THE DEGREE OF CRYSTALLINITY OF MULTICOMPONENT POLYMERS BY WAXD

Based on the X- ray scattering intensity theory, the correction factors of the degree ofcrystallinity formulae of the multicomponent polymers have been clearly defined. The formulae ofthe degree of crystallinity of the multicomponent polymers were derived in terms of WAXDtheory and improved graphic multipeak resolution methods. The results calculated aresatisfactory in comparison with the density measurement.     

SYNTHESIS OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-graft-POLYSTYRENE BY ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

The radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was carried out via atomtransfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiated by ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate and catalyzed by CuBr/2,2'-bipyridinecomplex. This polymerization proceeds in a living fashion with controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity. Theobtained copolymer was esterified with 2-bromoisobutylryl bromide yielding a macroinitiator, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate), and its structure was characterized by ~1H-NMR. This macroinitiator was used for ATRP of styrene to synthesize poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-polystyrene. Themolecular weight of graft copolymer increased with the monomer conversion, and the polydispersity remained relatively low.The individual grafted polystyrene chains were cleaved from the macroinitiator backbone by hydrolysis and the hydrolyzed product was characterized by ~1H-NMR and GPC.     

DYNAMIC RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYPROPYLENE FILLED WITH ULTRA-FINE POWDERED RUBBER PARTICLES

Dynamic rheological characteristics of polypropylene (PP) filled with ultra-fine full-vulcanized powdered rubber (UFPR) composed of styrene-butadiene copolymer were studied through dynamic rheological measurements on an Advanced Rheometric Expansion System (ARES). A specific viscoelastic phenomenon, i.e. “the second plateau“, appeared at low frequencies, and exhibits a certain dependence on the amount of rubber particles and the dispersion state in the matrix. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of aggregation structure of rubber particles. The analyses of Cole-Cole diagrams of the dynamic viscoelastic functions suggest that the heterogeneity of the composites is enhanced on increasing both particle content and temperature.     

PREPARATION OF MICROGEL-EPOXY RESIN TWO-PHASE POLYMERS BY IN SITU POLYMERIZATION~*

Microgel-epoxy resin two-phase polymers were prepared by in situ copolymerization of ethylenic monomers with unsaturated polyesters. The choice of monomers and the effect of monomer concentration on microgel particle size were discussed. Agglomeration of particles played a significant role in the early stage of polymerization. The microgel dispersion in epoxy resin was stable after the finish of polymerization. Upon curing the particles remained well dispersed.     

CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC POLYMERS. THE SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS CONTAINING 5-FLUOROURACIL IN THE MAIN CHAIN

1,3-Dialkyl-5-fluorouracil compounds and polymers containing 5-fluorouracil in the main chain were synthesized by the reaction of 5-fluorouracil with alkylbromidcs and polymethylene bromides respectively. The structures of the new compounds and polymers were confirmed by IR and NMR spectra as well as elemental analyses.The factors affecting the polycondensation, such as the temperature and time of the reaction were investigated. The anti-tumor activity of some of the 5-fluorouracil containing compounds and polymers were also measured.     

EFFECT OF ADSORPTION ON THE VISCOSITY OF DILUTE POLYMER SOLUTION*

Careful measurements of the dilute solution viscosities of polyethylene glycol and polyvinylalcohol in water were carried out. The reduced viscosities of both polymer solutions plot upward curves atextremely dilute concentration levels similar to the phenomena observed for many polymer solutions in theearly 1950's. Upon observation of the changes of the flow times of pure water in and the wall surfacewettability of the viscometer after measuring solution viscosity, a view was formed that the observed viscosityabnormality at extremely dilute concentration regions is solely due to the effect of adsorption of polymerchains onto the wall surface of viscometer. A theory of adsorption effect based on the Langmuir isothermswas proposed and a mathematical analysis for data treatment was performed. The theory could adequatelydescribe the existing viscosity data. It seems necessary to correct the viscosity result of dilute polymersolutions measured by glass capillary viscometer by taking into account the effect of adsorption in all cases.     

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF ε-CAPROLACTONE BY LANTHANOCENE CATALYSIS*

Ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) catalyzed bylanthanocenes, O(C_2H_4C_5H_3CH_3)_2YCl (Cat-YCl) and Me_2Si[(CH_3)_3SiC_5H_3]_2NdCl(Cat-NdCl) has been carried out for the first time. It has been found that both yttroceneand neodymocene are very efficient to catalyze the polymerization of CL, giving high molec-ular weight poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL ). The effects of [cat] / [ε- CL] molar ratio, polymeriza-tion temperature and time, as well as solvents were investigated and polymerization tem-perature is found to be the most important factor affecting the polymerization. The bulkpolymerization gives higher molecular weight PCL and higher conversion than that in solu-tion polymerization. NaBPh_4 was found to promote the polymerization of ε-caprolactone,and thus to increase both the polymerization conversion and MW of poly (ε- caprolactone ).     

MORPHOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF SINGLE-CHAIN POLY (METHYL METHACRYLATE) PARTICLES*

Tapping mode atomic force microscope has been applied to observe single-chain PMMAparticles which were stored for six months at room temperature after sprayed from verydilute solutions in good solvents, good/poor mixed solvents, and a theta solvent. Monodis-perse PMMA standards of molecular weights ranging from 7.90×10~4 to 1.3×10~6 wereused to investigate the effect of molecular weight oh the size of the single-chain PMMAparticles. These single-chain particles showed close to spherical shapes. The morphologyof single-chain PMMA particles of a given molecular weight was found to be identical inspite of different solvents used for solution spraying. Molecular weigh dependence of theparticle dimension was also found. The diameters of single-chain PMMA particles aftercorrection of tlp-geometry effect were compared to the values estimated from molecularweight and density.     

INVESTIGATION OF THE TRANSITIONS OF OLIGO-POLYSULFONES BY DSC

The transitions of bisphenol A and phenolphthalein o|igopolysulfones were investigated by DSC. It is found that both the oligomers have three transitions within the temperature range (230-550K) studied. Considering the strong dependence of the appearance of the two transitions, lower and higher than T_g, on the specimens' thermal history, i. e., temperature and time of heat-treatment, and their particular molecular strueture, it is proposed that these two transitions are morphological in origin arid are due to the disordering of relatively short range order of very small regions, and to the disordering of relatively well-ordered intraor/and intermoleeular segments, respectively. Equations for linear relationship between T_g and 1/_n for both the oligomers are given in the paper.     

APPLICATION OF SURFACE GRAFTED POLY N-ISOPROPYL ACRYLAMIDE BY RADIATION TECHNOLOGY FOR PROTEIN SOLUTION CONCENTRATION

Poly N-isopropyl acrylamide (abbreviated as PNIPA) as a kind of thermally sensitive hydrogel is utilized to concentrate Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA) solution. In order to decrease its surface adsorption to BSA in aqueous solution, surface layer grafting of the gels by radiation technology was carried out. The results showed that hydroxyl propyl methacrylate (HPMA) grained gel exhibited a low level of BSA adsorption and still kept the original thermally sensitive properties of PNIPA hydrogels.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH T-SHAPED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS (Ⅱ)*

A series of liquid crystalline polymers with T-shaped two-dimensional mesogenic unitswere synthesized via low temperature solution polycondensation of 2-(4'-alkoxy-phenyl)hydroquinone with various diacyl dichlorides. The polymers were found to be nematic andshown thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviors through observations using DSC, polarizedmicroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The melting temperature T_m and the isotropizationtemperature T_i of the polymers change regularly with varying of the monomer structures.     

BRITTLE-DUCTILE TRANSITION OF POLYMERS AND ITS PERCOLATION MODEL

The brittle-ductile transition (BDT) of particlc toughened polymers was extensively studied in terms ofmorphology, strain rate, and temperature. The calculation results showed that both the critical interparticle distance (ID_c) andthe brittle-ductile transition temperature (T_(BD)) of polymers were a function of strain rate. The ID_c reduced nonlinearly withincreasing strain rate, whereas T_(BD) increased considerably with increasing strain rate. The effects of temperature andplasticizer concentration on BDT were discussed using a percolation model. The results were in agreement with theexperiments.     

THE DEGREE OF CRYSTALLINITY OF NYLON-1010 BY WAXD

Based on the X-ray scattering intensity theory and using the atomic scattering factorapproximate expression,the correction factors for three main crystalline peaks and an amorphouspeak of Nylon-1010 were calculated and the formula of degree of crystallinity of Nylon-1010 wasderived by graphic multipeak resolution method. The results calculated are compatible with the density measurement and calorimetry.     

THE EFFECTS OF MONOMER STRUCTURE OF CYCLIC KETENE ACETALS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CONTROLLED RADICAL RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION

Polymerization of three cyclic ketene acetals: i.e., 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (BMDO), 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDO) and 4, 7-dimethyl-2-methylene-1, 3-dioxepane(DMMDO) were carried out in the presence ofethyl α-bromobutyrate/CuBr/2, 2'-bipyridine respectively. The structures of poly(BMDO), poly(MPDO) and poly(DMMDO)were characterized by ~1H and ~(13)C-NMR spectra. The effects of monomer structure on the behavior of atom transfer freeradical ring-opening polymerization were investigated and the mechanism of controlled free radical ring-openingpolymerization was discussed.     

