High‐thermally stable and high‐bandwidth graded index plastic optical fiber for vehicle networks

Radial refractive index profiles within the graded index plastic optical fiber (GI‐POF) is formed by adding a dopant to a polymer. This addition of the dopant significantly decreased the T_g of the polymer due to the plasticization. This disadvantage made the installation of the GI‐POF difficult, especially in vehicle networks in which high thermal stability is required. We have suggested 9‐bromophenanthrene (BPT) as a novel dopant induced less plasticization for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) than the conventional dopants. However, although the fabricated GI‐POF using BPT had high enough thermal stability for vehicle networks, the attenuation was 800 dB/km and it could not be used. This high attenuation was caused by contaminant in the fabrication process of fibers. In this study, we succeeded to fabricate a GI‐POF with low‐attenuation and high‐thermal stability using highly pure BPT. Its attenuation was improved to 240 dB/km at 650 nm, which was enough transparency for vehicle networks. The T_g of the GIPOF was improved to 107 °C from 90 °C. The thermal stability of the GI‐POF below 85 °C/dry and 75 °C/85%RH was demonstrated to be as high as that of the commercially available step index POF. The bandwidth of the GI‐POF could be estimated over 4.0 GHz for the 50‐m fiber. These results demonstrated that our GI‐POF should qualify to be used in vehicle network. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1464–1469, 2011     

梯度折射率塑料光纤的研究进展

论述了梯度折射率塑料光纤的研究背景。并对当前梯度折射率塑料光纤的制备方法,梯度折率塑料光纤的折射率梯度的形成机理的研究,及功能梯度折射率塑料光纤的研究状况进行综述。同时展望了梯度折射塑料光纤的发展趋势。     

梯度折射率聚合物细棒的制备和数学模拟

在聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (Poly(methylmethacrylate) ,PMMA)管中 ,加入单体甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (Methylmethacrylate ,MMA)和另一种高折射率的掺杂剂溴苯 (Bromobenzene ,BB) ,用界面凝胶均聚合方法制备了梯度折射率聚合物光纤预制棒 .这种光纤预制棒的梯度折射率是通过具有不同折射率的分子扩散而形成的 .通过对界面凝胶聚合过程的描述 ,该工作讨论了预制棒中聚合物的浓度分布及边界条件的假设 .并根据自由体积理论对其折射率分布进行理论模拟 .将得到的折射率抛物线分布与实验结果进行对比 ,结果表明聚合浓度的分布为ω =a(r/R) 2 +b时 ,理论预计的光纤预制棒的折射率分布与实验结果有着较好的符合 .同时 ,对聚合体系中BB对聚合物浓度分布的影响进行了讨论     

Design,synthesis, and characterization of a partially chlorinated acrylic copolymer for low‐loss and thermally stable graded index plastic optical fibers

As a novel material of low loss and high thermal stability, a graded index plastic optical fiber (GI POF) comprised of a copolymer of methyl α‐chloro acrylate (MCA) and 2,2,2‐trichloroethyl methacrylate (TCEMA) was prepared and the thermal, mechanical, and optical characteristics were investigated. Although each homopolymer had low loss and desirable high thermal stability, they had crucial disadvantages for the fiber fabrication process. To draw a MCA polymer (PMCA) fiber, it has to be heated above 270 °C. However, the polymer started to decompose at a lower temperature and produced numerous bubbles. In contrast, TCEMA polymer (PTCEMA) is too brittle to roll up during heat drawing. In this study, we succeeded to improve the strong viscoelasticity and the low decomposition temperature of PMCA and the brittleness of PTCEMA by copolymerizing MCA and TCEMA. In addition, the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the copolymers were in the range of 133–147 °C and the transmittances of the copolymers were much higher than that of PMMA which has been commonly used as a base material of POF. A suitable GI POF was obtained using the MCA and TCEMA copolymer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3352–3361, 2009     

梯度型聚合物光纤中折射率分布的洛仑兹函数模型应用

利用洛仑兹函数对梯度型聚合物光纤(棒)中折射率分布曲线进行模拟,建立折射率分布的洛仑兹函数模型.该模型只需掺杂物的初始浓度、分子体积和聚合温度3个基本参数.利用该模型对各种高折射率的掺杂物掺杂聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)制备的梯度型聚合物光纤中的折射率分布进行了预测,发现掺杂物的折射率比分子体积对折射率梯度的影响更大;惰性掺杂物中二苯硫(DPS)掺杂效率最高;共聚掺杂物中苯甲酸乙烯酯(VB)掺杂效率最高.     

Electrospinning of ultra-thin polymer fibers

The electrospinning technique was used to spin ultra-thin fibers from several polymer/solvent systems. The diameter of the electrospun fibers ranged from 16 nm to 2 μm. The morphology of these fibers was investigated with an atomic force microscope (AFM) and an optical microscope. Polyethylene oxide) (PEO) dissolved in water or chloroform was studied in greater detail. PEO fibers spun from aqueous solution show a “beads on a string” morphology. An AFM study showed that the surface of these fibers is highly ordered. The “beads on a string” morphology can be avoided if PEO is spun from solution in chloroform; the resulting fibers show a lamellar morphology. Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) dissolved in water and cellulose acetate dissolved in acetone were additional polymer/solvent systems which were investigated. Furthermore, the electrospinning process was studied: different experimental lay-outs were tested, electrostatic fields were simulated, and voltage - current characteristics of the electrospinning process were recorded.     

