Real-time imaging using a 2.8 THz quantum cascade laser and uncooled infrared microbolometer camera

Real-time imaging in the terahertz (THz) spectral range was achieved using a milliwatt-scale, 2.8 THz quantum cascade laser and an uncooled, 160 x 120 pixel microbolometer camera modified with Picarin optics. Noise equivalent temperature difference of the camera in the 1-5 THz frequency range was estimated to be at least 3 K, confirming the need for external THz illumination when imaging in this frequency regime. Despite the appearance of fringe patterns produced by multiple diffraction effects, single-frame and extended video imaging of obscured objects show high-contrast differentiation between metallic and plastic materials, supporting the viability of this imaging approach for use in future security screening applications.     

Biodegradable hyperbranched polyesters derived from 1,1,1‐tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane

Low molar mass hyperbranched polyesters were prepared by polycondensation of 1,1,1‐tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane and various dimethyl esters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids in bulk. The usefulness of nontoxic bismuth salts as transesterification catalysts for these polycondensations was studied. The maximum conversion increased, and the reaction time decreased in the following sequence of increasing reactivity: dimethyl sebacate < adipate < glutarate < succinate. Regardless of the monomer combination, gelation occurred at conversions > 91.5%. The hyperbranched structure was proven by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the absence of cyclic elements by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. Quantitative acylation of all CH₂OH groups was achieved with an excess of acetic anhydride or methycrylic anhydride. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 231–238, 2009     

Ultra‐high molecular weight poly(ε‐caprolactone) by means of diphenyl bismuth bromide

Diphenyl bismuth bromide (Ph₂BiBr) allows for polymerizations of ε‐caprolactone in bulk at temperatures as low as 40 °C. Time conversion curves indicate a lower reactivity than tin(II) 2‐ethyl hexanoate (SnOct₂) plus alcohol at 120 °C and also at 60 °C. Ph₂BiBr also proved to be less reactive than Ph₂BiOEt, but more reactive than BiBr₃ and Bi(III)n‐hexanoate. Small amounts (≤1 wt %) of cyclic oligoester were detectable by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry even at a polymerization temperature of 40 °C. The molar masses depend on the monomer–initiator ratio (M/I) but not in a simple parallel manner. With M/I = 600/1 number average molecular weights (M_ns, corrected values) around 500 kDa were obtained. Even at low M/Is high molar mass polylactones were found and CH₂Br endgroups were not detectable. However, upon addition of tetra(ethylene glycol) the coinitiator was completely incorporated yielding telechelic polylactones and the molar mass increased with the monomer–coinitiator ratio. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 851–859, 2008     

Ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone via the bismuth‐2‐mercaptoethanol complex

A complex consisting of one Bi³⁺ ion and two 2‐mercaptoethanol units (BiME₂) was used as initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in bulk. A kinetic comparison showed that BiME₂ is as reactive as initiator as Sn‐octanoate and more reactive than Bi‐hexanoate. The difference to BiHex₃ decreased at higher temperatures and upon addition of an alcohol as coinitiator. When tetra(ethylene glycol) was used as coinitiator, it was completely incorporated into the poly(εCL) chain, so that telechelic polylactones having two OH‐endgroups were formed. In the absence of a coinitiator, 2‐mercaptoethanol or its disulfide were incorporated in the form of ester groups. Furthermore, it was found by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry that small amounts of cyclic oligolactones (detected up to a degree of polymerization of 17) were formed under all reaction conditions. Higher temperatures and longer times favored a higher content of cycles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3175–3183, 2006     

Copolymerizations of Glycolide and L‐Lactide Initiated with Bismuth(III)n‐Hexanoate or Bismuth Subsalicylate

Equimolar copolymerizations of glycolide and L‐lactide were conducted in bulk in the temperature range from 100 to 160°C. The catalytic efficiency of tin(II)2‐ethylhexanoate (SnOct₂) and bismuth(III)n‐hexanoate (BiHex₃) were compared under identical conditions. Furthermore, four copolymerizations were conducted with bismuth subsalicylate as initiator/catalyst. The isolated copolyesters were characterized by viscosity and SEC measurements, by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy with regard to their composition and with ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy with regard to their sequences. BiHex₃ proved to be nearly as efficient as initiator as SnOct₂ and the sequences were somewhat closer to randomness than those obtained from SnOct₂. All copolyesters were amorphous materials soluble in a variety of organic solvents. Chain extension with diisocyanates raised the molecular weights by a factor of 5–7.     

Influence of Isosorbide on Glass‐Transition Temperature and Crystallinity of Poly(butylene terephthalate)

Copolyesters of isosorbide and 1,4‐butane diol were prepared by Ti(OBu)₄‐catalyzed transesterifications with dimethyl terephthalate in bulk at temperatures up to 250°C. The content of isosorbide was considerably lower than expected from the feed ratio and the molar masses were low, so that no DSC measurements were conducted. Copolycondensations of isosorbide and 1,4‐butane diol with terephthaloyl chloride were either performed in dichloromethane at 40°C or in toluene at 100°C. The second method gave the higher molar masses. However, both series of polycondensations had the content of isosorbide roughly paralleled the feed ratios in common. The DSC measurements revealed that even 6 mol% of isosorbide is sufficient to raise the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) by 10–12°C (up to 55°C). With 50 mol% of isosorbide, the T_g reaches 100°C. Yet, incorporation of isosorbide also reduces the melting temperature T_m and the degree of crystallinity, and a mol percentage above 30% prevents crystallization completely. In summary, incorporation of isosorbide allows for fine‐tuning of T_g and T_m of poly(butylene terephthalate) over a wide range.