Surface degradation of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) containing 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) as diene in artificial weathering environment

Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) containing 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) as diene was exposed to an artificial weathering environment produced by a xenon lamp light exposure and weathering equipment for different time periods. The surface chemical changes were detected by Specular Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (SR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The change in surface color, contact angle and morphology was monitored by spectrophotometer, optical contact angle measuring device and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Furthermore, surface energy was calculated through contact angles of water and formamide. The results showed that hydroxyl, carbonyl and ester groups were formed during exposure to this artificial weathering environment. EPDM surface became redder, yellower and lighter in the first stage of aging and then remained almost unchanged. The contact angles of water and formamide decreased to a minimum and then increased slowly. The surface degradation is a zero order reaction. In addition, the plausible degradation mechanism was proposed.     

Effect of polyphenylsilsesquioxane on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite

Polyphenylsilsesquioxane (PPSQ) microspheres with ladder structure synthesized in the laboratory have been incorporated into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite in order to study the effect of PPSQ on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM composites. The results showed that PPSQ microspheres serve as an effective ablative additive and flame retardant for EPDM composites. Thus, PPSQ greatly improved the ablative properties of EPDM composites, with a 4.8 wt% loading leading to a remarkable reduction in the linear ablation rate of EPDM by about 50%. Moreover, this loading of PPSQ improved the flame retardancy and smoke suppression, and significantly reduced the PHRR of EPDM composite from 504 kW/m² to 278 kW/m². Moderate tensile strength could be obtained and the breaking elongation was improved for the EPDM/PPSQ composites. TGA results showed that PPSQ had little influence on the thermal decomposition of EPDM. SEM, CONE, and TG-FTIR tests showed that the char structure of EPDM composites was the primary factor through which PPSQ affected the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM. The chars formed during the ablation of EPDM composites containing PPSQ had better structural stability and thermal stability, owing to the fact that they were denser, remained intact, and had an ordered arrangement of holes.     

Influence of maleic anhydride grafted ethylene propylene diene monomer (MAH-g-EPDM) on the properties of EPDM nanocomposites reinforced by halloysite nanotubes

Ethylene propylene diene monomer grafted with maleic ahydride (MAH-g-EPDM) was prepared by peroxide-initiated melt grafting of MAH onto EPDM using a HAAKE internal mixer at 180 °C and 60 rpm for 5 min. The effect of MAH-g-EPDM compatibilizer on the interactions, and tensile and morphological properties of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) filled EPDM nanocomposites was investigated. The tensile properties of the nanocomposites were influenced by two major factors. The hydrogen bonding between MAH-g-EPDM and HNTs, which was confirmed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), as well as the formation of EPDM-rich and HNT-rich areas, are the dominant effects on the tensile strength of the nanocomposites at low and high HNT loading, respectively. It was found that the cure time (t₉₀), maximum torque (M_H) and minimum torque (M_L) of the compatibilized nanocomposites were increased after adding MAH-g-EPDM. The reinforcement mechanism of the compatibilized and un-compatibilized EPDM/HNT nanocomposites was also investigated based on morphological observations of the nanocomposites.     

Surface degradation of poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) terpolymer by ozone in water

Saturated olefinic rubbers have been widely used as materials for not only municipal waterworks, but also for household uses. As a sanitizing agent for water, chlorine will be replaced by ozone in the near future from an environmental point of view. However, the ozone treatment in water seriously damages saturated olefinic rubbers, which are necessary for the infrastructure of daily life. Here, we report the surface degradation of cross-linked poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) terpolymer (EPDM) by ozone treatment, both in water and air. We also discuss how the presence of water impacts the ozone oxidation of EPDM, resulting in macroscopic damage to EPDM.     

Studies on dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of vinyloxyaminosilane grafted ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/linear low density polyethylene (EPDM-g-VOS/LLDPE) blends

The dynamic mechanical properties of vinyloxyaminosilane grafted ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/linear low density polyethylene (EPDM-g-VOS/LLDPE) blends have been evaluated with special reference to the effect of blend ratio. It has been found that increasing the proportion of LLDPE in the blends decreases the T_g values and increases the storage modulus (E^′) and loss modulus (E^′′) due to increase in crystallinity. A gradual increase in the values of tanδ_max is observed for the blends with increase in EPDM-g-VOS concentration, which indicates that no phase inversion occurs. But however the higher increase in tanδ_max after 50 wt.% of EPDM-g-VOS composition is due to small change in crystallinity and is ascertained by SEM micrographs. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young’s modulus and hardness increase with increases in LLDPE concentration in the blends and with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) concentration whereas the values of elongation at break are decreased with increase in LLDPE and DCP concentration.     

