A solid-state 13C-NMR study of crosslinking in polybutadiene by γ radiation: Effect of microstructure and dose

Solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the decrease in C?C bonds, formation of crosslinks and cis to trans isomerization during the γ irradiation of (a) > 99% cis, 1,4-polybutadiene, (b) 54% trans, 41% cis, 1,4-polybutadiene, and (c) 86% 1,2-polybutadiene. G(-cis C?C) and G(-trans C?C), were similar and decreased with dose from ≈ 40 for 0-1 MGy to 5 for 5-10 MGy. G(-double bonds) and G(crosslink) were comparable, indicating that crosslinking occurred through the double bonds. G(crosslink) was much higher than values derived from physical properties, confirming that NMR measures the total of inter- and intramolecular crosslinking (cyclization). The 1,2 polybutadiene was much more sensitive to crosslinking, and a value of G(-C?C) = 240 was obtained at low doses. Crosslinking evidently proceeds by a kinetic chain reaction in all three types of polybutadiene.     

Radiation chemistry of linear low-density polyethylene. I. Gel formation and unsaturation effects

Quenched and annealed samples of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ rays in vacuo at room temperature. The data follow rather accurately Charlesby's equation s = k/r, where s is the soluble fraction, r the dose, and k a constant from which G(X), the G-value for crosslinks, was calculated. Crosslinking in the LLDPE is about twice as extensive at equal doses as in LHDPE. Production of vinylene unsaturation was approximately the same in the two types of polyethylene.     

Production of a fluorescence probe in ion-beam radiolysis of aqueous coumarin-3-carboxylic acid solution—2: Effects of nuclear fragmentation and its simulation with PHITS

The G(OH) values in aqueous coumarin-3-carboxylic-acid (3-CCA) solutions irradiated with ¹²C⁶⁺ beams having the energies of 135, 290 and 400 MeV/u were measured by a fluorescent method around the Bragg peak, with 0.6 mm intervals, and quartz cells of 1 cm optical lengths, at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). For each ion, the G(OH) has been calculated as a function of dose average LET and position. The calculated results have been compared to measurements, and the results, reproducibility and reliability of the calculations are discussed in the paper.     

Radiation-induced crosslinking and cyclization in 1,2-polybutadiene

In order to get information on the radiolytic changes in 1,2-polybutadiene (1,2-PB) the sol and gel fractions, the conversion of double bonds, the structure and concentration of radicals, the formation of dienes and the formation of gaseous products were measured. In addition, the dose rate dependence and temperature dependence for the conversion of double bonds were determined. G values for double bond conversion depend on molecular weight and range from 20 to 200. G values for crosslinking are about 10. A mechanism for the double bond conversion is proposed which involves initiation by a transformation of the primary radical ion in the vinyl group into a carbonium ion and a radical. This is supported by ESR measurement. Reaction of the carbonium ion with a vinyl group in the same chain gives rise to cyclization, whereas reaction with a vinyl group in a neighboring chain results in crosslinking. A comparison of the G values for conversion of double bonds with the G values for crosslinking shows that the formation of cyclic rings exceeds the formation of crosslinks by a factor of about 10. The corresponding values in 1,4-cis- and 1,4-trans-polybutadiene are much smaller [G(cl) ? 2; G(db) ? 7]. The pendent vinyl groups in 1,2-polybutadiene therefore are more reactive than the vinylidene groups in 1,4-polybutadienes.     

Radiation chemistry of poly(propylene oxide)

Atactic, isotactic, and optically active poly(propylene oxides), PPOx, were irradiated with both γ-rays and electron beams. Up to a dose of 37 Mrad no change could be detected in the optical activity. G values for hydrogen evolution decreased as compared to polypropylene in about the same ratio as G(H₂) of polyoxymethylene decreased as compared to polyethylene. G values for crosslinking and scission, estimated by means of gelation theories of Saito and Inokuti, were found to be greater for isotactic than for atactic PPOx. The behavior of transient infrared and ultraviolet absorption bands is discussed. Intrinsic viscosity data indicate a rapid initial chain degradation whereas CO gas and OH group production is linear with dose. Evidence for the conversion of one type of free radical to another on heating an irradiated sample from 77°K to room temperature is based on the behavior of transient infrared and ultraviolet absorption bands.     

Emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene by radiation. III. Simultaneous formation of hydrofluoric acid

Simultaneous formation of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in the radiation-induced polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) was investigated. HF concentration in PTFE latex was determined mainly by conductometric titration with 0.01 and 0.001N NaOH. The amount of HF formed is almost independent of agitation speed and the amount of n-hexadecane added and is maximal at ca. 70°C corresponding to the rate of polymerization. The rate of HF formation increases with the initial pressure of TFE monomer and dose rate and decreases with polymerization or TFE consumption. This fact suggests that HF is formed mainly by TFE reactions and not by the degradation of PTFE. The mechanism of HF formation in this reaction system in the absence of oxygen is shown in the following two schemes: scheme I is the reaction of TFE with primary radicals (OH·, H·, e) from the radiolysis of water; scheme II is the reaction of water with the species from the radiolysis of TFE. On the assumption that HF is formed only according to scheme I, the G value of HF formation G(HF)_calc can be calculated as 11.25. All observed G values G(HF)_obs are larger than G(HF)_calc. When the polymerization is carried out at 20 kg/cm² under various dose rates, G(HF)_obs increases with the dose rate. When the polymerization is carried out at 3.0 × 10⁴ rad/hr under various pressures, G(HF)_obs decreases with the decrease in pressure from 20 to 2 kg/cm² and is fairly close to G(HG)_calc at 2 kg/cm². This indicates that HF formation is due mainly to scheme II at high pressure (in the presence of enough TFE) and to scheme I as the pressure is lowered.     

Determination of the radiation yield of hydrogels crosslinking

The ability of polymer to crosslink or exposure to radiation is frequently represented by a G value, the number of crosslinks per 100 eV absorbed. Several methods are available for its determination, the most frequent being the dose D_g required to form an incipient network since (with many systems) this corresponds to one crosslinked unit per weight average molecular (δ = 1). Its determination therefore depends on a knowledge of the molecular weight of the starting polymer. An alternative method, far less frequently used, is to measure the degree of swelling of a crosslinked network. This involves a knowledge of the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter μ and of the initial number average M_n(0). However if the concentration V_e of effective chains (deduced from swelling) is plotted against dose D, the slope gives G(X) directly, independent of M_n(0). This applies only when the system is very largely crosslinked. It may also be used to determine G(X) even when starting from the monomer itself (i.e. combining polymerization and crosslinking). It is shown that, for a series of polymers, irradiated either as liquids or in solution, the theoretical relation between swelling and crosslink density is followed, and the G(X) values derived from swelling compare well with those given in the literature, and based on gel fraction.     

Nonlinear viscoelasticity of polystyrene solutions. I. Strain-dependent relaxation modulus

Strain-dependent relaxation moduli G(t,s) were measured for polystyrene solutions in diethyl phthalate with a relaxometer of the cone-and-plate type. Ranges of molecular weight M and concentration c were from 1.23 × 10⁶ to 7.62 × 10⁶ and 0.112 to 0.329 g/cm³. Measurements were performed at various magnitudes of shear s ranging from 0.055 to 27.2. The relaxation modulus G(t,s) always decreased with increasing s and the relative amount of decrease (i.e.,–log[G(t,s)/G(t,0)]) increased as t increased. However, the detailed strain dependences of G(t,s) could be classified into two types according to the M and c of the solution. When cM < 10⁶, the plot of log G(t,s) versus log t varied from a convex curve to an S-shaped curve with increasing s. For solutions of cM > 10⁶, the curves were still convex and S-shaped at very small and large s, respectively, but in a certain range of s (approximately 3 < s < 7) log G(t,s) decreased rapidly at short times and then very slowly; a peculiar inflection and a plateau appeared on the plot of log G(t,s) versus log t. The strain-dependent relaxation spectrum exhibited a trough at times corresponding to the plateau of log G(t,s). The longest relaxation time τ₁(s) and the corresponding relaxation strength G₁(s) were evaluated through the “Procedure X” of Tobolsky and Murakami. The relaxation time τ₁(s) was independent of s for all the solutions studied while G₁(s) decreased with s. The reduced relaxation strength G₁(s)/G₁(0) was a simple function of s (The plot of log G₁(s)/G₁(0) against log s was a convex curve) and was approximately independent of M and c in the range of cM <10⁶. This behavior of G₁(s)/G₁(0) was in agreement with that observed for a polyisobutylene solution and seems to have wide applicability to many polymeric systems. On the other hand, log G₁(s)/G₁(0) as a function of log s decreased in two steps and decreased more rapidly when M or c was higher. It was suggested that in the range of cM < 10⁶, a kind of geometrical factor might be responsible for a large part of the nonlinear behavior, while in the range of cM > 10⁶, some “intrinsic” nonlinearity of the entanglement network system might be important.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Two Different Types of Heterobimetallic Glycolate Complexes of Niobium(V)

