Preparation and properties of polyethylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites by in situ polymerization

Polyethylene (PE)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ coordination polymerization using a MMT/MgCl2/TiCl4 catalyst activated by AI(Et),. The catalyst was prepared by first diffusing MgCl2 into the swollen MMT layers, followed by loading TiCl4 on the inner/outer layer surfaces of MMT where MgCl2 was already deposited. The intercalation of MMT layers by MgCl2 and TiCl, was demonstrated by the enlarged interlayer spacing determined by WAXD. The nanoscale dispersion of MMT layers in the polyethylene matrix was characterized by WAXD and TEM. As a consequence, the crystallinity of the nanocomposite decreased sharply, whereas the tensile strength was significantly improved compared to that of virgin polyethylene of comparable molecular weight. The confinement of the nanodispersed MMT layers to molecular chain and the strong interaction between the nanoscale MMT layers and the resin matrix were thought to account for the decrease of crystallinity and the remarkable enhancement of strength.

Multiple melting behavior of isotactic polypropylene and poly(propylene-co-ethylene) after stepwise isothermal crystallization

The multiple melting behavior of several commercial resins of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and random copolymer, poly(propylene-co-ethylene) (PPE), after stepwise isothermal crystallization (SIC) were studied by differential scanning calorimeter and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). For iPP samples, three typical melting endotherms appeared after SIC process when heating rate was lower than 10 degreesC/min. The WAXD experiments proved that only alpha-form crystal was formed during SIC process and no transition from alpha1- to alpha2-form occurred during heating process. Heating rate dependence for each endotherm was discussed and it was concluded that there were only,two major crystals with different thermal stability. For the PPE sample, more melting endotherms appeared after stepwise isothermal crystallization. The introduction of ethylene comonomer in isotactic propylene backbone further decreased the regularity of molecular chain, and the short isotactic propylene sequences could crystallize into gamma-form crystal having a low melting temperature whereas the long sequences crystallized into alpha-form crystal having high melting temperature.

Study on a carbosilane liquid crystalline (LC) dendrimer of the first generation - Containing twelve 4-butoxyazobenzene mesogenic groups in periphery

The divergent synthesis of a new carbosilane liquid-crystalline (LC) dendrimer of the first generation (D1) is described. Twelve 4-butoxyazobenzene groups are used as mesogenic fragments and attached in the periphery of the molecule. Structure and properties of D1 were characterized by element analysis, H-1 NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, IR, UV-Vis, polarizing optical micrograph, DSC and WAXD. It is argued that mesophase of nematic type is realized. It is shown that the mesophase type of the dendrimer essentially depends on the chemical nature of the mesogenic groups. Phase behavior of D1 is K82N1331132N67K. The melting point of D1 is 30similar to43 degreesC lower than that of M5, its clearing temperature is 9 similar to 11 degreesC higher than that of M5 and its mesophase region is enlarged by 39 similar to 54 degreesC compared to that of M5. Eight extinguished brushes emanating from a stationary point are observed, corresponding to the high-strength disclination of S = + 2 of dendrimer. The clearing enthalpy of D1 is smaller than the value that is commonly found for phase transition n-i in LC and LC polymers. This may be due to the presence of branched dendrimer cores which cannot be easily deformed to fit into the anisotropic LC phase structure.

Crystal structure of 11-{[(4 '-heptoxy-4-biphenylyl) carbonyl]oxy}-1-undecyne

The crystal structure of 11-{[(4'-heptoxy-4-biphenylyl) carbonyl] oxy}-1-undecyne (A9EO7), an acetylene with a biphenyl mesogenic moiety, was studied by combination of electron diffraction (ED), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and molecular simulation of ED pattern and molecular packing. A9EO7 was found to adopt an orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2 space group with cell parameters of a = 5.78 Angstrom, b = 7.46 Angstrom, and c = 63.26 Angstrom, for which molecular packing calculations were conducted to elucidate the molecular conformation. Its crystal morphology was observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and an atom force microscope (AFM). A9EO7 crystal grew to form step like morphology. Crystallization behavior of A9EO7 in magnetic field was examined. Induced by magnetic field A9EO7 could crystallize in such a way that its molecular long axis was parallel to the substrate.

