Oxidation of polyethylene surface by corona discharge and the subsequent graft polymerization

Oxidation of a polyethylene (PE) surface by corona discharge and the subsequent graft polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) were studied. The maximum amount of peroxides introduced by corona treatment at a voltage of 15 kV was about 2.3 × 10^?9 mol cm^?2. The decomposition rate of peroxide and the dependence of graft amount on the storage period of the corona-treated PE films showed that there were several kinds of peroxides, the labile one being mainly responsible for the initiation of graft polymerization. When the corona-treated film was brought into contact with a deaerated aqueous solution of AAm, graft polymerization took place more strongly with the treatment time, but was reduced after passing a maximum. Although the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses of the corona-treated PE films showed homogeneous oxidation of the outer polymer surface by corona discharge, optical microscopy on the cross section of the grafted film revealed the graft polymerization to be limited to a very thin surface region.     

Graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid and acrylamide onto acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer by photoinduced hydroperoxide

Graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) or acrylamide (AM) from an aqueous solution onto acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) was initiated by the thermal decomposition of polymeric hydroperoxides, which are formed upon UV irradiationof ABS, which contains anthracene. Diffusion of anthracene at room temperature from a methanolic solution into ABS was affected by the acrylonitrile content ofABS.The graft yield was independent on the concentration of anthracene in the wide range of 0.03 X 10^-3 to 14.29 X 10^?3 mol/L in ABS. The graft polymerization reaction does not occur below 100°C.The effect of other variables, such as time of irradiation, intensity of UV, reaction time, and concentration of monomer in aqueous solution, on the amount of monomer grafted to ABS were also investigated.The contact angle significantly decreases upon grafting, indicating that the graft layer is on the surface of the polymer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The ozonization of sodium lignosulfonate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

The kinetics of ozonization of sodium lignosulfate (LS) in the presence of H₂O₂ was studied. The effective rate constants for the oxidation of LS and the total ozone consumption were determined. The k _eff = 30 ± 8 M^?1 s^?1 value was found to be independent of the concentration of H₂O₂. The total ozone consumption decreased as the concentration of H₂O₂ increased from 1.0 × 10^?4 to 1.0 × 10^?3 M because of the participation of the radicals generated in the O₃ + H₂O₂ reaction in LS transformations. The kinetic and UV and IR spectroscopy data allowed the conclusion to be drawn that the destruction of the LS aromatic system in the LS + O₃ + H₂O₂ reaction was caused by the interaction of LS with O₃, whereas radicals generated in this system contributed to deeper destruction of LS in the interaction of aliphatic LS macromolecule fragments with low-molecular-weight polymer oxidation products. The depth of polymer oxidation could be changed by varying the content of hydrogen peroxide in the system for LS ozonization.     

Comparison of chemical effects of UV radiation from spark discharge in air and a low-pressure mercury lamp

The chemical effects of UV radiation from atmospheric-pressure spark discharge and a DBK-9 low-pressure mercury lamp in distilled water and aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide and tryptophan have been studied. Reactive species generated in water by the both radiation sources are HO ₂ ^· radicals, acid residue ions NO ₂ ^? and NO ₃ ^? , and ammonium ions. The yield of HO ₂ ^· radicals has appeared to be the same for both sources, (1.1–1.2) × 10^?6 mol L^?1 s^?1. This is confirmed by measurements of the degradation kinetics of tryptophan, which can be destroyed by HO ₂ ^· radicals. The pH of water monotonically decreases with time during the spark discharge treatment. In the case of the mercury lamp, the pH varies insignificantly because of the competition of NH ₄ ⁺ alkali ions with the acid residues. UV radiation plays the major role in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.     

Thermal decompositions of dialkyl peroxides studied by DSC

Studies on the thermal decompositions of diamyl peroxide (DAPO), dicumyl peroxide (DCPO), and tert-butyl cumyl peroxide (TBCP) were conducted by DSC. Heat of decomposition, exothermic onset point, and chemical kinetics were determined and compared to those data of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), a model compound for studying thermokinetics of organic peroxide and standardization of a calorimeter. Similarities and differences of decomposition mechanisms between these organic peroxides were proposed and verified. Kinetics on decomposition of uni-molecular reaction via these similar alkoxyl radials accompanying β C–C bond scission were discussed and compared to the results from ab initio calculations. The ranking of thermal stability on dialkyl peroxides is determined to be in the following sequence: DCPO < TBCP < DAPO < DTBP. This rate-determining step in thermal decomposition of dialkyl peroxides possessed an average eigenvalue of log A at about 13.1 ± 1.2. Activation energy on the thermal decomposition of these peroxides was calculated to be 139.5 ± 14.4 kJ mol^?1.     

