Cross-linking assessment after accelerated ageing of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber

The ageing of filled and cross-linked ethylene propylene diene elastomer (EPDM) has been studied under accelerated UV irradiation (λ ≥ 290 nm) at 60 °C, thermal ageing at 100 °C and in nitric acid vapours for different time intervals. Hardness measurements were performed. DSC-thermoporosimetry was used to estimate the mesh size distribution and cross-linking densities for each ageing. The development of functional groups was monitored by ATR spectroscopy. An increase in oxidation with exposure time after the different types of ageing was observed. The thermal stability of EPDM was assessed by TGA and evolved volatile gases were identified using FTIR spectroscopy.     

Silica-based monolithic capillary columns—Effect of preparation temperature on separation efficiency

The temperature effects during the sol–gel process and ageing of the silica-based monolith on the structure and separation efficiency of the capillary columns (100 μm i.d., 150 mm) for HPLC separations were studied. The tested columns were synthesized from a mixture of tetramethoxysilane, polyethylene glycol and urea under the acidic conditions. The temperature was varied from 40 °C to 44 °C and formation of bypass channels between the silica mold and the capillary wall was examined. The temperature of 43 °C was estimated as optimal for preparation of efficient silica capillary columns which were subsequently modified by octadecyldimethyl-N,N-diethylaminosilane or covered by poly(octadecyl methacrylate) and tested using standard mixture of alkylbenzenes under the isocratic conditions.     

Remarkable effect of hydrogen-bonding interaction on stereospecificity in the radical polymerization of N-vinylacetamide

Radical polymerization of N-vinylacetamide (NVA) in toluene at low temperatures was investigated. It was found that the addition of Lewis bases or alcohol compounds significantly influenced stereospecificity in NVA polymerization. For example, syndiotacticity increased from 25% to 34% by adding tri-n-butyl phosphate at −40 °C. Mono-alcohol compounds increased heterotacticity and heterotactic poly(NVA) with mr triad content of 58% was obtained at −40 °C in the presence of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. Furthermore, isotactic poly(NVA) with mm triad = 49% was obtained at −60 °C in the presence of diethyl l-tartrate. The NMR analysis demonstrated that complex formation between NVA monomer and the added agents, through hydrogen-bonding interaction, played an important role to induce the stereospecificity.     

Thermal stability and ageing properties of sulphur and gamma radiation vulcanized natural rubber (NR) and carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber (XSBR) latices and their blends

The thermal stability of natural rubber (NR) and carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber (XSBR) latices and their blends was studied by thermogravimetric methods. Ageing characteristics of these latex blends were studied by applying hot air oven thermal ageing for seven days at 70 °C. The mechanical properties of the aged samples were studied. Thermal degradation and ageing properties of these individual latices and their blends were investigated with special reference to blend ratio and vulcanization techniques. As the XSBR content in the blends increased their thermal stability was also found to increase. Among sulphur and radiation-vulcanized samples, radiation cured possesses higher thermal stability due to the higher thermal stability of carbon-carbon crosslinks. DTG curves were used for the determination of different stages involved in the degradation. Activation energy for degradation was determined from Coats-Redfern plot. The properties of aged samples were found to decrease due to chain depletion. However, the moduli of XSBR and NR/XSBR blends were found to increase owing to the formation of crosslinks upon ageing.     

Conformational transition in polyaniline films - Spectroscopic and conductivity studies of ageing

Polyaniline films were produced in situ at room temperature from aniline hydrochloride oxidized with ammonium peroxydisulfate on glass surfaces immersed in an aqueous reaction mixture. A notable change in the character of the time dependence of resistivity at fixed temperature was observed when the temperature of ageing exceeded 85 °C. The ageing was much faster above this limit. This observation is reflected in the FTIR spectroscopic measurements on the aged protonated, as well as deprotonated, samples. The FTIR spectral variation may be explained by a conformational transition of the polymer chain at about 85 °C. The fact that a similar transition has been found with deprotonated samples indicates that this feature is an inherent property of polyaniline, and is not caused by the acid component of the PANI salt.     

