WETTABILITY OF EPOXY RESIN ON CARBON FIBER

The micrographs of epoxy resin on single carbon fiber at room temperature and the temperature dependent contact angle on single carbon fiber were investigated using field environmental scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The results showed that the contact angle decreases significantly with increasing temperature. The advantage of this experimental approach was that can directly reflected the wettability of epoxy resin to fiber. But the experimental process was complicated, and there were many influence factors. The reason is that the wettability of epoxy resin on parallel sheet can be improved at higher temperatures. The spreading procedures for the epoxy resin droplet on carbon fiber cluster were observed by means of drop shape analysis system ( DSA) in parallel and perpendicular directions of the aligned fibers.

Highly 3,4-Selective Polymerization of Isoprene with NPN Ligand Stabilized Rare-Earth Metal Bis(alkyl)s. Structures and Performances

Deprotonation of (ArNHPPh2NAr2)-N-1 (H[NPN](n), n = 1 - 10) by Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) (Ln = Lu, Y, Sc, Er) generated a series of rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [NPN](n)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(2) (1-10), which under activation with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)] and AliBu(3) were tested for isoprene polymerization. The correlation between catalytic performances and molecular structures of the complexes has been investigated. Complexes 1-5 and 8, where Ar-1 is nonsubstituted or ortho-alkyl-substituted phenyl, adopt trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The Ar-1 and Ar-2 rings are perpendicular in 1-4 and 8 but parallel in 5. When Ar-1 is pyridyl, the resultant lutetium and yttrium complexes 9a and 9b adopt tetragonal geometry with the ligand coordinating to the metal ions in a N,N,N-tridentate mode, whereas in the scandium analogue 9c, the ligand coordinates to the Sc3+ ion in a N,N-bidentate mode. These structural characteristics endow the complexes with versatile catalytic performances, With increase of the steric bulkiness of the ortho-substituents Ar-1 and Ar-2, the 3,4-selectivity increased stepwise from 81.6% for lutetium complex 1 to 96.8% for lutetium complex 6 and to 97.8% for lutetium complex 7a. However, further increase of the steric bulk of the ligand led to a slight drop of 3,4-selectivity for the attached complex 5 (95.1%).

Effect of buffer capacity on electrochemical behavior of dopamine and ascorbic acid

It is well known that the electrochemical oxidation of dopamine and ascorbic acid includes the proton and electron transfers at a glassy carbon electrode and their redox potentials are dependent on the pH of solution. When the concentration of the buffer is not enough to neutralize the protons produced by electrochemical oxidation of dopamine and ascorbic acid, two peaks of them can be observed in cyclic voltammograms. The height of the new peak is in proportion to the concentration of proton acceptor including HPO42-, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane. Moreover, the potential of it is dependent on the type and the concentration of buffer at the same pH of bulk solution. However, this phenomenon cannot be attributed to the interaction between proton acceptor and dopamine or ascorbic acid. So, we think the phenomenon is caused by the acute change of pH at the surface of working electrode. Similar results were also observed in the rotating disk voltammograms. It can be concluded that the electrochemical behavior of some compounds is dependent on the concentration of buffer when this concentration is not enough to neutralize the protons produced in electrochemical oxidation.

Fabrication and characterization of SERS-active silver clusters on glassy carbon

In this article, a novel technique for the fabrication of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active silver clusters on glassy carbon (GC) has been proposed. It was found that silver clusters could be formed on a layer of positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA) anchored to a carbon surface by 4-aminobenzoic acid when a drop containing silver nanoparticles was deposited on it. The characteristics of the obtained silver clusters have been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), SERS and an SERS-based Raman mapping technique in the form of line scanning. The AFM image shows that the silver clusters consist of several silver nanoparticles and the size of the clusters is in the range 80-100 nm. The SERS spectra of different concentrations of rhodamine 6G (R6G) on the silver clusters were obtained and compared with those from a silver colloid. The apparent enhancement factor (AEF) was estimated to be as large as 3.1 x 10(4) relative to silver colloid, which might have resulted from the presence of 'hot-spots' at the silver clusters, providing a highly localized electromagnetic field for the large enhancement of the SERS spectra of R6G. The minimum electromagnetic enhancement factor (EEF) is estimated to be 5.4 x 10(7) by comparison with the SERS spectra of R6G on the silver clusters and on the bare GC surface.

