Polymer Structure (Morphology)

Background: Cross-linking structure of polyurethanes determines no degradability of these materials. However, introducing the hydrolysable substrates (of natural or synthetic origin) into the cross-linked polyurethanes structure makes them biodegradable. Moreover compounds (such as polycaprolactone triol, glycerin, lysine triisocyanate, etc.) that are used for polyurethane cross-linking are degraded in non-toxic products. All these kinds of compounds can be introduced into soft or hard segments via urethane bonds. Objective: The review focuses on kind of multifunctional polyols and isocyanates, and low molecular crosslinkers used for cross-linked polyurethanes obtaining. These compounds are natural substrates (in the native state or after modification) or are synthetic compounds with degradable linkages. They belong to polyesters, plant oils, proteins, saccharides, and others (e.g. lignocellulosic materials), and they are synthesized chemically or via biosynthesis by algae, plants, microorganisms, and by animals. Conclusion: Incorporation of degradable groups (such as ester moieties) into the polymer structure, and using of substrates with the structure known and metabolized by microorganisms for soft or hard segments building, facilitate degradation of cross-linked polyurethanes.

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Polymer structure and catalytic activity of ion exchangers

Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications ◽

10.1135/cccc19811577 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 46 (7) ◽

pp. 1577-1587 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Karel Jeřábek

Keyword(s):

Catalytic Activity ◽

Ethyl Acetate ◽

Active Sites ◽

Crosslinking Agent ◽

Reaction Medium ◽

Polymer Structure ◽

Local Concentration ◽

Ion Exchangers ◽

Styrene Divinylbenzene ◽

Kinetics Of

Catalytic activity of ion exchangers prepared by partial sulphonation of styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers in reesterifications of ethyl acetate by methanol and propanol, hydrolysis of ethyl acetate and in synthesis of bisphenol A has been compared with data on polymer structure of these catalysts and with distribution of the crosslinking agent, divinylbenzene, calculated from literature data on kinetics of copolymerisation of styrene with divinylbenzene. It was found that the polymer structure of ion exchangers influences catalytic activity predominantly by changing the local concentration of acid active sites. The results obtained indicated that the effect of transport phenomena on the rate of catalytic reactions does not depend on the degree of swelling of the ion exchangers in reaction medium but it is mainly dependent on the relative affinity of reaction components to the acid groups or to the polymer skeleton.

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