Physical aging studies of amorphous linear polyesters. Part II. Dependence of structural relaxation parameters on the chemical structure

The enthalpy relaxation of a series of linear amorphous polyesters (poly(propylene isophthalate) (PPIP), poly(propylene terephthalate) (PPTP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP), and poly(dipropylene terephthalate) (PDPT)) has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These polyesters have been annealed at equal undercooling below their respective glass transition temperatures, T_g, (T_g − 27°C, T_g − 15°C, and T_g − 9°C) for periods of time from 15 min to 480 h. The key parameters of structural relaxation, namely the apparent activation energy (Δh*), the nonlinearity parameter (x) and the nonexponentiality parameter (β), have been determined for each polyester and related to an effective relaxation rate (1/τ_eff) and to the chemical structure. We observe that the variation of the structural relaxation parameters shows a trend that is common to other polymeric systems, whereby an increase of x and β corresponds a decrease in Δh*. The comparison of these parameters in PETP and in PPTP gives information about the effect of the introduction of a methyl group pendant from the main chain; the x parameter increases (i.e., a reduced contribution of the structure to the relaxation times), β increases (i.e., a narrow distribution of relaxation times), and Δh* decreases. Additionally, enthalpy relaxation experiments show that a decrease of Δh* correlates with an increase of 1/τ_eff, when they are measured at a fixed value of the excess enthalpy, δ_H. The introduction of an isopropyl ether group in PDPT with respect to PPTP decreases both x and β, but increases Δh*, which the rate of relaxation decreases. The ring substitution in PPTP and PPIP originates less significant changes in the structural parameters. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36 : 113–126, 1998     

Influence of crystallization temperature,molecular weight,and additives on the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The spherulite growth rate, the maximum spherulite radius, and the overall rate of crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) were measured by means of scattering and transmission of depolarized light. The influence of crystallization temperature, molecular weight, and additives on the above-mentioned quantities was investigated. An expression has been derived for the spherulite growth rate of PETP as a function of crystallization temperature and the number-average molecular weight for M?_n in the range of 19,000 to 39,000.     

Synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the presence of perfluoropolyethers. II. Effect of various catalysts

Dimethylterephthalate and ethylene glycol have been polymerized to poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) in the presence of perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) using various catalysts. The polymerizations were carried out at high temperature by the usual two-stage method and the effect of the fluorinated compounds on the polymerization rate was investigated. Selective extractions were performed to estimated the fraction of PFPE bonded to PETP. In the presence of Fomblin ZDEAL®, a telechelic PFPE macromer bearing methyl ester end groups, the polymerization can only be carried out when the fluorinated macromer is added after the first stage is complete, because of the strong decrease of the transesterification rate with all the catalysts used. Polymerizations were therefore performed by adding Fomblin ZDEAL (10% wt) at the end of the first stage; about 30% of the amount of PFPE in the final products was found to be bonded to PETP for all the catalysts employed. In the presence of Fomblin Z/15®, a PFPE which has not functional end groups, the reaction rate is not decreased in the first stage, however, under the same reaction conditions, the intrinsic viscosity of final PETP is greatly reduced and the amount of PFPE in the resulting material is well below that initially added and is almost completely extractable meaning that a very limited fraction of PFPE is bonded to PETP.     

Thermal properties of post-consumer PET processed in presence of phosphites

Thermal properties of recycled triphenylphosphite (TPP) chain extended poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was investigated. As the TPP concentration increases, both reaction residues and molecular mass increase affecting significantly the thermal properties and crystallization behavior of the material. The presence of TPP residues did not affect the crystalline melt temperature (T _m), but modified the glass transition temperature (T _g), the crystallization temperature on heating (T _hc) and the crystallization temperature on cooling (T _cc). In the samples submitted to extraction with acetone, the properties were influenced by molecular mass changes, probably due to the presence of some insoluble reaction residue. The thermal stability of the sample purified by extraction after chain extension was comparable to that of the non-extended sample when heating was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline elastomers bearing fluorinated mesogenic units and crosslinking mesogens

