Radiation-induced postpolymerization of trioxane in the solid state. II. Kinetic study of radiation-induced postpolymerization of trioxane in dry and high-vacuum system

A kinetic study of the radiation-induced postpolymerization of trioxane in the solid state has been made. Trioxane was purified by sublimation through Ag₂O and Na–K alloy in vacuo and was both irradiated and polymerized in a super-dry system under high vacuum. In the present study it was found that the initial rate of polymerization is larger than that reported previously. It is reasonably suggested that the postpolymerization of trioxane consists of two stages, i.e., a very large rate at the first stage and a relatively small one at the second stage. By using the kinetic scheme proposed previously kinetic parameters at the second stage were determined. It was found that trioxane can be postpolymerized even at a temperature below 30°C with good reproducibility and that the overall activation energy of the polymerization was less than 15 kcal/mole. No chain-transfer reaction seems to occur except at low temperatures. These results have been discussed in comparison with data reported previously.     

Morphospecific polymerization: Polyoxymethylene copolymers

Homopolymerization and copolymerization of trioxane by use of various catalysts have been investigated. When MoO₂(AcAc)₂ is employed, crystalline homopolymers and copolymers as formed from polymerization exhibit significantly higher melting points than corresponding polymers prepared by use of ordinary cationic catalysts. The higher melting points are attributed to different morphology of the polymer chains formed during polymerization. We now call this phenomenon morphospecific polymerization. This communication describes our results in the copolymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane and some outstanding properties of the copolymers. A polymerization mechanism is also proposed.     

Characteristic Events in Free Radical Polymerization of Lower n-alkyl Methacrylates

It is well known that the free radical bulk polymerization of lower n-alkyl methacrylates is characterized by autoacceleration after definite conversions of the monomers. The conversion vs.time curves of polymerization have a typical 'S' shape. There are several characteristic points in these curves: the onset of autoacceleration (point M), the maximum in the polymerization rate (point S) and the end of the polymerization (point K). We have observed points P and R (maximum and minimum of autoacceleration) as inflection points in the derived polymerization rate vs. time curve. In this work, the free radical bulk polymerizations of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylates were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of the polymerization temperature and the alkyl group length in the esters on the monomer conversions at the points M, P, S, R and K were studied. By regression analysis of the experimental results, relations were developed with which it is possible to predict the positions of the characteristic points, depending on the polymerization temperature and the alkyl group length. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

铁-芳烃配合物引发环氧化合物的光引发阳离子聚合

以环戊二烯基异丙苯铁六氟磷酸盐为光引发剂,用等温差示扫描量热法(DSC)研究了对甲苯基缩水甘油醚(CGE)的光引发阳离子聚合的温度效应及聚合反应动力学。研究表明CGE聚合时,反应速率及最终转化率随温度变化在550℃及450℃左右有一个峰值。CGE光聚合反应速率与单体浓度的一次方成比例,其反应机理包括两个基本反应,即:引发剂光解产物与单体的配合反应以及在该配合物中单体的开环反应,而这两个反应具有相反的温度效应,升高温度有利于后者而不利于前者。     

Polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole by transition metal salts

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole (NVC) in the presence of transition metal salts such as WCI₆, MoCI₅, TaCl₅ and NbCl₅ under different reaction conditions was studied. In general, aromatic solvents were found to be superior to aliphatic solvents in the polymerization of NVC, i. e., both conversion and molecular weight were higher in aromatic solvents. It was observed that the polymerization reaction proceeds rapidly and almost quantitatively, even at low monomer concentration (< 5 × 10^?2M) and at low catalyst to monomer mole ratio (10^?5) in aromatic solvents. The copolymerization of NVC with acenaphthylene (ACN) was also investigated in solution at room temperature. The resulting homo- and copolymer were characterized by IR, NMR, x-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Thermal and photophysical properties are also reported. From the spectral data, the polymerization solvent was found to have a strong influence upon the polymer stereoregularity.     

Radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming systems. II. Effect of temperature on the polymerization rate at higher conversion

The effect of temperature and conversion on the polymerization rate at higher conversion was investigated with regard to the γ-ray-induced polymerization of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in the supercooled phase. The polymerization rate changed from acceleration to depression at various conversions, depending on the polymerization temperature. It was found that T_v at which the viscosity of the system became ca. 10³ cpoise influenced the shape of the polymerization time–conversion curve. The experimentally obtained conversion reflection point in the polymerization time–conversion curve agreed with the conversion where the polymerization temperature is the same as the calculated T_v of the system. When the polymerization temperature was lower than T_v of the monomer, no acceleration of the polymerization occurred. When the polymerization temperature was higher than T_v of the polymer, no depression of the polymerization rate was observed. The effect of temperature on the saturated conversion (final conversion) was also examined in terms of T_g of the polymerization system. The experimentally obtained saturated conversion agreed with the conversion where the polymerization temperature is the same as the calculated T_g of the system.     

