Effects of thermal stability on the crystallization behavior of poly(vinylidene chloride)

Thermal analysis based on TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis) and DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) shows no significant degradation for PVDC which has been annealed at 210°C for less than 2 min. And the following recrystallization behavior at lower temperature (120°C) is also independent of the thermal treatment and is not affected by the difference of molecular weight. The degradation which includes dehydrochlorination at lower temperature and intramolecular cyclization or intermolecular crosslinking of the polyenes at higher temperature starts when the melting time at 210°C is more than 2 min, which also causes weight loss and heat exchange in the TGA and DSC thermograms. The recrystallization behavior of the degraded PVDC (staying at 210°C for more than 2 min) shows a strong dependence on the molecular weight. The crystallinity is decreased with the melting time at 210°C due to the increase of the degree of crosslinking. However, the POM (polarized optical microscopy) pictures and IR spectra show a favorable nucleation effect is present due to the formation of trichlorobenzene from the cyclization of the polyenes as nuclei. The crystallinity of the PVDC recrystallized at 120°C after staying at 210°C for more than 2 min is actually dependent on the molecular weight, melting time at 210°C, and cyclized or crosslinking types of degradation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3269–3276, 1999     

Dehydrochlorination of monodisperse poly(vinylidene chloride) latex

The objective of the work described in this paper was to produce dispersions of small spherical carbon particles, having particle diameters in the region of 0.1 μm. To this end, the dehydrochlorination of poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) latex particles was attempted. The PVDC latex was prepared by a dispersion polymerization route. Both chemical and thermal dehydrochlorination routes were attempted. Chemical dehydrochlorination, using a variety of base/solvent systems, led to nonporous, spherical black particles of the required size, but which contained only 60% carbon; most of the remainder was oxygen, introduced by nucleophilic substitution reactions. Thermal dehydrochlorination, at 700°C under a nitrogen atmosphere, using a fluidized bed arrangement, on the other hand, led to black particles, having 90% carbon and which retained their sphericity, but which were highly porous. Initial chemical dehydrochlorination, prior to thermal treatment, did not seem to reduce the porosity of the final carbons. Dispersions of the carbon particles in a variety of solvents were readily achieved.     

Degradation of vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate/phenylacetylene (VDC/MA/PA) terpolymers. Effect of internal unsaturation on the stability of Saran copolymers

The thermal degradation of vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate/phenylacetylene (VDC/MA/PA) terpolymers containing a constant 9 wt % methyl acrylate and small but varying amounts of phenylacetylene has been examined in the solid phase and in bibenzyl solution. Thermally promoted degradative dehydrochlorination, largely uncomplicated by methyl chloride formation, readily occurs at temperatures approaching 200°C. Incorporation of phenylacetylene into the polymer structure greatly facilitates degradative dehydrochlorination. Indeed, the presence of phenylacetylene induces the formation of polyene segments during the polymerization so that all the terpolymers, even at very low phenylacetylene loading, are tan in color. The decreased stability of polymers containing internal unsaturation arises from an increased rate of initiation for the degradation reaction. The propagation rate is largely unaffected by the level of unsaturation initially present in the polymer. Thus random double bonds have been identified as the principal defect sites responsible for the facile degradation of Saran copolymers. Species which promote the degradation of Saran polymers probably do so by facilitating the introduction of double bonds into the structure. The ratio of hydrogen chloride to stilbene formed for degradation of the terpolymers in bibenzyl solution is ca. 35:1. This is strongly reminiscent of PVDC degradation and suggests that for degradation of either the homopolymer or Saran copolymers the chain-carrying allylic radical pair does not dissociate to any appreciable extent as dehydrochlorination occurs.     

氯化天然橡胶的等速升温热降解动力学

天然胶乳;氯化天然橡胶的等速升温热降解动力学     

Degradation of chlorinated polyethylene. I. Effect of antimony oxide on the rate of dehydrochlorination

The degradation of two chlorinated polyethylene compounds CPE 25 (45% chlorine) and CPE 16 (36% chlorine) was studied by following their rates of dehydrochlorination at two temperatures, 150°C and 180°C in pure nitrogen and pure oxygen atmospheres. Studies on the powdered polymers showed that the dehydrochlorination rate of CPE 25 is about fourteen times faster than that of CPE 16 in nitrogen atmospheres and only three to four times faster in oxygen. The molded polymers gave a lower rate of dehydrochlorination than when in the powdered form. This effect is attributed to diffusion factors. The antimony oxide brought about an induction period in the dehydrochlorination reaction during which only a small amount of HCl is evolved, followed by a very fast rate of dehydrochlorination both in oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres. The duration of the induction period increases with increase in the Sb₂O₃ concentration, but is followed by an accelerated HCl loss which is faster when Sb₂O₃ concentration is higher. This work provides supporting evidence that SbCl₃ was formed and lost during degradation. Mechanisms of dehydrochlorination are suggested for the reaction in the case of pure chlorinated polyethylene and for the polymer containing antimony oxide.     

