Degradation induced variation of LC transition of poly(n-undecyl isocyanate)

The first-order thermal transitions including side-chain melting, crystal-LC, biphasic chimney-like, and isotropic transitions of poly(n-undecyl isocyanate) (PUDIC) were investigated by varying its thermal history. After annealing at 140 °C for different periods of time, it leads to different degrees of backbiting degradation into n-undecyl isocyanurate trimer which behaves as a solvent for the rest non-degraded/rigid PUDIC to change into a lyotropic LC from thermotropic transition. Based on the degree of degradation, various amounts of trimers are present and the PUDIC demonstrates different types of thermal transitions found in DSC thermograms due to the variation of the non-degraded PUDIC concentration in solvent trimers. Finally, a phase diagram includes all types of crystallines, LC, and isotropic regions can be drawn according to the DSC thermograms.     

Modified Maxwell–Wagner model analysis on charging and discharging in TIPS-pentacene diode by optical second harmonic generation measurement

We used time-resolved electric field induced optical second harmonic generation (TR-EFISHG) measurement and Maxwell–Wagner (MW) equivalent circuit model analysis to study the charging and discharging processes of ITO/Polyimide/6,13-Bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)-pentacene/Au (ITO/PI/TIPS-pentacene/Au) diodes. For fresh diodes, electrode charging was followed successively by interfacial charging, whereas interfacial discharging occurred very quickly in combination with electrode discharging. In contrast, the order of charging and discharging was reversed for aged diodes. A modified MW equivalent circuit well accounts for these results, where TIPS-pentacene functions as a dielectric material before hole injection, but as a conductor after hole injection. As a result, the accumulated interfacial charge can escape very quickly from the TIPS-pentacene together with electrode discharging. These results illustrate the non-reversal behavior of the fresh TIPS-pentacene diodes.     

Synergetic effects of hydrophilic surface modification and N-doping for visible light response on photocatalytic activity of TiO2

We made attempts to improve photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light exposure by combining additional treatments. N-doping of TiO₂ by ammonia gas treatment increased absorbance of visible light. By coating thin film of polydimethylsiloxane, and subsequently vacuum-annealing, TiO₂ surface became more hydrophilic, thereby enhancing photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. These two treatments were combined for the first time in this work and photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation exceeded sum of individual effects of N-doping and hydrophilic modification.     

Degradation of reactive,acid and basic textile dyes in the presence of ultrasound and rare earths [Lanthanum and Praseodymium]

Degradation of five textile dyes, namely Reactive Red 141 (RR 141), Reactive Blue 21 (RB 21), Acid Red 114 (AR 114), Acid Blue 113 (AB 113) and Basic Violet 16 (BV 16) in aqueous solution has been carried out with ultrasound (US) and in combination with rare earth ions (La³⁺ and Pr³⁺). Kinetic analysis of the data showed a pseudo-first order degradation reaction for all the dyes. The rate constant (k), half life (t_1/2) and the process efficiency (φ) for various processes in degradation of dyes under different experimental conditions have been calculated. The influence of concentrations of dyes (16–40 mg/L), pH (5, 7 and 9) and rare earth ion concentration (4, 12 and 20 mg/L) on the degradation of dyes have also been studied. The degradation percentage increased with increasing rare earth amount and decreased with increasing concentration of dyes. Both horn and bath type sonicators were used at 20 kHz and 250 W for degradation. The sonochemical degradation rate of dyes in the presence of rare earths was related to the type of chromophoric groups in the dye molecule. Degradation sequence of dyes was further examined through LCMS and Raman spectroscopic techniques, which confirmed the sonochemical degradation of dyes to non-toxic end products.     

