Synthesis and characterization of functional chemically modified silica fillers

Elaborated methods of synthesis of chemically modified silicas with grafted silicon hydride and amino groups are analyzed. Experimental results on use of modified silicas with bonded amino groups as fillers of carboxyl-containing rubbers and epoxy resins are reported. It was shown that modified silica fillers with grafted silicon hydride groups could be applied for carrying out processes of catalytic solid-phase hydrosilylation of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and some other functional olefins.     

Effect of the phenolic antioxidants on the structure of gamma-irradiated model polyethylene

High energy radiation has been successfully employed to modify the chemical structure of commercial polymers. It induces at least two types of reaction in polyethylene: crosslinking and chain scission. In addition the efficiency of the radio-induced reactions can be affected by the presence of antioxidants. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of the irradiation on a model polyethylene containing a phenolic type antioxidant. Samples containing 0.1% and 1% by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba-Geigy) were irradiated under vacuum at room temperature with different doses of gamma rays from a ⁶⁰Co source. Changes in structure and the average molecular weight were followed by gel permeation chromatography and low angle laser light scattering. The critical doses for gelation were determined as a function of the antioxidant concentration. Theoretical calculations to predict the evolution of molecular structure with extent of radiation were performed using a probability model. The agreement between the calculated and the measured molecular weights is very good.     

Predicting the efficiency of antioxidants in polymers

The efficiency of antioxidants in polymers is determined by three processes: the chemical reactivity, the physical loss and a minimal effective concentration. In most cases, loss of the stabiliser by physical processes (evaporation, leaching) is more significant than the loss by chemical consumption. In this paper, a model is proposed that relates the protection time of an antioxidant to the migration in a polymer matrix. The parameters that determine the migration, i.e. mobility (D) and solubility (S) are predicted using theoretical modelling. A linear correlation was found between the protection time and the function −S ln(D). In some cases this correlation is better than that of the empirical model proposed by Moisan, ln(S²/D).     

Synergism of antioxidants in high density polyethylene

The effect of several commercial antioxidants (viz. phosphites and hindered phenols) used in synergistic formulations in two grades of high density polyethylene (HDPE), viz. a Ziegler type and a Philips type sample, has been examined using infra-red (ir) spectroscopy. The results show that, in general, and, as expected, synergism is obtained between hindered phenols and phosphites in HDPE films during oven ageing and uv irradiation conditions. However, the degree of synergism is not the same for both grades of HDPE, which differ mainly in their unsaturation and metal impurity content. In some cases, antagonism is observed in one of the HDPE samples whilst synergism is exhibited by the other. There is also a difference regarding the optimum concentration ratio of the antioxidants in each polymer. Formulations which include a commercial metal deactivator (Naugard XL 1) also show synergistic behaviour. The reasons for the observed behaviour are discussed on the basis of the mode of action of the antioxidants and their rate of consumption in the polymer medium.     

Performance of a phenolic antioxidant introduced by different procedures into polyethylene containing dispersed fillers

The performance of Irganox 1010 phenolic antioxidant was studied in relation to the procedure of its introduction into a stock of the polymer and dispersed filler powders. Three procedures were used for introducing the antioxidant: the antioxidant was deposited onto the surface of filler (procedure I) or polymer powder (procedure II) particles prior to mixing the components, or it was deposited after mixing the polymer and filler powders (procedure III). We studied mixtures with an inert filler (aluminum oxide) and with fillers active in polymer oxidation and regeneration of the phenolic antioxidant (dispersed zinc, zinc oxide). The film samples for the studies were prepared from powder stocks by hot pressing. The antioxidant performance was evaluated by the induction period of oxidation, which was determined from the time dependences of accumulation of carbonyl groups in the polymer structure.     