Evolution of the interfacial tension between polydisperse "immiscible" polymers in the absence and in the presence of a compatibilizer

The interfacial tension sigma between two polyisobutylenes (PIB) of dissimilar polydispersity and two polydisperse samples of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was measured as a function of time by means of a pendent drop apparatus at different temperatures ranging from 30 to 110 degreesC. In addition to three of the four possible binary blends, the time evolution of sigma was also determined for one ternary system, where the PIB phase contained 0.03 wt % of a diblock copolymer poly(isobutylene-b-dimethylsiloxane). The pronounced decrease of sigma with advancing time, observed in all cases, is attributed to the migration of the interfacially active lower molecular weight components of the homopolymers and of the compatibilizer into the interphase. Several days are normally required until a becomes constant. These time independent values are not considered as equilibrium data, but accredited to stationary states. A kinetic model is established for sigma(t), which enables a detailed investigation of the rates of transport of the different migrating species of average molar mass of M.

Kinetics of extraction and stripping of y(III) by Cyanex 272 as an acidic extractant using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow

The extraction and stripping kinetics of yttrium(III) with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272, HA) dissolved in heptane as an acid extractant have been investigated by constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The experimental hydrodynamic conditions have been chosen so that the contribution of diffusion to the measured rate of reaction is minimized. The plot of interfacial area on the rate has shown a linear relationship, which makes the interface the most probable local for the chemical reactions. At the same time, the extraction thermodynamic and kinetic methods are compared to determine the equilibrium extraction constant. A rate equation and the rate-determining step of the extraction and stripping of yttrium(III) have also been obtained, respectively.

Surface-appropriate lipophobicity - Application in isobutene oligomerization over Teflon-modified silica-supported 12-silicotungstic acid

A series of silica-supported 12-silicotungstic acid catalysts (H4SiW12O40, abbreviated as HSiW), modified with various loadings of Teflon (HSiW/SiO2-Teflon), were prepared by an impregnation method. The surface properties of the catalysts were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, NH3-TPD and the Drop Shape Analysis (DSA). SEM results combined with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements of HSiW/SiO2-Teflon revealed that F-compound (Teflon) is effectively coated on the catalyst surface. The contact angles for water and oil of 50 wt% HSiW/SiO2 and HSiW/SiO2-Teflon indicate that HSiW/SiO2-Teflon catalyst enhances not only the surface hydrophobicity but also the surface lipophobicity by means of the addition of Teflon. Silica-supported 12-silicotungstic acid modified with Teflon exhibits higher C-8(=) selectivity and longer lifetime than that of silica-supported 12-silicotungstic acid in isobutene oligomerization. Thus, surface-appropriate lipophobicity of catalysts may be effective for decreasing the interaction between coke precursors and the catalyst surface and for removing deposited coke more easily.

Electropolyrnerization of polypyrrole on PFIL-PSS-modified electrodes without added support electrolytes

A novel polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid (PFIL)/poly(4-styrene sulfonate sodium) (PSS) modified electrode composed of the coaxial and coplanar working, reference and counter electrodes, was used to electropolymerize the polypyrrole. The PFIL/PSS was modified on the integrated electrode (IE) and connected by the working, reference and counter electrodes, resulting in an available charge transfer and lower Ohmic potential drop between the working and counter electrodes. Then polypyrrole (PPy) film was successfully prepared electrochemically without any participation of supporting electrolytes, only in a pyrrole monomer solution. The resulting PPy film in PFIL/PSS matrix exhibited a preferable electroactivity. Subsequently, influence of the modifications on the formation of PPy was further discussed. The results indicated that the synergetic cooperation of PFIL and PSS components accomplished such a successful electropolymerization of PPy.

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.

Dependence of performance of organic light-emitting devices on sheet resistance of indium-tin-oxide anodes

The dependence of the performance of organic light-emitting devices(OLEDs) on the sheet resistance of indium-tin-oxide(ITO) anodes was investigated by measuring the steady state current density brightness voltage characteristics and the electroluminescent spectra. The device with a higher sheet resistance anode shows a lower current density, a lower brightness level, and a higher operation voltage. The electroluminescence(EL) efficiencies of the devices with the same structure but different ITO anodes show more complicated differences. Furthermore, the shift of the light-emitting zone toward the anode was found when an anode with a higher sheet resistance was used. These performance differences are discussed and attributed to the reduction of hole injection and the increase in voltage drop over ITO anode with the increase in sheet resistance.

Effects of solution viscosity on heterogeneous electron transfer across a liquid/liquid interface

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is employed to investigate the effect of solution viscosity on the rate constants of electron transfer (ET) reaction between potassium ferricyanide in water and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in 1,2-dichloroethane. Either tetrabutylammonium (TBA(+)) or ClO4- is chosen as the common ion in both phases to control the interfacial potential drop. The rate constant of heterogeneous ET reaction between TCNQ and ferrocyanide produced in-situ, k(12), is evaluated by SECM and is inversely proportional to the viscosity of the aqueous solution and directly proportional to the diffusion coefficient of K4Fe(CN)(6) in water when the concentration of TCNQ in the DCE phase is in excess. The k(12) dependence on viscosity is explained in terms of the longitudinal relaxation time of the solution. The rate constant of the heterogeneous ET reaction between TCNQ and ferricyanide, k(21), is also obtained by SECM and these results cannot be explained by the same manner.

