Mechanisms of Polymer Degradation

Other aspects of stabilization of acetal resins are briefly discussed under processing and fabrication. Reference 15 provides a more detailed discussion of the mechanism of polymer degradation. 

The principal mechanism of polymer degradation during aging is the acid-catalyzed cleavage of the ether linkage in the backbone. The acid acceptor. 

K. Schwetlick, Mechanisms of Polymer Degradation and Stabilization (G. Scott, ed.), Elsevier Science Publishers, New York, Chap. 2, (1990). 

K Schwetlick. In G Scott, (ed.) Mechanisms of Polymer Degradation and Stabilisation. London Elsevier Applied Science, 1990, pp. 23-60. 

The studied inhibitors differ in their ability to retard degradation as well as oxidation of PIB. There is no similarity in their activity to retard oxidation and destruction. The following mechanism of polymer degradation was proposed for PIB [85] ... 

Analysis of Spectra. An understanding of the mechanism of polymer degradation must involve identification of the radical intermediates. However, anisotropy due to spin lattice interactions in the solid state invariably results in broad, poorly resolved ESR spectra and together with the low concentration of radicals which is usually present, can result in major problems with analysis. We have developed two approaches to this problem 1) increasing resolution and 2) sophisticated analysis routines. 

Schwetlick K (1990) In Scott G (ed) Mechanisms of polymer degradation and stabilisation. Elsevier Applied Science, London, p 23... 

Luminescence properties of and phenomena in polymer systems continues to be widely researched in connection with mechanisms of polymer degradation and stabilization, molecular dynamics, solubility, blend miscibility, and solar energy harnessing. A number of interesting reviews have appeared. Molecular dynamics of polymers in solution and in the solid state have been covered, as has excimer formation,photoresponsive polymers,behaviour of polymer gels, and photochromic phenomena. Photoisomerization of enzymes and model compounds has also been discussed in depth, with particular emphasis on proteins and synthetic polymers containing azo-compounds or spirobenzopyrans. ... 

Schwetlick, K. Mechanisms of antioxidant action of phosphite and phosphonite esters. In Mechanisms of Polymer Degradation and Stabilisation Scott, G., Ed. Elsevier Science New York, 1990 23-60. 

Goepferich A. Mechanisms of polymer degradation and erosion. Biomaterials 1996 17 103-114. 

The prediction of the useful lifetime of polymer materials is a major challenge for the industry. New research efforts have been focused to understand the complex mechanism of polymer degradation by analyzing the chemiluminescence emission, due to its capabilities as well as commercially developed instrumentation. In the next few years, it would be expected that chemiluminescence will earn a place as a well-established research technique in many laboratories, and will contribute to the better understanding of the molecular structural level and the relationship with the macroscopic properties and the behavior in the use of the polymeric materials. 

The morphology of polyanhydride was studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to elucidate the mechanism of polymer degradation and drug release from polyanhydrides [67]. Microspheres prepared by three different... 

Hydrolysis is the most common mechanism of polymer degradation in biomaterials. Of the linkages that commonly occur in polymers, the anhydride linkage is one of the least stable in the presence of water. In fact, polyanhydride polymers are so sensitive to water that they are unsuitable for many potential applications. However, the potential for rapid hydrolysis of the polymer backbone makes anhydride-based polymers attractive candidates as biodegradable materials. 

There is a well-established mechanism of polymer degradation as well as their stabilization, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The study of degradation and stabilization of... 

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