Radiation-induced postpolymerization of trioxane in the solid state. IV. Copolymerization of trioxane with dioxolane

The radiation-induced postpolymerization of trioxane with 1,3-dioxolane has been investigated. Trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane were carefully purified in a rigorously dry, high-vacuum system. In the present study it was found that trioxane can be easily copolymerized with 1,3-dioxolane to give a copolymer having high molecular weight and excellent thermal stability. Typically, the isothermal weight loss after heating for 60 minutes under nitrogen at 222°C was 3.5% for a copolymer of trioxane and 1.0 wt-%1,3-dioxolane preirradiated with a dose of 1.0 × 10⁵ Rad. The thermal stability of the copolymer was scarcely affected by the polymerization temperature and time, although it decreased slightly with increasing preirradiation dose. The dependences of the yield and inherent viscosity of the polymer on the preirradiation dosage, polymerization temperature and time were quite similar to those found for the homopolymerization of trioxane. The results were analyzed by using the kinetic scheme previously reported, and it was found that no chain transfer reaction occurs in this system. These results are discussed in comparison with those of homopolymerization reported previously.     

Estimation of the Characteristic Ratio kp(f/kt)½ and Its Temperature Dependence in Bulk Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride

According to a reaction scheme which as its main features assumes that polymerization is predominantly in the interior of the monomer swollen polyvinyl chloride) particles and that all the decaying initiator finally contributes to the polymerization within the polymer particles, the ratio k_p (f/k_t)^½ = K (where k_p, k_t are rate constants for chain propagation and chain termination, respectively, within the particles and f is initiator efficiency) has been calculated for bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride at three temperatures. K is found to be markedly larger than the corresponding quantity for homogeneous solution polymerization, e.g., at 50°C it is seven times this latter quantity. The characteristic ratio K shows a marked negative temperature dependence, which corresponds to approximately -4.5 kcal/mole for E_p - (E_t/2), when f is assumed to be independent of temperature. This behavior is quite consistent with a strong gel effect being operative at the site of reaction, i.e., the swollen polymer particles can be taken as equivalent to a homogeneous polymerization system at high conversion.     

Crystallization and melting of the system isotactic polystyrene + poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide)

From glass transition T_g measurements on isotactic polystyrene (IPS)–poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends, it was concluded that thoroughly annealed, freeze-dried samples, or samples evaporated from solution at high temperature, are homogeneous. Without annealing, the freeze-dried blends show two to three T_g's characteristic of the presence of different phases. The overall crystallization rate of these samples is much higher than that observed with annealed samples. The presence of dissolved PPO in annealed samples reduces the overall crystallization rate and the spherulitic growth rate, compared to IPS. The melting behavior of the blends is influenced by the extent of mixing of both polymers. Without annealing, isothermally crystallized, freeze-dried blends show the same melting behavior as IPS (i.e., multiple melting). In homogeneous annealed samples the rate of reorganization is strongly reduced and multiple melting only occurs at low scanning rate (e.g., 1°C/min). This behavior is influenced by the crystallization temperature and by the composition of the blends. The addition of PPO has no influence on the relation between melting point and crystallization temperature and the same equilibrium melting point is found by extrapolation.     

Aqueous Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), initiated by the potassium bromate-thioglycollic acid (TGA) redox system, has been studied at 30 ± 0.2° C under positive pressure of nitrogen. The rate is given by K[MMA] [TGA] ⁰[KBrO₃]^x where × = 1 for lower KBrO₃ concentrations and 0.5 for higher KBrO₃ concentrations. The reaction has been studied over the 20–45°C range. The activation energy was found to be 65.72 kJ/mol (15.71 kcal/mol) in the investigated range of temperature. Inorganic electrolytes except MnSO₄·4H₂O and Na₂C₂O₄ depress both the rate of polymerization and the maximum conversion. All the alcohols (viz., MeOH, EtOH, iso-PrOH, tert-BuOH) and acetone depress the rate of polymerization as well as the maximum conversion.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride at reduced monomer accessibility. III. Polymerization kinetics and molecular structure using PVC latex as seed

