Temperature effects in γ-initiated polymerization of styrene. II

Experimental data are presented for the γ-initiated polymerization of commercial styrene at a series of temperatures above ambient. Examination of the early stages of polymerization (up to 10% conversion) has led to the following conclusions. For this system, there exists a critical temperature (109°C) above which the rate of polymerization is independent of dose rate, over a wide range of γ-intensities. This dose rate independence is ascribed to a “limiting rate of initiation,” characteristic of the intensity range. A consequence of this is that at a given temperature above the critical temperature the degree of polymerization is also dose rate-independent. The above phenomena can be expected in any vinyl monomer where the monomer is fairly active and produces relatively stable radicals. Experimental procedure is described, and kinetic analysis presented to substantiate the conclusions.     

Probing the effects of π–π stacking on the controlled radical polymerization of styrene and fluorinated styrene

The addition of the π–π stacking agent octafluorotoluene (OFT) resulted in up to a 50% reduction in monomer conversion after 24 h for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions of styrene, when performed at 85 °C with 1 eq of OFT compared with styrene in the initial reaction mixture. Monitoring the progress showed that the ATRP of styrene in the presence of either OFT or hexafluorobenzene (HFB) maintained a linear relationship between monomer conversion and number average molecular weights, while showing a first order rate dependence on monomer. The effects of π–π stacking on the K_ATRP could be overcome by using adjusting the redox activity of the metal‐ligand complex while maintaining reaction temperatures of 85 °C. Further experiments showed that nitroxide‐mediated polymerizations of St were affected to an identical extent by the presence of the π–π stacking agent HFB. The ATRP of pentafluorostyrene (PFSt) in the presence of π–π stackers benzene or toluene showed an increase in monomer conversion compared with reactions in their absence, consistent with M_n π–π stacking increasing the stability of the active radical. Interactions between the π–π stacking agents OFT and HFB and the aromatic groups in the ATRP of St or PFSt were verified by ¹H NMR analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Improving the control of styrene polymerization at 60 °C using a dialkylated α‐hydrogenated nitroxide

A new dialkylated α‐hydrogenated linear nitroxide and the corresponding 1‐phenylethyl alkoxyamine were synthesized in two and three steps, respectively. The alkoxyamine was involved in the polymerization of styrene at 60 °C, and the in situ concentration of nitroxide was monitored by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The enhanced characteristics of these new alkylated alkoxyamine and nitroxide (k = 1.5 × 10^?4 s^?1 and k = 5.7 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 s^?1) yielded a monomer consumption one order of magnitude higher than styrene thermal polymerization. This resulted in well‐defined polystyrenes up to 70,000 g mol^?1 and the observation of a control occurring through the establishment of the radical persistent effect, that is, ln([M]₀/[M]) = t^2/3. Experimentally determined kinetic constants were involved in PREDICI modelings to investigate the influence of temperature and initial alkoxyamine concentration on the kinetics as well as on the livingness and the controlled character of the polymerization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Specific volume studies of γ-irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene from 40 to 150°C

The effect of γ-irradiation and post-irradiation heat treatment on the specific volume versus temperature relationships of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) samples (1/2-in. diameter rods) have been studied over the 40–150°C. temperature range for radiation doses up to 8.9 X 10⁸ rad. At low doses the specific volume at any temperature decreased with dose, but above about 10⁸ rad it increased with dose. Similarly, the rate of volumetric expansion initially decreased with dose, while, at very high doses (8.9 X 10⁸ rad) the rate of expansion at temperatures above 100°C. exceeded that of the unirradiated PTFE. Heating at 150°C. for 100 hr. produced a substantial decrease in the specific volume and a decrease in the rate of expansion for the irradiated samples. Irradiation effects in PTFE are considered to be a result of such factors as radiation-induced chain scission, increased crystallinity, and increased void content. Changes resulting from post-irradiation heat treatment can be attributed to increased crystallinity, decreased void content, and weight loss.     

