Pressure‐volume‐temperature and glass transition behavior of silica/polystyrene nanocomposite

The pressure‐volume‐temperature (PVT) behavior and glass transition behavior of a 10 wt % silica nanoparticle‐filled polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite sample are measured using a custom‐built pressurizable dilatometer. The PVT data are fitted to the Tait equation in both liquid and glassy states; the coefficient of thermal expansion α, bulk modulus K, and thermal pressure coefficient γ are examined as a function of pressure and compared to the values of neat PS. The glass transition temperature (T_g) is reported as a function of pressure, and the limiting fictive temperature (T_f′) from calorimetric measurements is reported as a function of cooling rate. Comparison with data for neat PS indicates that the nanocomposite has a slightly higher T_g at elevated pressures, higher bulk moduli at all pressures studied, and its relaxation dynamics are more sensitive to volume. The results for the glassy γ values suggest that thermal residual stresses would not be reduced for the nanocomposite sample studied. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1131–1138     

Effect of crosslink density on the pressure relaxation response of polycyanurate networks

The effect of crosslink density on the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) behavior and on the pressure relaxation response for two polycyanurate networks is investigated using a custom-built pressurizable dilatometer. Isobaric cooling measurements were made to obtain the pressure-dependent glass transition temperature (T_g). The pressure relaxation studies were carried out as a function of time after volume jumps at temperatures in the vicinity of the pressure-dependent T_g, and the pressure relaxation curves obtained were shifted to construct master curves by time-temperature superposition. The reduced pressure relaxation curves are found to be identical in shape and placement, independent of crosslink density, when T_g is used as the reference temperature. The horizontal shift factors used to create the master curves are plotted as a function of the temperature departure from T_g (T − T_g), and they agree well with their counterparts obtained from the shear response. Moreover, the retardation spectra are derived from bulk compliance and compared to those from the shear. The results, similar to our previous work on polystyrene, indicate that at short times, the bulk and shear responses have similar underlying molecular mechanisms; however, the long-time mechanisms available to the shear response, which increase with decreasing crosslink density, are unavailable to the bulk response. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2477–2486, 2009     

Pressure–volume–temperature of molten and glassy polymers

The pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) dependencies of several amorphous polymers (PS, PC, PPE, and PPE/PS 1:1 blend) in the glassy and molten state were studied. The Simha–Somcynsky (S–S) lattice‐hole equation of state (EOS) was used. Fitting the PVT data in the molten state to the EOS yielded the free volume quantity, h = h(T, P), and the characteristic reducing parameters, P*, V*, and T*. The data within the glassy region were interpreted assuming that the latter parameters are valid in the molten and vitreous state, than calculating h = h(T, P) from the experimental values of V = V(T, P). Next, the frozen free volume fraction in the glass was computed as FF = FF(P). The FF values of polystyrene (PS) resins at ambient pressure showed little scattering (FF_P=1 = 0.691 ± 0.008), while their P‐dependencies varied, reflecting the thermodynamic history of the glass formation as well as the PVT measurements protocol. The pressure gradient of T_g was compared with the Ehrenfest relation for the second‐order transition; here also agreement depended on the method of vitrification. The experimental values of FF at ambient pressure decreased with increasing values of the characteristic temperature reducing parameter, T*. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 270–285, 2007.     

Synthesis and thiol–ene photopolymerization of allyl‐ether functionalized dendrimers

Well‐defined, allyl‐ether functional, first‐generation dendrimers have been synthesized. The convergent growth approach was utilized, using the anhydride of the allyl‐ether terminated building block. Three different core moieties were used: trimethylolpropane, trisphenol, and ditrimethylolpropane. The coupling reactions proceeded in good yields and all compounds were characterized by NMR, MALDI‐TOF, and SEC. The allyl‐terminated dendrimers were crosslinked by thiol–ene chemistry, using a multifunctional thiol, TriThiol, to give clear and smooth films. The photopolymerization was conducted in the presence of a photoinitiator, Irgacure 651, and no traces of either allyl‐ether groups or thiols were observed by FT‐Raman after cure. All crosslinked films were characterized with respect to mechanical (DMA) and thermal (DSC) properties. It was found that homogeneous networks were formed and that the core functionality and structure had little effect on the network properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1339–1348, 2008     

