Nondegradative melt functionalization of polypropylene with glycidyl methacrylate

The melt grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto powdered isotactic polypropylene (PP) in a Haake Rheocord RC90 mixer was studied. Grafting degrees were determined by nonaqueous back titration of trichloroacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. The extent of degradation and crosslinking of PP during grafting was indicated by the melt-flow rates (MFR) of the grafted samples. The influences of GMA concentration, initiator type and concentration on grafting degree, reaction efficiency, and degradation were evaluated. A novel method was developed to obtain a high grafting degree with little degradation of PP using acrylamide (AM) as the initiating agent. The grafting process occurred before or during the melting of PP (i.e., solid-state grafting), at which temperature crosslinking is preferred over chain scission. Primary free radicals generated from the rapid decomposition of AM have a higher tendency to attack GMA molecules than PP chains. At the same estimated amount of primary radicals, both grafting degree and grafting efficiency increase with decreasing decomposition temperature of the initiator (for the same decomposition half-life) in the order of AM > benzoyl peroxide (BPO) > 2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne (LPO). FunctionalizedPP with the desired grafting degree and little degradation of PP could be obtained by the use of mixed initiators. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1957–1963, 1998     

Carbon radicals generated by solid polymers: Electron spin resonance spectroscopy for detection of species in water

Radicals generated in plastic medical devices (solid phase) by γ-rays or electron-beam irradiation during sterilization are known to cause oxidation of protein drugs, resulting in a loss or reduction in drug efficacy. The generation of radical species in water by the radical species in solid polymers has not been proved. Using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, we confirm the generation of new radicals in water by γ-ray irradiated cyclic olefin polymers (COP). ESR measurements are obtained using 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPOL) as a spin probe and 5-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propoxycyclophosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (CYPMPO) as a spin trap, in which the irradiated COP was immersed. The ESR signals indicate the TEMPOL radicals decline over time, suggesting the generation of new radicals. Conversely, the characteristic ESR signals of the adduct formed by the reaction between CYPMPO and the hydroxyl radical are observed. Thus, hydroxyl radicals are generated because of the migration of the radicals from COP to water. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48604.     

Grafting of Hindered Amine Stabilizer in Poly(propylene) Films under γ‐Irradiation

Summary: In this paper, the grafting of a hindered amine stabilizer (HAS) is studied in isotactic poly(propylene) (PP) films under γ‐irradiation. The HAS used has a definite structure that combines a hindered amine functionality and a UV‐absorbing unit (benzylidene malonate ester group) detectable at 308 nm in the UV spectrum of PP film and 314 nm in chloroform. The stabilizer is added to the polymer at various concentration ratios: 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt.‐%. The percentage of HAS grafting in the PP film at various additive concentrations is determined as a function of γ‐radiation dose in the range of 0–100 kGy by direct spectroscopic measurements through the absorption band of the stabilizer in the UV spectra of the PP film. The percentage of free HAS extracted with chloroform from the PP film versus the radiation dose is determined by UV spectroscopy for all the additive concentrations used. This study reveals that only 80% of the HAS is grafted on the 100 kGy irradiated PP matrix independent of the additive concentration used. However, the percentage of HAS grafted on PP films displays an exponential dependence on γ‐radiation dose. These results are consistent with the data obtained on the free HAS content. γ‐Irradiation grafting of HAS in the PP is accompanied by the oxidative degradation of the polymer substrate that is evaluated by increasing the carbonyl index and reducing significantly the oxidation induction time of the PP films.

The percentage of hindered amine stabilizer grafted to the PP film as a function of γ‐radiation dose.     

Spatially resolved degradation in heterophasic polymers by ESR imaging and FTIR: The case of propylene-ethylene copolymers

