NMR observations of drawn polymers. VII. Nylon 66 fibers

Wide-line NMR spectra have been obtained on an oriented sample of drawn nylon 66 fibers at temperatures between ?196°C and 200°C and at alignment angles between the fiber axis and the magnetic field of 0°, 45°, and 90°. At ?196°C, 20°C, and 180°C, the complete angle dependence of the NMR spectrum has been measured. The second moments of these spectra have been compared to theoretical second moments calculated for various models of chain segmental motion in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the low-temperature segmental motion (γ process) and the high-temperature segmental motion (α_c process). In agreement with earlier suggestions, the present results indicate that the γ process consists of segmental motion in noncrystalline regions. The overall decrease in second moment caused by the γ process is consistent with a model in which all noncrystalline segments rotate around axes nearly fixed in space. Furthermore, this decrease shows a pronounced dependence on the alignment angle. It is believed that this is due to tie molecules which become highly oriented along the fiber axis during drawing; their axes of rotation will therefore be nearly parallel to the fiber axis. The segments in noncrystalline entities such as chain folds and chain ends are less well oriented along the fiber axis and make an essentially isotropic contribution to the second moment decrease. The second moment at 180°C indicates the presence of considerable motion in the crystalline regions, and this motion is denoted the α_c process. The second moment S_c of the crystalline regions is strongly dependent on the alignment angle, the predominant feature being a relatively high value of the second moment when the fiber axis is directed parallel to the magnetic field. This is in qualitative, but not quantitative, agreement with the motional model recently advanced by McMahon, which assumes full rotation of the chains around their axes. Excellent quantitative agreement with experiment has been obtained by superimposition of rotational oscillation around the chain axis of amplitude roughtly 50°, and torsion of the chains with neighboring CH₂ groups oscillating around the C? C bond with a relative amplitude of about 40°. A model in which the chains perform rotational jumps of 60° between two equilibrium sites has also been considered (60° flip-flop motion). A distinction between this model and rotational oscillation has not been possible.     

NMR observations of drawn polymers. VIII. Doubly oriented nylon 66

A wide-line NMR study of chain segmental motion in nylon 66 has been made on a rolled sheet having “double orientation.” In this sheet the crystallite c axis, i.e., the molecular chain axis, is oriented preferentially along the roll direction, and the crystallographic (010) plane lies predominantly parallel to the roll plane, or the plane of the sheet. The direction of the applied magnetic field with respect to the sheet is characterized by two angles, the polar angle γ subtended by the roll direction and the magnetic field, and an azimuthal angle ?. NMR spectra were taken at various values of the angles γ and ? and at three temperatures ?196°C, 20°C, and 180°C. The second moments of the absorption spectra taken at 180°C were compared with theoretical predictions of second moments based on two models for the high-temperature segmental motion (called the α_c process) in crystalline regions of nylon 66. One model consists of rotational oscillation with amplitudes δ of segments around their axies. The second model is denoted 60° flip-flop motion and consists of rotational 60°C jumps of the segments around their axes between two equilibrium sites with the possibility that the segments also oscillate with a general amplitudes δ around each site. The experimental results are consistent with fairly large amplitudes δ, in which case both models approach the limiting case of full segment rotation. For this reason the experiments do not allow a distinction between the two models. From the second moments at ?196°C and 20°C the decrease in second moment due to the low temperature segmental motion, the γ process, is obtained. This motion occurs in noncrystalline regions of nylon 66 and is found to cause a decrease in second moment which is strongly dependent on the two angles γ and ?, implying double orientation of the noncrystalline segments. It is suggested that at low temperatures the noncrystalline segments become immobilized in sites dictated by the crystallite orientation through the extensive hydrogen bonding known to exist in nylon 66.     

NMR study of molecular motion in oriented long-chain alkanes. III. Oriented n-C32H66

The NMR second moment of a uniaxially oriented mat of single crystals of n-C₃₂H₆₆ (in the orthorhombic form) was measured at temperatures from ?170°C to 70°C and at various alignment angles γ between the orientation axis (preferential direction of the molecular chains) and the NMR magnetic field. Accurate expressions are given for the NMR second moment of an orthorhombic normal paraffin C_nH_2n+2 of arbitrary molecular chain length n for n ≥ 10, in the following states of molecular motion: no motion (a rigid lattice), rotation of CH₃ groups, and rotation of the chains around their axes with superimposed rotation of CH₃ groups. In addition to these well-known motions, n-C₃₂H₆₆ is found to exhibit an α process. The corresponding decrease of the NMR second moment shows the dependence on γ predicted for “flip-flop” motion, i.e., rotational jumps of the chain molecules around their axes through 180° and a simultaneous translation along these axes by one CH₂ group. The overall decrease in second moment occuring at the transition to the hexagonal rotator phase in n-C₃₂H₆₆ can be quantitatively accounted for. The dependence of this decrease on the alignment angle γ, however, is in disagreement with calculations based on a simple rotation of the chains around their axes. Considerable torsion of the chains superimposed on the rotation would improve agreement between theory and experiment.     