An entirely new class of heterobimetallic homoleptic glycolate complexes of the type Nb(OGO)₃{Ta(OGO)₂} [where G=CMe₂CH₂CH₂CMe₂ (G¹) (3); CMe₂CH₂ CHMe(G²) (4); CHMeCHMe (G³) (5); CH₂CMe₂CH₂ (G⁴) (6); CMe₂CMe₂(G⁵) (7); CH₂CHMeCH₂ (G⁶) (8); CH₂CEt₂CH₂ (G⁷) (9); CH₂CMe(Prⁿ)CH₂ (G⁸) (10)] have been prepared by the reactions of Nb(OGO)₂(OGOH) [G=G¹ (1a); G² (1b); G³ (1c); G⁴ (1d); G⁵ (1e); G⁶ (1f); G⁷ (1g); G⁸ (1h)] with Ta(OGO)₂ (OPrⁱ) (G=G¹ (2a); G² (2b); G³ (2c); G⁴ (2d); G⁵ (2e) G⁶ (2f); G⁷ (2g); G⁸ (2h). In addition to the novel derivatives (2)–(10), our earlier investigations on heterobimetallic glycolate-alkoxide derivatives have been extended to derivatives of the type Nb(OGO) [where M=A1 n=3, G=G³ (11);G⁴ (12); G⁶ (13) G⁷ (14); G^s (15); G⁹=CH₂CH₂CH₂ (16) and M=Ti (n=4, G=G⁴) (17), Zr(n=4,G=G⁴) (18)], which are conveniently prepared by the reactions of metalloligands Nb(OGO)₂(OGOH) [G=G³ (1c); G⁴ (1d); G⁶ (1f); G⁷ (1g); G⁸ (1h); G⁹ (1i)] with different metal alkoxides. All of these new complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations, and spectroscopic (I.r. and ¹H, ²⁷Al-n.m.r.) studies. Structural features of the new derivatives have been elucidated on the basis of molecular weight and spectroscopic data.     

Thomas–Fermi term as the simplest correction to the Weizsacker term

The nature of the correlation function G(1,2) appearing in the definition of the reduced first order density operator γ′(1,2) = ρ(1)^1/2ρ(2)^1/2G(1,2) is analyzed. It is shown that when G(1,2) is expanded in terms of plane waves in the context of a single-determinant approximation to the wave function, the correction to the Weizsacker term in the kinetic energy density expression is the Thomas–Fermi term.     

On unicyclic conjugated molecules with minimal energies

The energy of a graph is defined as the sum of the absolute values of all the eigenvalues of the graph. Let U(k) be the set of all unicyclic graphs with a perfect matching. Let C _g(G) be the unique cycle of G with length g(G), and M(G) be a perfect matching of G. Let U ⁰(k) be the subset of U(k) such that g(G)≡ 0 (mod 4), there are just g/2 independence edges of M(G) in C _g(G) and there are some edges of E(G)\ M(G) in G\ C _g(G) for any G∈U ⁰(k). In this paper, we discuss the graphs with minimal and second minimal energies in U ^*(k) = U(k)\ U ⁰(k), the graph with minimal energy in U ⁰(k), and propose a conjecture on the graph with minimal energy in U(k).      

