Synthesis and characterization of novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers with pendant carboxylic acid groups for proton exchange membranes

A series of novel side-chain-type sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone)s with pendant carboxylic acid groups copolymers (C-SPAEKs) were synthesized by direct copolymerization of sodium 5,5'-carbonyl-bis(2-fluorobenzenesulfonate), 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone and 4,4'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) valeric acid (DPA). The expected structure of the sulfonated copolymers was confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR. Membranes with good thermal and mechanical stability could be obtained by solvent cast process. It should be noted that the proton conductivity of these copolymers with high sulfonation degree (DS > 0.6) was higher than 0.03 S cm(-1) and increased with increasing temperature. At 80 degrees C, the conductivity of C-SPAEK-3 (DS = 0.6) and C-SPAEK-4 (DS = 0.8) reached up to 0.12 and 0.16 S cm-1, respectively, which were higher than that of Nafion 117 (0.10 S cm(-1)).

Size-tailored synthesis and luminescent properties of one-dimensional Gd2O3 : Eu3+ nanorods and microrods

Nearly monodisperse and well-defined one-dimensional (1D) Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanorods and microrods were successfully prepared through a large-scale and facile hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment process, without using any catalyst or template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The size of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods could be modulated from micro- to nanoscale with the increase of pH value using ammonia solution. The as-formed product via the hydrothermal process, Gd(OH)(3):Eu3+, could transform to cubic Gd2O3:Eu3+ with the same morphology and a slight shrinking in size after a postannealing process.

Synthesis and self-assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PHEMA) was synthesized by successive atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA) monomer using PEO-Br macroinitiator as initiator, CuBr/CuBr2 and 2,2.-bipyridyl (bpy) as catalyst and ligand. IR, H-1 NMR, and GPC analysis indicate that PEO-b-PHEMA block copolymer with low polydispersity index (M-w/M-n approximate to 1.1) has been formed. Self-assembly of this double hydrophilic block copolymer in the selective solvent and water was also studied. Owing to the high hydrophilic nature of the PEO and PHEMA blocks, this double hydrophilic block copolymer cannot disperse well in water. So block copolymer was modified by part esterification of PEO-b-PHEMA with acetic anhydride, which increased the hydrophobic group of the PHEMA block. The TEM results show that this block copolymer spontaneously form well-defined micelles in water.

Cinnamate-Functionalized Poly(ester-carbonate): Synthesis and Its UV Irradiation-Induced Photo-Crosslinking

A functionalized. cyclic carbonate monomer containing a cinnamate moiety, 5-methyl-5-cinnamoyloxymethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MC), was prepared for the first time with 1,1,1-tri(hydroxymethyl) ethane as a starting material. Subsequent polymerization of the new cyclic carbonate and its copolymerization with L-lactide (LA) were successfully performed with diethyl zinc (ZnEt2) as initiator/catalyst. NMR was used for microstructure identification of the obtained monomer and copolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize the functionalized poly(ester-carbonate). The results indicated that the copolymers displayed a single glass transition temperature (T-g) and the T, decreased with increasing carbonate content and followed the Fox equation, indicative of a random microstructure of the copolymer. The photo-crosslinking of the cinnamate-carrying copolymer was also demonstrated.

Synthesis and Stabilization of Novel Aliphatic Polycarbonate from Renewable Resource

A novel aliphatic polycarbonate from renewable resource was prepared by copolymerization of furfuryl glycidyl ether and CO2 using rare earth ternary catalyst; its number-average molecular weight (M-n) reached 13.3 x 10(4) g/mol. The furfuryl glycidyl ether and CO2 copolymer (PFGEC) was easy to become yellowish at ambient atmosphere due to post polymerization cross-linking reaction oil the furan ring; the gel content was 17.2 wt % after 24 h exposure to air at room temperature. PFGEC could be stabilized by addition of antioxidant 1010 (tetrakis[methylene (3.5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxhydrocinnamate)]methane) in 0.5-3 wt % after copolymerization. The Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between N-phenylmaleimide and the pendant furan ring was also effective for the stabilization of PFGEC by reducing the amount of furan ring and introducing bulky groups into PFGEC. The cyclization degree could reach 72.1% when the molar ratio of N-phenylmaleimide to furan ring was 3: 1, and no gel was observed after 24 h exposure to air. The glass transition temperature (T-g) of PFGEC was 6.8 degrees C, and it increased to 40.3 degrees C after DA reaction (molar ratio of N-phenylmaleimide to furan ring was 3: 1).

