Heat capacity and chemical equilibria of liquid selenium

Heat capacities of liquid selenium have been measured by computer interfaced differential scanning calorimetry in the metastable region with an accuracy of ± 1% from 330 to 520°K. To avoid crystallization, the measurements were done on cooling. A semiquantitative fitting of the heat capacity to vibrational energy contributions, free volume (hole) effects, and heats of reaction from the changes in the ring-chain and depolymerization equilibria was possible to within ±5% of the newly measured and literature data between the glass transition temperature (ca. 303°K) and 1000°K. It could be established that the shift in the ring-chain equilibrium is not the major reason for the overall decrease in heat capacity above the glass transition temperature. The floor temperature, which was earlier placed at about 356°K, is possibly below the glass transition temperature. The increase in heat capacity beyond 800°K has been linked with the depolymerization reaction.     

Specific heats of poly(vinyl chloride) compositions

Specific heats of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) can be readily obtained by means of the thin foil calorimeter when the polymer is fabricated into sheet or film. The effects of temperature and plasticizer content on the specific heat and of the plasticizer content on the glass temperature are readily observed. The data may be used to estimate the glass temperatures of plasticizers where those temperatures are not readily reached by normal techniques. The specific heat at the glass temperature is approximately 0.255 for the ranges of 0–30 phr plasticizer. A definite glass transition is not observed with 60 phr plasticizer. No other transitions were observed between 200 and 400°K. The previous history of the polymer is important, as it can change the specific heat of the polymer noticeably, especially above the glass temperature. Comparison of the values listed here with those obtained by others should be made with the understanding that these samples were fabricated by extrusion and were free of observable strain. The degree of crystallinity of these polymers is very small, probably less than 10%, since none was found by x-ray diffraction. The plasticizing effect of some stabilizers was noted.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of theRFe2 compounds (R =Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm, Lu) over the temperature region 8 to 300 K

Experimental heat capacity data for the Laves phaseRFe₂ intermetallic compounds (R =Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu) have been determined over the temperature range 8 to 300 K. The error in these data is thought to be less than 1%. Smoothed heat capacity values and the thermodynamic functions, (H°_T ? H°₀) and S°_T, are reported throughout the temperature range for theRFe₂ series. In addition, (G°₂₉₈ ? H°₀) at 298 K is reported for all theRFe₂ compounds. These data were analyzed and it was shown that the maxima in the thermodynamic functions near HoFe₂ are due to the magnetic contribution of the lanthanide element. The lattice contribution to the entropy at 300 K was estimated, and from this quantity the Debye temperature was calculated to be about 300 K, which is in good agreement with the low-temperature heat capacity. Furthermore, this analysis indicates that the apparent electronic specific heat constants, γ′, for TbFe₂, DyFe₂, and HoFe₂, reported earlier, are in error.     

New polyphenylquinoxalines linked by m-terphenyl flexibilizing groups

Three new monomers with phenylglyoxyloyl groups fixed on the 4,4′-, 4,6′-, and 4,4″-positions of m-terphenyl were synthesized by different pathways. They were used to prepare a series of polyphenylquinoxalines by solution polycondensation with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine and 3,3′,4,4′-tetraaminodiphenyl ether. These polymers exhibited excellent oxidative and thermal stability as shown by thermogravimetric analysis and isothermal aging in circulating air between 300 and 450°C. Clear yellow films, cast from m-cresol solution, were used to measure their softening temperature by thermomechanical analysis (TMA). Numerical data thus obtained, indicated a thermoplastic behavior in the temperature range 300 ± 15°C. Crosslinking of the linear polymers by isothermal heat exposure under argon between 300 and 500°C was investigated by means of TMA. Molded materials were fabricated under constant pressure (996 psi) at 500–525°C with an Instron testing machine. These polymers were also used for preliminary evaluation as matrices for 181-E glass reinforced composites. Flexural values obtained after isothermal aging in air up to 400°C indicated a potential use varying from 150 hr at 350°C to 24 hr at 400°C.     

