Phase transition behavior and molecular orientation of oligo(9,9 '-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene)

A novel conjugated oligomer, oligo(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene) (OF8T2), was found to exhibit a unique phase transition between crystalline and liquid-crystalline states, and a liquid-crystalline glass was easily generated, offering better TFT device performance. In thin films, upon annealing the OF8T2 molecules oriented preferentially with their planes of conjugation being normal to the substrate, and both film thickness and annealing temperature were critical to the film morphology and the molecular orientation. When the OF8T2 film was deposited on a rubbed polyimide surface and annealed, the molecules aligned their long axes along the rubbing direction.

Effect of main-chain rigidity on the phase transitional behavior of comblike polymers

The influence of the rigidity of polymer backbones on the side-chain crystallization and phase transition behavior was systematically investigated by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). DSC investigation indicated that the crystallization number of alkyl carbon atoms of the side chains grafted onto the rigid polymer backbone, poly(p-benzamide) (PBA), is much lower than that of the alkyl carbon atoms of the side chains grafted onto the flexible polymer backbone, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), implying that the conformational state of the polymer backbones has a strong effect on the side-chain crystallization behavior in comblike polymers. WAXD and FTIR results proved that these two comblike polymers pack into hexagonal (PBA18C) and orthorhombic (PEI18C) crystals, respectively, depending on the adjusting ability of the polymer backbones for particular conformational states. It was also found that the presence of the crystalline-amorphous interphase (delta = 31.6 ppm) in PBA18C detected by solid-state C-13 NMR spectroscopy can be attributed to the rigid PBA backbone, which restricts the mobility of the alkyl side chains.

Phase transition behavior and structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal 6-{[(4 '-{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl-4yl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-hexyne

The phase transition behaviors and corresponding structures of 6-{[(4'-([(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy)biphenyl-4yl)carbonyl]oxyl-l-hexyne (A4EE11) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). In comparison with the published homologues, 5- [(4'-heptoxy-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]oxyl-1-pentyne (A3EO7) which shows a monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase and a metastable monotropic smectic C (SmC) phase; 5-{ [(4'-heptoxybiphenyl-4-yl)oxy]carbonyl)- I-pentyne (A3E'O7) that exhibits three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline (LC) phases, SmA phase, SmC phase and smectic X (SmX) phase; 5-{[(4'-heptoxy-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-undecyne (A9EO7) which has a monotropic SmA phase and a metastable crystal phase, A4EE11 integrates the enantiotropy, monotropy and metastability of the LC phases of those three compounds. Upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature, in the temperature range of 62.0 to 58.5 degrees C, A4EE11 shows an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase with a layer spacing d=32.69 angstrom.

Theoretical representation of shear and pressure influence on the phase separation behavior of PVME/PS mixture

In the framework of lattice fluid model, the Gibbs energy and equation of state are derived by introducing the energy (E-s) stored during flow for polymer blends under shear. From the calculation of the spinodal of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) and polystyrene (PS) mixtures, we have found the influence of E., an equation of state in pure component is inappreciable, but it is appreciable in the mixture. However, the effect of E, on phase separation behavior is extremely striking. In the calculation of spinodal for the PVME/PS system, a thin, long and banana miscibility gap generated by shear is seen beside the miscibility gap with lower critical solution temperature. Meanwhile, a binodal coalescence of upper and lower miscibility gaps is occurred. The three points of the three-phase equilibrium are forecasted. The shear rate dependence of cloud point temperature at a certain composition is discussed. The calculated results are acceptable compared with the experiment values obtained by Higgins et at. However, the maximum positive shift and the minimum negative shift of cloud point temperature guessed by Higgins are not obtained, Furthermore, the combining effects of pressure and shear on spinodal shift are predicted.

Phase-separation behavior of the system PES/phenoxy: An application of the Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory

Cloud-point curves reported for the system polyethersulfone (PES)/phenoxy were calculated by means of the Sanchez-Lacombe (SL) lattice fluid theory. The one adjustable parameter epsilon(12)*/k (quantifying the interaction energy between mers of the different components) can be evaluated by comparison of the theoretical and experimental phase diagrams. The Flory-Huggins (FH) interaction parameters are computed based on the evaluated epsilon(12)*/k and are approximately a linear function of volume fraction and of inverse temperature. The calculated enthalpies of mixing of PES/phenoxy blends for different compositions are consistent with the experimental values obtained previously by Singh and Walsh [1].

