Numerical approximation of a nonisothermal two-dimensional general rate model of reactive liquid chromatography

A nonlinear and nonisothermal two-dimensional general rate model is formulated and approximated numerically to allow quantitatively analyzing the effects of temperature variations on the separations and reactions in liquid chromatographic reactors of cylindrical geometry. The model equations form a nonlinear system of convection-diffusion-reaction partial differential equations coupled with algebraic equations for isotherms and reactions. A semidiscrete high-resolution finite volume method is modified to approximate the system of partial differential equations. The coupling between the thermal waves and concentration fronts is demonstrated through numerical simulations, and important parameters are pointed out that influence the reactor performance. To evaluate the precision of the model predictions, consistency checks are successfully carried out proving the accuracy of the predictions. The results allow to quantify the influence of thermal effects on the performance of the fixed beds for different typical values of enthalpies of adsorption and reaction and axial and radial Peclet numbers for mass and heat transfer. Furthermore, they provide useful insight into the sensitivity of nonisothermal chromatographic reactor operation.     

Droplet synthesis of well-defined block copolymers using solvent-resistant microfluidic device

Well-defined diblock copolymers were synthesized via an exothermic RAFT route by a droplet microfluidic process using a solvent-resistant and thermally stable fluoropolymer microreactor fabricated by a non-lithographic embedded template method. The resulting polymers were compared to products obtained from continuous flow capillary reactor and conventional bulk synthesis. The droplet based microreactor demonstrated superior molecular weight distribution control by synthesizing a higher molecular weight product with higher conversion and narrow polydispersity in a much shorter reaction time. The high quality of the as-synthesized block copolymer PMMA-b-PS led to a generation of micelles with a narrow size distribution that could be used as a template for well-ordered mesoporous silica with regular frameworks and high surface areas.     

Criteria for diffusion limitation in coordination polymerization

The following criteria are proposed to judge whether a coordination polymerization may be diffusion controlled or not: (1) If the number-average molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymer calculated from kinetic rate constants as a function of time agree with the experimental values, the polymerization is not diffusion controlled. (2) The polymerization may be diffusion controlled if the Thiele modulus, the ratio of the characteristic diffusion time to the characteristic reaction time, is much greater than unity; if it is much smaller than unity, the polymerization is reaction controlled. (3) If an initial linear dependence of rate of polymerization on catalyst concentration changes over to a square-root dependence, the polymerization may be diffusion limited. (4) The polymerization is likely to be diffusion limited if the instantaneous rate of polymerization is proportional to the rate of particle growth when the proportionality coefficient is the surface area of the particle. Criterion (1) is a necessary and sufficient condition as stated, as its converse is not true. All the other criteria are merely necessary but not sufficient conditions. The established Ziegler–Natta catalysts have activities too low to cause diffusion limitation; the Phillips catalyst system is likely to be diffusion limited. The polydispersity of polyolefins produced with Ziegler–Natta catalysts are not the consequence of diffusion control but are the characteristics of the catalysts in their kinetics of initiation, propagation, chain transfer, and termination.     

Turn-induced isotachophoretic focusing in microfluidic channels

Multifunctional microfluidic platforms that use ITP for sample stacking require the use of serpentine channels. When ITP is carried out in serpentine passages, the sample band shows dramatically different behavior than that observed in conventional on-chip CE. The band skew, defined as the distance between the leading and trailing edge of the band, is reduced and the sample is focused on the outside wall of the turn. This effect is explained using a simplified analytical model for the infinite Peclet number limit and the predicted trends are compared to full numerical simulations and experimental measurements. The outward focusing is driven by a wall-normal electric field that results from the skewed leading buffer-trailing buffer (LB-TB) interface. The results indicate that the degree of outward focusing is controlled by the ratio of the LB and TB conductivities, the ratio of the channel width to turn radius, and the Peclet number. Increasing the band skew, which shows a complex dependence on the nondimensional parameters, maximizes the outward focusing effect.     