Heat capacity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and polytetrafluoroethylene between 5 and 200°K

Heat capacities of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have been measured between 5 and 100°K with an accuracy of (1–5)% by adiabatic calorimetry. Calculations based on contributions from known optical lines and the Tarasov continuum model are in good agreement with experimental results down to 30°K for PVF₂ and 10°K for PTFE, and yield characteristic temperatures θ₁ and θ₃ which are consistent with previous values determined from high-temperature (100—350°K) data. At lower temperature the measured heat capacity is significantly higher [(30–100)%] than the model prediction, and can be satisfactorily accounted for by the introduction of localized vibrators at a concentration of about 1% as compared to acoustical oscillators and at a characteristic temperature of about 20°K. Using established data on polyethylene for comparison, the principle of additivity for heat capacities is found to be valid down to at least 20°K, convering the region (<60°K) where interchain vibrations contribute significantly to the heat capacity. Possible reasons for this unexpected behavior are discussed.     

Effect of different temperatures on the properties of pyrolysis products of Parthenium hysterophorus

This research encompasses the use of noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus as feedstock for pyrolysis carried out at varying temperatures of 300, 450 and 600°C. Temperature significantly affected the yield and properties of the pyrolysis products including char, syngas and bio-oil. Biochar yield decreased from 61% to 37% from 300 °C to 600 °C, whereas yield of gas and oil increased with increasing temperature. The pyrolysis products were physico-chemically characterized. In biochar, pH, conductivity, fixed carbon, ash content, bulk density and specific surface area of the biochar increased whereas cation exchange capacity, calorific value, volatile matter, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content decreased with increasing temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the biochar prepared at higher temperature was more stable. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of biochar indicated the presence of alkanes, alkenes, nitriles, fatty acids, esters, amides and aromatic compounds. Number of compounds decreased with increasing temperature, but aromatic compounds increased with increasing temperature. Scanning electron micrographs of biochar prepared at different temperatures indicated micropore formation at lower temperature while increase in the size of pores and disorganization of vessels occurred at increasing temperature. The chemical composition was found to be richer at lower pyrolysis temperature. GC–MS analysis of the bio-oil indicated the presence of phenols, ketones, acids, alkanes, alkenes, nitrogenated compounds, heterocyclics and benzene derivatives.     

Hydration Heats of Zeolites For Evaluation of Heat Exchangers

The enthalpy of hydration of purified clinoptilolite from Beli Plast, Bulgaria, and various cation-exchanged types such as Na-, K-, Ca- and Mg-clinoptilolite was determined by the adiabatic water-vapor absorption calorimeter. The hydration enthalpy becomes more exothermic in the sequence K, Na, Ca, Mg depending on hydration energy values of exchanged cations. Na-clinoptilolite would be an efficient heat exchanger in a wide temperature range of dehydration, 180–300°C, while Mg-clinoptilolite in higher temperatures, 300–350°C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Transitions in poly(diethyl siloxane)

An adiabatic heat capacity study of poly(diethylsiloxane) confirms that it has a single glass transition occurring at 130°K, the lowest glass transition reported to date for a high molecular weight polymer. The two previously reported glass transitions are first-order thermodynamic peaks whose location is dependent upon prior thermal history. Combination of these data with low-temperature x-ray diffraction indicates that the transitions in this temperature range are related to a crystal–crystal transformation. A crystal melting transition is observed near 270°K. In addition an anomalous rise in heat capacity near 60°K suggests a sub-glass transition of unknown origin.     

