Polystyrene thermal stability

Cross-linked macromolecular gels have been prepared by Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of polystyrene with a dihaloaromatic compound, or Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of styrene—chloroalkyl styrene copolymers. These polymers in their sulfonated form have found use as thermal stabilizers, especially for use in drilling fluids (193). Cross-linking polymers with good heat resistance were also prepared by Eriedel-Crafts reaction of diacid haUdes with haloaryl ethers (194). 

Boric acid esters provide for thermal stabilization of low-pressure polyethylene to a variable degree (Table 7). The difference in efficiency derives from the nature of polyester. Boric acid esters of aliphatic diols and triols are less efficient than the aromatic ones. Among polyesters of aromatic diols and triols, polyesters of boric acid and pyrocatechol exhibit the highest efficiency. Boric acid polyesters provide inhibition of polyethylene thermal destruction following the radical-chain mechanism, are unsuitable for inhibition of polystyrene depolymerization following the molecular pattern and have little effect as inhibitors of polypropylene thermal destruction following the hydrogen-transfer mechanism. 

The majority of polymers formed by living radical polymerization (NMP, ATRP, RAFT) will possess labile functionality at chain ends. Recent studies have examined the thermal stability of polystyrene produced by NMP with TEMPO (Scheme 8.3),2021 ATRP and RAFT (Scheme 8.4).22 In each case, the end groups... 

As far as polymer supports for microwave-assisted SPOS are concerned, the use of cross-linked macroporous or microporous polystyrene (PS) resins has been most prevalent. In contrast to common belief, which states that the use of polystyrene resins limits reaction conditions to temperatures below 130 °C [14], it has been shown that these resins can withstand microwave irradiation for short periods of time, such as 20-30 min, even at 200 °C in solvents such as l-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or 1,2-dichlorobenzene [15]. Standard polystyrene Merrifield resin shows thermal stability up to 220 °C without any degradation of the macromolecular structure of the polymer backbone, which allows reactions to be performed even at significantly elevated temperatures. 

Szleifer I (1997) Protein adsorption on surfaces with grafted polymers a theoretical approach. Biophys J 72 595-612 Tanford C (1973) The hydrophobic effect. John Wiley Sons, Inc., Hoboken Van Dulm P, Norde W, Lyklema J (1981) Ion participation in protein adsorption at solid surfaces. J Colloid Interf Sci 82 77-82 Zoungrana T, Findenegg GH, Norde W (1997) Structure, stability and activity of adsorbed ensymes. J Colloid Interf Sci 190 437-448 Zoungrana T, Norde W (1997) Thermal stability and enzymatic activity of a-chymotrypsin adsorbed on polystyrene surfaces. Colloid Surf B 9 157-167... 

Three flame retardants were compared in this study, namely, a brominated polycarbonate oligomer (58% bromine), a brominated polystyrene (68% bromine), and a brominated triaryl phosphate ester (60% bromine plus 4% phosphorus). These are described in Table I. Figures 1 and 2 compare the thermal stability of the brominated phosphate with commercial bromine-containing flame retardants by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The brominated phosphate melts at 110°C and shows a 1% weight loss at 300°C. Brominated polycarbonate and brominated polystyrene are polymeric and are not as volatile at elevated temperatures as the monomeric flame retardants. 

Modified-polyphenylene oxide (or ether) is a blend of high impact polystyrene (PS) and polyphenylene oxide (PPO), plus thermal stabilizers and a triarylphosphate flame retardant. Studies of the mechanism of the flame retardant in modified-polyphenylene oxide have shown some evidence for both solid phase and vapor phase inhibition (4). Indeed, one is always interested to know whether flame retardant action is on the solid or vapor phase. 

The two main brominated flame retardants used commercially in PET are PyroChek 68PB (see Figure 14.18) and Saytex HP-7010 (Albemarle). Both of these flame retardants are based on brominated polystyrene. While there are similarities between these flame retardants, they are not equivalents. There are quality and performance differences between these two products as they use different raw materials (i.e. polystyrenes) and the process for bromination is different. Saytex HP-7010 has better thermal stability and colour control than does PyroCheck 68 PB. However, if higher flow characteristics are a necessary property of the FR-PET, then Pyrocheck 68 PB would be the product of choice. Sodium antimonate is the appropriate synergist in PET since it is more stable at the higher processing temperatures required of PET and does not cause depolymerization of this polyesters. 

