Thermal degradation behavior of blends of phenyl methacrylate-styrene copolymers with aluminum isopropoxide

Thermal degradation studies were carried out of copolymer phenyl methacrylate-styrene in the presence of aluminum isopropoxide to assess the stability and alteration of degradation mechanism using thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) in inert atmosphere and under vacuum using thermal volatilization analysis (TVA). After collecting the condensable volatile degradation products from TVA experiments and separating them by sub-ambient TVA, investigation and identification were effected out by IR spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The degradation products from the blends consisted of some additional products, i.e., isopropanol, phenol, methacrylic acid, ethyl benzene, benzene and a cyclic compound apart from similar products obtained from the degradation of pure copolymers. The mechanism of newly formed degradation products has been discussed in detail. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal degradation of poly(ethyl methacrylate) and its copolymer with poly(ethyl acrylate)

The thermal degradation behaviour of poly(ethyl methacrylate) homopolymers and poly(ethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymers synthesized by using the benzoyl peroxide-di-methyl aniline redox pair at different temperatures (18–35C) was investigated. Contrary to some reports in the literature, the thermal degradation of PEMA was observed to take place in multi steps. These are assigned to be loss of labile end groups, side chain scission, anhydride formation and main chain degradation steps. Dominating chemical formations at the end of these steps were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy.The homopolymer samples synthesized at 18C showed a greater thermal stability against degradation. Copolymerization with small amounts of ethyl acrylate was observed to impart thermal stability to PEMA by stabilizing mainly the end groups against degradations.     

Network relaxation properties of crosslinked poly(ethyl acrylate) and polydimethylsiloxane in the rubbery plateau region

The stress relaxation properties of poly(ethyl acrylate) and polydimethylsiloxane were investigated under conditions where oxidative degradation was minimized. The relaxation observed is thought to result from the continued approach to equilibrium of the network chains with cooperative thermal motion. These elastomers, representing two new classes of polymer, and two new types of crosslinking, were found to behave surprisingly like natural rubber and butadiene–styrene copolymer. Relaxation was found to obey a power law in time, with a negative exponent of 0.22 for both polymers.     

Photolysis of poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(n–butyl acrylate) in vacuo

Thin films of poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) were decomposed in vacuo by means of a high pressure Hg lamp, and the rate of development of volatile products was measured. The main gaseous products were CO, CO₂, and the alcohol, aldehyde, alkane, and formate derived from the respective ester groups. In addition poly(ethyl acrylate) evolved acetal as well as ethyl propionate, while n-butyl valerate was evolved from poly(n-butyl acrylate) only after prolonged exposure. All products and the principal features of the decomposition are discussed.     

Organotin polymers—II.Copolymerization parameters for tributyltin methacrylate with methyl acrylate,ethyl acrylate,butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile

Copolymerizations of tributyltin methacrylate (M₁) with methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile were carried out in solution at 70° using azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. Copolymer compositions were determined by tin analysis; monomer reactivity ratios were calculated by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdös methods. The reactivities of acrylic esters decrease as the alkyl group becomes bulkier. Azeotropic copolymers could be formed from tributyltin methacrylate with butyl acrylate and with acrylonitrile. The structures of M₁ and its azeotropic copolymers have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy.     

Thermal degradation of blends of polystyrene and poly-4-methoxystyrene with bisphenol A polycarbonate

Blends of polystyrene (PS) and poly-4-methoxystyrene (PMeS) with bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) (1:1 by weight) have been studied using thermogravimetry (TG) and thermal volatilisation analysis (TVA). The condensable volatile products obtained in the TVA experiments were separated by subambient TVA and the less-volatile liquids were examined by GC-MS. The cold ring fraction of products was characterised by IR spectroscopy.