Pressure–Volume–Temperature properties of polyolefin liquids and their melt miscibility

The pressure–volume–temperature (P–V–T) properties of a number of metallocene-produced polyolefins were measured experimentally at 10 MPa ≤ P ≤ 200 MPa and 30°C ≤ T ≤ 220°C in a dilatometer-type P–V–T apparatus. These included ethylene copolymers typical of linear low density polyethylene, with several α-olefins as comonomers and a wide range of comonomer content. The experimental P–V–T data were correlated with the equations of state from the Sanchez–Lacombe and Flory–Orwoll–Vrij theories. The solubility parameter map of the polyolefins, at atmospheric pressure, was established on the basis of the thermodynamic data. As the temperature increases, the solubility parameter of the polyolefin decreases. The solubility parameters of copolymers of ethylene with propylene, butene, hexene, and octene under constant temperature are all more or less the same at equal weight percent of comonomer. As the incorporation of branches increases, the solubility parameter decreases. The melt miscibility of the polyolefin blends can be predicted to design various blend products for specific applications from this solubility parameter map. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2835–2844, 1999     

Miscibility behavior and hydrogen bonding in blends of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone hydrogenated) and poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)

The miscibility behavior of poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PEOx)/poly(vinyl phenyl ketone hydrogenated) (PVPhKH) blends was studied for the entire range of compositions. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis measurements showed that all the PEOx/PVPhKH blends studied had a single glass‐transition temperature (T_g). The natural tendency of PVPhKH to self‐associate through hydrogen bonding was modified by the presence of PEOx. Partial IR spectra of these blends suggested that amide groups in PEOx and hydroxyl groups in PVPhKH interacted through hydrogen bonding. This physical interaction had a positive influence on the phase behavior of PEOx/PVPhKH blends. The Kwei equation for T_g as a function of the blend composition was satisfactorily used to describe the experimental data. Pure‐component pressure–volume–temperature data were also reported for both PEOx and PVPhKH. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 636–645, 2004     

Intermolecular interactions on amine‐cured epoxy matrices with different crosslink densities. Influence on the hole and specific volumes and the mechanical behavior

The architecture of an epoxy matrix was modified by curing the resin with mono‐/diamine mixtures having identical chemical structures. Both hole volume and specific volume variations were studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and pressure‐volume‐temperature/density measurements, respectively. The average hole volume of the networks at room temperature slightly increased when the monoaminic chain extender content increased. The increment in the intermolecular interactions between functional groups of the networks chains, due to the less hindered nitrogen introduced by the monoamine, appears to be the responsible for the observed behavior. Besides, only small variations on the specific volume were observed on increasing the monoamine content, which points out that for a cured epoxy system, the chemical structure of the curing agent is mainly responsible for chain packing in the networks. On the other hand, intermolecular interactions between chains were considered as the key factor for fixing stiffness and strength. Thus, it was observed that the increase of the intermolecular interactions with the monoamine content produced a decrease in the sub‐T_g small‐range cooperative motions, which increased the low‐deformation mechanical properties at temperatures between β and α relaxations. This conclusion could be applied to previous investigations with epoxy matrices not fully crosslinked (nonstoichiometric or noncompletely cured formulations). Finally, it was found that fracture properties do not significantly depend either on the hole volume or on the intermolecular interactions. Fracture properties are more dependent on the crosslink density and the glass transition temperature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1240–1252, 2009     

Pressure–volume–temperature properties and free volume parameters of PEO/PMMA blends