Heterophasic propylene-ethylene copolymers (HPEC) containing bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (Tinuvin 770) as a hindered amine stabilizer (HAS) were thermally aged at 393 and 433 K. Two types of HPEC were examined, containing 25% and 10% ethylene (E), respectively, as ethylene/propylene rubber (EPR). Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of nitroxide radicals in HPEC were studied in the temperature range 100–433 K; the nitroxides were derived from the HAS and are termed HAS-NO. The results were compared with ESR spectra of the same radicals obtained first by oxidation of Tinuvin 770 and then were doped in HPEC and related homopolymers, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP); these nitroxides are termed “spin probes.” ESR spectra indicated that HAS-NO and the spin probes reside in a range of amorphous sites differing in their dynamic properties. The relative population of the sites was explained by assuming that the crystalline domains exert a restraining effect on chains located in vicinal amorphous domains. Spatial and temporal effects of the aging process were studied by ESR and ESR imaging (ESRI) of HAS-derived nitroxide radicals, and by FTIR of films prepared by compression molding. 1D ESRI enabled the visualization of an outer region of thickness ≈100 μm that contained a lower amount of nitroxides, and is believed to result from the loss of the stabilizer by diffusion (“blooming”) and possibly also in chemical reactions during aging. Two-dimensional spectral-spatial ESRI indicated the presence of nitroxide radicals in two amorphous sites, fast and slow; the corresponding relative intensity varied with sample depth. Both ESRI and FTIR experiments suggested a faster degradation rate in HPEC containing 25% E, as compared to 10% E; moreover, a larger Tinuvin 770 content in the polymers led to less efficient stabilization. FTIR spectra indicated increased ordering of polypropylene segments in HPEC during aging at 433 K.     

Peroxy-initiated chain degradation,crosslinking, and grafting in PP–PE blends

Polyolefines are frequently functionalized with polar monomers via peroxide-initiated grafting that starts at macroradicals. However, polyolefine macroradicals also undergo undesired secondary reactions. Polypropylene (PP) is degraded, while polyethylene (PE) is crosslinked. Mechanistically, PP radicals are split by β scission while PE radicals recombine to clusters. If these opposed tendencies can be balanced in PP–PE blends was investigated in this study. In principle, coupling of PP and PE radicals can lead to graft copolymers PE-g-PP. But the chances for graft reactions are good only in homogenous PP–PE blend melts. It is difficult to decide whether these blends are, in fact, in the melt one-phase or two-phase systems because molten PP and PE are too similar in all respects. PP–PE blends were processed with peroxide in the melt and, for comparison, also in solution. According to viscosity and gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry results, graft reactions occurred only in the (presumably homogeneous) blend solutions in which degradation was subdued and crosslinking prevented. In PP–PE blend melts, on the contrary, the two polymers reacted fairly independently of each other. PP was degraded, and PE crosslinked. Apparently, these blend melts, although transparent, are two-phase systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 68: 2019–2028, 1998     

Enhanced degradation properties of polypropylene integrated with iron and cobalt stearates and its synthetic application

Synthetic plastic leads to environmental contamination, and a promising solution to this problem is to use prooxidants as fillers within them to speed up the photooxidation and thermooxidation processes. This makes plastics more susceptible to biodegradation. In this study, the degradation properties of the widely used polymer polypropylene (PP) were improved by integration with cobalt stearate (CoSt₂) and iron stearate (FeSt₃) as prooxidants with accelerating weathering degradation. The metal stearates were blended with PP in the concentration range 0.1–0.9% w/w. The properties of the blends were studied by mechanical properties testing, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and water absorption measurement. We performed the degradation properties and thermooxidative studies by conducting an accelerated weathering test on PP–metal salt blends. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis of the samples before and after the accelerated weathering test were performed to study the extent of degradation in PP‐based metal salt blends. The results indicate that the tensile strength was inversely proportional to the concentration of metal stearates, and the samples showed an increased degree in polymer crystallinity (PPFe5 > PPCo5), and this led to the degradation of PP in less time. CoSt₂ predominantly enhanced the degradation of PP in comparison to FeSt₃. Food containers and pots were constructed with the tailored polymers of PP in the injection‐molding machine. Thus, metal‐stearate‐integrated polymers have great industrial potential to generate value‐added products. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46028.     

利用ESR技术研究α—蒎烯β—蒎烯光敏氧化反应机理

本文主要利用电子顺磁共振自旋捕获技术研究９,１０－二氰基蒽敏化α－蒎烯,β－蒎烯光氧化反应,提供了在乙腈中α－蒎烯和β－蒎烯的光氧化反应过程中存在超氧负离子基和单重 氧的直接证据;在四氯化碳溶剂中只捕获到＾１Ｏ２;在正己烷中没有捕获到Ｏ＾－２或＾１Ｏ２．ＥＳＲ实验结果进一步证明在乙腈中光敏氧化反应的＾１Ｏ２可能来自Ｏ＾－２和反应底物α－β,蒎烯正离子自由基之间的电荷复合。     

Photooxidation of benzil groups in the presence of hindered amine stabilizers in the polystyrene film

