An investigation of micro-brownian motions in polydimethylsiloxane by complementary incoherent-neutron-scattering and nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments below room temperature

Two different experimental methods, neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance are used to investigate the random methyl group and segmental rotational jump motions in polydimethylsiloxane. It is shown that nuclear magnetic relaxation and line width experiments are complementary to incoherent neutron scattering fixed-window experiments, the principle of the fixed-window experiments being discussed in somewhat detail. Satisfactory agreement of these experimental techniques is achieved as to the determination of the two model parameters of the motional processes in question, i. e. the activation energy and the preexponential factor of the Arrhenius ansatz made for the correlation time or jump time, respectively.Contribution partly presented during the meeting of the Macromolecular Club, June 8–10, 1983 in Uppsala, the spring conference of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft, March 12–17, 1984 in Münster and the Fourth International Seminar on Polymer Physics, October 22–26, 1984 in Eyba (GDR).     

Water self-diffusion in micellar solutions and in lyotropic mesophases of the system water/Triton TX-100

Studies by Pulsed Field Gradient NMR (PFG-NMR) methods and other physico-chemical experiments have been used to clarify the processes connected with water self-diffusion in mixtures formed by water and Triton TX-100. In micellar solutions the solvent diffusive trend is related to micelle hydration and, to a much less extent, to micelle size and shape. Hydration numbers from PFG-NMR are close to those obtained by viscosity experiments. In solution phases of the reversed kind, water in oil, water self-diffusion data suggest that aqueous domains are large and bicontinuous. Water self-diffusion in the hexagonal lyotropic mesophase has been interpreted by introducing a geometrydependent contraint, , termed structural factor, which is related to the parameters of the phase.     

Macromolecular conformations at the water-air interface: Interactions between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides

Bidimensional miscibility between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides was investigated at the water-air interface in the 15°–30°C temperature range. The polypeptides were poly--methyl-L-glutamate (PGMG), poly--benzyl-L-glutamate (PGBG) and poly--benzyl-L-aspartate (PBBA). The polypeptide conformations, alpha or beta, were checked by IR spectroscopy using the MIR technique.The spreading isotherms for mixed monolayers alpha-PGMG/alpha-PGBG and beta-PGMG/beta-PBBA showed bidimensional miscibility both for alpha-alpha and beta-beta mixtures.For the alpha-alpha system, attractive interactions among the polypeptide alphahelices were found (G_mix<0) and the driving factor appeared to be the entropic one (packing). Compressibility moduli and surface potential measurements showed a fluidification effect of alpha-PGBG on mixed monolayers. In the case of beta-beta mixed monolayers, ideal behaviour was observed and no fluidification effect detected.Scanning electron micrographs made on collapsed monolayers showed hexagonal structures for alpha-alpha mixtures and no well-defined or characterized features for the beta-beta system.     

Structure of casein micelles I. Small angle neutron scattering and light scattering fromβ- andχ-casein

Casein is the main protein component of milk and is of remarkable colloidal stability. Under the influence of milk clotting enzymes casein shows the striking behaviour of coagulation. This clotting process has already been studied by other groups, neglecting the fact that casein is not a homogeneous protein. The purpose of the present study is focused, in this first stage, on the determination of the structure of the various casein components. In cooperation with other laboratories we have been able to obtain the well separated individual proteins. Studies have been performed so far with- and-casein. For detailed structural information we carried out small angle neutron scattering and combined static and dynamic light scattering measurements and determined the molecular weight,M _w, the radius of gyration, S ² the hydrodynamic radius,R _H, the-value and the particle scattering factor, P_z(q). The two caseins show a strikingly different behaviour. For the-casein we found a star-like structure, i. e. an aggregation pattern that is expected for a common micelle. The micelle consists of about 38 monomer chains. The aggregates of-casein appear to be composed of star-like submicelles, where each submicelle contains nine-casein chains and the total degree of aggregation is about 140.     