The polyphenylenes were brittle and did not form self-standing films when cast from solution. Therefore, they were considered poor materials. The use of these polymers was instead investigated as additives in polystyrene to improve processing and mechanical properties. A mixture of polystyrene and hyperbranched polyphenylene (5%) was studied and the results showed that the melt viscosity, especially at high temperatures and shear rates, was reduced by up to 80% as compared to pure polystyrene. Also, the thermal stability of polystyrene... 

The thermal stability of hyperbranched polymers is related to the chemical structure in the same manner as for linear polymers for example, aromatic esters are more stable than aliphatic ones. In one case, the addition of a small amount of a hyperbranched polyphenylene to polystyrene was found to improve the thermal stability of the blend as compared to the pure polystyrene [31]. 

Of all the hydrocarbon-based PEMs, this group most likely has the largest variety of different systems. This is probably due to the wealth of prior knowledge of the nonsulfonated analogues that have been developed over the last several decades as well as the general expectation of higher thermal stability, better mechanical properties, and increased oxidative stability over polystyrene-based systems. Within the context of this section, polyarylenes are systems in which an aryl or heteroaryl ring is part of the main chain of the polymer. This section will, therefore, include polymers such as sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) and sulfonated poly(imides) but will not include systems such as sulfonated polystyrene, which will be covered in Section 3.3.I.3. 

Thermal stability. The presence of side chains, cross-linking, and benzene rings in the polymer s "backbone increase the melting temperatures. For example, a spectrum of polymers with increasing melting temperatures would be polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyimide. 

Uses. Solvent for polymers polymerization catalyst stabilizer against thermal degradation in polystyrene UV stabilizer in polyvinyl and polyolefin resins... 

Styrene Polymers. Polystyrene-divinylbenzene immobilized 3d metal bipyridyl-amine complexes also exhibit enhanced thermal stability as in the case with the polyacrylics. Biswas and Mukherjee [18] more recently reported the enhancement of thermal stability of 3d metal ion loaded PS-DVB-BPA-M(II)... 

Figure 7.2 Thermal stability (differential scanning calorimetry) of polystyrene-based solid support (Merrifield resin) (A. Stadler and C.O. Kappe, unpublished results).

The conventional resinsulfonic acids such as sulfonated polystyrenes (Dowex-50, Amberlite IR-112, and Permutit Q) are of moderate acidity with limited thermal stability. Therefore, they can be used only to catalyze alkylation of relatively reactive aromatic compounds (like phenol) with alkenes, alcohols, and alkyl halides. Nafion-H, however, has been found to be a suitable superacid catalyst in the 110-190°C temperature range to alkylate benzene with ethylene (vide infra) 16 Furthermore, various solid acid catalysts (ZSM-5, zeolite /3, MCM-22) are applied in industrial ethylbenzene technologies in the vapor phase.177... 

Decabromodiphenyl ether continues to be a popular fire-retardant additive for polyamide 6, its cost, high bromine content, and good thermal stability make it an attractive product. In Europe and the United States, most of its applications have been replaced by brominated polystyrene in order to address environmental issues. Brominated polystyrene is less expensive than the other polymeric fire retardants and has very good thermal stability. Moreover, it contributes to good electrical tracking index. On the other hand, it has lower efficacy as a fire retardant. 

The above thermal analysis studies demonstrated the enhanced thermal stability of POSS materials, and suggested that there is potential to improve the flammability properties of polymers when compounded with these macromers. In a typical example of their application as flame retardants, a U.S. patent39 described the use of preceramic materials, namely, polycarbosilanes (PCS), polysilanes (PS), polysilsesquioxane (PSS) resins, and POSS (structures are shown in Figure 8.6) to improve the flammability properties of thermoplastic polymers such as, polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton (polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene, SBS) and Pebax (polyether block-polyamide copolymer). 

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