Dynamic study of the noncrystalline phase of 13C-labeled polyethylene by variable-temperature 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy

The ¹³C spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ of ¹³C-labeled polyethylene crystallized under different conditions were measured at temperatures from ?120 to 44°C by variable-temperature solid-state high-resolution ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, in order to determine accurately the dynamics of the noncrystalline region of the polymer. From these results, it was found that the T₁ minimum for the CH₂ carbons in the noncrystalline region of solution-crystallized polyethylene with high crystallinity appears at higher temperature by about 20°C than that of melt-quenched polyethylene with low crystallinity. This means that the molecular motion of the CH₂ carbons in the noncrystalline regions is more constrained at a given temperature in the material of higher crystallinity. Furthermore, dynamics of the noncrystalline region is discussed in terms of the ¹³C dipolar dephasing times.     

NMR observations of drawn polymers. V. Sorption into drawn and undrawn polyethylene

NMR measurements on undrawn polyethylene (PE) samples in contact with a solvent such as C₂Cl₄ indicate an increase in the mobility of the mobile chain segments as compared to dry samples. Highly drawn PE shows no such effect. This is because S_a, the sorption per unit mass of noncrystalline material present, decreases from 20.9 wt.-% (dry basis), found for undrawn quenched PE, to 0.63 wt.-% after drawing (S_a determined at 25°C. and 0.80 vapor activity). Drawing also reduces the segment mobility according to the NMR spectrum. It is shown that these effects are caused by considerable structural changes occurring in the noncrystalline regions of PE upon drawing. Annealing of drawn PE samples at successively higher temperatures leads to a gradual relaxation of the noncrystalline regions towards the state characteristic of undrawn PE. With increasing annealing temperature S_a as well as the mobility approach values found with undrawn PE.     

Structural studies of polyethers. IX. Planar zigzag modification of poly(ethylene oxide)

A new crystal modification was found in poly(ethylene oxide) stretched about two-fold after necking at room temperature. An x-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the planar zigzag molecule passes through a triclinic unit cell with parameters α = 4.71 Å, b = 4.44 Å, c (fiber axis) = 7.12 Å, α = 62.8°, β = 93.2°, and γ = 111.4°. The space group is P1 ?C_i¹. Packing of the molecule is very similar to that of monoclinic polyethylene.     

Equilibrium anionic polymerization of 4,7-dioxaoctanal and n-octanal

Equilibrium anionic polymerization of 4,7-dioxaoctanal (DOA) and n-octanal (OA) was carried out in tetrahydrofuran in the temperature range of ?90 to ?68°C, and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated as follows: ΔH_ss = ?4.0 ± 0.1 kcal/mole, ΔS_ss = ?18.4 ± 0.5 cal/mole-deg, and T_c,ss = ?56°C for the DOA system; ΔH_sc = ?3.4 ± 0.1 kcal/mole, ΔS_sc = ?15.7 ± 0.4 cal/mole-deg, and T_c,sc = ?59°C for the OA system. Comparison of these values with those in the cases of β-methoxypropionaldehyde and n-valeraldehyde made it clear that the aliphatic aldehyde having a longer alkyl group polymerizes with smaller changes of enthalpy and entropy and that the polar-substituted aldehydes have higher polymerizability than the corresponding unsubstituted aliphatic aldehydes in the temperature range studied. These effects of substituents are interpreted from the viewpoint of the intermolecular interactions of polar groups in monomers and their polymers.     

Segmental motion in polyoxymethylene

The proton spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) of melt-crystallized, solution-crystallized, and solid-state-polymerized polyoxymethylene (POM) were measured between ?60 and +150°C. The three types of samples each have a pronounced T₁ minimum near room temperature which is a high-frequency manifestation of the γ process. From the quantitative dependence of the relaxation intensity on crystallinity as well as from the absolute magnitude of the relaxation times, it is concluded that the γ process in POM arises from hindered rotation of noncrystalline chain segments. The relation between the relaxation times and the long period indicates that these noncrystalline segments constitute disordered lamellar surface layers, the thickness of which depends on thermal history of the material. The temperature dependence of the motion of the relatively thin surface layers of solution crystallized POM is quite straightforward. The γ process in the bulk-crystallized material involves cooperative motion, however, leading to temperature-dependent kinetic parameters.     