Radical polymerization behavior of 3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate in water

The homogeneous polymerization of 3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate (MDAPS) with potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) was kinetically in situ investigated in water by means of FT-near IR spectroscopy. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was calculated to be 16.0 kcal/mol. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 40 °C was expressed by R_p=k[KPS]^0.65[MDAPS]^1.0. The presence of alkaline metal salts was observed to accelerate the polymerization. The order of acceleration at 40 °C was CsCl > KCl > NaCl > LiCl when the chloride salts were used. NaCl showed higher acceleration effect than NaF. NaBr and NaI exhibited retardation and inhibition effect, respectively, because of reduction of KPS and its primary radical with bromide and iodide ions. The polymerization of MDAPS with KPS in water in the presence of NaCl at 2.0 mol/l gave R_p=k[KPS]^0.70[MDAPS]^1.4 at 40 °C. The overall activation energy of the polymerization in the presence of NaCl was estimated to be 11.6 kcal/mol being considerably lower value compared with that in its absence. The syndiotacticity of poly(MDAPS) tended to increase with rising temperature and decrease in the presence of NaCl.     

Thermal stability of microencapsulated epoxy resins with poly(urea-formaldehyde)

A series of microcapsules filled with epoxy resins with poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell were synthesized by in situ polymerization, and they were heat-treated for 2 h at 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, 160 °C, 180 °C and 200 °C. The effects of surface morphology, wall shell thickness and diameter on the thermal stability of microcapsules were investigated. The chemical structure and surface morphology of microcapsules were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The thermal properties of microcapsules were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTA) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal damage mechanisms of microcapsules at lower temperature (<251 °C) are the diffusion of the core material out of the wall shell or the breakage of the wall shell owing to the mismatch of the thermal expansion of core and shell materials of microcapsules. The thermal damage mechanisms of microcapsules at higher temperature (>251 °C) are the decomposition of shell material and core materials. Increasing the wall shell thickness and surface compactness can enhance significantly the weight loss temperatures (T_d) of microcapsules. The microcapsules with mean wall shell thickness of 30 ± 5 μm and smoother surface exhibit higher thermal stability and can maintain quite intact up to approximately 180 °C.     

Emulsifier-free latex of fluorinated acrylate copolymer

Emulsifier-free latices of fluorinated acrylate copolymers were prepared by semicontinuous polymerization method, with perfluoroalkylethyl methacrylate (Zonyl TM) as a fluoromonomer. Ultrasonic at 40 kHz was adopted to help monomers disperse well in water. The relationships of polymerization conditions between the final conversion and polymerization stability were discussed in detail and the optimal polymerization condition was given. A fluorinated acrylate copolymer was finally obtained and its T_g was 54 °C. The average particle size of the latex was about 601 nm and the particle size distribution of the latex was narrow. The latex film exhibited a low surface free energy and good surface property. By using 6% Zonyl TM, the water contact angle of the film-air interface increased significantly and reached to 110.2°. Compared with the latex film of fluorine-free polyacrylate prepared under the similar polymerization condition, the fluorinated latex film had a better water-resistance and thermal stability.     

Phenylethynylnaphthalic endcapped imide oligomers with reduced cure temperatures

A series of 4-(2-phenylethynyl)-1,8-naphthalic anhydride (PENA) endcapped imide oligomers with different chemical backbones and calculated number average molecular weights (Calc’d M_n) were successfully synthesized and characterized. The PENA-endcapped imide oligomers were mixtures of mono- and double-endcapped imide oligomers with polymerization degree (P_n) of 1-5 and number average molecular weights (M_n) of 2515-3851 g/mol. determined by GPC. Study on effect of chemical structures on the curing behaviors of two model compounds: PENA-m based on PENA and PEPA-m derived from 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride (PEPA) revealed that PENA-m showed the cure temperature of 50 °C lower than PEPA-m and the activity energy of thermal curing reaction for PENA-m was also lower than that of PEPA-m. The PENA-endcapped imide oligomers could be melt at temperatures of >250 °C with the minimum melt viscosity of 1.2-230 Pa s at 275-301 °C and the widen melt processing windows, along with 10-40 °C lower cure temperature than the PEPA-endcapped analogue.The PENA-endcapped imide oligomers could be thermally cured at 350 °C/1 h to afford the thermally cured polyimides with good combined thermal and mechanical properties including T_g of 344-397 °C (DMA), T_d of 443-513 °C, tensile strength of as high as 54.7 MPa, flexural strength of as high as 126.1 MPa and modulus of as high as 2.3 GPa, respectively.     

