FRACTURE-TOUGHNESS AND MORPHOLOGY OF PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLY(ETHER SULFONE) THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMER BLENDS

Blends of a new phenolphthalein poly (ether sulfone) (PES-C) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) were prepared by melt-blending in a twin-screw extruder. Rheological properties, fracture toughness, K(IC), and morphology of the blends were

EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF POLY(ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE) POLYCARBONATE BLENDS

Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polycarbonate (PC), and two types of antioxidants have been blended by an extruder twin screw. Notched Izod impact strength, tensile property, and melting flow index (MFI) were measured for the blends including diffe

A HIGH-RESOLUTION SOLID-STATE NMR-STUDY OF THE MISCIBILITY, MORPHOLOGY, AND TOUGHENING MECHANISM OF POLYSTYRENE WITH POLY(2,6-DIMETHYL-1,4-PHENYLENE OXIDE) BLENDS

An extended Goldman-Shen pulse sequence was used to observe indirectly the proton spin diffusion in the blends of polystyrene (PS) with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxides) (PPO). The results indicate that the average distance between PS and PPO is less than 5 angstrom in the intimately mixed phase, but there are heterogeneous domains on a 100-angstrom scale. The data of spin relaxation of carbons, T1(C), for homopolymers and their blends suggest that there is a strong pi-pi electron conjugation interaction between the aromatic rings of PS and those of PPO, while the aromatic rings of PPO drive the aromatic rings of PS to move cooperatively. It is the cooperative motion that markedly improves the impact strength of PS.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE PDMS BLOCK AND MORPHOLOGY OF POLY(BUTADIENE-B-DIMETHYLSILOXANE)

Studies using transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction showed correlations between the crystallization behavior of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block and the morphology of the block copolymer poly (butadiene-b-dimethylsiloxane) (PB-PDMS). When the PDMS component existed as spheres dispersed in a PB matrix, the crystallization rate of the PDMS block was lower than when the PDMS phase existed in rod or cylinder form.

MORPHOLOGY AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF AB CROSS-LINKED POLYMERS BASED ON POLYURETHANES

Polyoxypropylene glycol (PPG) (or castor oil) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) were mixed, and the prepolymer polyurethane (PU) (I) was formed. Vinyl-terminated polyurethane (II) was prepared from (I), and hydroxyethyl acrylate, AB crosslinked polymers (ABCPs) were synthesized from (II) and vinyl monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, etc. The dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of ABCPs were measured. The ABCPs based on PPG have double glass transition temperatures (T(g)) on the sigma-vs. temperature curves. They display a two-phase morphology with plastic components forming the continous phase and PU-rich domains forming the separated phase on the electron micrographs. Irregular shapes and a highly polydisperse distribution of PU-rich domain sizes were observed. The crosslink density of ABCPs has a notable effect on the morphology and properties. The average diameter of the PU-rich domains depends on the molecular weight of prepolymer PPG. The highly crosslinked structures will produce large numbers of very small domains. ABCPs based on castor oil show a single T(g) relaxation on the dynamic mechanical spectra. The compatibility between the two components is much better in ABCPs based on castor oil than in those based on PPG, because there is a high crosslink density in the former. Comparison of the dynamic mechanical spectra of ABCP and interpenetrating networks (IPN) based on castor oil with similar crosslink density and composition imply that the two components in ABCP are compatible whereas microphase separation occurs in IPN. An improvement in the compatibility is achieved by the crosslinking between the two networks.

CHARACTERIZATION, MORPHOLOGY AND THERMAL-PROPERTIES OF ETHYLENE PROPYLENE BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Characterization, morphology and thermal properties of commercial ethylene-propylene block copolymers have been studied by C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.), dynamic mechanical analysis (d.m.a.) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results obtained show that there exists some ethylene-propylene random copolymer in the block copolymers extractable by n-heptane. The possibility of forming PP-b-PE diblock copolymer is questionable on the basis of the effects of residual propene and the chain-transfer reaction in the sequential copolymerization. A difference in the thermal properties between commercial ethylene-propylene block copolymers and PP/PE blends was noticed, which cannot be used to identify PP-b-PE diblock copolymer. The multiphase structure has been confirmed by d.m.a. and SEM, with ethylene-propylene random copolymer and polyethylene forming the domains in the matrix of polypropylene.

