The photodegradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)—a flash photolysis study of polymer and model compounds

Laser flash photolysis and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy were applied to elucidate the mechanism of photodegradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide). Based also on the results obtained for several model compounds it is concluded that dissociation of the terminal phenolic unit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer degradation and stability 1998-01, Vol.61 (3), p.453-464
Main Authors: Schneider, Siegfried, Richter, Frauke, Brem, Bernhard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Crosslinking and degradation
Exact sciences and technology
Physicochemistry of polymers
Polymers and radiations
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Summary:Laser flash photolysis and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy were applied to elucidate the mechanism of photodegradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide). Based also on the results obtained for several model compounds it is concluded that dissociation of the terminal phenolic unit yielding phenoxy radicals is the dominant primary photoreaction. In model compounds lacking the hydroxyl groups at the end, a transient T-T absorption is observed. Ether bond breakage should occur with very low yield, either as a one step process or as the result of 1,5-hydrogen transfer followed by hydrogen abstraction. No evidence was found for photoinduced electron transfer producing the radical ions of the monomeric units.
ISSN:0141-3910
1873-2321
DOI:10.1016/S0141-3910(97)00231-0