Fabrication and characterization of CdTe nanoparticles attached to poly(4-vinylpyridine) nanofibers

The major objective of this work was to characterize the status of CdTe nanoparticles attached to the surface of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images indicated that the attachment of CdTe nanoparticles enlarged the diameter of P4VP nanofibers. Moreover, the results of the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum and the electron diffraction pattern revealed that the deposition on the surface of P4VP nanofibers was CdTe in a cubic lattice

Hole-transporting polymers containing carbazol-3,9-diyl and 1,4-phenylene fragments in the main chain

New carbazole-based polymers, which contain various content of electro-active fragments in the main chain connected via alkylene spacers, have been synthesized by Ni(0)-catalyzed Yamamoto-type aryl-aryl coupling reactions. These compounds represent amorphous materials of high thermal stability with glass-transition temperatures of 139-151 degrees C and thermal decomposition starting at temperatures above 400 degrees C. UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence emission spectra of the materials confirmed that the conjugated segments in the macromolecules are rather short.

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/aminopropyltriethoxysilane/phosphotungstic acid hybrid membranes with non-covalent bond: Characterization, thermal stability, and proton conductivity

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) hybrid membranes doped with different weight ratio of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) were prepared by the casting procedure, as well as PWA as a catalyst for sol-gel process of KH550. The chemical structures of hybrid membranes were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of hybrid membranes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results had proved the uniform and homogeneous distribution of KH550 and PWA in these hybrid membranes.

Biodegradable Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Methoxy Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(alpha,L-glutamic acid) and Chitosan

We synthesized methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(alpha,L-glutamic acid) (mPEGGA) diblock copolymer by ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxy anhydride of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate (NCA) using amino-terminated methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) as macroinitiator. Polyelectrolyte complexation between mPEGGA as neutral-block-polyanion and chitosan (CS) as polycation has been scrutinized in aqueous solution as well as in the solid state.

Properties of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-ionic liquid composite film and its application in the determination of trace metals combined with bismuth film electrode

A new kind of bismuth film modified electrode to sensitively detect trace metal ions based on incorporating highly conductive ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6) in solid matrices at glassy carbon (GC) was investigated. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), silica, and Nafion were selected as the solid matrices. The electrochemical properties of the mixed films modified GC were evaluated. The electron transfer rate of Fe(CN)(6)(4-)/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) can be effectively improved at the PSS-BMIMPF6 modified GC.

Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Compatibilized Poly(butylene terephthalate) Blends: Effect of Functional Groups and Dynamic Curing

Two sets of graft copolymers were prepared by grafting glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) or ally] (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate (TAI) onto ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer (EPDM) in an internal mixer. These graft copolymers were used as the compatibilizer to prepare the thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) containing 50 wt%, of poly(butylene terephthalate), PBT, 30 wt% of compatibilizer, and 20 wt% of nitrile-butadiene rubber, NBR. The indirect, two-step mixer process was chosen for dynamic curing.

Phase Behavior and self-assembly of poly[N-vinylformamide-co-(acrylic acid)] copolymers under highly acidic conditions

Copolymers of N-vinylformamide and acrylic acid were synthesized by conventional aqueous free-radical polymerization. The phase behavior of the copolymer solutions was investigated through the addition of hydrochloric acid and the variation of the temperature. With a moderate content of N-vinylformamide, the copolymers showed complex phase behaviors. Under low-acidity conditions, a suspending liquid was formed, whereas under high-acidity conditions, the random copolymers could assemble into round nanoparticles with a broad particle size distribution.

Facile synthesis of 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes and poly(9,10-diarylphenanthrene)s

One-pot reduction of 9,10-diaryl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-9,10-diols to 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes was achieved with Zn/H+ in acetic acid. Accordingly, various novel phenanthrenes and polyphenanthrenes with efficient blue emission were easily synthesized.

