Preparation and properties of microporous membrane from poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (F2.4) for membrane distillation

Flat-sheet microporous membranes from F2.4 for membrane distillation (MD) were prepared by phase inversion process. Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and LiClO(4)(.)3H(2)O/trimethyl phosphate (TMP) were, respectively, used as solvent and pore-forming additives. The effects of casting solution composition, exposure time prior to coagulation and temperature of precipitation bath on F2.4 membrane structure were investigated. The morphology of resultant porous membrane was observed by scanning electron microcopy. Some natures of F2.4 porous membrane after drying in air, such as mechanical properties and hydrophobicity, were exhibited and compared with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane prepared by the same ways. Stress-at-break and strength stress of F2.4 microporous membrane are higher than that of PVDF membrane, and elongation percentage of F2.4 membrane at break is about eight-fold as great as that of PVDF membrane. Contact angle of F2.4 microporous membrane to water (86.6 +/- 0.51degrees) was also larger than that of PVDF mernbrane (80.0 +/- 0.78degrees). MD experiment was carried out using a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) configuration as final test to permeate performance of resultant microporous membrane.

Preliminary research on microporous membrane from F2.4 for membrane distillation

An asymmetric hydrophobic microporous membrane from the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and vinyliden fluoride (F2.4) has been fabricated by phase inversion process. Some characteristics, such as mechanical properties and hydrophobicity, have been examined and compared with polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membrane. Experimental data exhibit F2.4 membrane excellent mechanical properties and hydrophobicity. F2.4 microporous membrane was approximately 6-8 times as high as PVDF membrane in stretching strain and extension ratio at break, and contact angle to distilled water of the fore (88.5degrees) was larger than the latter (80.0degrees), too. The results from membrane distillation (MD) process were well agreed with the fundamental laws of membrane distillation.

Factors affecting pore structure and performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) asymmetric porous membrane

Preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (F2.6) flat-sheet asymmetric porous membrane has been studied for the first time. Factors affecting F2.6 membrane pore structure and permeate performance, such as macromolecule pore formers (polyethylene glycol-400, 1000, 1540, 2000 and 6000), the small molecule former (glycerol), swelling agent (trimethyl phosphate) in casting solution, precipitating bath component and temperature, exposure time and ambient humidity, were investigated in detail. Average pore radius and porosity were used to characterize F2.6 membrane structure, and respectively, determined by ultrafiltration and gravimetric method for the wet membrane. Morphology of the resultant membranes was observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Final test on permeate performance of F2.6 porous membrane was carried out by a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) setup. The experimental F2.6 membrane exhibits a higher distilled flux than PVDF membrane under the same operational situations. The determination of contact angle to distilled water also reveals higher hydrophobic nature than that of PVDF membrane.

Miscibility studies of the blends of chitosan with some cellulose ethers

The polymeric films have been prepared based on blends of chitosan with two cellulose ethers-hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose by casting from acetic acid solutions. The films were transparent and brittle in a dry state but an immersion of the samples in deionized water for over 24 h leads to their disintegration or partial dissolution. The miscibility of the polymers in the blends has been assessed by infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. It was shown that although weak hydrogen bonding exists between the polymer functional groups the blends are not fully miscible in a dry state.

Rheological properties in blends of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) and liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone)

Rheological properties of the blends of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK) with liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) containing substituted 3-trifluoro-methylbenzene side group (F-PAEK), prepared by solution precipitation, have been investigated by rheometer. Dynamic rheological behaviors of the blends under the oscillatory shear mode are strongly dependent on blend composition. For PEEK-rich blends, the systems show flow curves similar to those of the pure PEEK, i.e., dynamic storage modulus G' is larger than dynamic loss modulus G", showing the feature of elastic fluid. For F-PAEK-rich systems, the rheological behavior of the blends has a resemblance to pure F-PAEK, i.e., G" is greater than G', showing the characteristic of viscous fluid. When the PEEK content is in the range of 50-70%, the blends exhibit an unusual rheological behavior, which is the result of phase inversion between the two components. Moreover, as a whole, the complex viscosity values of the blends are between those of two pure polymers and decrease with increasing F-PAEK content. However, at 50% weight fraction of PEEK, the viscosity-composition curves exhibit a local maximum, which may be mainly attributed to the phase separation of two components at such a composition.

Poly[di-mu(3)-chloro-mu(2)-trans-1,2-di-4-pyridylethylene-dicopper(I)]: a two-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid constructed from linear CuCl clusters and bridging ligands

The structure of the title compound, [Cu2Cl2(C12H10N2)](n), contains infinite CuCl staircase-like chains, which lie about inversion centres. The trans-1,2-di-4-pyrid-ylethyl-ene mol-ecules also lie about inversion centres and connect the CuCl chains through Cu-N coordination bonds into a two-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid network. The planar sheets are stacked along the c axis and associated through weak C-H center dot center dot center dot Cl inter-actions. The results show a reliable structural motif with controllable separation of the CuCl chains by variation of the length of the ligand.