Study of the direct detection of crosslinking in hydrocarbons by 13C-NMR. II. Identification of crosslink in model compound and application to irradiated paraffins

A ¹³C-NMR investigation was carried out in aid of direct detection of crosslinks in hydrocarbons with the future objective of studying radiation-induced crosslinking in polyethylene by a direct method. The resonance signal due to a tertiary carbon atom appropriate to a crosslink far remote from molecular ends has been identified in a definitive manner with the aid of the H-shaped model compound 1,1,2,2-tetra(tridecyl)ethane synthetized in Part I of this study. This identification was then put to use in the examination of the irradiated linear paraffins n-hexadecane and n-eicosane, where it enabled the detection of radiation-induced crosslinks. This crosslinking could then be associated with corresponding changes in molecular weight (dimer, trimer formation) as revealed by discrete peaks in the gel-permeation chromatograms of the same samples and randomness of the crosslinking process in the liquid state of these compounds being inferred.     

Dependence of the energy of surface-active substances/metal interaction on their ionization potentials. Evaluation of hydrophilicity of metal

The function Δ(ΔG _A ⁰), which is the difference of Gibbs energies characterizing surface-active substance (surfactant, SAS) adsorption at metal/solution and air/solution surfaces, has been introduced. The equation connecting the function Δ(ΔG _A ⁰) with SAS ionization potential has been obtained using the elementary theory of donor-acceptor interactions. Published experimental data on SAS adsorption at mercury, bismuth and gold have been used for Δ(ΔG _A ⁰) calculation. The dependence of Δ(ΔG _A ⁰) on ionization potentials can be described by an equation derived in this work. It has been demonstrated that the value of the hydrophilicity of gold is much higher than the values for mercury and bismuth. The lifetime of SAS molecules at a metal surface has been estimated. The question of the possibility of theoretica l estimation of standard energies ΔG _A ⁰ characterizing SAS adsorption at a metal/solution surface has been discussed. Received: 9 December 1996 / Accepted: 13 January 1997     

Effect of G/M ratio on the radiation-induced degradation of sodium alginate

Radiation-induced degradation of sodium alginate (NaAlg) having different G/M ratios was investigated. NaAlg samples were irradiated with gamma rays in air at ambient temperature in the solid state at low dose rate. Change in their molecular weights was followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Changes in their rheological properties and viscosity values as a function of temperature, shear rate and irradiation dose were also determined. Chain scission yields, G(S), and degradation rates were calculated. It was observed that G/M ratio was an important factor controlling the G(S) and degradation rate of sodium alginate.     

γ Radiolysis of poly(4,4′-isopropylidene diphenylene sebacate)

Poly-(4,4′-isopropylidene diphenylene sebacate) (PIDPS), a condensation product of bisphenol-A and sebacic acid, was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ rays. Viscosity, end-group analysis, and IR spectral measurement techniques were used to study the chemical changes occurring during γ radiolysis. It is observed that PIDPS undergoes random chain scission owing to weak links which may be present or be incorporated by the oxygen from air. The G value of random chain scission is estimated to be 9, whereas the enthalpy of fusion is found to be 6.2 kcal/mol repeat unit of PIDPS.     

Starch and amylose degradation by 60Co γ-irradiation

The effects of γ-irradiation (0.02–4.0 Mrad absorbed dose and 1.2 Mrad/hr dose rate) on depolymerization and selected physical properties of corn starch and amylose (both dry solid and solution forms) were investigated under conditions used to make graft polymers. Radiation introduces an alkali-sensitive structure, most likely β-alkoxycarbonyl, having a G value of 2.8. A dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-acetic acid-water solvent for intrinsic viscosity was developed that degraded irradiated amylose less than did aqueous 90% DMSO. The G (scission) value of 1.3 for solid amylose irradiated at 0°C under nitrogen is lower than most literature values for either amylose or other polysaccharides. The protection of amylose against irradiation degradation in water by additions of DMSO is noteworthy. The G (scission) for amylose irradiated in 99.8% DMSO is 2.3; whereas, in water it is 30.     

