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Cinnamylidene‐amine‐sensitized photodegradation of polyethylene
Author(s) -
Czekaj Tadeusz
Publication year - 1986
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.1986.070320131
Subject(s) - photodegradation , amine gas treating , polyethylene , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemistry , materials science , photochemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , photocatalysis
The activity of Schiff's bases of cinnamic aldehyde and aromatic amines in the controlled photodegradation of polyethylene (PE) was studied. N ‐cinnamylidene anilines containing different substituents in the amine ring (methyl group, halogen, or amine group) and N ‐cinnamylidene α‐naphthyl amine were synthesized and introduced into the polyethylene films by compression molding or extrusion, and they were exposed to the filtered ultraviolet light produced by mercury lamp. The changes in molecular weight, tensile strength, and characteristic IR absorptions were followed during irradiation to control the processes undergoing in the polymer films. It was discovered that N ‐cinnamylidene anilines containing methyl or halogen substituents and N ‐cinnamylidene α‐naphthyl amine accelerated the photodegradation of polyethylene. Their sensitizing activity increased when the mixtures of Schiff's bases and stannous laurate were introduced into the polymer. PE films containing these additives became brittle after 600 h exposure to the artificial UV light which was the equivalent of 1.5–2 years exposure to the natural sunlight in the medium geographic latitudes. The mechanism of the initial step of photodegradation is discussed.