Radiation graft post-polymerization of sodium styrene sulfonate onto polyethylene

Post-irradiation grafting of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) in the presence of acrylic acid (AA) has been investigated on polyethylene (PE) pre-exposed to gamma radiation at room temperature in the air. Special attention was paid to the effect of low molecular weight salt additives on the kinetics of graft copolymerization of SSS and AA. The presence of SSS links in the grafted PE copolymers was detected by the methods of UV and FTIR spectroscopy. Based on the FITR spectroscopy and element analysis data, a mechanism was proposed for graft copolymerization of SSS and AA onto PE. The mechanical properties of the graft copolymers were studied. It was established that PE copolymers grafted with sulfonic acid and carboxyl groups have higher strength characteristics (16.3 MPa) compared to the samples containing only carboxyl groups (11 MPa).     

Kinetics and Morphology of an Epoxy Resin Modified with PEO-PPO-PEO Block Copolymers

Block copolymers are a special class of polymers having the ability to self-assemble into nanoscale ordered structures which depend on molecular composition of the blocks. With the aim of studying the influence of copolymer composition, the kinetics of a 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane-cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy system modified with a PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), taking into account the relation between blocks in the copolymer as well as different copolymer contents. DSC results show that the rate of cure reaction decreases when the copolymer is added, which can be attributed to the interaction between the hidroxyl groups of the growing epoxy thermoset and the ether groups of the block copolymer observed by FTIR. The experimental results obtained have been related to the morphologies observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

Miscibility of poly(butyl methacrylate-CO-methacrylic acid) or poly(styrene-CO-methacrylic acid) with poly(styrene-CO-4-vinylpyridine) or poly(butyl methacrylate-CO-4-vinylpyridine)

The miscibility of blends of copolymers of different compositions of butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid or styrene-co-methacrylic acid with styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine or butyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was found that these blends were miscible in part as a result of specific favorable interactions between the carboxylic acid and pyridine groups within the polymer chains. Evidence of such interactions was obtained from the single composition-dependent glass transition temperature and the FTIR results.     

Thermal degradation of copolymers of styrene with dicarboxylic acids - II: Copolymers obtained by radical copolymerisation of styrene with maleic acid or fumaric acid

Thermal degradation processes in copolymers of styrene with two stereoisomers of 1,2-ethylenedicarboxylic acids (i.e. maleic acid (the cis-isomer) and fumaric acid (the trans-isomer)) have been studied by mass spectrometry, FTIR and TG measurements. The influence of the chemical composition on thermal degradation of copolymers with acid by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TG) was also studied. The stereo-configuration of carboxyl groups in copolymers was analysed by potentiometric titration. It was found that copolymers degrade in two main complex stages. The initial step in the decomposition involves the formation of cyclic five-membered anhydrides. The presence of trans configuration of carboxyl groups hinders the formation of cyclic anhydrides and shifts the decomposition to higher temperatures, making decarboxylation competitive. At higher temperatures anhydride decomposition takes place and finally the degradation of main chains occurs.     

聚砜与丙烯酸的紫外光辐射接枝共聚及其表征

在均相溶液体系下,运用紫外光辐射引发合成了聚砜与丙烯酸的接枝共聚物。用化学滴定、漫反射傅立叶变换红外光谱和热分析等技术对接枝聚合物进行了表征。结果表明:丙烯酸被接枝在聚砜链上;光照时间、单体浓度和光引发剂浓度对接枝率均有较大影响。膜表面接触角的研究表明,接枝共聚物膜的亲水性比改性前有所提高。     

Controlled synthesis of fluorinated copolymers with pendant sulfonates

Novel, fluorinated copolymers with different architectures bearing sulfopropyl groups were synthesized in a three‐step procedure. The first step involved atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of aromatic fluorinated monomers followed by two modification reactions performed on the polymer chain: demethylation and sulfopropylation. As a result two types of fluorinated copolymers were obtained. The first one was synthesized by ATRP of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐4‐methoxystyrene (TFMS). After the modification steps copolymers with randomly distributed sulfopropyl groups along the backbone were obtained. The second type of copolymers has diblock architecture with one of the blocks being sulfopropylated. They were synthesized via ATRP of 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene (FS) initiated by a PTFMS‐macroinitiator followed by demethylation and sulfopropylation of the TFMS‐block. The copolymers were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Their thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analyses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7827–7834, 2008     

