The relationship between crosslink system, network structure and material properties of carbon black reinforced EPDM

The crosslink density and sulfur-ranks of crosslinks formed during vulcanization of a carbon black reinforced ENB–EPDM compound are analyzed as a function of the selected curing system: Conventional, Semi-Efficient, Efficient and Nitrosamine-safe. Each vulcanization system results in a specific crosslink concentration and sulfur-rank distribution: mono-, di- and polysulfidic of nature. Tensile properties, tear strength and compression set of the vulcanized materials turn out to practically only depend on overall crosslink density, as resulting from the particular curing systems and vulcanization times. All trends in properties coincide when plotted as a function of the overall crosslink density. Surprisingly, the crosslink distribution: the ratios of mono- to di- and polysulfidic crosslinks, has only a minor effect on these properties. The differences in sulfur-rank as a function of the chosen vulcanization system turn out to be too small for EPDM to have a significant effect.     

聚氨酯的后交联研究进展

通过交联可以将线型聚合物连接成三维网状结构,适度交联后聚氨酯的拉伸强度、模量、耐溶剂性、耐高温性等许多性能都能得到大幅提高,而交联方法、交联的种类及交联密度的大小都是重要的影响因素,因此对交联方法、交联密度的测定、交联密度与聚氨酯性能之间的关系研究对于聚氨酯的质量控制非常重要。本文首先详细介绍了聚氨酯后交联的常用方法,然后对聚氨酯交联密度的测定方法进行了分析比较,在此基础上进一步介绍了国内外关于聚氨酯交联密度与其性能的关系方面的研究进展。     

Chemical degradation of crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in an acidic environment. Part II. Effect of peroxide crosslinking in the presence of a coagent

An investigation on the time-dependent chemical degradation of ethylene-propylene diene rubber containing 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene as diene cured by peroxide crosslinking in the presence of a coagent in an acidic environment (20% Cr/H₂SO₄) has been made. Two types of rubber, with comparable monomer composition, but having significant differences in molar mass and levels of long chain branching were tested. Dicumyl peroxide and triallylcyanurate under similar conditions were used for curing the rubbers. The molecular mechanisms of chemical degradation at the surface were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which demonstrate that several oxygenated species evolve during exposure. The primary process of degradation is hydrolytic attack on the crosslink sites, which is manifested by a decrease in crosslink density. The surface degradation is found to be strong enough to alter the bulk mechanical properties as observed by the change in retention in tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 50% elongation and, the change in micro-hardness. Retention in modulus at 50% elongation is found to follow a negative linear correlation with decrease in crosslink density. With higher molar mass and level of long chain branching more crosslinking occurs and thus comparatively more hydrolytic attack ensues. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the surface topography is significantly altered upon exposure and supports the notion of the dependence of degradation on the crosslinking density of the samples. Importantly, the coagent used in this study is shown to enhance the chemical degradation through formation of weaker sites for hydrolysis. The results also show that upon prolonged exposure the resulting oxygenated species tend to combine with each other.     

Studies of conventional sulfur vulcanization of SBR rubber: Analysing the reaction products from thermal degradation of the accelerator by means of MCC-IMS technique

A combination of knowledge on curing process of rubber mixes with novel methods of chemical analysis, a new unconventional approach to analysis of rubber vulcanization is presented in this study. Six SBR samples containing various N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (TBBS) accelerator: sulfur ratios (within) the range of conventional (CV) sulfur vulcanization system were studied using multi-capillary column ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) technique. For these analysis, calibration/dilution curves were established. Moreover, data from MCC-IMS were correlated with other parameters of the rubber vulcanizates – their crosslink density and structure as well as their tensile strength and modulus at elongation. For such comparison, one of the reaction products from thermal decomposition of TBBS, benzothiazole was selected. Furthermore, the concentration of benzothiazole released during the vulcanization process corresponded well with the crosslink density of the rubber vulcanizates studied. It was even possible to calculate the crosslink density from the concentration of benzothiazole determined by MCC-IMS, using Boltzmann fitting curve. The presented results could be an important contribution in understanding the mechanisms occurring during rubber vulcanization, demonstrating a new approach to testing and evaluation of the process.     