Phase behavior and dynamic properties in mixed systems of anionic and cationic surfactants: lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate/diethanolheptadecafluoro-2-undecanolmethylammonium chloride (DEFUMAC) and lithium dodecyl sulfate/DEFUMAC aqueous mixtures

Two ternary phase diagrams of the cationic perfluorosurfactant diethanolheptadecafluoro-2-undecanolmethylammonium chloride (DEFUMAC) with an anionic perfluorosurfactant lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate (LiFOS) and an anionic hydrocarbon surfactant lithium dodecyl sulfate (LiDS) have been established at 25°C. The total surfactant concentration was less than 20wt%. In a wide mixing region of the LiFOS/DEFUMAC system, a lamellar-type phase,P , was identified by its texture under a polarization microscope and by its x-ray diffraction pattern. Dispersed fragments ofP -phase are present in the dilute solutions in which one surfactant was in excess. The anisotropy of electrical conductivity, flow birefringence, dynamic light scattering, and electric briefringence demonstrate that theP fragments are disk-like with a radius of 0.7 m. The disk-likeP particles are transformed by shear into a spherical aggregate ofL above a critical shear gradient. LiDS/DEFUMAC mixed solution forms dispersed and precipitatedL in the dominant region. Radius and micropolarity of the dispersedL aggregates are decreased as the ratio of LiDS:DEFUMAC approaches 1:1. On the basis of x-ray diffraction measurement the structure of precipitatedL -phase seems to consist of monolayers.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer microspheres having cationic groups

Micron-size monodisperse crosslinked polymer microspheres having chloromethyl groups were prepared by seeded copolymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene, and chloromethylstyrene in the presence of 2.1- monodisperse polystyrene seed particles produced by dispersion polymerization. The modification reaction of chloromethyl groups on the surfaces with polyamines such as triethylenetetramine and ethylenediamine was carried out. From the measurements of potential and the amount of chloride ion released, the introduction of a large number of cationic groups at the surfaces was confirmed.Part CXXXI of the series Studies on suspension and Emulsion.     

Dielectric properties of moist CaCO3 filled polyethylene composites

The capacitance and the dielectric loss tangents of CaCO₃ filled polyethylene composites were studied. Composite samples, prepared by polymerizing ethylene on the surfaces of fillers, pre-treated by polymerization catalysts, were compared to normal mechanical mixtures. Dielectric dispersion,, and loss, , proved to be sensitive to heating or vacuum treatment. Investigation of samples under conditions of different relative humidities showed that the dielectric dispersion is due to adsorbed water. Both and increased with decreasing frequency and the ratio of loss and dispersion was nearly constant. Dielectric data measured at different relative humidities could be represented by a single Cole-Cole plot. Samples soaked in water for different periods yielded qualitatively similar but quantitatively different Cole-Cole plots. Composite samples showed higher losses at similar humidities.Possible interpretations in terms of a molecular relaxation model, an interfacial relaxation model, including a charged double layer mechanism, percolation theory and the universal response theory were examined, but none was able to fully explain the observed phenomena.     

Effect of thick fixed-charge layers on electrostatic interaction — a theoretical approach

The electrostatic interaction pressure of charged surface layers is considered qualitatively and quantitatively. In the case of mutual penetration of the surface layers in addition to Maxwell stress and osmotic resp. hydrostatic pressure an isotropic stress on the fixed charges carrying molecules of the surface layers has to be taken into account. The derivation of the pressure-distance equations is given starting from both thermodynamic/electrostatic and hydrostatic/electrostatic principles. A possible biological significance of the additional stress is discussed emphasizing its role in modifying the structure of surface layer molecules.List of symbols e ₀ elementary charge - k Boltzmann constant - n _i concentration of theith ionic species in the bulk solution - P hydrostatic pressure - P hydrostatic pressure in the bulk volume (× ) - P ^h integration constant, independent on ×:P ^h =P(h) - T absolute temperature - Z _i electrovalence of theith ionic species - thickness of the surface layer - , ₀ relative and absolute permittivities - II(×) osmotic pressure at position × - II osmotic pressure in the bulk solution (× ) - osmotic pressure in the symmetry plane of interacting identical surface layers (electric field strength equals zero) - integration constant, independent on ×: - _e ^h electrostatic component of the disjoining pressure _e ^h = _e (h) - (×) mobile charge density profile (cations and anions of the electrolyte) - (×) fixed charge density profile - ^t(x) total charge density profile ( ^t = +) - ¹(x) fixed charge density profile of one of the two surface layers ( ¹(×) 0 for 0×) - (×) electric potential profile     

Formation of monodisperse poly(1-methacryloxybenzotriazole) particles by radiation-induced dispersion polymerization

