Mass spectral and pyrolysis/gas-chromatographic studies of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol

The thermal degradation of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol has been investigated. Decomposition during the latter stages of solid-state thermal polymerization at 80°C and of 100% polymer at 112°C was observed by mass spectrometry and the decomposition fragments identified. Mechanisms for this low-temperature degradation are suggested. Pyrolysis of the monomer and polymer between 400 and 1000°C was studied by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The principal pyrolysis products are triacetylene and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The fragmentation routes leading to and derived from these products are discussed.     

Thermal degradation of polyquinoxalines

A systematic investigation of the thermal stability of nine structurally related polyquinoxalines has been conducted. The relative oxidation resistance of these polymers is controlled by two opposing structural effects. Phenyl sidegroup substitution in the heterocycle greatly improves oxidative stability, while the introduction of oxygen into the main polymer chain, in the form of ether groups, produces a negative effect of equal magnitude. These results are discussed from a mechanistic point of view. Simultaneous, dynamic thermal analysis in vacuum up to 1400°C and analysis of volatile and nonvolatile products indicates three major decomposition regions. Between 500 and 640°C, main polymer degradation takes place involving the heterocycle. This event is followed by dehydrogenation of a stable degradation product between 640 and 690°C. Above 1360°C an exothermic reaction takes place to yield highly condensed aromatic residues.     

Polydimethylsiloxane–cristobalite composite adhesive system for aerospace applications

The effect of phase‐pure cristobalite (a high temperature crystalline polymorph of silica) on the adhesive characteristics of hydroxyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was studied. The potential advantages of PDMS/cristobalite composite system as an adhesive for aerospace applications are also discussed. A PDMS/cristobalite composite adhesive system containing different filler contents (0–46 volume percentage, vol%) was prepared. The filler material, phase‐pure cristobalite, was synthesized by the pyrolysis of fused silica at 1400°C. The mechanical, rheological, and thermal characteristics of the composites were studied. A high yield stress (0.151 Pa), shear‐thinning index (1.051), and fast recovery rate were observed for ～34 vol% cristobalite loading, which indicate that PDMS retains its excellent adhesive and flow characteristics even at high filler loading with enhanced mechanical characteristics. Thermal analysis shows the onset of degradation of PDMS shifts to higher temperatures, 372–438°C and 317–417°C in nitrogen and air atmosphere respectively, which shows excellent thermal stability. The residual component yields after thermal degradation of PDMS/cristobalite composite system in nitrogen and air atmosphere show different degradation mechanisms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxidative degradation products of irradiated polyethylene

Oxidative thermal degradation products of polyethylenes at various temperatures crosslinked with electron beams have been analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are determined at a temperature range of 200–340°C, and the activation energies of the unirradiated and the irradiated polyethylene (at 100 Mrad) are 13.5 and 11.4 Kcal/mole, respectively. C₁ to C₈ hydrocarbons produced in air and in nitrogen are determined at temperatures from 400 to 450°C for the polyethylenes. The irradiated polyethylene produces less hydrocarbons in air than the unirradiated polyethylene, contrary to the fact that the crosslinked polymer evolves more hydrocarbons than the unirradiated polymer in a nitrogen atmosphere. Aldehydes and ketones are observed in the volatile oxidative degradation products, and these carbonyl compounds increase quantitatively with increase of temperature up to about 460°C. It is concluded that irradiated polyethylene is thermally more unstable in the absence of oxygen and more easily oxidable at low degradation temperatures in air than unirradiated polyethylene. Irradiated polyethylene, however, is more heat-stable than unirradiated polyethylene from the standpoint of the ignition process.     

Carborane polymers. IV. Polysiloxanes

Carboranes attached to silicon through straight-chain alkyl groups were prepared and characterized for thermal stability by TGA and molecular weight change on heating. The monomers for these polymers were prepared generally by platinum-catalyzed addition of a silylhydride to an alkenyl or dialkenyl carborane. Polymerization was effected by hydrolysis-condensation of chlorosilanes, ring opening of cyclosiloxanes, and condensation of alkoxy and chlorosilanes. Two types of polymer structures were prepared, one contained m-carborane in the chain backbone, the other contained o-carborane as pendant alkylcarborane groups. Both types were obtained as elastomers; however, higher proportions of carborane in the polymers reduced elasticity and finally resulted in nonelastomers. TGA of the backbone carborane siloxane polymer indicated degradation at 370°C. in nitrogen and at 235°C. in air. Chain scission, as determined by molecular weight decrease, was observed on heating in nitrogen at 350°C. TGA of the pendant carborane siloxane polymer indicated that degradation in nitrogen and in air occurred at greater than 400°C. However, chain scission, as determined by molecular weight decrease, was observed upon heating at 300°C. in nitrogen.     