Influence of the Styrene Ratio on the Copolymerization Kinetics of Dimethacrylate of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol a Vinylester Resins Crosslinked with Styrene

Abstract

Infrared spectroscopy was used in this work to investigate the copolymerization characteristics of systems based on a dimethacrylate of diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A combined with styrene in variable proportions ranging from 25 to 60% by weight. Particular attention has been paid to determination of the theoretical monomer sequence distributions obtained from copolymerization theory. The results show that the final structure of these materials is probably diphasic, with a first phase consisting of a vinylester network and a second phase rich in polystyrene. The influence of the monomer sequence distribution on the final crosslink density has been evaluated.     

Influence of the nature of the porous confining network on the sorption, diffusion and mechanical properties of hydrogel IPNs

Two series of amphiphilic hydrogels of various compositions were prepared by sequentially interpenetrating two polymer networks, a poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) network inside either a macroporous matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or a macroporous poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) network. In both cases poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) served as network II, and the firstly formed porous network was a hydrophobic homonetwork, PMMA or PEA, that conferred mechanical strength to the hydrogel. In order to obtain hydrogels with high hydrophilic content, the first network was prepared in the presence of a solvent, thus yielding a macroporous network. The two families of IPNs thus obtained were: (net-PMMA)-ipn-(net-PHEA) and (net-PEA)-ipn-(net-PHEA), with a PHEA content ranging from 36% to 87% and from 64% to 94%, respectively. The novelty of the work consisted in comparing the effect of using as the first macroporous network a polymer which is glassy at room temperature (PMMA) and another of the same family (PEA) but which is in the rubber state at room temperature. Swelling studies showed that the specific equilibrium water content of PHEA falls from 1.6 for pure (unconfined) PHEA to values that range from 0.4 to 1, for the (net-PMMA)-ipn-(net-PHEA), whereas in the second IPNs family, the equilibrium water uptake of PHEA phase is, at least, the same as that of the pure PHEA (in some cases it is greater). This means that the expansion of the PHEA phase is not restricted by the confining hydrophobic component when this last is in the rubber state at room temperature. Whereas for the first IPNs the mechanical properties significantly increased (storage modulus at 37 °C from 0.25 to 2.5 GPa) compared with those of pure PHEA (25.12 MPa), little if any reinforcing effect was observed in the second type of IPNs. This is due to the fact that the glass transition of the PEA network takes place at a lower temperature than that of PHEA, so both components are in the rubbery state at room temperature. Both series behave differently also in dynamic water sorption experiments: the rigid PMMA network hinders the diffusion of water, yielding lower values of the apparent diffusion coefficients. By contrast, with the PEA polymer as network I this diffusion is similar to that of the pure PHEA homonetwork.     

Property correlations for composites based on ethylene propylene diene rubber reinforced with flax fibers

EPDM composites filled with short flax fibers were prepared by melt blending procedure. The effects of fiber loading on the mechanical, thermal and water uptake characteristics were studied. The physico-mechanical, morphological thermal properties and water absorption behavior were discussed using tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetrical analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the flax fibers were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The tensile strength and hardness of the composites were found to be improved at higher fiber loading. The water absorption pattern of EPDM/fiber composites at room temperature follows a Fickian behavior for composites with 10, 15 and 20 phr flax fiber.     

Chemical degradation of crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in an acidic environment. Part I. Effect on accelerated sulphur crosslinks

The time-dependent chemical degradation of accelerated sulphur cured ethylene propylene diene rubber containing 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene as diene in an acidic environment (20% Cr/H₂SO₄) was investigated. Two different rubbers with a similar ethylene to propylene ratio and diene content but with a significant difference in molar mass and level of long chain branching were used in the study. The molecular mechanisms of the chemical degradation occurring at the surface were determined using surface analysis (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The results reveal formation of several oxygenated species on the surface as a consequence of the acid attack. Furthermore, the crosslink sites of the exposed rubber samples are also found vulnerable to hydrolytic attack as evidenced by the decrease in crosslink density. The extent of surface degradation was strong enough to affect the bulk mechanical properties. Changes in mechanical properties were also monitored through determining retention in tensile strength, (%) elongation at break, modulus at 50% elongation, and change in micro-hardness. A negative correlation is also established between retention in modulus at 50% elongation and decrease in crosslink density. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the topographical damage at the surface due to the aqueous acid induced chemical degradation. The results indicate that the chemical degradation proceeds mainly via hydrolysis of crosslinks but upon prolonged exposure, the oxygenated species tend to combine with each other. The effect of molar mass and level of long chain branching also influences the chemical degradation.     

