On the Radiation‐Induced Polymerisation of 2,3‐Dihydropyran

Summary: Concentrated (5 mol‐%) solutions of 2,3‐dihydropyran in CFCl₂CF₂Cl matrix were irradiated at 77 K and several intermediates – radical cation, dimer radical cation, dihydropyryl radical and a trapped polymer radical – were observed by low‐temperature EPR spectroscopy. The irradiated solutions yielded after melting a polymeric product, which was characterised by IR spectroscopy and GPC. The polydisperse polymer is assumed to be formed by a cationic process initiated by a dimer carbocation. The polymerization proceeds via the ring double bonds, while ring‐opening reaction occurs in a small extent. The free‐radical mechanism via the dihydropyryl radical leads to low molecular weight oligomers only. The quantum chemical calculations support the interpretation of the experimental results.

     

Polymerisation of Norbornene Catalysed by Highly Active Tetradentate Chelated α‐Diimine Nickel Complexes

A series of three recently synthesised tetradentate chelated α‐diimine nickel complexes of the type [NiBr₂(Ar‐BIAN)] (where Ar = 2‐(1‐R‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)phenyl; R = benzyl 1 , 1‐phenylethyl 2 , phenyl 3 ) are used as precatalysts for the polymerisation of norbornene. When activated with MAO, 1 – 3 are highly active catalysts for the production of high molecular weight polynorbornene (e.g., 1.39 × 10⁷ g PNB mol Ni^?1 · h^?1). The catalytic activity and polymer molecular weight increase markedly with the initial concentration of norbornene, but both parameters decrease with the reaction time. The characterisation of the polynorbornenes by NMR, GPC/SEC, X‐ray diffraction, and DSC/TGA leads to the assignment of a structure typical of a polynorbornene originated by a coordination vinyl addition mechanism.

     

An Easy Strategy for the Synthesis of Well‐Defined Aliphatic‐Aromatic Hyperbranched Polyesters

A one‐pot solution polymerization under mild conditions was adapted for the synthesis of well‐defined aliphatic‐aromatic polyesters with different degrees of branching. The esterification was performed at room temperature using 4,4‐bis(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid (AB₂) and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (AB) as monomers. DPTS was used as a catalyst and DCC as a coupling agent. Polyesters with statistical, dendritic topology, controlled degree of branching and > 35 000 g · mol^?1 were obtained. The polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, SEC, DSC, and TGA. A strong dependence of the degree of branching and the thermal properties of the polymers depending on the AB/AB₂ monomer ratio was observed.

     

NLO Behavior of Polymers Containing Y‐Shaped Chromophores

New polyurethanes containing Y‐shaped chromophores, symmetrical derivatives of 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2‐methyl‐6‐[p‐(dimethylamino)styryl]‐4H‐pyran, have been prepared. The polymers show high glass transition temperatures (T_g) and a good thermal stability. SHG measurements on poled polymer films of the synthesized polymers have been carried out and a maximum d₃₃ of 15 pm · V^?1 has been found at 1 368 nm fundamental wavelength. Time stability measurements on the most active polymer have shown that after the initial fast relaxation, the d₃₃ value remains constant at 80 °C for 60 d.

     

Synthesis of Amine and Epoxide Telechelic Siloxanes

A synthetic route was developed to prepare thermosetting methyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl substituted polysiloxanes with epoxide or amino end groups. Cycloalkene (cyclopentene or cyclohexene) and dichlorosilane gas were reacted at 180 °C, and at high pressure (2 MPa) to produce dicycloaliphatic dichlorosilane. Hydrolytic condensations of the dichlorosilanes were performed affording low molecular weight cyclic siloxane oligomers. Base catalyzed ring opening polymerization of the cyclic oligomers afforded the hydride‐terminated polysiloxanes. The hydride‐terminated polysiloxanes were then functionalized with glycidyl epoxide or aliphatic amine groups via hydrosilation reactions. The oligomers and polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, FTIR, and GPC. The molecular weight of polydimethylsiloxane, polydicyclopentylsiloxane, and polydicyclohexylsiloxane oligomers were = 1 000, 1 200, and 1 500, respectively. The polydispersity index of all the cyclic oligomers was ≈1.15. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to evaluate the crosslinking reaction and the glass transition temperature of the thermally cured systems. Crosslinking occurred at 120 °C and the T_g of the methyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl functionalized siloxanes were found to be at ?104, ?93, and ?82 °C, respectively.

     

A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis to Dextran‐Based Nanoparticles with Carboxy Functional Groups

Summary: Stabilized nanoparticles functionalized with carboxy groups were synthesized directly from dextran and acrylic acid (AA), without using any organic solvent and surfactant. The composition and morphology of these dextran‐based nanoparticles, as well as the mechanism of this one‐pot synthesis, were also investigated in this paper. This approach is anticipated to be applicable to various water‐soluble polysaccharides to fabricate nanoparticles facilely.

Facile synthesis of stabilized nanoparticles functionalized with carboxy groups from dextran and AA.     

