Removal of polymers with various chemical structures using wet ozone

Abstract

We evaluated the chemical reactivity of wet ozone and polymers by estimating removal of polymers with various chemical structures using wet ozone. The removal rates of polymers that have the carbon-carbon double bond (C-C double bond) in the main chain (novolak resin, cis-l,4-polyisoprene) were the fastest. The removal rates of polymers that have a C-C double bond in the side chain (PVP, PS) were slower than those of novolak resin and cis-l,4-polyisoprene. Polymers with no C-C double bond (PMMA, PVC) were not removed. We believe that wet ozone should react easily with C-C double bonds. The main chain of novolak resin and that of cis-l,4-polyisoprene should be decomposed by reaction with wet ozone. In PVP and PS, the benzene ring in the side chain changes into carboxylic acid by reaction with wet ozone. Therefore, the dissolution ability of PVP and PS to water should increase. © 2010 CPST.