Polymeric p-benzoquinone–tin derivatives as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride). II. Evaluation of the stabilizing efficiency

The polymeric p-benzoquinone-tin derivatives obtained from the reaction of p-benzoquinone with tin tetrachloride in the absence of solvent have been investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid PVC at 200°C by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated products in relation to dibutyltin maleate and the basic lead stabilizers commonly used in industry. Evidence has been accumulated that the quinone and metallic elements (Sn? Sn bonds) of the stabilizer participate in the stabilization process by trapping the radical intermediates of degradation and blocking the odd electron sites formed on the polymer chains. Although stabilizers with high quinone content provide greater stabilization in the early stages of degradation, their efficiency sharply decreases in subsequent stages. On the other hand, stabilizers of high tin content effectively prohibit the dehydrochlorination reaction at all stages of degradation. On an equivalent basis of metal content, the results clearly demonstrate the greater stabilizing efficiency of tin atoms when found in direct contact in the stabilizer molecule. The mechanism of stabilization suggested to account for the results obtained may be considered as additional evidence in support of the radical nature of the dehydrochlorination reaction.     

Photocatalytic degradation intrinsic kinetics of gaseous cyclohexane in a fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor

The special photocatalytic degradation intrinsic kinetics of gaseous cyclohexane were investigated in a designed fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor (FBPR). A series of photocatalytic kinetic reaction equations were developed to explore the relationship of degradation efficiency and operating variables based on photocatalytic mechanism and particle fluidization hydrodynamic characteristics. The corresponding results indicated that the initial concentration has influenced the photocatalytic degradation reaction conversion, and having a concentration inflexion point which theoretically divided the photocatalysis into a first-order apparent kinetic rate equation at low concentrations and a zero-order kinetic rate equation at high concentrations. Furthermore, these results were validated theoretically by the intrinsic kinetic models of photocatalytic degradation conversion developed according to variation of cyclohexane concentration and gas velocity. Based on the experimental results, the optimal operating gas velocity range was determined. The multi-factors synergy effect resulting from gas velocity on photocatalytic degradation efficiency was explored and proved by mass transfer, illumination transmission and adsorption models. Finally, the degradation pathways of the cyclohexane and deactivation mechanism of the photocatalyst were studied according to the intermediates degraded on TiO₂ surface, and a feasible method presented for catalyst regeneration.     

Effect of ozone on poly(vinyl chloride) degradation

The influence of ozone on the kinetics and mechanisms of poly(vinyl chloride) degradation has been studied. The rate constants for reaction of ozone with saturated and unsaturated units of macromolecules have been measured. The products of the reaction of ozone with double bonds are inactive and do not influence the subsequent thermal dehydrochlorination of the polymer. The products of reaction of ozone with saturated units greatly increase dehydrochlorination.     

Comparative non-isothermal kinetic analysis of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) prepared by living and conventional free radical polymerization methods

Non-isothermal kinetics of the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) prepared by a living radical polymerization (LRP) method was performed and compared with the results obtained from PVC prepared by the conventional free-radical process (FRP). Both differential and integral isoconversional methods were applied for determining the apparent activation energy of the dehydrochlorination stage. This study made clear noticeable differences in the thermal degradation of the PVC samples under analysis. The newly synthesized LRP-PVC material has a better thermal stability and presents substantial differences in the macroscopic kinetics of the dehydrochlorination process compared with conventional FRP-PVC. These differences were assessed in quantitative terms on the basis of the kinetic triplet [E_a,A,f(α)].     

