Jd. Tong et al., Use of a dye-labeled ethylene-butene copolymer as a tracer in laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy studies of thermoplastic olefins, J POL SC PC, 39(1), 2001, pp. 239-252
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Organic Chemistry/Polymer Science
Journal title
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART A-POLYMER CHEMISTRY
A benzothioxanthene-labeled ethylene-butene rubber has been synthesized and
tested as a potential fluorescent tracer for the impact modifier (IM) phas
e in laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy (LSCFM) studies of the
rmoplastic olefin (TPO) morphology. The amino-functional Hostasol Yellow de
rivative HY-DP reacts with maleated EBR-28 to give a good labeling yield (c
a. 70%) and a dye concentration of 0.051 mmol/g, when the maleated rubber i
s first refluxed over molecular sieves and the reaction purged with N-2. Wi
thout pretreatment of the rubber and N-2 purging, a lower labeling yield (0
.036 mmol dye/g) is obtained and the labeled product tends to undergo cross
linking at 240 degreesC and subsequent dye detachment when the crosslinked
gel is hydrolyzed. LSCFM studies reveal HY-labeled EBR to be completely mis
cible and evenly dispersed in the unlabeled EBR-9 of model TPO blends. More
over, the HY-labeled EBR provides good fluorescence contrast between the IM
droplets and the PP matrix in the TPO blend PP/EBR (80/20) (w/w) + 3 wt %
labeled polymer with respect to EBR. Imaging of IM droplets down to 40 mum
below the film surface of this blend has been demonstrated. (C) 2000 John W
iley & Sons, Inc.