Deformation mechanism of polystyrene toughened with sub-micrometer monodisperse rubber particles

Core-shell polybutadiene-graft-polystyrene (PB-g-PS) rubber particles with different ratios of polybutadiene to polystyrene were prepared by emulsion polymerization through grafting styrene onto polybutadiene latex. The weight ratio of polybutadiene to polystyrene ranged from 50/50 to 90/10. These core-shell rubber particles were then blended with polystyrene to prepare PS/PB-g-PS blends with a constant rubber content of 20 wt%. PB-g-PS particles with a lower PB/PS ratio (<= 570/30) form a homogeneous dispersion in the polystyrene matrix, and the Izod notched impact strength of these blends is higher than that of commercial high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). It is generally accepted that polystyrene can only be toughened effectively by 1-3 mu m rubber particles through a toughening mechanism of multiple crazings. However, the experimental results show that polystyrene can actually be toughened by monodisperse sub-micrometer rubber particles. Scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surface and stress-whitening zone of blends with a PB/PS ratio of 70/30 in PB-g-PS copolymer reveal a novel toughening mechanism of modified polystyrene, which may be shear yielding of the matrix, promoted by cavitation.

Estimation thermal expansion coefficient from lattice energy for inorganic crystals

By using the study of the lattice energy and the structural parameters of binary inorganic crystals, a new parameter reflecting the thermal expansion property has been found, the relation between the linear expansion coefficient and new parameter has been established. A semiempirical method for evaluation of linear expansion coefficient from the lattice energy is presented, and developed to the complex crystals. The estimated values of the linear expansion coefficients of both simple and complex crystals are in good agreement with the experimental values.

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.

Electrochemical detection of DNA immobilized on gold colloid particles modified self-assembled monolayer electrode with silver nanoparticle label

The target DNA was immobilized successfully on gold colloid particles associated with a cysteamine monolayer on gold electrode surface. Self-assembly of colloidal An onto a cysteamine modified gold electrode can enlarge the electrode surface area and enhance greatly the amount of immobilized single stranded DNA (ssDNA). The electrontransfer processes of [Fe(CN)(6)](4)-/[Fe(CN)(6)](3-) on the gold surface were blocked due to the procedures of the target DNA immobilization, which was investigated by impedance spectroscopy. Then single stranded target DNA immobilized on the gold electrode hybridized with the silver nanoparticle-oligonucleotide DNA probe, followed by the release of the silver metal atoms anchored on the hybrids by oxidative metal dissolution, and the indirect determination of the released solubilized Ag-1 ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a carbon fiber microelectrode. The results show that this method has good correlation for DNA detection in the range of 10-800 pmol/1 and allows the detection level as low as 5 pmol/1 of the target oligonucleotides.

Patterning and photolumine scent properties of perovskite-type organic/inorganic hybrid luminescent films by soft lithography

Perovskite-type organic/inorganic hybrid layered compound (C6H5C2H4NH3)(2)PbI4 was synthesized. The patterning Of (C6H5C2H4NH3)(2)PbI4 thin films on silicon substrate was realized by the micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) process, a kind of soft lithography. Bright green luminescent stripes with different widths (50, 15, 0.8 mum) have been obtained. The structure and optical properties Of (C6H5C2H4NH3)(2)PbI4 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, respectively. It is shown that the organic-inorganic layered (C6H5C2H4NH3)(2)PbI4 film was c-axis oriented, paralleling to the substrate plane. Green exciton emission at 525 nm was observed in the film, and the explanations for it were given.

Patterning and optical properties rhodamine B-doped organic-inorganic silica films fabricated by sol-gel soft lithography

Rhodamine B (RB)-doped organic-inorganic silica films and their patterning were fabricated by a sol-gel process combined with a soft lithography. The resulted film samples were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), optical microscope and UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The effects of the concentration of the RB dye and heat treatment temperature on the optical properties of the hybrid silica films have been studied. Four kinds of patterning structures with film line widths of 5, 10, 20 and 50 mum have been obtained by micromolding in capillaries by a soft lithography technique. The RB-doped hybrid silica films present a red color, with an excitation and emission bands around 564 and 585 mum, respectively. With increasing the RB concentration, the emission intensity of the RB-doped hybrid silica films increases and the emission maximum presents a red shift. The emission intensity of the films decreases with increasing the heat treatment temperatures.

Multifunctional organic-inorganic multilayer films of tris(2,2 '-bipyridine)ruthenium and decatungstate

A new multifunctional multilayer films consisting of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Rubpy) and sodium decatungstate (W-10) have been prepared by the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method on ITO substrate. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) confirmed the existence of W10 and Rubpy. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated the uniform assembly of (W-10/Rubpy) multilayer films. The multilayer films possess electrocatalytic activities on the reduction of iodate and oxidation of oxalate. Moreover, the films exhibited electrochemiluminescence (ECL) with tripropylamine (abbreviated as TPA) as the coreactant and the ECL response was proportional to the number of (W-10/Rubpy) layers. These characteristics of the multilayer films might find potential applications in the field of sensors and materials fields.