On degradation, both PS-PC and PMeS-PC blends show an interaction which is observed as a destabilisation. It is suggested that in the degrading blends, the PC component is destabilised as a result of transport of small radical species from the other polymer phase. These radicals may abstract hydrogen atoms, leading to an increase in backbone scission reactions and consequently a lower degradation temperature than when the polymer is degraded alone.     

Synthesis and characterization of UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane epoxy acrylate

UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane epoxy acrylate (PSEA) was synthesized by hydrosilylation of allyl glycidyl ether with hydrogen-containing polydimethylsiloxane to give polydimethylsiloxane-type epoxy resin which modified with acrylic acid. The curing speed and the double bond conversion in the UV cured film were influenced by the purity of PSEA with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements. The influences of the synthetic process, such as, the reaction temperature, the concentration of reactants and the catalyst which determined the purity and activity of resins were discussed in detail. The structures of this resin were characterized by ¹H-NMR and FT-IR spectra. The molecular weight was checked by gel permeation chromatography, and M_n is 45,000. The properties of the cured film were also investigated by thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamical thermal mechanical analysis, and etc. For example, tensile strength (6.9 Mpa), elongation (20%), hardness (A; 18), water absorption (24 h; 2%), weight loss (40 min, 300 °C; 5%) and etc.     

Surface Functionalization of Sisal Fibers Using Peroxide Treatment Followed by Grafting of Poly(ethyl acrylate) and Copolymers

Grafting of poly(ethyl acrylate) and its copolymers was carried out on peroxide-treated sisal fibers. Effect of reaction conditions on graft parameters like rate of graft copolymerization and % grafting were studied. The kinetics of graft copolymerization of ethyl acrylate onto peroxide-treated sisal fibers was studied, and the rate expression for the graft copolymerization was found to be R_g = k[EA]^1.74[FAS]^0.51. Grafting of poly(EA) and copolymers onto peroxide-treated sisal fibers was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction studies. Thermal stability and percentage crystallinity of sisal fibers were enhanced with peroxide treatment and graft copolymerization.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of homoblends of a poly(ethyl acrylate) ionomer having one ion pair per ionic repeat unit and a poly(ethyl acrylate) ionomer having two ion pairs

The mechanical properties and morphology of homoblends of poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐acrylate) (PEAA) having one ion pair per ionic monomer repeat unit and poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐itaconate) (PEAITA) having two ion pairs were investigated. It was found that the compositional variation in the ionomer homoblends did not affect the matrix or cluster glass transition temperatures of the two ionomers of the homoblends. It was also observed that the ionomer homoblends showed two ionic plateaus and that the changes in the two ionic moduli were directly related to the relative amounts of the two ionomers. The ionic moduli calculated with the model for filler‐dispersed materials were found to fit the experimental data to a great extent. Therefore, it was suggested that the PEAITA/PEAA ionomer homoblends were filler‐containing composite materials rather than miscible blends. In the X‐ray scattering study, it was observed that the morphology of the ionomer homoblends was not affected by mixing. The results obtained in this work might be useful for the modification of the storage moduli of copolymers in a certain temperature range without the alteration of their processing temperatures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1045–1052, 2007.     

Thermal degradation of copolymers of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate. I. Products and general characteristics of the reaction

The technique of thermal volatilization analysis (TVA), applied to methyl methacrylate–methyl acrylate copolymers having molar composition ratios 112/1, 26/1, 7.7/1, and 2/1, has demonstrated that the stabilization of poly(methyl methacrylate) by copolymerized methyl acrylate is due to inhibition of the depolymerization initiated at terminally unsaturated structures, probably by direct blockage by methyl acrylate units. The molecular weight of the copolymers decreases rapidly during degradation, suggesting that a random scission process is involved. The products of degradation consist of the monomers, carbon dioxide, chain fragments larger than monomer, and a permanent gas fraction which is principally hydrogen. Infrared and ultraviolet spectral measurements suggest that the residual polymer, which is colored, incorporates carbon–carbon unsaturation. The complete absence of methanol among the products is surprising in view of its abundance among the products of degradation of poly(methyl acrylate). These observations have been accounted for qualitatively in terms of acceptable polymer behavior.     

