Resistive‐type humidity sensors based on PVP–Co and PVP–I2 complexes

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) films containing cobalt chloride or iodine were investigated to obtain information on their possible use as a humidity sensor element. FTIR and UV‐VIS spectroscopies were used to characterize the PVP–I₂ and PVP–Co complexes. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a structural change of both shape and intensity of the carbonyl and lactam bands, indicating the formation of an ion‐coordination polymer. The J–E curves for pure PVP, PVP–I₂, and PVP–Co films obey ohm's law at low voltages, deviate from the linear response at higher voltages, and finally display breakdown behavior. An increase in current density of the PVP matrix with iodine or cobalt doping is attributed to the formation of charge transfer complexes. The observed hysteresis of the I–V characteristics implies that there was some standing voltage in the film, which could be attributed to a disorientation of polar side groups of PVP. The electrical conductivities of the polymeric complexes were very sensitive to environmental humidity. An explanation of the humidity‐sensing behavior of the PVP–I₂ and PVP–Co complexes is presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 459–469, 2001     

Influence of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N,N′‐diethyl acrylamide) coatings on polysulfone/polyacrylonitrile‐based membranes for protein separation

Herein we describe the design and the assembly of temperature sensitive polysulfone (PS)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend membranes using supercritical fluid technology. Blended membranes were prepared using the CO₂‐assisted phase inversion method, and their pores were coated with two thermoresponsive hydrogels‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(N,N′‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEAAm). Permeation experiments of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYS) solutions were used to evaluate the performance and temperature‐responsive behavior of coated membranes. While membranes coated with PNIPAAm presented similar protein permeation profiles at temperatures below and above its lower critical solution temperature, PDEAAm coating imparted a temperature‐responsive behavior to PS/PAN (90:10) membranes and selective permeation of proteins with different sizes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of PVDF‐based blend membranes as polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells: Study of factor affecting the proton conductivity behavior

There is a huge demand especially for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers to provide high performance solid polymer electrolytes for use as an electrolyte in energy supply systems. In this regard, the blending approach was used to prepare PVDF‐based proton exchange membranes and focused on the study of factor affecting the ir proton conductivity behavior. Thus, a series of copolymers consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐l‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) as sulfonated segments were synthesized and blended with PVDF matrix in order to create proton transport sites in PVDF matrix. It was found that addition of PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PAN‐co‐PAMPS copolymers resulted in a significant increase in porosity, which favored the water uptake and proton transport at ambient temperature. Furthermore, crystallinity degree of the PVDF‐based blend membranes was increased by addition of the related copolymers, which is mainly attributed to formation of hydrogen bonding interaction between PVDF matrix and the synthesized copolymers, and led to a slight decrease in proton conductivity behavior of blend membranes. From impedance data, the proton conductivity of the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes increases to 10 and 8.4 mS cm⁻¹ by adding only 50% of the related copolymer (at 25°C), respectively. Also, the blend membranes containing 30% sulfonated copolymers showed a power density as high as 34.30 and 30.10 mW cm⁻² at peak current density of 140 and 79.45 mA cm⁻² for the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes, respectively. A reduction in the tensile strength was observed by the addition of amphiphilic copolymer, whereas the elongation at break of all blend membranes was raised.     

Building up 1‐D, 2‐D,and 3‐D Polyiodide Frameworks by Finely Tuning the Size of Aryls on Ar‐S‐TTF in the Charge‐Transfer (CT) Complexes of Ar‐S‐TTFs and Iodine

The arylthio‐substituted tetrathiafulvalenes (Ar‐S‐TTFs) are electron donors having three reversible states, neutral, cation radical, and dication. The charge‐transfer (CT) between Ar‐S‐TTFs ( TTF1 — TTF3 ) and iodine (I₂) is reported herein. TTF1 — TTF3 show the CT with I₂ in the CH₂Cl₂ solution, but they are not completely converted into cation radical state. In CT complexes of TTF1 — TTF3 with I₂, the charged states of Ar‐S‐TTFs are distinct from those in solution. TTF1 is at cation radical state, and TTF2 — TTF3 are oxidized to dication. The iodine components in complexes show various structures including 1‐D chain of V‐shaped (I₅)^–, and 2‐D and 3‐D iodine networks composed of I₂ and (I₃)^–.     