Charge transfer across the water/nitrobenzene interface by three-electrode system

A droplet of aqueous solution containing a certain molar ratio of redox couple is first attached onto a platinum electrode surface, then the resulting drop electrode is immersed into the organic solution containing very hydrophobic electrolyte. Combined with reference and counter electrodes, a classical three-electrode system has been constructed, Ion transfer (IT) and electron transfer (ET) are investigated systematically using three-electrode voltammetry. Potassium ion transfer and electron transfer between potassium ferricyanide in the aqueous phase and ferrocene in nitrobenzene are observed with potassium ferricyanide/potassium ferrocyanide as the redox couple. Meanwhile, the transfer reactions of lithium, sodium, potassium, proton and ammonium ions are obtained with ferric sulfate/ferrous sulfate as the redox couple. The formal transfer potentials and the standard Gibbs transfer energy of these ions are evaluated and consistent with the results obtained by a four-electrode system and other methods.

Compatibilization effects of block copolymers in high density polyethylene/syndiotactic polystyrene blends

Three triblock copolymers of poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] (SEBS) of different molecular weights and one diblock copolymer of poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)] (SEB) were used to compatibilize high density polyethylene/syndiotactic polystyrene (HDPE/sPS, 80/20) blend. Morphology observation showed that phase size of the dispersed sPS particles was significantly reduced on addition of all the four copolymers and the interfacial adhesion between the two phases was dramatically enhanced. Tensile strength of the blends increased at lower copolymer content but decreased with increasing copolymer content. The elongation at break of the blends improved and sharply increased with increments of the copolymers. Drop in modulus of the blend was observed on addition of the rubbery copolymers. The mechanical performance of the modified blends is strikingly dependent not only on the interfacial activity of the copolymers but also on the mechanical properties of the copolymers, particularly at the high copolymer concentration. Addition of compatibilizers to HDPE/sPS blend resulted in a significant reduction in crystallinity of both HDPE and sPS. Measurements of Vicat softening temperature of the HDPE/sPS blends show that heat resistance of HDPE is greatly improved upon incorporation of 20 wt% sPS.

Studies on the nature of the macromolecular condensed state of "nascent" ultra high molar mass polyethylene

Ultra high molar mass polyethylene (UHPE) powder as polymerized in a slurry process has been studied, in its nascent state, after recrystallization on rapid cooling from the melt and after hot compression molding to a film, by DSC, effect of annealing the recrystallized specimen at 120 similar to 130 degreesC, morphology by polarizing optical microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. Based on the experimental results obtained the macromolecular condensed state of the nascent UHPE powder is a rare case of a multi-chain condensed state of non-interpenetrating chains, involving interlaced extended chain crystalline layers and relaxed parallel chain amorphous layers. On melting, a nematic rubbery state of nanometer size domain resulted. The nematic-isotropic transition temperature was judged from literature data to be at least 220 degreesC, possibly higher than 300 degreesC, the exact temperature is however not sue because of chain degradation at such high temperatures. The recrystallization process from the melt is a crystallization from a nematic rubbery state. The drop of remelting peak temperature by 10 K of the specimen recrystallized from its melt as compared to the nascent state has its origin in the decrease both of the crystalline chain stem length and of the degree of crystallinity. The remelting peak temperature could be returned close to that of the nascent state by annealing at 120 similar to 130 degreesC.

In-situ microscopic FTIR spectroelectrochemical study of the reduction of K3Fe(CN)(6) in polymer electrolyte

Cyclic voltammetry and in-situ microscopic FTIR spectroelectrochemistry were used for the electrochemical and vibrational characterizations of the reduction process of K3Fe (CN)(6) in polyethylene glycol(PEG) with LiClO4 as supporting electrolyte at a Pt microelectrode. The rate of electron transfer is a function of the concentration of the supporting electrolyte. The redox potentials and cyclic voltammetric currents vary with Li/O molar ratio. The bl-situ spectroelectrochemistry shows that the infrared spectra are influenced by the concentration of LiClO4. The bridging cyanide groups with a structure Fe-I-C drop N ... Fe-I-C drop N are formed during the reduction process of K3Fe (CN)(6). There may be an activated complex between the Lif cation and the complex anion.