Thermodynamic properties of α-platinum dichloride

The heat capacity of crystalline α-platinum dichloride was measured for the first time in the temperature intervals from 11 to 300 K (vacuum adiabatic microcalorimeter) and from 300 to 620 K (differential scanning calorimetry). In the 300–620 K temperature interval, the C° _p values for α-PtCl₂ (cr) coincide with the heat capacity of CrCl₂ (cr) within the limits of experimental error, which made it possible to estimate the heat capacity of α-PtCl₂ (cr) at higher temperatures. The approximating equation of the temperature dependence of the heat capacity in the interval from 298 to 900 K C° _p (±0.8) = 63.5 + 21.4·10⁻³ T + 0.883·10⁵/T ² (J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) was derived using the experimental values, as well as the literature data on the heat capacity of CrCl₂ (cr). For the standard conditions, the C° _p,298.15 and S°_298.15 values are 70.92±0.08 and 100.9±0.33 J mol⁻¹ K, respectively; H°_298.15 − H°₀ = 14 120±42 J mol⁻¹. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1136–1138, June, 2008.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of MnBr2 · 4D2O and MnCl2 · 4D2O

The heat capacities of MnBr₂ · 4D₂O and MnCl₂ · 4D₂O have been experimentally determined from 1.4 to 300 K. The smoothed heat capacity and thermodynamic functions (H°_TH°₀) and S°_T are reported for the two compounds over the temperature range 10 to 300 K. The error in the thermodynamic functions at 10 K is estimated to be 3%. Additional error in the tabulated values arising from the heat capacity data above 10 K is thought to be less than 1%. A λ-shaped heat capacity anomaly was observed for MnCl₂ · 4D₂O at 48 K. The entropy associated with the anomaly is 1.2 ± 0.2 J/mole K.     

Heat capacities for atactic polystyrene of narrow molecular weight distribution to 360°K.

Precise heat capacity values are reported over the temperature range from 10 to 360°K. for a sample of atactic polystyrene having a narrow molecular weight distribution. This sample was taken from the stock from which National Bureau of Standards Standard Sample 705, Narrow Molecular Weight Distribution Polystyrene, was established. Data are reported for the sample as received, and after an annealing procedure. At temperatures below about 60°K. a systematic difference comparable with the limits of experimental precision appears between the values obtained for the present sample as received and after the annealing, although at higher temperatures the values for the two conditions showed no systematic difference beyond the limits of precision of the measurements. At temperatures above 100°K., previously published values for atactic polystyrene samples of various molecular weight distributions and for isotactic polystyrene agree within about 0.5% of the values from this investigation. At temperatures below 100°K. significant heat capacity differences appear, especially between values for the atactic and the isotactic isomers, and even between atactic samples of different molecular weight distribution.     

Transitions and relaxations in aromatic polymers

Transition and relaxation phenomena in 26 structurally related polyquinoxalines and other aromatic polymers were studied over a temperature range from 70 to 770°K by means of calorimetric, dilatometric, dynamic mechanical, and dielectric techniques. Differential thermal analysis and x-ray data showed these polymers to be essentially amorphous. The lack of crystallinity is attributed to geometric isomerism, resulting in conformational as well as configurational disorder. Calorimetric measurements gave discontinuities in heat capacities ranging from 12 to 54 cal/°C per mole of repeat-unit structures and provided unambiguous assignments of glass transition temperatures of these polymers. Depending upon structure, T_g varied from 489 to 668°K. Thermal expansion curves of annealed bulk polymer samples between 70 and 770°K exhibited only one discontinuity over the entire temperature range, namely at T_g, thus indicating the absence of any motion leading to transitions in the solid state of these polymers. Viscoelastic properties were obtained by means of torsional braid analysis and a longitudinal vibrational apparatus. In a typical case, the dynamic mechanical relaxation spectrum contained three loss maxima. A peak of low amplitude occurring at 483°K was attributed to impurity effects, resulting from endgroups and species of low molecular weight. The second and only major relaxation process occurred at 579°K, in the glass transition interval. A third, weak loss peak of unknown origin was found in the liquid state at 683°K. On the other hand, the dielectric loss curves of various polymers exhibited only one broad and strong absorption maximum at temperatures 30 to 100°K higher (depending upon a particular polymer) than equivalent major mechanical loss peaks. These differences are interpreted from a mechanistic point of view. Major mechanical relaxations occurring in the glass transition interval of these polymers are proposed to result from translational motions.     