Scale-invariant cluster structure of the chemical network of epoxy-phenol polymer

The concentration dependences of the relative viscosity of a mixture of precondensates of epoxy-4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol and phenol-formaldehyde resins in a Cellosolve solution were examined. The surface tension curves at the solution-air interface at concentrations c = 0.5–45 % were obtained. The optimal concentration modes of preparation of coatings from solutions of precondensates of the resin mixture were calculated on the basis of the cluster model. Using electron microscopy with silver chloride surface decoration, the cluster structure parameters of the chemical network of the epoxy-phenol polymer were determined for coatings with high protective performance.     

Crosslink network evolution of BIIR/EPDM blends during peroxide vulcanization

Crosslink network evolution of brominated butyl rubber (BIIR)/ethylene–propylene–diene-monomer rubber (EPDM) blends during peroxide vulcanization is studied at a meso-scale level. In this work, EPDM is added as a co-agent to increase the crosslink density of BIIR vulcanization. With increasing EPDM content from 0 to 20 phr, the maximum torque of BIIR/EPDM compounds during vulcanization increases by 73%, reaching to 3.40 dNm. Vulcanization kinetic study shows that addition of EPDM favors to the crosslinking of BIIR compound. Meanwhile, the addition of 20 phr EPDM contributes to an increase in the crosslink density of BIIR/EPDM(80/20) vulcanizate, avoiding downward trend at post-cure period in comparison with BIIR only. Crosslink network evolution of BIIR/EPDM blends is divided into three periods during peroxide vulcanization at 150 °C. The role of EPDM in the crosslink network evolution is studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and a “network patching” mechanism is proposed in which EPDM is implied to work as patch on damaged crosslink network resulted from the degradation nature of BIIR.     

Influence of chemical structure on physicochemical properties and thermal decomposition of the fully bio-based poly(propylene succinate-co-butylene succinate)s

In this work, two polyesters and four copolyesters were studied. All materials were synthesized to obtain the monomers dedicated for thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers. For this type of PUR, the monomers should characterize by appropriate selected physicochemical properties and macromolecular structure distribution, which depends on synthesis conditions. The study of chemical structure with extensive and knowledgeable analysis of formed macromolecules of synthesized bio-based copolyesters was conducted with the use of FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. The results allowed to propose the majority of probable chemical structures of macromolecules formed during synthesis. Moreover, the impact of the structure on the thermal stability of the obtained copolyesters was also determined with the use of thermogravimetric analysis. The temperature of the beginning of thermal decomposition equaled even 330 °C. Furthermore, the results of DSC-TG/QMS coupled method confirmed that all prepared polyesters degraded by α and β-hydrogen bond scission mechanisms.     

Stabilization effect of lignin in natural rubber

A series of carbon black filled natural rubbers containing lignin was tested from the view point of their thermo-oxidative aging. Lignin is biopolymer that belongs to the main components of wood. Mechanical properties and crosslink density of lignin stabilized vulcanisates were measured before and after thermo-oxidative aging for 24, 72, 168, 240 and 408 h at 80 °C. The results were compared with those from NR vulcanisates stabilized with the commercial rubber antioxidant N-phenyl-N-isopropyl-p-phenylene diamine (IPPD). The results obtained show that lignin exerts a stabilizing effect in carbon black filled natural rubber. Its effect is comparable with that of conventional synthetic antioxidant. Moreover, the addition of lignin increased the stabilizing effect of IPPD.     