Current–voltage and capacitance–voltage characteristics of the ITO/polyaniline doped boron trifloride/Al Schottky diode

The electrical characteristics of the ITO/polyaniline (PANI) doped boron trifloride (BF₃)/Al Schottky diode have been investigated by current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) methods. The diode indicates a rectification behavior with the ideality factor of 4.78. An ideality factor higher than unity can result from the interface state and electronic properties of the PANI doped BF₃ organic semiconductor. The barrier height of the diode was determined from both I–V and C–V characteristics. The barrier height obtained from the C–V measurements is higher than that obtained from the I–V measurements. At higher forward bias voltages, the space charge‐limited current is the dominant transport mechanism, whereas at reverse bias voltages, the current flow in the ITO/PANIBF₃/Al diode is controlled by Schottky emission mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation of poly(vinyl alcohol)–iodine complexes in solution

The effect of the dissolved state of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) molecules in water on the color development due to PVA–iodine complexes was investigated at each given PVA and iodine concentration using two kinds of syndiotactic-rich PVA (S-PVA) which are unstable in water because of the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and form the complex easily. In the reaction mixtures prepared by mixing PVA solutions and an iodine solution, the color development was constant and independent of standing time of the PVA solution before the addition of iodine up to a certain time, after which it decreased with the standing time. The color development obtained with use of the PVA solution allowed to stand for a fixed time was higher for S-PVA with a lower s-(diad)%. In the case of the reaction mixture prepared by dissolving PVA in an iodine solution, the color development was higher for S-PVA with a higher s-(diad)%. The initial ratio of the I₅⁻/I₃⁻ and the rate of decrease in the ratio of I₅⁻/I₃⁻ were larger than those in the preceding case. The color development decreased for the PVA with an s-(diad) % of 58, whereas it increased for the PVA an s-(diad) % of 61.3 with increasing propanol content, an inhibitor of gelation. From these results, the aggregates of PVA molecules have been assumed to play an important role in forming the complexes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1701–1709, 1997     

Reactivity of di‐iodine toward thiol: Desulfuration reaction of 5‐nitro‐2‐mercapto‐benzimidazole upon reaction with di‐iodine

The reaction of 2‐mercapto‐benzoic acid (H₂MBA), 2‐mercato‐nicotinic acid (H₂MNA), and 2‐mercapto‐pyrimidine (PMTH) with a twofold molar amount of di‐iodine (I₂) results in the isolation of crystals of the neutral disulfides of formulae: {(HMBA)₂·1/2(CH₃CN)} ( 1 ), {(HMNA)₂·(H₂O)} ( 2 ), and (PMT)₂ ( 3 ), respectively, when dichloromethane/acetonitrile/methanol ( 1 ) or dichloromethane ( 2,3 ) were used as solvents. The reaction of di‐iodine with thethiol PMTH and 2‐mercapto‐benzothiazole (MBZTH) yields the disulfide (PMT)₂ ( 3 ), and the di‐iodine adduct of formula {[MBZTH‐I₂]·[MBZTH]₂} ( 4 ), respectively. The reaction of di‐iodine with 5‐nitro‐2‐mercapto‐benzimidazole (O₂N‐MBZIMH) ( 5 ) in the presence of ferric trichloride hydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O), in a 6:3:1 (I₂:thiol:FeCl₃·6H₂O) molar ratio, results in cocrystal ( 6 ), which contain the desulfurated hydroxyl derivative O₂N‐BZIMOH ( 6a ) and unreacted O₂N‐MBZIMH ( 6b ) in a 3:1 molar ratio. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of compounds 1 – 6 were also determined by X‐ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed that thiols with low oxidation potentials (< 1.0 V) mainly form disulfides upon a reaction with di‐iodine, whereas those with higher oxidation potential form charge transfer (CT), resulting in desulfurated products, MBZIMH. However, in the case of O₂N‐MBZIMH a desulfurated species was isolated. The formation of the final product also requires the presence of FeCl₃. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:498–511, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21042     

Phase behavior of poly(4‐tert‐butylstyrene‐stat‐4‐tert‐ butoxystyrene)/polyisoprene blends with competitive interactions

