Poly(butylene terephthalate) Toughening with Butadiene-Epoxy-Functionalized Methyl Methacrylate Core–Shell Copolymer

Butadiene glycidyl methacrylate-functionalized-methyl methacrylate (PB-g-MG) core–shell copolymer was used to toughen poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and torque tests showed that compatibilization reactions took place between the carboxyl and/or hydroxyl groups of PBT and the epoxy groups of PB-g-MG. Phase morphology results showed that the PB-g-MG core–shell particles dispersed in the PBT matrix uniformly. The addition of PB-g-MG significantly improved the mechanical properties of PBT. The elongation at break and the impact strength increased with the increase of PB-g-MG content. SEM results showed that the shear yielding properties of the PBT matrix was the main toughening mechanism. The relationship between complex viscosity and angular frequency of the PBT/PB-g-MG blends indicated that the melt viscosity was higher than that of pure PBT.     

Nanostructured Thermosetting Blends of Phenolic Thermosets and Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(propylene oxide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) Triblock Copolymer

The amphiphilic triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(propylene oxide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO‐b‐PPO‐b‐PEO) was incorporated into novolac resin to prepare thermosetting blends. The morphology of the thermosetting blends was investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) and the nanostructures were obtained. It was identified that the reaction‐induced phase separation occurred in the blends of phenolic thermosets with the model poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), whereas poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was miscible with novolac resin after and before the curing reaction. In terms of miscibility and phase behavior of the subchains of the triblock copolymer with novolac resin, it was demonstrated that the formation of nanostructures in the thermosets followed a mechanism of reaction‐induced microphase separation.     

Poly ethylene oxide (PEO)–LiI polymer electrolytes embedded with CdO nanoparticles

Improvement of electrical conductivity of poly ethylene oxide (PEO)–LiI polymer electrolytes is necessary for their use in solid state lithium ion battery. In this study a new kind of PEO–LiI-based polymer electrolytes embedded with CdO nanoparticles with improved electrical conductivity has been prepared and characterized. The electron microscopic studies confirm that CdO nanoparticles of average size 2.5 nm are dispersed in the PEO matrix. The glass transition temperature of the PEO–LiI electrolyte decreases with the introduction of CdO nanoparticle in the polymer matrix. X-ray diffraction, electron microscopic, and differential scanning calorimetry studies show that the amorphous phase of PEO increases with the introduction of CdO nanoparticle and that the increase in amorphous phase is maximum for 0.10 wt% CdO doping. The electrical conductivity of the sample with 0.10 wt% CdO increases by three orders in magnitude than that of the PEO–LiI electrolyte. The electrical conductivity of PEO–LiI electrolyte embedded with CdO nanoparticle exhibits VTF behavior with reciprocal temperature indicating a strong coupling between the ionic and the polymer chain segmental motions.     

Data on the Neutron–Neutron Scattering Length from the nd-Breakup Reaction at En = 8 MeV and En = 11 MeV

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - A kinematically complete experiment devoted to studying the $$nd$$ -breakup reaction at energies of 8 and 11 MeV via detecting all three secondary particles was...     

Synthesis and Characterization of CdS/CISe Quantum Dots with Core–Shell Structure

Quantum dots have received great interest due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the surface defects of quantum dots affect the carrier transport and ultimately reduce the photovoltaic efficiency. In this paper, a core–shell quantum dot by hot-injection method is prepared to grow a narrow-band semiconductor layer (CuInSe₂ (CISe) quantumdot) on the surface of a broad-band core material (cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanocrystal). The composition, structure, optical properties, and decay lifetime of CdS/CISe core–shells are investigated in more detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV–vis spectrophotometry, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The CdS/CISe core–shell structure has a broadened absorption range and still shows CISe-related quantum effects. The increased size of the core–shell and the smaller specific surface area of the CISe shell layer lead to a lower carrier complexation chance, which improves the carrier lifetime.     

