Structural Phase Transitions of Aliphatic Nylons Viewed from the Simultaneous Measurements of WAXD and SAXS

Structural changes occurring in the high temperature region of doubly-oriented nylon 10/10 sample have been investigated through the temperature-dependent simultaneous measurements of wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scatterings, and the results were compared with the infrared spectral data as well as the molecular dynamics simulation results. In the Brill transition region of 150–180 °C the methylene segments are conformationally disordered with keeping the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. During this phase transition the stacked lamellar structure did not change very much: the lamellae are tilted by ca. 34° from the draw axis and the long period is almost 160 Å. In the temperature region immediately below the melting point the molecular chains were found to be contracted by ca. 10% the original repeating period and the intermolecular hydrogen bonds were almost broken, causing the violent rotational and translational motions of the chains around the chain axis. At the same time the long period increased remarkably from 160 Å to 410 Å and the originally tilted lamellae stood up in parallel to the draw axis.     

Structural Evolution Process in Solvent-Induced Crystallization Phenomenon of Syndiotactic Polystyrene

Structural change has been traced in the solvent-induced crystallization phenomenon of syndiotactic polystyrene through the time-resolved measurements of infrared and Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction. Immediately after the solvent is supplied to the glassy sample, the random coils start a micro-Brownian motion and locally change to short regular helical segments after some induction time. These segments grow longer and gather together to form the crystal lattice. This crystallization occurs even at room temperature far below the original glass transition temperature (Tg = ca. 100°C), because Tg is shifted to ca. −90°C (in the case of chloroform) due to the plasticizing effect, as revealed by the temperature-dependent infrared spectral measurement and the molecular dynamics calculation. The thus-created sPS-solvent complex was found to show a fast and reversible solvent exchange phenomenon between the originally-existing solvent (toluene, for example) and the newly-supplied different type of solvent (chloroform, for example). The time-dependent measurement of wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scatterings using a synchrotron radiation source revealed that the solvent exchange occurs with keeping both the columnar structure of the crystal and the stacked lamellar structure, and that the solvent exchange rate is in the order of chloroform > benzene > toluene, reflecting the difference in diffusion rate of solvent molecules and polymer-solvent interaction.     

三氟乙酸溶液中尼龙6链凝聚缠结的NMR弛豫研究

采用1D和2DNMR技术,归属了三氟乙酸(TFA)溶液中尼龙6链上的主要¹HNMR共振信号.不同温度下测定的自旋-自旋弛豫时间(t2)提供了大分子主链间凝聚缠结及TFA溶液中尼龙6链随温度变化的动力学信息.结果表明,尼龙6主链上亚甲基基团有不同程度的凝聚缠结,距离CO和NH基团越远,凝聚缠结越明显.与CO和NH基团相连的亚甲基基团的缠结不很明显,主要是因为尼龙6链间氢键的存在.升高温度,热运动加快,这些凝聚缠结逐渐减弱.NH质子的t2H值几乎不随温度变化,TFA质子的t2H值随温度升高而快速下降,表明尼龙6链间氢键随温度升高而破坏,TFA质子又与因温度升高而从尼龙6中释放出来的自由NH和CO基团形成新的氢键.     

Influence of TMAO as co-solvent on the gelation of silica-PNIPAm core-shell nanogels at intermediate volume fractions

We study the structure and dynamics of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) core-shell nanogels dispersed in aqueous trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) solutions by means of small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). Upon increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAm at 33 °C, a colloidal gel is formed as identified by an increase of I(q) at small q as well as a slowing down of sample dynamics by various orders of magnitude. With increasing TMAO concentration the gelation transition shifts linearly to lower temperatures. Above a TMAO concentration of approximately 0.40 mol/L corresponding to a 1 : 1 ratio of TMAO and NIPAm groups, collapsed PNIPAm states are found for all temperatures without any gelation transition. This suggests that reduction of PNIPAm-water hydrogen bonds due to the presence of TMAO results in a stabilisation of the collapsed PNIPAm state and suppresses gelation of the nanogel.     

Sandwich layer structure of a novel polyimide with methylene spacing groups in biphenyl side chain

The aggregation structure of a novel polyimide (PI-6) with six methylene flexible spacing groups in biphenyl side chain was investigated using polarized optical microscope (POM), wide/small-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD/SAXD) and molecular simulation approach. Depending on increasing temperature, the sandwich layer aggregation structure of PI-6 was developed from the thermo reversible gel. The backbones are lamellar stacking with 11.5 Å thickness. The side chains are randomly packed into the backbone lamellar intervals and the width of this layer for both backbone and side chain is about 23.1 Å which is consistent with the simulation data.     