RAFT聚合合成一种即含甲酰基又含手性β-蒎烯单元聚合物

设计并合成了一种新型含甲酰基同时又含β-蒎烯单元的新单体2-β-蒎氧基-5-乙烯基苯甲醛(POVB),选择苯基双硫代乙酸1-苯基乙酯(PEPDA)为RAFT试剂、以AIBN为引发剂、在60℃下THF中实现了POVB的"活性"/可控RAFT自由基聚合.单体浓度半对数ln([M]0/[M])与聚合时间符合线性关系,聚合过程呈现一级动力学特征;聚合物分子量(Mn)随单体转化率几乎线性增加,而且整个反应过程中分子量分布(Mw/Mn1.2)保持在较窄的范围.1H-NMR的分析进一步证实了聚合物链的末端精细结构.此外,CD谱结果表明手性单元β-蒎烯基能赋予聚合物以光学活性.     

丙烯酰胺多面体低聚倍半硅氧烷在超临界CO2中的RAFT聚合

以超临界CO₂为聚合介质, 硫代苯甲酰基特丁基硫酯(TTBT)为链转移剂, 通过可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合制备了聚丙烯酰胺多面体低聚倍半硅氧烷(PAMPOSS)均聚物及其与甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)的嵌段共聚物(PAMPOSS-b-PMMA). 对产物结构组成和分子量及其分布进行表征. 结果表明, 在TTBT的控制下, POSS的均聚物和嵌段共聚物具有高分子量及窄分子量分布. 含POSS单体在超临界CO₂中为均相聚合, POSS聚合物的结晶性在一定程度上影响其在超临界CO₂中溶解性.     

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer cyclopolymerization of dimethacryloyl open-cage silsesquioxane

We recently reported a bifunctional methacrylate monomer having a side-opened cage-silsesquioxane as a scaffold. Although free-radical polymerization proceeded mainly through cyclopolymerization, cross-linking structures were included. In this work, we have optimized the reaction conditions for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer cyclopolymerization using 2-cyano-2-propyl dithiobenzoate. As a result, polymers with relatively low polydispersity indices were successfully obtained. After removal of dithiobenzoate end groups, the transparency was high (>98%) in the range of visible range (400–800 nm). The content of the unreacted dangling vinyl groups, which was controlled by monomer concentration, affected the thermal stability of the resulting polymers. In addition, the bifunctional cage-silsesquioxane monomer can be readily copolymerized with methyl methacrylate without cross-linking.     

Modeling and simulation of free radical polymerization of styrene under semibatch reactor conditions

The first part of this approach is concerned with the elaboration of a radical polymerization model of styrenne, based on a kinetic diagram that includes chemical and thermal initiation, propagation, termination by recombination and chain transfer to the monomer. Furthermore, volume contraction during polymerization is considered, as well as the gel and glass effects. The mathematical formalism that describes the model in terms of moments is explored in detail. The model was then used to predict the changes in monomer conversion and molecular weight after intermediate addition of initiator and monomer. The results of this operation are dependent on the conditions of the reaction mass, quantity, and moment of substance addition. Therefore, the simulations were performed at different times with respect to the gel effect; before, during and after this phenomenon, and also with respect to different temperatures and initiators. Increasing the initiator concentration before the gel effect leads to an earlier appearance of the phenomenon and to a decrease in molecular weight. The ratio reveals a polydispersity index smaller for the intermediate addition of initiator. No significant changes take place during or after the gel effect. If along with the initiator, unreacted monomver (used to dissolve the initiator) enters the reactor, a small dip in conversion is observed. The general conclusion of this paper reveals the intermediate addition of initiator as a method to control polymer properties and to prevent the “dead-end” polymerization of styrene.     