Well‐Defined Miktocycle Eight‐Shaped Copolymers Composed of Polystyrene and Poly(ε‐caprolactone): Synthesis and Characterization

A series of well‐defined miktocycle number‐eight‐shaped copolymers composed of cyclic polystyrene (PS) and cyclic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) have been successfully synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and “click” reaction. The synthesis involves three steps: 1) preparation of tetrafunctional initiator with two acetylene groups, one hydroxyl group and a bromo group; 2) preparation of two azide‐terminated block copolymers, N₃‐PCL‐(CH?C)₂‐PS‐N₃, with two acetylene groups anchored at the junction; and 3) intramolecular cyclization of the block copolymer through “click” reaction under high dilution. The ¹H NMR, FT‐IR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques are applied to characterize the chemical structures of the resulting intermediates and the target polymers. Their thermal behavior is investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The decrease in chain mobility of eight‐shaped copolymers restricts the crystallization of PCL.

     

Homo‐ and Co‐Polymers of Norbornene Containing Aryl‐ and Hetaryl‐Azo Dyes; Synthesis and Sensing Properties

A series of polynorbornene homo‐ and copolymers containing aryl‐ and/or hetaryl‐azo dyes were prepared through ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Thermal studies indicated that the polymers were thermally stable up to 250 °C, and possessed glass transition temperatures ranging from 93 to 133 °C. In THF solutions, the aryl‐azo dye containing homopolymers, displayed λ_max = 417 nm while the hetaryl‐azo dye containing homopolymers displayed λ_max = 495 nm. The copolymers displayed a λ_max that encompassed both the aryl‐ and hetaryl‐azo dye range. The monomers and polymers showed bathochromic shifts in solution when acidified. The polymers were cast into films that changed colour in the presence of both aqueous 1.2 M HCl or HCl_(g). The colour change reverses when exposed to aqueous 1.2 M NaOH or NH_3(g). This process was repeated several times without disintegration of the polymer film, indicating that these polymers may be useful as reusable acid sensors.

     

A Novel Approach for Investigation of Chain Transfer Events by Pulsed Laser Polymerization

Pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) with subsequent analysis of molecular mass distribution (MMD) is used to determine the rate coefficient of chain transfer to an agent A, k_trA, by varying pulse repetition rate such that the contributions of PLP‐induced and chain‐transfer‐induced peaks to the MMD change to a significant extent. It is shown by simulation that the relative heights of these peaks may be used to estimate k_trA. The method is applied to evaluation of the rate coefficient of chain transfer to dodecyl mercaptan with butyl methacrylate polymerizations at ?11, 0, 20 and 40 °C. The Arrhenius parameters for this coefficient are determined to be: A(k_trA) = (2.2 ± 0.6) × 10⁶ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and E_a(k_trA) = (22.1 ± 0.7) kJ · mol^?1.

     

Synthesis of some new poly(phosphonylhydrazides)

Polymers have been prepared from the condensation of phenylphosphonic diisocyanate with hydrazides using the interfacial technique. The polymers are believed to contain the following repeating structure: The reactivity of nitrogen compounds with phenylphosphonic diisocyanate is of the order amines > hydrazines ≈ hydrazides > ureas.     

Negatively Birefringent Polymer Films

Polymer films exhibiting large negative birefringence, suitable for compensating residual positive birefringence of liquid crystal displays, have been achieved for syndiotactic polystyrene. Procedures involving axial stretching at different draw ratios of unoriented films, followed by different crystallization routes, have been compared. The control of the polymer polymorphic behavior, i.e., of the formation of crystalline and co‐crystalline (with low‐molecular‐mass guest molecules) phases, allows to control the negative birefringence up to Δn = n_? ? n_|| = 0.17.

     

Influence of Addition of Organoclays on Morphologies in Nylon 6/LLDPE Blends

Summary: Polymer blend nanocomposites containing linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon 6 and organoclays were prepared by melt mixing, and their morphologies and structures were examined with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) and an X‐ray diffractometer (XRD). The size of phase‐separated domains decreased considerably with increasing content of organoclay. The d‐spacing of organoclay in the nanocomposites was increased from about 18.6 to over 28 Å. This effect was highly dependent on nylon 6 contents because nylon 6 is more polar and shows higher affinity to the organoclays compared to LLDPE.

     

Versatile Synthesis of Soluble Multifunctional Thiophene Copolymers with NLO Activity

Functionalized second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) thiophene copolymers were synthesized. Two elegant syntheses based on the post‐functionalization of polymeric precursors obtained by oxidative polymerization were developed, leading to copolymers that proved to be fully soluble in common organic solvents. The new materials were characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, and UV‐vis spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the NLO activity of the new materials, as determined by corona poling alignment and second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements, showed a good agreement between the second‐order NLO coefficient and the chromophore concentration.

Three‐dimensional optimization of the chromophore thiophene‐functionalized comonomer.     

Radiation‐Induced Reaction of Sulfonamide‐Containing Polymers in the Film State for Color Imaging

A polysulfonamide and copolymers consisting of sulfonamides and amides underwent Fries rearrangement and scission, forming amino groups upon EB irradiation. The EB irradiation of these films with a dose of 500 µC · cm^?2, followed by the color forming reaction provided the color imaging of line/space patterns with a resolution of 300 nm.