Irradiation of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Acetabular cups for artificial hip joints were prepared by compression molding of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in the presence of peroxide. Peroxide crosslinking led to a decrease in the degree of crystallinity, peak melting temperature, and recrystallization temperature, as well as decreased crystal perfection and size. Peroxide crosslinked cups were sterilized with gamma rays at room temperature in air atmosphere to an average dose of 3.4 Mrad. Irradiation produced further crosslinking in amorphous regions plus extensive chain scission of taut tie molecules and led to increased crystallinity and crystal perfection. A significant increase in carbonyl concentration was determined for irradiated specimens. In general, peroxide crosslinking reduces the effect of irradiation on the crosslinked network, because chemical crosslinking stabilizes chain fragments resulting from radiolytic scission and suppresses recrystallization of broken chains from amorphous regions. Wear rates were much lower for chemically crosslinked cups, which showed about one-fifth of the wear of control cups for the period from 0.5 to 1.0 million cycles. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reactions of antioxidants with molecular oxygen. Part III: Influence of phenolic stabiliser structures on their oxidation in an inert matrix

The oxidation of five different phenolic antioxidants in inert substrates has been investigated varying the temperature and oxygen pressure conditions. The stabiliser consumption in this reaction has been quantified by steric exclusion chromatography. The tendency of the variation of the residual antioxidant concentration with exposure time in the presence of oxygen shows a simple apparent first order process in all cases. The kinetic parameters were determined applying this simple kinetic model. The influence of structural characteristics of stabilisers under study on kinetic parameters of the direct reaction with the oxygen has been analysed. On the other hand, the information obtained about reaction products generated for each antioxidant helped us to explain the results obtained.     

Migration of phenolic antioxidants from linear and branched polyethylene

Plaques of linear polyethylene (LPE) and branched polyethylene (BPE) were exposed to oxygen-free media (nitrogen or water) at 75, 90 and 95 °C. The polymers were stabilized with one of the following three bifunctional phenolic antioxidants: Santonox R, Irganox 1081 or Lowinox 22M46. The initial concentration of antioxidant in the plaques was ∼0.09 wt.%. After ageing, the oxidation induction time profiles obtained by differential scanning calorimetry often became very flat, which indicated that migration was controlled by the boundary loss process. The unexpected higher migration rate from LPE than from BPE was due to the dominance of the boundary loss process. It is proposed that the low boundary loss rate in BPE was due to the presence of a thin liquid-like (oligomeric) surface layer which developed during ageing of this polymer. A qualitative relationship was found between the boundary loss rate to water and the polarity of the antioxidant. The antioxidant diffusivities in LPE and BPE were approximately equal, a finding which, in view of the morphological analysis estimating the geometrical impedance factor, indicated that the constraining effect of the crystals on the non-crystalline fraction was not sensed by the antioxidant molecules. It is suggested that the large molecular size and the low segmental flexibility of the antioxidant molecules inhibited their ability to penetrate the interfacial component.     

An alternative method by pressurized DSC to evaluate biodiesel antioxidants efficiency

The purpose of this article is to present an alternative method developed using pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC) to evaluate the oxidative behavior of biodiesel obtained from soybean oil, produced by ethylic route (BSET), with and without the addition of synthetic antioxidants, as well as to compare the results with those obtained by Rancimat Method, which were carried out according to the European Official Standard Method EN 14112. BSET samples were analyzed using four different types of synthetic antioxidants at concentrations varying between 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg⁻¹. The measurements done by P-DSC were performed using static air at 80 psi and isothermal conditions at 110 °C, the same operating temperature than the Rancimat method. The experimental results of the oxidative stability measured from both methods have shown good correlations, which depend on the antioxidant, showing a gradual improvement in the oxidative stability of BSET with increasing added concentration of antioxidants. Opposite result behavior occurred for the measurements done in the presence of one of the antioxidants, which was composed by a significant content of components volatile below 110 °C, which accelerate the induction of the biodiesel oxidation in P-DSC method, but apparently do not interfere in the electrical conductivity measurement method (Rancimat). The advantages of the developed method using P-DSC technique with respect to Rancimat method is that it allows one to use a smaller sample, increases sensitivity to antioxidant action, reduces the analysis time for the evaluation of the antioxidant efficiency and detects any occurring oxidative process, independently of the volatility of the formed products, which may form oxidated products that remain in the liquid phase and that are non detectable by Rancimat method.     