Vinyl chloride was polymerized at 53–97% of the saturation pressure in a water-suspended system at 55°C with an emulsion PVC latex as seed. A water-soluble initiator was used in various concentrations. The monomer was continuously charged as vapor from a storage vessel kept at lower temperature. Characterization included determination of molecular weight distribution and degree of long-chain branching by gel chromatography and viscometry and by thermal dehydrochlorination. To avoid diffusion control intense agitation was necessary. At a certain conversion, aggregation of primary particles resulted in restricted polymerization rate. Before aggregation, formation of new particles did not occur as the number of particles was high enough to ensure capture of all oligoradicals. The kinetic equation accepted for ordinary emulsion polymerization of vinyl chloride was qualitatively found to be valid after the pressure drop as well. Decreased termination rate may result in increased polymerization rate at reduced monomer concentration, i.e., a gel effect, especially at low particle numbers and high polymer contents. The molecular weight decreased with decreasing monomer concentration. This is in accordance with the new mechanism suggested for chain transfer to monomer starting with occasional head-to-head additions.     

Influence of temperature and light intensity on the photocuring process and kinetics parameters of a pigmented UV curable system

The photopolymerization of pigmented coatings is a great challenge and hardly investigated in the literature. Therefore, in this work, the effect of photopolymerization temperature and light intensity on the curing behavior of a TiO₂-pigmented UV curable epoxy acrylate system was investigated by using photo-differential scanning calorimetry (photo-DSC) analysis. The rate of conversion and ultimate conversion at four different temperatures (i.e., 25, 45, 65, and 85 °C) and four light intensities (i.e. 2, 20, 40 and 80 mW cm^?2) for unpigmented and pigmented formulations were measured. The effect of photo-polymerization temperature and light intensity on the kinetics constants was also evaluated. It was observed that the rate of conversion and final conversion values were affected by the temperature and UV-light intensity. It was seen that the rate of conversion and ultimate conversion had their maximum values at 65 °C for unpigmented formulations. However, in pigmented formulations, these two parameters improved by increasing the temperature even up to 85 °C. Increasing the temperature caused an increase in the amount of propagation and termination rate constants in both pigmented and unpigmented formulations although the changes in the pigmented formulation were more pronounced. It was observed that the rate of polymerization and ultimate conversion for unpigmented formulations increased by increasing the light intensity up to 20 mW cm^?2 and then decreased. On the other hand, it was found that these two parameters increased by increasing light intensity up to 40 mW cm^?2 when pigmented formulations used. Finally, the dependence of termination and propagation kinetics constants on light intensity was established for both unpigmented and pigmented coatings.     

SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF FREE RADICAL DECAY IN POLYMERIZATION OF MMA INITIATED BY AIBN USING ESR AND ITS KINETIC MODEL*

 The kinetics of free radical decay in the polymerization of MMA initiated by AIBN was studied by means of ESR spectroscopy. It was found that the curves of radical decay are strongly associated with the reaction temperature, the initiator concentration and the solvent. In the case of the radical polymerization carried out at high temperature or in solution, the radical concentration first reached a maximum, then declined monotonously with reaction time. It was also found that the greater the amount of initiator or the higher the temperature, the more rapidly the radicals decay. When the bulk polymerization was implemented at a relatively low temperature, the curves of radical decay became more complicated, i.e.,the radical concentration rapidly rose to a maximum, then dropped to a minimum, finally increased again with reaction time.Taking into account the diffusion effect, a semi-empirical equation is suggested to describe the kinetics of propagating radical decay.     

Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization of Isobutyl Methacrylate

Abstract

The reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) bulk polymerization of isobutyl methacrylate (i‐BMA) has been studied using 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithionaphthalate (CPDN) as RAFT agent in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The results of polymerizations of i‐BMA show that i‐BMA can polymerize in a controlled way by RAFT polymerization using CPDN as RAFT agent; i.e., the polymerization rate is first order with respect to monomer concentration, molecular weight increases linearly with monomer conversion, and polydispersities are relatively low (PDI?<?1.2). The structure of the polymer was characterized by ¹H‐NMR. A chain‐extension experiment of the resulting polymer was successfully carried out. The influences of [i‐BMA]₀/[CPDN]₀/[AIBN]₀ molar ratio and reaction temperature were investigated.     