Lactone Polymerization and Polymer Properties

Abstract

The polymerization of lactones provides a facile route to polyesters that is unimpeded by the long reaction cycles and elevated temperatures inherent in the condensation of hydroxyl and acid functional groups. Depending on the structure of the lactone monomer, catalyst/initiator systems are known which allow preparation of extremely high molecular weight polyesters of low polydispersity. In addition to obtaining high molecular weight polyesters in relatively short reaction cycles and at moderate temperature, lactone polymerization allows careful control of polymer end groups through proper selection of the initiating species. The type of end group plays an important role in both the thermal stability and hydrolytic stability of the resulting polyester. This study reviews and updates the field of lactone polymerization with specific emphasis on the chemistry and Theological     

Kinetic modeling of two-step RAFT process for the production of novel fluorosilicone triblock copolymers

Well-defined poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutylmethacryl-ate-b-poly(styrene) (PDMS-b-PHFBMA-b-PS) triblock copolymers were prepared by two-step reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A comprehensive mathematical model for the two-step RAFT polymerization in a batch reactor was presented using the method of moments. The model described molecular weight, monomer conversion and polydispersity index as a function of polymerization time. Good agreements in the polymerization kinetics were achieved for fitting the kinetic profiles with the suggested model. In addition, the model was used to predict the effects of initiator concentration, chain transfer agent concentration and monomer concentration on the two-step RAFT polymerization kinetics. The simulated results showed that for the two-step RAFT polymerizations, the effects initiator concentration, chain transfer agent concentration and monomer concentration are identical and the influence degrees are different yet.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Polymethylmethacrylate by Using Glow Discharge Electrolysis Plasma

An approach for polymerization to produce polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was developed, in which the reaction was initiated by the glow discharge electrolysis (GDE) rather than chemical initiators. The highest number-average molecular weight (M _n) and the lowest polydispersity index (PDI) of the resulting polymer were 1.12 × 10⁶ g/mol and 1.21, respectively. The following parameters such as the applied voltage, discharge time, the content of methylmethacrylate (MMA), the amount of a suspension stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol), polymerization temperature and time were examined in detail, which could affect the conversion, molecular weight and polydispersity index. The M _n and PDI of polymer can be monitored by changing the discharge parameters and polymerization conditions. PMMA was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), cold field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results indicate that using the GDE technique to initiate the polymerization reaction is successful, because the product obtained has the same properties with one obtained by chemical method, for example, in chemical structure, tacticity and thermal stability. Moreover, the polymer particles for the former are smaller than the latter. The kinetic observation was that the polymerization of MMA initiated by the GDE plasma obeys the first order of reaction with an obvious induction period.     

Microfluidic chip of concentration gradient and fluid shear stress on a single cell level

Concentration gradient and fluid shear stress(FSS) for cell microenvironment were investigated through microfluidic technology. The Darcy–Weisbach equation combined with computational fluid dynamics modeling was exploited to design the microfluidic chip, and the FSS distribution on the cell model with varying micro-channels(triangular, conical, and elliptical). The diffusion with the incompressible laminar flow model by solving the time-dependent diffusion–convection equation was applied to simu...     

Solvents Effects on Film Morphologies and Memory Behavior of a Perylenediimide‐Containing Pendent Polymer

The large polydispersity index of functional pendant polymers has hindered their application in semiconductors. Herein, a novel pendant polymer with perylenediimide (PDI) in the side chains was successfully synthesized through ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with a very low polydispersity index. The synthesized polymers were spin‐coated on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by using a mixture of 1,2‐dichlorobenzene (o‐DCB) and methanol (MeOH) solvents. The surface morphologies and intermolecular π–π stacking of the fabricated film could be adjusted through tuning of the ratio of o‐DCB and MeOH, and thus, the sandwich‐structured device of ITO/polymer/aluminum exhibited different electrical behavior. The threshold voltages of the devices decreased as the MeOH content was increased from 0 to 30 % (v/v); however, the device changed from being unrewritable to rewritable if the MeOH content was increased to 40 %; a probable mechanism for this process is discussed. It is hoped that this new idea of synthesizing narrow polydispersity index pendant polymers, and the fabrication of high‐quality films through the use of a mixture of solvents could allow high‐performance memory devices to be prepared in the future.     