High-precision adiabatic calorimetry and the specific heat of cyclopentane at low temperature

We describe a fully automated adiabatic calorimeter designed for high-precision covering the temperature range 15 to 300 K. Initial measurements were performed on synthetic sapphire (20 g). The statistical error of the apparatus estimated from the scattering of theC _p data of sapphire is about 0.1% and the average absolute error of specific heat between 100 and 300 K was 0.7% compared to values given in the literature. The heat capacity and the three phase transitions of cyclopentane (C₅H₁₀) which is recommended as a standard for the temperature calibration of scanning calorimeters have also been measured. The transition temperatures were determined to be (literature values in parentheses): 122.23 K (122.39 K) 138.35 K (138.07 K) and 178.59 K (179.69 K), with an experimental error of ±40 mK.     

Low dielectric thermoset. IV. Synthesis and properties of a dipentene‐containing cyanate ester and its copolymerization with bisphenol A dicyanate ester

A 2,6‐dimethylphenol‐dipentene dicyanate ester ( DPCY ) was synthesized from the reaction of 2,6‐dimethylphenol‐dipentene adduct and cyanogen bromide. The proposed structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), elemental analysis, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. DPCY was then cured by itself or cured with bisphenol A dicyanate ester ( BADCY ). Thermal properties of cured epoxy resins were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), dielectric analysis (DEA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These data are compared with those of BADCY . The cured DPCY exhibits a lower dielectric constant (2.61 at 1 MHz), dissipation factor (29.3 mU at 1 MHz), thermal stability (5% degradation temperature and char yield are 429 °C and 17.64%, respectively), glass transition temperature (246 °C by TMA and 258 °C by DMA), coefficient of thermal expansion (33.6 ppm before Tg and 134.1 ppm after Tg), and moisture absorption (0.95% at 48 h) than those of BADCY , but higher moduli (5.12 GPa at 150 °C and 4.60 GPa at 150 °C) than those of the bisphenol A system. The properties of cured cocyanate esters lie between cured BADCY and DPCY , except for moduli. Moduli of some cocyanate esters are even higher than those of cured BADCY and DPCY . A positive deviation from the Fox equation was observed for cocyanate esters. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3986–3995, 2004     

Heat capacity of amorphous polyhexene-1 between 20 and 300°K: Intramolecular vibrational contribution to Cv below the glass transition

The heat capacity of polyhexene-1 was measured between 20 and 300°K. The apparatus, an adiabatic calorimeter giving results with a random error of 0.2–0.4%, is briefly described. The characterization of the sample by x-ray diffraction patterns established that it was amorphous at all temperatures. Gold foil was incorporated with the sample to increase the apparent thermal diffusivity and so to decrease the time needed for the measurements. The glass transition temperature was found to be 215.5 ± 1°K. On the C_p curve, no subglass anomaly was detected, unlike the results of experiments described elsewhere. The calculation of C_v is discussed, and an explanation is given for the choice of the number of intramolecular vibrational modes per monomer which are assumed to contribute to C_v. A linear continuum model with characteristic temperature θ₁ = 736°K allows us to fit the experimental curve over a temperature range of 140°K.     

Influence of thermal process on microstructural and physical properties of ambient pressure dried hydrophobic silica aerogel monoliths

The experimental results of thermal process on the microstructural and physical properties of ambient pressure dried hydrophobic silica aerogel monoliths are reported and discussed. With sodium silicate as precursor, ethanol/hexamethyldisiloxane/hydrochloric acid as surface modification agent, the crack-free and high hydrophobic silica aerogel monoliths was obtained possessing the properties as low density (0.096 g/cm³), high surface area (651 m²/g), high hydrophobicity (~147°) and low thermal conductivity (0.0217 Wm/K). Silica aerogels maintained hydrophobic behavior up to 430 °C. After a thermal process changing from room temperature to 300 °C, the hydrophobicity remained unchanged (~128°), of which the porosity was 95.69% and specific density about 0.094 g/cm³. After high temperature treatment (300–500 °C), the density of final product decreased from 0.094 to 0.089 g/cm³ and porosity increased to 96.33%. With surface area of 466 m²/g, porosity of 91.21% and density about 0.113 g/cm³, silica aerogels were at a good state at 800 °C. Thermal conductivities at desired temperatures were analyzed by the transient plane heat source method. Thermal conductivity coefficients of silica aerogel monoliths changed from 0.0217 to 0.0981 Wm/K as temperature increased to 800 °C, revealed an excellent heat insulation effect during thermal process.     

