Preparation and properties of microporous membrane from poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (F2.4) for membrane distillation

Flat-sheet microporous membranes from F2.4 for membrane distillation (MD) were prepared by phase inversion process. Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and LiClO(4)(.)3H(2)O/trimethyl phosphate (TMP) were, respectively, used as solvent and pore-forming additives. The effects of casting solution composition, exposure time prior to coagulation and temperature of precipitation bath on F2.4 membrane structure were investigated. The morphology of resultant porous membrane was observed by scanning electron microcopy. Some natures of F2.4 porous membrane after drying in air, such as mechanical properties and hydrophobicity, were exhibited and compared with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane prepared by the same ways. Stress-at-break and strength stress of F2.4 microporous membrane are higher than that of PVDF membrane, and elongation percentage of F2.4 membrane at break is about eight-fold as great as that of PVDF membrane. Contact angle of F2.4 microporous membrane to water (86.6 +/- 0.51degrees) was also larger than that of PVDF mernbrane (80.0 +/- 0.78degrees). MD experiment was carried out using a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) configuration as final test to permeate performance of resultant microporous membrane.

Facile synthesis and photoluminescent properties of redispersible CeF3, CeF3 : Tb3+, and CeF3 : Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles

CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles were prepared by the polyol method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), UV-vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and lifetimes. The results of XRD indicate that the obtained CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles crystallized well at 200 degrees C in diethylene glycol (DEG) with a hexagonal structure. The TEM images illustrate that the CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ nanoparticles are spherical with a mean diameter of 7 nm. The growth of the LaF3 shell around the CeF3:Tb3+ core nanoparticles resulted in an increase of the average size (11 nm) of the nanopaticles as well as in a broadening of their size distribution. These nanocrystals can be well-dispersed in ethanol to form clear colloidal solutions. The colloidal solutions of CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ show the characteristic emission of Ce3+ 5d-4f (320 nm) and Tb3+ D-5(4)-F-7(J) (J = 6-3, with D-5(4)-F-7(5) green emission at 542 nm as the strongest one) transitions, respectively. The emission intensity and lifetime of the CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles increased with respect to those of CeF3:Tb3+ core particles.

Preparation and simulation of an additional catalyst layer for direct methanol fuel cell

An additional anode catalyst layer with PtRu/C was hot pressed between two Nafion (R) 112 membranes and a conventional direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) cathode/membrane/anode assembly with the above membranes as separator was fabricated. The additional catalyst layer formed an assistant cell with the cathode to prevent methanol crossover. A simple one-dimensional mathematical model was presented to describe the performance of this new type of membrane electrode assembly system. As seen from both experimental result and model analysis, the additional catalyst layer can not only effectively prevent the methanol crossover, but also generate electrical power with the crossover methanol. The percentage of output power of the assistant cell to the total power analyzed by the model is about 40% under usual condition, which is much higher than that from experimental result, indicating the potential of the development in the DMFC designing. It was also discovered that the electrical power generated from the assistant cell with crossover methanol could take higher percentage in total electrical power when the main DMFC current density became lower.

Evaluation and application of micro-sampling system for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Two Meinhard microconcentric nebulizers, model AR30-07-FM02 and AR 30-07-FM005, were employed as a self-installed micro-sampling system for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The FM02 nebulizer at 22 muL/min of solution uptake rate gave the relative standard deviations of 7.6%, 3.0%, 2.7%, 1.8% for determinations (n = 10) of 20 mug/L Be, Co, In and Bi, respectively, and the detection limits (3s) of 0.14, 0.10, 0.02 and 0.01 mug/L for Be, Co In and Bi, respectively. The mass intensity of In-115 obtained by this micro-sampling system was 60% of that by conventional pneumatic nebulizer system at 1.3 mL/min. The analytical results for La, Ce, Pr and Nd in 20 muL Wistar rat amniotic fluid obtained by the present micro-sampling system were precisely in good agreement with those obtained using conventional pneumatic nebulization system.

Encapsulation and luminescence of the nanostructured supramolecular material [Eu(Phen)(4)](NO3)(3)/(CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41

The nanostructured material (NSM) of pure silica MCM-41 molecular sieve was synthesized with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the source of silica and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMABr) as the template under supersonic wave condition. Then NSM of (CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41 was obtained by introducing trimethylsilyl to MCM-41. (CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41 showed the similar TEM and XRD photographs with the normal crystal of MCM-41 and the diameter of the NSM crystallites with a hexagon shape is of about 10-40 nm. The dispersivity of (CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41 prevails over the NSM of MCM-41 as its hydrophobicity. The fluorescent intensity of (CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41 is 3.4 times as that of the MCM-41. The luminescent functional supramolecular nanostructured material was prepared in EtOH, and characterized by TEM, HRTEM, XRD, TG, IR, and elemental analysis. The results showed that the [Eu(Phen)(4)](NO3)(3) had entered into the channels of nanosized mesoporous sieve of (CH3)(3)Si-MCM-41, forming discrete centers of luminescence. The energy transferring of the host to guest, superficial effect of NSM, quanta tunnel effect, and discrete luminescent center result in the fluorescent intensity of the supramolecule enhancement.