Several new side‐chain liquid crystalline (LC) polysiloxanes and elastomers ( IP ‐ VIP ) bearing fluorinated mesogenic units and crosslinking mesogens were synthesized by a one‐step hydrosilylation reaction with poly(methylhydrogeno)siloxane, a fluorine‐containing LC monomer 4′‐undec‐10‐enoyloxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl 4‐fluoro‐benzoate and a crosslinking LC monomer 4′‐(4‐allyloxy‐benzoxy)‐biphenyl‐4‐yl 4‐allyloxy‐benzoate. The chemical structures and LC properties of the monomers and polymers were characterized by use of various experimental techniques such as FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, EA, TGA, DSC, POM and XRD. The effect of crosslinking mesogens on mesomorphic properties of the fluorinated LC polymers was studied as well. The obtained polymers and elastomers were soluble in many solvents such as toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and so forth. The temperatures at which 5% weight loss occurred (T_d) were greater than 250°C for all the polymers, and the weight of residue near 600°C increased slightly with increase of the crosslinking mesogens in the fluorinated polymer systems. The samples IP , IIP , IIIP and IVP showed both smectic A and nematic phases when they were heated and cooled, but VP and VIP exhibited only a nematic mesophase. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of polymers increased slightly with increase of crosslinking mesogens in the polymer systems, but the mesophase–isotropic phase transition temperature (T_i) and smectic A–nematic mesophase transition temperature (T_S‐N) decreased slightly. It suggests that the temperature range of the mesophase became narrow with the increase of crosslinking mesogens for all the fluorinated polymers and elastomers. In XRD curves, the intensity of sharp reflections at low angle decreased with increase of crosslinking mesogens in the fluorinated polymers systems, indicating that the smectic order derived from fluorinated mesogenic units should be destroyed by introduction of more crosslinking mesogens. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of aramids and polyarylates having perfluoro-substituents on the benzene ring

A new series of 16 aramids and 16 polyarylates having perfluoro-substituents on the benzene ring was prepared by a low temperature solution or an interfacial polycondensation. The effects of fluorine substituents on the structure and properties of polymers were examined. Fluorinated aramids exhibited higher crystallinity, while fluorinated polyarylates show lower crystallinity. The melting point (T_m) of aramids decreased with fluorine substitution, whereas T_m of polyarylates from fluorinated aromatic diols was higher than that of those from unfluorinated ones. The temperature of 10% weight loss and the residue at 900°C decreased with fluorine substitution except for the aramids from fluorinated diamines. Solubility and contact angle also increased with fluorine substitution. Some polyarylates were found to exhibit an optical anisotropy.     

Dispersion of silica nanoparticles bearing perfluorohexyl units into fluorinated copolymers

This study aims at determining the compatibility behavior of nanoparticles surface with fluorinated matrices to obtain a homogenous dispersion and better composites properties. First, modified silica nanoparticles by C₆F₁₃I and C₆F₁₃‐C₂H₄‐SH led to various fluorinated silica of different massic concentrations and grafting rates. The dispersion of these nanoparticles (in 5 wt %) into molten poly(VDF‐co‐HFP) and poly(TFE‐co‐HFP) matrices were studied as well as the hydrophobic, mechanical, and thermal properties of both fluorinated copolymers and resulting composites. In both series, the storage modulus of nanocomposites increased while the melting (T_m) and decomposition (T_10%) temperatures varied with the polymer matrix. They increased for poly(VDF‐co‐HFP) composites (T_m= 134 to 144 °C and T_10%= 441 to 464 °C) but decreased for poly(TFE‐co‐HFP) nanocomposites (T_m= 276 to 268 °C and T_10%= 488 to 477 °C). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1512–1522     

