Preparation of synthesized sulfide polymer through phase-transfer catalyzed polycondensation of ethylene dibromide and sodium tetrasulfide: characterization, thermal and rheological properties

Abstract

Sulfide polymers were obtained through the interfacial polymerization of sodium tetrasulfide and ethylene dibromide. The polymerization process was carried out under interfacial condition using two phase-transfer catalysts: methyl-tributyl ammonium bromide and methyl-tributyl ammonium chloride. The polymer characteristics were examined by attenuated total reflectance- fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis (CHNS/O) and X-ray diffraction methods. Thermal characteristics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The rheological behavior of the synthesized sulfide polymer during curing reaction, and isothermal time dependency of elastic storage modulus, G′, at different temperatures and constant shear frequency was studied using a stress-controlled rheometer. Moreover, the solvent resistance of synthesized polymer was investigated through the swelling method.