Molecular weight distributions in radiation-induced polymerization. III. γ-Ray-induced polymerization of styrene at low temperatures

The kinetics of the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of styrene was studied at radiation intensities of 8 × 10⁴, 2.4 × 10⁵, 3.1 × 10⁵, and 8.3 × 10⁵ rad/hr over a temperature range of ?10°C to 30°C. The water content of the irradiated samples varied from 1.0 × 10^?3 to 7.5 × 10^?3 mole/l. The power dependence of the rate of polymerization on the dose rate at ?10°C varied from 0.53 to 0.71 as the water content of the sample varied from 7.5 × 10^?3 to 1.0 × 10^?3 mole/l. A value of 3.1 kcal/mole was determined for the overall activation energy. Molecular weight distribution studies by gel-permeation chromatography indicated the presence of two distinct peaks. The contribution of each peak was dependent on specific experimental parameters. Kinetic data and molecular weight distribution data indicate the coexistence of two propagating species. Analysis of the data strongly suggests that a free-radical mechanism and a cationic mechanism are involved.     

Zinc–Organic Battery with a Wide Operation‐Temperature Window from −70 to 150 °C

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries have been considered as promising candidates for grid‐scale energy storage. However, their cycle stability is generally limited by the structure collapse of cathode materials and dendrite formation coupled with undesired hydrogen evolution on the Zn anode. Herein we propose a zinc–organic battery with a phenanthrenequinone macrocyclic trimer (PQ‐MCT) cathode, a zinc‐foil anode, and a non‐aqueous electrolyte of a N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing Zn²⁺. The non‐aqueous nature of the system and the formation of a Zn²⁺–DMF complex can efficiently eliminate undesired hydrogen evolution and dendrite growth on the Zn anode, respectively. Furthermore, the organic cathode can store Zn²⁺ ions through a reversible coordination reaction with fast kinetics. Therefore, this battery can be cycled 20 000 times with negligible capacity fading. Surprisingly, this battery can even be operated in a wide temperature range from ?70 to 150 °C.     

γ-radiation-induced ionic polymerization of pure liquid styrene. II

In this second paper of the series we present additional evidence that the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of very pure, ultradry styrene exhibits kinetics that can best be explained as due to one or more ionic processes, depending on the dryness of the sample. We have shown the effect of the various steps in the drying procedure on the observed kinetics, and we have described a preparative procedure which yields good reproducibility among independently prepared samples. Under these conditions, the rate of polymerization is proportional to the 0.70 power of the dose rate at 0°C.; there appears to be no wall effect; and the temperature coefficient for the process appears to be a complicated function, most probably a small negative value over the range of temperature (0–50°C.) and dose rates (～10³–10⁵ rad/hr.) covered in this study. The maximum G value for disappearance of monomer which we have observed is of the order of 6 × 10⁵ molecules of monomer/100 e.v. at 0°C. and a dose rate of 2 × 10³ rad/hr.     

γ-Radiation-induced ionic polymerization of pure liquid styrene

Pure liquid styrene, carefully purified and exhaustively dried, exhibits kinetic behavior under γ-irradiation that can best be described in terms of an ionic mechanism. This is based on the observed linear dependence of the rate of polymerization on the dose rate, the independence of molecular weight on the same parameter, and comparison with the thermal and ultraviolet initiated polymerization of monomer prepared under the same stringent conditions. The highest rate of conversion to polymer is 400%/hr. at a dose rate of 10⁶ rads/hr., corresponding to a G_(-monomer) ≈ 40,000.     

Thermal degradation of polyacrylonitrile in the temperature range 280–450°c.

This paper presents a study of the thermal degradation of polyacrylonitrile of 13,000 to 43,000 number-average molecular weight in vacuum over the temperature range 280–450°C. Sixteen products of the decomposition were identified by chromatographic and infrared analytical techniques. The five major products, i.e., cyanogen, hydrogen cyanide, acrylonitrile, acetonitrile, and vinylacetonitrile, were monitored at intervals during the decomposition using gas chromatography. Activation energies of 15 and 23 kcal./mole were calculated from initial rates of formation of HCN and cyanogen, respectively. The overall activation energy of the polymer degradation was found to be 3.6 kcal./mole. The residue of the decomposition in the temperature region 280–450°C. was suggested by infrared absorption measurements and elemental analysis to be a polymer of the structure The rate of production of vinylacetonitrile was found to be proportional to the production of the residual black poly-1,4,4-trihydronaphthyridine. A new photothermal degradation cell is also presented.     