Equilibrium anionic polymerization of β-methoxypropionaldehyde

Anionic polymerization of β-methoxypropionaldehyde (MPA) was carried out in tetrahydrofuran (THF) by using benzophenone–monolithium complex as an initiator. An equilibrium between polymerization and depolymerization was observed at a temperature range of ?90 to ?70°C. From the temperature dependence of the equilibrium monomer concentration, thermodynamic parameters for the polymerization of MPA in THF were evaluated as follows: ΔH_ss = ?4.8 ± 0.2 kcal/mole, ΔH_SS = ?22.4 ± 1.3 cal/mole-deg, and (T_c)_ss = ?59°C. The thermodynamic change upon the conversion of liquid monomer to condensed polymer was computed from both the partial mixing energy of MPA with THF and the linear relationship between the equilibrium volume fraction of MPA monomer and that of the resulting polymer: ΔH_1c = ?4.7 ± 0.2 kcal/mole, ΔS_1c = ?19.5 ± 1.3 cal/mole-deg, and (T_c)_1c = ?35°C.     

Elementary radical formation and conversion processes in γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride

Elementary processes of γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been investigated by both electron spin resonance (ESR) and optical absorption measurements. On irradiating PVC film with γ rays at ?196°C, alkyl-type radicals are produced. When the PVC film is warmed to room temperature, the radicals convert to polyenyl type. γ Irradiation of PVC film containing biphenyl (Ph₂) or pyrene (Py) at ?196°C yields the corresponding radical cation. The relative ESR peak heights of the radicals decrease and the G values for the formation of cation radicals increase with increasing additive concentrations. These facts indicate that energy is transferred from the precursor of the radicals to the additive. In the case of PVC film containing Py, the Py cation radical decreases and the cyclohexadienyl-type radical from Py is produced by thermal annealing. A possible mechanism for radical formation and conversion is proposed.     

Investigation of relaxation processes in linear polyethylene in the 10−9 sec region by means of high-resolution neutron spectroscopy

Results are presented of neutron incoherent scattering experiments on isotropic linear polyethylene samples of high (80%) and low (48%) crystallinity in the temperature range between ?180°C and +85°C for values of the scattering vector between 0.29 Å^?1 and 1.81 Å^?1 obtained with a high resolution backscattering spectrometer (Δ?ω = 0.25 ? 1.0 μeV) and between 0.57 Å^?1 and 2.4 Å^?1 with a time-of-flight spectrometer (Δ?ω = 420 μeV). From a comparison of the results on these samples one concludes that relaxation takes place predominantly in the noncrystalline regions. This motion cannot be adequately accounted for by any of the existing models for the γ-process. Therefore, a more liquidlike motion is suggested. Diffusion of shorter chain segments has also been ruled out since it is too slow to be observed. A simplified model of protonic jumps between equidistant sites located on the periphery of a circle of radius 2.5 Å reproduces the experimental results well. For the average time between successive CH₂-group reorientations one obtains τ₁ = τ₀ exp(E_actRT) with τ₀ = (2.0 ± 1.5) × 10^?13 sec and E_act = (4.5 ± 1.0) kcal/mole. The values join up well with those for the γ-process observed by NMR. It has been concluded that 60–90% of the protons in the noncrystalline regions participate in this motion.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of aromatic,aliphatic, and partially fluorinated epoxy resins

The α, β, and γ transitions at temperatures between ?200 and +100°C. of crosslinked aromatic and aliphatic epoxy polymers were determined from damping and shear modulus data, and compared with their fluorine containing analogs. Loci of segmental relaxation are suggested at various temperatures, and similarities between aliphatic and fluorocarbon segments, and polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene are discussed. Two systems of structurally similar monomers 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoropentane diglycidyl ether-1,5 and 1,4-butane diglycidyl ether, and 2,2-bis(4-glycidyl phenyl ether)hexafluoropropane and 2,2-bis(4-glycidyl phenyl ether) propane were polymerized with the aid of two diamine curing agents, namely, ethylenediamine and m-xylylenediamine. Polymers of the aromatic diepoxides showed transitions with peaks at ?56°C. and above +70°C. Three main peaks were registered for the aliphatic and fluorocarbon diepoxides: at ?125 and at ?100°C., at ?56°C., and at 0°C. It is suggested that the T_g is affected by an interdependence of relaxation of all components of the polymer main chain.     