Novel vanadium(III) complexes with bidentate N,N-chelating iminopyrrolide ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalytic behaviour of ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 10-undecen-1-ol

A series of novel vanadium(III) complexes bearing iminopyrrolide chelating ligands [2-(RN=CH)C4H3N]V(THF)(2)Cl-2 (2a: R = cyclohexyl; 2b: R = Ph; 2c: R = 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3); 2d: R = p-CF3C6H4; 2e: R = C6F5) have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that complexes 2a, 2c and 2e adopt an octahedral geometry around the vanadium center. In the presence of Et2AlCl as a co-catalyst, these complexes displayed high catalytic activities up to 48.6 kg PE mmol(V)(-1) h(-1) bar(-1) for ethylene polymerization, and produced high molecular weight polymers. 2a-e/Et2AlCl catalytic systems were tolerant to elevated temperature (70 degrees C) and yielded unimodal polyethylenes, indicating the single site behaviour of these catalysts. By pre-treating with equimolar amounts of alkylaluminums, functional alpha-olefin 10-undecen-1-ol can be efficiently incorporated into polyethylene chains. 10-Undecen-1-ol incorporation can easily reach 15.8 mol% under the mild conditions.

Synthesis and characterization of the titanium complexes bearing two regioisomeric trifluoromethyl-containing enaminoketonato ligands and their behavior in ethylene polymerization

A series of new titanium complexes bearing two regioisomeric trifluoromethyl-containing enaminoketonato ligands (3a-h and 6a-h), [PhN=CRCHC(CF3)O](2)TiCl2 (3a, R = Me; 3b, R = n-C5H11; 3c, R = i-Pr; 3d, R = Cy; 3e, R = t-Bu; 3f, R = CH=CHPh; 3g, R = Et; 3h, R = n-C11H23) and [PhN=C(CF3)CHC(R)O](2)TiCl2 (6a, R = Ph; 6b, R = n-C5H11; 6c, R = i-Pr; 6d, R = Cy; 6e, R = t-Bu; 6f, R = CH=CHPh; 6g, R = CHPh2; 6h, R = CF3) have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures analyses suggest that complexes 3c-e and 6c-d all adopt a distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. Complexes 3c, 3d and 6c display a cis-configuration of the two chlorine atoms around the titanium center, while complex 6d shows a trans-configuration of the two chlorine atoms. Especially, the configurational isomers (cis and trans) of complex 3e were identified both in solution and in the solid state by NMR and X-ray analyses. With modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, all the complexes are active towards ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight polymers.

Facile synthesis of highly uniform octahedral LuVO4 microcrystals by a facile chemical conversion method

Uniform octahedral LuVO4 microcrystals have been successfully prepared through a designed two-step hydrothermal method. One-dimensional lutetium precursor was first prepared through a simple hydrothermal route. Subsequently, a well-shaped octahedral LuVO4 sample was synthesized at the expense of the wirelike precursors during the hydrothermal process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous conditions without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The conversion process from nanowire precursor to octahedral product has been investigated in detail. The LuVO4 : Ln(3+) (Ln Eu, Dy, Sm, and Er) phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet light excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation. Furthermore, this general and facile method may be of much significance in the synthesis of many other lanthanide compounds with polyhedral morphology.