Extraction and quantification of antioxidants from low-density polyethylene by microwave energy and liquid chromatography

In this paper a experimental design is applied to optimize the quantification of hindered phenol Irganox 1076, phosphite antioxidant Irgafos 168 and their oxidized product tri[2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl]phosphate from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The developed analytical method consists of two steps: microwave-assisted extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with ultraviolet diode-array detector. A Plackett-Burman design was carried out in order to find the significant experimental parameters affecting the antioxidants extraction by microwave energy. These parameters were subsequently optimized by a central composite design. The performed method allows extracting the studied antioxidants at low temperature in a short time without degradation of phosphite antioxidant Irgafos 168.     

Influence of fillers on the thermal stability of elastomers. Thermogravimetric study

The thermal degradation of hydrocarbon elastomers and polychloroprene in the presence of silica, clay, precipitated calcium carbonate and carbon black has been studied using dynamic thermogravimetry. The influence of fillers on degradation parameters of elastomers and activation energy was discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels DTG wurde der thermische Abbau von Kohlenwasserstoffelastomeren und Polychloropren in Gegenwart von Siliziumdioxid, Tonerde, gefälltem Calciumcarbonat und Ruß untersucht. Weiterhin wurde der Einfluß der Streckmittel auf den Abbau der Elastomere und auf die Aktivierungsenergie besprochen.

     

Efficiency and mechanism of phosphorous antioxidants in Phillips type polyethylene

The stabilising efficiency of three phosphorous secondary antioxidants of different chemical structures (phosphonite, phosphite and phosphine) was compared in a Phillips type polyethylene. The polymer was processed by six consecutive extrusions in the presence of 700 ppm primary antioxidant and 700 ppm phosphorous compound. The consumption of the secondary antioxidant was followed quantitatively by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The properties of the polymer were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, colour and rheological measurements, as well as by the determination of its residual thermo-oxidative stability. The results of the experiments proved that the chemical reactions occurring in the first extrusion of the polymer are different from those taking place in the further processing operations. The rate of antioxidant consumption and the chemical reactions of the polymer are strongly affected by the type of the phosphorous secondary antioxidant. The analysis of the results indicated that the three stabilisers must act according to different mechanisms. The investigated phosphine showed the best melt stabilising efficiency, while phosphonite was found to protect the polymer most effectively from discoloration.     

Nanomolar CFTR inhibition by pore-occluding divalent polyethylene glycol-malonic acid hydrazides

Inhibitors of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel have potential application as antisecretory therapy in cholera. We synthesized mono- and divalent CFTR inhibitors consisting of a malonic acid hydrazide (MalH) coupled via a disulfonic stilbene linker to polyethylene glycols (PEGs; 0.2-100 kDa). IC50 values for CFTR inhibition were 10-15 microM for the monovalent MalH-PEGs, but substantially lower for divalent MalH-PEG-MalH compounds, decreasing from 1.5 to 0.3 microM with increasing PEG size and showing positive cooperativity. Whole-cell patch-clamp showed voltage-dependent CFTR block with inward rectification. Outside-out patch-clamp showed shortened single-channel openings, indicating CFTR pore block from the extracellular side. Luminally added MalH-PEG-MalH blocked by >90% cholera toxin-induced fluid secretion in mouse intestinal loops (IC50 approximately 10 pmol/loop), and greatly reduced mortality in a suckling mouse cholera model. These conjugates may provide safe, inexpensive antisecretory therapy.     

Influence of fillers on mechanical properties of ATH filled EPDM during ageing by gamma irradiation

The presence of a significant content of fillers accelerates the degradation of ATH filled EPDM subjected to gamma irradiation at room temperature. Above the melting temperature of the EPDM, this induces a decrease in the apparent mechanical reinforcement of the fillers. This also promotes de-cohesion mechanisms which leads to an increase in the strain at break with irradiation dose. It is not clear whether the use of a filler treatment attenuates this accelerating effect or not; however, part of this treatment remains efficient at a high dose and seems also to delay but not suppress the occurrence of de-cohesion mechanisms at large strain. Moreover, at room temperature, i.e. below the melting temperature, all the consequences of ageing by gamma irradiation are strongly attenuated by the presence of a semi-crystalline microstructure, the morphology of which is not too strongly modified by irradiation.     

