Properties of amorphous and crystallizable hydrocarbon polymers. II. Rheology of linear and star-branched polybutadiene

Some results are reported on the linear viscoelastic properties of polybutadienes with narrow-molecular-weight distributions. The zero shear viscosity η₀ varies as M^3.4 in the linear samples, and viscosity enhancement is found in star-branched samples with long arms, in good agreement with results reported earlier by Kraus and Gruver. The temperature coefficient of viscosity appears to be slightly larger in stars when the arms become long. The steady state recoverable compliance J is 2.1 × 10 ^?7 cm²/dyn in linear samples of high molecular weight, but it increases to values as much as 10 times larger in the stars. The plateau modulus G, obtained from a composite curve for the linear samples, is 1.32 × 10⁷ dyn/cm². The terminal relaxation spectrum of the stars is too broad to allow an evaluation of plateau modulus.     

Properties of amorphous and crystallizable hydrocarbon polymers. I. Melt rheology of fractions of linear polyethylene

The dynamic moduli G′(ω) and G″(ω) for two groups of linear polyethylene fractions (reported M _w/M _n < 1.2) were measured in the melt state using the eccentric rotating disk method. Values of zero shear viscosity η₀ were obtained and compared with published results on similar fractions. Molecular weight data were converted to a common basis through intrinsic viscosities in trichlorobenzene (TCB) at 135°C. With recent data on M _w (light scattering) vs. [η]_TCB, for linear polyethylene, the relationship at 190°C, η₀ = 3.40 × 10^?14(M _w)^3.60, was obtained. The flow activation energy E_a was 6.4 kcal (T = 140–195°C). The plateau modulus G at 190°C was determined from the area under the loss modulus peak in one high-molecular-weight sample. The value obtained, G = 1.5₈ × 10⁷ dyn/cm², corresponds to an apparent molecular weight between entanglements of 1850. The storage compliance J′(ω) becomes anomalously large at low frequencies. The recoverable compliance J could not be determined for any of the fractions.     

Properties of amorphous and crystallizable hydrocarbon polymers. III. Studies of the hydrogenation of polybutadiene

Three methods for hydrogenating anionically prepared polybutadiene (containing about 8% vinyl double bonds) were investigated: homogeneous catalysis (alkylated transition metal salts), heterogeneous catalysis (nickel on kieselguhr; paladium on calcium carbonate), and stoichiometric reaction with in situ generated diimide. The products were characterized by intrinsic viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and melt viscosity. Only the heterogeneous catalysts were found to yield completely hydrogenated products without incorporation of foreign groups and without significant change in the large-scale molecular structure of the chain. The 195°C melt viscosity of linear polybutadiene hydrogenated with heterogeneous catalysts is virtually identical with that of linear polyethylene with the same intrinsic viscosity in trichlorobenzene at 135°C. The solid state properties of hydrogenated polybutadiene, containing about 20 ethyl branches/1000 main chain atoms, closely resemble those of commercial branched polyethylene.     

Monte Carlo simulation of tetrahedral chains, 5. The pivot-algorithm for non-athermal linear and star-branched polymers

By use of the pivot algorithm, star-branched chains with F = 3–12 arms of length n, nF = 480, and linear chains (F = 2) are generated on a tetrahedral lattice. In order to simulate different qualities of the solvent, specific short-range interactions are taken into account. Whereas in athermal systems a new configuration — which is obtained by rotating that part of an arm which contains the chain end around a randomly selected bond by ± 120° — is accepted if it is self-avoiding, for non-athermal systems the Metropolis-Rosenbluth criterion with respect to energy must be satisfied in addition. Calculating the energy of the configuration, nearest-neighbour interactions (each contact contributes an energy Φ·kT, Φ < 0 characterizing endothermal solutions and Φ > 0 exothermal ones) are considered only; no energy is introduced to distinguish between trans and gauche bonds. A rather quick response of chain properties to the variation of thermodynamic conditions is demonstrated. The average acceptance fraction f̄ has its maximum value for athermal conditions, slightly decreases for exothermal conditions and strongly decreases with increasingly negative Φ-values. However, for Φ = −0,5 — representing a solution near theta-conditions — still 25% of attempted moves are accepted for all F-values examined. The dependence of global properties (characterized by the mean-square radius of gyration) on Φ and F is in full accordance with most Monte Carlo results.     