Thermal degradation of a highly chlorinated paraffin used as a fire retardant additive for polymers

The thermal degradation of a highly chlorinated paraffin, (Cl 70% w/w)(CP), used as a fire retardant additive for polymers, has been studied by TG, DTA and TVA. The main volatile degradation product is HCl which is eliminated in two steps. To 60–70% dehydrochlorination an apparent zero order reaction occurs with a detectable rate from 250°C, probably initiated at labile chlorine atoms. The apparent activation energy of the process is 40 kcal/mole. A charred residue containing 35% chlorine is obtained. This residue undergoes nearly complete dehydrochlorination in the range 300–600°C.     

Degradation of polymer mixtures. IV. Blends of poly(vinyl acetate) with poly(vinyl chloride) and other chlorine-containing polymers

The degradation of the binary polymer blends, poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinylidene chloride) and poly(vinyl acetate)/polychloroprene has been studied by using thermal volatilization analysis, thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis for hydrogen chloride and acetic acid, and spectroscopic methods. For the first two systems named, strong interaction occurs in the degrading blend, but the polychloroprene blends showed no indication of interaction. In the PVA/PVC and PVA/PVDC blends, hydrogen chloride from the chlorinated polymer causes substantial acceleration in the deacetylation of PVA. Acetic acid from PVA destabilizes PVC but has little effect in the case of PVDC because of the widely differing degradation temperatures of PVA and PVDC. The presence of hydrogen chloride during the degradation of PVA results in the formation of longer conjugated sequences, and the regression in sequence length at high extents of deacetylation found for PVA degraded alone is not observed.     

Formation of conjugated polyene and polyyne structure by KrF excimer laser-induced dehydrochlorination on polyvinylidenechloride film

The surface dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyldenchloride) film was performed to produce a conjugated polyyne and polyene structures by photo-irradiation with a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm in a vacuum chamber. The reaction was confirmed by detection of HCl with a mass spectrometer and by measurement of chlorine content on the film with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy for the laser-treated film showed the formation of new broad absorption bands in the visible and near IR region, indicating that sequential dehydrochlorination induced the formation of conjugated carbon multiple bonds in the polymer chain. Its conjugation number is estimated to be 30 for a triple bond and 10–25 for a double bond from the peak positions on the Raman spectrum of the film. ESR spectra of laser-irradiated PVDC powder also showed long-lived radicals having a narrow band width (ΔH_pp = 0.15 mT), suggesting that the radicals were delocalized on the conjugated bonds. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2483–2487, 1998     

Thermal stability of graft modifications of PVC and related materials

The grafting of polyisobutylene and polybutadiene onto PVC by use of alkylaluminum compounds gives graft copolymers which are superior in thermal stability to unmodified PVC as determined by dehydrochlorination measurements at a low degree of decomposition. The alkylation of toluene with PVC also exhibits high heat stability. The improved thermal stability observed for the modified samples is ascribed to the existence of an induction period and/or lower dehydrochlorination rates. PVC grafted with polybutadiene in the absence of cobalt cocatalyst exhibits autocatalytic behavior and is less stable than the unmodified PVC.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of PVC/fly ash composites

In this study, the kinetics and mechanisms of thermal degradation of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) composites reinforced with class-F fly ash are studied experimentally and numerically using Flynn–Wall model. The addition of fly ash to the polymer matrix results in a decrease in the primary degradation temperature and an increase in the secondary degradation temperature. The metal oxides in the fly ash act as acid absorbers, which results in the destabilization of PVC during its dehydrochlorination process. However, they also react with the chlorine free radicals, which prevents the formation of HCl during degradation. In addition, it is observed that calcium and iron oxides, present in fly ash, are more reactive to the chlorine radicals rather than the silicon and aluminum oxides. The effect of fly ash chemical composition on the degradation of PVC composites was studied by comparing the thermal properties of composites containing two different classes of fly ashes, class-F and class-C, at similar levels. Thermal stability of the composites is found to be dependent on the chemical composition of fly ash. Higher dehydrochlorination rate is observed in the case of composites filled with class-F fly ash than those reinforced with class-C fly ash.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates from diphenols with methyl groups

The thermal behaviour of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates derived from biphenols with methyl groups in the aromatic rings was studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The thermal degradation temperatures (TDT) were determined, showing that polythiocarbonates are more stable than the corresponding polycarbonates. The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition were determined by using the Arrhenius relationship, and showed two steps for the degradation of the polycarbonates, the first being a zero-order process and the second having first-order kinetics; the steps were associated with two different reaction mechanisms. Polythiocarbonates degraded according to first-order kinetics.     