Toughening of Poly (Butylene Terephthalate) with Epoxy-Filled Poly (Ethylene–Octene) Copolymer

Toughened poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC)-filled poly (ethylene–octene) (POE) was prepared by melt reaction extrusion. For retarding the reaction extent between PBT and the epoxy component, the TGIC was first blended with POE to enwrap its reactive epoxy groups. Then, the TGIC-filled POE was used to melt blend with PBT. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that no other peaks appeared in the POE/TGIC specimens except for those originally existing in pure POE and TGIC. The rheological results further confirmed that no reaction occurred between the epoxy and the POE matrix. When the POE/TGIC was blended with PBT, a distinct increase of the viscosity suggested that the migration of the TGIC from POE to PBT during the melt processing induced chain extension reactions of PBT. The results obtained from DSC and DMA revealed that the chain extension of PBT induced by the reaction with TGIC restricted the mobility of PBT chains leading to a limitation of the recrystallization-remelting process and an increase of the glass transition temperature of PBT. The mechanical tests showed that the presence of TGIC in the POE phase distinctly improved the toughness of PBT. Compared to the case of a PBT/POE (80/20, wt%/wt%) blend, the elongation at break and impact strength of the system filled with 5 phr TGIC were increased more than three and six times, respectively.     

Letters to the Editor Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Medieval Glasses from the First Bulgarian Capital – Pliska (9th Century)

Ion exchange chromatography of boric acid was carried out using an anion exchange resin in fluoride and chloride forms in order to investigate the temperature dependence of separation factor (S) for boron isotopes. The results are summarized as follows: For the fluoride form resin system, S? 1 = 1348/T² ? 0.0051 (between 5 °C and 35 °C) and for the chloride form resin system, S? 1 = 645/T² ? 0.0053 (between 5 °C and 50 °C) where T is the temperature in units of K.     

Preparation of Halloysite Nanotubes/Polystyrene (HNTs/PS) Core‐shell Particles via Soap‐less Microemulsion Polymerization

Halloysite nanotubes/polystyrene (HNTs/PS) inorganic/organic core‐shell particles were prepared via a convenient soap‐less microemulsion polymerization. The inorganic cores were pre‐treated with allyl alcohol (AA) and the polymer shells were prepared successfully by the facile soap‐less microemulsion polymerization of styrene (St) with the allyl alcohol‐modified halloysite nanotube (AA‐HNT) nanoparticles as seeds, and potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator in water. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphologies of the HNTs/PS core‐shell particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism of the nucleation is also mentioned.     

Effects of Poly(Propylene Oxide)–Poly(Ethylene Oxide)–Poly(Propylene Oxide) Triblock Copolymer on the Gelation of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)–Poly(Propylene Oxide)–Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Aqueous Solutions

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) ((EO)_n–(PO)_m–(EO)_n) block copolymers, commercially available as Pluronics (BASF Corp.) and Poloxamers (ICI Corp.), have been widely applied in medicine, biochemistry, and other fields because of their ability to form reversible micelles and physical gels in aqueous solution. Generally, for PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymers with higher ethylene oxide concentration, the micellization and gelation in aqueous solution are easier. However, if we introduce the reverse block copolymer PPO–PEO–PPO into PEO–PPO–PEO aqueous solutions, the micellization and gelation of the system will be more complex. In this work, the reverse block copolymer PO₁₄–EO₂₄–PO₁₄ (17R4) was added to the Pluronics EO₂₀–PO₇₀–EO₂₀ (P123), EO₁₀₀–PO₆₅–EO₁₀₀ (F127), and EO₁₃₃–PO₅₀–EO₁₃₃ (F108) aqueous solutions with different molar ratios. The rheological properties of different mixtures were measured to study the additive effect on the gelation behavior. The sol–gel transition temperature of the P123, F127, and F108 solutions shifted to a higher temperature when 17R4 was added to the solutions. In addition, the existence of 17R4 greatly affected the stability of gels. These results help to better understand the gelation of Pluronic aqueous solutions.     