Tailor‐made hybrid nanostructure of poly(ethyl acrylate)/clay by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Hybrid nanoarchitecture of tailor‐made Poly(ethyl acrylate)/clay was prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP), by tethering ATRP initiator on active hydroxyl group, present in surface as well as in the organic modifier of the clay used. Extensive exfoliation was facilitated by using these initiator modified clay platelets. Poly(ethyl acrylate) chains with controlled polymerization and narrow polydispersities were forced to be grown from within the clay gallery (intergallery) as well as from the outer surface (extragallery) of the clay platelets. The polymer chains attached onto clay surfaces might have the potential to provide the composites with enhanced compatibility in blends with common polymers. Attachment of the initiator on clay platelets was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis, Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and microscopic analysis. Finally, end group analysis (by Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry, and chain extension experiment) of the cleaved polymer and morphological study (by WAXD, Transmission Electron Microscopy), performed on the polymer grafted clays examined the effect of grafting on the efficiency of polymerization and the degree of dispersion of clay tactoids in polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5014–5027, 2008     

Photochemical polymerization of gaseous ethyl acrylate

Exposure of gaseous ethyl acrylate to ultraviolet radiation causes deposition of poly(ethyl acrylate) at a rate depending on a number of parameters, including the wave-length of the radiation, its intensity, and exposure time. The rate also depends upon the monomer pressure and the presence of contaminants, most notably moisture and oxygen.     

The copolymerization behavior of acrylate dimers: Copolymers of methyl,ethyl, and n-butyl acrylate dimers

Dimers of methyl, ethyl, and n-butyl acrylate were synthesized in good yield through the use of a phosphine catalyst. The dimers synthesized in this manner have one double bond. The activity of this double bond was investigated in copolymerization reactions with styrene. The methyl acrylate dimer proved to have a slightly more favorable reactivity ratio than either the ethyl or n-butyl acrylate dimers.     

Cografting kinetics of styrene and ethyl acrylate onto polyethylene

Kinetic studies of cografting reactions of styrene (St) and ethyl acrylate (EA) onto preirradiated polyethylene (PE) have been investigated by means of bromine labeling and infrared spectroscopy. Kinetic data obtained from these methods, that is, the percent grafting, the number of graft chains, and growing rates, were obtained at temperatures of 0, 20, 40, and 50°C. The graft percent was virtually influenced by the degree of swelling. At 0°C, the mixing ratio of ethyl acrylate and styrene monomer before the beginning of the reaction was equal to the existence ratio in the graft chains after the reaction. Therefore, this reaction is considered to be diffusion-controlled. On the contrary, at 20 and 40°C, the existence ratio in graft chains after the reaction. Therefore, this reaction is considered to be diffusion-controlled. On the contrary, at 20 and 40°C, the existence ratio in graft chains agreed with the theoretical curve calculated from monomer reactivity ratio. The number of active graft chains for given times were 3～5 × 10^?7 mole/g PE and it decreased with temperature; 0 > 20 > 50°C. While the total number of graft chains is 5～15 × 10^?7 mole/g PE and it increased with temperature; 0 < 20 < 50°C. The growing rate were 1～5 monomer/site/sec for 0°C, 2～15 for 20°C.     

Effect of a bi-unsaturated monomer on the emulsion polymerization of ethyl acrylate

The emulsion polymerization and copolymerization of ethyl acrylate with a bi-unsaturated comonomer (divinylbenzene, 1,6-hexamethylene diacrylate), present in small proportions, in the presence of anionic emulsifier sodium dodecyl sulfate have been kinetically investigated at 60°C under batch conditions by gas chromatograhy and gravimetric methods. The rate of polymerization in interval 2 was found to be proportional to the 0,37, 0,23, and 0,5 power of the emulsifier concentration for the system A (ethyl acrylate), the system B (ethyl acrylatedivinylbenzene), and the system C (ethyl acrylate/1,6-hexamethylene diacrylate). Divinylbenzene was found to decrease both the rate of polymerization and the polymer particle size. Addition of 1,6-hexamethylene diacrylate slightly increases both the rate of polymerization and the polymer particle size.     