Influence of inert components on the formation of conducting channels in ion-exchange membranes

In this work, the results of investigation of the influence of inert binder and reinforcing fabric on structural organization and mechanism of current transfer in homogeneous and heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes are presented by theoretical analysis of parameters of the extended three-wire conductivity model. It was established that analogy in reorganization of the current paths takes place in the course of inclusion of the reinforcing fabric in perfluorinated membranes and addition of polyethylene and nylon 6 to ion-exchange resins during preparation of heterogeneous membranes. In comparison with perfluorinated membranes, the essential difference in conducting properties of heterogeneous membranes is the opportunity for the current transfer via the channel filled with equilibrium solution. The size of this channel decreases with increase in the volume fraction of the inert component inside the membrane.     

Thermal optical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry of chemically crosslinked polyethylene

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal optical analysis (TOA) were applied as part of a series of characterization methods to solid chemically crosslinked polyethylene insulation. The DSC was used to study the melting and recrystallization. The ΔH of fusion has a lower value than expected. The TOA shows premelting behavior and is more sensitive to crystalline charges, on cooling, than DSC.     

Influence of thiobisphenols on the photo-oxidation of low density polyethylene

The influence of thiobisphenols, some products of their thermo-oxidative transformation and model compounds on the photo-oxidation of low density polyethylene (Ld PE) has been studied. Thiobisphenols are found to have a pro-oxidant effect in the early period of exposure, which increases with their concentration. On the other hand, the carbonyl build up was retarded in a later irradiation period. Similar effects have been observed with some thiobisphenol transformation products, bis(3,5-di-tert. butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) sulphide and its oxidation products, sulphoxide and sulphone, respectively, and model 4,4′-methylenebis(2-methyl-6-tert. butylphenol). Dodecyl 3,3′-thiodipropionate retarded the carbonyl build up during the whole period of ultraviolet irradiation. Kinetic data show that a concentration of 0·1% by weight of thiobisphenols is the most effective in retarding the carbonyl build up in Ld PE films. The formation of non-alcoholic oxygenated structures seems to be a specific effect of the sulphur containing compounds under study.     

Influence of the repeated extrusion on the degradation of polyethylene. Structural changes in low density polyethylene

The influence of the repeated extrusion on the molecular parameters of low density polyethylene (LDPE) Bralen NA 7-25 was studied. Virgin polyethylene was submitted up to 20 extrusion cycles and the processed samples were fractioned using precipitation fractionation. Non-fractionated samples and the individual polymer fractions were characterized by their weight average molar masses M_w (static light scattering), number average molar masses M_n (osmometry) and limiting viscosity numbers [η] (viscometry). Rheological properties in terms of shear viscosity curve, zero shear viscosity and flow activation energy were also determined by using high pressure capillary rheometer. The course of the changes in molecular parameters of LDPE is influenced both by the initial polymer structure and by the changes induced by the mechano-chemical degradation. The suggested degradation mechanisms during multiple extrusion of Bralen are chain scission predominating in the early stage of processing followed by recombination of macromolecules resulting in crosslinking and formation of microgel, which is clearly notable for the samples extruded 3-20 times.     

The compression of chemically inert gases in a closed volume and their equation of state

The totality of processes that occur when gases are compressed in a closed volume were studied. An equation describing the removal of molecules from the gas phase undergoing compression was suggested. The solution to this equation predicted the existence of two modes in the development of this process and the possibility of the transition from one mode to another at a point. The influence of the size of gas molecules on the form of the suggested equation and, accordingly, on the removal of molecules from the gas phase was analyzed. The case of the equisignificance of the effective volume of molecules in the gas and liquid phases and the situation which allowed us to ignore this parameter for particles in the gas phase were studied. The predicted differences in condensation for these models were substantial and could likely be checked experimentally. The results obtained were used to suggest an equation of state of real gases, which physically correctly described the regions of their compression and condensation and the compression of condensed liquids. The influence of liquid compressibility on the form of the equation of state and the corresponding isotherms was studied.