Morphology and structure of nylon-2,14 single crystals from dilute solution

A perfect single crystal of nylon-2,14 was prepared from 0.02% (w/v) 1,4-butanediol solution by a "self-seeding" technique and isothermal crystallization at 120 and 145 degreesC. The morphology and structure features were examined by transmission electron microscopy with both image and diffraction modes, atomic force microscopy, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The nylon-2,14 single crystal grown from 1,4-butanediol at 145 degreesC inhabited a lathlike shape with a lamellar thickness of about 9 nm. Electron diffraction and WAXD data indicated that nylon-2,14 crystallized in a triclinic system with lattice dimensions a = 0.49 nm, b = 0.51 nm, c = 2.23 nm, alpha = 60.4degrees, beta = 77degrees, and gamma = 59degrees. The crystal structure is different from that of nylon-6,6 but similar to that of other members of nylon-2Y.

Reactive reinforcement of the interface of poly(ether sulfone)/poly(phenylene sulfide) polymer blend by PMR-POI

The effect of polymerization of monomer reactant-polyimide (POI) as the interfacial agent on the interface characteristics, morphology features, and crystallization of poly(ether sulfone)/poly(phenylene sulfide) (PES/PPS) blends were investigated using a scanning electron microscope, FTIR, WAXD, and XPS surface analysis. It was found that the interfacial adhesion was enhanced, the particle size of the dispersed phase was reduced, and the miscibility between PES and PPS was improved by the addition of POI. It was also found that POI was an effective nucleation agent of the crystallization for PPS.

Study on the transesterification of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)

The transesterification of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) was carried out by using stannous octoate as catalyzer in liquid phase. The effects of reaction conditions on the transesterification, including reaction temperature, reaction time and catalyzer content, were investigated. The sequence distribution, crystallization behavior and thermal stability of PHB-co-PCL copolyesters were studied by C-13-NMR, FTIR, DSC, WAXD and TGA. The results showed that the transesterification of PHB with PCL was confirmed to produce a block copolymer, and enhancing reaction temperature and increasing reaction time were advantageous to the transesterification. With the increase in PCL content in the block copolymer, the crystallization behavior of PHB-co-PCL copolyesters changed evidently. On the other hand, the introduction of PCL segment into PHB chains did not change its crystalline structure; moreover, thermal stability of PHB-co-PCL copolyesters was a little improved in air, comparing with that of pure PHB.

Characterization and properties of the neutral and doped blends of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) with low-density polyethylene

In this paper, the structures and properties of the neutral and doped blends of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT) with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the structures and morphologies of the blends, and conductivity was also measured. It was found that separate crystallizations occur between P3DDT and LDPE. When the amount of P3DDT is small in the blend, it has the effect of a nucleation reagent and has some influence on the crystal structure. After doping, the interaction force between the molecular chains increases, and leads to a more compact packing and a more uniform dispersion in morphology. Through blending, the thermal stability of pure component could be greatly improved, especially when the P3DDT content is 5 wt %. The conductivity measurements indicate that the conductivity increases with the increase of the P3DDT composition and doping time.

Crystallization and Crosslinking of polyamide-1010 under elevated pressure

The structure and thermal properties of polyamide-1010 (PA1010), treated at 250degreesC for 30 min under pressures of 0.7-2.5 GPa, were studied with wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Crystals were formed when the pressures were less than 1.0 GPa or greater than 1.2 GPa. With increasing pressure, the intensity of the diffraction peak at approximately 24degrees was enhanced, whereas the peak at approximately 20degrees was depressed. The triclinic crystal structure of PA1010 was preserved. The highest melting temperature of the crystals obtained in this work was 208degreesC for PA1010 treated at 1.5 GPa. Crosslinking occurred under pressures of 1.0-1.2 GPa. Only a broad diffraction peak centered at approximately 20degrees was observed on WAXD patterns, and no melting and crystallization peaks were found on DSC curves. IR spectra of crosslinked PA1010 showed a remarkable absorption band at 1370 cm(-1). The N-H stretching vibration band at 3305 cm(-1) was weakened. Crystallized PA1010 had a higher thermal stability than crosslinked PA1010, as indicated on TGA curves by a higher onset temperature of decomposition.

Preparation and properties of polyimide films codoped with barium and titanium oxides

Polyimide hybrid films containing bimetalic compounds were obtained by codoping poly(amic acid) with a barium and titanium precursor prepared from BaCO3, Ti(OBu)(4), and lactic acid followed by casting and thermal curing. FTIR, WAXD, and XPS measurements showed that barium and titanium precursor could be transformed to BaTiO3 at a temperature above 650 degreesC, while the mixed oxides were only found in hybrid films. The measurements of TEM and AFM indicated a homogeneous distribution of inorganic phase with particle sizes less than 50 nm. The hybrid films exhibited fairly high thermal stability, good optical transparency, and promising mechanical properties. The incorporation of 10 wt % barium and titanium oxide lowered surface and volume electrical resistivity by 2 and 5 orders, respectively, increasing dielectric constant from 3.5 to 4.2 and piezoelectric constant from 3.8 to 5.2 x 10(-12) c/N, relative to the nondoped polyimide film.

