Evolution of phase morphology of high impact polypropylene particles upon thermal treatment

Solvent fractionation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that high impact polypropylene (hiPP) produced by a multistage polymerization process consists of PP homopolymer, amorphous ethylene-propylene random copolymer (EPR), and semicrystalline ethylene-propylene copolymer. For the original hiPP particles obtained right after polymerization, direct transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation reveals a fairly homogeneous morphology of the ethylene-propylene copolymer (EP) phase regions inside, while the polyethylene-rich interfacial layer observed between the EP region and the iPP matrix supports that EP copolymers form on the subglobule surface of the original iPP particles. Compared with that in original hiPP particles, the dispersed EP domains in pellets have much smaller average size and relatively uniform size distribution, indicating homogenization of the EP domains in the hiPP by melt-compounding. Upon heat-treatment, phase reorganization occurs in hiPP, and the dispersed EP domains can form a multiple-layered core-shell structure, comprising a polyethylene-rich core, an EPR intermediate layer and an outer shell formed by EP block copolymer, which accounts to some extent for the good toughness-rigidity balance of the material.

Construction of metal nanoparticle/multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrid nanostructures providing the most accessible reaction sites

Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were selected as cross-linkers to construct three-dimensional (3D) porous nanoparticle/MWNT hybrid nanostructures by "bottom-up'' self-assembly. The resultant 3D hybrid nanostructure was different from that of metal nanoparticle multilayer assemblies prepared by traditional routes using small molecules or polymers as cross-linkers. The rigidity of the MWNTs resulted in only partial coverage of the nanoparticle surfaces between the linkers during the growth of multilayer film, providing more accessible surfaces to allow target molecules to adsorb on to and react with. HRP was used as a simple model to study the porosity of this assembly.

Highly oriented tunable wrinkling in polymer bilayer films confined with a soft mold induced by water vapor

The authors report the formation of highly oriented wrinkling on the surface of the bilayer [polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)] confined by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold in a water vapor environment. When PVP is subjected to water vapor, the polymer loses its mechanical rigidity and changes to a viscous state, which leads to a dramatic change in Young's modulus. This change generates the amount of strain in the bilayer to induce the wrinkling. With a shape-controlled mold, they can get the ordered wrinkles perfectly perpendicular or leaned 45 S to the channel orientation of the mold because the orientation of the resultant force changes with the process of water diffusion which drives the surface to form the wrinkling. Additionally, they can get much smaller wrinkles than the stripe spacing of PDMS mold about one order. The wrinkle period changes with the power index of about 0.5 for various values of the multiplication product of the film thicknesses of the two layers, namely, lambda similar to (h(PS)h(PVP))(1/2).

Enhanced affinochromism of polydiacetylene monolayer in response to bacteria by incorporating US nano-crystallites

By incorporating bio-specific receptors, such as p-10,12-pentacosadiyne-1-N-(3,6,9-trioxaundecylamide)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (MPDA), into 10,12-pentacosadiyonic acid (PDA) monolayer, the MPDA/PDA monolayer underwent affinochromatic transition in response to the bacteria binding to the receptor. Here, we described a new method to study the membrane/macromolececular interaction between Escherichia coli (E coli) and mannose and its relative affinochromism by modifying MPDA/PDA with CdS nano-crystallites (MPDA/PDA-CdS). CdS not only triggered the strong tropism of the bacteria but also reduced the rigidity of the MPDA/PDA backbone, resulting in the enhanced affinochromism. This discovery might be of significance in basic biophysical studies of membrane/macromolececular and designing novel biosensor.

Mannose-Escherichia coli interaction in the presence of metal cations studied in vitro by colorimetric polydiacetylene/glycolipid liposomes

Supramolecular assemblies of liposomes (vesicles) made of diacetylenic lipids and synthetic mannoside derivative glycolipid receptors were successfully used to mimic the molecular recognition occurring between mannose and Escherichia coli. This specific molecular recognition was translated into visible blue-to-red color transition (biochromism) of the polymerized liposomes, readily quantified by UV-visible spectroscopy. Some transition metal cations (Cd2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+ and Ni2+) and alkali earth metal cations (Ca2+, Mg2+ and Ba2+) were introduced into the system to analyze their effects on specific biochromism. Results showed that the presence of Cd2+, Ag+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Ba2+ enhanced biochromisin. A possible enhancement mechanism was proposed in the process of bacterial adhesion to host cells. However, Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ exhibited inhibitory effects that cooperated with diacetylene lipid with a carboxylic group and increased the rigidity of the liposomal outer leaflet, blocking changes in the side chain conformation and electrical structure of polydiacetylene polymer during biochromism.