Radiation-induced dispersion polymerization of 1-methacryloxybenzotriazole (MABt) in ethyl propionate starts as homogeneous mixture and the resulting polymer precipitates as spherical particles. Formation, size, and shape of polymer particles are strongly dependent on the initial monomer concentration. Three regions can be distinguished: formation of deformed particles at concentrations of 15 w/v-% MABt; formation of spherical particles at concentrations from 18 to 35 w/v-% MABt; no precipitation of polymer at concentrations of 40 w/v-% MABt. The spherical particles at 20 w/v-% MABt had a diameter of 0.54 ± 0.31 m for 3 kGy irradiation and 2.93±0.68 m for 30 kGy. The number distribution of the microspheres shows that the spherical particles with small sizes formed at low irradiation dose (low conversion) disappears with increasing irradiation dose because of multi-coating by newly produced polymer.     

Torsional potential and strain energy distribution in an extended chain under stress

Torsional potentialV() for the single bond transformation in an extended hexadecane, subjected to elongation, has been determined by molecular mechanics calculations. The stored elastic energy significantly modifies the potentialV(), the conformational energies and the barriers of transition. Apart from the soft torsional coordinate, elastic energy is also dissipated considerably by bond stretching and angle bending. Maximal variations of the valence coordinates occur in the vicinity of the torsional defect and dampen along the chain. At higher elongation, the gauche minimum on the potentialV() disappears and the calculations predict the abrupt gauche to trans transition. The energetics of torsion of a deformed chain are compared with the experimental data on the hydrodynamic extension of polymers in dilute solution by elongational flow. The calculations also provide details of a single bond transformation mechanism at conformational interconversions in a long chain, proposed by Helfand.     

Phase diagram of the system dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine/dihexadecyl-phosphatidic acid/water/NaOH at pH=14

Differential-scanning-calorimetry, freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and³¹P-NMR spectroscopy were used to study the lyotropic and thermotropic properties of the system dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine/dihexadecylphosphatidic acid/water/ NaOH in dispersion with excess water at pH=14. The phase diagram showed that both phospholipids are demixed nearly completely in the gel phase. The coexistence of theP and theB -phase in the mixtures was pointed out in the freeze-fracture electron micrographs by the ripple structure (P -phase) and by the lamellar structure (B -phase).     

Complex polarizability as used to analyze dielectric relaxation measurements

The effect of representing dielectric properties in terms of the complex polarizability ^c = – i is examined. Loss curves ( and tan ) are shifted towards higher frequencies, revealing the existence of new relaxations and allowing the clarifications of ones already known. We have calculated the shift ratios (at maximum or tan )/ (at maximum or tan ) from the more conventional empirical equations representing the dielectric behavior. Some examples are given.     

The acceleration of decomposition of potassium persulfate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and polymer particles as a model of emulsion polymerization system

The decomposition rates of potassium persulfate (KPS) in aqueous solutions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) particles as models of emulsion polymerization systems were measured by isotachophoresis. Free SDS molecules dispersed in the monomolecular state had an ability to accelerate the KPS decomposition, but SDS molecules adsorbed onto the polymer particles did not accelerate it.Part CXX of the series of Studies on Suspension and Emulsion     

Polypeptides mixed monolayers: collapse mechanism

The mechanism of the collapse process of monolayers of poly-L-alanine and of its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate was studied at the water/air interface at temperatures of 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30 °C.From measurements of the collapse surface pressure as a function of molar ratios and from the determination of the collapse kinetics, as well as from ellipsometrical measurements of the thickness of the film, the complete solubility of the components, even in the collapsed phase, was deduced.Furthermore, activation energies and values ofG*,H*, andS* in relationship to the kinetics of this process were deduced; it was shown that this process is constituted of a first phase of nucleation and of a second phase of growth both for the poly-L-alanine alone and for its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate.     

Small angle neutron scattering studies on micellar systems part 2. Mixed systems of ammonium decanoate and ammonium perfluoro-octanoate

Mixtures of ammonium decanoate (AmDec) and ammonium perfluoro-octanoate (APFO), in ammonium chloride: ammonium hydroxide buffer at pH 8.8 and an ionic strength of 0.1, were examined by small angle neutron scattering with varying proportions of the two surface active agents. The results indicated that mixed micelles were formed and it is suggested from analysis of the data that these were cylindrical in shape at APFO: AmDec ratios of 21, 11 and 12. At 21 and 11 the micelles were found to contain more APFO than expected on the basis of ideal mixing of the surface active agents in the micelle. At a ratio of 19 the micelles were found to be spherical but larger than those formed from AmDec alone. A speculative model is proposed for the mixed micelle which still, however, allows for segregation between hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon chains within the micelle.     