Surface characterization of poly(L-lactic acid)-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymers by static and dynamic contact angle measurements, FTIR, and ATR-FTIR

The surface composition and surface free energy properties of two types of amphiphilic and semicrystalline diblock copolymers consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) coupled to (methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLLA-MePEG) having differing block lengths of PEG were investigated by using static and dynamic contact angle measurements, transmission Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and compared with results obtained from PLLA and MePEG homopolymers. The contact angle results were evaluated by using the van Oss-Good method (acid-base method), and it was determined that the Lewis base surface tension coefficient (gamma-) of the copolymers increased with an increase of the PEG molar content at the copolymer surface. This result is in good agreement with the transmission FTIR and ATR-FTIR results but not proportional to them, indicating that the surfaces of the copolymers are highly mobile and that the molecular rearrangement takes place upon contact with a polar liquid drop. The dynamic contact angle measurements showed that the strong acid-base interaction between the oxygen atoms in the copolymer backbone of the relatively more hydrophilic PEG segments with the Lewis acidic groups of the polar and hydrogen-bonding water molecules enabled the surface molecules to restructure (conformational change) at the contact area, so that the PEG segments moved upward, whereas the apolar methyl pendant groups of PLLA segments buried downward.     

The Use of ATR‐FTIR to Determine the Effects of Functional Groups on Interfacial Crosslinking of Reactive Nanoparticles

Abstract

The film formation and crosslinking of complementary reactive nanoparticle blends of acetoacetoxy (or acetoacetamido) functional particles with isocyanate functional particles were investigated using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. A series of copolymers of 2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) with acetoacetoxy ethyl methacrylate (AA), 2‐methyl‐acrylic acid 2‐methyl‐2‐(3‐oxo‐butyrylamino)‐propyl ester (AM), and dimethyl meta‐isopropenyl benzyl isocyanate (TMI) were prepared by emulsion polymerization techniques at room temperature. These blends were air‐dried on ATR‐FTIR germanium (Ge) discs while the FTIR spectra were taken during the film formation process. The interfacial crosslinking reaction between functional moieties during the film formation process was determined using the FTIR data. The reactivity of acetoacetamido group is higher than that of acetoacetoxy group and the rate constant for the crosslinking reaction between two reaction moieties of terpolymer samples is higher as compared to the blended systems.     

Surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles capped by oleic acids: characterization and colloidal stability in polar solvents

The lyophobic surface of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles capped by oleic acid was made to be more lyophilic by ozonolysis to increase the stability of the suspension in polar solvents like ethanol. The ozone oxidatively cleaved the double bond of oleic acid to form carbonyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. Additionally, interfacial ligand exchange of the capping molecules was applied to make the hydrophobic particle surface more hydrophilic. The magnetic particles showed enhanced miscibility and short-term stability in water after interfacial ligand exchange. The structure changes of the capping molecules on the nanoparticle surfaces were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). From these spectroscopy studies, the cleavage of the oleic acid and the formations of the carboxyl and carbonyl groups on the particle surface were confirmed. The shape and the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were maintained after the surface modification. Ozonolysis is an effective method in modifying the lyophobic surface of the magnetic nanoparticles.     

Sequential conversion of orthogonally functionalized diblock copolymers based on pentafluorophenyl esters

Statistic and block copolymers exhibiting activated ester side groups were synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in the presence of cumyl dithiobenzoate, benzyl dithiobenzoate, and 4‐cyano‐4‐((thiobenzoyl)sulfanyl)pentanoic acid as chain transfer agents. Pentafluorophenyl methacrylate and pentafluorophenyl 4‐vinylbenzoate were used to enable a sequential functionalization of the obtained copolymers by conversion of the activated esters with different amines. ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy showed the successful step‐by‐step conversion of the different activated esters by aniline followed by aliphatic amines, thereby realizing a sequential functionalization of block copolymers with just one specific reactive group. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3683–3692, 2010     

New associative EHEC‐g‐PAam copolymers: Their syntheses,characterization, and rheological behavior

