Evaluation of polyaniline in corrosion protection and microwave initiated free radical catalyzed polymerizations: Polystyrene

Considerable interest has been generated in the research of potential applications of Intrinsically Conducting Polymers (ICP's). One of the areas identified has been its use in corrosion inhibition. The first part of this dissertation (Chapters 1 through 5) focuses on the use of ICP's (polyaniline to be specific) as possible corrosion inhibitive substances. These materials could be considered as safe and non-toxic alternatives to chromates in corrosion protection. This study evaluates the use of VERSICON (polyaniline manufactured by Allied Signal) and PANDA (a polyaniline synthesized by Monsanto Co.,) in corrosion inhibitive formulations. These samples were tested in a neutral salt spray environment, the corrosion inhibition was evaluated, and compared with control samples incorporating commercially available corrosion inhibitors. Evaluations of the coatings in salt spray were compared to DC polarization. A good correlation between the salt spray data and the accelerated DC polarization was obtained. Polyaniline was also electrochemically deposited and evaluated for corrosion protection on aluminum.;The second part of this dissertation (Chapter 6) investigates the use of microwave radiation as a tool for polymerization processes. The microwave initiated free radical catalyzed bulk and solution polymerization of styrene using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) is reported. The effect of the power of microwave radiation and initiator concentration on percent conversion and molecular weights is discussed. The effect of microwave radiation on polymer stability is reported. The process is compared against conventional bulk thermal polymerization.