Preparation and characterization of vinyltriethoxysilane grafted ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/linear low density polyethylene (EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE) blends

Graft polymerization of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) was carried out in toluene using dicumylperoxide (DCP) as initiator. Effects of various parameters (EPDM content, VTES content, reaction time, reaction temperature and initiator concentration) on the grafting efficiency of VTES onto EPDM were investigated. At the optimum grafting efficiency conditions, EPDM‐g‐VTES was developed by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder and then linear (l), statically vulcanized (s) and dynamically vulcanized (d) blends of EPDM‐g‐VTES with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) with varying percentage compositions were prepared by melt mixing in the twin screw extruder. The grafting of VTES onto EPDM and its crosslinking was confirmed by FT‐IR. The characterization of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus and hardness, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and morphology were studied and compared for the EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE blends. The study reveals that the dynamically vulcanized blend improves the mechanical and thermal properties due to the presence of efficient interaction between component polymers when compared with other blends. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CO2 permeation properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-based segmented block copolymers

This paper discusses the gas permeation properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based segmented block copolymers containing monodisperse amide segments. These monodisperse segments give rise to a well phase-separated morphology, comprising a continuous PEO phase with dispersed crystallised amide segments. The influence of the polyether phase composition and of the temperature on the permeation properties of various gases (i.e., CO₂, N₂, He, CH₄, O₂ and H₂) as well as on the pure gas selectivities were studied in the temperature range of −5 °C to 75 °C. The CO₂ permeability increased strongly with PEO concentration, and this effect could partly be explained by the dispersed hard segment concentration and partly by the changing chain flexibility. By decreasing the PEO melting temperature the low temperature permeabilities were improved. The gas transport values were dependant on both the dispersed hard segment concentration and the polyether segment length (length between crosslinks). The gas selectivities were dependant on the polyether segment length and thus the chain flexibility.     

Great improvement of low‐temperature impact resistance of isotactic polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber blends by traces of carbon nanotubes and β‐nucleating agents

In this work, a considerable low‐temperature toughness enhancement of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was achieved by adding 30 wt% ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) as well as traces of β‐nucleating agent (β‐NAs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The impact strength of the iPP/30 wt% EPDM blend with 0.1 wt% β‐NAs reached 6.57 kJ/m² at ?20°C, over 2.5 times of pure iPP. A slightly improved impact strength was further found in the β‐nucleated iPP/30 wt% EPDM at the presence of 0.05 wt% CNTs. The presence of traces of CNTs, β‐NAs, and EPDM displayed synergistic low‐temperature toughness reinforcement effect on the iPP blends. The underlying toughening mechanism was attributed to the formation of a great amount of voids and plastic deformation of iPP matrix affected by CNTs, β‐NAs, and EPDM. Our work provided a feasible strategy to significantly increase the low‐temperature toughness of iPP.     

Polymerization of ethylene with the system (C5H5)2TiEtCl-AlEtCl2

The catalytic system (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl-AlEtCl₂ in benzene and heptane was investigated. Only two species are formed at an equimolar ratio Al: Ti, viz. active (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl.AlEtCl₂ (I) and inactive (C₅H₅)₂TiCl.AlEtCl₂ formed from (I). The rate constant of propagation is k_p^20° = 6.4 l/mole sec and is independent of the medium. The rate of polymerization decreases with time because of valence reduction. The bimolecular law is obeyed during a run but the apparent termination constant is inversely proportional to the initial catalyst concentration. The kinetic data with different ratios Al:Ti and the dependence of the number of polymer molecules/Ti atom show that AlEtCl₂ is a termination agent and a chain transfer agent.     

Ag/TiO_(2-x)N_x与TiO_(2-x)N_x可见光催化降解丙烯的活性对比

利用纳米管钛酸(NTA)和氨水的水热反应制得TiO_(2-x)N_x系列催化剂,并进一步通过热分解-机械研磨的方法在TiO_(2-x)N_x表面附着上银颗粒,制得Ag/TiO_(2-x)N_x系列催化剂.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、紫外-可见漫反射(DRS)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等技术对催化剂进行了表征和分析.光催化氧化丙烯的实验对比了TiO_(2-x)N_x与Ag/TiO_(2-x)N_x两个系列催化剂的可见光催化活性,考察了氧空位、晶型结构、氮含量和银颗粒对催化剂可见光催化活性的影响.结果表明,催化剂锐钛矿的晶型越好,氧空位含量越高,催化剂的可见光催化活性越好;贵金属银的电子捕获能力使得Ag/TiO_(2-x)N_x的可见光催化活性远高于TiO_(2-x)N_x催化剂.     

Poly(ethylene oxide) induced cross-linking modification of Matrimid membranes for selective separation of CO2

The novel cross-linker, poly(propylene glycol) block poly(ethylene glycol) block poly(propylene glycol) diamine (PPG/PEG/PPGDA), was employed to chemically cross-link Matrimid 5218 at room temperature. The cross-linking reaction process was monitored by FTIR. The XRD was used to indicate the changing of the polymer structure by cross-linking reaction. The effects of the cross-linking reaction on mechanical performance, gel content and H₂, CO₂, N₂ and CH₄ gas transport properties of the cross-linked Matrimid membranes were investigated. The cross-linked Matrimid membranes display excellent CO₂ permeability and CO₂/light gas selectivity compared with the uncross-linked Matrimid membrane. Finally, the potential application of the cross-linked Matrimid membranes for CO₂/light gas separation was explored.     