The syntheses and rheological behavior of ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC)‐based graft‐copolymers were studied. Copolymers were prepared by grafting EHEC with acrylamide (Aam) via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Hydroxyl groups of EHEC were esterified with a carboxylic acid functional chain transfer agent (CTA) to prepare EHEC‐macroCTAs with different degrees of substitution. EHEC‐macroCTAs were characterized by ATR‐FTIR, ¹³C NMR, and SEC, and elemental analysis was used to quantify the degree of CTA substitution. EHEC‐macroCTAs with different degrees of substitution were copolymerized with acrylamide by “grafting from” technique. Formation of new cellulose‐based copolymers was comprehensively confirmed by ¹H NMR, ATR‐FTIR, and SEC measurements. Further, the associations of EHEC‐g‐PAam copolymers in water were studied at various concentrations and temperatures by means of UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and rheological measurements. The results indicate that copolymers have both intra and intermolecular association in water depending on the amount of grafts. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1869–1879, 2009     

FTIR studies on the compatibility of hard-soft segments for polyurethane-imide copolymers with different soft segments

The polyurethane-imide (PUI) copolymers with different soft segments (polyethylene-co-propylene adipates, polyethylene glycol, or polypropylene-oxide) were studied. FTIR spectroscopy shows the different absorption bands of imide-I groups and reveals the different intermolecular interactions due to hydrogen bonding in these PUI copolymers. FTIR results suggest there is a good compatibility between hard and soft segments in either polyester-PUIs or polyether-PUIs having short soft segments. On the other hand, DSC analysis reveals that the glass transition temperature for hard segments (T_gh) of polyether-PUIs is higher than that of polyester-PUIs, and it increases with the soft segment length in PUIs consisting of the same type soft segments, which further supports the conclusions drawn from the FTIR data.     

At the solid/liquid interface: FTIR/ATR--the tool of choice

For the last 7 years, we have been researching various aspects of the Bayer process. Predominant among these has been the surface chemistry of Bayer process solids. To this end, we have been using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy for in situ studies of the surfaces of the Bayer process solids sodium oxalate and aluminium trihydroxide under extreme (high ionic strength, high pH), Bayer-like conditions. FTIR/ATR is one of the few techniques currently available to scientists wishing to explore solid/liquid interfacial phenomena in situ. Using this investigative technique, information regarding the nature of adsorbed species can be readily acquired, with details concerning adsorbate orientation and adsorption/desorption equilibria, speciation, mechanisms and kinetics obtainable. Not surprisingly, FTIR/ATR has become one of the tools of choice for those wishing to explore the solid/liquid interface, and the body of literature available on the subject has been steadily growing over the last 10-15 years. This review addresses the current state of knowledge in the area of FTIR/ATR with respect to interfacial spectroscopy, as well as introducing some of the more fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of the technique. Particular emphasis is placed upon applied interfacial research. In writing this review, we draw on a considerable amount of expertise in the use of FTIR/ATR in interfacial studies (in particular, the practical considerations involved), as well as a large and comprehensive literature database focussing primarily on the investigation of interfacial processes using the FTIR/ATR technique.     

Conducting graft copolymers of pyrrole and thiophene with random copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 3-methylthienyl methacrylate

Random copolymers of 3-methyl thienylmethacrylate and methyl methacrylate were synthesized via free radical polymerization. Electro-copolymerizations of random copolymers with thiophene and/or pyrrole were carried out in acetonitrile-tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBAFB), water-p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) solvent-electrolyte couples. Oxidative polymerization of thiophene functionalized random copolymer was also achieved by constant current electrolysis and chemical polymerization. The characterizations were done by conductivity measurements, cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Effect of the backbone-chain structure of acrylimide-forming copolymers on the maximum degree of their thermal imidization

The effect of the backbone-chain structure of acrylonitrile and methacrylic acid copolymers of various compositions on the maximum degree of intramolecular imidization has been studied. An estimating method for calculating this value on the basis of ¹³C NMR spectroscopy data on the sequences of comonomers units in the initial copolymers is proposed. Poly-2-cyanoacrylic acid, in which the carboxylic acid and nitrile groups are located at the same carbon atom, has been used as a reference “ideally regular” polymer. The actual maximum degree of the intramolecular imidization of copolymers after thermolysis was ascertained by means of IR Fourier spectroscopy with the use of Lorentz approximations for deconvolution of absorption peaks in the spectra.     

Synthesis of ion exchange membranes from ozonized high density polyethylene

The synthesis and the characterization of graft copolymers prepared from ozonized high density polyethylene (HDPE) are described. The powder of HDPE was treated with ozone in well defined conditions and then copolymerized with monomers, such as, acrylic acid (AA), N,N-dimethylamino-2 ethylmethacrylate (MADAME) and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA). Cationic exchange membranes were prepared from the grafted copolymers of AA and VPA and anionic exchange membrane from the grafted copolymer of MADAME. The obtained copolymers were characterized by the grafting rate, FTIR spectroscopy, scaning electronic microscopy, thickness, exchange capacity and electrical resistance.     

