Photoluminescence study of Langmuir-Blodgett films of blend poly 3-(2-(5-chlorobenzotriazole)ethyl) thiophene

The multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of pr,ly 3-(2-(5-chlorobenzotriazole)ethyl) thiophene (PCBET) blended with amphibious arachidic acid (AA) were prepared and characterized. The photoluminescence intensity of the blend film was enhanced as the AA increased by a certain amount. The PCBET excimers were not formed in the blend LB films.

Bright blue electroluminescent devices utilizing poly (N-vinylcarbazole) doped with fluorescent dye

Bright blue electroluminescent devices have been fabricated using poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) doped with perylene as the emissive layer, poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) as the hole-transporting layer, 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq(3)) as the electron-transporting layer, and Al as the cathode. A luminance of 700 cd/m(2) and a luminescent efficiency of 0.8% are achieved at a drive voltage of 36 V. In the experiment, it is found that the introduction of electron-transporting layer PBD has a great effect on the emissive color of the electroluminescent devices prepared by PVK doped with perylene. Yellow-green emission is observed from the device structure of glass substrate/indium-tin-oxide/PVK:perylene/Al. The possible emissive mechanisms are given. The effect of the transporting layer on the electroluminescence is also discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Studies on biodegradable poly(hexano-6-lactone) fibers 1. Structure and properties of drawn poly(hexano-6-lactone) fibers

Using high molecular weight (M-n=80,000) Poly(hexano-6-lactone) (PCL'), tough and high tenacity PCL monofilaments with various draw ratios (undrawn to 9 times drawn) were prepared by melt-spinning. The relationship between microstructure and properties of the PCL fibers is described in this current IUPAC Technical Report. Analysis of microstructure of the drawn PCL fibers by wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed typical c-axis orientation with an increase in crystallinity. It was also supported by sonic velocity measurements. The thermal, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of the PCL fibers were affected significantly by draw ratio. DSC thermograms showed that the melting temperature and the enthalpy of fusion increased with draw ratio. The temperature dependence curves of dynamic viscoelasticity showed that the temperature at tan delta peak of alpha dispersion corresponding to the glass transition temperature shifted toward higher temperature and the peak value of tan delta decreased with draw ratio. The dynamic storage modulus and the sonic modulus increased with draw ratio. These results are due to the increase in crystallinity and molecular orientation with drawing, and are responsible for an increase in tensile tenacity as well as knot tenacity of the PCL fibers.

Preparation and characterization of a new blend of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene glycol)

A new blend of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) was prepared. The results from solid-state NMR indicate that the PHEMA/PEG(88:12, w/w) blend is miscible on a molecular level.

Mechanical and structural characteristics of phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blends

Mechanical and structural properties of blends of phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) (PBS-C) with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were investigated using tensile and bending testing, scanning electron microscopy and transition electron microscopy. The incorporation of minor amounts of UHMWPE (2 wt.-%) into PES-C has a reinforcement effect. With higher concentrations of UHMWPE, the mechanical properties decrease gradually. Structural studies demonstrated that the blends are multiphasic in the whole composition range. The minor UHMWPE, dispersed uniformly and oriented along the flow direction, as well as the strong interfacial adhesion contribute to the increase of the mechanical performance of the blends. The domain size of the UHMWPE phase was found to increase with the increase of its concentration.

Isothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone) (PEEKK)

Isothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of PEEKK have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in two temperature regions. During the primary crystallization process, the relative crystallinity develops with a time dependence described by the Avrami equation, with exponent n = 2 for both melt and cold crystallization. The activation energies are -544.5 and 466.7 kJ/mol for crystallization from the melt and amorphous glassy state, respectively. The equilibrium melting point T-m(o) is estimated to be 371 degrees C by using the Hoffman-Weeks approach. The lateral and end surface free energies derived from the Lauritzen-Hoffman spherulitic growth rate equation are sigma=10 erg/cm(2) and sigma(e) = 60 erg/cm(2), respectively. The work of chain folding q is determined as 3.98 kcal/mol. These observed crystallization kinetic characteristics of PEEKK are compared with those of PEEK. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Crystallization kinetics and morphology of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(vinyl acetate) blends

The crystallization behavior and morphology of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(vinyl acetate) blends have been studied with DSC, POM, SAXS and WAXD methods. The results indicate that the overall crystallization rate and spherulite growth rate are slower in the blends than that in the pure PHB. The addition of PVAc has no effect on the crystal structure of PHB, but affects its crystalline morphology. During crystallization of PHB, PVAc chains were being rejected into the region between the lamellae of crystalline PHB. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Effects of molecular weight and interaction parameter on the glass transition temperature of polystyrene mixtures and its blends with polystyrene/poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide)

