Study of some features of the high-temperature oxidation of polysulphone☆

The stability of polysulphone during high-temperature oxidation has been determined from the intensity of yellowing and from the absorption of oxygen. It was found that the stability decreases for high values of MW, and as the number of OH endgroups rises. The oxidation of polysulphone is accompanied by crosslinking and degradation processes. It was found by GPC analysis that degradation predominates in high-molecular weight samples, and that OH endgroups accelerate branching of the macromolecules. Yellowing of the oxidized polysulphone is related to products of structural transformations of the polymer; colouration is most marked for branched structures formed with the participation of OH endgroups.