Polymer/silica nanoscale hybrids through sol-gel method involving emulsion polymers. 1. Morphology of poly(butyl methacrylate)/SiO2

In this article, we report on an approach of using an emulsion polymerized polymer in preparing organic-inorganic nanocomposites through a sol-gel technique. By mixing a polymer emulsion with prehydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane transparent poly(butyl methacrylate)/SiO2, nanocomposites were prepared as shown by TEM. AFM, FTIR, and XPS results show that there is a strong interaction between polymer latex particles and the SiO2 network. Comparison of the emulsion method with a traditional solution method shows that nanocomposites can be prepared by both methods, but there is some difference in their morphology and properties.

Two new coordination polymers of Co(II) with 1,1 '-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(benzimidazole)

Two new compounds, [CoL2(H2O)(2)](NO3)(2). 8H(2)O (1) and [CoL(H2O)(2)(CH3CO2)(2)]. H2O (2), were obtained from self-assembly of the corresponding metal salts with 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(benzimidazole) (L). In 1, each cobalt ion is coordinated to four nitrogen atoms from four molecules of L, and to two water molecules. Metal ions are bridged by L ligands to form infinite (4, 4) networks that contain 44-membered rings. The (4, 4) networks of 1 stack in a parallel fashion, resulting in the formation of large channels in the material. In 2, each cobalt ion is coordinated to two N atoms from two L molecules, two water molecules and two carboxylate O atoms from two acetate anions. Each L molecule is coordinated to two cobalt ions, acting as a bridging ligand as in 1. The bridged cobalt ions form an infinite zigzag chain structure.

Networks with hexagonal circuits in co-ordination polymers of metal ions (Zn-II, Cd-II) with 1,1 '-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)

Three new compounds, [ZnL1.5(H2O)(SO4)]. 6H(2)O 1, [ZnL1.5(H2O)(2)][NO3](2). 2H(2)O 2 and [CdL1.5(H2O)(2)(SO4)]. 4H(2)O 3 were obtained from self-assembly of the corresponding metal salts with 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole) (L). In both 1 and 2 zinc ion is five-co-ordinated, showing a less-common trigonal bipyramidal co-ordination polyhedron, while cadmium ion of 3 is six-co-ordinated with a common octahedral arrangement. The sulfate ions of 1 and 3 are co-ordinated, however the nitrate ions of 2 are not. Each of the three compounds is composed of a (6, 3) network with the hexagonal smallest circuit containing six metal ions and six L; each L is co-ordinated to two metal ions, acting as a bridging ligand. In 1 the 2-D sheet of (6, 3) networks is interpenetrated in an inclined mode by symmetry related, identical sheets to give an interlocked 3-D structure, while the (6, 3) networks of both 2 and 3 stack in a parallel fashion to construct frameworks having channels.

Shear induced mixing/demixing: Blends of homopolymers, of homopolymers plus copolymers, and blends in solution

Shear may shift the phase boundary towards the homogeneous state (shear induced mixing, SIM), or in the opposite direction (shear induced demixing, SID). SIM is the typical behavior of mixtures of components of low molar mass and polymer solutions, SID can be observed with solutions of high molar mass polymers and polymer blends at higher shear rates. The typical sequence with increasing shear rate is SIM, then occurrence of an isolated additional immiscible area (SLD), melting of this island into the main miscibility gap, and finally SIM again. A three phase line originates and ends in two critical end points. Raising pressure increases the shear effects. For copolymer containing systems SID is sometimes observed at very low shear rates, preceding the just mentioned sequence of shear influences.

