Polymer stabilization hydrolysis

One of the most serious problems facing polymer scientists is the elimination of trace amounts of water. This is particularly true with metal containing polymers which are particularly susceptible to hydrolysis. For many organometallic polymers, stability to water results from the hydrophobic nature of the... 

Volatile products are formed in the latter two reactions. The mechanism of degradation of condensation polymers is often complicated by the presence of traces of water which are difficult to eliminate from the samples. Hydrolysis then occurs at high temperature and competes with the pure thermal degradation. New chain ends are formed which may in some cases markedly affect the polymer stability. 

The practice of using an insoluble polymer to isolate and kinetic-ally stabilize a reactive intermediate has been addressed in several reports, most commonly using DVB cross-linked polystyrene as a support. In these cases, the three dimensional structure of the polymer and rigidity of the polymer backbone diminish intramolecular reactivity between two sites on the same polymer bead. Physical constraints preclude any significant reaction between two different polymer beads. Similar, less dramatic reduced intramolecular reactivity has also been noted for reactive intermediates bound to linear polystyrene. For example, o-benzyne bound to linear polystyrene has been shown by Mazur to have enhanced stability relative to non-polymer-bound -benzyne (35). In this case, o-benzyne was generated by lead tetraacetate oxidation of a 2-aminobenzotriazole precursor, 1. Analysis of the reaction products after cleaving the benzyne derived products from the polymer by hydrolysis showed a 60% yield of aryl acetates was obtained (Equation 11). In contrast, the monomeric aryne forms only coupled products under similar conditions. Further comparisons of the reactivity of -benzyne bound to insoluble 2% or 20%... 

Polyacetal can also be stabilized against degradative conditions by copolymerizing trioxane with small amounts of ethylene oxide. This introduces a random distribution of -C-C- bonds in the polymer chain. Hydrolysis of the copolymer with aqueous alkali gives a product with stable hydroxyethyl end groups. The presence of these stable end groups coupled with the randomly distributed C-C bonds prevents polymer depolymerization at high temperature. 

Chem. Descrip. Trisnonylphenyl phosphite, 0.75% triisopropanolamine Uses Antioxidant, stabilizer for polyolefins, acrylics, adhesives, elastomers, nylon, PC, PU, PS, PVC, coatings, ABS, PET, food-contact polymers Features Hydrolysis-resist. 

Uses Complex hosting guest molecules increases the sol. and bioavailability of other substances masks flavor, odor, or coloration stabilizes against light, oxidation, heat, and hydrolysis turns liqs. or volatiles into stable solid powds. for use in phannaceuticals, cosmetics, toiletries, foods, tobacco, pesticides, textiles, paints, plastics, synthesis, polymers stabilizer, binder, processing aid in fooifs Regulatory NF compliance... 

Polysaccharides such as the xanthan gums have been used in recovery operations, however they are probably not suitable for applications in reservoirs with temperatures in excess of 93 C (200 ). Like polyacrylamide, the natural polymers hydrolyze at high temperatures. The use of stabilizer additive packages might raise this limit , but the possibility that these packages will protect the polymer from hydrolysis as the polymer moves away from the well bore is remote. The package and the polymer will probably separate during... 

Organosilicon polymers. Silicon resembles carbon in certain respects and attempts have been made to prepare polymers combining carbon and silicon units in the molecule with the object of increasing the heat resistance of polymers. It has been found that the hydrolysis of a dialkyl-dichlorosilicane or an alkyltrichlorosilicane, or a mixture of the two, leads to polymers (Silicones), both solid and liquid, which possess great thermal stability. Thus dimethyldichlorosilicane (I) is rapidly converted by water into the silicol (II), which immediately loses water to give a silicone oil of the type (III) ... 