Cationic polymerization of β-pinene,styrene and α-methylstyrene

Molecular weight distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography demonstrate that α-methylstyrene copolymerizes with both β-pinene and styrene, forming both bi- and terpolymers. The composition of precipitated polymer versus crude polymer, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, suggests that β-pinene and styrene also copolymerize. Extraction of the latter bipolymer of β-pinene and styrene with acetone gives only a small amount of insoluble β-pinene homopolymer, confirming that β-pinene and styrene copolymerize in m-xylene. GPC analysis shows that each copolymer contains some homopolymer. A comparison of M _n with molecular weight calculated from NMR analysis, assuming chain transfer to solvent, indicates that chain transfer is the predominant method of forming dead polymer. The carbonium ions of the growing chain tend to transfer to solvent with increasing ease in the order β-pinene, styrene, and α-methylstyrene.     

Molecular weight distribution in radiation-induced polymerization. I. γ-radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of liquid styrene

The kinetics of γ-radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of styrene were studied over the temperature range 0–50°C at radiation intensities of 9.5 × 10⁴, 3.1 × 10⁵, 4.0 × 10⁵, and 1.0 × 10⁶ rad/hr. The overall rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the 0.44–0.49 power of radiation intensity, and the overall activation energy for the radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of styrene was 6.0–6.3 kcal/mole. Values of the kinetic constants, k_p²/k_t and k_trm/k_p, were calculated from the overall polymerization rates and the number-average molecular weights. Gelpermeation chromatography was used to determine the number-average molecular weight M?_n, the weight-average molecular weight M?_w, and the polydispersity ratio M?_w/M?_n, of the product polystyrene. The polydispersity ratios of the radiation-polymerized polystyrene were found to lie between 1.80 and 2.00. Significant differences were observed in the polydispersity ratios of chemically initiated and radiation-induced polystyrenes. The radiation chemical yield, G(styrene), was calculated to be 0.5–0.8.     

Ionic polymerization under an electric field. III. Cationic polymerizations of α-methylstyrene and styrene

Cationic polymerizations of α-methylstyrene and styrene were carried out in an electric field with iodine as a catalyst and ethylene dichloride as the solvent. The effects of the field on the rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization were studied. It was found that the field increased the rate of polymerization of α-methylstyrene and, also slightly increased the degree of polymerization, whereas the field had no influence on these quantities in the case of styrene. The expressions for the rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization, which were derived in a previous paper and refined in the present paper, show that these quantities are generally a function of the degree of dissociation of ion pairs at growing chain ends. For a comparatively large degree of dissociation, these expressions can account for the field effect as was observed on α-methylstyrene, if one assumes that the degree of dissociation in the presence of an electric field is larger than that in its absence, and that the free-ion propagation proceeds much faster than the ion-pair propagation. For a small degree of dissociation, however, these expressions become practically independent of the degree of dissociation so that a possible increase due to the presence of an electric field gives rise to no observable effect on the polymerization. This situation may be interpreted as corresponding to the case of styrene. In other words, the polymerization of α-methylstyrene has more free ionic character than that of styrene.     