HIPS的官能化及HIPS/PBT共混体系的研究

以过氧化二异丙苯 (DCP)为引发剂 ,甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯 (GMA)为活性单体 ,高抗冲苯乙烯(HIPS)通过熔融接枝制得了功能化的高抗冲聚苯乙烯接枝物 (HIPS g GMA)。用红外光谱和电子能谱对其结构进行了表征。HIPS g GMA的红外谱图 ,证明GMA已经接枝到HIPS上。电子能谱分析也提供了相似的结论。研究了单体浓度和DCP用量对产物接枝率的影响 ,并用化学滴定方法测定了接枝物的接枝率。用DSC、SEM、WAXD、DMA等研究了PBT/HIPS和PBT/HIPS g GMA的结晶、形态结构、动态力学性能及力学性能随组成的变化。SEM及DMA分析表明增容后体系的相容性得到改善 ,力学性能有较大提高。

超细碳酸钙填充聚丙烯的拉伸和结晶行为的研究

研究了组成为 1phr和 10 phr的超细碳酸钙 (Ca CO3 ,0 .1μm)经偶联剂处理前后 ,填充聚丙烯(PP)的拉伸性能和结晶行为。结果表明 :Ca CO3 的加入增加了 PP的杨氏模量 (E) ,降低了 PP的断裂伸长率 (εb) ,1Phr样品与未填充 PP的 εb 的比值为 0 .5 6 ,10 phr时则迅速降至 0 .0 4。这一变化趋势明显不同于普通 Ca CO3 填充 PP所表现出来的行为。表面处理样品的 E和 εb 均大于相应组成的未经表面处理的样品 ,SEM照片显示偶联剂的作用改善了 Ca CO3 / PP的界面粘接性能。WAXD分析表明 ,Ca CO3 的加入提高了 PP的结晶度 ,结晶形态以 α晶为主 ,晶胞参数和微晶尺寸均有一定程度的变化。DSC结果表明 ,除了 CTUCPP- 10样品的过冷度降低以外 ,其余样品的过冷度无明显改变

电场诱导下的间规聚苯乙烯晶体结构和形态研究

用 WAXD、DSC和 SEM研究了高真空强静电场下熔融结晶的间规聚苯乙烯晶体结构和形态。实验发现 ,随电场强度的增大 ,间规聚苯乙烯晶体逐渐由 α相向 β相转变 ,片晶由无序混乱状向沿电场方向取向的有序状转化

二氧化碳-环氧丙烷共聚物/乙基纤维素共混物的研究

用 DSC,TGA,WAXD和 SEM研究了溶液浇注制备马来酸酐封端的聚亚丙基碳酸酯 /乙基纤维素共混物 (MAPPC/EC)的相容性、热稳定性、聚集态结构和形态。共混物存在单一玻璃化温度揭示 MAPPC和EC在非晶区相容。富 EC共混物的固相 -液晶相转变温度和液晶相 -各向同性态转变温度和转变焓均随 EC含量增加而增加。在 MAPPC中混入 EC,热分解温度提高 ,特别是质量比为 90∶ 1 0的 MAPPC/EC共混物热分解温度增加在富 MAPPC共混物中最明显。在胆甾型液晶 EC中混入 MAPPC,EC的 2个峰向大 Bragg角方向移动 ,使介晶相聚合物层间距及链间距变小 ;结晶相微晶尺寸增大 ,非晶相尺寸减小 ,共混物堆砌更紧密。

聚β-羟基丁酸酯和聚ε-己内酯的酯交换反应

以辛酸亚锡为催化剂 ,研究了聚 β 羟基丁酸酯 (PHB)与聚ε 己内酯 (PCL)在液相条件下的酯交换反应 .讨论了反应时间 ,反应温度和催化剂浓度对酯交换反应的影响 .采用1 3C NMR ,FTIR ,DSC ,WAXD和TGA等方法对PHB和PCL共聚酯 (PHB co PCL)的结构进行了表征 ,并对其结晶行为、晶体结构和热稳定性进行了研究 .结果表明 ,通过酯交换反应 ,所得到的共聚酯为嵌段共聚物 .提高反应温度和延长反应时间有利于酯交换反应的发生 .随着酯交换量的增加 ,PHB co PCL的结晶行为发生很大的变化 .但是 ,PHB co PCL晶体结构并没有因为PCL链段的引入而发生变化 ,而且它的热稳定性在空气气氛中略有提高