Multiblock copolymers composed of poly(butylene succinate) and poly(1,2-propylene succinate): Effect of molar ratio of diisocyanate to polyester-diols on crosslink densities, thermal properties, mechanical properties and biodegradability

In order to study the relationship between structure and properties, multiblock copolymers composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly (1,2-propylene succinate) (PPSu) have been synthesized by chain-extension at various molar ratios of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to polyester-diols, which have been abbreviated as R-values in this paper. Molecular weights of soluble fractions, gel fractions and crosslink densities have been determined. Thermal properties, mechanical properties and biodegradability have been studied and correlated with R-values. Crystallization of copolymers becomes difficult with increasing R-value. Tensile strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus tend to increase with increasing R-value up to 1.2, and vary little when R-value increases from 1.2 to 1.3, then decrease with further increase in R-value. Impact strength achieves a maximum value at R-value of 1.3. Biodegradation rate reaches a minimum value when R-value is 1.1. Biodegradation has been studied systematically by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), ¹H NMR and SEM.     

Observing the water molecule in macromolecules using infrared spectrometry: structure of the hydrogen bond network and hydration mechanism

The power and precision of IR spectrometry, or IR quantitative spectroscopy, to observe water molecules embedded in macromolecules, is illustrated, taking as examples the determination of the structures of the hydrogen-bond network of a dried polysaccharide, hyaluronan, of a dried protein, bovine serum albumine, and of a dried polymer, a sulfonated polyimide. We also indicate how IR spectrometry conveys original and precise information from which their hydration mechanisms can be precisely determined in terms of chemical reactions.     

The sulfur reversion process in natural rubber in terms of crosslink density and crosslink density distribution

Unfilled natural rubber compounds composed of conventional (CV), semi-efficient (SEV), efficient (EV) and sulfur donor (SD) vulcanization systems were heat aged to promote sulfur reversion. Rheometry, hardness, strain-strain characteristics including Mooney-Rivlin analysis, equilibrium solvent swell and Double Quantum (DQ) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to monitor crosslink density changes. A loss of crosslink density was observed by rheometry, C₁, equilibrium swelling and by DQ NMR as a function of cure extent. No chain scission reactions were operating in the time/temperature conditions used. All crosslink distributions were unimodal and the network homogeneity followed the order of EV > SD > SEV > CV. The crosslink distribution narrowed during the curing process for the CV and SEV systems. Non-oxidative maturation reactions were advantageous in promoting a more random distribution of crosslinks in the polymer matrix.     

Influence of silicon coordination surrounding on the chemical structure of oxides

A comparative analysis of structural features of SiO₂ polymorphic modifications was made by Raman, and high-resolution electronic spectroscopy. It was found that the presence of isolated Si-O, Si-Si, and O-O oscillators in the ground and electronically excited states is a characteristic feature of all the structures involving silicon atoms in oxygen tetrahedral coordination surrounding. It was shown that the increase in the silicon coordination number to six (stishovite) leads to a decrease in the extent of formation of electronically excited states due to removal of barriers to the relaxation of excitation energies. This conclusion is confirmed by the low-frequency shift of the fundamental absorption and by the disappearance of the high-frequency anomaly (Si-O) and characteristic lines of Si-Si oscillators.     

Influence of the chemical nature of siloxanes on the thermodynamic characteristics of sorption for a series of linear and cyclic saturated hydrocarbons

The thermodynamic characteristics of sorption (Henry’s constants of sorption equilibrium K _sorp, heats of sorption q, and standard entropies of sorption ΔS°) were studied by gas chromatography to describe the behavior of linear and cyclic saturated hydrocarbons on phenylmethylsiloxane HP-5, fluoromethylsiloxane OV-210, and methylsiloxane OV-1. The K _sorp and q values and, correspondingly, the energy of dispersion interactions decrease in the series HP-5 > OV-1 > OV-210. The difference in structures of adamantane, trans-decalin, and decane molecules has almost no effect on the heats of sorption. Henry’s constants increase on going from decane to trans-decalin and, further, to adamantane. This effect becomes more pronounced with an increase in the sorbent polarity (OV-1 < HP-5 < OV-210). The entropy factor can play a key role in sorption processes on siloxanes.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 140–143, January, 2005.     

