Conventional polymers, additive products

Whereas the use of conventional fast atom bombardment (FAB) in the analysis of polymer/additive extracts has been reported (see Section 6.2.4), the need for a glycerol (or other polar) matrix might render FAB-MS analysis of a dissolved polymer/additive system rather unattractive (high chemical background, high level of matrix-, solvent- and polymer-related ions, complicated spectra). Yet, in selected cases the method has proved quite successful. Lay and Miller [53] have developed an alternative method to the use of sample extraction, cleanup, followed by GC in the quantitative analysis of PVC/DEHP with plasticiser levels as typically found in consumer products (ca. 30 %). The method relied on addition of the internal standard didecylphthalate (DDP) to a THF solution of the PVC sample with FAB-MS quantitation based on the relative signal levels of the [MH]+ ions of DEHP and DDP obtained from full-scan spectra, and on the use of a calibration curve (intensity ratio m/z 391/447 vs. mg DEHP/mg DDP). No FAB-matrix was added. No ions associated with the bulk of the PVC polymer were observed. It was... 

In polymer applications derivatives of oils and fats, such as epoxides, polyols and dimerizations products based on unsaturated fatty acids, are used as plastic additives or components for composites or polymers like polyamides and polyurethanes. In the lubricant sector oleochemically-based fatty acid esters have proved to be powerful alternatives to conventional mineral oil products. For home and personal care applications a wide range of products, such as surfactants, emulsifiers, emollients and waxes, based on vegetable oil derivatives has provided extraordinary performance benefits to the end-customer. Selected products, such as the anionic surfactant fatty alcohol sulfate have been investigated thoroughly with regard to their environmental impact compared with petrochemical based products by life-cycle analysis. Other product examples include carbohydrate-based surfactants as well as oleochemical based emulsifiers, waxes and emollients. 

To overcome these drawbacks, in recent years much attention has been paid to the development of resins which cem be f2d ricated with the same processes as those for conventional polyester resins, but having superior properties. Vinyl ester resins are the result of such development efforts (4-6). Vinyl ester resins are addition products of Vcurious epoxide resins and ethylenically unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids ( ). It condsines the excellent mechcuiical, chemical cuid solvent resistemce of epoxy resins with the properties found in the unsaturated polyester resins. In general, the cured vinyl ester resin has physical properties superior to the cured conventional ester resin, particulcurly corrosion resistcuice. This arises from the differences in the number and arremgement of polar groups such as ester and hydroxyl groups eind ccurbon-to-ccirbon double bonds present in the polymer chains. 

For the purpose of this discussion, we will classify polymers into three broad groups addition polymers, condensation polymers, and special polymers. By convention, polymers whose main chains consist entirely of C-C bond are addition polymers, whereas those in which hetero atoms (e.g., O, N, S, Si) are present in the polymer backbone are considered to be condensation polymers. Grouped as special polymers are those products which have special properties, such as temperature and fire resistance, photosensitivity, electrical conductivity, and piezoelectric properties, or which possess specific reactivities to serve as functional polymers. 

Certain polymers such as glue, bean cake and waste pulp fluid have been generally added to conventional zinc electrolytes to maintain the high purity as well as the quality of deposits in the hydrometallurgical production of nonferrous metals such as Zn, Cu and Pb (1). However, it has been empirically demonstrated that these polymer additives are not only degraded during electrolysis to diminish their effectiveness but also exert a harmful influence on the purity of the deposited metal and on the conductivity of electrolyte. Many studies have been made so far on the effect of additives on the electrodeposition of metals, but few mechanisms accounting completely for their role have been proposed (2,3,4). 

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an important raw material for the synthesis of polycarbonates, epoxy resins and other polymers as well as polymer additives. It is conventionally produced by acid-catalysed condensation of phenol with acetone. Application of various catalysts for the BPA synthesis is discussed with particular attention to the substrates conversion and the reaction selectivity. Recent developments in the BPA production and its applications are presented. Moreover, potential toxicological and endocrine disrupting properties of BPA are considered with the emphasis on human exposure, general toxicology, and biological effects. 

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