Melt rheology of ion-containing polymers. I. Effect of ionic content in a model polyesterionomer

The effects of copolymerizing small amounts of an ionic moiety (0–7 mol %) into the backbone of a polycondensation polymer have been investigated by a combination of linear viscoelastic, steady-shear, and extensional testing. At a constant viscosity in dilute solution, both the zero-shear-rate viscosity and the maximum relaxation time in the melt increase monotonically with an increase in the ionic character. These effects are present after the data are normalized to remove the increase in the glass transition temperature T_g with increased ionic content. Large-strain, steady-shear flow experiments showed that the viscoelastic memory of the melt is affected by ionic content. An increase in ion content causes a decrease in the effect of strain on the memory function. This effect is not apparent in extensional flow experiments, which indicate that the ionic content does not affect the response if the tests are conducted at a constant temperature above T_g.     

Dynamics of grafted star-branched polymers. A Monte Carlo study

Monte Carlo simulations of simple models of star-branched polymers were carried out. The model chains were confined to simple cubic lattice and consisted of f = 3 branches of equal length and the total number of polymer segments as well as the density of grafted chains on the surface were varied. The chains have had one arm end attached to an impenetrable plate. The simulations were performed by employing the set of local micromodifications of the chain conformations. The model chains were athermal, i.e. good solvent conditions were modeled, the excluded volume effect was present at the model. The density of grafted chains on the surface was varied from a single chain up to 0.3. The static and dynamic properties of the system were studied. The influence of polymer concentration as well as the polymer length on static and dynamic properties of the system studied was shown. The relation between the structure and short-time dynamics (relaxation times) was discussed.     

Properties of star-branched and linear chains in confined space: a computer simulation study

We studied the properties of simple models of linear and star-branched polymer chains confined in a slit. The polymer chains were built of united atoms and were restricted to a simple cubic lattice. Two macromolecular architectures of the chain linear and star-branched with three branches (of equal length) were studied. The excluded volume was the only potential introduced into the model and thus, the system was athermal. The chains were put between two parallel and impenetrable surfaces. Monte Carlo simulations with a sampling algorithm based on chain’s local changes of conformation were carried out. The differences and similarities in the global size and the structure and of linear and star-branched chains were shown and discussed.     

Monte Carlo simulation of tetrahedral chains, 7 the shape of linear and star-branched polymers near to theta-conditions

By use of the pivot algorithm, star-branched chains with F = 4, 8 and 12 arms of length n and linear chains (F = 2) are generated on a tetrahedral lattice (120 ≤ nF ≤ 3 840). By taking into account nearest neighbour interactions (each contact contributes an energy ϕ kT to the total energy of the configuration) a variation of the thermodynamic quality of the solvent is simulated by a variation of the energy parameter ϕ near the value of ϕ_θ = -0,475, characteristic of theta-conditions. For theta-conditions various quantities characteristic of the instantaneous shape of polymers exhibit similar values as found for nonreversal random walks; furthermore, while linear theta-chains are slightly less asymmetric than athermal ones, the opposite behaviour is found for star-branched polymers. Clearly, for all thermodynamic conditions the asymmetry of configurations decreases with increasing number of arms but remains appreciable even for F = 12.     

D2-meta-carborane-siloxanes. IV. Synthesis of linear,high molecular weight polymers

A new facile route to linear, high molecular weight D₂-meta-decacarborane-siloxanes was developed based on the condensation reaction between bisureidosilanes and carborane disilanol. By using NMR to monitor the reaction stoichiometry, polymers with molecular weight ≥250,000 have been prepared. Moreover, because of the mild reaction conditions, structural modifications of the polymer backbone have been readily achieved. These linear, high molecular weight polymers overcome the fabrication difficulties encountered in previously prepared D₂-polymers.     

Properties of side chain liquid crystal and amorphous polymers. Applications to non-linear optics

Comb-like liquid-crystalline polymers exhibit many unique properties that challenge not only basic research but also numerous technological opportunities. They combine (partly) the properties of orientation of low molecular weight liquid crystals with the rigidity of polymers. For example, they can be oriented in the mesomorphic state and the structure frozen in a glassy state. These polymers with functionalized pendent groups lead to potential applications in the field of nonlinear optics, or in the domain of electro-optical displays. Other polymers like polysilanes show interesting properties such as photo-conductivity. This paper describes the properties and applications of some new side chain liquid-crystalline polyacrylates and their amorphous copolymers. It also describes the photo-conductive properties of polysilanes and their applications in spatial light modulators with liquid crystals. In the first part of this paper, we describe the properties of liquid crystal copolymers and amorphous polyacrylate copolymers with cyanobiphenyls and/or pendent groups with a large hyperpolarizability. Their different properties are compared with some recent results from the literature. These amorphous copolymers allow one to obtain, after poling in an electric field, high optical non-linear coefficients. We have used these copolymers for the manufacture of an electro-optic modulator working at 1·3 μm in the frequency range of 1 GHz. Applications to second harmonic generation at 1·06 μm are also discussed. In the second part of this paper we describe the photo-conductive properties of polysilanes and the realization and performance of an organic spatial light modulator for optical correlation.     