Melt-miscible polymer blends of poly(ethylene oxide)/atactic poly(methyl methacrylate (PEO/a-PMMA)) were prepared by melt-mixing and characterized by pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) dilatometry in the pressure and temperature range of 0 to 200 MPa and 20 to 200°C, respectively. The PVT data were analyzed in terms of two equations of state (EOS). The empirical Tait EOS was applied in the glassy, semicrystalline, and equilibrium melt state, and the Simha-Somcynsky EOS theory was applied in the equilibrium melt and glassy state. The Simha-Somcynsky EOS theory contains a free volume function. The temperature, pressure, and composition dependence of the free volume fraction h calculated from the Simha-Somcynsky EOS theory was studied. As a function of blend composition we observe that the free volume fraction, thermal expansivity, and compressibility all deviate mainly positively from linearity while the specific volume deviates mainly negatively from linearity. These findings are reconciled with composition-dependent free volume parameters, the free volume and cell volume as well as with self- and cross-interaction parameters derived from the Simha-Somcynsky EOS theory as applied to polymer mixtures. Moreover, the pressure dependence of glass and melting transitions as well as crystallization kinetics have been investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1061–1080, 1998     

Influence of the crosslink network structure on stress‐relaxation behavior: Viscoelastic modeling of the compression set experiment

A viscoelastic approach of the compression set test is addressed in this work. This test measures the ability of rubber compounds to retain elastic properties after prolonged action of compressive stresses. Elastic properties were tested by recording the normal stress under a constant deformation of 25% with a laboratory rheometer. Considering the Boltzmann superposition principle, compression set data were modeled from the relaxation of Young's modulus, described by a Maxwell spectrum plus a constant E_∞ defining the elastic properties at the long times. This approach was developed with the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA) networks crosslinked by radical chemistry and by an exchange reaction between acetate groups and silane compounds as crosslinking agents. Regarding the recovery of the elastic properties, radical chemistry provided better results than the exchange reaction for the identical crosslinking density of the network. Then, the Curro–Pincus molecular approach was developed to understand the influence of the microstructure of the EVA network on the elastic properties. The difference of the elastic properties between the two networks crosslinked by two different chemistry means was accounted for by considering the probability of having a dangling end of n units for a random crosslinking process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1779–1790, 2003     

Analysis of viscoelastic behavior and dynamic mechanical relaxation of copolyester based layered silicate nanocomposites using Havriliak–Negami model

The solid‐state viscoelastic properties are examined for intercalated nanocomposites based on a copolyester and (2‐ethyl‐hexyl)dimethyl hydrogenated‐tallow ammonium montmorillonite. The nanocomposites are prepared via the direct melt intercalation technique using a conventional twin‐screw extruder. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of the nanocomposites is conducted using two different test setups. The dynamic mechanical relaxation spectra show an increase in the storage modulus of the nanocomposite over the entire temperature range under study as compared to the pristine polymer (except in the transition region from 70 to 80 °C). These results are analyzed using the empirical Havriliak–Negami (HN) equation. The four temperature independent HN parameters (α, β, E₀, and E_∞) and one temperature dependent parameter (τ, the relaxation time) are determined by solving the HN equation for each temperature over the range of temperatures. The calculated moduli results fit well with the experimental values of the relaxation spectra for the nanocomposites. This study shows that the HN model can be applied to polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, and it can be used to predict their dynamic mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies a priori. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2657–2666, 2004     

Comparison of the transient stress–strain response of rubber to its linear dynamic behavior

Master curves of the small strain and dynamic shear modulus are compared with the transient mechanical response of rubbers stretched at ambient temperature over a seven‐decade range of strain rates (10^?4 to 10³ s^?1). The experiments were carried out on 1,4‐ and 1,2‐polybutadienes and a styrene–butadiene copolymer. These rubbers have respective glass transition temperatures, T_g, equal to ?93.0, 0.5, and 4.1 °C, so that the room temperature measurements probed the rubbery plateau, the glass transition zone, and the onset of the glassy state. For the 1,4‐polybutadiene, in accord with previous results, strain and strain rate effects were decoupled (additive). For the other two materials, encroachment of the segmental dynamics precluded separation of the effects of strain and rate. These results show that for rubbery polymers near T_g the use of linear dynamic data to predict stresses, strain energies, and other mechanical properties at higher strain rates entails large error. For example, the strain rate associated with an upturn in the modulus due to onset of the glass transition was three orders of magnitude higher for large tensile strains than for linear oscillatory shear strains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.* J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Ultimate tensile behavior of linear polyethylene solids