Radiation effects on the immiscible polymer blend of nylon1010 and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) I: Gel/dose curves, mathematical expectation theorem and thermal behaviour

This paper studies the radiation properties of the immiscible blend of nylon1010 and HIPS. The gel fraction increased with increasing radiation dose. The network was found mostly in nylon1010, the networks were also found in both nylon1010 and HIPS when the dose reaches 0.85 MGy or more. We used the Charleby-Pinner equation and the modified Zhang-Sun-Qian equation to simulate the relationship with the dose and the sol fraction. The latter equation fits well with these polymer blends and the relationship used by it showed better linearity than the one by the Charleby-Pinner equation. We also studied the conditions of formation of the network by the mathematical expectation theorem for the binary system. Thermal properties of polymer blend were observed by DSC curves. The crystallization temperature decreases with increasing dose because the cross-linking reaction inhibited the crystallization procession and destroyed the crystals. The melting temperature also reduced with increasing radiation dose. The dual melting peak gradually shifted to single peak and the high melting peak disappeared at high radiation dose. However, the radiation-induced crystallization was observed by the heat of fusion increasing at low radiation dose. On the other hand, the crystal will be damaged by radiation. A similar conclusion may be drawn by the DSC traces when the polymer blends were crystallized. When the radiation dose increases, the heat of fusion reduces dramatically and so does the heat of crystallization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capacitive detection of glucose using molecularly imprinted polymers

A novel glucose biosensor based on capacitive detection has been developed using molecularly imprinted polymers. The sensitive layer was prepared by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine on a gold electrode in the presence of the template (glucose). Cyclic voltammetry and capacitive measurements monitored the process of electropolymerization. Surface uncovered areas were plugged with 1-dodecanethiol to make the layer dense, and the insulating properties of the layer were studied in the presence of redox couples. The template molecules and the nonbound thiol were removed from the modified electrode surface by washing with distilled water. A capacitance decrease could be obtained after injection of glucose. The electrode constructed similarly but with ascorbic acid or fructose only showed a small response compared with glucose. The stability and reproducibility of the biosensor were also investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen- and sulfur-containing conjugated polymers as the hole-transporting materials

A series of novel nitrogen- and sulfur-containing conjugated polymers have been synthesized via an acid-induced self polycondensation of functional monomers with methyl sulfinyl group. They exhibit good solubility in common solvents, such as CHCl3, THF, DMF, DMSO, et al; and thus show excellent film-forming properties. They are used as hole-transport layer (HTL) in two-layer light-emitting diodes (ITO/polymer/Alq3/Mg:Ag). The typical turn-on voltage of these diodes is about 4 similar to 5V. The maximum brightness is about 3440cd/m(2) at 20 V. The maximum efficiency is estimated to be 0.15 Im/W at 10V.

The effect of chain flexibility and chain mobility on radiation crosslinking of polymers

Radiation crosslinking of polymers mainly depends on the structure of polymer chain. The flexibility and mobility of chain directly influence the possibility of the reactive radicals recombination. Flexible chain is easier to crosslink than rigid-chain polymer. The latter must be crosslinked at high temperature, as most polymers can only crosslink above their melting point. Structural effect also influences the mechanism of radiation crosslinking of polymers. We find from the results in literature and in our laboratory that, the flexibility chain polymer mainly crosslinked with H type, but the rigid chain polymer mainly crosslinked with Y type. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Radiation effects on the immiscible polymer blend of nylon1010 and high-impact strength polystyrene (II): mechanical properties and morphology

The paper studies the morphology and mechanical properties of immiscible binary blends of the nylon 1010 and HIPS through the radiation crosslinking method. In this blend, the HIPS particles were the dispersed phases in the nylon 1010 matrix. With increasing of dose, the elastic modulus increased, However, the tensile strength. elongation at bleak and the energy of fracture increased to a maximum at a dose of 0.34 MGy, then reduced with the increasing of dose. SEM photographs show that the hole sizes are not changed obviously at low dose and at high dose, remnants that cannot be dissolved in formic acid and THF can be observed in the holes and on the surface. TEM photographs showed that radiation destroys the rubber phases in the polymer blend. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced research work on radiation cross-linking of polymers in CIAC

Recent research carried out at the Chinese Institute of Applied Chemistry has contributed significantly to the understanding of the radiation chemistry of polymers. High energy radiation has been successfully used to cross-link fluoropolymers and polyimides. Here chain flexibility has been shown to play an important role, and T-type structures were found to exist in the cross-linked fluoropolymers. A modified Charlesby-Pinner equation, based upon the importance of chain flexibility, was developed to account for the sol-radiation dose relationship in systems of this type. An XPS method has been developed to measure the cross-linking yields in aromatic polymers and fluoropolymers, based upon the dose dependence of the aromatic shake-up peaks and the F/C ratios, respectively. Methods for radiation cross-linking degrading polymers in polymer blends have also been developed, as have methods for improving the radiation resistance of polymers through radiation cross-linking.