Kinetics and mechanism of emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization: Styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid system

The emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of functional monomer acrylic acid (AA) was carried out in batch process. The kinetics was investigated in detail using model function, Integrated Gamma Function. The morphology and size of particles were monitored continuously by TEM all along the polymerization. It was found that the nucleation, polymerization rate increase with increasing concentration of the functional monomer AA, initiator ammonium persulfate (APS), and polymerization temperature T, and APS plays a predominant role in the particle nucleation process. The particle nucleation stage ceased at about 10% conversion and the steady stage can be extended to about 70% conversion. The particle nucleation is likely to yield primary particle via the mechanism of homogeneous coagulative nucleation and coagulation of the primary particle to yield uniform particles. The particle growth in the postnucleation stage is via a shell growth mechanism. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2649–2656, 1999     

Heat Degradation of PVC Stabilized by Treatment with Alkylaluminum Compounds

Thermal degradation of PVC treated with alkylaluminum compounds has been studied. Four PVC samples of different molecular weights have been treated with Me₃Al, and Et₃A₁, and the dehydrochlorination rates of the polymers were determined at 190 and 220°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The alkylaluminum-treated low molecular weight samples show marked increase in thermal stability, i. e., slower rate of dehydrochlorination right from the beginning of degradation, whereas with the higher molecular weight samples stabilization becomes pronounced only after a few percent of dehydrochlorination. The color of R₃Al-treated samples was much lighter (yellowish) than those of controls (dark brown) at 1% HCl loss. The average polyene sequence lengths formed during the early stages of dehydrochlorination are found to be much shorter with RsAl-treated PVC than with virgin samples. It appears as though polyene sequences which arose by zipping- initiation from allylic and/or tertiary chlorine sites are longer than those which form by random initiation along the chain. The autocatalytic (i. e., HC1-catalyzed) dehydrochlorination observed with virgin PVC disappears after treatment with R3A1. The HCl-catalyzed dehydrochlorination is minimized when thin films are used instead of powdery samples, which may be due to higher rates of HC1 diffusion through thin films. Autocatalysis of dehydrochlorination is affected by the concentrations of double bonds and HCl and the length of polyene sequences. Interaction between polyenes and HC1 by hydrogen transfer may lead to the re-initiation of unzipping, thus lengthening the polyene sequences.     

Polytetrafluoroethylene modification by radiation grafting of vinylidene chloride and its dehydrochlorination

A process has been designed for manufacturing a new composite material consisting of a PTFE matrix with a carbon phase implanted in the surface layer of up to 30 μm thickness. The process involves radiation graft polymerization of vinilydene chloride (VDC) from the vapor phase onto the PTFE matrix followed by dehydrochlorination of implanted PVDC. The VDC grafting kinetics, the distribution of the grafted polymer and the carbon phase, and the mechanical characteristics of the composite material have been investigated. It has been shown that unlike initial PTFE, the composite possesses good adhesive bonding properties and a small contact angle.     

The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Thermal Dehydrochlorination of Poly(vinyl Chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride) degrades thermally by an acceleratory reaction in which the rate of hydrogen chloride evolution is slow at the beginning, increases with time (passing through a maximum), and then decreases. A kinetic model based on the zipper mechanism shows excellent agreement with observed data from the initial to the final stages of each dehydrochlorination. Hydrogen chloride is shown to be essential for the initiation of zip chains and may or may not be essential for the zip reaction. When hydrogen chloride is removed in a stream of inert gas, as it is in some tests purported to study the kinetics of degradation, the initiation of zip chains is significantly inhibited. The zip reaction, once it has been initiated, is not inhibited or stopped even by long exposure to atmospheric conditions.     

Development of a methodology to predict material properties from environmental exposure. I. Kinetic treatment

This study focuses on bisphenol A polycarbonate and tracks changes in the properties of this material as a function of the degree of degradation, τ, induced by a hostile environment. Among many possible environmental effects, we have limited this investigation to those associated with elevated temperature, although the methodology is general. This τ parameter is a product of the kinetic rate constant, k, found from isothermal kinetics, and the time of degradation, t. The elucidation of τ has been linked to the measurement of the molecular weight distribution, which, in turn, can be related to various properties to yield valuable predictive relationships. Only the thermal history of the polymer and its initial properties are required for the model. This technique is not limited to a specific polymer or even to thermal degradation. As long as the kinetics of the process can be mathematically modeled, this approach should apply to a host of other situations, providing property prediction simply from knowledge of the material history. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 794–801, 2002