Preparation and characterization of Type II anion exchange membranes from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO)

To separate hydrophilic anions from hydrophobic ones, Type II PPO-based anion exchange membranes were developed. Different from Type I (with both trimethylbenzylammonium and triethylbenzylammonium groups), Type II has an excellent hydrophobicity modifier as fixed groups: dimethyethanolammonium groups, which were introduced into PPO (poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)) by following benzyl bromination of PPO and subsequent quaternary amination with a dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) aqueous solution. The membrane's intrinsic properties are dependent on DMEA concentration and amination temperature. The optimum conditions for membrane preparation are as follows: amination temperature 70 °C, time 30–48 h, and DMEA concentration 1:3–1:5 (v/v, DMEA to water). The obtained Type II anion exchange membranes had an IEC of 1.5 mmol/g dry membrane, water content of 30%, and membrane area resistance of 30 Ω cm². The introduced dimethyethanolammonium groups can block hydrated anions from the access to membranes but let hydrophobic anions transport; hence, an effective separation between hydrophilic and hydrophobic anions can be achieved during electro-membrane operation.     

Collapsible Graphs and Hamiltonicity of Line Graphs

Thomassen conjectured that every 4-connected line graph is Hamiltonian. Chen and Lai (Combinatorics and Graph Theory, vol 95, World Scientific, Singapore, pp 53–69; Conjecture 8.6 of 1995) conjectured that every 3-edge connected and essentially 6-edge connected graph is collapsible. Denote D ₃(G) the set of vertices of degree 3 of graph G. For ${e = uv \in E(G)}$ , define d(e) = d(u) + d(v) ? 2 the edge degree of e, and ${\xi(G) = \min\{d(e) : e \in E(G)\}}$ . Denote by λ ^m (G) the m-restricted edge-connectivity of G. In this paper, we prove that a 3-edge-connected graph with ${\xi(G)\geq7}$ , and ${\lambda^3(G)\geq7}$ is collapsible; a 3-edge-connected simple graph with ${\xi(G)\geq7}$ , and ${\lambda^3(G)\geq6}$ is collapsible; a 3-edge-connected graph with ${\xi(G)\geq6}$ , ${\lambda^2(G)\geq4}$ , and ${\lambda^3(G)\geq6}$ with at most 24 vertices of degree 3 is collapsible; a 3-edge-connected simple graph with ${\xi(G)\geq6}$ , and ${\lambda^3(G)\geq5}$ with at most 24 vertices of degree 3 is collapsible; a 3-edge-connected graph with ${\xi(G)\geq5}$ , and ${\lambda^2(G)\geq4}$ with at most 9 vertices of degree 3 is collapsible. As a corollary, we show that a 4-connected line graph L(G) with minimum degree at least 5 and ${|D_3(G)|\leq9}$ is Hamiltonian.     

Solvent‐Free Synthesis of 2‐(Phenylamino)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1,6‐dihydropyrimidine Derivatives Catalyzed by Sulfamic Acid

A series of 2‐(phenylamino)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1,6‐dihydropyrimidine derivatives were synthesized efficienly via the reaction of aryl aldehyde, ethyl 4,4,4‐trifluoro‐3‐oxobutanoate and 1‐phenylguanidine carbonate catalyzed by sulfamic acid under solvent‐free conditions. This protocol has the advantages of mild condition, high yields and environmentally benign procedure.     

On the edge-connectivity of graphs with two orbits of the same size

It is well known that the edge-connectivity of a simple, connected, vertex-transitive graph attains its regular degree. It is then natural to consider the relationship between the graph’s edge-connectivity and the number of orbits of its automorphism group. In this paper, we discuss the edge connectedness of graphs with two orbits of the same size, and characterize when these double-orbit graphs are maximally edge connected and super-edge-connected. We also obtain a sufficient condition for some double-orbit graphs to be λ^′-optimal. Furthermore, by applying our results we obtain some results on vertex/edge-transitive bipartite graphs, mixed Cayley graphs and half vertex-transitive graphs.     

Water dissociation phenomena in a bipolar membrane

The models were established for the theoretical current-voltage characteristics in water dissociation process on a bipolar membrane. Particular attention was given to the transport of the water ions and electrolyte ions as well as the membrane physical structure and configuration. The factors on the water splitting process were adequately analysed based on the derived theoretical current-voltage characteristics and several good suggestions were proposed for decreasing the work voltage in practical operations. In addition, the model can give a reasonable explanation for the catalytic effect of some chemicals, such as amphiprotic hydroxide compounds, weak polymeric acids and bases, etc. It is shown that the catalyst may be responsible for the increase in dissociation rate constant of water and therefore enhance the water dissociation. The guidelines for choosing a proper catalyst were also proposed. Project supported by the Youth Foundation of USTC[1999], the Foundation of the State Kay Lab. of Func. Poly. Materials for Adsor. & Sep., Nankai Univ. [1998], the Foundation of Post-doctoral of China (No. 1996(2)) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grand No. 2997604).     

校园环境质量监测实践课程的实施与体会

校园环境质量监测实践课程是一门实践性很强的综合性实践课程。课程目标既有知识与技能目标,又有过程与方法目标,还有情感、态度和价值观目标。为了较好地达成课程目标,既要制定合理的实施方案,又要执行严格的实施过程。指导教师要做好集体备课、课前动员、分组指导、成绩评定和课后总结的每一个环节。     

A novel proton-conductive membrane with reduced methanol permeability prepared from bromomethylated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO)

A series of proton-conducting membranes were developed for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications via sulfonation of bromomethylated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) base membranes. Besides the low manufacture cost, the membranes exhibited an excellent control on methanol crossover and swelling, and a sound balance with high proton conductivities. These can be attributed to the inherent properties of membrane structures: (i) benzyl substitution with bromine, which imparted the membrane stronger hydrophobicity, (ii) cross-linking between BPPO chains, which enhances the dimensional stability and renders the membrane a dense texture, (iii) proper content of sulfonic acid groups, which guarantees the proton conductivity. An optimal membrane was obtained after investigating the effects of the bromination degree and sulfonation process on the performances of corresponding membranes, i.e., the membrane possesses the methanol permeability of 2.64 × 10⁻⁸ cm²/s and characteristic factor Φ value of 30 times higher than that of Nafion^® 117. The sulfonation process should be controlled within a proper period of time and in mild sulfonation conditions so as to achieve a proton conductivity higher than 0.07 S/cm for potential applications in DMFC.     

Synthesis and characterizations of novel, positively charged poly(methyl acrylate)-SiO2 nanocomposites

A series of positively charged poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)-SiO₂ nanocomposites were prepared through the sol-gel process of positively charged alkoxysilane-containing polymer precursors. The precursors were synthesized by coupling different amounts of N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ethylene diamine (A-1120) to poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), followed by a quaternization reaction. These precursors were then hydrolyzed and condensed to generate PMA-SiO₂ hybrid sol-gel materials. IR and ¹H NMR measurements were conducted to confirm the chemical structure of the step products during the hybrids preparation. Thermal stabilities of the hybrids were conducted by DSC, TGA and their nanoscale microphase separation was distinguished by FE-SEM. Anion-exchange capacities of these nanocomposites were examined to be in the range of 0.19−1.20 mmol/g.     

One‐pot Combinatorial Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo‐[1,2‐a]thiopyrano[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives

A series of novel fused tetracyclic benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]thiopyrano[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives were synthesized via the reaction of aryl aldehyde, 2H‐thiopyran‐3,5(4H,6H)‐dione, and 1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐amine in glacial acetic acid. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, high yields and short reaction time.