Facile chemical conversion synthesis and luminescence properties of uniform Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb)-doped NaLuF4 nanowires and LuBO3 microdisks

Uniform NaLuF(4) nanowires and LuBO(3) microdisks have been successfully prepared by a designed chemical conversion method. The lutetium precursor nanowires were first prepared through a simple hydrothermal process. Subsequently, uniform NaLuF(4) nanowires and LuBO(3) microdisks were synthesized at the expense of the precursor by a hydrothermal conversion process. The whole process was carried out in aqueous condition without any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The conversion processes from precursor to the final products have been investigated in detail. The as-obtained Eu(3+) and Tb(3+)-doped LuBO(3) microdisks and NaLuF(4) nanowires show strong characteristic red and green emissions under ultraviolet excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation. Moreover, the luminescence colors of the Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) codoped LuBO(3) samples can be tuned from red, orange, yellow, and green-yellow to green by simply adjusting the relative doping concentrations of the activator ions under a single wavelength excitation, which might find potential applications in the fields such as light display systems and optoelectronic devices.

Uniform Lanthanide Orthoborates LnBO(3) (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) Microplates: General Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

A variety of uniform lanthanide orthoborates LnBO(3) (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) microplates have been successfully prepared by a general and facile conversion method. One-dimensional (ID) lanthanide hydroxides were first prepared through a simple hydrothermal process. Subsequently, uniform LnBO(3) microplates were synthesized at the expense of the ID precursors during a hydrothermal conversion process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous condition without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The as-obtained rare earth ions doped GdBO3 and TbBO3 microplates show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel display devices.

Facile Surfactant- and Template-Free Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of One-Dimensional Lu2O3:Eu3+ Phosphors

Uniform Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanorods and nanowires have been successfully prepared through a simple solution-based hydrothermal process followed by a subsequent calcination process without using any surfactant, catalyst, or template. On the basis of X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results, it can be assumed that the as-obtained precursors have the structure formula of Lu4O(OH)(9)(NO3), which is a new phase and has not been reported. The morphology of the precursors could be modulated from nanorods to nanowires with the increase of pH value using ammonia solution. The as-formed precursors could transform to cubic Lu2O3:Eu3+ with the same morphology and a slight shrinkage in size after an annealing process, Both the Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanorods and nanowires exhibit the strong red emission corresponding to the D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions under UV light excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation.

Facile synthesis of platinum nanoelectrocatalyst with urchinlike morphology

A very simple and effective wet chemical route to direct synthesis of well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles with urchinlike morphology is proposed, which was carried out by simply mixing H2PtCl6 aqueous solution and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) with the initial molar ratios of 1:3.5 kept constant at 30 degrees C for 3 days in the presence of formic acid. As-prepared urchinlike Pt nanostructures showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of dioxygen and oxidation of methanol and could be used as a promising nanoelectrocatalyst.

Double-template synthesis of platinum nanomaterials for oxygen reduction

Gas bubble dynamic template, a new green and promising template, can be used to prepare nanostructured materials with different shapes from electrochemical deposition processes. Different morphological platinum nanomaterials have been synthesized by the replacement reaction of the deposited copper nanomaterials which were obtained under negative potential along with H-2 evolution (dynamic template) at a glassy carbon electrode. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical methods were adopted to characterize their structures and properties. The nanomaterials platinum exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction. The results demonstrated that the strategy is a simple, cost-effective, and potent method to prepare platinum nanomaterials.

Synthesis of Arm-6 polystyrene by atom transfer radical polymerization

A new initiator for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), (Cl-2 HCCOO)(3) -C-6 H-3, (TrDCAP),has been designed and successfully synthesized. ATRP of styrene was carried out by using TrDCAP as hexafunctional initiator and the CuCl/bpy catalyst at 130 degrees C in 30% THF via core-first strategy. The Arm-6 PS-AAP was synthesized by etherealization of Arm-6 PS and 4-(4'-methoxyphenylazomethine) phenol (AAP). The initiator and the architectures of the Arm-6 PS were confirmed by H-1-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis and GPC.

One-step synthesis of palladium/SBA-15 nanocomposites and its catalytic application

Well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles in mesoporous SBA- 15 SiO2 were prepared in a facile one-step approach during sol-gel route under reductive atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that as-synthesized nanocomposites basically remain ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructure while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study exhibits a well dispersion of palladium nanoparticles within the mesoporous SBA-15 channels. The size of Pd nanoparticles is approximately in the range of 5-10nm. However, the resulting nanocomposites exhibit a highly catalytic activity and reused ability at least after five recycles without ligand in air for both the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions.