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Solid state hydrolysis of bisphenol-A polycarbonate. I. Effect of phenolic end groups
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1980
Year
Solid SamplesEngineeringBisphenol-a PolycarbonateOrganic ChemistryChemistryPolymersChemical EngineeringPolymer TechnologyPetroleum ChemistryPolymer ProcessingPhenolic End GroupsSolid PolymerPolymer ChemistryChromatographyPolymer StabilitySolid State HydrolysisPolymer AnalysisPolymer SciencePolymer Characterization
Solid samples of a nonhydrolytically stabilized bisphenol-A polycarbonate were hydrolyzed at 125°C and 1.4 atm of steam. IR and UV techniques were used both to estimate the degree to which the unhydrolyzed polymer is capped by a chain-terminating agent and to determine the rate of hydrolysis as indicated by the formation of new phenolic end groups. The rate of formation of low-molecular-weight products, particularly bisphenol-A, was estimated by gel permeation chromatography studies. The combined results suggest that the degree of end-group capping is an important factor in the hydrolytic stability of the solid polymer. A model consistent with these results is proposed.