The influence of the elongation rate and temperature on the ultimate tensile properties of melt‐crystallized linear polyethylene solids was investigated, with a double‐edge‐notched specimen to avoid necking, in which uniform deformation could be assumed throughout the experiment. The data on ultimate properties such as the tensile strength and elongation at break for different temperatures could be superimposed, by shifts along the elongation rate axis, to give a master curve as a function of the time to rupture. The shift factors obtained from the superpositioning of both the tensile strength and ultimate strain took the form of the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. As a result, the ultimate data provided a failure envelope curve that made it possible to predict rupture times when the tensile tests were conducted under any experimental conditions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2018–2026, 2002     

Measurement of high frequency linear viscoelastic functions of a nitrile‐butadiene rubber compound by ultrasound spectroscopy

The storage and loss components of the complex wave modulus, M*(ω), measured on a nitrile‐butadiene rubber compound (NBR‐DIN 53538) by ultrasound spectroscopy at a temperature of 293.2 K, were combined with the components of the complex shear modulus, G*(ω), measured on the same sample in a commercial Rheometric Scientific ARES instrument with torsion geometry at different frequencies and temperatures, and superposed in a master plot using the time–temperature superposition principle. From the combined measurements the components of the complex bulk modulus, K*(ω), were obtained by means of the exact formula M*(ω) = K*(ω) + (4/3)G*(ω). Some of the features of the complex bulk modulus reported in the literature for polymeric materials are confirmed for the NBR‐DIN mixture. The maxima in G″(ω) and K″(ω) are separated by more than one order of magnitude in the frequency scale and furthermore, the shapes of the peaks are different. The simple idea, that, for many polymers, the mechanisms for relaxation in shear and in bulk are of the same basic nature appears not to be supported by the present data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 91–102, 2007     

Synthesis and structure–property relationships of acrylic core–shell particle-toughened epoxy networks

The use of emulsion polymerization to prepare core–shell rubber (CSR) toughening particles with different shell thickness-to-core diameter ratios is described. The conditions leading to controlled particle size and morphology are discussed. The particle shell is crosslinked during the synthesis so that its integrity and morphology are maintained upon curing of the epoxy network. The mixing of the CSR particles with the reactive epoxy and the processing of toughened-epoxy networks are described. The characteristics of each phase and the mechanical properties of the materials are reported. The fracture parameters (K_lc, G_lc) are discussed in relation to the structure of the CSR-particles.     

Preparation and application of a novel core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst

The use of functional groups bearing silica/poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) core–shell particles as a support for a zirconocene catalyst in ethylene polymerization was studied. Several factors affecting the behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of the resulting polymer, such as time, temperature, Al/N (molar ratio), and Al/Zr (molar ratio), were examined. The conditions of the supported catalyst preparation were more important than those of the ethylene polymerization. The state of the supported catalyst itself played a decisive role in both the catalytic behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of polyethylene (PE). IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to follow the formation of the supports. The formation of cationic active species is hypothesized, and the performance of the core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst is discussed as well. The bulk density of the PE formed was higher than that of the polymer obtained from homogeneous and polymer‐supported Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane catalyst systems. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2085–2092, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorene‐based rod–coil liquid crystal polymers

A series of fluorene‐based rod–coil liquid crystal polymers with different lengths of the coil segments on backbones were designed and synthesized by a palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling‐reaction. The thermal stability, the UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra in chloroform solution and thin film, the electrochemical properties, thermal behavior, and morphology of these rod–coil polymers were investigated. The thermal stability of these polymers steadily decreased on increasing the length of the coil segments on the backbone; their optical and electrochemical properties did not exhibit noticeable dependence on the weight fraction of the coil segments. However, the shoulder emission and the full width at the half‐maximum (FWHM) in PL spectra of the films increased, whereas the oxidation onset potentials and the corresponding HOMO energy levels decreased with the increase in the weight fraction of the coil segments, which was assigned to microphase separation and formation of folded chain conformation as the weight fraction of the coil segments increased. These polymers displayed a characteristic liquid crystalline texture. The variation of the weight fraction of the coil segments obviously affected the thermal behavior and morphology of these rod–coil polymers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pressure–volume–temperature data and surface tension of blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methyl acrylate) in the melt