Polymerization of ethylene with (C5Me5)2Zr(NMe2)2 cocatalyzed by common alkyl aluminums

Polymerizations of ethylene have been carried out by using Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂ (Cp^*=C₅Me₅) compound combined with common alkyl aluminums (AlR₃) and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalysts. The AlMe₃ cocatalyzed system showed no activity due to the formation of stable but inactive heterodinuclear [Cp₂^*2Zr(μ-Me)₂AlMe₂]⁺ cations; however, the bulkier AlR₃ [AlEt₃, Al(i-Bu)₃ and Al(i-Bu)₂H] cocatalyzed systems showed very high activities. Especially, Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂/Al(i-Bu)₃ catalyst showed higher catalytic activity and produced higher molecular weight (MW) polymer than Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂/MAO catalyst, demonstrating both MAO and bulky AlR₃ are effective cocatalysts for Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂ compound.     

Efficient degradation of toxic organic pollutants with Ni2O3/TiO(2-x)Bx under visible irradiation

To promote efficient use of solar energy, many studies have focused on the modification of TiO2 to extend its spectral response to visible region. Here we report a combined modification of TiO2 by two components: the nonmetal element boron and the metal oxide Ni2O3. The photocatalyst presents high photocatalytic activity in the visible region, which can efficiently degrade and mineralize toxic organic pollutants such as trichlorophenol (TCP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and sodium benzoate. The dechlorination and mineralization results indicate the photocatalytic pathway via visible light excitation. The study demonstrates that the modification of TiO2 both to extend its spectral response to the visible region and to improve its catalytic efficiency can be achieved by doping with boron, a nonmetal, and Ni2O3, a metal oxide.     

Polymerization of propylene sulphide by the Zn(C2H5)2-H2O catalyst system

The hydrolysis of a complex of diethyl zinc (DEZ) with propylene sulphide (PS) in PS solution has been investigated. Suitable conditions have been found for the quantitative hydrolysis of DEZ with the formation of a catalyst system containing (ZO)_n groups and ZnS bonds and effective for initiating the polymerization of PS. This polymerization was investigated and a tentative scheme for polymerization by a coordinate anionic mechanism is suggested. The structure of polypropylene sulphide (PPS) was investigated by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and X-rays. The Zn(C₂H₅)₂—H₂O system prepared in situ is highly selective in the reactions of breaking the α-thioxide ring. Amorphous PS consists entirely of head-to-tail bonded units with equal content of iso- and syndiotactic diads. It was also shown that extremely high values of the molecular mass of PPS, the unusual dependence of [η] on conversion and the instability of polymer solutions are due to the presence of polymer aggregates formed in the polymerization of PS on complex associated active centres with a steric structure. Conditions were found for the stabilization of PS solutions containing zinc and for the purification of the polymer from traces of the catalyst system. It was shown that it is incorrect to use equations available in the literature to calculate $\text{M}$_η for PPS obtained with the DEZ—H₂O system from viscometric data without thorough purification of the polymer. Osmometry and light scattering technique were used to estimate true values of the molecular mass of polymer aggregates and of linear PPS.     

Structure of poly(propylene oxide) obtained in the presence of K, K(15-crown-5)2

Potassium isopropoxide and potassium tetraethylene glycoxide vinyl ether as well as small amounts of dipotassium tri- and tetraethylene glycoxides are formed in the initiation step of propylene oxide polymerization by K⁻, K⁺(15-crown-5)₂. Chain transfer reactions occur during the polymerization. Therefore, macromolecules with various starting groups, i.e. with the isopropyl, vinyl, allyl, and propenyl ones, are obtained in the process. The kind of end groups generally depends on the quenching agent used for termination. However, the macromolecules terminated in the chain transfer reactions possess exclusively the hydroxyl end group. The functionality of protonated polymers is equal to about 1.2 as a result of propagation occurring on dipotassium glycoxides.     

Formation of (η-R5C5)Ru(NO)X2 by the nitrosylation of (η-R5C5)Ru(CO)2X under irradiation

The ruthenium(II) complexes (η-R₅C₅)Ru(CO)₂X with R = H, CH₃ and X = Cl, Br, I undergo a facile reaction with nitric oxide under UV irradiation to afford ruthenium(IV) nitrosyl derivatives of the general type (η-R₅C₅)Ru(NO)X₂.     

A facile synthesis of (Z)-5-(substituted)-2-(methylthio)thiazol-4(5H)-one using microwave irradiation and conventional method

A new effective approach to the synthesis of some new (Z)-5-(substituted)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one 3a–l and (Z)-5-(substituted)-2-(methylthio)thiazol-4(5H)-one 5a–l is reported under microwave irradiation as well as conventional conditions.