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Thermally stable poly(propylene carbonate) synthesized by copolymerizing with bulky naphthalene containing monomer
Author(s) -
Gao L. J.,
Xiao M.,
Wang S. J.,
Meng Y. Z.
Publication year - 2008
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.27271
Subject(s) - propylene carbonate , monomer , propylene oxide , thermal decomposition , polymer chemistry , materials science , glass transition , copolymer , thermal stability , naphthalene , catalysis , chemical engineering , carbonate , ethylene carbonate , ethylene oxide , chemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , composite material , electrode , engineering , electrochemistry , metallurgy , electrolyte
To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), the terpolymers were synthesized from carbon dioxide, propylene oxide, and a third monomer, [(2‐naphthyloxy)methyl]oxirane (NMO) using supported zinc glutarate as catalyst. The structure of these terpolymers was confirmed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity, molecular weight, carbonate unit content, as well as thermal and mechanical properties were investigated extensively. The experimental results showed that the catalytic activity, molecular weight, and carbonate unit content decreased with the incorporation of NMO. DSC measurements indicated that the introduction of NMO increased the glass transition temperature from 38 to 42°C. TGA tests revealed that the thermal decomposition temperature ( T g −5% ) of the synthesized terpolymer increased significantly, being 34°C higher than that of pure PPC. Accordingly, the mechanical properties proved also to be enhanced greatly as evidenced by tensile tests. These thermal and mechanical improvements are of importance for the practical process and application of PPC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008