Gelation and the production of surface grown polyethylene fibres

Summary In the course of examining the limiting conditions for growth of polyethylene fibres by the surface growth method (1, 2) an unexpected gelation effect was observed. Accordingly a solution, after having been stirred at such elevated temperatures where no visible crystallization can take place, is found to set as a gel after cooling under quiescent conditions. It is established that the ability to form this gel is a necessary condition for fibre production byPennings andZwijnenburg's surface growth method which by the new findings essentially should consist of the stretching of such gels. We verified that material indeed accumulates at the surface of the rotor used in the surface growth method as was originally envisaged, but we now infer that this material consists of gel particles formed during the preceding treatments. This adhesion of the gel to a rotating surface enables it to be readily stretched by an externally introduced fibre as done in the surface growth method. The gel precursor is of interest in its own right. We find that it is a transient structure but with long, up to several hours, persistence time during which the solution `remembers' that it has been stirred. The structure itself is presumably an incipient network forming crystallization induced by localised chain stretching, where the crystal junctions are likely to provide the nuclei for the more permanent fibrous crystals which arise on cooling causing the gel to set. Electron microscopy indeed identified smooth fibres in the gel which could develop into shish-kebabs on appropriate treatment, while the bulk of the gel consists of large single crystal platelets which arise within the network on final cooling to room temperature. Finally we suggest, that many, if not all, shishkebab structures conventionally observed on stirring arise by the stretching of the gel network formed at a preceding stage of the preparation procedure.     

Study of the Interface Microstructures of CVD Diamond Films by TEM

 The characteristics of the interface microstructures between a CVD diamond film and the silicon substrate have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The investigations are performed on plan-view TEM specimens which were intentionally thinned only from the film surface side allowing the overall microstructural features of the interface to be studied. A prominent interfacial layer with amorphous-like features has been directly observed for CVD diamond films that shows a highly twinned defective diamond surface morphology. Similar interfacial layers have also been observed on films with a <100> growth texture but having the {100} crystal faces randomly oriented on the silicon substrate. These interfacial layers have been unambiguously identified as diamond phase carbon by both electron diffraction and electron energy loss spectroscopy. For the CVD diamond films that exhibit heteroepitaxial growth features, with the {100} crystal faces aligned crystallographically on the silicon substrate, such an interfacial layer was not observed. This is consistent with the expectation that the epitaxial growth of CVD diamond films requires diamond crystals to directly nucleate and grow on the substrate surface or on an epitaxial interface layer that has a small lattice misfit to both the substrate and the thin film material.     

Free energies of molecular crystal surfaces by computer simulation: application to tetrathiophene

We describe a general simulation protocol for the evaluation of the surface free energies of molecular crystals, which are of broad interest for phenomena such as polymorphism and crystal growth. The method has been applied to selected surfaces of two polymorphs of tetrathiophene. The simulations highlight an important temperature-dependent entropic contribution to the surface free energies, which is not included in widely used static simulations of surface structure and energetics.     

Atomic resolution electron microscopy of small metal clusters

Atomic resolution imaging of cluster structures has been performed with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Metal particles of the sizes 1 nanometer to tens of nanometers have been surface profile imaged on different supports; like zeolites, cordierite and amorphous carbon. It is shown that organic ligands in Schmid-clusters coordinated to the metal surface are desorbed or destroyed by the electron beam. Dynamic events on the surfaces and in the bulk of small metal particles have been recorded for small crystals of Au, Pt, Rh and Pb and can be classified under three headings; The smaller the crystals are the faster rearrangements of the crystal structure; “clouds” of atoms existing outside some surfaces are involved in extensive structural rearrangements of the surface or crystal surface growth; localized atom hopping on surfaces during crystal growth and desorption also occurs.     

Controlling relative fundamental crystal growth rates in silicalite: AFM observation

A detailed atomic force microscopy study has been performed on the open-framework, microporous material silicalite. Emphasis has been placed on determining the effect of supersaturation on the crystal growth process. The relative rates of fundamental crystal growth processes can be substantially altered by tuning the supersaturation. In this manner, it is possible to, for instance, switch on and off surface nucleation while retaining terrace spreading. This offers a potential mechanism by which it might be possible to control important crystal aspects such as defect density and intergrowths.     

Surface structure of metal-organic framework grown on self-assembled monolayers revealed by high-resolution atomic force microscopy

The surface structure of an individual metal-organic framework (MOF) microcrystal grown on a functionalized surface has been successfully investigated for the first time in air and vacuum using high-resolution atomic force microscopy. Moreover, this detailed surface analysis has been utilized to optimize the MOF formation procedure to obtain a defect-free surface structure. Comparison of obtained data with recent microscopic studies performed on the same MOF crystal but grown by a conventional procedure clearly shows a much higher quality of crystals produced by surface oriented growth. Importantly, this method of preparing crystals suitable for microscopic analysis is also much faster (3 days compared to 2 years) and, in contrast to the conventional method, produces material suitable for in situ study. These results thus demonstrate for the first time the possibility of nanoscale investigation/modification of MOF surface structure.     