Effects of glutathione peroxidase and catalase on hemolysis and methemoglobin modifications induced by photooxidized psoralen

Psoralen photooxidation products (POP products) were obtained by UVA irradiation (365 nm, 180-640 W/m2) of an aqueous psoralen solution with fluences of 0-800 kJ/m2. Preincubation of POP products with glutathione peroxidase (GSHPer) or catalase, as well as presence of catalase during UVA irradiation of the aqueous psoralen solution did not influence their hemolytic activity. However, both GSHPer and catalase inhibited POP-induced conversion of methemoglobin. This indicates that hydrogen peroxide and psoralen peroxides destructible by GSHPer, which are being produced during psoralen photooxidation, do not possess hemolytic activity. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide does not appear to serve as an intermediate in the process of hemolysin formation. Hydrogen peroxide generated during psoralen photooxidation is apparently the main POP product responsible for MetHb conversion.     

Determination of H2O2 and organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection

A method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and several organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection is described. By means of post-column UV irradiation in the presence of water organic peroxides are converted into hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides, which react rapidly with the post-column derivatization agent p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PHPAA) under catalysis of horseradish peroxidase to yield the fluorescent PHPAA dimer that is detected at excitation and emission wavelengths of 285 and 400 nm, respectively. The detection limit for hydrogen peroxide is 14 ng/mL, for organic peroxides between 34 ng/mL and 5 μg/mL. No interference by other compounds was observed when their concentrations were below 10 mg/mL except ethers and phenols. Received: 6 August 1997 / Revised: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Determination of H2O2 and organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection

A method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and several organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection is described. By means of post-column UV irradiation in the presence of water organic peroxides are converted into hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides, which react rapidly with the post-column derivatization agent p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PHPAA) under catalysis of horseradish peroxidase to yield the fluorescent PHPAA dimer that is detected at excitation and emission wavelengths of 285 and 400 nm, respectively. The detection limit for hydrogen peroxide is 14 ng/mL, for organic peroxides between 34 ng/mL and 5 μg/mL. No interference by other compounds was observed when their concentrations were below 10 mg/mL except ethers and phenols. Received: 6 August 1997 / Revised: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐ethylene carbonate) macromonomers and their use in the preparation of crosslinked polymer electrolytes

Methacrylate‐functionalized poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐ethylene carbonate) macromonomers were prepared in two steps by the anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene carbonate at 180 °C, with potassium methoxide as the initiator, followed by the reaction of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polymers with methacryloyl chloride. The molecular weight of the polymer went through a maximum after approximately 45 min of polymerization, and the content of ethylene carbonate units in the polymer decreased with the reaction time. A polymer having a number‐average molecular weight of 2650 g mol^?1 and an ethylene carbonate content of 28 mol % was selected and used to prepare a macromonomer, which was subsequently polymerized by UV irradiation in the presence of different concentrations of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salt. The resulting self‐supportive crosslinked polymer electrolyte membranes reached ionic conductivities of 6.3 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 at 20 °C. The coordination of the lithium ions by both the ether and carbonate oxygens in the polymer structure was indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2195–2205, 2006     

The free-radical reaction of tri-n-butyltin hydride with peroxides

Rate constants for the tri-n-butyltin radical ( Sn · ) induced decomposition of a number of peroxides have been measured in benzene at 10°C. The values range from ～100 M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl peroxide to 2.6 × 10⁷ M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl diperoxyisophthalate. The majority of the peroxides, including diethyl peroxide, diacetyl peroxide, and t-butyl peracetate, have rate constants of ～10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1. It is shown that di-n-alkyl disulfides are ten times as reactive toward Sn · as di-n-alkyl peroxides, although the exothermicities of these reactions are ～15 and ～39 kcal/mole, respectively. The enhanced reactivity of the disulfides is attributed to the easier formation of an intermediate or transition state with 9 electrons around sulfur, compared with an analogous species with 9 electrons around oxygen. The following bond strengths (kcal/mole) have been estimated: D[ Sn ? OR] = 77; D[ Sn ? H] = 82; D[ Sn ? SR] = 83; and D[ Sn ? OC(O)R] = 86, where R = alkyl. Rate constants for reaction of Sn · with some benzyl esters have also been measured. It has been found that t-butoxy radicals can add to benzene and abstract hydrogen from benzene at ambient temperatures.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile: Kinetics of the reaction initiated by the Fe2+/BrO3− redox system

The aqueous polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the bromate—ferrous redox system in aqueous sulfuric acid was studied under nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing concentration of ferrous in the range of 0.25-1 × 10^?2M. The percentage of conversion increased with increasing concentration of the catalyst, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M there was a decreasing trend in the rate of polymerization. The rate varied linearly with [monomer]. The initial rate of polymerization as well as the maximum conversion increased within the range of 1–2.5 × 10^?3M KBrO₃, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M the rate of polymerization decreased. The initial rate and limiting conversion increased with increasing polymerization temperature in the range 30–40°C; beyond 40°C they decreased. The effect of certain neutral salts, water-miscible solvents, complexing agents, and copper sulfate concentration on the rate of polymerization was investigated.     