Effects of ultrasound on the degradation kinetics,physicochemical properties and prebiotic activity of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide

The controllable ultrasonic modification was hindered due to the uncertainty of the relationship between ultrasonic parameters and polysaccharide quality. In this study, the ultrasonic degradation process was established with kinetics. The physicochemical properties and prebiotic activity of ultrasonic degraded Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides (U-FVPs) were investigated. The results showed that the ultrasonic degradation kinetic models were fitted to 1/M_t-1/M₀ = kt. When the ultrasonic intensity increased from 531 to 3185 W/cm², the degradation proceeded faster. The decrease of polysaccharide concentration contributed to the degradation of FVP, and the fastest degradation rate was at 60 °C. Ultrasound changed the solution conformation of FVP, and partially destroyed the stability of the triple helix structure of FVP. Additionally, the viscosity and gel strength of FVP decreased, but its thermal stability was improved by ultrasound. Higher ultrasonic intensity led to larger variations in physicochemical properties. Compared with FVP, U-FVPs could be more easily utilized by gut microbiota. U-FVPs displayed better prebiotic activity by promoting the growth of Bifidobacterium and Brautella and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. Ultrasound could be effectively applied to the degradation of FVP to improve its physicochemical properties and bioactivities.     

In-situ monitoring of degradation of C/C composites and coatings in an inductively coupled plasma by a spectroCCD camera

Spatially and spectrally resolved profiles of atomic emission around the surface of C/C composites with double layer coatings in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) have been measured by means of a spectroCCD camera. The plasma temperature around the sample disk was measured with the two-line method using atomic lines of iron, and found to be higher under oxidizing conditions because of combustion heat. This is a good measure of reflecting that the degradation is more significant under the oxidizing condition. The degradation procedure of the C/C composites with the double layer coatings has also been measured by a multi-channel spectrometer. The degradation of the sealant and the following attack of the plasma on a SiC layer were observed by the temporal change in emission intensity.     

Energetic distribution of the electrons from a 200 keV beam in polyurethane layers : EGS4 calculation and FTIR analysis

The aim of this study is to characterize the chemical transformation of a polymer resulting from irradiation by a 200 keV electron beam. Thermoplastic PU polyetherurethane material was used and irradiation was performed with applied electron fluences in the range of 10¹⁴–10¹⁷ electron cm⁻² at 77 K.

The chemical changes have been observed by FTIR analysis of irradiated layers. A NH bond evolution study has allowed us to follow polymer degradation versus depth and fluence. The results have been compared to a simulation of electronic energy loss and to the energy spectrum of the generated electrons in the polymer using EGS4 code.     

Fe~(3+)对淀粉/聚乙烯共混物促降解的研究

本文选用Fe3 + 油酸的组合物为降解剂 ,研究它与淀粉、聚乙烯共混体系在模拟堆肥温度 (70℃ )下的热氧化降解行为 ,对其力学性能、分子量下降率及氢过氧化物浓度进行跟踪测试 ,并通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM )及X 射线衍射仪 (XRD)对试样的表面形态和结晶性能进行表征 .实验结果表明 :含有Fe3 +的有机化合物降解剂在实验条件下对试样有明显的促降解作用 ,并且高Fe3 +含量的降解剂催化PE基体降解活性的发挥受环境因素特别是氧气浓度高低的影响不敏锐 ,而低Fe3+含量的降解剂则与之相反 .在上述实验事实的基础上推导出该体系中聚乙烯热氧化降解的动力学方程式 .     

Development of positron annihilation spectroscopy to test accelerated weathering of protective polymer coatings

A variable mono-energetic positron beam with a computer-controlled system has recently been constructed at the University of Missouri–Kansas City for weathering studies of polymeric coatings. The beam is designed to measure the S-parameter from Doppler-broadening energy spectra and the sub-nanometer defect properties from positron annihilation lifetimes (PAL). Significant variations of S-parameter and ortho-positronium intensity in coatings, as obtained from the newly built beam and from the Electrotechnical Laboratory’s beam, respectively, are observed as a function of depth and exposure time due to the Xe-light irradiation. A high sensitivity of positron annihilation signal response to the early stage of degradation is observed. Development of positron annihilation spectroscopy to test accelerated weathering of polymeric coatings is discussed.