Inverted to normal phase transition in solution-cast polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer thin films

We have investigated the inverted phase formation and the transition from inverted to normal phase for a cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer in solution-cast films with thickness about 300 nm during the process of the solution concentrating by slow solvent evaporation. The cast solvent is 1, 1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (Tetra-CE), a good solvent for both blocks but having preferential affinity for the minority PMMA block. During such solution concentrating process, the phase behavior was examined by freeze-drying the samples at different evaporation time, corresponding to at different block copolymer concentrations, phi. As phi increases from similar to 0.1 % (nu/nu), the phase structure evolved from the disordered sphere phase (DS), consisting of random arranged spheres with the majority PS block as I core and the minority PMMA block as a corona, to ordered inverted phases including inverted spheres (IS), inverted cylinders (IC), and inverted hexagonally perforated lamellae (IHPL) with the minority PMMA block comprising the continuum phase, and then to the lamellar (LAM) phase with alternate layers of the two blocks, and finally to the normal cylinder (NC) phase with the majority PS block comprising the continuum phase. The solvent nature and the copolymer solution concentration are shown to be mainly responsible for the inverted phase formation and the phase transition process.

Synthesis and structural characterization of beta-diketiminate-lanthanide Amides and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone

The synthesis and catalytic activity of lanthanide monoamido complexes supported by a beta-diketiminate ligand are described. Donor solvents, such as DME, can cleave the chloro bridges of the dinuclear beta-diketiminate ytterbium dichloride {[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl(mu-Cl)(3)Yb[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac](THF)} (1) [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac = N,N-diisopropylphenyl-2,4-pentanediimine anion] to produce the monomeric complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl2(DME) (2) in high isolated yield. Complex 2 is a useful precursor for the synthesis of beta-diketiminate-ytterbium monoamido derivatives. Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equiv of LiNPr2i in THF at room temperature, after crystallization in THF/toluene mixed solvent, gave the anionic beta-diketiminate-ytterbium amido complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)(2)Li(THF)(2) (3), while similar reaction of complex 2 with LiNPh2 produced the neutral complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPh2)Cl(THF) (4). Recrystallization of complex 3 from toluene solution at elevated temperature led to the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complex [{(DIPPh)(2)nacnac}Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)](2) (5). The reaction medium has a significant effect on the outcome of the reaction.

Rapid self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) into one-dimensional structures through a facile reprecipitation route

The self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) (OPD) into 1-D nanostructures on a macroscopic length scale was found when they were transferred from N-methyl pyrrolidone to deionized water. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the morphology of the precipitates. Results showed that large amounts of OPD 1-D supertructures could be obtained through the simple reprecipitation route, and the length of the fibers could be tuned from microscale to macroscale by adjusting the ratio of two solvents. X-ray diffraction patterns and UV-vis spectra revealed that pi-pi interactions between OPD molecules that facilitated the formation of 1-D structures became predominant when they were transferred from a good solvent to a bad one. Accordingly, a possible formation mechanism was proposed.

Chitin and chitosan dissolved in ionic liquids as reversible sorbents of CO2

A novel dissolving process for chitin and chitosan has been developed by using the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) as a solvent, and a novel application of chitin and chitosan as substitutes for amino-functionalized synthetic polymers for capturing and releasing CO2 has also been exploited based on this processing strategy.

Morphologies in solvent-annealed thin films of symmetric diblock copolymer

We have systematically studied the thin film morphologies of symmetric poly(styrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer after annealing to solvents with varying selectivity. Upon neutral solvent vapor annealing, terraced morphology is observed without any lateral structures on the surfaces. When using PS-selective solvent annealing, the film exhibits macroscopically flat with a disordered micellar structure. While PMMA-selective solvent annealing leads to the dewetting of the film with fractal-like holes, with highly ordered nanoscale depressions in the region of undewetted films. In addition, when decreasing the swelling degree of the film in the case of PMMA-selective solvent annealing, hills and valleys are observed with the coexistence of highly ordered nanoscale spheres and stripes on the surface, in contrast to the case of higher swelling degree. The differences are explained qualitatively on the basis of polymer-solvent interaction parameters of the different components.

A polymer composite film with reversible responsive behaviors

A responsive polymer composite film was generated by the use of reversibly switchable Surface morphology of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) films in response to different block selective solvents on the rough isotactic poly(propylene) (i-PP) substrate. The Maximum difference of the water contact angle of the composite films increased from 22.6 degrees of PS-b-PMMA films on the smooth substrate to 42.6 degrees when they were treated by PS and PMMA selective solvents, respectively. The mechanisms of the responsive extent enhanced and the superhydrophobicity of the composite films were discussed in detail.

Multiple morphologies and their transformation of a polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) block copolymer

We report the multiple morphologies and their transformation of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) in low-alkanol solvents. In order to improve the solubility of polystyrene block in alcohol solvents, the solution of block copolymer sample was treated at a higher temperature, and then the influence of rate of decreasing temperature on multiple morphologies (including spheres, rods, vesicles, porous vesicles, large compound vesicles, and large compound micelles) was observed. The transformation of spheres to rods, to tyre-shaped large compound micelles, and to sphere-shaped large compound micelles was also realized. The formation mechanisms of the multiple morphologies and their transformation are discussed briefly.

A composite polymer film with both superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity

A composite film composed of porous polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS) microspheres with both superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity has been prepared. In this film, the dual-scale structure enhances both the hydrophobicity and oleophilicity of the surface material. The composite film with such an 'intelligent' wettability property can be utilized to separate oil and water systems efficiently.