Radical polymerization of ethyl acrylate with dead end polymerization conditions

The radical polymerization of ethyl acrylate (EA) with 4,4^′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric)acid as initiator was investigated in propionitrile at 363 K in order to obtain carboxy-telechelic oligo(ethyl acrylate). The results of functionality and molecular weights showed that a transfer reaction had occurred. A molecular weight study was performed in order to show the importance of transfer to solvent due to the high reactivity of the EA radical. Finally, the radical polymerization was investigated at very low temperature (253-273 K), using a redox system initiation. A behavior of dead end polymerization was observed but the activation energy of propagation for EA is still high and does not allow the synthesis of a telechelic oligomer.     

含聚二甲基硅氧烷侧链的丙烯酸酯共聚物的研究

采用含活性基团的聚二甲基硅氧烷与丙烯酸酯进行自由基共聚合，合成了自聚二甲基硅氧烷侧链的丙烯酸酯共聚物。采用ＩＲ，＾１Ｈ－ＮＭＲ，ＧＰＣ等分析方法对共聚物结构和组成进行了表征。通过接触角和Ｘ－射线光电子能谱对共聚物的表面性能和表面组成进行了研究，并通过粘接性能和破坏面形貌对共聚物与金属铝材和加成型硅橡胶的粘接性进行了探讨。     

Kinetics of radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene with ethyl acrylate

The radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene with ethyl acrylate onto preirradiated polyethylene powder was carried out at 20°C. The grafting yield decreased in the following order: ethyl acrylate ? styrene > styrene–ethyl acrylate mixture. On the other hand, the amount of absorption of liquid monomers in polyethylene powder decreased as follows: styrene > styrene–ethyl acrylate mixture > ethyl acrylate. By kinetic analysis of the grafting yield and amount of absorption of monomers it was elucidated that the value K_p/K_t in an ethyl acrylate system (7.7 × 10^?2) was much larger than those in styrene–ethyl acrylate systems and in a styrene system (ca. 1.0 × 10^?2).     

Dynamic melt properties of ionic blends of polystyrene and poly(ethyl acrylate)

Ionic interactions in blends of poly(styrene-co-styrene–sulfonic acid) and poly(ethyl acrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine) result in greatly extended rubbery regions. Measurements of dynamic shear moduli as a function of frequency at various temperatures above the glass transition indicate that time–temperature superposition is applicable in almost all cases. Relative to a blend of pure polystyrene with pure poly(ethyl acrylate), the copolymeric blends strongly resemble one another regardless of either compatibility or ion content. Higher ion content appears to enhance the extension of the rubbery plateau. True flow is not achieved even at temperatures as high as 220°C (0.1 rad/s). Flow is clearly evident in the nonionic blend at 170°C (0.1–1.0 rad/s). It is postulated that the ionic interactions are such that bond breaking and reforming are more rapid than the rate of chain slippage.     

Studies on the polymerization of ethyl acrylate. II. Chain transfer studies

Transfer constants for different solvents representing hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, alcohols, ketones, acids, and esters were determined in the thermal polymerization of ethyl acrylate at 80°C and they are compared with the available data on methyl acrylate and ethyl methacrylate. It was observed from the values of transfer constants that ethyl acrylate radicals are a little more effective than methyl acrylate or ethyl methacrylate in abstracting hydrogen atom from hydrocarbons and alcohols. In acetic and n-butyric acid media, it has been found, by the aid of endgroup analysis, that the derived solvent radicals from transfer reactions are not too efficient to start a new chain.