利用小角/广角X射线散射联用及一维相关函数分析研究聚(ε-己内酯)片晶的形态

用小角/广角X射线散射(SAXS/WAXS)联用的实验方法考察了等温结晶温度(Tc)和等温时间对聚(ε-己内酯)(PCL)片晶形态的影响.根据WAXS数据计算了PCL的重量结晶度,进而求得其体积结晶度Vc(WAXS).在不同Tc下结晶的PCL样品的Vc(WAXS)均略高于50%.对SAXS谱线做一维相关函数(1DCF)分析,得到了PCL的片晶长周期(LP)和无定形层厚度(La).通过比较WAXS及SAXS的数据分析结果,认为PCL晶体需用"三相模型"予以描述,其过渡层厚度(E)约为LP的15%～18%,对片晶形态具有重要影响.随着Tc升高,PCL晶体的Lc、La及E均逐渐增大,但Lc的变化率最大,这使得结晶度上升.在50℃等温结晶不同时间,发现Lc随延长时间显著增加,而La及E则不断减小.等温10天后,PCL晶体的SAXS谱线上可观察到5级散射,表明片晶相当完善.     

尼龙-6 18的晶型转变研究

以偶偶尼龙-6 18为例, 通过示差扫描量热分析(DSC), 广角X射线衍射(WAXD)与傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等方法研究了其Brill转变的过程, 探索了脂肪族聚酰胺的晶型转变的本质. X射线衍射结果表明， 随着温度的升高, 尼龙-6 18由三斜晶系转变为假六方晶型, 同时其DSC曲线上出现一个较宽的吸热峰. 红外光谱结果表明, 在其晶型转变过程中, 晶体内氢键强度逐渐减弱, 与酰胺键相连的C—C和C—N键发生扭曲. 酰胺基团之间的亚甲基链段的振动逐渐增强, 部分亚甲基单元由反式构象变成旁式构象, 最后整齐排列的亚甲基链段逐渐变得无序化.     

二棕榈酰磷脂酰胆碱/豆固醇脂质体液态有序相的结构性质:同步辐射X光衍射研究

用同步辐射小角和宽角X光衍射实验技术研究了由二棕榈酰磷脂酰胆碱(DPPC)和豆固醇所形成的脂质体的液态有序相的结构性质. 结果表明液态有序相的小角X光衍射d值(d-spacing)随着固醇温度和浓度的变化仅有微小的改变. 与凝胶相及液晶相的宽角X光衍射d值相比, 液态有序相的宽角X光衍射d值有更宽的变化范围, 在30到52 °C的温度范围内, 液态有序相的宽角X光衍射d值从0.422 nm变化到0.460 nm. 电子云密度计算表明液态有序相的脂双层厚度和水层厚度都要大于与之平衡共存的液晶相的脂双层厚度和水层厚度. 电子云密度计算结果还表明液态有序相的脂双层厚度随温度升高而降低. 本研究结果对于从定量的角度认识 生物膜的相态及深入认识生物膜中的有序结构具有重要意义.     

Structural changes of aromatic polyamide nanofibers upon annealing treatment

Aromatic polyamide nanofibers with trifluoromethyl groups prepared using a precipitation polymerization method were annealed at various temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns and infrared spectra of the annealed products depended strongly on the annealing temperature. There was a transition in the temperature region of 250–300°C, where the conformation and the mobility of molecular chains changed significantly. Furthermore, the intermolecular hydrogen bonding increased, resulting in a higher degree of crystallinity. However, the morphology was unchanged. Meanwhile, the molecular structure and degree of crystallinity depended on the reaction period. However, those obtained by the annealing treatments above 250°C were the same.     

Lamellar thickening of polyethylene under high pressure

Single crystal mat (SCM) samples of polyethylene (PE) were prepared from dilute solution of p-xylen, then they were annealed at pressures of 200 and 500 MPa. Lamellar thickness of the original and annealed SCM samples was measured by small-angle X-ray scattering method. Orientation of the molecular chain in those SCM samples was investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern. From these X-ray measurements, annealing temperature dependence of the lamellar thickness, i.e., lamellar thickening, under high pressure was obtained. Melting process of the SCM samples was also investigated at 200 and 500 MPa by high pressure differential thermal analysis. Then correspondence between the lamellar thickening and the melting process was studied. The lamellar thickness increases markedly with approaching to the melting temperature of the orthorhombic crystal even in the high pressure region where the high pressure phase (hexagonal phase) appears. The annealing temperature dependence curve of the lamellar thickness at 200 MPa can be superimposed on the curve at 500 MPa by shifting the curve along the temperature scale by 47 K. Large scale lamellar thickening occurs in the orthorhombic crystal phase in the high pressure region. The formation process of extended-chain crystal is discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 535–543, 1997     

On the dissolution of cellulose in tetrabutylammonium acetate/dimethyl sulfoxide: a frustrated solvent

