, which is much lower than the energy of covalent bonds.     

Rheological Study on Polypropylene/Cycloolefin Copolymer Blends

Summary: Polypropylene, cycloolefin copolymer and their blends were characterized by means of melt flow analysis and capillary rheometry at temperatures between 190 and 230 °C in order to shed more light on COC fiber formation obtained in injection molding process. Melt viscosity and its activation energy as functions of blend composition show negative deviation from the expected additivity (Negative Deviating Blends). The COC/PP viscosity ratio increases with shear rate, but decreases with temperature. High temperature, low viscosity ratio and high shear rate seem to be favorable for fiber formation. Glass transition (from the reversible heat flow curve of modulated DSC) of dumbbell specimens produced by injection molding at 230 °C with COC minor component was 2–4 °C higher than that of grinded pellets obtained from mixing at 190 °C.     

Evidence for Conformational Transitions in Amylose1

Abstract

The flow behavior, dynamic viscoelasticity, and optical rotation of an aqueous solution of amylose were measured using a rheogoniometer and a polarimeter, respectively. The amylose solutions showed shear-thinning behavior at a concentration of 1.2%, but plastic behavior above 1.4% at 25 °C. With increasing amylose concentrations the viscosity decreased rapidly with increasing temperature from 20 to 25, 30, and 35 °C. These latter temperatures are estimated to be first transition temperatures at the respective concentrations. Viscosities were scarcely changed until temperatures reached 70, 90, and 90 °C, which were estimated to be second transition temperatures, for 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6% solutions, respectively. Gelation occurred at a concentration of 1.2% at room temperature (2.5 °C). The dynamic modulus of amylose increased gradually with increasing temperature from 20 to 30 °C and kept a constant value until the temperature reached 65, 75, and 80 °C for 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4% solutions, respectively, which were estimated to be transition temperatures, then dynamic modulus decreased rapidly. The dynamic modulus of amylose stayed at a very low value with addition of urea (4.0 M). The optical rotation of amylose solution (1.0%) increased a little with deceasing temperature up to 25 °C, then it increased rapidly with further decrease of the temperature. Possible mode of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding within and between amylose molecules were proposed.     

Thermal and rheological properties of miscible polyethersulfone/polyimide blends

Blends of an aromatic polyethersulfone (commercial name Victrex) and a polyimide (commercial name Matrimid 5218), the condensation product of 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 5(6)-amino-1-(4′-aminophenyl)-1,3,3′-trimethylindane, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and rheological techniques. The blends appeared to be miscible over the whole range of compositions when cast as films or precipitated from solution in a number of solvents. After annealing above the apparent phase boundary, located above T_g, the blends were irreversibly phase separated indicating that the observed phase boundary does not represent a true state of equilibrium. Only a narrow “processing window” was found for blends containing up to 20 wt % polyimide. Rheological measurements in this range of compositions indicated that blending polyethersulfone with polyimide increases the complex viscosity and the elastic modulus of the blends. For blends containing more than 10 wt % polyimide, abrupt changes in the rheological properties were observed at temperatures above the phase boundary. These changes may be consistent with the formation of a network structure (due to phase separation and/or crosslinking). Blends containing less than 10 wt % polyimide exhibited stable rheological properties after heating at 320°C for 20 min, indicating the existence of thermodynamic equilibrium.     

Preparation,characterization, and properties of poly(thioether ether imide)s from isomeric bis(chlorophthalimide)s and 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol

A series of isomeric poly(thioether ether imide)s (PTEIs) containing both thioether and ether linkages were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reaction of isomeric bis(chlorophthalimide)s with 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol. The inherent viscosities of these polymers were in the range of 0.40–0.56 dL/g in m‐cresol at 30°C. The T_g values of PTEIs were 196–236°C; T_5% values reached up to 509–529°C in nitrogen and 508–534°C in air, which indicated this kind of polyimide possessed excellent thermal stability. The hydrolytic stability was arranged in the order: a > b > c > d > e, and improved with increasing the content of 3‐substituted phthalimide unit in the polymer backbone. Flexible films could be cast from the polymer solution with a solid content of 10%. The PTEI films exhibited good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 90–104 MPa, elongations at break of 6.6–7.9%, and tensile moduli of 2.3–2.6 GPa. The minimum complex viscosity of PTEIs c was about 100 Pa·s at 310°C and the minimum melt viscosity of PTEIs (a–e) decreased with increasing the content of unsymmetrical 3,4′‐substituted phthalimide units. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Viscosity of concentrated solutions of polystyrene and poly(vinyl acetate) (empirical equations)

