Thermal Cross‐Linking of Poly(Vinyl Methyl Ether). III. Rheological Kinetics of Cross‐Linking Reaction

Abstract

The kinetics of the thermally activated cross‐linking reaction of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) were investigated rheologically by evaluating the viscoelastic material functions such as elastic storage modulus, G′, viscous loss modulus, G″ and complex dynamic viscosity, η*, during the curing process, both isothermally and nonisothermally. The isothermal kinetics reaction was described using a phenomenological equation based on the Malkin and Kulichikhin model, which was predicated originally for the isothermal curing kinetics of thermosetting polymers followed by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and was found to be applicable for rheokinetic reactions as well. An excellent representation of the data was obtained using this model; the rate of the reaction was found to be second order regardless of the temperature, which is in good agreement with literature data. The temperature dependence of the cross‐linking rate constant was described by an Arrhenius plot with an apparent activation energy equal to 60–62 kJ mol^?1, in reasonable agreement with the value obtained previously from the temperature dependence of gel time, t _gel. The nonisothermal kinetics reaction rate was described by a model that included the classical rate equation, the Arrhenius equation, and the time–temperature relationships. The apparent activation energy obtained nonisothermally was found to be frequency independent and equal to 72 kJ mol^?1, in very good agreement with the value obtained isothermally from the temperature dependence of t _gel in part II.     

The Effect of Cross‐Linking on the Actuation of an Electroactive IPMC Prepared with a Fluorinated Acrylic Copolymer

The hydroxyl group of HEMA was cross‐linked with 1,3‐diethoxy‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane in order to enhance the actuation force of the ionic polymer‐metal composite (IPMC) made from the acrylic ter‐polymer of fluoroalkyl methacrylate, 2‐acylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid, and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The water uptake was reduced and the mechanical strengths of the membrane were improved by the cross‐linkage. The actuation force of the IPMC was generally enhanced, although it was reduced somewhat at high levels of cross‐linking. The current and deformation responses of the IPMC were both decreased by cross‐linking.     

Thermal Cross‐Linking of Poly(Vinyl Methyl Ether). II. Rheological Behavior at the Gel Point

Abstract

Isothermal time evolution measurements at different constant temperatures (170°C, 180°C, and 190°C) over a wide range of frequency for the thermal cross‐linking process of poly(vinyl methyl ether), PVME, have been investigated rheologically. At the onset of cross‐linking (t _onset) the elastic storage modulus, G′, increases abruptly. The magnitude of the elevation in G′ and the value of t _onset were found to be temperature‐dependent. Similar behavior was observed for both the viscous loss modulus, G″ and the complex dynamic viscosity, η*; however, the value of G″ shows a very low sensitivity to the cross‐linking process compared to G′ and η* at the same experimental conditions. The gel point, t _gel, was evaluated from the point of intersection in plots of tan δ vs. curing time for different constant shear frequencies. At the gel point tan δ is no longer frequency‐dependent, and all curves cross‐over, indicating the validity of the Winter–Chambon criterion. The value of t _gel obtained from the coincidence of G′ and G″ was about 10 min longer than that determined from tan δ vs. t, indicating that the crossover of G′ and G″ is not be considered as a general method for evaluation of t _gel. The value of the apparent activation energy of gelation determined from the temperature dependence of t _gel was 74 kJ mol^?1 in good agreement with literature values for other different systems. At the gel point G′ and G″ showed a power law with shear frequency, i.e., G′ ～ G″ ～ ω _n with critical exponents equal to 0.64 and 0.75, respectively, in close agreement with the percolation theory (n = 2/3). The zero shear viscosity, η₀, and the equilibrium shear modulus, G _eq, can also be expressed in power low scaling functions with the relative distance from the gel point, ? i.e., η₀ ～ ?^?k and G _eq ～ ? ^z with k = 1.3 and z = 2.4 in good agreement with the predicted values based on the percolation theory.     

Sequential Injection/Mid-Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of an Acetone‐Butanol‐Ethanol Fermentation: Analyte Cross‐Correlation Effects

Mid‐infrared spectroscopy together with sequential injection analysis (SIA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis was used to monitor acetone‐butanol‐ethanol (ABE) fermentations under different fermentation conditions. Five analytes were simultaneously predicted (acetone, acetate, butyrate, n‐butanol, and glucose). In order to compare the overall model prediction ability, a relative average of the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) across all five analytes was employed. To form a PLS model devoid of any cross‐correlations between analytes, a synthetic calibration data set was created by the SIA system. As a test of their robustness, PLS models from synthetic samples and those from real fermentation samples were compared and used to predict samples from the opposite data set and from independent “acid‐crash” fermentations. The PLS model developed from the synthetic samples proved to be far more robust and accurate and used fewer factors than PLS models from the real fermentations, which were found to contain analyte cross‐correlations. The use of synthetic data enabled more accurate selection of factors and showed the importance of investigating spectral regression coefficients plots to aid and confirm appropriate factor selection. In addition, an alternative method of factor selection was proposed, using a “similarity measure” between the regression coefficient plots of factors for certain analytes and their standard spectra. Predictions using this method of factor selection over the common “minimum from an error vs. factor” plot proved to be more accurate and used far fewer factors.     