Thermal analysis of poly(p-xylylene) and poly(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene)

The TG(DTG) and DTA of poly(p-xylylene) and poly(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene) are reported. The degradation was performed from ambient temperature to 900°C in both air and nitrogen. Both polymer degrade faster in air than under nitrogen but the fluorinated polymer eventually decomposed at higher temperature in air than in nitrogen atmosphere. The activation energies of the degradation processes is given.     

Synthesis and Initial Thermal Characterization of Titanium Polyferrocene Ethers

Titanium polyferrocene ethers were synthesized by the inter-facial technique. Reaction is rapid and general. Synthesis can be effected by utilizing either NaOH or Et₃N but not without added base. Reactant molar ratio yield trends vary with the nature of the diol, indicative of the sensitivity of the system, at least to this variable. Decomposition to ca. 150°C occurs via a nonoxidative mode(s). Above 150°C, degradation occurs through an oxidative route(s) in air.     

Study of the curing of an acetylene-terminated polyphenylene resin with thermal expansion measurements

The curing of an acetylene-terminated polyphenylene resin (Hercules H-Resin) was followed by thermal expansion measurements. This approach proved useful in optimizing the curing conditions of the resin. Curing the polymer in air led to the formation of carboxyl groups, whereas curing under nitrogen did not. The thermal expansion coefficient is a minimum (32 ppm deg^?1) for a cure cycle of 250°C for 30 min, followed by 350°C for 30 min. Heating at temperatures above 350°C led to degradation of the crosslinked polymer and an increase in the thermal expansion coefficient.     

Radiation-Induced Degradation of a Series of Poly(vinyl Ethers)

The degradative effects of γ-radiation on diethyl ether solutions of poly(alkyl vinyl ethers) under a variety of conditions were studied by polymer molecular weight measurements. Poly(methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE), poly(ethyl vinyl ether) (PEVE), poly(isopropyl vinyl ether) (PIPVE), and poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (PIBVE) exhibited similar degradative behavior, with G_(SC) values between 0.3 and 0.9 scissions/100 eV at 0°C. Chemically polymerized and radiation-polymerized PEVE samples gave comparable results. Chain degradation was much more pronounced for samples of poly(tert-butyl vinyl ether) (PTBVE) which yielded a G_(SC) value of 3.6 at 0°C. Degradation experiments conducted on PEVE in air resulted in significantly higher rates of scission: G_(SC) = 5.6 scissions/100 eV at 0°C. Chain scission was not measurably influenced by changing the solvent from diethyl ether to di-isopropyl ether. Increased polymer concentration was found to reduce the rate of polymer degradation.     

Poly(Aryl ethers) by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. II. Thermal stability

The thermal stability and degradation process for a specific poly(aryl ether) system have been studied. In particular, the polymer which is available from Union Carbide Corporation as Bakelite polysulfone has been examined in detail. Polysulfone can be prepared from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Because of a low-temperature transition at ? 100°C. and a glass transition at 195°C., polysulfone retains useful mechanical properties from ?100°C. to 175°C. A number of experimental methods were utilized to study the thermal decomposition process for this polymer system. Polysulfone gradually degraded in vacuum above 400°C. as demonstrated by mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis in argon, air, or high vacuum indicated that rapid decomposition began above 460°C. From gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and repeated laboratory pyrolyses, a number of products from polymer decompositions were identified. The most important degradation process in vacuum or inert atmosphere was loss of sulfur dioxide. Several model compounds representative of portions of poly(aryl ether) molecules were synthesized and the relative thermal stabilities determined. Possible mechanisms for pure thermal decomposition of polysulfone were derived from the product analyses, model studies, and consideration of bond dissociation energies.     