The phase behavior of statistical copolymers composed of (4‐tert‐butylstyrene) (B) and (4‐tert‐butoxystyrene) (O), abbreviated as s‐BO, with polyisoprene (I) was investigated by optical microscopic (OM) observation and small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. It has been known that B/I blend shows lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type phase diagram, while O/I blend has upper critical solution temperature (UCST) type one. Several blends of s‐BOs having mol fraction of B, m_B, comparable to 0.50, with I showed both UCST and LCST type phase diagram. Furthermore, UCST type phase behavior was observed for blends having small m_B, while LCST type one was for that of large m_B at all used temperatures. Hence, the phase behavior of s‐BO/I blend can be understood as a result of the competition of two interactions having opposite temperature dependence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2272–2280, 2009     

Isolierte I102−‐Ringe,ein neues Strukturelement in der Polyiodid‐Chemie

The novel compound bis(1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa­cyclo­do­decane)­cadmium(II) decaiodide, [Cd(C₈H₁₆O₄)₂]I₁₀, contains the [Cd(12‐crown‐4)₂]²⁺ complex cation, triiodide ions and iodine mol­ecules. Two triiodide ions and two iodine mol­ecules form isolated twisted I₁₀^2? rings. The geometry of the complex cation is as expected, e.g.d(Cd—O) = 2.366 (4) and 2.394 (4) Å.     

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I4 (M = Cd,Hg): Tetraiodide,Iodide–Iodine Adduct,or an Inclusion Compound of Iodine in MI2@(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)?

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I₄ (M = Cd, Hg) are obtained as red columnar crystals from the reactions of benzo‐18‐crown‐6 (b18c6), cadmium and mercury iodide, respectively, and iodine in molar ratios of 1:1:2 in acetonitrile. They both crystallize with the orthorhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 833.7(1), b = 1610.9(1), c = 1846.8(1) pm, V = 2480.3(1) 10⁶·pm³, Z = 4, for M = Cd and a = 823.4(1), b = 1616.5(1), c = 1866.1(1) pm, V = 2483.8(2) 10⁶·pm³ for M = Hg. The crystal structures consist of [M(b18c6)]I₂ molecules which are connected to a slightly lengthened iodine molecule via a secondary contact, according to the formulation I₂@[MI₂@(b18c6)].     

Phase behavior of ternary poly‐(2‐vinylpyridine)/poly‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)/bis‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methane blends

The phase behavior of ternary poly‐(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VPy)/poly‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP)/bis‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methane (BHPM) blends was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic examinations demonstrated that BHPM interacts with P2VPy and PVP through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The addition of a sufficiently large amount of BHPM transformed an opaque blend with two glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) to a transparent single‐T_g blend. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the transparent single‐T_g blend is micro‐phase‐separated at a scale of about 30 nm. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1815–1823, 2001     

Mass transfer from theophylline hydrogels of a‐PVA/H2O and a‐PVA/NaCl/H2O system on heating

Theophylline hydrogels of atactic‐poly(vinyl alcohol) (a‐PVA)/H₂O and a‐PVA/NaCl/H₂O systems were prepared followed by cyclic freezing (?30°C for 16 hr)–thawing (at room temperature for 8 hr) and one cycle gelation (at ?20°C for 24 hr) processes, respectively. In order to prepare xerogels (dried hydrogels) of these hydogel systems, an apparently first‐order mass transfer phenomenon of water as evaporation was observed for a‐PVA/H₂O hydrogel system, while heating at 60°C. The rate of evaporation decreased with increasing time in hyperbolic fashion. The total surface area (both lateral and two end surfaces of hydrogel matrix disc) decreased linearly for the first 90 min and thereafter had a tendency towards the steady‐state. The total mass flux showed time dependent linear reduction phenomenon, which is a characteristic physical behavior for these hydrogel systems on heat treatment. When NaCl was included in a‐PVA/H₂O system mass transfer of water followed fourth‐order polynomial. But in consideration of a comparative study, sustained mass transfer was found from the hydrogel matrices of a‐PVA/H₂O/NaCl system (gelation at ?20°C). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copolymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) with designed molecular structure by a solid‐state polymerization method

Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) (PVA‐g‐PPDO) with designed molecular structure was synthesized by a solid‐state polymerization. The solid‐state copolymerization was preceded by a graft copolymerization of PDO initiated with PVA as a multifunctional initiator, and Sn (Oct)₂ as a coininitiator/catalyst in a homogeneous molten state. The polymerization temperature was then decreased and the copolymerization was carried out in a solid state. The products prepared by solid‐state polymerization were characterized by ¹H NMR and DSC, and were compared with those synthesized in the homogeneous molten state. The degree of polymerization (D_p), degree of substitution (D_s), yield and the average molecular weight of the graft copolymer with different molecular structure were calculated from the ¹H NMR spectra. The results show that the crystallization process during the solid‐state polymerization may suppress the undesirable inter‐ or intramolecular side reactions, then resulting in a controlled molecular structure of PVA‐g‐PPDO. The results of DSC measurement show that the molecular structures determine the thermal behavior of the PVA‐g‐PPDO. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3083–3091, 2006     