Long-term performance of poly(vinyl chloride) cables, Part 2: Migration of plasticizer

Cable samples with plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) insulations were aged in air at temperatures between 80 and 155 °C. The concentrations of the plasticizer (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP) in the insulations of the aged cables were determined by extraction of samples in tetrahydrofuran followed by analysis of the extract by liquid chromatography. The plasticizer concentration data for different ageing times were analysed by numerical methods, fitting Fick's second law with a concentration-dependent diffusivity. The analysis showed that the transport of the plasticizer to the surrounding air phase was controlled by diffusion at 120 and 155 °C with an activation energy of 89 kJ mol⁻¹. The evaporation of the plasticizer from the outer boundary was rate controlling at lower temperatures (≤100 °C). The rate of evaporation was initially constant and independent of the plasticizer concentration at both 80 and 100 °C. The activation energy for the initial DEHP loss rate from PVC at these temperatures was the same as that obtained for evaporation of pure DEHP on a glass plate at 60-100 °C measured by thermogravimetry, 98 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹. Furthermore, the evaporation rate of pure DEHP on a glass plate was also of the same order of magnitude as the rate of plasticizer loss from the cable insulation. Extrapolation of the plasticizer loss rate data (from the cable at 80 °C and from pure liquid DEHP at temperatures between 60 and 100 °C) to 25 °C predicted a maximum loss of plasticizer of 1% over 25 years. This is in accordance with earlier presented data and with the data presented in this report.     

Controlled radical polymerization of cholesteryl acrylate and its block copolymer with styrene via the RAFT process

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of cholesteryl acrylate (ChA) was conducted using S-1-dodecyl-S′-(α,α′-dimethyl-α′′-acetic acid)trithiocarbonate as CTA and AIBN as initiator in toluene at 80 °C. The polymerization was investigated at two different CTA concentrations (0.025 and 0.040 M). Polymerization of ChA with CTA concentration of 0.040 M proceeds in a controlled/living manner as evidenced by linear increase of the molecular weight with conversion and narrow polymer polydispersity (PDI < 1.2). With lower initial CTA concentration, namely 0.025 M, although poly(cholesteryl acrylate) (PChA) exhibiting narrow molecular weight distributions could be synthesized, the polymerization showed relatively low control with many termination products. Chain extension polymerizations were performed starting from either the PChA or the polystyrene (PS) block, and well-defined copolymers based on ChA and styrene were prepared. Thermal properties of PChA and PS-b-PChA copolymer were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the results showed that both PChA and PS-b-PChA are amorphous polymers. PChA begins to decompose at ca. 218 °C with maximum weight loss rate at 351 °C, while PS-b-PChA shows double weight loss rate peaks located at 345 and 415 °C, respectively.     

Radical polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine in water: kinetics and salt effects

The homogeneous polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) as betaine monomer with potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) was kinetically investigated in water by means of FT-near IR spectroscopy. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was estimated to be 12.8 kcal/mol. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 40 °C was given by R_p = k[KPS]^0.98[MPC]^1.9. The presence of alkaline metal halides accelerated the polymerization. The larger the radius of metal cation or halide ion was, the larger the accelerating effect was. The accelerating salt effect was explained by interactions of salt ions with ionic moieties of the propagating polymer radical and/or the MPC monomer. A kinetic study was also performed on the polymerization of MPC with KPS in water in the presence of NaCl of 2.5 mol/l. R_p at 40 °C was expressed by R_p = k[KPS]^0.6[MPC]^1.6. A very low value of 4.7 kcal/mol was obtained as the overall activation energy of the polymerization.     