Water sorption in UV degraded clear and pigmented epoxy coatings assessed by dielectric sorption analysis

Degraded clear and pigmented epoxy coatings were investigated by dielectric sorption analysis (DSA). Differences in dynamics of absorption, due to increased hydrophilicity, crosslinking and porosity, were found between UV degraded and undegraded epoxy coatings. Desorption was observed for longer degradation times, caused by swelling of the coating, squeezing out the excess of water. Model system measurements of pigmented coatings with various filters on top reproduced the desorption behaviour. Due to crack formation during DSA measurements, clear coatings showed fluctuating results, a result of release of tension of the UV degraded clear coating by humidified nitrogen. Pigmented coatings did not show this behaviour, resulting in an increasing water absorption trend with increasing degradation times. Larger desorption peaks were found for lower frequencies, indicating that either polarization takes place or water-hydrophilic interaction. Based on these results, DSA is suitable for non-destructive investigation of degraded coatings and paints.     

Intermolecular condensation products formed during the pyrolysis of peptides

Mass Spectrometry (MS) analysis of pyrolysis products of simple peptides has revealed several non-volatile thermal degradation products at masses lower than the precursor peptide. In addition to these products, many other signals were also observed at higher masses than the precursor peptide, and their characterization is the focus of this study. Here we report on the observation of homo and hetero condensation peptide products formed during the pyrolysis of peptides. The observed peptide condensation products are formed between two, three or even four peptides. Tandem MS (MS/MS) analyses of these products showed that C-terminal to N-terminal intermolecular bonding is preferred during pyrolysis when combining two peptides, rather than involving crosslinking between basic and acidic side chain groups like arginine and aspartic acid. These observations are rationalized by steric hindrance effect and known pK_a values of the peptide C- and N-termini and amino acid side groups like aspartic acid and arginine. Pyrolysis of a standard N-acetylated peptide showed no detectable condensation and/or crosslinked products, even in peptides with basic side groups, providing further evidence for the C-terminus to N-terminus intermolecular bonding between peptides under pyrolytic conditions.     

Bi掺杂NaTaO3中Bi的化学价态对其光催化性能的影响

分别采用NaBiO3和Bi(NO3)3为Bi源制备了Bi掺杂NaTaO3光催化剂,研究了Bi离子的价态对NaTaO3光催化分解水制氢性能的影响.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和紫外-可见吸收光谱研究了催化剂的晶体结构、Bi离子的化学状态和催化剂的光学吸收性能.以光催化分解水制氢反应研究了Bi离子掺杂NaTaO3的催化性能. XRD结果表明,对于两个不同Bi源掺杂的NaTaO3样品, Bi离子的掺杂没有改变催化剂的单斜相结构,但拉曼光谱证实Bi离子的掺杂致使Ta–O–Ta键角偏离了180o. XPS结果表明,以Bi(NO3)3为Bi源时, Bi离子以Bi3+掺杂于NaTaO3的A位;当以NaBiO3为原料时, Bi3+和Bi5+共掺杂于NaTaO3的A位.两种不同Bi源掺杂得到的样品在紫外-可见吸收光谱中给出了相似的光学吸收,但Bi3+的掺杂对NaTaO3光催化性能影响不大,而Bi3+和Bi5+共掺杂大大提高了NaTaO3的光解水制氢性能. Bi离子取代Na离子在A位的掺杂,在NaTaO3结构中引入了能够促进载流子分离的空位和缺陷;与此同时, Bi的掺杂导致Ta–O–Ta键角偏离180o而不利于载流子迁移.对于Bi3+掺杂的NaTaO3样品,这两种作用相互抵消,使得其催化性能与NaTaO3相比没有变化;而Bi3+和Bi5+的共掺杂和高价态Bi5+的掺杂引入了更多的空位和缺陷,提高了光生电子-空穴的分离效率,从而提高了光催化产氢性能.研究表明,光催化过程中载流子的迁移是影响催化性能的重要因素,而在ABO3钙钛矿结构的A位引入高价态离子是促进光生载流子分离的有效途径.