Fluorinated poly(ether sulfone)s

New fluorinated poly(ether sulfone)s were prepared from bisphenols and α,ωbis(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)perfluoroalkanes. The fluorinated sulfone monomers were synthesized by reaction of 4-fluorobenzenethiol salts with perfluoroalkylene diiodides, followed by oxidation. Sodium carbonate mediated polymerization gave high molecular weight polymers in excellent yield. The polymers are generally soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and some dipolar solvents, are amorphous with T_g's in the range of 120–160°C and are stable to 400°C. They form clear, colorless films by solution casting. Cast films have dielectric constants and dissipation factors somewhat below those of typical poly(ether sulfone)s, and show good permeability and selectivity for O₂/N₂ gas separations.     

Behavior of pressure dependence of melting temperatures in aromatic polyesters: Influence of polymer structure

The thermal behavior of three aromatic polyesters in a homologous series, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was studied under hydrostatic pressure up to 200 MPa by using a high pressure differential thermal analysis apparatus. Confining fluid high pressure dilatometer was used to establish the volume–temperature curves (in both solid and liquid regions) from which volume change on melting of these polyesters at atmospheric pressure was determined. Single endothermic peak was seen for PET and PTT, whereas PBT showed double peaks above 50 MPa. Pressure coefficient of melting temperature at atmospheric pressure (dT_m/dp₍₀₎), was obtained from the quadratic fit. The dT_m/dp₍₀₎ for PTT was newly determined to be 0.445 KMPa^?1, whereas for PET and PBT were 0.503 and 0.455 KMPa^?1, respectively, comparable to reported values. The dT_m/dp₍₀₎ exhibited the odd‐even behavior corresponding to odd and even number of methylene groups in the repeat unit. Enthalpy and entropy of fusion had the most influence on this coefficient. Entropy related to conformational and volume change were evaluated and the former was found to have a significant impact on the value of dT_m/dp₍₀₎. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1799–1808, 2009     

Radical and radiation-induced grafting of some synthetic high polymers within the temperature range of their glass transition

The temperature dependence of radiation-induced grafting onto poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamides, polyacrylonitrile, and polypropylene has been investigated for several monomers. In all cases a maximum grafting yield is obtained when the reaction is performed in the temperature range of the glass transition T_g of the polymer used. This maximum yield does not only appear with radiation-induced simultaneous grafting. It also appears when the graft polymerization is induced by pre-irradiation or even by thermal decomposition of organic peroxides. It is assumed that the pronounced maximum of the reactivity at T_g is obtained because in the glassy state below T_g the radicals formed cannot react due to a reduced diffusion of the monomer, whereas above T_g the number of radicals available for polymerization will be reduced with increasing temperature.     

Sorption of carbon dioxide in fluorinated poyimides

Sorption isotherms of CO₂ for ten fluorinated polyimides measured at 35°C and up to about 25 atm are analyzed according to the dual-mode sorption model. Sorption properties for these polyimides are compared with those for other glassy Polymers including unfluorinated polyimides. The glassy polymers with higher glass transition temperatures T_g tend to show greater CO₂ sorption. Introduction of a ? C (CF₃)₂? linkage into the repeat unit of the main chain increases the sorption by 20–80%. For glassy polymers, including the fluorinated and unfluorinated polyimides, the Langmuir affinity constant b and Henry's law solubility constant k_D are correlated with the content of functional (carbonyl or sulfonyl) groups [FG], and composite parameter reflecting the magnitude of both [FG] and free-space fraction V_F, respectively, with some exceptions. The Langmuir capacity constant C′_H is correlated with T_g, but there are two correlation lines; one for unfluorinated polyimides and a different one for other glassy polymers including fluorinated polyimides. The slope of the former group is smaller probably because of smaller differences in thermal probably because of smaller differences in thermal expansion coefficients in rubbery and glassy states. Most fluorinated polyimides show greater solubility of CO₂ than unfluorinated polyimides and other glassy polymers, because of their larger C′_H and k_D. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Random copolymers of poly(butylene terephthalate): Effect of thiodiethylene terephthalate units on melting behaviour and crystallization kinetics

