Chain-length dependence of the conformational order in self-assembled dialkylammonium monolayers on mica studied with soft X-ray absorption

Self-assembled alkyl chain based monolayers on mica are important for industrial and technological processes since they can be employed for an organic modification of the inorganic substrate. The conformational structure and orientational order of the films determine the interaction of the modified substrate with the environment and the chemical character and stability of its surface. We have studied the conformational order in ion exchanged dialkylammonium monolayers adsorbed on mica depending on the length of the alkyl chains systematically with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). In addition, films were characterized by water contact angle measurements. The experimentally determined average tilt angles of the chains are discussed in terms of the degree of order. It was found that the absolute number of gauche defects in the films increases with decreasing chain length.     

Coordination Compounds of Palladium(II) and 4‐Amino‐1,2,4‐triazole

Mononuclear coordination compounds of the type [Pd(NH₂trz)₄]²⁺ with the counterions chloride, nitrate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate were synthesized and their structures identified with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In case of the synthesis with methanesulfonate as the counterion the dominant product was of the generic formula [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄, and the complex [Pd(NH₂trz)₄](CH₃SO₃)₂ only emerged as a byproduct. While the structure of the byproduct could be analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, suitable crystals of the main product [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄ could not be obtained. However, stoichiometry implies a polynuclear nature with NH₂trz present in the rare μ₃‐η¹:η¹:η¹ coordination type, i.e. with NH₂trz molecules coordinating to three palladium atoms. Accordingly, identification of solids by single‐crystal analysis alone can be misleading in particular with NH₂trz as a ligand due to its versatile coordination behavior. Finally, analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the complexes were thermally stable (the onset of decomposition well above 100 °C), with [Pd₂(NH₂trz)₃](CH₃SO₃)₄ being the most stable compound (onset of decomposition at 204 °C).     

Preparation of muscovite with ultrahigh specific surface area by chemical cleavage

The specific surface area of a muscovite sample increases drastically after exposure to a LiNO₃ solution, e.g., from 3.4 m²/g, corresponding to platelets of ca. 200 silicate layers, to 295 m²/g (platelets of ca. 2–3 silicate layers) after treatment at 180°C under atmospheric pressure for 46 h. The efficiency of the cleavage process decreases with decreasing temperature (down to 50°C). The LiNO₃/H₂O weight ratio is also very important: at 130°C and a reaction time of 46 h, for instance, a value in the range of 1.7–1.8 leads to the highest specific surfaces. The cleaved products have the form of strong papers that disperse readily in water. During the cleaving procedure, not only the particle thickness, but also the diameter decreases. There is no evidence of damage or partial dissolution of the silicate structure after cleavage, by IR spectroscopy and yield. The use of LiCl also leads to an increase in specific surface area, but the effect is weaker than in the case of LiNO₃. Treatment with some other alkaline and alkaline earth nitrates and chlorides did not increase the specific surface area of muscovite significantly.     

Adsorption of polymers with crown ether substituents on muscovite mica

Ultrahigh specific surface area muscovite with different ions at the surface (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺) was treated with aqueous solutions of low molecular weight crown ethers and polymers with crown ether substituents. The adsorption was assessed by UV analysis of the supernatant solution, and with TGA and IR spectroscopy of the mica solids. In contrast to other layered silicates, the low molecular weight crown ethers show no affinity to any of the muscovite surfaces. The polymers can adsorb, however, depending on the type of surface cation. The results indicate that at least some of the crown ether moieties are complexed to surface cations and that the diameter of the ions at the surface plays an important role in the adsorption process.     

Preparation of polymer nanocomposites with “ultrahigh” refractive index

Nanocomposites of lead sulfide and several polymers, especially poly(ethyleneoxide), were prepared by coprecipitation of lead sulfide and polymer, followed by a drying and pressing procedure. Such nanocomposites consist of ca. 90% w/w (or ca. 50% v/v) lead sulfide, of particle dimensions of 2–40 nm. The refractive index of these materials is on the order of 3 and therefore, to the authors' best knowledge, is the highest reported for any polymer composite.     