Monte Carlo simulation of the aggregation of rod-flexible triblock copolymers in a thin film

The aggregation of rod-flexible ABA and BAB triblock (A was rod block and repulsive with block B) copolymers in a thin film was studied as a function of varying the rigidity (eta) and the length of the rod block by Monte Carlo simulation. The rigidity of block A was defined as eta = R-c/R-max in this study. R-c, was the end-to-end distance below which the conformation of the block was not allowed, whereas R-max, was the longest end-to-end distance that the block could be. If eta = 0 the block was flexible, whereas if eta = 1 the block was a straight rod. The simulation results showed that the ABA triblock copolymer film were likely to form lamella structure with increasing the rigidity (eta) of block A. The lamellas were parallel each other and perpendicular to the film surface. However, the aggregation of BAB triblock copolymers tended to change from lamella to cylinder structure with increasing the rigidity (eta) of block A. Typical lamella and cylinder co-exist structure was obtained at eta = 0.504 for the BAB copolymer film. On the other hand, the simulation results indicated that the film changed from disorder to order, then to disorder structure with increasing the relative length of B block for both ABA and BAB copolymer films.

Preparation and characterization of post-derivatives from functional polystyrene (ATRP) with p-nitroaniline-azomethine phenol and their thermal and optical study

The functional polystyrene, (Cl-PS)(2)-CHCOOCH2CH2OH ( designated as XPSt and coded P2) was prepared by ATRP at 130(0)C using CuCl and bipyridine as catalysts, 2,2-dichloro acetate-ethylene glycol (DCAG) as multifunctional initiator and THF as solvent. 4-Nitoroaniline azomethine-4' phenol (P1) as chromophores were covalently linked to the functional end groups of the polymer by using simple displacement reaction. The functional polystyrenes, namely XPSt (P2) and (PS)(2)-CHCOOCH2CH2OH, designated as X-PSt and coded P3 and their post-derivatives, namely, DXPSt (P4) and DX-PSt (P5) respectively were characterized by IR, NMR and UV spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM) and XRD studies. DSC showed that incorporation of chromophores in the side chains of polymers towards the polystyrene moiety increases the rigidity of the polymer and subsequently, its glass transition temperature; however the incorporation of side chain towards the alcoholic functional group decreases the glass transition temperature. The post derivatives do not play any significant role to increase the thermal stability ( TGA).

Local structure and valences of samariurn in SrB4O7 : Sm and SrB6O10 : Sm prepared in-air

The coordination numbers for the samarium atoms and the Sm-O bond distances in SrB4O7:Sm and SrB6O10:Sm prepared in air were determined by means of Sm-L-3 edge EXAFS. The coordination. was found to be nine-folded for both these hosts and the bond distance was 2.40-2.42 Angstrom in SrB4O7:Sm and 2.42-2.44 Angstrom in SrB6O10:Sm. For SrB4O7:Sm the coordination number is coincident with that of the strontium. atoms suggesting the substitution of the samarium atoms at the strontium sites. The coordination number of the strontium atoms in SrB6O10 was also suggested to be nine assuming the same type of substitution. The valences of samarium were determined from the luminescent spectra. Both divalent and trivalent ions were present in both SrB4O7:Sm and SrB6O10:Sm, while the fraction of Sm2+ was higher in the former than in the latter. This difference has been assigned to the difference in rigidity between the B-O networks in these structures.

SeGPX activity of three organoselenium-containing cyclodextrins and their scavenging effects on HO center dot

Three organoselenium-containing derivatives of beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CD), mono-6-benzylseleno-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin (compound 1), 6,6'-trimethylenediseleno bridged beta-cyclodextrin dimer(compound 2) and 6,6'- (o-phenylene)diseleno bridged beta-cyclodextrin dimer (compound 3) functioned as mimics of selenium-containing glutathione peroxidase(SeGPX). Acting on H2O2 and GSH, the SeGPX activities of these compounds were 0.83-, 0.26-, and 1. 23-fold of that of Ebselen (0.99 U/mu mol), respectively. The relationship between the structure and the function of these compounds was studied. The results suggested that the hydrophobicity and rigidity of phenyl group is the main reason that accounted for the higher activity of compounds 3 and 1. Phenyl group not only provided the hydrophobic circumstance which is necessary for the catalytic function of selenium, but also make it possible that the cyclodextrin unit of compounds 1 and 3 combines the substrate with a more effective direction. Fluorometric techniques were utilized to determine the yields of the hydroxyl radical produced by Fenton reactions through the formation of hydroxy benzoic acids from benzoate. Compared with Ebselen which showed a significant inhibition effect on the formation of HO., these organoselenium-containing cyclodextrins showed a little scavenging effect on the formation of HO. throughout the whole process.