Influences of Branched Side Chains and Cross‐linking Network on the Solid State Structures of Oligo‐ and Poly (p‐phenyleneethynylene)s

To investigate the influences of side chains and cross‐linking network on the packing fashion and the formation of aggregates and excimers of poly(p‐phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs) chains in the solid state, a series of cross‐linkable unsubstituted oligo (p‐phenyleneethynylene)s (OPEVs) and alkoxy‐substituted PPEs (EO‐PPEVs) with vinyl end‐groups were synthesized and characterized. By a thermal cross‐linking reaction, cross‐linked polymers were obtained. The oligomer chains in the cross‐linked polymers containing no residual vinyls are packed randomly, forming no aggregates or excimers; however, aggregates and excimers exist in the cross‐linked polymers if they contain residual vinyls. The chains of EO‐PPEVs with sterically hindered side chains form aggregates in films. The network, leading to a pronounced increase of the film photoluminescence quantum yields, can depress these aggregates. These EO‐PPEVs are fully processable and can become insoluble in normal organic solvents after thermal curing; therefore, they are favorable candidates as active layers for fabrication of high performance multilayer devices.     

Calculation of Out‐of‐Plane Vibrations of a Porphin Molecule

Using the DFT/B3LYP method with the base set 631G^**, we carried out calculation of the frequencies of the normal vibrations of porphin and of its five isotopic types. Scaling of force constants for outofplane vibrations has been performed in independent natural coordinates. The symmetry coordinates are introduced and a force field for outof plane vibrations of a porphin molecule in independent coordinates of symmetry is obtained. A new correlation of the frequencies of vibrations in the type of the symmetry B _1u for the isotopic type of the d ₂ porphin molecule is suggested on the basis of discrete analysis of the distribution of a potential energy.     

Spectral‐Luminescence and Generation Properties of 1‐Aza‐2‐Methyl‐6‐Aminopyrene and of Its Protolytic Forms

Spectral manifestations of protolytic forms of 1aza2methyl6aminopyrene in ethanol and aqueous solutions are investigated. The ionization constants of the protolytic forms are determined. The generation properties and photostability of a neutral molecule and a cation in excitation by an excimer XeCl laser are studied.     

Statistical Significance of Non-Reproducibility of Cross Sections in Dissipative Reactions

Two independent excitation function measurements have been performed in the reaction system of ^19F ^93Nb using two target foils of the same nominal thickness. We measured the dissipative reaction products at incident energies of 102 through 108 MeV with a step of 250ke V. The variance of energy autocorrelation functions of the reaction products was found to be three times of that originated from the randomized counting rates. By analysing the probability distributions of the deviations in the measured cross sections, we found that about 20% of all the deviations exceeds three standard deviations. This indicates that the non-reproduclbility of the cross sections in the two independent measurements is of a statistical significance but not originated from randomized fluctuation of counting rates.     

Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Conformation and Vibrational Frequencies of N‐Acetyl‐L‐alanine and N‐Acetyl‐L‐alaninate

The vibrational frequencies of N‐acetyl‐L‐alanine (NAAL), its potassium salt (NAALK) and its free anionic form (NAAL^?) are calculated using density functional theory (B3LYP) combined with the 6‐311 + + G(d,p) basis set. The experimental Raman spectrum of solid NAALK and the scaling factors for calculated values are discussed as well. The three species are characterized by intramolecular NH…O hydrogen bonds leading to the formation of a five‐membered ring. As indicated by the intramolecular (N)H…O distances and by the ν(NH) frequencies, the strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bond is ordered as follows: NAAL^? < NAALK < NAAL^?. Owing to their difference in the coupling with other vibrational modes, the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane vibrations do not reflect the strength of the hydrogen bond.     

Calculation of Total Cross Sections for Positron-Mg Collision

Total cross sections in positron-Mg collision are calculated in the range 2.0-60.0 eV using the momentum space coupled channels optical potential approach. The target ionization continuum and the positronium formation are included in the optical potential. The present total cross sections are compared with the experiment data and the other theoretical results.     

Electron Impact Ionization Cross Section of Nitrogen Atoms

The direct ionization cross sections for electron scattering by nitrogen are calculated by applying an equivalentlocal optical model from 15eV to 1100eV. The present results are compared with the experimental data and other theoretical calculation results.     