The solubility of ozone and kinetics of its chemical reactions in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride

The solubility of ozone and the kinetics of its decomposition and interaction with chloride ions in a 1 M aqueous solution of NaCl at 20°C and pH 8.4–10.8 were studied. The ratio between the concentration of O₃ in solution and the gas phase was found to be 0.16 at pH 8.4–9.8. The concentration of dissolved ozone decreased sharply as pH increased to 10.8 because of a substantial increase in the rate of its decomposition. It was observed for the first time that the interaction of O₃ with Cl^? in alkaline media resulted in the formation of ClO ₃ ^? chlorate ions. The dependence of the rate of formation of ClO ₃ ^? on pH was determined; its maximum value was found to be 9.6 × 10^?6 mol l^?1 min^?1 at pH 10.0 and the concentration of ozone at the entrance of the reactor 30.0 g/m³. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of chlorate ions (concentrations 1 × 10^?5?3 × 10^?4 M) in aqueous solutions was suggested.     

A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Study of D-Cellobiose Degradation Under Fenton Conditions

Abstract

Cellobiose was used to model chemical processes taking place during the weathering of cotton fiber cellulose. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the products of cellobiose degradation were D-glucose and organic acids under Fenton-type conditions (ferrous ion plus H₂0₂). Hydrogen peroxide was added directly or photochemically generated in situ by the action of UV light upon aqueous ferrous ammonium sulfate. Effects on D-cellobiose degradation caused by added peroxide or ferrous ion were nonitored at varying concentrations and under UV light and dark conditions. Increasing concentrations of peroxide or ferrous ion resulted in greater degradation. Samples exposed to UV light (350 nm) experienced greater degradation than those not exposed.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of nitroxides generated from nitric oxide by reaction with transient radicals

Photochemical or thermal decomposition of azo‐compounds (such as 2,2^′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2^′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, dialkyl peroxides (such as tert‐butyl peroxide and diacyl peroxides (such as benzoyl peroxide) in anaerobic nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or aqueous solutions yielded nitroxides. Well‐characterized electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of nitroxides revealed that NO was favorable for reacting with carbon‐centered and less stereo‐inhibited transient alkyl radicals, giving kinds of nitrosoalkane, typically nitrosomethane, which act sequentially as C‐nitroso compounds to trap transient radicals present in solution, yielding spin‐trapping adducts, i.e. nitroxides. Radicals, including sulfinyl radicals from UV‐irradiated DMSO, were trapped by the in situ formed CH₃NO. O‐centered radicals could not add to the freshly formed C‐nitroso compounds. Possible mechanisms are suggested. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Peroxides of isotactic powdered polypropylene as the initiator of emulsion polymerization in redox system

Hydroperoxides of oxidized powdered isotactic polypropylene have an unfavourable influence on the modification of polypropylene by styrene in the presence of chelate Fe²⁺-triethylenetetramine in emulsion at 30°. Elimination of hydroperoxides from the polypropylene results in increased bonding of styrene to polypropylene while the rate of homopolymerization decreases. The production of homopolymer depends on the presence of hydroperoxides of polypropylene; the production of modified polymer is connected with the decomposition of other more stable peroxides of polypropylene, probably dialkylperoxides, which are decomposed by the chelate. For polypropylene modification, oxidation of polypropylene by oxygen containing ozone is better than oxidation by oxygen at 110° or oxidation under γ-irradiation. The thermal stability of peroxides of powdered isotactic polypropylene is rather low; hydroperoxides begin to decompose in an inert atmosphere at temperature above 30°; other peroxides are stable up to 40°.     