Small-Angle and Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering Study of Slow Relaxation Following Phase Transitions of New Bolaamphiphiles Based on N-(12-Betainylamino-Dodecane)-octyl β-D-Glucofuranosiduronamide Chloride

In the present study, we investigated the polymorphism and its time-dependence of a new series of bolaamphiphile molecules based on N-(12-Betainylamino-dodecane)-octyl β-D-Glucofuranosiduronamide Chloride. To obtain six members of this series, the length of the main bridging chain and the lateral chain were varied in order to modify the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance. Another chemical modification was to introduce a diacetylenic unit in the middle of the bridging chain to study the influence of the π–π stacking on the supramolecular organization of these molecules. Dry bolaamphiphiles self-organize in supramolecular structures such as lamellar crystalline structure, L_c; lamellar gel structure, L_β′; lamellar fluid structure, L_α; and lamellar isotropic structure, L. Thermal hysteresis of these structures, following phase transitions, are investigated by small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Once the thermal cycle is accomplished, the system remains in the kinetically stabilized undercooled high-temperature phase at the temperature of 20°C. Subsequently, the time-dependence of the relaxation to the thermodynamically stable phase is followed, and very slow relaxation for a period on the order of hours or days is observed. The study of the polymorphism and the stability of various phases of this new series of bolaamphiphiles—which are issued from natural primary resources (sugar beet and wheat) and thus interesting for potential application in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, or food industry—was undertaken in this work.     

Scattering of keV H+ from Au(110)—comparison between experiment and simulation

Abstract

Angle resolved energy spectra for H⁺ ₂ scattering from Au(110) have been compared to simulations using MARLOWE and SABRE binary collision codes. The results of both simulations agree with each other but only qualitatively with the experiment. The simulations indicate that (i) contributions to the surface peak in the energy spectra come from both single and double scattering at the surface (ii) the amount of inelastic loss suffered by the scattered ion is sensitive to the loss model and (iii) azimuthal scans around the double alignment direction can be simulated quite well if an increased experimental background is included.     

P–n junction characteristics of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide on n-type Si(111)

The semiconductor behavior of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) synthesized by the Hummers method on n-type Si(111) were investigated. Graphene oxide is a product of the oxidation of graphite, during which numerous oxygen functional groups bond to the carbon plane during oxidation. RGO was prepared by adding excess hydrazine to the GO showing p-type semiconductor material behavior. In the C–O bond, the O atom tends to pull electrons from the C atom, leaving a hole in the carbon network. This results in p-type semiconductor behavior of GO, with the carrier concentration dependent upon the degree of oxidation. The RGO was obtained by removing most of the oxygen-containing functionalities from the GO using hydrazine. However, oxygen remaining on the carbon plane caused the RGO to exhibit p-type behavior. The I–V characteristics of GO and RGO deposited on n-type Si(111) forming p–n junctions exhibited different turn-on voltages and slope values.     

Parton Distribution Functions from QCD Analysis of HERA Combined Inclusive e ± p Scattering Cross Section Data

Utilizing very recent deep inelastic scattering measurements, a QCD analysis of proton structure function ${F_{2}^{p} (x,Q^2)}$ is presented. A wide range of the inclusive neutral-current deep-inelastic-scattering (NC DIS) data used in order to extract an updated set of parton distribution functions (PDFs). The HERA ‘combined’ data set on ${\sigma_{r,NC}^\pm (x,Q^2)}$ together with all available published data for heavy quarks ${F_2^{c,b}(x,Q^2)}$ , longitudinal F _L (x, Q ²) and also very recent reduced DIS cross section ${\sigma_{r,NC}^\pm (x,Q^2)}$ data from HERA experiments are the input in the present next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD analysis which determines a new set of parton distributions, called ${{\tt KKT11C}}$ . The extracted PDFs in the ‘fixed flavour number scheme’ (FFNS) are in very good agreement with the available theoretical models.     

In Vitro Studies of Fe3O4-ZIF-8 Core–Shell Nanoparticles Designed as Potential Theragnostics

Theragnostics represent a combination of therapy and diagnosis within one system. Herein, Fe₃O₄-ZIF-8 core–shell nanoparticles are developed and suggested as candidates for theragnostic applications in cancer treatment. A drug loaded metal–organic framework ZIF-8 (zeolitic imidazolate framework-8) represents the therapeutic tool, while the Fe₃O₄ core is included to enable the material visualization by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A reliable synthesis of Fe₃O₄-ZIF-8 core–shell nanoparticles of an average size below 100 nm is reported. The nanoparticles are characterized by FT-IR, TGA, XRPD, TEM, STEM-EDS, DLS, ICP-OES, CHN-elemental analysis, SQUID measurements, and MRI. Moreover, their chemical stability and in vitro cytotoxicity against fibroblast and selected cancer cell lines are evaluated. As a model drug, arsenic trioxide—a promising anticancer drug—is used. The drug release can be triggered by a pH change from 7.4 to 6.0 and the nanoparticles can be visualized by MRI in vitro, thus a potential theragnostic agent for cancer treatment is developed.     