The glass transition temperature (T-g) of mixtures of polystyrene (PS) with different molecular weight and of blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene with different molecular weight (DMWPS) was studied by a DSC method. For the whole range of composition, the curves of T-g vs composition obtained by experiment were compared with predictions from the Fox, Gordon-Taylor, Couchman and Lu-Weiss, equations. It was found that the experimental results were not in agreement with those from the Fox, Gordon-TayIor and Couchman equations for the binary mixtures of DMWPS, where the interaction parameter chi was approximately zero. However, for the blends PPO/DMWPS (chi < 0), with an increase of molecular weight of PS, it was shown that the experimental results fitted well with those obtained from the Couchman, Gordon-Taylor and Fox equations, respectively. Furthermore, the Gordon-Taylor equation was nearly identical to the Lu-Weiss equation when \chi\ was not very large. Further, the dependence of the change of heat capacity associated with the glass transition (Delta C-p) on the molecular weight of PS was investigated and an empirical equation was presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Thermal analysis of ethylene propylene copolymer-grafted-acrylic acid

The thermal properties of ethylene propylene copolymer-grafted-acrylic acid (EP-g-AA) were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Compared with the ethylene propylene copolymer (EP), the peak values of the melting temperature (T-m) of the propylene sequences in the grafted EP changed a little, the crystallization temperature (T-c) increased about 8-12 degrees C, and the melting enthalpy (Delta H-m) increased about 4-6 J/g. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of grafted and ungrafted samples was carried out by DSC. Within the scope of the researched crystallization temperature, the Avrami exponent (n) of the ungrafted sample was 1.6-1.8, and that of grafted samples were all above 2, which indicated that the grafted monomer could become the crystal nuclei for the crystallization of propylene sequence. With increasing grafted monomer content, the crystallization rate of propylene sequence in grafted EP increased; it might be the result of rapid nucleation rate and crystal growth rate.

Cure processing modeling and cure cycle simulation of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) .3. Determination of the time of pressure application

The curing temperature, pressure, and curing time have significant influence on finished thermosetting composite products. The time of pressure application is one of the most important processing parameters in the manufacture of a thermosetting composite. The determination of the time of pressure application relies on analysis of the viscosity variation of the polymer, associated with curing temperature and curing time. To determine it, the influence of the time of pressure application on the physical properties of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) (E-PEK)-based continuous carbon fiber composite was studied. It was found that a stepwise temperature cure cycle is more suitable for manufacture of this composite. There are two viscosity valleys, in the case of the E-PEK system, associated with temperature during a stepwise cure cycle. The analysis on the effects of reinforcement fraction and defect content on the composite sheet quality indicates that the width-adjustable second viscosity valley provides a suitable pressing window. The viscosity, ranging from 400 to 1200 Pa . s at the second viscosity valley, is the optimal viscosity range for applying pressure to ensure appropriate resin flow during curing process, which enables one to get a finished composite with optimal fiber volume fraction and low void content. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Cure processing modeling and cure cycle simulation of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) .4. Cure cycle simulation

Epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) (E-PEK) developed in this Institute is a candidate matrix resin for polymer composites as structural materials. Cure cycles for this reaction system were simulated according to the previously established processing model. It is found that for the E-PEK system, the curing process is best completed by a stepwise cure cycle comprising two isothermal processes at different temperatures, T-1 and T-2. The cure cycles over a wide range of processing parameters simulated, based on the established processing model, indicate that the processing window is width-adjustable. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the composite sheets showed that the simulated cure cycles are acceptable and reliable. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Interfacial characteristics of the self-assembly system of poly-L-lysine 3-mercaptopropionic acid gold electrode

The interfacial characteristics of poly-L-lysine (PL) attached on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were studied by an electrochemical method. The results indicated that PL\MPA layer inhibited partly the diffusion process of redox species in solution, and the electrode surface behaved like a microelectrode array. Its permeation effect was also strongly affected by Mg2+. The more Mg2+ ions were added into the electrolyte solution, the greater the difficulty with which the electron transfer of potassium ferricyanide took place. The three different conformations of PL on the electrode surface had different influences on the electron transfer processes of ferricyanide. PL in random coil state hindered most strongly the electron transfer behavior of ferricyanide,while the alpha-helical PL had nearly no effect and the effect of the beta-sheet state PL was intermediate of these. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Toughened blend of polycarbonate and epoxidized ethylene propylene diene rubber

A super-tough polycarbonate (PC) blend was obtained by using epoxidized ethylene propylene diene (eEPDM) rubber as modifier. The notched Izod impact strength of PC/eEPDM (96/4) blend shows a great improvement, with a value about 25 times of that of pure PC. Finely and homogeneously dispersed rubber particles (0.2-0.8 mu m) in the PC matrix indicated good adhesion between the eEPDM rubber phase and the PC matrix. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.