1H-Pyrido[3,4-b]azepine-2,5(3H,4H)-dione: a hydrogen-bonded dimeric structure

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C9H8N2O2, there are two crystallographically independent molecules, each of which forms a dimer, via N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, with an inversion-related molecule.

Tetraaqua(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa(2) N, N ')copper(II)naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate dihydrate

In the title structure, [Cu(C12H8N2)(H2O)(4)](C10H6S2O6)center dot-2H(2)O, the cation lies on a crystallographic twofold rotation axis and the anion lies on a centre of inversion. The Cu-II atom is coordinated by two N atoms of a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand and four O atoms from four water ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. The unique Cu-O distances are 2.054 (2) and 2.088 (2) angstrom and the Cu-N distance is 2.073 (2) angstrom. In the crystal structure, a three-dimensional supramolecular framework is constructed by extensive intermolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds.

From dissymmetrical mononuclear entities to centrosymmetrical heterotrinuclear complex with 2D supramolecular structure: synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, and magnetic properties

A new centrosymmetrical heterotrinuclear complex, {[Cu(oxbe)](2)Co(H2O)(2)}.2DMF.DMA with 2D supramolecular structure, has been obtained by the self-assembly of a dissymmetrical building block [Cu(oxbe)](-) with bivalent metal ion Co2+, where H(3)oxbe is dissymmetrical ligand N-benzoato-N'-(2-aminoethyl)oxamido, DMF = dimethylformamide, DMA = dimethylamine. Its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The molecular structure is centrosymmetrical with the cobalt atom lying on an inversion center. Through the hydrogen bonds and d-pi stacking interactions, a 2D supramolecular structure is formed. This study exemplifies a new method for the assembly of supramolecular structure using a dissymmetrical brick. Magnetic susceptibility measurements (5-300 K) indicate that the central cobalt and terminal copper metal ions are antiferromagnetically coupled with J = -23.1 cm(-1).

Oxamido-bridged heterobinuclear copper(II)-nickel(II) complex and homotrinuclear nickel(II) complex with 2D supramolecular structure: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic and spectroscopic properties

The oxamido-bridged heterobinuclear copper(II)-nickel(II) complex, [Cu(oxbe)Ni(phen)(2)]ClO4.3H(2)O (1) and homotrinuclear nickel(11) complex {[Ni(oxbe)](2)Ni(H2O)(2)}.2.5DMF (2) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, EPR. and electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility, where H(3)oxbe is dissymmetrical ligand N-benzoato-N'-(2-aminoethyl)ox-amido, phen = 1.10-phenanthroline, DMF = dimethylformamide. Complex I has an extended oxamido-bridged structure consisting of planar copper(II) and octahedral nickel(II) ions. The chi(M) and mu(eff) versus T plots of 1 is typical of an antiferromagnetically coupled Cu(II)-Ni(II,) pair with a spin-doublet ground state, and magnetic analysis leads to J = -57.1 cm(-1). The molecular structure of 2 is centrosymmetrical, with one octahedral nickel atom lying at an inversion center and two terminal Ni(II) atoms in approximately square planar environment. Through the hydrogen bonds and pi- pi stacking interactions, a 2D supramolecular structure is formed.

Heptairon bis(phosphate) tetrakis(hydrogenphosphate)

A new iron hydrogen phosphate, heptairon bis(phosphate) tetrakis(hydrogenphosphate), Fe-7(PO4)(2)(HPO4)(4), has been prepared hydrothermally and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound has one Fe atom on an inversion centre and is isostructural with Mn-7(PO4)(2)(HPO4)(4) and Co-7(PO4)(2)(HPO4)(4). The structure is based on a framework of edge- and corner-sharing FeO6, Fe-5 and PO4 polyhedra, isotypic with that found in the mixed-valence iron phosphate Fe-7(PO4)(6). The Fe atoms in the title compound are purely in the divalent state, just like the Co atoms in Co-7(PO4)(2)(HPO4)(4), the necessary charge balance being maintained by the addition of H atoms in the form of bridging Fe-OH-P groups.