Synthesis, electrocatalytic properties and crystal structure of a new organic-inorganic hybrid constructed from dodecamolybdophosphoric acid and benzotriazole

A new compound, (C6H6N3)(7)((PMo12O40)-O-m)(PMo(v)Mo(11)(m)O40) (.) 2CH(3)CH(2)OH (.) 5H(2)O, was synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, H-1 NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. This is the first example of benzotriazole-polyoxometalates species. The compound crystallized in a triclinic space group P (1) over bar with a = 1. 8378 (4) nm. b = 1. 9078 (4) nm. c = 2.1037 (4) nm. alpha = 63.41 (3)degrees. beta = 64.31 (3)degrees. gamma = 68.38 (3)degrees. V = 5.803 (2) nm(3). Z = 2. R-1 = 0.0486, wR(2) = 0.1357. The X-ray crystallographic study showed that the crystal structure was constructed by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds between dodecamolybdophosphorate anions and protonated benzotriazole cations. The electrochemical behavior and the reduction of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide clectrocatalyzed by the title compound were studied.

Electrode characteristics and microstructure of AB(2)-AB(5) composite hydrogen storage alloy formed by ball-milling process

For improving the electrode characteristics of the Zr-based AB(2)-type alloy, a new kind of composite hydrogen Zr0.9Ti0.1(Ni0.50Mn0.35V0.15)(2)(represented as AB(2)) with a rare storage alloy was successfully prepared by ball-milling I earth-based AB(5)-type alloy (represented as AB(5)) which worked as a surface modifier. Effects of ball-milling on the electrode characteristics and microstructure of Zr0.9Ti0.1(Ni0.50Mn0.35V0.15)(2) alloy and mixtures of AB(2) with AB(5) alloy were investigated. After milling the mixed AB(2) and AB(5) powders (9: 1 in mass ratio) for 10min, XRD and SEM analysis showed that AB(2) and AB(5) maintained their original crystalline states, respectively, some AB(5) particles were adhered onto the surface of AB(2), and some fresh surfaces were formed. It was found that the activation cycles of AB(2)-AB(5) composite alloy was shortened from 14 to 7 and the maximum discharge capacity was increased from 330mAh . g(-1) to 347mAh . g(-1) as compared with AB(2) alloy. The discharge rate capability of AB(2) alloy was also improved by ball milling AB(2) with AB(5) alloy process. The combined effect of ball-milling and mixing with AB(5) alloy is superior to that of sole treatment. It was believed that AB(5) alloy works not only as a regular hydrogen storage alloy, but also as a surface modifier to catalyze the hydriding/ dehydriding process of AB(2) alloy.

Lattice energy estimation for inorganic ionic crystals

An empirical method based on chemical bond theory for the estimation of the lattice energy for ionic crystals has been proposed. The lattice energy contributions have been partitioned into bond dependent terms. For an individual bond, the lattice energy contribution made by it has been separated into ionic and covalent parts. Our calculated values of lattice energies agree well with available experimental and theoretical values for diverse ionic crystals. This method, which requires detailed crystallographic information and elaborate computation, might be extended and possibly yield further insights with respect to bond properties of materials.

Confining conducting polyaniline in a stable inorganic network

Water soluble conducting polyaniline with electrical conductivity of 10(-1)-10(-2) S/cm was prepared employing dopant induced water solubility technology. The water resistance of the conducting film was significantly improved employing,sol-gel hybrids method, especially when the conductive polyaniline loading was below 30 wt%. The reason for the improvement is that the conducting polyaniline chains are confined in a stable inorganic network.

Photochromic behavior and luminescent properties of novel hybrid organic-inorganic film doped with Preyssler's heteropoly acid H-12[EuP5W30O110] and polyvinylpyrrolidone

A novel hybrid photochromic composite film composed of Preyssler's heteropoly acid H-12[EuP5W30O110] (EuP5W30) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was prepared by dip-coating method. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the surface topography. The change of characteristic peak in the infrared spectra (IR) was investigated. The TG curve showed three steps of weight loss and approximately revealed the composition of the hybrid film. Ultraviolet-visible adsorption spectra (UV-VIS) and electron resonance spectrum (ESR) were used to investigate the photochromic behavior and mechanism of hybrid film. The photoluminescent behavior of the film at room temperature was investigated to show the characteristic Eu3+ emission pattern of D-5(o)-F-7(J). The occurrence of photoluminescent activity confirms the potential for creating luminescent thin film with polyoxometalates (POMs).

Hybrid organic-inorganic compounds doped with terbium carboxyl complexes produced in situ via a sol-gel approach

In situ synthesis of terbium carboxyl complexes in an organic-inorganic hybrid matrix by a sol-gel process has been proposed. The formation of terbium carboxyl complexes in the hybrid matrix is confirmed by the luminescence spectra and IR spectra. It is observed that the location at the amino group in aminobenzoic acid has a large effect on the luminescence properties and lifetimes. Furthermore, the emission intensity decreases with increasing temperature.

An unusual organic-inorganic chain-like hybrid complex [(CuCl)(2)(o-phen)](infinity) (o-phen=o-phenanthroline)

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid complex [(CuCl)(2) (o-phen)](infinity) 1 (o-phen = o-phenanthroline) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, XPS spectrum, TG analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, a = 3.7285(7) Angstrom, b = 19.603(4) Angstrom, c = 16.757(3) Angstrom, beta = 95.83(3)degrees, V = 1218.4(4) Angstrom(3), Z = 4, lambda(MoKalpha) = 0.71073 Angstrom (R(F) = 0.0643 for 2559 reflections). Data were collected on an R-axis RAPID diffractometer at 293 K in the range of 1.60 < θ < 27.48degrees. The title compound exhibits a one-dimensional chain-like scaffolding constructed by the unusual [Cu3Cl3] hexagon motifs by, sharing opposite edges. Only Cu(1) sites of the [Cu3Cl3] hexagon are coordinated with N donors of o-phen groups. Furthermore, the three-dimensional supermolecular architecture is formed by C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds between o-phen groups and CuCl chains.