Temperature and pH dual-responsive coatings of oligoperoxide-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide): Wettability, morphology, and protein adsorption

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) coatings attached to glass with novel approach involving polymerization from oligoperoxide grafted to surface with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane exhibit not only temperature- but also pH-dependence of wettability and protein adsorption. Wettability and composition of coatings, fabricated with different polymerization times, were determined using contact angle measurements and Time Of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), respectively. Thermal response of wettability, measured between 20 and 40 °C, was prominent at pH 9 and 7 and diminished or absent at pH 5 and 3. This indicates a transition between hydrated loose coils and hydrophobic collapsed chains that is blocked at low pH. Higher surface roughness and dramatically increased adsorption of model protein (lentil lectin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate) were observed with AFM and fluorescence microscopy to occur in hydrophobic phases (at pH 3, for pH varied at constant temperature of 22 °C and at ∼33 °C, for temperature varied at constant pH 9). Protein adsorption response to pH was confirmed by TOF-SIMS and Principal Component Analysis.     

Synthesis of new polyazines by 1,4 photochemical or anionic polymerization of 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes

Photochemical and anionic polymerizations of 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes are described. Photochemical polymerization was smoothly performed by irradiation of some 1-aminocarbonyl-1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with high pressure mercury arc (λ = 300 nm) in the presence of allyltributylstannane. Molecular weights (M_w) in the range 14.6-559 × 10² g/mol were obtained. The TGA curve revealed a first weight loss starting at about 200 °C of some 85%, and a second starting at about 300 °C. The DSC showed the glass transition (T_g) at about −34 °C. Anionic polymerization was performed by treatment of some 1-alkoxycarbonyl-1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with n-butyllithium. Molecular weights (M_w) in the range 8.44-242 × 10² g/mol were obtained.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of in situ polymerized PS/EPDM blends

In situ polymerized PS/EPDM blends were prepared by dissolving poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-2-ethylidene-5-norbornene) (EPDM) in styrene monomer, followed by bulk polymerization at 60 °C and 80 °C . EPDM has excellent resistance to such factors as weather, ozone and oxidation, attributed to its non-conjugated diene component, and it could be a good alternative for substituting polybutadiene-based rubbers in PS toughening. The in situ polymerized blends were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and tensile and Izod impact resistance tests. The PS/EPDM blends are immiscible and present two phases, a dispersed elastomeric phase (EPDM) in a rigid PS matrix whose phase behavior is strongly affected by the polymerization temperature. Mechanical properties of the blends are influenced by the increase in the average size of EPDM domains with the increase in the polymerization temperature and EPDM content. The blends polymerized at 60 °C containing 5 wt% of EPDM presents an increase in the impact resistance of 80% and containing 17 wt% of EPDM presents an increase in the strain at break of 170% in comparison with the value of PS. The blend polymerized at 80 °C containing 17 wt% of EPDM presents an increase in the strain at break of 480% and in impact resistance of 140% in comparison with the value of PS.     

Effect of clay on the corrosion protection efficiency of PMMA/Na-MMT clay nanocomposite coatings evaluated by electrochemical measurements

The preparation of PMMA-clay nanocomposites was investigated by using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDS) and potassium peroxodisulfate (KPS) as a surfactant and chain initiator for an in situ emulsion polymerization reaction, respectively. The as-prepared nanocomposites were then characterized by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) patterns and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).It should be noted that the nanocomposite coating containing 1 wt% of clay loading was found to exhibit an observable enhanced corrosion protection on cold-rolled steel (CRS) electrode at higher operational temperature of 50 °C, which was even better than that of uncoated and electrode-coated with PMMA alone at room temperature of 30 °C based on the electrochemical parameter evaluations (e.g., E_corr, R_p, I_corr, R_corr and impedance). In this work, all electrochemical measurements were performed at a double-wall jacketed cell, covered with a glass plate, through which water was circulated from a thermostat to maintain a constant operational temperature of 30, 40 and 50 ± 0.5 °C. Moreover, a series of electrochemical parameters shown in Tafel, Nyquist and Bode plots were all used to evaluate PCN coatings at three different operational temperatures in 5 wt% aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The molecular barrier properties at three different operational temperatures of PMMA and PCN membranes were investigated by gas permeability analyzer (GPA) and vapor permeability analyzer (VPA). Effect of material composition on the molecular weight and optical properties of neat PMMA and PCN materials, in the form of solution and membrane, were also studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and UV-vis transmission spectra.     