[Ba(Benzo‐15‐Krone‐5)2](In)2: Darstellung und strukturelle Charakterisierung eines Triiodids (n = 3) und eines Heptaiodids (n = 7)

[Ba(benzo‐15‐crown‐5)₂](I₃)₂ and [Ba(benzo‐15‐crown‐5)₂](I₇)₂ can be obtained in crystalline form by reacting benzo‐15‐crown‐5 (C₁₄H₂₀O₅), barium iodide (BaI₂), and iodine (I₂) in ethan‐ole /dichloromethane. The triiodide consists of a sandwich‐like cation [Ba(benzo‐15‐crown‐5)₂]²⁺ and an isolated symmetrically linear I₃^‐ anion. The unusual I₇^‐ anion in the heptaiodide can be described as a V‐shaped pentaiodide unit, which is connected with a slightly widened iodine molecule to the rare Z‐form of the heptaiodide ion. In the crystal structure, secondary bonding distances lead to almost planar ten‐membered iodine rings, which are connected by common edges to form staircase‐like bands.     

Hole‐transporting host‐polymer series consisting of triphenylamine basic structures for phosphorescent polymer light‐emitting diodes

A series of novel styrene derived monomers with triphenylamine‐based units, and their polymers have been synthesized and compared with the well‐known structure of polymer of N,N′‐bis(3‐methylphenyl)‐N,N′‐diphenylbenzidine with respect to their hole‐transporting behavior in phosphorescent polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs). A vinyltriphenylamine structure was selected as a basic unit, functionalized at the para positions with the following side groups: diphenylamine, 3‐methylphenyl‐aniline, 1‐ and 2‐naphthylamine, carbazole, and phenothiazine. The polymers are used in PLEDs as host polymers for blend systems with the following device configuration: glass/indium–tin–oxide/PEDOT:PSS/polymer‐blend/CsF/Ca/Ag. In addition to the hole‐transporting host polymer, the polymer blend includes a phosphorescent dopant [Ir(Me‐ppy)₃] and an electron‐transporting molecule (2‐(4‐biphenyl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole). We demonstrate that two polymers are excellent hole‐transporting matrix materials for these blend systems because of their good overall electroluminescent performances and their comparatively high glass transition temperatures. For the carbazole‐substituted polymer (T_g = 246 °C), a luminous efficiency of 35 cd A^?1 and a brightness of 6700 cd m^?2 at 10 V is accessible. The phenothiazine‐functionalized polymer (T_g = 220 °C) shows nearly the same outstanding PLED behavior. Hence, both these polymers outperform the well‐known polymer of N,N′‐bis(3‐methylphenyl)‐N,N′‐diphenylbenzidine, showing only a luminous efficiency of 7.9 cd A^?1 and a brightness of 2500 cd m^?2 (10 V). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3417–3430, 2010     

Die Molekül‐ und Kristallstruktur des Rubidium(Dibenzo‐18‐Krone‐6)‐pentaiodids [Rb(C20H24O6)]I5

Molecular and Crystal Structure of Rubidium(dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6)pentaiodide [Rb(C₂₀H₂₄O₆)]I₅ [Rb(Dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂(I₅)₂ is obtained as dark brown columns by reacting dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6, rubidium iodide, and iodine in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 6 in ethanole / dichlormethane (1:1). [Rb(C₂₀H₂₄O₆)]₂(I₅)₂ crystallizes with four formula units per unit cell in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 1725.15(2) pm, b = 1863.76(3) pm and c = 1885.19(3) pm. The crystal structure consists of pentaiodide units I₅^—, which are linked to one another by head‐to‐tail‐contacts. The I₂ units, which stick out of the chain, are twisted against each other, in a way that neither a cis or a trans configuration is formed. By secondary bonding, the iodine atoms form nets of 18‐member planar rings with an almost rectangular form. This net‐like structural element has not been described up to now.     