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of methyl methacrylate in emulsion

Theoretical simulations showed that for controlled/living radical polymerization in an emulsion system, some of the earliest born particles could be superswollen to a size close to 1 μm. We hypothesized that the superswelling of these particles would lead to colloidal instability. Under the guidance of the simulation results, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out. Experimental results showed that increasing the initiation rate, surfactant level, and targeted molecular weight could improve the colloidal stability of the RAFT polymerization of MMA in an emulsion. The experimental results were in full accord with the theoretical predictions. The poor control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index was found to have a close relationship with the colloidal instability. For the first time, we demonstrated that RAFT polymerization could successfully be implemented with little coagulum, good control of the molecular weight, and a low polydispersity index with the same process used for traditional emulsion polymerization but with higher surfactant levels and initiation rates. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44:2837–2847, 2006     

2‐Cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile targeting a polymer with a higher molecular weight

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) mediated by 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate was first applied to synthesize polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with a high molecular weight up to 32,800 and a polydispersity index as low as 1.29. The key to success was ascribed to the optimization of the experimental conditions to increase the fragmentation reaction efficiency of the intermediate radical. In accordance with the atom transfer radical polymerization of AN, ethylene carbonate was also a better solvent candidate for providing higher controlled/living RAFT polymerization behaviors than dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. The various experimental parameters, including the temperature, the molar ratio of dithiobenzoate to the initiator, the molar ratio of the monomer to dithiobenzoate, the monomer concentration, and the addition of the comonomer, were varied to improve the control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index. The molecular weights of PANs were validated by gel permeation chromatography along with a universal calibration procedure and intrinsic viscosity measurements. ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1272–1281, 2007     

Copper(0)‐mediated living radical polymerization of acrylonitrile: SET‐LRP or AGET‐ATRP

Cu(0)‐mediated living radical polymerization was first extended to acrylonitrile (AN) to synthesize polyacrylonitrile with a high molecular weight and a low polydispersity index. This was achieved by using Cu(0)/hexamethylated tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (Me₆‐TREN) as the catalyst, 2‐bromopropionitrile as the initiator, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent. The reaction was performed under mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature and thus biradical termination reaction was low. The rapid and extensive disproportionation of Cu(I)Br/Me₆‐TREN in DMSO/AN supports a mechanism consistent with a single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) rather than activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). ¹H NMR analysis and chain extension experiment confirm the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

In situ formation of Sm(III) initiator from SmI2/MMA for ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters

Sm(III) complex was generated in situ by one-electron transfer reaction of SmI₂ with MMA. The resulting Sm(III) complex was tried as ring opening polymerization (ROP) initiator for cyclic esters like ε-caprolactone (CL). The polymers were obtained in high yield with low polydispersity index (1.1-1.2). The system was also used for the synthesis of block copolymers. Structural characterization of the resulting polymers was done using 1D (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F) and 2D (¹H-¹³C heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC)) NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

微流控分析芯片的两种液相传质模式及其应用*

微流控分析芯片的微米级结构不仅显著增大内部流体的比界面积,同时缩短微通道内不同溶液间的传质距离,使传质效率相比于宏观体系有显著提高,从而可实现试样分析检测前的高效扩散分离和萃取富集等。本文综述了微流控分析芯片中两种液相传质模式——互溶液相间扩散分离分析、不互溶液相间萃取分离分析的研究进展,讨论了上述传质模式在微芯片装置和功能的集成化方面的应用;并讨论了相关研究的难点和发展趋势。     

Single-site catalysis by bimetallic zinc calixarene inclusion complexes

[reaction: see text] Bimetallic alkylzinc calixarene inclusion complexes were prepared and used in the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide. Polymers with high molecular weight and a low degree of polydispersity were obtained. 1H NMR and diffusion NMR experiments suggest that a single-site mechanism is operative.     

Microwave-assisted Polymerization of D,L-Lactide with Stannous Octanoate as Catalyst

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is an important member of the polyesters which are used as biomedical materials in bioresorbable suture, implantates and drug controlled release systems1. PLA is prepared by two routs2: ring-opening polymerization of dimeric cyclic lactide or direct polycondensation of lactic acid. The ring-opening polymerization has attracted much more scientific and industrial interests than the later one, but both methods need long time for the polymerization reactions to be compl…