THE EFFECT OF FILM-FORMING CONDITIONS FOR TAPCUPC LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS ON MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES

The dependence of morphology and properties on film-forming conditions is described for the symmetrically substituted copper tetra-4-(2, 4-di-t-amylphenoxy) phthalocyanine (tapCuPc) Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. The effects of LB film-forming conditions (such as the surface pressure, pH value and the concentrations of spreading solutions) on film quality were studied with the help of a UV-visible spectrophotometer and a transmission electron microscope. Transmission electron microscopy photographs of the surface morphology of tapCuPc LB films show that a smooth and homogeneous surface structure can be obtained under optimum film-forming conditions.

THE MISCIBILITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF EPOXY-RESIN POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) BLENDS

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was found to be miscible with uncured epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), as shown by the existence of a single glass transition temperature (T(g)) in each blend. However, PEO with M(n) = 20 000 was judged to be immiscible with the highly amine-crosslinked epoxy resin (ER). The miscibility and morphology of the ER/PEO blends was remarkably affected by crosslinking. It was observed that phase separation in the ER/PEO blends occurred as the crosslinking progressed. This is considered to be due to the dramatic change in the chemical and physical nature of ER during the crosslinking.

Variations in morphology and PSII photosynthetic capabilities during the early development of tetraspores of Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Background: Red algae are primitive photosynthetic eukaryotes, whose spores are ideal subjects for studies of photosynthesis and development. Although the development of red alga spores has received considerable research attention, few studies have focused on the detailed morphological and photosynthetic changes that occur during the early development of tetraspores of Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta). Herein, we documented these changes in this species of red algae. Results: In the tetraspores, we observed two types of division, cruciate and zonate, and both could develop into multicellular bodies (disks). During the first 84 hours, tetraspores divided several times, but the diameter of the disks changed very little; thereafter, the diameter increased significantly. Scanning electron microscopy observations and analysis of histological sections revealed that the natural shape of the disk remains tapered over time, and the erect frond grows from the central protrusion of the disk. Cultivation of tissue from excised disks demonstrated that the central protrusion of the disk is essential for initiation of the erect frond. Photosynthetic (i.e., PSII) activities were measured using chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. The results indicated that freshly released tetraspores retained limited PSII photosynthetic capabilities; when the tetraspores attached to a substrate, those capabilities increased significantly. In the disk, the PSII activity of both marginal and central cells was similar, although some degree of morphological polarity was present; the PSII photosynthetic capabilities in young germling exhibited an apico-basal gradient. Conclusions: Attachment of tetraspores to a substrate significantly enhanced their PSII photosynthetic capabilities, and triggered further development. The central protrusion of the disk is the growth point, may have transfer of nutritive material with the marginal cells. Within the young germling, the hetero-distribution of PSII photosynthetic capabilities might be due to the differences in cell functions.

Effects of ultra-violet irradiation on sperm motility and diploid gynogenesis induction in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) undergoing cold shock

Large yellow croaker, Pseudosciaena crocea, exhibit sexually dimorphic growth, with females growing faster and reaching larger adult sizes than males. Thus, development of techniques for preferentially producing females is necessary to optimize production of these species. We have established a protocol to produce all-female croaker P. crocea through induction of meiotic gynogenesis with homologous sperm. The first set of experiments investigated the ultra-violet (UV) irradiation on sperm motility and duration of sperm activity to determine the optimal UV dosage for genetic inactivation of sperm, yet retaining adequate motility for activation of eggs. Milt from several males was diluted 1: 100 with Ringer's solution and UV irradiated with doses ranging from 0-150 J cm (-2). The results indicated that motility and duration of activity generally decreased with increased UV doses. At UV doses greater than 105 J cm(-2), after fertilization, motility was < 10% and fertilization rates were significantly lower. Highest hatching rate was obtained at 75 J cm -2. A second set of experiments was carried out to determine appropriate conditions of cold shock for retention of the 2nd polar body in P. crocea eggs after fertilization with UV-inactivated sperm by altering the timing, temperature and duration of shock. At 208 degrees C, shock applied at 3 min after fertilization resulted in higher survival rate of larvae at 6 h after hatching. Results of different combinations of three shock temperatures ( 28 degrees C, 38 degrees C or 48 degrees C) and five shock durations ( 4 min, 8 min, 12 min, 16 min or 20 min) at 3 min after fertilization demonstrated that shocks of 12 min gave highest production of diploid gynogens. Statistical analysis revealed that maximum production of diploid gynogens (44.55 +/- 2.99%) were obtained at 38 degrees C. The results of this study indicate that the use of UV-irradiated homologous sperm for activation of P. crocea eggs and cold shock for polar body retention is an effective method for producing gynogenetic offspring.