A study of helix formation in polydimethysiloxane by Raman scattering

Depolarization ratios ρ of the Raman bands due to CH₃ stretching at 2907 cm^?1 and the Si? O skeletal mode at 491 cm^?1 have been measured in polydimethylsiloxane gum as a function of temperature from 100°C to ?45°C. Below 0°C the changes in p have been interpreted in terms of the formation of helical regions in the gum. The enthalpy of helix formation ΔH has been determined as 3200 ± 600 cal/mole. An upper limit on the entropy change, ΔS, of 16 ± 3 e.u./mole and minimum values of helix content at different temperatures have been found. The Raman spectrum of crystalline polydimethylsiloxane is presented.     

Equilibrium cyclotrimerization of ether oxygen-substituted aliphatic aldehydes

This article describes the equilibrium cyclotrimerization of β-methoxypropionaldehyde (MPA), 4,7-dioxaoctanal (DOA), and n-octanal (OA) initiated by boron trifluoride etherate in toluene at a temperature range of ?10 to 25°C. The enthalpy and entropy changes corresponding to the conversion of 1 mole of the monomers to 1/3 mole of their cyclic trimers in toluene solution, at the initial monomer concentration of 1 mole/liter, were evaluated as follows: ΔH_ss = ?5.9 ± 0.3 kcal/mole and ΔS_ss = ?19.1 ± 1.3 cal/mole deg for the MPA system; ΔH_ss = ?7.4 ± 0.4 kcal/mole and ΔS_ss = ?24.1 ± 1.7 cal/mole deg for the DOA system; ΔH_ss = ?6.1 ± 0.4 kcal/mole and ΔS_ss = ?21.2 ± 1.5 cal/mole deg for the OA system. The comparison of these values with those in their polymerization indicates that the cyclotrimerization of aldehydes is thermodynamically of greater advantage than their polymerization. The effects of long and polar substituents are discussed from the view-point of the intermolecular interactions by the polar groups in monomers and their cyclic trimers.     

Spectroscopic studies and determination of the formation constants and thermodynamic parameters for a new water-soluble Co(II) Schiff-base complex and some imidazole derivatives

A new water-soluble Co(II) Schiff-base complex, sodium[{N,N′-bis(5-sulfosalicylidene)-1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctan}cobalt] dihydrate, abbreviated as Na₂[Co(II)L], was synthesized and characterized. The formation constants and thermodynamic parameters for the interaction of this complex with imidazole (Im) and 1-methylimidazole (MeIm) were determined spectroscopically in aqueous solution, ethanol/water (10/90), and methanol/water (10/90) under physiological conditions (pH?=?7), constant ionic strength (I?=?0.1?mol?dm^?3 KNO₃), and various temperatures ranging from 294 to 310?K. Our spectroscopic and thermodynamic results show that this adduct formation is endothermic and the positive values of ΔS _f° make ΔG _f° negative. The trend in variation of ΔH _f° and ΔS _f° for Im is in the order water?>?methanol?>?ethanol, but for MeIm it is in the opposite order which is related to the hydrogen bonding between solvents and these donors. Formation constants between MeIm and Na₂[Co(II)L] in these three solvents are larger than for Im which depends on the electron donation of methyl on MeIm.     

Encapsulation‐Induced Remarkable Stability of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Heterocapsule

Remarkably enhanced stability of the self‐assembled hydrogen‐bonded heterocapsule 1?2 by the encapsulation of 1,4‐bis(1‐propynyl)benzene 3 a was found with K_a=1.14×10⁹ M ^?1 in CDCl₃ and K_a2=1.59×10⁸ M ^?2 in CD₃OD/CDCl₃ (10 % v/v) at 298 K. The formation of 3 a @( 1?2 ) was enthalpically driven (ΔH°<0 and ΔS°<0) and there was a unique inflection point in the correlation between ΔH° versus ΔS° as a function of polar solvent content. The ab initio calculations revealed that favorable guest–capsule dispersion and electrostatic interactions between the acetylenic parts (triple bonds) of 3 a and the aromatic inner space of 1?2 , as well as less structural deformation of 1?2 upon encapsulation of 3 a , play important roles in the remarkable stability of 3 a @( 1?2 ).     