The viscosity of solutions of polystyrene with M _w from 2.8 × 10⁴ to 7.8 × 10⁵ in toluene and of poly(vinyl acetate) with M _w from 2 × 10⁴ to 1.4 × 10⁵ in butyl acetate at 30–80°C is measured. The dependence of the activation energy of the viscous flow of the solutions on the molecular weight of the polymers and solution concentration is examined. This dependence is approximated by a cubic polynomial for polystyrene solutions and by a quadratic polynomial for poly(vinyl acetate) solutions. The dependences of the solution viscosity on the concentration, molecular weight, and temperature are approximated by exponential equations in which the exponents are sums of polynomials. The coefficients of the polynomials are determined.     

Effect of oligosaccharide deposition on the surface of cellulose nanocrystals as a function of acid hydrolysis temperature

Recent findings indicate there is only a small window of sulfuric acid concentration (60–65 %) and temperature (45–65 °C) which allows efficient extraction of cellulose nanocrystals in significant quantities from bleached chemical pulp. In the present report, we develop a systematic explanation for how hydrolysis temperature, at a specific acid concentration, governs CNC surface properties. We demonstrate that CNCs with different suspension viscosity, stability in electrolyte-containing solutions, and optical properties can be produced, based on the presence or not of a precipitated oligosaccharide layer (OSL) on the surface of the nanocrystals. At hydrolysis temperatures below 65 °C, the degree of polymerization (DP) distribution of cellulose chains in CNC samples exhibits a bimodal distribution, indicating an accumulation of oligosaccharides on the CNC surface which increases as the hydrolysis temperature is decreased. At low hydrolysis temperature (45 °C), the oligosaccharides dissolved in the strong acid phase have a DP between 7 and 20 and precipitate onto CNCs when the reaction is quenched by diluting with water. As the temperature of hydrolysis is increased (50–60 °C), the dissolved oligosaccharides are hydrolyzed faster and their DP decreases such that they remain soluble after quenching. At 65 °C, no precipitated oligosaccharides can be detected on the CNC surface. Based on these results, we propose possible explanations to account for the effects of the OSL on the CNC suspension viscosity and stability and on optical properties of CNC films.     

Dynamic birefringence in solutions of poly (naphthoyleneimide benzimidazole) in different stages of hydrolytic thermal degradation

Flow birefringence (FB) has been investigated in solutions of products of hydrolytic degradation of poly(naphthoyleneimide benzimidazole) (PNIB) in 96% sulphuric acid PNIB solutions have previously been subjected to heating at various temperatures from 65 to 120°C and then investigated at 22°C by FB and viscometry. A monotonic decrease in intrinsic viscosity and the molecular weightM of thermal degradation products with increasing degradation temperature was detected. At the same time, the shear optical coefficients in series of products with decreasingM first increases and then, at treatment temperatures exceeding 90°C, decreases with decreasing [ν] in accordance with decreasingM of the product. Possible reasons for the detected anomaly have been discussed.     

Synthetic thermally reversible gel systems. VI

Forming and conditioning thermally reversible aqueous gels of polyacrylyglycinamide (PAG) at various temperatures has little effect on either the melting point (T_m) of the gels or the heat of crosslinking (ΔH_c) except at temperatures where partial hydrolysis can occur. This is added evidence that unlike with gelatin, crystallite formation does not play a role in gel formation. For unfractioned PAG, the linear relationship between the logarithm of molecular weight and 1/T_m predicted and observed for gelatin gels, does not hold. With mixed gelatin-PAG gels, a gelatin/PAG ratio of ≥4 completely inhibits the formation of a PAG gel network. At lower gelatin/PAG ratios, the PAG network forms, and if gelatin is considered as an inert diluent, normal values for the melting points and ΔH_c for PAG gels are observed. At a gelatin/PAG ratio of 4, the presence of PAG reduces the ΔH_c for the gelatin gel by inhibiting the formation of as large or as ordered crystallite crosslinks. To reconcile the problem of aggregation preceding gelation one can assume that M?_w of an aggregate is a linear function of C². If this is done, the same relationship which normally relates C with T_m is obtained. The equilibrium swelling of PAG films in water at 25°C is markedly molecular weight-de-pendent and can vary from below 5 to about 40 wt-% polymer at equilibrium. It has been found that long-term dark storage of dry samples of PAG under ambient temperature conditions results in pronounced decreases in the intrinsic viscosities of their aqueous solutions. It is speculated that this results from weak links, perhaps peroxy, in the polymer backbone. The possible relationship of this phenomenon to the slow stage of the viscosity deterioration of aqueous polyacrylamide solutions is pointed out. The higher viscosity of low DP PAG in 2M NaCNS compared to H₂O and the larger percentage increse of [η] with increasing temperature in the latter, verify the greater solvent power of 2M aqueous thiocyanate for PAG. At a concentration level of 3%, aqueous PAG solutions are almost Newtonian whereas at higher concentrations (5%), the viscosity decreases appreciably with increasing rates of shear. The copolymerization of AG with isopropylacrylamide has been studied and the somewhat unusual results discussed. Copolymers containing an AG mole fraction greater than 0.40 do not exhibit a cloud point up to 100°C. If the isopropylacrylamide mole fraction approaches 0.60, the solutions do not gel down to 0°C. This ability to prepare copolymers over a narrow composition range that neither gel or undergo phase separation in the temperature range 0–100°C is probably related to the random distribution of monomer units in the copolymer backbone.     