γ-radiation-initiated polymerization of bulk styrene at high pressure

The polymerization of styrene in bulk at pressures up to 273 MPa and temperatures between 3 and 49°C with the use of γ-radiation as the initiator has been studied. The polymerization rate and the molecular weight of the polymer increased with increasing pressure; the molecular weight increased at a slightly faster rate. The difference in the rate is a theoretical expectation which has not previously been observed because chain-transfer reactions obscure the effect in chemically initiated systems. A small but significant retardation of the initiation reaction occurs as the pressure is increased. The results of previous workers are critically reviewed. Chain transfer at 25°C for pressures below 220 MPa is negligible when γ-radiation is the initiator. The activation energy for bulk polymerization decreased with increasing pressure from 28.1 kJ/mole at 0.1013 MPa to 22.3 kJ/mole at 203 MPa. Volumes of activation at 25°C for 0.1013 < p < 273 MPa were calculated to be Initiation, +4.0 < ΔV < +4.4 cm³/mole; polymerization; ?Δ = ?20.9 cm³/mole; degree of polymerization; ΔV = ?25.3 cm³/mole; propagation/termination; ?ΔV = ?22.7 cm³/mole.     

Influence of catalyst depletion or deactivation on polymerization kinetics. III. Solution polymerization of acrylonitrile in N,N-dimethylformamide at −30°C.

The experimental results on homogeneous polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated with the sodium triethylthioisopropoxyaluminate, NaAlEt₃S(i-Pr), catalyst in DMF at ?30°C. are compared with the prediction of equations based on a postulated mechanism. The agreement between the calculated and observed number-average molecular weight combined with the kinetic data and the relationship between the conversion and the initial catalyst concentration provides a rigorous test concerning the validity of the equations and the mechanism of the polymerization. A plausible mechanism is postulated as follows: The initiation must be relatively fast in accordance with the rate equations and the growing polymer undergoes propagation, transfer (to monomer), and deactivation simultaneously. The infrared spectrum of the low molecular weight polymer prepared at a high catalyst concentration showed strong absorption at 2337, 2205, and 1620 cm.^?1 but no absorption at 900 cm.^?1, indicating that there are two nitriles in the polymer, one of which is conjugated. The possibility of having ? CH?CH₂ groups in the polymer is ruled out by the absence of the band at 900 cm.^?1. In view of these facts, it is concluded that the polymer has a ? CH?CHCN endgroup resulting from the transfer reaction.     

BF3·OEt2-initiated polymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepanes

BF₃·OEt₂-initiated polymerizations of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane gave polymers composed of both ring-retained and ring-opened structures. The ring-opening content increased with an increase in polymerization temperature. Poly(4,7-dimethyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane) propagated slower during BF₃·OEt₂-initiated polymerization and had a lower ring-opened content than poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane). The type of acid initiator used also affected the amount of ring opening observed. Stronger acids gave less ring opening. Attempted BF₃·OEt₂-initiated copolymerizations of these seven-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals with isobutyl vinyl ether at room temperature resulted in formation of the two homopolymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 873–881, 1998     

Molecular weight distributions in radiation-induced polymerization. VI. γ-ray-induced polymerization of “dry” styrene in the solid state

The γ-ray-initiated polymerization of styrene in the solid state has been studied over the temperature range ?35°C to ?55°C for samples exhaustively purified and dried to remove residual water (“dry” samples). Comparison with kinetic results previously reported for dry samples in the liquid state indicates a sharp decrease in the rate of polymerization resulting from the liquid to solid state transition. The molecular weight distributions for in-source polymerization at ?35°C and ?40°C are bimodal in nature, and the appearance of a third peak is noticeable at ?47°C and ?55°C. In the case of postpolymerization at ?35°C the molecular weight distribution is bimodal as in the case of in-source samples. In the former case, however, the high molecular weight peak is predominant whereas the low molecular weight peak predominates in the latter. These results have been tentatively attributed to the postulated coexistence of two distinct propagating species which are radical and cationic in nature.     

Crystallographic data for KNO2III at −35 °C and KNO2VII at −100°C

KNO₂ III below ?13°C is monoclinic, space group P2₁ or P2₁/m, with a₀, b₀, c₀ = 4.677, 9.650, 6.395 Å, β = 93.8° at ?35°C. There is a further phase transformation between ?35°C and ?100°C to a new phase KNO₂ VII, which is also monoclinic, space group P2₁ or P2₁/m: with a₀, b₀, c₀ = 8.397, 4.773, 7.644 Å, β = 112° at ?100°C. Both these phases appear to be ordered.