The thermal properties of poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl), poly(oxy-2,6-naphthoyl), and its copolymers

The thermal properties, i.e., heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function, and the transition behavior of the copolymer system of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid have been studied based on differential scanning calorimetry. The heat capacities of the glass, crystal, and anisotropic melt are shown to be largely additive on a molar basis. Additivity is lost in the two transition regions, glass transition and disordering transition. Isothermal crystallization experiments on the copolymers revealed the existence of two types of crystals which melt at high temperature (fast-grown crystals) and low temperature (slowly grown crystals). The ATHAS computation method is used to bring heat capacities of the solid state into agreement with approximate frequency spectra. The changes in heat capacity at the glass transitions occur at 434°K for the poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl) [33.2 J/(K mol)] and at 420°K for poly(oxy-2,6-naphthoyl) [46.5 J/(K mol)]. The copolymers have a transition range of above 100°K. The anisotropic melt is linked to the well-known condis state of poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl) by a continuous changes in disorder and mobility without an additional first-order transition.     

Thermodynamic properties of some cyclohexyl esters in the condensed state

The heat capacities and the enthalpies of phase transitions of cyclohexyl esters (formate, acetate, butyrate, and valerate) in the condensed state between T =  (5 and 320) K were measured in a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter. It was found that all liquid compounds were supercooled by cooling them fromT =  300 K at a rate of (0.02 to 0.03)K · s ^− 1and formed glasses. Crystalline phases were obtained for all esters and the residual entropies of glasses at T →  0 were evaluated. The glass transition temperatures and the heat capacity jumps accompanying the glass transitions, as well as the thermodynamic parameters of fusion of crystalline phases, were determined for all the esters. The molar thermodynamic functions of the investigated compounds in the crystalline, liquid, supercooled liquid, and glassy states were obtained. The regular changes of some thermodynamic properties in the series of cyclohexyl esters are discussed.     

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-11 mass%3-hydroxyvaleate) molded part during the solidification step

The numerical simulation of the temperature and relative crystallinity developed across the thickness of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-11 mass%3-hydroxyvaleate) (PHBV) part upon cooling from the melt as a function of the temperature of the cooling fluid (water) is presented. A modified form of the Avrami equation was used to predict the crystallinity as a function of the temperature. A simple expression was used to relate the kinetic constant k with the temperatures. Temperature profiles were predicted by coupling the above mentioned equations to the one-dimensional unsteady-state thermal energy equation through a heat term describing the crystallization heat. Cooling temperatures were in the range between 20 to 80°C and were restricted by the glass transition temperature of the material and the degree of under-cooling, respectively. Even degrees of crystallinity were predicted for part- thicknesses lower than 10 mm cooled at 60°C, while a fluid temperature of 40°C was more appropriate for a 20 mm - thick part. The model predicted uneven crystallinity profiles for part-thicknesses higher than 30 mm.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance of poly-β-alanine

Nuclear magnetic resonance of poly-β-alanine samples differing in solubility in water was studied over a wide temperature range as part of an investigation of their physical properties. Water-soluble poly-β-alanine has more branches and a lower degree of crystallinity than water-insoluble poly-β-alanine. NMR spectra of poly-β-alanine show one component at 77°K. which splits into two components, broad and narrow, at room temperature. Two transition regions were observed in curves for line width and second moment versus temperature. The higher transition temperature, corresponding to the glass transition of the polymer, appears to decrease with increasing water content. The second moment for the water-soluble polymer differs from that of the water-insoluble polymer at 77°K. This is interpreted in terms of the difference in the degree of crystallinity of the polymers.