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A study of thermal degradation and oxidation of polymers by infrared spectroscopy. Part II. Polybenzyl
Author(s) -
Lady J. H.,
Kesse I.,
Adams R. E.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1960.070030710
Subject(s) - methylene , methylene bridge , methylene blue , infrared spectroscopy , degradation (telecommunications) , chemistry , thermal oxidation , polymer , polymer chemistry , thermosetting polymer , absorption (acoustics) , infrared , photochemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , oxide , composite material , telecommunications , physics , photocatalysis , computer science , optics , catalysis
The primary mode of degradation of polybenzyl at elevated temperatures in the presence of air has been found to be an oxidative attack on the methylene bridge. Initially the methylene bridge is oxidized to keto and hydroxyl groups. Later substantial amounts of acid anhydride and/or ester are formed. Extensive oxidation has been found to oxidize approximately 30% of the methylene bridge to keto groups and 20% to hydroxyl groups. This leaves approximately 50% not quantitatively accounted for specifically; however, the data indicate that the residual methylene groups are consumed primarily by the formation of anhydride and/or ester. While the polymer is initially thermoplastic, it becomes thermosetting as a result of oxidation. The course of the oxidation is followed by observing the growth of the infrared absorption bands arising from the various functional groups being generated as well as following the simultaneous decrease of the methylene absorption band.