Grafting reactions onto poly(organophosphazenes). VI. Thermooxidative stabilization of poly[bis (4-benzylphenoxy)phosphazene] by grafting acrylate polymers containing HALS groups

Abstract

Poly[bist 4-benzylphenoxy phosphazene] is heated at 200 C in air and the oxidation of the 4-diphenylmethane side substituent to phosphazene-supported benzophenone, benzhydrol, and hydroperoxides is observed. The thermo-oxidative stabilization of the polymer is obtained by light-induced grafting copolymerization of the acrylic acid 2.2.6.6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4-yl ester onto the polyphosphazene substrate. The HALS moieties grafted onto the polyphosphazene films prevent the oxidative modification of the substituents and preserve the polymer against thermal damage. This process, investigated by IR. UV, and EPR spectroscopy, is basically dependent on the amount of HALS groups grafted onto the polyphosphazene matrix and on the composition of the reaction medium used to carry out the grafting process. The comparison between the thermooxidative stabilization process and the corresponding photooxidative stabilization reaction is also discussed.