We have found that the dissolution of cellulose in the binary mixed solvent tetrabutylammonium acetate/dimethyl sulfoxide follows a previously overlooked near-stoichiometric relationship such that one dissolved acetate ion is able to dissolve an amount of cellulose corresponding to about one glucose residue. The structure and dynamics of the resulting cellulose solutions were investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques as well as molecular dynamics simulation. This yielded a detailed picture of the dissolution mechanism in which acetate ions form hydrogen bonds to cellulose and causes a diffuse solvation sheath of bulky tetrabutylammonium counterions to form. In turn, this leads to a steric repulsion that helps to keep the cellulose chains apart. Structural similarities to previously investigated cellulose solutions in aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide were revealed by SAXS measurement. To what extent this corresponds to similarities in dissolution mechanism is discussed.     

Crystal structure of nylons 2/3/3 and 1,3

The crystal structures of two polyamides, poly(glycyl-β-alanyl-β-alanine) (nylon 2/3/3) and poly(methylene malonamide) (nylon 1,3), have been investigated by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Crystallization of nylon 2/3/3 from a solution in a mixture of water and formic acid yields lamellar single crystals exhibiting a triangular habit. Doughnut-shaped morphologies diffracting as single crystals are obtained in the crystallization of nylon 1,3. A helical structure of the type known as polyglycine II is found for both polyamides. In such a structure, chains are intermolecularly linked by hydrogen bonds giving a hexagonal lattice of a = 4.79 Å. Insufficient data are available to determine precisely the conformation of the chains. We assume a threefold helix having c = 35.2 Å and c = 18.0 Å for nylon 2/3/3 and nylon 1,3 respectively. No sign of the layered structure familiar in polyamides has been detected for these polymers throughout the experiments made in the present study.     

脂肪族聚酰胺热膨胀行为的研究

通过热膨胀测试,示差扫描量热分析(DSC)、广角X射线衍射(WAXD)与傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等方法研究了4种脂肪族聚酰胺玻璃化转变温度(Tg)、结晶行为以及氢键强度对热膨胀行为的影响,探索了影响脂肪族聚酰胺热膨胀的本质.DSC和X射线衍射结果表明,聚酰胺中结晶部分的热膨胀系数要低于无定形部分,但聚酰胺的熔融温度和结晶度对热膨胀的影响不够明确.相比较其它脂肪族聚酰胺,聚酰胺56(PA56)具有较高的玻璃化转变温度和较低的亚甲基/酰胺基(CH2/CONH)比例,表现出较低的热膨胀系数.研究发现,在相同条件下制备的脂肪族聚酰胺体系中,CH2/CONH比例或Tg与热膨胀系数具有明显的线性关系,随着CH2/CONH比例的降低或Tg的升高,热膨胀系数显著减小.FTIR的结果表明,聚酰胺分子链间的氢键密度和氢键强度随温度升高衰减的程度是影响其热膨胀行为的关键因素.     

How does the first water shell fold proteins so fast?

First shells of hydration and bulk solvent play a crucial role in the folding of proteins. Here, the role of water in the dynamics of proteins has been investigated using a theoretical protein-solvent model and a statistical physics approach. We formulate a hydration model where the hydrogen bonds between water molecules pertaining to the first shell of the protein conformation may be either mainly formed or broken. At thermal equilibrium, hydrogen bonds are formed at low temperature and are broken at high temperature. To explore the solvent effect, we follow the folding of a large sampling of protein chains, using a master-equation evolution. The dynamics shows a clear mechanism. Above the glass-transition temperature, a large ratio of chains fold very rapidly into the native structure irrespective of the temperature, following pathways of high transition rates through structures surrounded by the solvent with broken hydrogen bonds. Although these states have an infinitesimal probability, they act as strong dynamical attractors and fast folding proceeds along these routes rather than pathways with small transition rates between configurations of much higher equilibrium probabilities. At a given low temperature, a broad jump in the folding times is observed. Below this glass temperature, the pathways where hydrogen bonds are mainly formed become those of highest rates although with conformational changes of huge relaxation times. The present results reveal that folding obeys a double-funnel mechanism.     

Stabilization of the mesomorphic phase in a self-assembled two-component system

We reported here the two-component self-assembling building blocks capable of forming lyotropic liquid crystal and liquid-crystalline physical gel. One of the components has a molecular characteristic of C(3)-symmetrical trisureas containing three azobenzene groups, which can form liquid-crystal phase in a temperature range of 133-215 degrees C. Another one has a trisamide core, which can self-aggregate to fibrous network through hydrogen bonds of amide moieties. The mixture of these two components performs lyotropic liquid crystal as well as liquid-crystalline physical gel in a temperature range larger than that of sole compound, suggesting that the cooperation of hydrogen bonds between these components stabilizes the mesophase of the assembly. The mechanism of formation of the mesophase was investigated by infrared spectra and small-angle X-ray scatterings.     