Interfacial layer and phase inversion behavior in the blend of polyethersulfone and polycarbonate

A blend of polyethersulfone (PES) and polycarbonate (PC) with a ratio of 40/60 was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the PES-PC blend is a partially miscible, two-phase system, and an interfacial layer exists between the phases of PES and PC. Specific interaction resulting from the n-complex between PES and PC provides the driving force for formation of the interfacial layer. In addition, phase inversion behavior was also observed for the 40/60 composition.

INVESTIGATION OF PHASE SEPARATION BEHAVIOR IN POLY (METHYL METHACRYLATE)/POLY (STYRENE-CO-ACRYLONITRILE) MIXTURES WITH PULSED NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Thermally induced phase separation in the mixture of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitite (SAN) has intern studied with pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) in single spin-lattice retaxation time T-1 of the eornpatibl. mixture two T-1 corresponding to those of PM MA-rich and SAN-rich comairis. Meanwhile, both T-1 gradually changing with annealing time provides the direct evidence that the phase separation takes place with a decomposition mechanism. Diffusion coeffieient was to lac negative, indicating an uphal diffusion characteristics, The basic parameters governing its kinetics were estimated using NMR date which were in good agreement with those evaluated from time-resolved light scattering experiments for a 60/40(PMMA/SAN) mixture annealed at 180.0 degrees C.

Gas-phase isothermal chromatography with short-lived technetium isotopes

In order to study the gas-phase chemical behavior of transactinides, an on-line isothermal chromatography apparatus has been developed and applied to separate short-lived technetium isotopes in the form of TcO3 from fission products. The fission products from a Cf-252 source were continuously and rapidly transported through the capillary to the isothermal chromatography apparatus using the N-2/KBr gas-jet techniques. Volatile oxide molecules were formed at the reaction zone kept at 900 degrees C since a trace amount of oxygen existed in the N-2 carrier gas. With the new developed isothermal chromatography apparatus, a selective separation of Tc from fission products was achieved. After isothermal chromatographic separation, Tc-101,Tc-103,Tc-104,Tc-105,Tc-106,Tc-107,Tc-108 were dominantly observed together with their Ru daughters in the gamma-spectrum, The chemical yields of Tc-101, and Tc-104 and Tc-105 isotopes with longer half-lives are about 55-57%, and those of Tc-103, Tc-106 and Tc-108 isotopes with shorter half-lives dropped down to 25-28%. The adsorption enthalpy of the investigated compounds on quartz surfaces was determined to be -150 +/- 5 kJ/mol by fitting the measured retention curves with a Monte Carlo model. The observed species of technetium oxide is attributed to TcO3, which is in good agreement with previous experimental results. That means our system worked properly and it can be used to investigate the gas-phase chemical behavior of transactinides.

Molecular weight dependence of phase Behavior of PEO/P(EO-b-DMS) blends: Application of Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory

Molecular weight dependence of phase separation behavior of the Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)/Poly(ethylene oxide-block-dimethylsiloxane) (P(EO-b-DMS)) blends was investigated by both experimental and theoretical methods. The cloud point curves of PEO/P(EO-b-DMS) blends were obtained by turbidity method. Based on Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory (SLLFT), the adjustable parameter, epsilon*(12)/k (quantifying the interaction energy between different components), was evaluated by fitting the experimental data in phase diagrams. To calculate the spinodals, binodals, and the volume changes of mixing for these blends, three modified combining rules of the scaling parameters for the block copolymer were introduced.