The Composition,Sequence Analysis,and Crystallization Characterization of Poly(Trimethylene‐co‐Butylene Terephthalate) Copolymer

A series of poly(trimethylene‐co‐butylene terephthalate) (PTBT) copolymers were prepared by direct esterification followed by polycondensation. The composition and sequence distribution of the copolymers were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results demonstrate that the synthesized PTBT copolymers are block copolymers and the content of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) units incorporated into the copolymers is always less than that in the polymerization feed. The 1,4‐butanediol consumption by a side reaction leads to a relatively lower content of PBT units in the resultant copolymers. At the same time, the PBT and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) sequence length distributions in the copolymers are different. The PBT segments favor a longer sequence length than do the PTT segments in their corresponding enriched copolymers. The crystallization rate of the copolymers becomes lower than the homopolymers, especially for PTT‐enriched copolymers. Compared with the PTT segment, the presence of PBT segments in the copolymers seems to accelerate crystallization. A wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis indicates PTT and PBT units do not co‐crystallize. The reduced melting temperatures of the copolymers may be attributed to a smaller lamellar thickness and lateral size due to short sequence lengths.     

Test of Determination of (p,γ) Astrophysical S-Factors Using the Asymptotic Normalization Coefficients from Neutron Transfer Reactions

The asymptotic normalization coefficients （ANCs） for the virtual decay ^17 O→^16 O＋n are derived from the angular distributions of the 16 O（d, p）^17O reaction leading to the ground and first excited states of ^17O, respectively, using the distorted wave Born approximation and the adiabatic wave approximation. The ANCs of ^17F are then extracted according to charge symmetry of mirror nuclei and used to calculate the astrophysical S-factors of ^16 O（p, γ）^17 F leading to the first two states of ^17 F. The present results are in good agreement with those from the direct measurement. This provides a test of this indirect method to determine direct astrophysical S-factors of （P, γ） reaction. In addition, the S-factors at zero energy for the direct captures to the ground and first excited states of ^17 F are presented, without the uncertainty associated with the extrapolation from higher energies in direct measurement.     

Neutron diffraction study of the oxide conducting δ1-phase of (Bi2O3)1−x(Y2O3)x (x=0.25)

The atomic parameters of the average cell of δ¹-Bi(Y)O_1.5 were determined by powder neutron diffraction. The evidence indicates that the disorder in the structure has many features in common with the structure of the oxygen deficient zirconia. Most oxygens (78%) are in sites displaced 0.335 Å along 〈100〉 directions from the normal fluorite positions, while a smaller proportion (22%) are displaced 0.80 Å along 〈111〉 directions and no oxygen remains in normal positions. In addition to the anion displacements a smaller displacement (0.25 Å) along the 〈111〉 direction was found for the cations. Comparison with the structure of β-Bi₂O₃ suggests that the displacements may be precursors to a δ→β phase transition.     

Ultrasound responsive block copolymer micelle of poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(propylene glycol) obtained through click reaction

The well-defined amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) copolymer containing 1, 2, 3-triazole moiety and multiple ester bonds (PEG-click-PPG) was prepared by click reaction strategy. The PEG-click-PPG copolymer can self-assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution. It is found that high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can open the copolymer PEG-click-PPG micelles and trigger the release of the payload in the micelle. The multiple ester bonds introduced in the junction point of the copolymer chain through click reactions were cleaved under HIFU, and leads to the disruption of the copolymer micelle and fast release of loaded cargo. The click reaction provides a convenient way to construct ultrasound responsive copolymer micelles with weak bonds.