可生物降解聚酯P(DHCA-co-LA)的合成与表征

由3,4-二羟基肉桂酸(DHCA)与D,L-乳酸(LA)经熔融缩聚法得到了新型可生物降解聚酯P(DHCA-co-LA),采用傅立叶变换红外(FTIR),核磁共振(1H-NMR)和凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)对该共聚物的组成与相对分子量进行表征,结果表明其结构明确.改变DHCA与LA单体的配比,得到的P(DHCA-co-LA)的分子量和分子量分布在同一数量级.通过差示扫描量热仪(DSC)、紫外(UV)和荧光光谱研究了共聚物的热性能、紫外与荧光性能,结果表明,P(DHCA-co-LA)有明显的玻璃化转变温度(Tg),随LA的投料比从0增加至50 mol%时,其Tg从132.26℃下降至99.12℃;当LA的投料比为20 mol%时,所得到的聚酯型共聚物溶液呈现最强的荧光强度;在紫外光照下,共聚物可进行环加成反应,但交联度总体较低;紫外光照65 min后,在荧光显微镜下观察到交联颗粒形态稳定、有较强的荧光.X-射线衍射(XRD)测定结果显示,由结晶性DHCA和LA共聚形成的P(DHCA-co-LA)为无定形聚合物,有利于生物降解.共聚物在土壤中的降解实验表明,其降解速度随体系中LA含量的增加而减缓.     

用于无磷洗涤助剂的可生物降解共聚物P(AA-co-MDO)的合成及表征

合成了一种环状乙烯酮缩二醇化合物2-亚甲基-l,3-二氧环庚烷(MDO)单体,并通过与部分中和的丙烯酸(AA)进行自由基开环聚合,合成了主链上含有酯基、侧链上含有羧基的新型可生物降解共聚物P(AA-co-MDO),用傅里叶变换红外(FTIR),核磁共振(1H-NMR)和多角度激光光散射(MALLS)对共聚物的组成与分子量进行了表征,结果表明,共聚物结构明确.同时,通过差示扫描量热法(DSC)和热重分析法(TGA)测定了共聚物的热性能,结果显示,P(AA-co-MDO)有明显的玻璃化转变温度(Tg).研究发现,随着MDO投料量的增加,热稳定性有所下降,但仍维持在较高的水平,完全可以满足洗涤剂的生产工艺要求.X-射线衍射(XRD)测定结果显示,P(AA-co-MDO)为无定型聚合物,有利于生物降解,并通过共聚物在活性污泥的降解实验表明,其降解率随体系中MDO含量的增加而升高.另外,对共聚物的助洗性能进行了测定,并与其他助洗剂进行了对比,结果表明,其螯合能力强、分散力高、pH缓冲值高,是一种性能优良的洗涤助剂.     

Thermodegradation of poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-crotonic acid-co-divinylbenzene) and N-oxide derivatives

Copolymer networks based on 4-vinylpyridine (4VPy)/crotonic acid (CrA)/divinylbenzene (DVB) and their N-oxide derivatives have been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) to evaluate their thermal stability in nitrogen atmosphere at fixed heating rate. Thermal stability was determined from TG curves to investigate the influence of 4VPy content and introduction of N-oxide groups. The TG and DTG curves of unmodified copolymers clearly show two thermodegradation stage and the same kinetic pathway. The decomposition temperatures do not depend on the 4VPy content. The copolymers modified by oxidation present lower thermostability than unmodified showing that the introduction of N-oxide groups modifies their kinetic pathways. A kinetic model Ozawa was used to determine the kinetic parameters. The apparent thermal decomposition activation energies (ΔE_d) of the unmodified copolymer under nitrogen was higher than that in modified copolymer. Also, the characterizations of copolymer networks were done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).     

Polyaniline/Maleic Acid Copolymers Composites: Synthesis and Characterization

Summary: Polyaniline/maleic acid copolymers composites were synthesized by chemical in situ polymerization of aniline using ammonium peroxidisulfate as oxidant, in the presence of water soluble copolymers containing carboxylic groups. Fine dispersions of composite materials, soluble in N,N-dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide were obtained which can be processed as thin films and membranes for application as proton-conductive materials for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells. The composites were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and thermal methods.