Degradation of poly(ethylene oxide)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The degradation of high polymers of ethylene oxide in aqueous and organic solutions is accelerated by strong acids, certain oxidizing agents, ultraviolet light, and certain heavy metal ions. The effectiveness of the latter two components is related to the solution stability of various polymer samples upon long‐term, natural aging. These facts are interpreted by assuming that poly(ethylene oxide) degrades primarily by autoxidation, giving hydroperoxides which decompose by polymer chain cleavage. Certain oxidizable materials and compounds which form stable free radicals are effective in retarding the solution viscosity decrease. Aqueous polymer solutions containing alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol, are very stable to all of the normally detrimental aging conditions. The effectiveness of the alcohol is related to the theoretical ease with which the α‐hydrogen atom is extracted, and, consequently, these effects are interpreted in view of the selective autoxidation of the alcohol present. Other types of stabilizers were investigated.