The photoperoxidation at λ > 400 nm of benzil (BZ) groups with the air oxygen to benzoyl peroxide (BP) groups in the polystyrene matrices was investigated in the presence of hindered amine stabilizer (HAS). HAS was used as a free molecule or was bound in combined molecule with BZ. HAS was in the form of parent amine as 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐hydroxypiperidine (TMP) and in the form of stable nitroxyl radical 1‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐hydroxypiperidine (NO). Both HAS forms effected the photooxidation of BZ structures. The main product of the photooxidation in the presence of parent amine TMP as well as in its absence is benzoyl peroxide (BP). The rate of BZ consumption increases in the presence of TMP. Irradiation of BZ in the presence of sufficient concentration of freely added NO results only in the formation of benzoic acid esters and benzoic acid, which are the main decomposition products of BP. The benzoic acid esters/benzoic acid ratio increases with the increasing concentration of NO. Bounding of BZ and TMP into one molecule (BZNH) results in slower dicarbonyl depletion, as compared with the case when mixture of BZ and TMP was used. Very slow depletion of BZ carbonyl absorption was observed in the case of bounded BZ and NO in one molecule (BZNO), in comparison with the mixture of free NO and BZ. In the case of BZNO, an effective intramolecular quenching of BZ excited triplet states with NO structures proceeds. Steady stay and dynamic emission (phosphorescence) measurements also show an effective quenching of BZ excited states by unbounded or bounded NO. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4420–4428, 2006     

Kinetic Study of Hydroperoxide Degradation in Edible Oils Using Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

Lipid oxidation is a complex phenomenon involving free radicals which are highly reactive molecular species. The life-time of these radical species is extremely short and their detection is therefore difficult. Several electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy methodologies make it possible to identify, quantify and measure the reactivity of radical species formed during oxidation–reduction reactions. In this study we took advantage of the specificity of ESR spectroscopy to detect radical compounds in order to determine the rate constants of hydroperoxide degradation, a key reaction involved in lipid oxidation. The interaction of 5-doxyl stearic acid and lipid-derived radicals was studied by following the intensity of ESR spectra. A kinetic model was developed to simulate data analysis obtained by ESR and values of rate constants for hydroperoxide degradation were determined at 100 and 110 °C. This quantitative approach of ESR spectroscopy has produced useful information about new rate estimates for hydroperoxide degradation in edible oils.     

Photodegradation of polypropylene in the presence of ferric chloride

The effect of ferric chloride (FeCl₃) on photodegradation of isotactic polypropylene (PP) was investigated using mainly ESR spectrometry. PP powder, its oxidized samples, and FeCl₃-adsorbing PP samples were irradiated under a nitrogen atmosphere at 77°K with ultraviolet light from a high-pressure mercury lamp and a superhigh-pressure mercury lamp modified by various filters. Methyl, polymerci alkyl, and peroxy radicals were observed in the ESR spectra of the irradiated samples, and it was found that FeCl₃ depresses the formation of alkyl radicals and accelerates the formation of peroxy radicals catalyzing the reaction. From infrared study of UV-irradiated film samples, it was also inferred that FeCl₃ accelerates the photodegradation the hydroperoxide and carbonyl groups.     

ESR and kinetic study of a novel polymerizable photoinitiator comprising the structure of N‐phenylmaleimide and benzophenone for photopolymerization

A novel polymerizable photoinitiator, 4‐[(4‐maleimido)phenoxy]benzophenone (MPBP) comprising the structure of N‐phenylmaleimide and benzophenone was used for the photopolymerization with N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as coinitiator. The ESR spectrum of this photoredox system was studied and compared with BP/DMAEMA; the results showed the same signals of them and verified that N‐phenylmaleimide does not generate radicals. The kinetics for photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using such system was studied by dilatometer. It was found that the polymerization rate was proportional to the 0.3172th power of the MPBP concentration, the 0.7669th power and the 0.1765th power of MMA concentration and DMAEMA concentration respectively; the overall apparent activation energy obtained was 31.88 kJ/mol. The polymerization kinetics of 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) initiated by such system was studied by photo‐DSC. It showed that the increase in the MPBP concentration, light intensity, and temperature leads to increased polymerization rate and final conversion. The apparent activation energy was 11.25 kJ/mol. This polymerizable photoredox system was significantly favorable for reducing the migration of active species but owning high efficiency. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2347–2354, 2006     