Study on the Cell Structure and Compressive Behavior of Biodegradable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Foam

Biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) foams with a series of controlled structures were prepared by using chemical foaming method. The cell morphology was detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The compressive behavior of the foams was investigated by uniaxial compression test. The effect of density and structural parameters on the foam compressive behavior was analyzed. It was found that the relative compressive modulus has a power law relationship with relative density. Increasing of both the cell wall thickness and the cell density lead to higher compressive modulus of the foam; however, the cell size has no distinct effect on compressive behavior.

Crystallization and morphology of poly(ethylene oxide-b-lactide) crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers

The crystallization behaviors and morphology of asymmetric crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers poly(ethylene oxide-lactide) (PEO-b-PLLA) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and microscopic techniques (polarized optical microscopy (POM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)). Both blocks of PEO5-b-PLLA(16) can be crystallized, which was confirmed by WAXD, while PEO block in PEO5-b-PLLA(30) is difficult to crystallize because of the confinement induced by the high glass transition temperature and crystallization of PLLA block with the microphase separation of the block copolymer.

Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] as hydrolytically and thermooxidatively stable proton conducting ionomers

Novel sulfonated poly [bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] as hydrolytically and thermooxidatively stable electrolyte for high -temperature fuel cell applications are reported. A series of sulfonated polymers (SPBIBI-x, x refers to molar percentage of sulfonated dianhydride monomer) were synthesized from 6,6'-disulfonic-4,4'-binaphthyl-1,1',8,8'-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (SBTDA), 4,4-binaphthyl-1,1,8,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine. The chemical structures of those polymers as well as model compounds synthesized from SBTDA and o-phenylenediamine were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR).

Highly efficient red electroluminescent polymers with dopant/host system and molecular dispersion feature: polyfluorene as the host and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivatives as the red dopant

By selecting polyfluorene as the polymer host, choosing 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivative moieties as the red dopant units and covalently attaching 0.3 mol% of the dopant units to the side chain of the polymer host, we developed a novel series of red electroluminescent polymers of dopant/host system with molecular dispersion feature. Their EL spectra exhibited predominant red emission from the dopant units because of the energy transfer and charge trapping from the polymer backbone to the dopant units. The emission wavelength of the polymers could be tuned by modifying the chemical structures of the dopant units.

Morphology and crystalline transition of poly (3-butylthiophene) associated with its polymorphic modifications

Poly (3-butylthiophene) (P3BT) is a much less studied conjugated polymer despite its high crystallizability and thus excellent electrical property. In this work, morphology of P3BT at different crystalline polymorphs and solvent/thermal induced phase transition between form I and U modifications have been intensively investigated by using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. It is shown that a direct deposition from carbon disulfide (CS2) at fast evaporation results in P3BT crystals in form I modification, giving typical whiskerlike morphology. In contrast, low evaporation rate from CS, leads to formation of form II crystals with spherulitic morphology, which is so far scarcely observed in polythiophene.

Surface modification of bioactive glass nanoparticles and the mechanical and biological properties of poly(L-lactide) composites

Novel bioactive glass (13G) nanoparticles/poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) composites were prepared as promising bone-repairing materials. The BG nanoparticles (Si:P:Ca = 29:13:58 weight ratio) of about 40 run diameter were prepared via the sol-gel method. In order to improve the phase compatibility between the polymer and the inorganic phase, PLLA (M-n = 9700 Da) was linked to the surface of the BG particles by diisocyanate. The grafting ratio of PLLA was in the vicinity of 20 wt.%. The grafting modification could improve the tensile strength, tensile modulus and impact energy of the composites by increasing the phase compatibility.

Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable poly(carbonate ester)s with photolabile protecting groups

Novel biodegradable poly(carbonate ester)s with photolabile protecting groups were synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization Of L-lactide (LA) with 5-methyl-5-(2-nitro-benzoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MNC) with diethyl zinc (Et2Zn) as catalyst. The poly(L-lactide-co-5-methyl-5-carboxyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one) (P(LA-co-MCC)) was obtained by UV irradiation Of poly(L-lactide acid-co-5-methyl-5-(2-nitro-benzoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-one) (P(LA-co-MNC)) to remove the protective 2-nitrobenzyl group.