Phthalocyanine polymers. III. Poly(nickel phthalocyanine)benzimidazole as a novel high-temperature-resistant polymer

A new type of poly(nickel phthalocyanine)benzimidazole was prepared by the condensation reaction between nickel (11) 4,4′,4″,4″′-phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acid dihydrate and 3, 3′-diaminobenzidine. The reaction was investigated by both the melt and solution condensation methods. This polymer showed good thermal and thermo-oxidative stability. Also noteworthy is its high thermal stability with a char yield of 88% at 800°C in nitrogen. No catastrophic decomposition was observed up to 1100°C. A qualitative study of decomposition in both air and nitrogen is presented. Elemental analyses agreed well with the proposed structure. Infrared (IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies were performed to characterize this polymer, and isothermal gravimetric analysis was done to determine its long-term thermal stability. The apparent activation energies for the thermal degradation in air and nitrogen are given.     

THERMAL DEGRADATION KINETICS OF THERMOTROPIC COPOLY (P-OXYBENZOATE-ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE-VANILLATE) BY A HIGH-RESOLUTION THERMOGRAVIMETRY

Thermotropic liquid crystalline terpolymers consisting of three units of p-oxybenzoate (B), ethylene terephthalate (E), and vanillate (V), were studied through a high-resolution thermogravimetry to ascertain their thermostability and kinetics parameters of thermal decomposition in nitrogen and air. Overall activation energy data of the major decomposition have been calculated through four calculating techniques. The thermal degradation occurs in three steps in nitrogen, but in four steps in air due to an additional thermo-oxidative step. The thermal degradation temperatures are higher than 436°C in nitrogen and 424°C in air and increase with increasing B-unit content at a fixed V-unit content of 5 mol%. The temperatures at the first maximum weight-loss rate are higher than 444°C in nitrogen and 431°C in air and increase slightly with an increase in B-unit content. The first, second, and third maximum weight-loss rates almost maintain at 10–11, 10–11, and 3.6–5.3%/min regardless of copolymer composition and testing atmosphere. The char yields at 500°C in both nitrogen and air are larger than 40 wt% and increases with increasing B-unit content. But the char yields at 800°C in nitrogen and air are quite different, i.e., 18–25 wt% in nitrogen and 0 wt% in air. The activation energy and Ln (pre-exponential factor) for the major decomposition are higher in nitrogen than in air and decrease slightly with an increase in B-unit content at a given V-unit content 5 mol%. There is no regular variation in the decomposition order with the variation of copolymer composition and testing atmosphere. It is found that the most V-unit-containing terpolymer exhibited the lowest degradation temperature, lowest activation energy, and lowest Ln (pre-exponential factor). The activation energy, decomposition order, and Ln (pre-exponential factor) of the thermal degradation for the terpolymers, are situated in the ranges of 121–248 kJ/mol, 1.5–2.8, 19–38 min^?1, respectively. These results indicate that the terpolymers exhibit high thermostability. The isothermal decomposition kinetics of the terpolymer at 450°C have also been discussed and compared with the results obtained based non-isothermal high-resolution thermogravimetry.     

The solid-state thermal polymerization of bis(p-toluene sulphonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol. III. An ESR study

Electron spin resonance (ESR) observations of the solid-state thermal polymerization of bis(p-toluene sulphonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1, 6-diol at 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C are reported. The weak paramagnetism observed in polycrystalline samples is interpreted in terms of departures of the polymer chain from an equilibrium conformation. Decomposition occurs at 70°C and 80°C during the final phase of polymerization producing additional paramagnetic centers. Lineshape parameters measured during polymerization show changes which we attribute to changes in the delocalization and mobility of the paramagnetic center. We conclude that the nature of paramagnetism in crystalline conjugated diacetylene polymers is a chain defect property characteristic of interband electronic states close to the valence band.     

Conformation and Hydrolytic Stability of Polysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris

Xanthomonas campestris polysaccharide in the solid state is stable to 225°C in air and 250°C in inert atmosphere. In solution, even at moderate temperatures, the polymer undergoes hydrolytic degradation via the glycosidic linkages, and occurrence of main-chain scission results in lower solution viscosity. In solution, the polymer can exist in ordered and disordered conformations. In distilled water at temperatures ≤ 50°C, the polymer exists in the disordered conformation. In the presence of salt, acid, or base the polymer exists in the ordered conformation. In the ordered conformation the polymer exhibits a far greater hydrolytic stability. The higher stability of the ordered conformation is especially demonstrated when the polymer is aged in acid or base solutions. Contrary to the expected lower stability of the glycosidic linkages in acid or base than in water, Xanthomonas campestris polysaccharide shows higher stability in these media.     