Thermal decomposition of p-methyl-p'-nitrobenzoyl and bis-p-nitrobenzoyl peroxides

Differential enthalpic analysis was carried out below the melting point as well as at regular increases of temperature over the melting point of peroxides. From these measurements it follows that the thermal stabilities of peroxides in the solid state increase with their melting points. The rise in the melting point of the peroxide due to changed chemical structure is accompanied by a rise in the melting points of products which in turn affects the isothermal autocatalytic decomposition. The common feature of the thermal decomposition of the peroxides studied below their melting points is a very high apparent activation energy of the initiation of a chain decomposition reaction which is several times higher than that of a spontaneous thermal decomposition of peroxide in solution or in a melt of peroxide. p]From the study of the decomposition of nitro derivatives of benzoyl peroxide in solution it is known¹ that the electron attracting nitro-substituents have a retarding effect on the spontaneous decomposition of peroxides. The introduction which accompanies its thermal decomposition in solution². However not only the substitution of nitro groups in the molecule but also the presence of nitro compounds accelerates the decomposition of benzoyl peroxide³. This indicates that the decomposition reaction may be influenced not only by an intramolecular rearrangement of electrons but also by an intermolecular interaction of nitro compounds with the peroxidic compounds or radicals generated by them. The substitution of methyl groups for hydrogen in aromatic rings does not produce any marked changes in the decomposition reactions of benzoyl peroxide². p]Among other changes produced by substitution, the physical changes—in particular, the changes in the melting points of investigated substances—are of importance to out study of the thermal decomposition of nitro derivatives of nitro derivatives of benzoyl peroxide. These data are interesting mainly because the decomposition of peroxides is influenced by the state of aggregation of the decomposing substances.     

Preparation of antimicrobial poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles were prepared by electrospinning PVA/silver nitrate (AgNO₃) aqueous solutions, followed by short heat treatment, and their antimicrobial activity was investigated for wound dressing applications. Since PVA is a water soluble and biocompatible polymer, it is one of the best materials for the preparation of wound dressing nanofibers. After heat treatment at 155 °C for 3 min, the PVA/AgNO₃ nanofibers became insoluble, while the Ag⁺ ions therein were reduced so as to produce a large number of Ag nanoparticles situated preferentially on their surface. The residual Ag⁺ ions were reduced by subsequent UV irradiation for 3 h. The average diameter of the Ag nanoparticles after the heat treatment was 5.9 nm and this value increased slightly to 6.3 nm after UV irradiation. It was found that most of the Ag⁺ ions were reduced by the simple heat treatment. The PVA nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles showed very strong antimicrobial activity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2468–2474, 2006     

Effect of ultraviolet radiation on polyethylene naphthalate films irradiated with high-energy heavy ions

The effect of UV radiation in the spectral range of 280–400 nm on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) films has been studied. Changes in the optical absorption spectra of PEN after exposure to accelerated ions and UV radiation have been revealed. Changes in the surface properties have been explored, and the depth of the degraded polymer layer after long-term UV irradiation in air has been measured. Depending on the treatment time, the depth has made 0.1–0.9 μm. The photoablation rate and the quantum yield of monomer unit removal due to UV irradiation of the PEN films have been estimated at ~0.7 × 10^?4 molecule/photon. The possibility of the formation of asymmetric pores in PEN films using controlled photooxidative degradation has been shown.     

Studies on some radical transfer reactions by entrapping the radicals as polymer endgroups. III. Reaction of ȮH radical with halide ions

The reactions of OH radical with Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, and F^? ions have been studied by entrapping the product radicals as polymer endgroup which have been detected and estimated by the sensitive dye partition technique. The rate constants of the reactions with Br^?, Cl^?, and F^? ions have been determined to be 1.51 × 10⁹, 1.32 × 10⁹, and 0.92 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1, respectively at 25°C and pH 1.00. Oxidation of I^? ions liberates I, which inhibits the polymerization and the reaction could not be followed by polymer endgroup analysis. The observed order of reactivity Br^? > Cl^? > F^? is in accordance with the electron affinities of the halide ions. The acidity of the reaction medium has a strong influence on the rate of reaction. With Br^? ions, the rate constant of the reaction falls from 1.51 × 10⁹ to 0.75 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 at 25°C as the pH is raised from 1.0 to 2.8. The method is simple and accurate and can be applied to study very reactive radicals.     

Cytochrome c embraced in sodium dodecyl sulfate nano-micelle as a homogeneous nanostructured peroxidase

A homogeneous nanostructured enzyme (artificial peroxidase, AP) with suitable catalytic efficiency was generated using bovine heart cytochrome c (Cyt c) and sodium dodecyl sulfate nano-micelles in 50?mM phosphate buffer pH 10.5 at 25?°C. The Michaelis?CMenten (K _m) and catalytic rate (k _cat) of the AP were determined to be 21.6?±?1.2???M and 0.474?±?0.013?s^?1, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the AP was 0.0219?±?0.002???M^?1s^?1, which was 30?±?1.5?% as efficient as the native horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The mean diameter of AP was measured to be 6.4?nm using dynamic light scattering technique. The UV?CVis spectrometry, circular dichroism, surface tension, isothermal titration calorimetric and electrochemistry methods were utilized for additional characterization of the AP. Together our results suggest that the AP generated here can be used in place of HRP in industrial and commercial fields under some extreme conditions.