Equilibrium anionic polymerization of β-methoxycarbonylpropionaldehyde

β-Methoxycarbonylpropionaldehyde (MCPA) was polymerized in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with benzophenone–monolithium complex as the initiator. An equilibrium between the monomer and its polymer was observed in the temperature range of ?96 to ?78°C. MCPA had lower polymerizability than ether-substituted aldehydes and their corresponding unsubstituted aliphatic aldehydes in the temperature range. The thermodynamic parameters were evaluated from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium monomer concentration: ΔH_ss = ?4.3 ± 0.2 kcal/mole, ΔS_ss = ?21.9 ± 1.0 cal/mole deg, Tc_ss = ?76°C. Not only an ether substitution but also an ester substitution in propionaldehyde caused the decrease in the absolute values of the thermodynamic parameters for the aldehyde polymerization. These substituent effects may have been the result mainly of the strong intermolecular dipole–dipole interactions of polar groups in monomer states.     

Effect of pressure on gas permeability coefficients. A new application of “free volume” theory

The present work is a continuation of a general study of the effect of pressure on gas and vapor permeation through nonporous polymeric membranes. Permeability coefficients have been measured for 1,1-difluoroethylene (C₂H₂F₂) and fluoroform (CHF₃) in polyethylene at penetrant pressures up to 35 atm and at temperatures between -18 and 70°C. The permeability coefficient P? for the 1,1-difluoroethylene—polyethylene system was found to increase with increasing pressure differential Δp across the membrane. Isothermal plots of log ΔP versus Δp are generally linear and can be represented by empirical relations of the form ΔP = P(0)exp{m Δp}, where P(0) and m are constants. The slope m of these isotherms decreases with increasing temperature. Plots of log P? versus Δp for the fluoroform—polyethylene system are also linear, but exhibit negative slopes, i.e., P? decreases with increasing Δp. An extension of Fujita's “free volume” theory of diffusion in polymers shows that the dependence of P? on pressure reflects how the free volume of the polymer is affected by this pressure. An increase in the penetrant pressure may result in two opposing effects: (a) the concentration of the penetrant dissolved in the membrane is increased, thereby increasing the free volume, and (b) the hydrostatic pressure on the membrane is also increased, which causes a decrease in the free volume. If the overall effect is an increase in the free volume of the polymer, then P? will also increase, and vice versa.     

Complexation of neptunium(V) by salicylate,phthalate and citrate ligands in a pH 7.5 phosphate buffered system

Conditional stability constants, enthalpies and entropies of complexation at pH 7.5 and ionic strength 0.1 have been determined for neptunium(V) complexes of phosphate, salicylate, phthalate and citrate. Phosphate forms a complex with log β = 2.36 ± 0.42 at 25°C, ΔH°_c = ? 69.9 kJ/mole and ΔS°_c = ? 188 J/mole-K. At pH 7.5 salicylate does not form a complex with neptunium(V) due to the low charge density of the NpO₂⁺ ion and incomplete ionization of the salicylate ion. Phthalate forms a complex with log β = 3.43 ± 0.33 at 25°C, ΔH°_c = 33.5 kJ/mole and ΔS°_c = 182 J/mole-K. Citrate forms a complex with log β = 4.84 ± 0.72 at 25°C, ΔH°_c = 14.0 kJ/mole and ΔS°_c = 140 J/mole-K. In all cases, only 1:1 complexes were identified.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray determination of the structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

In this study, wide-line NMR and x-ray diffraction have been used in conjunction to study the crystal structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride). Drawn poly(vinylidene fluoride) film was found to contain two crystal phases, the relative amounts of each depending on the draw temperature. Drawing at 50°C. yields a single phase, designated as phase I, while drawing at temperatures between 120 and 160°C. yields a mixture of phase I and a second phase (phase II). The fraction of phase II increases with increasing draw temperature, but this phase was never obtained without some phase I. A tentative orthorhombic unit cell is proposed for phase II. The structure of phase I has been determined from x-ray data. The unit cell is orthorhombic, space group Cm2m, having lattice constants a = 8.47, b = 4.90, and c (chain axis) = 2.56 A. There are two polymer chains in this unit cell. The conformation of the polymer chains is planar zigzag. The details of this structure have been confirmed by experimentally determining at ?196°C. the change in the NMR second moment with the angle between the magnetic field and the draw direction of phase I (drawn at 50°C.), and by comparing these results with a theoretical calculation of the second moments, based on the atomic positions obtained from the proposed structure.