Pyroelectric investigations of a hydrogen bonded ferroelectric liquid crystal gel by LIMM

The laser intensity modulation method (LIMM) is employed to determine spatially resolved polarization distributions in sandwich cells containing a hydrogen‐bonded ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) gel. At no external electric fields, contributions to the distributions at the surface of the FLC layer are dominating in all the samples with different concentration of gel former. These are attributed to non‐vanishing polarization due to surface interaction. In this case, the effect of hydrogen‐bonded network on the polarization distribution is not visible. In external electric fields, additional contribution to the resulting distribution caused by the induced polarization due to unwinding the FLC helix has been observed. Furthermore, the influence of hydrogen‐bonded network on the polarization distribution is also detected when the gel former content is increased up to 5.0 wt%. Therein the shape of the measured pyrospectra is completely different to other FLC gel samples with lower gel former concentration, where their maximum distributions still locate at the surface of FLC layer which is comparable to the initial field‐free state. These result indicate that the helical structure and orientation director of FLC are able to be stabilized effectively by the gel network even under strong external electric field. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation Between Specific Surface Area and Methyl Red Adsorbed on Silica Gel

Abstract

The amount of methyl red, adsorbed on bare silica gel, has been determined for 32 samples having a specific surface area ranging from 10 m²/g to 500 m²/g, as determined by a BET method. A linear relationship between amount of dye adsorbed and specific area exists up to about 300 m²/g. Beyond this value the amount of adsorbed dye does not increase correspondingly, which is believed to be due to the relative increase of micropores in the silica gel structure. It is proposed that the easily performed determination of the adsorbed methyl red can serve to estimate that part of the silica gel surface which is available for chromatographic interactions.     

Investigating the kinetics of liquid-free,OSDA-free ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis from iron ore tailings

In this study, ZSM-5, which is a Mobil-type five-type zeolite with well-defined crystal morphology, is successfully synthesized via a seed-assisted, liquid-free method that uses iron ore tailings as a silica source. The ZSM-5 crystallization kinetics at 423, 433, and 443 K and different synthesis times are investigated to identify the nucleation and crystallization mechanisms of the synthesized ZSM-5 zeolites, and results suggest that the crystallization kinetics follow a Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-type behavior. The activation energies for the induction and transition periods are 112.38 and 58.35 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the Avrami exponent indicates three-dimensional crystal growth from both sporadic and instantaneous nucleation mechanisms. A comparison of our results with previous reports of the ZSM-5 crystallization mechanism demonstrates that the seed crystals play a significant role in nucleation and crystal growth. Finally, seed surface crystallization and new nuclei crystallization dual mechanism has been proposed to describe the crystallization process of ZSM-5.     

Structural studies of ultrahigh-modulus polyethylene using nitric acid etching and gel permeation chromatography. II. Influence of polymer molecular weight,draw temperature,and annealing

The technique of nitric acid etching followed by gel permeation chromatography has been used to determine the crystal length distribution in ultrahigh-modulus polyethylenes. The crystal length distribution has been studied as a function of draw ratio, polymer molecular weight, processing conditions, and annealing. The results confirm that although there is a considerable broadening of the crystal length distribution on drawing, the majority of crystals have lengths less that 500 Å. There are detailed changes in the length distribution due to changes in draw temperature, molecular weight, and annealing which are not always reflected in corresponding changes in the long period determined from small-angle x-ray scattering. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.     

Application of semi-empirical molecular orbital methods to the calculation of properties of ionic crystals

Investigations are continued into the usefulness of semi-empirical molecular orbital techniques to the calculation of the electronic properties of ionic crystals. The cluster model is used, on which the molecular orbital calculations are made, with the remaining material approximated by the inclusion of a Madelung potential derived from those atoms not in the cluster. Applications have been made to the bulk properties of LiF and MgO, with very good results. Surface properties of MgO have been investigated using a surface Madelung potential to represent the remaining crystal; the results in this case show a closure in the band gap on approaching the surface, which is consistent with experimental observations. The long term aim of the work is to provide a simple, computationally viable method for the investigation of complex defects in ionic crystals. To this end we have performed a calculation on the U centre in LiF. Consistently good results have been obtained for all these properties showing that this is a viable method for these systems and that complex defects may be approached with some optimism that the method provides a useful tool.     