The pressure–volume–temperature behavior of miscible blends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) was studied over extended ranges of temperature and pressure. From pressure–volume–temperature data, the reduction parameters for the Flory‐Orwoll‐Vrij equation‐of‐state were determined. It was found that reduction parameters as well as density, thermal expansion coefficient, and isothermal compressibility vary with composition in a nonlinear manner. The surface tension of the blends in the molten state was measured over the whole composition range using the sessile drop method. The surface tension was found to display negative deviation from additivity pointing toward a remarkable surface excess of PMA. Moreover, surface tension displays a minimum in the range of low PEO content at weight fraction of ～0.19. In addition, the temperature coefficient of surface tension shows negative deviation from linearity. It stays constant when PMA is in excess. Results are discussed in terms of equation‐of‐state thermodynamics. The minimum of surface tension can be well explained by weak self‐association of PEO in the bulk. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1893–1900, 2010     

Swelling behavior and network structure of hydrogels synthesized using controlled UV‐initiated free radical polymerization

N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (VP) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymeric gels have been synthesized using UV‐initiated photopolymerization to understand their characteristic behavior for development as a bioengineering material, specifically for tissue expansion. The properties of the gels have been investigated by systematic variation of the monomer feed composition and initiator and crosslinker concentrations as well as UV irradiation intensity, which was controlled by various photomasks. The swelling kinetics and network characteristics for the various hydrogels were investigated through the observation of gel swelling behavior in saline solutions and compression modulus determination of the fully swollen hydrogels. The equilibrium swelling ratio (q_e) of the gels increased as expected with increasing VP content and decreasing crosslinker concentration. However, it was found that as the amount of initiator or UV intensity increased, unexpectedly q_e also increased, which indicates a network structure with decreasing effective crosslink density (ν_e) (or increasing average molecular weight between crosslinks (M_c)). Based on this anomalous swelling behavior and thermal analysis of the gels, a molecular structure is proposed consisting of increasing number of dangling chain ends within the polymer network. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1450–1462, 2008     

Carbon–silica dual‐phase filler,a new‐generation reinforcing agent for rubber. Part VI. Time–temperature superposition of dynamic properties of carbon–silica‐dual‐phase‐filler‐filled vulcanizates

Dynamic properties such as shear modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor were obtained at a low strain amplitude over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures on vulcanizates filled with carbon black, silica, and carbon–silica dual‐phase filler. The data were shifted along the frequency scale. Instead of a single smooth master curve, a pseudomaster curve with a feather‐like structure is obtained. This effect is especially pronounced for the loss factor. Multiple factors may be responsible for this. Among others, filler networking and polymer–filler interaction may play a dominant role. The effect of the carbon–silica dual‐phase filler on the overall dynamic properties of the vulcanizates is similar to that of silica. Their tan δ values are much lower at lower frequencies and are relatively higher at higher frequencies. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1240–1249, 2000     

Nanostructured organic–inorganic hybrid films prepared by the sol–gel method from self‐assemblies of PS‐b‐paptes‐b‐PS triblock copolymers

ABA‐based triblock copolymers of styrene as block ends and gelable 3‐acryloxypropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the middle block were successfully prepared through nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP). The copolymers were bulk self‐assembled into films and the degree of phase separation between the two blocks was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Their morphology was examined through small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), whereas the mechanical properties of the corresponding cross‐linked self‐assembled nanostructures were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Acidic treatment of the triblock copolymers favored the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the APTES‐rich nanophase, and induced a mechanical reinforcement evidenced by the increase of storage modulus values and the shift of the glass transition temperature to higher temperatures due to confinement effects. In addition, the lamellar structure of the hybrid films was retained after the removal of the organic part by calcination. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011