THE ELECTROCHEMICAL PREPARATION OF POLYPHENOL WITH CONDUCTIBILITY

Polyphenol film deposited on platinum foil can continuously grow with time during the electrolysis of a phenolsolution consisting of 0. 1 mol L~(-1) phenol, 3 mol L~(-1) NaOH and 0.5 mol L~(-1) Na_2SO_4, as has been proved by the methods ofsweep potential, constant potential and constant current, and visible spectra during the electrolysis of phenol. A polyphenolfilm with thickness of 0.11 mm was obtained by the electrolysis of phenol at a constant potential of 0.70 V (versus Ag/AClwith saturated KCl solution). Polyphenol film is inactive and stable in 2 mol L~(-1) H_2SO_4 solution, neutral solution and3 mol L~(-1) NaOH solution and in the potential range between -0.95 and 1.35 V. The usable potential range is dependent onthe pH value. Polyphenol has an ESR signal with a g factor of 2.0049. The conductivity of polyphenol is 1.2×10~(-4) S cm~(-1). Inthe solution of polyphenol dissolved in DMSO, the mobility of polyphenol anions is 8×10~(-9) m~2 s~(-1) V~(-1) at 20℃.     

ELECTRONIC EFFECTS OF POLYFLUORINATED SUBSTITUENTS ON THE POLYMERIZATION AND THE PROPERTIES OF POLYTHIOPHENES

Three series of polythiophenes containing fluoroalkoxy and fluoroether substituentswere prepared by electrochemical polymerization. The effect of substituents with fluoro-alkoxy or ether functional groups on the electrochemical polymerization of thiophene mono-mers and properties of the obtained polymers were analyzed. The introduction of a flu-oroether functional group at the 3-position of the thiophene ring leads to an increase ofthe oxidation potential of the monomer and to a decrease of the conductivity of the re-sulting polymers, even with the use of a CH_2 group as spacer. Conversely, the presenceof an oxygen atom directly at the 3-position of the thiophene ring, which offsets the nega-tive withdrawing effect of fluoroalkyl groups, facilitates the synthesis of highly conductingpolythiophenes.     

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF TRIMETHYLENE CARBONATE BY CALIX[8]ARENE-NEODYMIUM*

Ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with a rare earth calixarene compound as catalysthas been studied for the first time. The effect of TMC/Nd (molar ratio) and polymerization conditions were investigated indetail. It was found that calix[8]arene-neodymium is a highly effective catalyst for the bulk polymerization of TMC and giveshigh molecular weight (M_v = 60,000) polymer. The optimum conditions of TMC polymerization were found to be asfollows:TMC/Nd (molar ratio) = 2,000, 80℃, 16 h. The polymers were characterized by NMR, GPC and DSC. Studying themechanism by NMR showed that the polymerization of TMC catalyzed by calix[8]arene-neodymium proceeds via a cationicmechanism.     

MODELING THE CHAIN CONFORMATION OF POLYMER MELTS IN CONTRACTION FLOW

A constitutive model of quasi-Newtonian fluid based on the type of flow is used in abrupt planar contraction now.The numerical results from finite element analysis are consistent with experimental data for stress patterns and velocityprofiles in the flow field. The chain conformations of polymer melts are then investigated in such a planar contraction byusing the phenomenological model with internal parameters proposed by the author. That is, the shape and orientation ofpolymer chain coils are predicted and discussed in different flow regions of the contraction flow field that possess simpleshear flow, extensional flow, vortical flow, and mixed flow respectively.     

MOLECULAR DESIGN OF NEW KINDS OF AUXETIC POLYMERS AND NETWORKS

Three new kinds of molecular networks are designed and predicted to exhibit negative Poisson ratios. Molecular mechanics calculations on these networks show that the magnitude of Poisson ratios depends on the relative flexibility of beam and arm structures. Several new kinds of auxetic polymers, whose successful synthesis should be easier than that of the corresponding auxetic networks, are then proposed. It is found that the kabob-like polymers with auxegens lying vertically on the main chain can acquire auxeticity while those with auxegens lying horizontally on the main chain cannot. Besides, a half kabob-like or pseudo-ladder polymer with auxegens linked at the intersection of the beam and the arm does show auxeticity when adopting constrictive conformers. It is, however, worthwhile noting that the origins of auxeticity still await and strongly deserve further experimental and theoretical investigations.     

A MOLECULAR APPROACH TO THE SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL POLYIMIDES*

In the past ten years there has been a flurry of activity in the synthesis of new specialty polymers,largely as a result of the increased need for high technology materials. Interest is mainly shown in two distinctcategories of polymers: a) polymers which are used in very small quantities to fulfill critical needs as a part ofdevice systems, and b) high-performance engineering polymers which significantly extend their mechanicaland thermal properties for structural applications. Polyimides and their unparalleled versatility have capturedthe attention and imagination of scientists and engineers. This article describes some of the recent work doneby the author's group on the rational design at the molecular level and the synthesis of polyimides that haveunusual structures and novel properties.