Preparation and properties of conductive polyaniline/poly-omega-aminoundecanoyle fibers

Historically, polyaniline (PANI) had been considered an intractable material, but it can be dissolved in some solvents. Therefore, it could be processed into films or fibers. A process of preparing a blend of conductive fibers of PANI/poly-omega-aminoun-decanoyle (PA11) is described in this paper. PANI in the emeraldine base was blended with PA11 in concentrated sulfuric acid (c-H,SO,) to form a spinning dope solution. This solution was used to spin conductive PANI/PA11 fibers by wet-spinning technology. As-spun fibers were obtained by spinning the dopes into coagulation bath water or diluted acid and drawn fibers were obtained by drawing the as-spun fibers in warm drawing bath water. A scanning electron microscope was employed to study the effect of the acid concentration in the coagulation bath on the microstructure of as-spun fibers. The results showed that the coagulating rate of as-spun fibers was reduced and the size of pore shrank with an increase in the acid concentration in the coagulation bath. The weight fraction of PANI in the dope solution also had an influence on the microstructure of as-spun fibers. The microstructure of as-spun fibers had an influence on the drawing process and on the mechanical properties of the drawn fibers. Meanwhile, the electrically conductive property of the drawn fibers with different percentage of PANI was measured.

Liquid crystalline and light emitting polyacetylenes: Synthesis and properties of biphenyl-containing poly(1-alkynes) with different functional bridges and spacer lengths

Biphenyl- (Biph-) containing 1-alkynes (3 and 4) and their polymers (1 and 2) with varying bridge groups and spacer lengths were synthesized and the effects of the structural variation on their properties, especially their mesomorphism and photoluminescence behaviors, were studied. The acetylene monomers 3(3) [HCdropC(CH2)(3)O-Biph-OCO(CH2)(10)CH3] and 4(m) [HCdropC(CH2)(m)OCO-Biph-OCO(CH2)(10)-CH3, m = 3, 4] were prepared by sequential etherization and esterification reactions of 1-alkynes. While 3(3) exhibits enantiotropic crystal E and SmB mesophases, its structural cousin 4(3) displays only a monotropic SmB phase. Enantiotropic SmA and SmB mesophases are, however, developed when the spacer length is increased to 4. Polymerizations of the monomers are effected by Mo-, W-, Rh-, and Fe-based catalysts, with the WCl6-Ph4Sn catalyst giving the best results (isolation yield up to 85% and M-w up to 59000). The polymers were characterized by IR, UV, NMR, TGA, DSC, POM, XRD, and PL analyses. Compared to 1(3), 2(3) shows a red-shifted absorption, a higher T-i, and a better packed interdigitated bilayer SmA(d) structure, while the mesophase of 2(4) involves monolayer-packing arrangements of the mesogens. Upon photoexcitation, 1(3) emits almost no light but 2(m) gives a strong ultraviolet emission (lambda(max) similar to 350 nm), whose intensity increases with the spacer length.

Crystallization and Crosslinking of polyamide-1010 under elevated pressure

The structure and thermal properties of polyamide-1010 (PA1010), treated at 250degreesC for 30 min under pressures of 0.7-2.5 GPa, were studied with wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Crystals were formed when the pressures were less than 1.0 GPa or greater than 1.2 GPa. With increasing pressure, the intensity of the diffraction peak at approximately 24degrees was enhanced, whereas the peak at approximately 20degrees was depressed. The triclinic crystal structure of PA1010 was preserved. The highest melting temperature of the crystals obtained in this work was 208degreesC for PA1010 treated at 1.5 GPa. Crosslinking occurred under pressures of 1.0-1.2 GPa. Only a broad diffraction peak centered at approximately 20degrees was observed on WAXD patterns, and no melting and crystallization peaks were found on DSC curves. IR spectra of crosslinked PA1010 showed a remarkable absorption band at 1370 cm(-1). The N-H stretching vibration band at 3305 cm(-1) was weakened. Crystallized PA1010 had a higher thermal stability than crosslinked PA1010, as indicated on TGA curves by a higher onset temperature of decomposition.