蛋白A定向固定抗体的纤维蛋白压电免疫传感器的研究

将9MHz双面镀金石英晶体浸入蛋白A溶液中,在晶体电极表面形成一层均匀的蛋白A薄层,用于定向固定人体纤维蛋白抗体.在蛋白A层上形成一层有序致密的自组装抗体分子膜,研制成一种新型的用于人体纤维蛋白检测的压电免疫传感器.比较了3种固定抗体方法的效果,从传感器的灵敏度、稳定性、重现性等考虑,蛋白A吸附法优于聚乙烯亚胺及牛血清白蛋白固定抗体的方法.研究了蛋白A浓度、抗体效价以及抗原抗体反应时间等对传感器灵敏度的影响,考察了电极的选择性和再生能力.纤维蛋白在1×10^-4～1×10^-2g/L浓度范围内有良好响应.     

Assisted desolvation as a key kinetic step for crystal growth

The crystallization of materials from a supersaturated solution is a fundamental chemical process. Although several very successful models that provide a qualitative understanding of the crystal growth process exist, in most cases the atomistic detail of crystal growth is not fully understood. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of the morphologically most important surfaces of barite in contact with a supersaturated solution have been performed. The simulations show that an ordered and tightly bound layer of water molecules is present on the crystal surface. The approach of an ion to the surface requires desolvation of both the surface and the ion itself leading to an activated process that is rate limiting for two-dimensional nucleation to occur. However, desolvation on specific surfaces can be assisted by anions adsorbed on the crystal surface. This hypothesis, corroborated by crystallization and scanning electron microscopy studies, allows the rationalization of the morphology of barite crystals grown at different supersaturations.     

掺铈纳米TiO2薄膜制备及光催化降解甲醛甲苯

通过Sol-Gel工艺在玻璃表面及多孔陶瓷表面制得了均匀透明的掺铈纳米TiO2薄膜．通过SEM、XRD及UV-Vis等手段对玻璃表面掺铈纳米TiO2薄膜进行了表征．结果表明，薄膜表面无开裂现象、膜内部比表面积大、TiO2分布均匀．薄膜中出现的锐钛矿相在(101)面有一定的择优取向，且UV-Vis研究表明，掺铈纳米TiO2薄膜在近紫外的吸光度有明显提高．利用自行设计的反应器，以多孔陶瓷为介质，对甲醛、甲苯等有机物进行了光催化降解研究．结果表明，掺铈纳米TiO2薄膜对甲醛甲苯有极高的光催化降解效率，由于薄膜成本低廉，易于工业化，为净化室内空气开辟了新的途径．     

Growth and characterization of 2-amino-4-picolinium toluene sulfonate single crystal

2-Amino-4-picolinium toluene sulfonate (2A4PTS), a new organic material, was synthesized and grown as single crystals in room temperature by slow evaporation solution growth technique using water as solvent. The crystal structure of 2A4PTS has been determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. 2A4PTS belongs to monoclinic crystal system. The molecular arrangements in the crystal were studied. The structural perfection of the grown crystals has been analysed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curve measurements. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral studies have been performed to identify the functional groups. The optical transmittance window and the lower cutoff wavelength of the 2A4PTS have been identified by UV–Vis–NIR studies. The nonlinear optical properties have been investigated by Z-scan method. The nonlinear refractive index and linear absorption coefficient of the 2A4PTS are found to be in the order of 10⁻⁸ cm²/W and 10⁻⁴ cm/W, respectively. The laser induced surface damage threshold for the grown crystal was measured using Nd:YAG laser. Thermal analysis carried out on the compound reveals that 2A4PTS is stable up to 133 °C. The microhardness test was carried out and the load dependent hardness was measured.     

The Effect of Temperature on Nucleation of Condensed Water Phase on the Surface of a β-AgI Crystal. 2. Formation Work

In the condensation mechanism of heterogeneous ice formation, water crystallization occurs after a necessary amount of the liquid phase has accumulated on a substrate surface. In this way, the ice-forming activity of the surface is governed by its adsorption ability with respect to water vapor. The Monte Carlo canonical statistical ensemble method has been used to calculate the free energy, entropy, and work of nucleation of a disordered condensed water phase on the surface of crystalline silver iodide and to determine the surface tension. Comparative calculations have been performed at 260 and 320 K for the defect-free surface of a basal face of a crystal. The surface of a β-AgI crystal is completely covered with a monomolecular film even in unsaturated water vapors. The surface tension at the growing nucleus–substrate interface substantially increases due to the formation of the underlying film, and the growth of the nucleus becomes possible only in a supersaturated vapor. As the vapor density increases, the thickness of the condensed water layer grows, and, at negative Celsius temperatures, conditions are created for its crystallization. The underlying film with pronounced hydrophobic properties hinders nucleation, thereby decreasing the ice-forming activity of the surface in the condensation process. Under these conditions, the observed abnormally high ice-forming activity of silver-iodide aerosol particles may be explained by the presence of numerous crystal defects on the particle surface, with these defects representing channels that provide overcoming the hindering action of the film.     