Thermal, ozone and gamma ageing of styrene butadiene rubber and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends

Ageing behaviour of SBR/EVA blends due to the effects of heat, ozone, and gamma radiation was studied with reference to blend ratio, three crosslinking systems (sulfur, peroxide and mixed) and a compatibiliser (SEBS-g-MA). It was found that an increase in the EVA content of the blends enhanced the ageing characteristics. Among the different crosslinking systems, a peroxide cured system exhibited the best retention of properties even after severe ageing. Tensile strength of peroxide cured SBR/EVA blends increased slightly after ageing for three days at 70 °C due to continued crosslinking, whereas tensile strength of all blends decreased on ageing at 100 °C. Compatibilisation with SEBS-g-MA improved the thermal, gamma and water ageing resistance of SBR/EVA blends.     

Effects of the polymerization temperature on the structure,morphology and conductivity of polyaniline prepared with ammonium peroxodisulfate

Polyaniline (PANI) samples were prepared by the oxidation of aniline with ammonium peroxodisulfate in a reaction vessel placed in a bath thermostated to particular temperature, T_b, from −20 °C to 40 °C. Temperature–time profiles of reaction mixtures were monitored except for the reaction at −20 °C that proceeded in the solid state. The temperature regime was found to influence the molecular structure, morphology, crystallinity and electrical conductivity of PANI. The increase in T_b results in an increased content of meanwhile unspecified structure defects in the formed PANI chains (the presence of attached self-doping groups is improbable), decreased crystallinity, toughness and compactness of PANI microparticles and increased steepness of the temperature dependence of PANI conductivity. The PANI prepared in the solid-state polymerization at −20 °C shows, besides a rather high crystallinity, the unusually high position of the quinonoid band maximum: 643 nm, which suggests a high regularity of its chains. A correlation between the temperature dependence of PANI conductivity at low temperatures (range from 13 to 318 K) on one hand and the temperature regime of PANI preparation on the other hand, is reported for the first time. The dependences obtained only poorly meet the variable random hopping model.     

High-temperature synthesis of highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous silica and Fe-SiO2 using ionic liquid as a template

Mesoporous silicas and Fe-SiO₂ with worm-like structures have been synthesized using a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexadecane-3-methylimidazolium bromide, as a template at a high aging temperature (150-190 °C) with the assistance of NaF. The hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica was effectively improved by increasing the aging temperature and adding NaF to the synthesis gel. High hydrothermally stable mesoporous silica was obtained after being aged at 190 °C in the presence of NaF, which endured the hydrothermal treatment in boiling water at least for 10 d or steam treatment at 600 °C for 6 h. The ultra hydrothermal stability could be attributed to its high degree of polymerization of silicate. Furthermore, highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous Fe-SiO₂ has been synthesized, which still remained its mesostructure after being hydrothermally treated at 100 °C for 12 d or steam-treated at 600 °C for 6 h.     

Bio-oil production from Onopordum acanthium L. by slow pyrolysis

In this study, the usability of the plant thistle, Onopordum acanthium L., belonging to the family Asteraceae (Compositae), in liquid fuel production has been investigated. The experiments were performed in a fixed-bed Heinze pyrolysis reactor to investigate the effects of heating rate, pyrolysis temperature and sepiolite percentage on the pyrolysis product yields and chemical compositions. Experiments were carried out in a static atmosphere with a heating rate of 7 °C/min and 40 °C/min, pyrolysis temperature of 350, 400, 500, 550 and 700 °C and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. Catalyst experiments were conducted in a static atmosphere with a heating rate of 40 °C/min, pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. Bio-oil yield increased from 18.5% to 27.3% with the presence of 10% of sepiolite catalyst at pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C, with a heating rate of 40 °C/min, and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. It means that the yield of bio-oil was increased at around 48.0% after the catalyst added. Chromatographic and spectroscopic studies on the bio-oil showed that the oil obtained from O. acanthium L. could be used as a renewable fuels and chemical feedstock.