Use of samarium (III) acetate as initiator in ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate

Abstract

In this work was evaluated the activity of samarium acetate (III) (Sm(OAc)₃) as a possible initiator in the polymerization by ring opening of trimethylene carbonate (TMC). All polymerizations were carried out under solvent-free melt conditions in ampoules-like flasks, equipped with a magnetic stirrer. The effects of different parameters of reaction, such as molar ratio monomer to initiator, temperature and reaction time, on typical variables of polymers, e.g., conversion of TMC to poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), dispersity and molar mass, were analyzed. The molar ratio of monomer to initiator was varied between 0 and 1000?mol/mol and the temperature among 70 and 150?°C. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR and HMBC) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) were used to characterize the polymers. The results indicate that the Sm(OAc)₃ induces the polymerization of TMC to high conversion with number-average molecular weights of 3.11?×?10³ to 38.40?×?10³?Da. Based on the ¹H-NMR end-group analysis of low-molecular-weight PTMC, it was proposed a coordination–insertion mechanism for the polymerization, with a breakdown of the acyl-oxygen bond of the TMC. In according to the kinetic study carried out, the polymerization rate is first-order with respect to monomer concentration with apparent rate constants of k_ap?=?7.02?×?10^?4?mol?×?L^?1?×?h^?1.     

NMR and ESR studies of the solid-state polymerization of vinyl monomers. II. Acrylic acid

The post-polymerization of acrylic acid, γ-irradiated at 77°K, has been studied by broad-line NMR and ESR between 240°K and 286°K (mp). The changes in the structure of NMR spectra during the polymerization has been related to the conversion yield checked by gravimetry of the polymer formed. The very fast reaction occurring above ?270°K has been followed simultaneously by NMR and thermal analysis. This last method indicates an activation energy of chain propagation of 18.6 ± 2 kcal/mole in satisfactory agreement with the value given by the initial slope of the conversion—time curves. ESR experiments show that, while the average radical concentration decays by a factor of about ten between 77°K and 240°K, the local concentration of radicals persisting after prolonged annealing at T > 240°K, remains the same as at 77°K, i.e., 1.4 × 10¹⁹ spins/g. A kinetic scheme, assuming an exponential decay of propagation and termination rate constants with chain length, has been proposed to explain the shape of conversion—time curves as well as the almost constancy of the local concentration of growing polymer chains.     

Cationic grafting from carbon black. VII. Grafting of polyacetals by cationic ring-opening polymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane initiated by CO+ClO4− groups on carbon black

The cationic ring-opening polymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane was found to be initiated by CO⁺CIO₄^? groups on a carbon black surface, which were introduced by the reaction of COCI groups with AgCIO₄. The activation energy of the ring-opening polymerization of trioxane was estimated to be 15.5 kcal/mol. In the polymerization system, poly(oxymethylene) and poly(1,3-dioxolane) formed were effectively grafted onto carbon black depending upon the propagation of these polymers from the carbon black surface; for instance, the grafting ratio of poly(oxymethylene) onto carbon black increased with an increase in conversion and went up to about 180%. Although the grafted chain of poly(oxymethylene) was subject to stepwise thermal depolymerization from the chain ends, the thermal stability of poly(oxymethylene)-grafted carbon black was improved by acetylation of hemiformal end groups. The molecular weight of ungrafted poly(oxymethylene) formed in the polymerization was determined to be 1.8–2.0 × 10⁴. Furthermore, the copolymerization of trioxane with 1,3-dioxolane, styrene, and other comonomers initiated by CO⁺CIO₄^? groups and the thermal stability of these acetal copolymer-grafted carbon black were investigated.     

Morphospecific polymer from the copolymerization of trioxane and ethylene oxide

Recently, we have observed the following phenomena during the copolymerization of trioxane and ethylene oxide using a boron trifluoride initiator. In almost all of the polymerization cases, all polymers were soluble in a p-chlorophenol-tetrachloroethane mixed solvent at 90°C. However, in some polymerization cases, a small portion of the polymer was insoluble at this temperature, and this mixed solvent-insoluble fraction showed a higher melting point than that of the other fractions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of the polymer showed that a highly fibrous structure was formed for the mixed solvent-insoluble fraction, and this highly packed structure is thought to be the origin of the high melting fraction. The nature of this high melting fraction was further examined using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2479–2486, 1997     

巯基/乙烯基硅氮烷紫外光固化的研究

利用原位红外跟踪技术和光-示差扫描量热技术研究了不同类型多官能巯基化合物与乙烯基硅氮烷的紫外光聚合动力学过程.结果表明,巯基化合物官能度越高,聚合反应速率越高,但最终转化率越低.巯基丙酸酯类化合物比烷基硫醇类化合物更易与乙烯基硅氮烷反应.在较低温度下,反应温度对聚合反应的影响较弱,反应活化能约为2.3kJ/mol,而较高反应温度下反应速率偏离Arrhenius方程.