The melting behavior and the crystallization kinetics of poly(butylene terephthalate/thiodiethylene terephthalate) copolymers were investigated by DSC technique. The multiple endotherms were influenced both by T _c and composition. By applying the Hoffman—Weeks' method, T _m ⁰ the of the copolymers was derived. The isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed according to the Avrami's treatment. Values of the exponent n close to 3 were obtained, independently of T _c and composition. The introduction of thiodiethylene terephthalate units decreased the PBT crystallization rate. H _m was correlated to c _p for samples with different degree of crystallinity and the results were interpreted on the basis of the existence of an interphase.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modification of PET with sterically hindered diols

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) was modified by incorporating bis(hydroxyethyl) tetrasubstituted terephthalates (methyl, chlorine, and bromine) as a third component in the mole ratios of 2–50% (based on dimethyl terephthalate) which resulted in random copolyesters. The presence of steric hindrance imparted additional chain rigidity to the copolymer structure, as shown by increased glass transition temperature (T_g). The effectiveness of the steric groups for conferring rigidity to the copolymer structure was CH₃ > Cl?Br. The copolyesters which contained halogen substituents showed substantial enhancement in flame retardency compared with PET.     

Model structures of thermoplastic polyesters having regularly alternated aromatic and fluorinated segments

Linear segmented polyesters containing soft perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and hard aromatic segments are obtained by an interfacial polycondensation reaction of an acyl chloride-ended fluorinated prepolymer with various aromatic diphenols in the presence of phase transfer catalysts (PTC) as accelerators. Experimental conditions for reaching high molecular weights are discussed. The calorimetric analysis (DSC) of all the polyesters synthesized shows a typical biphasic morphology, where a very low T_g (< −110°C) corresponding to the segregated PFPE moiety, is always accompanied by another T_g or a higher melting temperature, depending on the nature of the hard phase. Dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) has been carried out confirming the DSC results and suggesting diversified mechanical behaviors at the various temperatures in line with the amorphous or semicrystalline nature of the polymer. Chemical resistance was finally tested by dipping in several solvents and chemicals. The new polyesters show high contact angles, a moderate swelling in many organic solvents and excellent stability in aggressive hydrolytic environments. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 939–947, 1998     

Synthesis and properties of poly(sulfone‐arylate) copolymers

Poly(sulfone‐arylate) was synthesized in a reaction between dihydroxy polysulfone prepolymers and either diphenyl terephthalate or terephthaloyl chloride. The dihydroxy polysulfone prepolymers had molecular weights of 2000 and 4000 g/mol. The polymerization with diphenyl terephthalate was carried out at high temperature (280 °C) in the presence of a catalyst, whereas the polymerization with terephthalic chloride was conducted in solution at low temperature in the presence of an acid acceptor. High‐molecular weight copolymers (η_inh ～ 0.60 dL/g) could be obtained through both methods. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, DMA, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements and were found to exhibit high T_g values. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3904–3913, 2009     

Synthesis of hybrid fluorinated silicones. I. Influence of the spacer between the silicon atom and the fluorinated chain in the preparation and the thermal properties of hybrid homopolymers

The synthesis of fluorinated hybrid silicones prepared in three steps from H₂C CH—C₆F₁₂ CH CH₂(I) and H₂C CHCH₂—C₆F₁₂—CH₂CH CH₂(II) is presented. First, both hydrosilylations of chlorodimethylsilane with these nonconjugated dienes were carried out in the presence of the Speier's catalyst leading to the expected bis-chlorosilane in excellent yield from (II) but giving a rearranged by-product from (I). However, a similar reaction from (I) initiated by a peroxide produced the expected bis-chlorosilane selectively. Second, these chlorosilanes were quantitatively hydrolyzed into the corresponding α,ω-bis silanols, whatever the spacer between the fluorinated group and the silicon atom. Finally, the polycondensations of these bis silanols were performed in the presence of an amine/acid adduct catalyst. Interestingly, the dihydroxysilane produced from (I) reacts much quicker than the other one. Moreover, thermal properties (T_g, T_dec) were investigated and compared to those of commercially available fluorosilicones or mentioned in the literature and show improvement of the behavior of these fluorosilicones at low and high temperatures. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Imidazolium‐based polymerized ionic liquid crystals containing fluorinated cholesteryl mesogens