Corona poling of liquid crystalline polymers with nitroazobenzene side chains

The orientational behavior of liquid crystalline polymers with para-nitro azobenzene as side chains under electric field was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The results showed that lambda(max) of the poled polymer films was around 394nm, compared to that of the unpoled films, the absorption decreased due to poling. The orientational parameters increased linearly with the increase of the electric field. The temporal stability of the poled polymer film is good at room temperature. This kind of materials showed promise application as nonlinear optical component in photorefractive polymers.

Lanthanide coordination polymers with dicarboxylate-like ligands: crystal structures of polymeric lanthanum(III) and terbium(III) complexes with flexible double betaines

Four novel polymeric lanthanide(III) complexes of two new double betaine derivatives have been synthesized and structurally determined. In [{La-2(L-1)(2)(H2O)(9)}(n)]Cl-6n. 2nH(2)O (1) and [{Tb(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. nH(2)O (2) (L-1 =4,4'-trimethylenedipyridinio-N,N'-diacetate), the lanthanide(III) ions form a two-dimensional layer in which each pair of lanthanide(III) ions is bridged by two syn-anti mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups. Adjacent layers are cross-linked through hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions, to form a three-dimensional network. Isomorphous [{Ln(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. 5nH(2)O (Ln=La, 3; Ln=Tb, 4; L-2=1,3 bis(pyridinio-4-carboxylato)-propane) each contain a centrosymmetric paddle-wheel-like dimeric unit in which each pair of adjacent metal atoms is bridged by four syn-syn mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups that are oriented nearly perpendicular to each other about the metal-metal axis. Neighboring dimeric subunits are bridged by a pair of flexible LL ligands into a polymeric chain. Adjacent chains are inter-linked by hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions into a three-dimensional network. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low-temperature relaxation of polymers around doped dyes studied by persistent spectral hole burning

Persistent spectral hole burning spectroscopy is applied to evaluate the low-temperature relaxation around the dye molecules doped in several types of polymers. The doped dye is tetraphenylporphine, and the measured polymers are vinyl polymers and main chain aromatic polymers. The changes of microscopic environments around the dye are evaluated from the changes in the hole profiles during temperature cycling experiments. The relaxation behavior of the polymers is discussed in relation to their chemical structures. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Studies on blends of LLDPE and polar polymers compatibilized by a random copolymer

Compatibilization of blends of Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and LLDPE-copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 4-vinylpyridine (poly(MMA-co-4VP) with poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) have been studied. Mechanical properties of the LLDPE-PMMA blends increase upon addition of EMAA. In order to further improve interfacial adhesion of LLDPE and PMMA, 4-vinyl pyridine units are introduced into PMMA chains, or poly(MMA-co-4VP) is used as the polar polymer. In LLDPE-poly(MMA-co-4VP)-EMAA blends, interaction of MAA in EMAA with 4VP of poly(MMA-co-4VP) causes a band shift in the infrared (IR) spectra. Chemical shifts of N-1s binding energy in X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS) experiments indicate a transfer of proton from MAA to 4VP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures show that the morphology of the blends were improved upon addition of EMAA. Nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) fluorescence results attest that there exists interdiffusion of chromophore-labeled LLDPE chains and chromophore-labeled poly(MMA-co-4VP) chains in the interface. Based on experimental results, the mechanism of compatibilization is studied in detail. Compatibilization is realized through the interaction between MAA in EMAA with 4VP in poly(MMA-co-4VP). (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.