Synthesis and property of a novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with high selectivity for direct methanol fuel cell applications

Bisphenol monomer 4-carboxylphenyl hydroquinone (4C-PH) containing carboxyl groups was synthesized by diazotization reaction of p-aminobenzoic acid and 1,4-benzoquinone and subsequent reductive reaction. Copolymerization of bisphenol A, 4C-PH, sodium 5,5'-carbonylbis(2-fluorobenzene-sulfonate) and 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone at various molar ratios through aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction resulted in a new sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) containing pendant carboxyl groups (C-SPEEK). The structures of the monomer 4C-PH and copolymers were confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR. Flexible and transparent membranes with sulfonic and carboxylic acid groups as the proton conducting sites were prepared. The dependence of ion-exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol permeability on the degree of sulfonation has been studied.

Influence of lanthanum on the uptake of trace elements in cucumber plant

The effects of La3+ on the uptake of trace elements (Se, Co, V, and Tc) in cucumber plants were studied by a radioactive multitracer technique. It was observed that the uptake and distribution of these trace elements in roots, stems, and leaves are different under different La3+, treatments. Furthermore, in the control, the plant accumulates Se-75, Co-56, and V-48 all in the order roots>leaves>stems, whereas Tc-95m was in the order leaves>stems>roots. The accumulations of Se-75 and Tc-95m in plants treated with different La3+ concentration were in the same order as those in the control, but the uptakes percentages of other kinds of element changed differently. The results indicate that lanthanum treatments to a growing cucumber lead to the change of uptake of trace elements, which suggest that a rare earth element is directly or indirectly involved in the ion transport of the plant and affects plant growth by regulating the uptake and distribution of elements that influence the plant cell physiology and biochemistry.