Liquid crystalline phases, microtwinning in crystals and helical chirality transformations in a main-chain chiral liquid crystalline polyester

A main-chain nonracemic chiral liquid crystalline polymer was synthesized from (R)-(-)4'-{w-[2-(p-hydroxy-o-nitrophenyloxy)-1-propyloxy]-1-decyloxyl-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid. This polymer contained 10 methylene units in each chemical repeating unit and was abbreviated PET(R*-10). On the basis of differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy experiments, chiral smectic C (S-C*) and chiral smectic A (S-A*) phases were identified. Both flat-elongated and helical lamellar crystal morphologies were observed in transmission electron microscopy. Of particular interest was the flat-elongated lamellar crystals were constructed via microtwinning of an orthorhombic cell with dimensions of a = 1.42 nm, b = 1.28 nm, and c = 3.04 nm. On the other hand, the helical lamellar crystals were exclusively left-handed, which was opposite to the right-handed helical crystals grown in PET(R*-9) and PET(R*-11) (having 9 and 11 methylene units, respectively). Note that these three polymers had identical right-handed chiral centers (R*-). Therefore, a single methylene unit difference on the polymer backbones on an atomic length scale substantially changed the chirality of the crystals in the micrometer length scale. Furthermore, aggregates of these helical crystals in PET(R*-10) did not generate banded spherulites in polarized light microscopy. Possible reasons for this change and loss of helical senses (handedness) on different length scales in chirality transferring processes were discussed.

Photochemical synthesis, properties and X-ray crystal structure of tetrabutylammonium dodecamolybdophosphate heteropoly blue

The title heteropoly blue, (Bu4N)(6)H-10 [(PMo11MoO40)-Mo-VI-O-V](4) . H2O has been photochemically synthesized and characterized with elemental analysis, solid diffusion reflectance electronic spectra, CV, ESR, XPS, IR spectra, conductivity measurement and X-ray single crystal analysis. The crystallographic data for C96H218Mo48N6O169P4 are as follows: M-r = 8889.76, triclinic, P (1) over bar, a = 1.4142 (3) nm, b = 2.6027 (5) nm, c = 2.6403(5) nm, alpha = 113.96(3)degrees, beta = 90.05(3)degrees, gamma = 105.71(3)degrees, V = 8.481 (3) nm(3), Z = 1, D-c = 1.741 g/cm(3), F (000) = 4264, mu = 1.798 mm(-1). The X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that there Is one independent molecule in the unit cell of the title heteropoly blue which contains four mixed-valence heteropoly anions, six tetrabutylammonium cations and one water molecule. Its molecular structure possesses a centrosymmetrical arrangement in the unit cell. The phosphorus atom is In the crystallographic inversion center of the heteropoly anion and the eight oxygen atoms surrounding central phosphorus atom comprise of a distorted hexahedron. Heteropolyanion has two equal sets of PO4 tetrahedron. The PO4 tetrahedron and the MoO6 octahedron in the polyanion are greatly distorted.

Study of the alkylation of isobutane with n-butene over WO3/ZrO2 strong solid acid. 1. Effect of the preparation method, WO3 loading, and calcination temperature

A series of strong solid acids composed of WO3/ZrO2 were prepared. Their crystal structure, surface state, and acidity were determined by the methods of X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis, temperature-programmed reduction, laser Raman, and acidity measurement. The results revealed that ZrO2 in WO3/ZrO2 existed mainly in the tetragonal phase, the addition of WO3 plays an important role in stabilizing the tetragonal phase of ZrO2, and all of the samples possessed large surface areas. WO3 in WO3/ZrO2 is mainly monolayer dispersed, and a small amount crystallized on the ZrO2 surface and partly reacted with ZrO2 to form the bond of Zr-O-W, acting as the strong solid acid center. The catalytic properties of WO3/ZrO2 strong solid;acids for alkylation of isobutane with butene at different conditions were investigated. They had a better reaction performance than other strong solid acids; a parallel relationship could be drawn between the catalytic activity and the acid amounts as well as the acidic strength of the catalysts.

Luminescence properties of Sm2+ in barium octaborates (BaB8O13 : Sm2+)

The luminescence of Sm2+ in BaB8O13 are studied as a function of temperature. At 10 K, several crystallographic sites for Sm2+ ions with inversion symmetry are possible and D-5(0) --> F-7(1) transition show predominant intensities, whereas above 50 K two crystallographic sites without inversion symmetry are clearly observed for Sm2+ in BaB8O13 and the D-5(0) --> F-7(0) transition show strongest intensity. The vibronic transitions and the non-radiative transitions of Sm2+ are studied and a coupled-phonon energy about 50 cm(-1) is obtained. The thermal effects on the line shift, emission intensities, half-width and lifetime of the D-5(0) --> F-7(0) transition are also studied. The decay curves at different temperatures are all in single exponential and are temperature-independent with lifetime around 3.5 ms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.