Synthesis and characterization of phenyl-capped oligoanilines

A series of phenyl-capped oligoanilines were prepared by chemical oxidation coupling. By comparing the FTIR spectra of fully reduced oligoanilines with those of oxidized oligoanilines, the intensity ratio of 1600cm(-1) to 1500cm(-1) was correlated to the content of the quinoid rings in the oligomer. In UV-Vis spectra of the oligoanilines in their oxidized state, the maximum absorption near 600nm redshifted from 540nm to 610nm with increasing polarity of the solvent, indicating the existence of tautomers in oxidized oilgoanilines.

Preparation and properties of nanocrystalline Yb2O3

Nanocrystalline Yb2O3 of various particle sizes was prepared using sol-gel method. XRD analysis shows that the prepared nanocrystalline Yb2O3 is cubic in structure with space group Ia3. TEM photographs indicate that Yb2O3 nanoparticles are basically spherical in shape. Calculation of crystallite size indicates that the average crystallite size of Yb2O3 increases with increasing calcination temperature, but the average crystal lattice distortion rate decreases with increasing calcination temperature and crystallite size. This result shows that the smaller the crystallite size, the bigger the crystal lattice distortion, and the worse crystal growth. Solubility test of Yb2O3 in nitric acid shows that the surface activity of Yb2O3 increases with decreasing crystallite size. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) spectra reveal that nanocrystalline Yb2O3 has higher surface activity; than that of ordinary Yb2O3. Absorbance intensity of Yb-O bond of nanocrystalline Yb2O3 is weaker than that of ordinary Yb2O3, and the absorbance of Yb-O bond of nanocrystalline Yb2O3 is small blue-shifted.

Effect of polymer chain structure and chain distance on luminescent efficiency

Three kinds of PPV-based copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Their luminescent properties were investigated and discussed by PL spectrum, and time-dependence luminescent spectrum in film and solution stare. The results show that in the range of our study, the PL intensity and lifetime of luminescent decay increase with the increasing length of flexible segments and the solution diluting, indicating the tendency of the increase of luminescent efficiency.

Synthesis, luminescence, energy transfer and Langmuir-Blodgett films of amphiphilic complexes of rare earths with monooctadecyl phthalate

Three new amphiphilic rare earth complexes with only two organic long chains Ln (MOP)(2)Cl (MOP=monooctadecyl phthalate, Ln=Eu, Tb, Gd) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis. The complexes (Eu, Tb) showed good luminescence property with long fluorescence lifetime, whereas the intensity and lifetime of Tb complex are greater than those of Eu complex, By measuring the triplet energy levels of ligand based on energy transfer mechanism, above phenomena have been well explained. The Langmuir films of the complexes on the air/water interface were also studied and the results show that all of them have good film-forming property.

Photoluminesence and electroluminescence of the blue emission of devices based on poly(p-phenylenevinylene) copolymers

Bright blue polymer light-emitting diodes have been fabricated by using the poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-based copolymers with 10 C long aliphatic chains as the electroluminescent layers, PBD in PMMA and Alq(3) as the electron-transporting layers, and aluminum as the cathode. The multilayer structure devices show 190 cd/m(2) light-emitting brightness at 460 nm, 15 V turn-on vol- tage. It is found that the intensities of photoluminescence and electroluminescence (EL) increase with increasing aliphatic chain length, the EL intensity and operation stability of these polymer light-emitting diodes can be improved by reasonable design of the structure.

Synthesis and properties of poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing meta-phenyl links

A series of poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing meta-phenyl links are synthesized, DSC and wide-angle X-ray scattering, etc, are used to study the general properties of the polymers, With the increasing of meta linkage monomer percentage, the melting temperature decreases sharply at first, then rises steadily, the glass transition point. keeps a stable value, and crystallin;ty and crystallizing rate are reduced, A part of amorphous film of the polymer is annealed at different temperatures, DSC scan shows that besides T-m, a new melting peak (T-m') at low temperature appears, And with heat treating temperature rising, T-m' shifts to high temperature, and T-m keeps a stable value.

Effect of heat treatment on the parameters of crystal structure and degree of crystallinity of poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone)

The variations of unit cell parameters and crystallite size of nine PEEK samples treated at various temperatures have been studied by using Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD), The results indicate a decrease in unit cell parameter a,b and c but an increase in crystallite size L(hkl) With the increase beat treatment temperature. Based on X-ray scattering intensity theory and using the graphic multipeak resolution method, the formula of degree of crystallinity (W-c,W-X) for PEEK is derived. The results calculated are compatible with the density measurement and calorimetry.