A series of polymerized ionic liquid crystals (PILCs) bearing fluorinated cholesteryl mesogens were synthesized in this work, which include polymerized imidazolium bromides (PIBs) and polymerized imidazolium hexafluorophosphates (PIHs). The PIBs were synthesized using alkyl bromine‐containing polysiloxanes and 1‐butyl‐1H‐imidazole, and the PIHs were synthesized by anion metathesis reaction using the corresponding PIBs and KPF₆. The chemical structures, liquid crystalline (LC) properties, and electrorheological (ER) effect of these PILCs were characterized by use of various experimental techniques. All the PILCs showed smectic A mesophase on heating and cooling cycles. The smectic layer structure of these PILCs are originated from the rigid fluorinated cholesteryl mesogens and the flexible moieties in the LC phase, but the ion pairs (imidazolium cations–PF₆^?, Im⁺–PF₆^?; or imidazolium cations–Br^?, Im⁺–Br^?) can disperse in the polysiloxane matrix and expand the d‐spacing in the smectic layers. The PIHs show lower T_g and T_i than the corresponding precursor PIBs, which is due to the larger ion volume of Im⁺–PF₆^? for PIHs than that of Im⁺–Br^? for PIBs. A series of 40 V% ER fluids were prepared by mixing the PILCs with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and the ER behaviors were studied. All the PILC/PDMS fluids showed ER effect, and the PIH/PDMS fluids show a little greater ER effect than the PIB/PDMS fluids. The PILC droplets in the ER fluids become deformed owing to both the orientation of fluorinated cholesteryl mesogens and the suppression of ionic migration when a DC electric field was applied, resulting in the occurrence of ER effect. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functional Transformations on the Surface of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Films under Exposure to Accelerated Electrons

The effect of the electron-beam treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETP) films in an air atmosphere on the functional chemical composition of their surface and on the optical properties in the UV region was studied. The mutual functional transformations of surface sites (carbonyl, methyl, and hydroxyl groups) by the action of fast electrons were analyzed as functions of the absorbed dose over the range 25–500 kGy using the adsorption of acid–base indicators with the pK_a values ranging from –5 to 15. Correlation between the absorbed dose, the concentration of certain functional groups (centers with pK_a 5.0 (–CH₃) and 0.8 (–CH₂OH)), the hydrophilicity of films, and the transparency in the UV region of the spectrum was established. The transparency was found to exhibit a pronounced minimum at an absorbed dose of 150–200 kGy. A comparative analysis of PETP surfaces differing by the absence or presence of kaolin (0.1%) as an oxide material additive was performed. Differences in the pK_a distribution of adsorption sites were found, and their dependence on the absorbed dose was studied.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of new poly(ethylene terephthalate‐imide)s

Copoly(ethylene terephthalate‐imide)s (PETIs) were synthesized by the melt copolycondensation of bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)terephthalate with a new imide monomer, N,N′‐bis[p‐(2‐hydroxyethoxycarbonyl)phenyl]‐biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxydiimide (BHEI). The copolymers were characterized by intrinsic viscosity, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. Although their crystallinities decreased as the content of BHEI units increased, the glass‐transition temperatures (T_g) increased significantly. When 5 or 10 mol % BHEI units were incorporated into poly(ethylene terephthalate), T_g increased by 10 or 24 °C, respectively. The thermal stabilities of PETI copolymers were about the same as the thermal stability of PET, whereas the weight loss of PETIs decreased as the content of BHEI units increased. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 408–415, 2001