Face‐Capped M4L4 Tetrahedral Metal–Organic Cage: Iodine Capture and Release,Ion Exchange,and Electrical Conductivity

An M⁴L₄ type metal–organic cage (MOC‐19) has been synthesized from the one‐pot reaction of tri(pyridinylmethylene)phenylbenzeneamine (TPBA) with hydrated Zn(ClO₄)₂ under mild conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐Ray diffraction. Iodine capture studies show that the porous crystals of MOC‐19 exhibit a versatile behavior to accumulate iodine species not only in vapor (for I₂) but also in solution (for I₂ and I₃^?), and anion‐exchange experiments indicate the capacity to extract IO₃^? anions from aqueous solution. Enrichment of iodine species from KI/I₂ aqueous solution proceeds facilely, revealing a pseudo‐second‐order kinetics of I₃^? adsorption. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of MOC‐19 single crystals could be significantly altered by I₂ inclusion.     

From an Icosahedron to a Plane: Flattening Dodecaiodo‐dodecaborate by Successive Stripping of Iodine

It has been shown by electrospray ionization–ion‐trap mass spectrometry that B₁₂I₁₂^2? converts to an intact B₁₂ cluster as a result of successive stripping of single iodine radicals or ions. Herein, the structure and stability of all intermediate B₁₂I_n^? species (n=11 to 1) determined by means of first‐principles calculations are reported. The initial predominant loss of an iodine radical occurs most probably via the triplet state of B₁₂I₁₂^2?, and the reaction path for loss of an iodide ion from the singlet state crosses that from the triplet state. Experimentally, the boron clusters resulting from B₁₂I₁₂^2? through loss of either iodide or iodine occur at the same excitation energy in the ion trap. It is shown that the icosahedral B₁₂ unit commonly observed in dodecaborate compounds is destabilized while losing iodine. The boron framework opens to nonicosahedral structures with five to seven iodine atoms left. The temperature of the ions has a considerable influence on the relative stability near the opening of the clusters. The most stable structures with five to seven iodine atoms are neither planar nor icosahedral.     

Polymorphism of 2,5‐[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]‐1,1,2,4,4,5‐hexaphenyl‐1,4‐diphospha‐2,5‐diboracyclohexane

2,5‐[(Diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]‐1,1,2,4,4,5‐hexaphenyl‐1,4‐diphospha‐2,5‐diboracyclohexane shows polymorphism as two tetrahydrofuran (THF) disolvates [C₆₄H₅₈B₂P₄·2C₄H₈O, (Ia) and (Ib)] and pseudo‐polymorphism as its toluene monosolvate [C₆₄H₅₈B₂P₄·C₇H₈, (Ic)]. In each of polymorphs (Ia) and (Ib), the diphosphadiboracyclohexane molecule is located on a centre of inversion. The THF molecule of (Ib) is disordered over two sites, with a site‐occupation factor of 0.612 (8) for the major‐occupied site. Both structures crystallize in the same space group (P2₁/n), but they display a different crystal packing. For pseudo‐polymorph (Ic), although the space group is P2₁/c, which is just a different setting of the P2₁/n space group of (Ia) and (Ib), the crystal packing is completely different. Although the crystal packing in these three structures is significantly different, their molecular conformations are surprisingly the same.     

Temperature‐dependent desorption of surfactants in LLDPE blend films

The temperature‐dependent desorption behavior of surfactants in linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend films was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy at 25, 40, and 50 °C. The LLDPE/low‐density polyethylene blend was 70/30. Three different specimens (labeled II, III, and IV) were prepared with various compositions of the surfactant, sorbitan palmitate (SPAN‐40), and the migration controller, poly(ethylene acrylic acid) (EAA). The calculated diffusion coefficients of SPAN‐40 in specimens II, III, and IV at 25, 40, and 50 °C varied from 9.6 × 10⁻¹² to 17.4 × 10⁻¹² cm²/s, from 5.5 × 10⁻¹² to 11.0 × 10⁻¹² cm²/s, and from 3.1 × 10⁻¹² to 5.8 × 10⁻¹² cm²/s, respectively. In addition, the activation energies of specimens II, III, and IV measured between 25 and 50 °C were 18.74, 19.42, and 20.14, respectively. Hence, the desorption rate of the surfactant increased with the temperature and decreased with an addition of EAA, but the activation energy increased with EAA. The diffusion kinetics, analyzed with a plot of the integrated intensity ratio as a function of time, log(I_t/I_∞) versus log t, at 25, 40, and 50 °C obeyed Fickian diffusion behavior. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 218–227, 2001