     

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Using Multidentate Amine Ligands Supported on Soluble Hyperbranched Polyglycidol

Summary: Controlled polymerization of styrene in toluene was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using hyperbranched polyglycidol‐supported multidentate amine ligands/Cu^IBr catalyst systems. These catalyst systems with nanoscopic dimensions were more active than the corresponding low‐molecular‐weight ligands. The controlled/living nature of the polymerization is supported by linear first order plots (ln[M]_o/[M] versus time) and a linear increase of versus conversion as well as low polydispersity. Similar controlled polymerization of methyl methacrylate was possible in acetonitrile. Up to 97% of total copper used for polymerization could be removed from the polymer by simple precipitation in methanol and filtration.

Molecular weight characteristics for styrene polymerization using PG‐triamine as a ligand.     

Unique morphology of amorphous polystyrene synthesised by nickel bis(acetyl acetonate)/methylaluminoxane

Polystyrene synthesised at room temperature by nickel bis(acetyl acetonate)/methylaluminoxane is globally atactic and amorphous in solid state. Unexpectedly, the amorphous polystyrene displays, in addition to normal amorphous scattering, a Bragg X‐ray diffraction at 2θ = 14°. This sharp reflection has been related to the presence of individual isotactic polystyrene sequences, as shown by ¹³C NMR. The isotactic sequences are long enough so that they are likely to form 3₁ helices, but not necessarily significantly laterally ordered and crystalline in solid state.

WAXD diagrams of (1) polystyrene synthesised by Ni(acac)₂/MAO; (2) poly(styrene‐co‐norbornene), styrene content 28.4 mol‐%; (3) poly(styrene‐co‐norbornene), styrene content 9.5 mol‐%; (4) polynorbornene.     

Cocrystallization of Blends of Ethylene/1‐Olefin Copolymers: An Investigation with Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (Crystaf)

Summary: Crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf) is a technique for estimating the chemical composition distribution (CCD) of semi‐crystalline copolymers. Cocrystallization may happen during Crystaf analysis, affecting Crystaf profiles and leading to misinterpretation of the CCD. This study investigates this phenomenon and determines the main factors leading to cocrystallization by analyzing a series of ethylene/1‐olefin copolymers. We considered three factors affecting cocrystallization: comonomer type, cooling rate and chain crystallizability. The results showed that cooling rate and similarity in chain crystallizability are the key factors regulating cocrystallization during Crystaf analysis.

Crystaf analysis of blends of copolymers.     

Combination of Mechanochemical Degradation of Polymers with Controlled Free‐Radical Polymerization

The result of ultrasound on polymer solutions is the breakage of macromolecular C C‐bonds due to cavitation. The fact that termination reactions of mechanoradicals as disproportionation and combination are suppressed in the presence of radical scavengers makes the following method possible. Thus the use of nitroxides acting as chain‐terminating agents allows the creation of macroinitiators which can be used in controlled free‐radical polymerization. In this work, we investigate the mechanochemical degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in the presence of OH‐TEMPO and the application of the irradiated polymers as macroinitiators in a controlled radical polymerization. The content of OH‐TEMPO terminated chains in the degraded product is determined by a computer‐aided procedure on the basis of molecular weight distributions.

Ultrasonic degradation of PMMA, decrease of molar mass (M _n), and polydispersity (Pd) as a function of irradiation time, power output = 200 W, ϑ = 45–50 °C.     

Enhanced Thermal Diffusivity by Vertical Double Percolation Structures in Polyimide Blend Films Containing Silver Nanoparticles

The thermal diffusivity along the out‐of‐plane direction (D_?) in polyimide (PI) blend films containing silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) was investigated. PI blend films composed of a sulfur‐ and a fluorine‐containing PI were prepared via spin‐coating and thermal curing of the precursor solutions dissolving silver nitrate. Micro‐phase‐separated structures with a “vertical double percolation (VDP)” morphology were spontaneously formed in the films, in which two phases are separately aligned along the out‐of‐plane direction, and Ag‐NPs were preferentially precipitated in the sulfur‐containing PI phase. The blend films exhibited higher D_? values than monophase PI films containing homogeneously dispersed Ag‐NPs. These results indicate that the VDP structure functions as an effective thermal conductive pathway.

     

Linear Unsaturated Polyamides: Nylons 6 u18 and 18 u18

Summary: Linear unsaturated nylons 6 u18 and 18 u18 have been made containing a double bond in the center of the diacid segment with potential for additional functionalization. Solution state NMR showed the presence of a small portion of cis amide units. Solid state NMR verified the presence of the double bond in the bulk, and that the polyamides were present in the α‐crystalline form. Thermal stability was comparable to linear saturated nylons, and the melting and crystallization temperatures of the unsaturated nylons were lower compared to the saturated analogs.

DSC heating and cooling thermograms for nylons 6 u18 and 18 u18.