三氯化铁对聚丙烯光氧化降解的作用

用红外及紫外光谱法研究了三氯化铁(FeCl_3)对聚丙烯(PP)光氧化降解的影响。实验结果表明,FeCl_3对聚丙烯光氧化有显著的促进作用,但促进作用与FcCl_3含量之间不成线性关系,存在一促进作用的极大值(在本实验条件下,FeCl_3含量为0.5％时,促进作用最大)。实验还表明,FeCl_3的作用可能包含了通过光解产生自由基引发PP光氧化反应、催化分解氢过氧化物以及光屏蔽等几种作用。根据FeCl_3的作用机理,解释了FeCl_3对PP光氧化降解的促进作用与其含量的依赖关系中存在的极位现象。     

Sulfonated polyetheretherketone/polypropylene polymer blends for the production of photoactive materials

Sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) was synthesized via a mono‐substitution reaction of PEEK in concentrated sulphuric acid and was blended with polypropylene (PP) in 2–10%w/w concentration to be used for the production of photoactive thermoplastic products. SPEEK and SPEEK/PP blends were characterized using FTIR, DSC, TGA, NMR, rheology, SEM, and EPR. Under UV‐Vis irradiation, stable benzophenone ketyl (BPK) radicals were generated by hydrogen extraction from PP. By increasing the amount of SPEEK in the polymer blend a linear increase in the BPK radicals was achieved according to the EPR data. DSC and TGA tests indicated weaknesses in the thermal stability of SPEEK but according to the rheological tests this should not have a major effect on processabililty. The optimal amount of SPEEK in the blend was obtained at 5%w/w. This concentration provided a good compromise between radical concentration, material processability, and cost. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41509.     

A study of the interaction of mechanically generated polypropylene radicals with phenolic antioxidant in the absence of oxygen using ESR spectroscopy

Polypropylene (PP) was mechanically degraded in the absence and in the presence of a phenolic antioxidant, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol. The interaction of macroradicals of PP with the antioxidant was studied by ESR spectroscopy in the temperature region between 77 and 303 K and at antioxidant concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 wt % in the absence of oxygen. In the absence of the antioxidant, the end macroradicals of PP are formed which decay with increase in temperature. In the presence of antioxidant both macroradicals of PP and phenoxy radicals are generated. The PP macroradicals are very stable up to the temperature close to T_g of the polymer. Beyond this temperature they decay via bimolecular mechanism—according to the second-order kinetics. The rate constants for PP macroradicals decay were determined, and the apparent activation energies for the regions of slow and fast decay were calculated.     

氮氧基键合型聚丙烯的光氧老化研究

考察了受阻胺类,受阻酚类以及键合氮氧改性型等助剂对聚丙烯熔体状态的影响,较全面地分析了聚丙烯的耐候性行为及含氮氧基团助剂对增进聚丙烯耐候性行为方面的作用。从研究结果可以看出键合型聚丙烯不仅可行,而且耐候性和耐溶剂抽提性能非常优越。     

Effect of hindered piperidine light stabilizer molecular structure and UV absorber addition on the oxidation of HDPE. Part 2: Mechanistic aspects—molecular modeling and electron spin resonance spectroscopy study

The first in this series of papers explored the effect of the structural characteristics of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐based hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) on the thermal and photostabilization of high‐density polyethylene. In the second part, the energies (stabilities) of the nitroxyl radicals and various intermediate species have been predicted using AccuModel® and related to stabilization performance and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral data. Nitroxyl radicals with low predicted stability generally afforded improved thermal and photostabilization. ESR spectra were used to obtain values of nitroxyl radical concentration ([>N? O·]) and g‐factor as a function of pre‐aging time for combinations of pre‐aged HDPE and >N? H HALS. Demethylation reactions of > N‐methyl HALS resulted in uselessly weak ESR spectra. The HALS that afforded poor thermal oxidative stabilization gave rise to pronounced minima in [>N? O·] that coincided with a maximum in hydroperoxide concentration. The g‐factor values indicated that a predominant nitroxyl canonical form generally promoted superior thermal oxidative stabilization, whereas a predominance of the dipolar N·⁺?O^? form promoted superior photo‐oxidative stabilization. These trends may be related to greater radical‐scavenging and peroxide‐trapping effects, respectively. Molecular modeling and ESR spectra can therefore provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of HALS and stabilization mechanisms. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol. 10:159–167, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Poly(propylene)–poly(propylene)‐grafted maleic anhydride–organic montmorillonite (PP–PP‐g‐MAH–Org‐MMT) nanocomposites. II. Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(propylene) (PP), PP–organic‐montmorillonite (Org‐MMT) composite, and PP–PP‐grafted maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MAH)–Org‐MMT nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at various cooling rates. Avrami analysis modified by Jeziorny and a method developed by Mo well‐described the nonisothermal crystallization process of these samples. The difference in the exponent n between PP and composite (either PP–Org‐MMT or PP–PP‐g‐MAH–Org‐MMT) indicated that nonisothermal kinetic crystallization corresponded to tridimensional growth with heterogeneous nucleation. The values of half‐time, Z_c; and F(T) showed that the crystallization rate increased with the increasing of cooling rates for PP and composites, but the crystallization rate of composites was faster than that of PP at a given cooling rate. The method developed by Ozawa can also be applied to describe the nonisothermal crystallization process of PP, but did not describe that of composites. Moreover, the method proposed by Kissinger was used to evaluate the activation energy of the mentioned samples. The results showed that the activation energy of PP–Org‐MMT was much greater than that of PP, but the activation energy of PP–PP‐g‐MAH–Org‐MMT was close to that of pure PP. Overall, the results indicate that the addition of Org‐MMT and PP‐g‐MAH may accelerate the overall nonisothermal crystallization process of PP. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3093–3099, 2003     