Synthesis and properties of a novel perfluorononenyloxy group containing polyarylates

A series of novel perfluorononenyloxy group containing polyarylates were synthesized by a high-temperature solution condensation of 5-(perfluorononenyloxy)-isophthaloyl chloride ( II ) with various aromatic diols in o-dichlorobenzene. All the polyarylates were amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents such as o-chlorophenol, o-dichlorobenzene, chloroform, and polar aprotic solvents at room temperature or on heating. Transparent, tough, and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the o-chlorophenol solutions. The polymers having inherent viscosity of 0.61–1.63 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yields. These polymers were thermally quite stable. The glass transition temperatures of these polyarylates were in the range of 219–242°C by DSC and 224–251°C by DMA, and the 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air were above 415 and 397°C, respectively. Moreover, these polymers maintained good mechanical properties (G′ ∼ 10⁸ Pa) up to 220°C and had lower moisture absorption than common polyarylates. The dielectric constants of these polymers ranged from 3.23 to 3.75. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 645–653, 1998     

Aqueous polysaccharide blends based on hydroxypropyl guar gum and carboxymethyl cellulose: synergistic viscosity and thixotropic properties

Aqueous polysaccharide blends, formed from 2.5% (w/v) solution of hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) and 2.5% (w/v) solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) according to different blending ratios, were investigated at 20 °C in terms of their shear-dependent viscosity and thixotropic properties. The Cross viscosity equation was found to fit the shear-dependent viscosity data with reasonable accuracy. When the HPG solution with the mass fraction (f _HPG) of 0.87 was mixed, the zero shear viscosity (η _o) of the corresponding blend was found to be 168.5753 Pa s, while the η _o values of component HPG and CMC solutions were found to be 3.3859 and 98.6525 Pa s, respectively. For the aqueous HPG/CMC blends investigated, the resulting zero shear viscosity was observed to be much greater than the combined zero shear viscosity of the component polysaccharide solutions, showing a synergistic viscosity property. The quantitative determination of the hysteresis loop area, developed during viscometer tests on shear rate–shear stress reverse paths, was used to describe the thixotropic behavior. When compared with aqueous solutions of the component polysaccharides, these polysaccharide blends could afford enhanced thixotropic property. Maximum thixotropy synergism was observed for the HPG/CMC blend with the f _HPG of 0.67.     

Thermodynamic properties of aqueous polyacrylamide solutions as a function of pressure and temperature

The viscosities of dilute aqueous solutions of polyacrylamide were measured at temperatures from 20 to 60.4° and pressures up to 150 MPa using a falling-body viscometer. The viscosity coefficient, ν, increases exponentially with increasing pressure at a given temperature and concentration. The rate of increase of the apparent energy of activation. E≠, with pressure becomes more rapid as the concentration of the solutions increases. Intrinsic viscosity, [ν], increases with increasing pressure at a given temperature but almost levels off at pressures above 100 MPa while the Huggins constant, k_H, decreases. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, _X1, decreases at a greater rate with increasing pressure as the temperature decreases indicating that the effect of pressure on improving the compatability between the polymer and solvent is greater near the θ-temperature. The second virial coefficient, A₂, was calculated from the intrinsic viscosity data and compared with the results obtained by light scattering technique.