Comparative Study of Scattering and Osmotic Properties of Synthetic and Biopolymer Gels

Summary: The effect of monovalent/divalent cation exchange on the structure and osmotic properties of chemically cross-linked polyacrylate and DNA gels swollen in near physiological salt solutions has been investigated. Both systems exhibit a reversible volume phase transition in the presence of calcium ions. The small-angle neutron scattering spectra of these gels display qualitatively similar features. At low values of q surface scattering is observed, while in the intermediate q range the signal is characteristic of scattering from rod-like elements. At high values of q the scattering intensity is governed by the local (short-range) geometry of the polymer chains. The competition between monovalent and divalent cations has been studied by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). The ASAXS results reveal that the local concentration of the divalent counter-ions in the vicinity of the polymer chains significantly exceeds that of the monovalent counter-ions.     

Hydrogen bonding effects in the glassy state of random copolyamides

The thermal behavior of random copolyamides which are used as model polymers with hydrogen bonds has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. The quenched copolyamides have only halo patterns in their x-ray diffraction photographs. A random copolymer of nylons 6, 66, and 610 (in a composition ratio of 3: 4: 3) was found to have 20% of unbonded amide groups immediately after quenching. When the sample was kept at the glass transition temperature (20°C), no change in x-ray diffraction was observed after the treatment. The free amide band in the infrared spectrum at 3450 cm^-1, however, was decreased in intensity by keeping the sample at the glass transition temperature. The transition peak height observed in a DSC curve also increased in the same experiment. Large glass transition peaks were found in DSC curves after annealing of the random copolyamides in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature. It is probable that the free amide groups in the amorphous chains were rearranged and formed new hydrogen bonds during the heat treatment at the glass transition temperature. Packing and restriction of the amorphous chains due to the increase in hydrogen bonding seemed to increase the height of the transition peak in a DSC curve. It is inferred from the above results that in the case of the random copolyamide, structures corresponding to a given enthalpy of the glassy state can be related to the number of hydrogen bonds.     

Influence of crystallization conditions on the crystalline transformation behavior of nylon 10 14

Three kinds of nylon 10 14 crystals with different perfections were prepared under various crystallization conditions. The Brill transition behavior of these nylon 10 14 crystals was investigated by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction. It was found that the crystallization conditions influence the Brill transition temperature greatly. The Brill transition temperature of the lamellar crystals grown from dilute solution is so high that no Brill transition temperature can be observed before melting. However, for crystals postannealed at 125 °C, the Brill transition temperature is as low as 130 °C. The results show that the Brill transition behavior of nylons is strongly dependent on the crystallization conditions, for example, the perfections of the crystals.     

模拟研究石墨烯/生物基尼龙复合材料的界面热阻

生物基尼龙(PA56)源于天然产物,具有优良的环保性能和广阔应用前景,有望替代传统的石油基尼龙材料.为了开发基于PA56的导热材料,利用分子动力学模拟研究方法探索了石墨烯/PA56复合材料界面热阻的影响因素.首先,利用实验测试商用PA56样品的玻璃化转变温度(Tg)和导热系数(Tc),验证了PA56模型的模拟参数.接着,通过设计和比较不同表面改性状态对石墨烯/PA56复合材料的界面热阻的影响规律,最后,为了降低界面改性的难度,设计了一种新型的二嵌段共聚物作为石墨烯/PA56复合体系的界面改性剂,研究了界面改性剂的结构对界面热阻的影响规律.研究结果对于实验研究制备生物基尼龙导热复合材料具有重要的参考价值.     

Thermotropic phase behaviour of sodium oleate as studied by FT-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

The thermotropic behaviour of sodium oleate (NaOl) has been studied in the temperature range 10–125°C by using Fourier transform-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The temperature dependence of conformationally sensitive bands in the CH₂ stretching (2800–2900 cm⁻¹), C–C stretching (1050–1150 cm⁻¹) and CH₃ rocking region (830–900 cm⁻¹) has been used to characterize the order/disorder behaviour of alkyl chains. It is found that in phase I, NaOl exhibits the crystalline ordered lamellar structure with a repeat period of 4.51 nm. The first broad peak in the DSC trace is due to superposition of two transitions (phase I to phase II and phase II to phase III), therefore, it is not possible to determine the lamellar structure of phase II. This broad transition from phase I to phase III is associated with the melting of methyl-sided chains and increase in gauche conformers in carboxylate-sided chains. Finally, NaOl undergoes a transition from crystalline to a liquid crystalline phase IV, which is associated with the melting of the carboxylate-sided chain.