AUTOXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF POLY(PHENYLACETYLENE)

Autoxidative degradation of high molecular-weight poly(phenylacetylene ) (PPhA) in the solid state and in solution was studied using the size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV, IR, and EPR spectrometry. No d egradation was observed on PPhA stored in vacuum, whereas the polymer exposed to air was found to degrade without any induction period. No e vidence of a cross-linking of oxidized PPhA was observed. The degradat ion of PPhA was found to be: (i) practically non-influenced by an ambi ent, diffuse day-light; (ii) of the random type (i.e. each main-chain bond of PPhA has the same probability of being ruptured); and (iii) fa st enough to influence the results of SEC measurements.