Approximate relations among compliance functions of linear viscoelasticity for amorphous polymers

In the glass–rubber transition region of viscoelastic behavior of amorphous polymers, it is found that is a good first approximation. Here J(t) is the value of the shear creep compliance at time t and J″(1/t) is the value of the shear loss compliance at an angular frequency of 1/t. Previous approximations related the creep compliance to the storage compliance. When J(t) is proportional to t^m, where m is a positive constant, J″(1/t) is within 30% of J(t) for m > 0.6. Over the entire range, is a better approximation than either of the other two. The relaxation modulus G(t) is hardly ever a good approximation for the loss modulus G″(1/t).     

Two‐dimensional chromatography of complex polymers. IV. Analysis of the grafting reaction of methyl methacrylate onto polybutadiene

The grafting reaction of methyl methacrylate onto polybutadiene (PB) was investigated with different chromatographic techniques, including high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and online coupled two‐dimensional liquid chromatography. As a result of the grafting reaction, a complex mixture of nongrafted PB, the graft copolymer PB‐g‐PMMA [where PMMA is poly(methyl methacrylate)], and the PMMA homopolymer was formed. The complete separation of all the products of the grafting reaction was achieved with gradient HPLC. By the combination of gradient HPLC and size exclusion chromatography in a fully automated two‐dimensional chromatography setup, the complex distributions of the chemical composition and molar mass were fingerprinted simultaneously. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3143–3148, 2003     

Dynamic mechanical properties of plasticized polystyrene-based ionomers. II. Melt rheology

A high molecular weight styrene ionomer containing 5 mol% sodium methacrylate was blended with a styrene oligomer (MW 800) and investigated by dynamic mechanical techniques. The focus of the study is on the dynamic melt rheology of these materials, whose ratios by weight of ionomer to oligomer are 60/40, 40/60, and 25/75. The glass-transition temperature and ionic transition are first characterized by torsion pendulum measurements as a function of temperature. It appears that a maximum level of plasticization is achieved for the ionic regions, the extent depending on sample history. Time–temperature superposition is obeyed by the blend of 60 wt% ionomer, but not by the other two blends. Relaxations due to the ionic regions are clearly evident in the relaxation spectra of all three blends. Above a particular temperature, the 25 wt% blend indicates an Arrhenius type of dependence.     

Organometallic polymers. IV. Organometallic modifications of halogen-containing polymers

The synthesis of ferrocene-containing polymers by chemical modification of chlorinated polyethylenes, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other halogenated polymers, under Friedel-Crafts conditions, is described. The effect of reaction conditions on the structure and composition of the products obtained with various substrates was investigated. Soluble polymers of up to 62% ferrocene content were obtained. In most cases, substitution was accompanied by dehydrohalogenation. The ferrocene-to-vinylene ratio was higher in the reaction products of chlorinated polyethylenes than in those of PVC.     

Electrophoretic mobility of linear and star-branched DNA in semidilute polymer solutions

Electrophoresis of large linear T2 (162 kbp) and 3-arm star-branched (N(Arm) = 48.5 kbp) DNA in linear polyacrylamide (LPA) solutions above the overlap concentration c* has been investigated using a fluorescence visualization technique that allows both the conformation and mobility mu of the DNA to be determined. LPA solutions of moderate polydispersity index (PI approximately 1.7-2.1) and variable polymer molecular weight Mw (0.59-2.05 MDa) are used as the sieving media. In unentangled semidilute solutions (c* < c < c(e)), we find that the conformational dynamics of linear and star-branched DNA in electric fields are strikingly different; the former migrating in predominantly U- or I-shaped conformations, depending on electric field strength E, and the latter migrating in a squid-like profile with the star-arms outstretched in the direction opposite to E and dragging the branch point through the sieving medium. Despite these visual differences, mu for linear and star-branched DNA of comparable size are found to be nearly identical in semidilute, unentangled LPA solutions. For LPA concentrations above the entanglement threshold (c > c(e)), the conformation of migrating linear and star-shaped DNA manifest only subtle changes from their unentangled solution features, but mu for the stars decreases strongly with increasing LPA concentration and molecular weight, while mu for linear DNA becomes nearly independent of c and Mw. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories for electrophoresis of large polyelectrolytes.     