LOCAL MAIN-CHAIN DYNAMICS OF PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLYETHERSULFONE

Local main chain dynamics of dissolved phenolphthalein polyethersulfone (PES-C) in solution with chloroform-d(1) were examined through C-13 NMR relaxation measurements. Spin-lattice relaxation times and NOE (nuclear Overhauser effects) factors were measured as a function of temperature. The relaxation data were interpreted in terms of main chain segmental motion by using the damped orientational diffusion model (DAMP) and the conformation jump model (VJGM) derived by Valeur, Jarry, Geny, and Monnerie. The simulation method used is N-SIMPLEX, which gives, in this study, a result of the object function less than 10(-4). Correlation times were obtained for the main chain motion of PES-C with these models and the results indicate that the main chain of PES-C are flexible. The comparison between PES-C and 1,2-polybutadiene is proposed. The distribution of the correlation time for the main chain motion by using VJGM model is discussed. The temperature dependence of correlation times for PES-C indicating the dynamical rigidity of its chains is obtained.

DETERMINATION OF THE MARK-HOUWINK EQUATION FOR CHITOSANS WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF DEACETYLATION

The values of k and alpha in the Mark-Houwink equation have been determined for chitosans with different degrees of deacetylation (DD) (69, 84, 91 and 100% respectively), in 0.2 M CH3COOH/0.1 M CH3COONa aqueous solution at 30-degrees-C by the light scattering method. It was shown that the values of alpha-decreased from 1.12 to 0.81 and the values of k increased from 0.104 x 10(-3) to 16.80 x 10(-3) ml/g, when the DD varied from 69 to 100%. This is due to a reduction of rigidity of the molecular chain and an increase of the electrostatic repulsion force of the ionic groups along the polyelectrolyte chain in chitosan solution, when the DD of chitosan increases gradually.

Rifting process and formation mechanisms of syn-rift stage prolongation in the deepwater basin, northern South China Sea

Based on the latest seismic and geological data, tectonic subsidence of three seismic lines in the deepwater area of Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), the northern South China Sea (SCS), is calculated. The result shows that the rifting process of study area is different from the typical passive continental margin basin. Although the seafloor spreading of SCS initiated at 32 Ma, the tectonic subsidence rate does not decrease but increases instead, and then decreases at about 23 Ma, which indicates that the rifting continued after the onset of seafloor spreading until about 23 Ma. The formation thickness exhibits the same phenomenon, that is the syn-rift stage prolonged and the post-rift thermal subsidence delayed. The formation mechanisms are supposed to be three: (1) the lithospheric rigidity of the northern SCS is weak and its ductility is relatively strong, which delayed the strain relaxation resulting from the seafloor spreading; (2) the differential layered independent extension of the lithosphere may be one reason for the delay of post-rift stage; and (3) the southward transition of SCS spreading ridge during 24 to 21 Ma and the corresponding acceleration of seafloor spreading rate then triggered the initiation of large-scale thermal subsidence in the study area at about 23 Ma.

可重构模块化机器人模块及构形设计

对可重构模块化机器人模块的结构进行了研究,并归纳设计出7种功能模块,其中包括3种1自由度的关节模块,2种连杆模块和2种辅助模块·所有模块的功能都是独立的,并且每个模块的连接界面都设计成了圆筒形以便重组和提高其刚度·每一种模块都可设计成不同尺寸系列,这些不同类型和尺寸系列的模块便可构成一个模块库·作者对3个自由度串联机器人的构形进行了系统的研究,并应用制作的实验模块对研究结果的可行性进行了验证·

串并联数控机床的作业空间分析

鉴于并联机床普遍存在有效作业空间小、运动控制复杂和实用刚度还不理想等不足．采用了串并联混合式机床运动结构．针对所研究的4—4构型串并联机床,分析了影响作业性能的几何约束条件,采用基于位置逆解模型的极限边界数值搜索法,确定了机床作业空间,并通过数值仿真研究获得了机床运动参数和结构参数对作业空间的影响规律，为优化机床结构尺寸以获得尽可能大的有效作业空间奠定了基础。

轮式移动宜人机器人技术研究

轮式移动宜人机器人项目研究的主要目的是开发自主式仿人机器人样机 ,探索先进的机器人理论和技术。轮式移动宜人机器人由正交轮式移动平台、腰部、躯干及头部和双臂组成 ,共 2 1个自由度。整体结构包括 :电源系统、机械系统、控制系统和传感系统。电源系统采用车载电池供电。机械系统包括变刚度结构 ,提高了机器人与人交互作业的安全性。控制系统分为中央协调层和执行层结构。传感系统主要实现关节位置检测、姿态检测、力检测和视觉。文章讨论了此机器人的研究进展。