Preparation and characterization of cationic nanofibrillated cellulose from etherification and high-shear disintegration processes

Oat straw cellulose pulp was cationized in an etherification reaction with chlorocholine chloride. The cationized cellulose pulp was then mechanically disintegrated in two process steps to obtain trimethylammonium-modified nanofibrillated cellulose (TMA-NFC). The materials thus obtained were analyzed by elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and other techniques. A higher nitrogen content of TMA-NFC samples was found by XPS analysis than by elemental analysis, which indicates that the modification occurred mainly on the surface of cellulose fibrils. XPS also confirmed the existence of ammonium groups in the samples. SEM provided images of very fine network structures of TMA-NFC, which affirmed the positive effect of ionic charge on mechanical disintegration process. According to XRD and SEM results, no severe degradation of the cellulose occurred, even at high reaction temperatures. Because of the different properties of the cationic NFC compared to negatively charged native cellulose fibers, TMA-NFC may find broad applications in technical areas, for instance in combination with anionic species, such as fillers or dyes. Indeed, TMA-NFC seems to improve the distribution of clay fillers in NFC matrix.     

Formation mechanism of nanotubes comprising layers of PbS nanoparticles in polymer-surfactant solutions

The crystallization of PbS in aqueous solutions containing the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hydrophilic polymers resulted in a novel type of metastable nanotubes, the walls of which consist of layers of ordered PbS nanoparticles, apparently separated by layers of surfactant molecules. Information on the mechanism of formation of these structures was obtained by focusing on the roles of the polymer, and of the insoluble lead dodecyl sulfate (Pb(DS)2) present in the system. TEM investigations of the early stages of crystallization revealed the coexistence of PbS and Pb(DS)2 precipitates, the latter being surprisingly important for nanotube formation, and allowed to follow the evolution of layered structures from combination of the two types of crystals. Six different hydrophilic polymers have been used, which interact with SDS with varying strengths. Surprisingly, and in contrast to previous hypotheses, layered nanostructures were observed in all polymer solutions, regardless of the strength of polymer-surfactant interactions. This indicates that, although the presence of a polymer is necessary, polymer-SDS interactions are not a driving force for the formation of the layered structures and nanotubes. On the contrary, the interactions between the polymer chains and the growing particles appear to be of the utmost importance. Results presented here can be interpreted in terms of two alternative mechanisms for layered nanostructure and nanotube formation.     

From poly(dialkylstannane)s to poly(diarylstannane)s: comparison of synthesis methods and resulting polymers

The efficiency and applicability of three different methods to synthesize polystannanes with different side chains are described. By means of dehydrogenative coupling utilizing the transition metal catalyst RhCl(PPh₃)₃ (Wilkinson's catalyst), n‐Bu₂SnH₂ reached the highest molar masses. Dehydrogenetive coupling in the presence of tetramethylethylenediamine could be best employed for (4‐n‐BuPh)₂SnH₂. Wurtz coupling using sodium in liquid ammonia was best suited for Ph₂SnCl₂. Next to the above‐mentioned educts, n‐Bu(Ph)SnX₂ (X = H or Cl (as appropriate for the particular route) was used for polymerization resulting in one of so far rare example of asymmetric polystannanes with high molecular masses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polystannanes—Synthesis and Properties

Abstract

Polystannanes were prepared from H₂SnR₂ with the catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃], or by reaction of Cl₂SnR₂ with Na in liquid ammonia. The polymers showed a characteristic peak in ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and UV-vis spectra, and a yellow color. Using common techniques, the polymers could be processed into films and oriented, the latter leading to a dichroism. The polystannanes are sensitive to light, more pronounced for R = alkyl than for R = aryl.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Synthesis and Characterization of Surface-modified Rutile Nanoparticles And Transparent Polymer Composites Thereof

Nanoparticles of rutile, a crystal modification of titanium dioxide, were synthesized in strongly acidic solutions by hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride. The particles of average diameter 2nm were coated in situ with a layer of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) and isolated as a powder. Remarkably, dispersions of this powder in toluene were essentially transparent at the visible wavelengths but absorbed UV radiation over a broad wavelength range. The DBSA-coated rutile was also embedded in poly(styrene) and a poly(carbonate), resulting in polymer nanocomposites acting as visually transparent UV filters.