Covalent immobilization of trypsin onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene composite microspheres by cyanogen bromide method and its enzymatic activity

Covalent immobilization of trypsin onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/ polystyrene composite microspheres, produced by emulsifier-free seeded emulsion polymerization technique, was carried out using the cyanogen bromide method under various conditions. The highest enzymatic activities of the trypsin immobilized in this study against N--benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester and N--benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide, as low-molecular substrates and casein as a high-molecular substrate, were high, as corresponding to 80%, 85% and 50% of those of free trypsin, respectively.Part C of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

Mixed monolayers of polypeptides

Mixed monolayers of two polypeptides, poly--methyl-L-glutamate and poly-L-alanine in the same-helix surface conformation, were studied at the water/air interface.From a comparison of the experimental-A isotherms with Huggins' theory and from the examination of the MIR spectra for the two components and their mixtures, it was possible to deduce that poly--methyl-L-glutamate and poly-L-alanine were totally miscible at the surface with prevalently attractive interactions and that the mixtures maintained the conformation of the two components.The low values of the interaction parameters, deduced by applying Joos' theory to the collapse pressures of the mixtures, demonstrated that the interactions were prevalently hydrophobic     

Adsorption behavior of polymers having phosphoric acid group on γ-Fe2O3 and magnetic characteristics in magnetic coatings

Polymers having phosphoric acid groups were prepared as a model binder for magnetic coatings, and the correlation among the adsorption behavior of the polymers onto-Fe₂O₃ particles and the dispersibility, the orientation, and the packing density of-Fe₂O₃ particles in the magnetic coatings was investigated.PMMA homopolymer molecules hardly adsorbed on-Fe₂O₃, and the interfacial tension at a water/polymer solution (toluene) interface ( _W/T) was scarcely changed compared with a water/toluene interface. Increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group, the adsorbance of polymer increased and the interfacial tension ( _W/T) decreased. When the content of polymeric phosphoric acid groups was over 0.4 mol%, the adsorbance of polymer and interfacial tension ( _W/T ) remained constant. When these polymers were used as a binder for magnetic tapes, the dispersibility of-Fe₂O₃ in the magnetic coatings was improved, increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group; however, when the content of phosphoric acid group was over 0.2 mol%, its dispersibility decreased abruptly.Studies on Recording Magnetic Materials and Magnetic Composite. XVIII.     

Determination of the surface free energy of modified carbon fibers and its relation to the work of adhesion

Surface free energy of various carbon fibers was determined by tensiometric method in three different procedures. The dispersive _s ^d and the nondispersive _s ^p components were separately determined by contact angle measurements in two-phase system, formamide-n-alkanes. The _s ^p increased by oxidation and decreased by hydrogen reduction, while the _s ^d remained almost constant.The _s ^p value determined from contact angle of water/ethyleneglycol solution tended to become higher. The critical surface free energy was in harmony with the total free energy determined from formamide-n-alkanes system as long as liquids were properly selected. The formation of oxygen-containing functional groups was evidenced by ESCA, and the surface [O]/[C] ratio was related linearly to the surface polarity defined by _s ^p [ _s ^d + _s ^p ] Oxidation in liquid phase resulted in the formation of both hydroxyls and carboxyls, while only hydroxyls were formed in gas phase. The interfacial shear strength of the fiber-epoxy resin could be closely correlated with thermodynamical work of adhesion calculated on the basis of surface free energy and its component.     

Isothermic spherulitic growth and the shape of grain boundaries and growth fronts

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the isothermic growth of two spherulites of different modification into a supercooled isotactic polypropylene film. The faster growing-spherulite grows around the-spherulite, and finally the-spherulite is symmetrically and completely included in. In contrast to literature but in agreement with experimental evidence we find that the grain boundary between the teardropshaped-spherulite and the surrounding-spherulite consists of two parts, where one is always an arc of a logarithmic spiral. This-spherulite ends always in a vertex. Its angle depends on the ratio of the two growth rates only. Behind the vertex an intrinsic--grain boundary exists, degenerating to a channel in bulk material. The growth fron of the-spherulite, which ends on the logarithmic spiral or on the intrinsic grain boundary during growth, consists of an arc of a circle continued by an arc of a logarithmic spirial, too.