Thermal behavior of poly-p-xylylene-m-carborane

Thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and gel-permeation chromatography studies were undertaken to determine the behavior of poly(p-xylylene-m-carborane) at elevated temperature. Results show that the polymer softened at about 200°C, probably because of polymorphism. Chlorine atoms from chain ends also ruptured at this temperature. This initiated subsequent hydrogen abstraction and thermal oxidation reactions that resulted in the decomposition of the polymer. The process of degradation closely parallels the thermal oxidation of polybenzyl and other polymers with readily activated methylene groups. The volatile products that formed at 300 and 400°C were produced because of the cleavage of methylene groups and their oxidation products. Larger polymer segments containing phenylene and m-carborane groups were evolved at higher temperatures. Some crosslinking occurred when the polymer was heated in air at temperatures above 200°C. The degree of polydispersity of the polymer fraction that remained soluble in organic solvents increased with corresponding increase of temperature.     

Degradation of epoxy polymers: Part 1—Products of thermal degradation of bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether

The principal characteristics and products of thermal degradation of a commercial epoxy resin prepared by reaction of 2,2-bis(4′-hydroxy phenyl)propane (bisphenol-A) with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxy propane (epichlorhydrin) have been studied. The principal volatile products, acrolein, acetone and allyl alcohol, are formed at 280°C and, although cross-linking is detectable at 220°C, it only becomes significant at 320°C when the residual resin is brittle and insoluble. Decomposition of the cross-linked resin occurs above 340°C when phenolic compounds appear together with more complex products with higher molecular weights whose structures have been speculated upon from examination of their mass spectral characteristics.     

Fire- and heat-resistant polymer based on maleimido-substituted 2,2-bis(anilino)-4,4,6,6-tetrakis-(4-aminophenoxy)-cyclotriphosphazene

A fire- and heat-resistant polymer was obtained by the thermal polymerization of bismaleimido-substituted 2,2-bis(anilino)-4,4,6,6-tetrakis-(4-Aminophenoxy)-cyclotriphosphazene. The thermal stabilities of the polymer were evaluated in nitrogen and in air by thermogravimetric analysis. This polymer was stable to 345°C and had char yields of 78% at 800°C in nitrogen and of 71% at 700°C in air. The structures of cyclotriphosphazene precursors and the polymer were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.     

Degradation of β-Tritiated Polystyrene by Self-Irradiation

β-Tritiated polystyrene undergoes decomposition due to seif- irradiation. The effects of irradiation in air and high vacuum at 25°C were studied and simultaneous chain scission and cross-linking were observed under both conditions. Analyses of gaseous products and polymer residues were carried out. Hydrogen was the only product of vacuum irradiation while water, formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, styrene and hydrogen were formed on irradiation in air. Possible mechanisms of degradation are discussed.     

Thermal degradation of MDI-based segmented polyurethanes

Thermal degradations of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers were conducted and investigated as functions of heating conditions by using thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The extent of degradation increased with increasing temperatures and times. The degradation was accompanied by crosslinking and was more significant under air than under nitrogen, indicating that a free-radical mechanism was involved. The degradation mainly was due to unstable hard segments and gave a red shift in the UV-vis spectra. The degradation, leading to considerable discoloration, was demonstrated by UV-vis spectroscopy, starting from 240 °C in air for 10 min. Heated in nitrogen for the same period of time, the samples did not show considerable discoloration until 280 °C. The UV-vis data suggested that the degradation occurred through cleavages of N H bonds and C H bonds on the hard segments. Chain scission of polymer main chains, as demonstrated by GPC data, occurred at a temperature as low as 200 °C in nitrogen, although cleavage of N H bonds was not detectable by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy at these conditions. FTIR spectroscopy also provided evidence of cleavage of N H bonds and depolymerization of urethane linkages. Irganox 1010 was found to be an efficient antioxidant. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4126–4134, 1999     

Stabilizing effect of oxygen on thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate)

The thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) has been studied under nitrogen and air. The presence of oxygen increases the initial decomposition temperature by 70°C. The stabilizing effect of oxygen is explained by the formation of thermally stable radical species that suppress unzipping of the polymer. This assumption is supported by the experimental fact that introduction of NO into the gaseous atmosphere increases the initial decomposition temperature by more than 100°C.