Crystallinity and the effect of ionizing radiation in polyethylene. IV. Effect of segregation of low molecular weight chains on determination of main-chain scission in linear polyethylene

Different single crystal preparations of polyethylene with (unfractionated) and without (partially fractionated) low molecular weight chains were irradiated at room temperature. G(crosslink) was determined from the gel point. It is shown that in addition to the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polymers, G(crosslink) is determined by three more parameters: thickness of crystalline core, amount of amorphous surface layer, and degree of interlamellar contact. Unlike unfractionated polyethylene, partially fractionated polyethylene showed almost 100% gel at about 250 Mrad. To obtain the same amount of gel, unfractionated polyethylene required a much higher dose than that required by partially fractionated polyethylene. Molecular weight distribution of sol fractions of unfractionated and partially fractionated polyethylene was studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and the solubility data analyzed by Charlesby–Pinner plots. It has been shown that the unattainability of 100% gel from unfractionated polyethylene is due to segregation of low molecular weight chains during crystallization which need very high doses for complete gelation.     

A 13C NMR study of the effect of γ-irradiation on the chain dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide)

A comparison of solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of virgin and vacuum γ-irradiated poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) evidences marked differences. The unirradiated PEO shows a well-resolved amorphous resonance and a weak, broad envelope of crystalline resonances, while the irradiated PEO presents well-resolved resonances for both the crystalline and amorphous carbons. Upon recrystallization from the melt both PEO samples yield solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra that are closely similar to that of the virgin, unheated sample. Observation of both melt-recrystallized samples at ?60°C yields similar spectra with well-resolved crystalline resonances. Crosslinking is the predominant chemical change occurring during the γ-irradiation of PEO under vacuum and produces a change in the motional character of the crystalline phase. This change is not the result of a reduction in crystallinity as evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) observations. The most probable explanation is that the crosslinks are concentrated at the surface of the crystalline lamellae with a resultant change in the low frequency molecular motions of the crystalline chains. This motional change shifts the T_1p^H such that the crystalline carbon nuclei can now be cross-polarized at room temperature and the resonance linewidth is reduced. Following melting and recrystallization the motional characteristics of the irradiated PEO are nearly identical to those of the unirradiated sample, probably as a result of a redistribution of the crosslinks throughout the amorphous phase during recrystallization.     

Influence of γ-irradiation on the transition temperatures of crystalline polytetrafluorethylene

The influence of γ-irradiation on the melting and two solid-solid transitions, occurring near 19° and 30°C, of polytetrafluorethylene was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. A continuous depression of all three transition temperatures, with increasing dose was observed in a first scan of highly crystalline samples at a heating rate of 20°C/min. Additional information was obtained about the accompanying heats of transition. Values for the number of CF₂ units excluded from the crystal lattice per 100 eV energy deposition were calculated by using an equation for the depression of the melting point by chemical impurities. The value obtained of G(–units) = 3.3 ± 0.3 is in agreement with a value of G(chemically damaged units) = 3.0 ± 0.1 previously reported on the basis of scavenging techniques. It is concluded that chemical radiation-induced damage in this polymer may be estimated by reference to changes in the melting temperature. A value of G(–units) = 1.6 ± 0.2 was obtained by reference to the 19°C transition.     

Radiation curing of methacryloyloxyalkyl carbonates

The results of studying the radiation curing of methacryloyloxyalkyl carbonates (MC), a new type of oligomer, are presented. These oligomers are notable for their high rates of radiation curing. The radiation yield G(–M) is 2 × 10⁵ for MC and 2 × 10⁴ for triethylene glycol dimethyacrylate. The polymerization rate of MC appeared to be proportional, independent of the conversion degree, to the irradiation dose rate in the power of 0.9–1.0 (for dose rates ranging from 0.4 to 15 rad/s). In regard to the temperature dependence of the polymerization rate of MC for small conversion degrees, two temperature regions with different values of effective activation energy (18–20 kcal/mol and 2 kcal/mol, respectively) were observed. When an irradiated MC sample is being unfrozen, its polymerization occus in the region of devitrification (220–240°K). As distinct from mass polymerization, in the polymerization of MC solutions in acetone and benzol the mobility of growing chains increases so that the bimolecular termination becomes possible and the limiting conversion of double bonds is derived. Rather small irradiation doses necessary for curing MC and the proportionality of the radiation-induced polymerization rate to the dose rate make these oligomers valuable for various industrial applications.