Morphology and molecular weight of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

PHYS 413

Ryan Bouldin, ryan_bouldin@student.uml.edu1, Kei Saito, Kei.Saito@sci.monash.edu.au2, and Sanjeev K. Manohar, sanjeev_manohar@uml.edu1. (1) Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854, (2) Centre for Green Chemistry, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
This study builds on the recently described green synthesis of the flame retardant plastic poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), PPO, carried out in aqueous base using potassium ferricyanide as the oxidant. The effect of synthetic parameters on the bulk morphology and molecular weight is described. Polymer molecular weight is significantly affected by surfactant type and mixed surfactant ratio, and bulk morphology is significantly affected by nanostructured additives present during the synthesis.
 

PHYS Poster Session - Nanostructured Materials and Nanophotonics
7:30 PM-10:00 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Physical Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008