Phosphated Alumina Catalysts: Surface Properties and Reactivity towards 2-PrOH Decomposition

Summary. The influence of the type of precursor, the phosphate content, as well as the source of phosphate ions on the surface texture, acidity, and catalytic activity of phosphated aluminas has been described. Phosphated alumina catalysts were prepared by impregnating two different precursors with two different sources of phosphate in different loading levels w = 3, 6, and 10% PO₄ ³⁻. The characterisation of the catalyst was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption methods at 77 K. The surface acidity of the catalysts has been studied by FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine at different temperatures. Moreover, the activity in the catalytic decomposition of isopropanol (2-PrOH) has been investigated at 520 K. Investigation of the surface properties shows that the addition of phosphate ions does not change the crystal phase (γ-phase) and the samples prepared from gel and phosphoric acid have the highest surface area. An FT-IR study of pyridine adsorption shows both Lewis and Br?nsted acid sites on the surface of the samples prepared from gel, while only Lewis acid sites are detected on the samples prepared from crystalline oxide. The catalytic activity by 2-PrOH conversion shows that the conversion of 2-PrOH as well as the selectivity towards propene formation increases from w = 3 to 6% followed by a decline for w = 10%. Moreover, the strongest activity was detected in case of phosphated alumina gel with w = 6% which gives 97.3% propene and 96.1% conversion of 2-PrOH.     

采用优化的DFTB参数对铜(111)表面碳二聚化的分子动力学研究

针对铜表面化学反应,我们发展了一套铜-碳体系的密度泛函紧束缚(DFTB)参数。测试结果表明这套参数可以很好的描述吸附铜或碳原子前后铜表面的几何结构和能量。基于这套参数,我们对Cu(111)表面的碳二聚化过程进行了分子模拟研究。即使在高温下,直接的分子动力学模拟也很难观察到碳二聚体的形成。这是因为高温下铜表面显著的结构弛豫一定程度上阻止了二聚化。为了研究高温下铜表面碳二聚化的机理,我们进行了赝动力学模拟。发现在二聚化的过程中,碳原子形成C-Cu-C桥状结构以后,会绕中间Cu原子转动,最后形成碳二聚体。1300 K下碳二聚化的自由能垒约0.9 eV。     

Effects of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose macromolecules used as organic template on the crystallization of CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) was used as an organic template to synthesize calcium carbonate. Crystals were synthesized in HPMC solution and HPMC hydrogel, respectively. For the mineralization system of HPMC solution, the effects of adding HPMC and rotating the reaction system on the crystal polymorph and morphology of CaCO₃ were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the presence of HPMC induced the formation of aragonite. And its content became higher when the concentration of solution increased or when rotating the system with the presence of HPMC. Moreover, it can be seen from SEM that bundle-like CaCO₃ appeared and became more with the increase of concentration. The structure and shape of the crystal had close relationship with the condition of mineralization. On the other hand, for the first time, CaCO₃ was synthesized in HPMC gel, SEM results indicated that a special structure, a long bar with some slight slots at intervals on the surface, of the crystals which may be caused by the network structure of the gel was found. Thermogravimetry (TG) results showed that CaCO₃ crystal products contained some HPMC. Further research on how the gel network modulates the growth of crystals is left to be done in the future.     

Hybrid sol–gel thin films doped with a pH indicator: effect of organic modification on optical pH response and film surface hydrophilicity

Optical sensors for application in innovative wearable sensing systems such as textile-integrated systems and wireless sensor platforms rely on the development of low-cost multifunctional materials compatible with standard fabrication technologies. We are developing optically responsive pH sensitive sol–gel coatings for integration with a mobile wireless smart tag sensing system. For this application, we have fabricated a range of thin pH sensitive films using bromocresol green (BCG) indicator immobilised in inorganic–organic silica hybrid matrices prepared by a sol–gel method and deposited by spin-coating onto glass substrates. The surface hydrophilicity of the films were varied by using the inorganic sol–gel precursor tetraethoxysilane together with either methyltriethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane or glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as organically modified sol–gel precursors, co-polymerised in different ratios. Spectral characterisation of the films was performed using visible absorption spectroscopy. The shift in absorption maxima and other spectral changes of the different matrices have been identified, and the apparent pK _app values of the immobilised BCG pH indicator determined. The surface wettability properties of the films have been studied by measuring the contact angle of water, formamide and diiodomethane which has allowed the estimation of the surface free energy (SFE) using three different models: Owens–Wendt, Wu and van Oss-Chaudhury-Good. It is shown that the SFE of the hybrid films is directly related to the type and the degree of organic modification, which in turn has a significant effect on the pH response-time of these sensing films.