Liquid-liquid phase behavior of toluene/polyethylene oxide/poly(ethyleneoxide-b-dimethylsiloxane) polymer-containing ternary mixtures

The experimental data of phase diagrams for both polyethylene oxide/poly(ethylene oxide-b-dimethylsiloxane) binary and toluene/polyethylene oxide/poly(ethylene oxide-b-dimethylsiloxane) ternary polymer-containing systems was obtained at atmosphere pressure by light scattering method. The critical points for some pre-selected compositions and the pressure effect on the phase transition behavior of ternary system were investigated by turbidity measurements. The chosen system is a mixture of ternary which is one of the very few abnormal polymer-containing systems exhibiting pressure-induced both miscibility and immiscibility. This unusual behavior is related to the toluene concentration in the mixtures. The effect of toluene on the phase transition behavior of the ternary polymer-containing mixture was traced. Such behavior can make it possible to process composite materials from incompatible polymers.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-12.3Zn-5.8Y-1.4Al alloy

Microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast and heat-treated Mg-12.3Zn-5.8Y-1.4Al (ZYA1261) alloy were investigated. The phase compositions of the as-cast alloy are alpha-Mg, Mg3YZn6 (I-phase), Mg(3)y(2)Zn(3) (W-phase), Mg12YZn (Z-phase), Mg24Y5, MgZn and a small quantity of Al-containing phase.

Molecular weight effects on the phase morphology of PS/P4VP blend films on homogeneous SAM and heterogeneous SAM/Au substrates

The effects of the molecular weight of polystyrene (PS) component on the phase separation of PS/poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS/P4VP) blend films on homogeneous alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and heterogeneous SAM/Au substrates have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). For the PS (22.4k)/P4VP (60k) system, owing to the molecular weight of PS component is relatively small, the well-aligned PS and P4VP stripes with good thermal stability are directed by the patterned SAM/Au surfaces. With the increase of the molecular weight of PS component (for the PS (582k)/P4VP (60k) system), the diffusion of P4VP is hindered by the high viscosity of PS during the fast spin-coating process. The phase separation behavior of PS/P4VP on the SAM/Au patterned substrates is similar to that on the homoueneous SAM and cannot be easily directed by the patterned SAM surfaces even though the characteristic length of the lateral domain morphology is commensurate with the stripe width.

Micellization and reversible pH-sensitive phase transfer of the hyperbranched multiarm PEI-PBLG copolymer

A novel, hyperbranched, amphiphilic multiarm biodegradable polyethylenimine-poly(gamma-benZyl-L-gluta- mate) (PEI-PBLG) copolymer was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-car-boxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) with hyperbranched PEI as a macroinitiator. The copolymer could self-assemble into core-shell micelles in aqueous solution with highly hydrophobic micelle cores. As the PBLG content was increased, the size of the micelles increased and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) decreased. The surface of the micelles had a positive potential. The cationic micelles were capable of complexing with plasmid DNA (pDNA), which could be released subsequently by treatment with polyanions. The PEI-PBLG copolymer formed unimolecular micelles in chloroform solution. ne pH-sensitive phase-transfer behavior exhibited two critical pH points for triggering the encapsulation and release of guest molecules. Both the encapsulation and release processes were rapid and reversible. Under strong acidic or alkaline conditions, the release process became partially or completely irreversible.

Phase transition in polyamide-66/montmorillonite nanocomposites on annealing

The crystalline-phase transition in polyamide-66/montmorillonite nanocomposites before melting was investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction and is reported for the first time in this work. The phase-transition temperature in the nanocomposites was 170 degreesC, 20 degreesC lower than that in polyamide-66. The lower phase-transition temperature of the nanocomposites could be attributed to the gamma-phase-favorable environment caused by silicate layers. Meanwhile, the addition of silicate layers changed the crystal structure of the polyamide-66 matrix and influenced the phase-transition behavior.

Abnormal pressure dependence of the phase boundaries in TL/PEO/P(EO-b-DMS) ternary mixtures

The cloud-point temperatures (T-cl's) of both binary poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-poly(ethylene oxide-b-dimethylsiloxane) [P(EO-b-DMS)] and ternary[toluene/PEO/P(EO-b-DMS)] systems were determined by light scattering measurements at atmospheric pressure. The phase separation behavior upon cooling in the ternary system has been investigated at atmospheric pressure and under high pressure and compared to the phase behavior in the binary system. The phase transition temperatures have been obtained for all of the samples. As a result, the pressure induces compatibility in the binary mixtures, but for the ternary system, pressure not only can induce mixing but also can induce phase separation.