Emulsion Adhesives. The most widely used emulsion-based adhesive is that based upon poly(vinyl acetate)—poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers formed by free-radical polymerization in an emulsion system. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is typically formed by hydrolysis of the poly(vinyl acetate). The properties of the emulsion are derived from the polymer employed in the polymerization as weU as from the system used to emulsify the polymer in water. The emulsion is stabilized by a combination of a surfactant plus a coUoid protection system. The protective coUoids are similar to those used paint (qv) to stabilize latex. For poly(vinyl acetate), the protective coUoids are isolated from natural gums and ceUulosic resins (carboxymethylceUulose or hydroxyethjdceUulose). The hydroHzed polymer may also be used. The physical properties of the poly(vinyl acetate) polymer can be modified by changing the co-monomer used in the polymerization. Any material which is free-radically active and participates in an emulsion polymerization can be employed. Plasticizers (qv), tackifiers, viscosity modifiers, solvents (added to coalesce the emulsion particles), fillers, humectants, and other materials are often added to the adhesive to meet specifications for the intended appHcation. Because the presence of foam in the bond line could decrease performance of the adhesion joint, agents that control the amount of air entrapped in an adhesive bond must be added. Biocides are also necessary many of the materials that are used to stabilize poly(vinyl acetate) emulsions are natural products. Poly(vinyl acetate) adhesives known as "white glue" or "carpenter s glue" are available under a number of different trade names. AppHcations are found mosdy in the area of adhesion to paper and wood (see Vinyl polymers). 

Acrylamide copolymers designed to reduce undesired amide group hydrolysis, increase thermal stability, and improve solubility in saline media have been studied for EOR appHcations (121—128). These polymers stiH tend to be shear sensitive. Most copolymers evaluated for EOR have been random copolymers. However, block copolymers of acrylamide and AMPS also have utiHty (129). 

Buffers are frequently added to emulsion recipes and serve two main purposes. The rate of hydrolysis of vinyl acetate and some comonomers is pH-sensitive. Hydrolysis of monomer produces acetic acid, which can affect the initiator, and acetaldehyde which as a chain-transfer agent may lower the molecular weight of the polymer undesirably. The rates of decomposition of some initiators are affected by pH and the buffer is added to stabilize those rates, since decomposition of the initiator frequently changes the pH in an unbuffered system. Vinyl acetate emulsion polymerization recipes are usually buffered to pH 4—5, eg, with phosphate or acetate, but buffering at neutral pH with bicarbonate also gives excellent results. The pH of most commercially available emulsions is 4—6. 

Oxazolines may be used to react with terminal groups on condensation polymers to improve stability, particularly against hydrolysis. This appears to be of particular interest with poly (ethylene terephthalate). 

As previously mentioned, some urethanes can biodegrade easily by hydrolysis, while others are very resistant to hydrolysis. The purpose of this section is to provide some guidelines to aid the scientist in designing the desired hydrolytic stability of the urethane adhesive. For hydrolysis of a urethane to occur, water must diffuse into the bulk polymer, followed by hydrolysis of the weak link within the urethane adhesive. The two most common sites of attack are the urethane soft segment (polyol) and/or the urethane linkages. Urethanes made from PPG polyols, PTMEG, and poly(butadiene) polyols all have a backbone inherently resistant to hydrolysis. They are usually the first choice for adhesives that will be exposed to moisture. Polyester polyols and polycarbonates may be prone to hydrolytic attack, but this problem can be controlled to some degree by the proper choice of polyol. 

These acids can be used alone or as mixtures. It is especially advantageous to use a mixture of liquid and gaseous acids. The gaseous acid will stabilize free monomer in the headspace of a container, while the liquid acid will prevent premature polymerization of the bulk monomer or adhesive. However, it is important to use only a minimum amount of acid, because excess acid will slow initiation and the formation of a strong adhesive bond. It can also accelerate the hydrolysis of the alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer to 2-cyanoacrylic acid, which inhibits the polymerization of the monomer and reduces molecular weight of the adhesive polymer. While carboxylic acids inhibit the polymerization of cyanoacrylate monomer, they do not prevent it completely [15]. Therefore, they cannot be utilized as stabilizers, but are used more for modifying the reactivity of instant adhesives. 

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