Fragmentation Cross Sections of 158 AGeV Pb Projectiles

We investigate the fragmentation cross sections of 158 AGeV ^207Pb projectile interacting with different targets using CR39 nuclear track detectors. The exposure is made at SPS beam facility of CERN. The detectors are chemically etched to obtain data in the form of etched cone length. The nuclear and electromagnetic contributions to the measured total charge-changing cross sections are investigated. The estimated results are compared with those found in the literature for similar research work.     

Isotope Dependence of Superheavy Nucleus Formation Cross Section

The dynamical process in the superheavy nucleus synthesis is studied on the basis of the two-dimensional Smoluchowski equation. Special attention is paid to the isotope dependence of the cross section for the superheavy nucleus formation by means of making a comparison among the reaction systems of ^54Re＋204pb, ^56Re ＋206Pb, and ^58Fe＋^208Pb. It is found by this comparison that the formation cross section is very sensitive to the conditional saddle-point height and the neutron separation energy of the compound nucleus. Reaction systems with lower height of conditional saddle-point and smaller neutron separation energy are more favourable for the synthesis of the superheavy nucleus.     

A Theoretical Study of Photoabsorption Cross Sections of Na^＋ 2

In the framework of quantum defect theory, we calculate photoabsorption cross sections of Na^＋ 2. Based on our calculations, there is an absorption window in the photoabsorption cross sections of Na^＋ 2. and more than one bump above the absorption window. The calculated photoabsorption cross sections provide an explanation for the abnormal bump in the experimental measurements of Hudson, which is a long-standing experimental puzzle.     

Crystal Structures of Tetrakis‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐butatriene and Tetrakis‐(tert‐butylthio)‐butatriene

Tetrakis‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐butatriene (3a) and tetrakis‐(tert‐butylthio)‐butatriene (3b) were synthesized, and their crystal structures were determined. The compound 3a is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=6.9785(8), b=8.6803(9), c=22.884(2) Å, β=93.887(6)^o, V=1383.0(3) ų, Z=2. The compound 3b is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=11.0615(6), b=10.8507(4), c=11.2717(6) Å, β =116.427(2)^o, V=1211.5(1) ų, Z=4. The title compounds 3a and 3b reside on an inversion center so that only half of the molecule is crystallographically unique. Both compounds are not planar. The crystal structures of 3a and 3b have cumulated double bonds. The C7–C8–C8ⁱ and C5–C6–C6ⁱ angles that show the linearity in both structures, respectively, are 176.4(3)° in 3a and 175.6(2)° in 3b.     

Rheological Behavior of Polyarylsulfone 1‐Butyl‐3‐Methylimidazolium Chloride Solutions

Polyarylsufone polymers are engineering thermoplastics that can only be dissolved in polar solvents. We found that polyarylsufone has good solubility in ionic liquid (IL) with IL being a new kind of green solvent; thus, ILs are potential substitutes for conventional molecular solvents. However, the thermodynamics in ionic liquids are different then those in conventional solvents, so ILs as solvents have attracted enormous attention recently. Rheological behavior is an important factor in polymer material processing. The rheological behavior of polyarylsulfone (PASF) in both N, N,‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride [(Bmim) Cl] were studied in this paper as a function of concentration for concentrated solutions. It is interesting that the rheological behavior of the PASF/(Bmim) Cl solution is very different from that of PASF/DMAc solutions. In DMAc, as concentration increases viscosity increases, while the rheological behavior of the PASF/(Bmim) Cl solution exhibits a maximum in the viscosity‐concentration plots.     

Electroluminescence and Spectral Properties of N9‐Isobutyl‐2‐Oxo‐3‐Phenyl‐3N‐Benzo[F]Chromene‐9‐Sulfonamide

Experimental data on the synthesis and spectral properties (UV, IRFourier, xray photoelectronic, and luminescence spectra) of the sulfonamide derivative of benzocoumarin in an isopropanol solution and in a film applied by thermal vacuum deposition (TVD film) are reported. The use of TVD films of the investigated substance as electroluminophors is shown to be promising.     

Theoretical Studies on Expressions of Condensed-Phase Photoionization Cross Section

A set of general expressions for photoionization cross sections of atoms or molecules embedded in a medium and a dielectric influence function are derived based on Maxwell＇s equations and the Beer-Lambert＇s law in this work. The applications are performed for the photoionization process of solid gold both in the Clausius-Mossotti （virtual cavity） model and the Glauber-Lewenstein （real cavity） model firstly. The results show that the present theoretical expressions of photoionization cross section can be used to describe the photoionization process of atoms in condensed matter properly.