Synthesis and characterization of new carbazole/fluorene-based derivatives for blue-light-emitting devices

2,7-Bis(9-ethylcarbazol-3-yl)-9,9-di(2-ethylhexyl)fluorene and a segmented copolymer composed of the same chromophores alternated with hexamethylene fragments were synthesized. The obtained materials possess good solubility in common organic solvents, high thermal stability with 1% weight loss temperature of 350-370 degrees C, and suitable glass transition temperatures. Both derivatives show blue fluorescence in dilute solutions as well as in solid state, demonstrating that excimers are not formed in the thin films. The fluorescence spectra of the materials do not show any peaks in the long-wavelength region even after annealing at 200 degrees C in air. An organic LED with the configuration of ITO/copolymer/Al generates blue electroluminescence with the maximum peak at 416 nm, rather low turn-on voltage (4.0 V), and brightness of about 400 cd/m(2). The heterostructure device based on model derivative emitted stable blue light with low operation voltage (100 cd/m(2) at similar to 11 V) and demonstrated luminescence efficiency of 0.8 cd/A.

Nickel complexes catalyzed Heck reaction of iodobenzene and methyl acrylate

Nickel appears the most promising for the replacement of palladium among the inexpensive transition metals for that it is active for Heck reaction and about 500 times cheaper than palladium. In this article, we describe our recent results in the area of nickel-catalyzed Heck vinylations. Main focus is on the influence of ligand concentration in different organic solvents and the effects of the addition of water. The conversion is high in NMP and increases with increasing of PPh3/Ni ratio; in ethanol and toluene the conversion presents a maximum value on Ni(PPh3)(2). The effect of the addition of water is sensitive to the concentration of PPh3 and the nature of solvent, it was well explained with the formation and transfer of the active species in the different solvent systems.

Highly active, hexabutylguanidinium salt/zinc bromide binary catalyst for the coupling reaction of carbon dioxide and epoxides

An experimentally simple and inexpensive catalyst system based on hexabutylguanidinium/ZnBr, has been developed for the coupling of carbon dioxide and epoxides to form cyclic carbonates with significant catalytic activity under mild reaction conditions without using additional organic solvents (e.g. the turnover frequencies (TOF, h(-1)) values as high as 6.6 x 10(3) h(-1) for styrene oxide and 1.01 x 10(4) h(-1) for epichlorohydrin). This catalyst system also offers the advantages of recyclability and reusability. Therefore, it is a very effective, environmentally benign, and simple catalytic process. The special steric and electrophilic characteristics of hexabutylguanidinium bromide ionic liquid result in the prominent performance of this novel catalyst system.

Dispersion copolymerization of acrylamide with quaternary ammonium cationic monomer in aqueous salts solution

Dispersion copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) with 2-methylacryloylxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) has been carried out in aqueous salts solution containing ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride with poly(acryloylxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDAC) as the stabilizer and 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-inidazolin-2-yl)propane]-dihydro chloride (VA-044) as the initiator. A new particle formation mechanism of the dispersion polymerization for the present system has been proposed. The effects of inorganic salts and stabilizer concentration on dispersion polymerization have been investigated. The results show that varying the salt concentration could affect the morphology and molecular weight of the resultant copolymer particles significantly. With increasing the stabilizer concentration, the particle size decreased at first and then increased, meanwhile the effect on the copolymer molecular weight was the contrary. These results had been rationalized based on the proposed mechanism.

Surface and interface morphology of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) thin-film blends and bilayers

The surface and interface morphologies of polystyrene (PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin-film blends and bilayers were investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Spin-coating a drop of a PS solution directly onto a PMMA bottom layer from a common solvent for both polymers yielded lateral domains that exhibited a well-defined topographical structure. Two common solvents were used in this study. The structure of the films changed progressively as the concentration of the PS solution was varied. The formation of the blend morphology could be explained by the difference in the solubility of the two polymers in the solvent and the dewetting of PS-rich domains from the PMMA-rich phase. Films of the PS/PMMA blend and bilayer were annealed at temperatures above their glass-transition temperatures for up to 70 h. All samples investigated with AFM were covered with PS droplets of various size distributions. Moreover, we investigated the evolution of the annealed PS/PMMA thin-film blend and bilayer and gave a proper explanation for the formation of a relatively complicated interface inside a larger PS droplet.

Solvent and polymer concentration effects on the surface morphology evolution of immiscible polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

The effects of solvent nature on the surface topographies of polystyrene (PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blend films spin-coated onto the silicon wafer were investigated. Four different solvents, such as ethylbenzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane, were chosen. They are better solvents for PS than that for PMMA. When dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran and toluene were used, PMMA-rich phase domains protruded from the background of PS. When ethylbenzene was used, PS-rich phase domains elevated on the average height of PMMA-rich phase domains. In addition, continuous pits, networks and isolated droplets consisted of PS formed on the blend film surfaces with the decrease of polymer concentrations. The mechanism of the surface morphology evolution was discussed in detail.

Dispersion copolymerization of acrylamide with acrylic acid in an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate: Synthesis and characterization

Dispersion copolymerization of acrylamide with acrylic acid in an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate using poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid sodium) as the stabilizer and ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator was investigated. The influence of initiator concentration, stabilizer concentration, ammonium sulfate concentration, chain-transfer agent concentration, and polymerization temperature on the copolymerization was discussed. The results showed that varying the ammonium sulfate concentration could affect the particle size and the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer significantly. With increasing the stabilizer concentration, the particle size of the copolymer decreased first, and then increased, meanwhile the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer decreased. The increase of initiator concentration, chain-transfer agent concentration, and polymerization temperature resulted in the increase in the particle size. Polydisperse spherical particles were formed in the system, and the kinetics for the dispersion copolymerization were discussed.