Exploitation of the complex chemistry of hindered amine stabilizers in effective plastics stabilization

Hindered amine stabilizers (HAS) remain a prominent class of stabilizers having a fortunate development with continuous interest in shaping the future properties of plastics: increase in polymer durability, application extension, reaching new effects. Commercial tests provided much information. Insufficient mechanistic interpretations of the complex effects of environmental factors (harshness of testing, penetration of radiation and oxygen, superposition of temperature, atmospheric impurities) and those of the microenvironment (morphology of the polymer matrix, physical relations of HAS–polymer, interference between HAS and other additives) are a drawback. Model experiments complement commercial studies and explain some phenomena. A careful transfer of information from model experiments must be done to avoid misinterpretation of mechanisms, particularly of the HAS regenerative cycle. A critical analysis of primary steps of the HAS activity mechanism in the polymer matrix based on HAS‐related primary nitroxides, formation of their stationary concentration and concentration gradients influenced by polymer morphology, spatial competition between autoreactions, and oxidation of polymer‐developed alkyl radicals and their scavenging by nitroxides (the key process of HAS efficiency) is outlined. Cyclic regeneration of nitroxides affected by the structure of the amino moiety in the HAS molecule, influence of acid environment, atmospheric ozone or singlet oxygen, cooperative mixtures of HAS with UV absorbers, combinations with additives increasing the thermal stabilization effect and improving color retention, assessment of the heat stabilization performance of HAS by proper testing, and influence of the molecular weight of HAS are mentioned together with examples of the chemical consumption of HAS in the final phases of their lifetime. lifetime. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:119–132, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of the fold surface of the lamellae on the behavior of the trapped radicals in irradiated Polyamide-1010

Two types of macromolecular free radicals —CH₂CONHĊHCH₂— (a) and —CH₂Ċ=O (b) trapped in irradiated Polyamide-1010 (PA1010) and PA1010 filled with neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) were characterized by an ESR approach. It was found out that a was mainly trapped in the fold surface of the lamellae and b in the amorphous phase. This result suggested that trapped radicals mainly existed in the noncrystalline phases. The effect of the fold surface area of the lamellae on the behavior of the trapped radicals are discussed in this article. Whether for the specimens with similar crystallinities but different crystallite sizes or for those with the same concentration of neodymium oxide but different crystallinities, radical a exists dominantly in a specimen with a larger fold surface area of the lamellae. Under a certain circumstance, radical a can transform into radical b for a specimen with a larger fold surface area of the lamellae. It means that the fold surface area of the lamellae plays an important role in the transformation of radical a to b. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1335–1339, 1998     

Stabilization of photo-induced radicals in hematoporphyrin-IX-doped chitosan film

Induction and stabilization of free radicals were investigated in hematoporphyrin-IX (Hp)-doped chitosan (Hp-Ch) film by electron spin resonance (ESR) following photo-irradiation. Induced radicals were more stable in chitosan and 6-O-carboxymethyl chitin films than in carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate films. Hydroxyl groups on D-glucosamine residues in chitosan are suggested as participating in accepting radicals, since spin trapping was absorbed in ESR spectra of Hp-Ch film by the use of oxygen sensitive spin trapping reagent. An induced circular dichroism spectrum was observed only for Hp-doped chitosan film over a range 360–450 nm among seven pairs of polymers and dyes; it is suggested that Hp molecules are arranged parallel along the carbohydrate backbone of chitosan, resulting in the highest acceptance of photo-induced radicals in the polymer film.