The temperature dependence of the viscoelastic softening and terminal dispersions of linear amorphous polymers

Thermorheological simplicity is shown to hold for poly(vinyl acetate) in the temperature range extending from T_g + 25°C to T_g + 80°C. Between T_g and T_g + 25°C the softening (glass to rubberlike) viscoelastic dispersion exhibits time-scale shift factors a_T different from those of the terminal (rubberlike to steady-state) dispersion. The a_T values calculated from zero-shear viscosities coincide with those from the terminal dispersion in the temperature range 60–154°C (T_g ? 35°C). The a_T shifts obtained from the response in the terminal dispersion can be fitted to the Williams, Landel, and Ferry equation over the entire temperature range 42–154°C. The a_T obtained from the softening dispersion is shown to exhibit a different functionality. An empirical modification of the Doolittle equation yields a very flexible relation which can be fitted to some a_Ts which cannot be represented by the usual Doolittle free-volume expression.     

Conformation of linear polyethylene in 1-chloronaphthalene: Light scattering characterization of polymers. IV

Light scattering measurements were carried out on a linear polyethylene sample NBS 1475 in 1-chloronaphthalene at 135 and 115°C to determine the weight-average molecular weight, the second virial coefficient A₂, and the z-average mean-square radius of gyration. By use of these results, the system is analyzed in terms of the interpenetration function Ψ for A₂. Observed values of A₂ are rather large but the excluded volume is nevertheless relatively small. Such behavior seem to be similar to that of semiflexible polymers. The characteristic ratio C_n,LS as determined by light scattering is found to be almost twice the literature value of 6.7, which was obtained from viscosity measurements. This discrepancy is explained by comparing the theoretical value of the Flory viscosity parameter Φ at the nondraining limit with values calculated from the light scattering results.     

Anionic synthesis of polystyrene and polybutadiene heteroarm star polymers

The use of living linking reactions of poly(styryl)lithium with 1,3-bis(1-phenylvinyl)benzene followed by crossover reactions with styrene or butadiene monomers has been used to prepare four-armed heteroarm, star-branched polymers. Bimodal molecular weight distributions have been observed for crossover reactions with both styrene and butadiene. Addition of THF ([THF]/[Li]=14–32) for crossover to styrene and lithium sec-butoxide for crossover to butadiene produces monomodal molecular weight distributions. Symmetrical, four-armed star polystyrenes have been synthesized; properties have been compared with a corresponding polymer prepared via a silicon tetrachloride linking reaction. Heteroarm, star-branched polymers with two polystyrene arms and two polybutadiene arms with high 1,4-microstructure have been prepared.     

Degradation kinetics and rheology of biodegradable polymers

Aliphatic polyesters are readily degradable polymers, hydrolysis being the dominant mechanism of degradation. On one side, this makes them extremely interesting for industrial applications in which degradability is required. On the other side, they present considerable processing problems due to their sensitivity to process and stocking conditions. In this work, the degradation of two aliphatic polyesters was studied in the molten state by analysing the rheological properties with the aim of defining the significance of previous thermal history and of residence time at a given temperature. Rheological measurements were adopted as a mean of analysis for degradation kinetics because rheological properties are strongly dependent on molecular weight. In particular, the change in complex viscosity (at constant frequency) as a function of time at different temperatures was measured. The experimental results show that a significant reduction of viscosity takes place during the isothermal tests for all the materials analyzed. This reduction was ascribed to the hydrolysis reaction. Indeed, a dried sample showed only a marginal viscosity reduction. After this initial decrease, an increase in viscosity (more pronounced at higher temperatures) was found for all the materials and at all the temperatures investigated. This phenomenon was ascribed to the inverse reaction (esterification) taking place in the absence of water. The dried sample showed, in fact, a much faster increase in viscosity with respect to the undried one. The degradation kinetics was modeled considering both forward and reverse reactions. The relative rate of the two reactions depends on the moisture content, and thus the water evaporation from the sample was kept into account in the rate equations.