Light absorption due to higher harmonics of molecular vibrations in transparent amorphous polymers for plastic optical fibers

We have studied simple empirical equations to estimate light absorption loss α_v due to harmonics of molecular vibrations of transparent amorphous polymers used in plastic optical fibers (POFs). In the visible region, absorption involves two losses. One is α_v, and the other is the electronic transition absorption loss, α_e. Of the two, α_v is considerably larger than α_e in the wavelength region used for optical communication with POFs. We have clarified relationships between chemical structure of repeat units of polymers and α_v. We find that α_v is proportional to the concentration of specific chemical bonds (C? H, N? H, and Obond;H bonds) in the polymer solid, and we propose empirical equations to estimate α_v from the polymer density and the chemical structure of the repeat unit. These equations are used to estimate α_v of several polymers [i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and polycarbonate]. The estimated values are nearly equal to the experimental or reference values. Furthermore, to minimize the attenuation in the POF, we conclude that the POF core polymer should have no N? H, O? H, or aliphatic C? H bonds in its repeat unit.     

Correction of Refractive-Index Distribution Model in Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fiber Rod

The theoretical and experimental validation was made to Lorenz function model of refractive index distribution in graded index polymer optical fiber (GI POF) by experimental data. It was found that simulating error is great when molecule bulk ratio is larger than one. According to calculating results, exponent parameter of the molecule bulk ratio in the model was corrected to 1.1, so the simulating error was remarkably reduced from ≤65% to <20%. It showed that influence of the molecule bulk ratio on refractive index distribution in GI POF is great.     

Explanations for water whitening in secondary dispersion and emulsion polymer films

The loss of optical transparency when polymer films are immersed in water, which is called “water whitening,” severely limits their use as clear barrier coatings. It is found that this problem is particularly acute in films deposited from polymers synthesized via emulsion polymerization using surfactants. Water whitening is less severe in secondary dispersion (SD) polymers, which are made by dispersing solution polymers in water without the use of surfactants. NMR relaxometry in combination with optical transmission analysis and electron microscopy reveal that some of the water sorbed in emulsion polymer films is contained within nanosized “pockets” or bubbles that scatter light. In contrast, the water in SD polymer films is mainly confined at particle interfaces, where it scatters light less strongly and its molecular mobility is reduced. The addition of surfactant to a SD creates a periodic structure that displays a stop band in the optical transmission. The total amount of sorbed water is not a good indicator of polymers prone to water whitening. Instead, the particular locations of the water within the film must be considered. Both the amount of water and the size of the local water regions (as are probed by NMR relaxometry) are found to determine water whitening. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1658–1674     

多模梯度（聚焦）型塑料光纤研究进展

多模梯度型塑料光纤，其折光 率径向分布呈连续的抛物线型分布。光在这种纤维中的行程按正弦波前进。这类纤维具有频带宽、传输容量大，信号保真度高的优点。本文就二十多年来有关ＧＩＰＯＦ的研究进展进行了较全面的综述。     

New phase supports for partition chromatography of biopolymers

Liquid-liquid partition chromatography of bio-polymers requires aqueous two-phase systems for reasons of sample solubility and stability. Such aqueous two-phase systems form when thermodynamically incompatible polymers are co-dissolved in water. The most common polymer combination providing a two-phase system at reasonably low polymer concentrations is the combination of poly(ethylene glycol) (“PEG”) and dextran (“DX”), detected and introduced for the separation of biopolymers and cells by Albertsson about 30 years ago. The application of this powerful system for liquid-liquid partition chromatography requires support materials with surfaces able to immobilize selectively one of the two aqueous phases. This phase immobilisation may be achieved by exploiting incompatibilities between the polymers dominating in the phases and the hydrated support surface. Examples involving diol-modified silica and polyacrylamide coated diol-silica as support materials in aqueous PEG-DX and PEG-salt systems are presented. The application of such systems for the separation of biopolymers is demonstrated.     

Characterization of hydrophilic networks synthesized by group transfer polymerization

Group transfer polymerization was used to synthesize several series of hydrophilic random and model networks. Cationic random networks were prepared both in bulk and in tetrahydrofuran (THF) using a monofunctional initiator and simultaneous polymerization of monomer and branch units, while a bifanctional initiator was employed in THF for the synthesis of model networks comprising basic or acidic chains. Upon polymerization of the monomer, the latter initiator gives linear polymer chains with two “living” ends, which are subsequently interconnected to a polymer network by the addition of a branch unit. Homopolymer network star polymers were also synthesized in THF by a one‐pot procedure. The synthesis involved the use of a monofunctional initiator and the four‐step addition of the following reagents: (i) monomer, to give linear homopolymers; (ii) branch unit, to form “arm‐first” star polymers; (iii) monomer, to form secondary arms and give “in‐out” star polymers; and, finally (iv) branch unit again, to interconnect the “in‐out” stars to networks. Different networks were prepared for which the degree of polymerization (DP) of the linear chains between junction points was varied systematically. For all networks synthesized, the linear segments, the “arm‐first” and the “in‐out” stars were characterized in terms of their molecular weight (MW) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The degrees of swelling of both the random and model networks in water were measured and the effects of DP, pH, and monomer type were investigated.     

Mechanically strong and stiff supramolecular polymers enabled by fiber reinforced long-chain alkane matrix

Fiber-reinforced-concrete (FRC) mechanism refers short discrete fibers that are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented, which offers an effective way to improve the mechanical performance of concrete. In the design of supramolecular polymers, an analogous concept of FRC appears to have been considered very rarely-although fibrous structure has been frequently observed/generated during the supramolecular polymerization. In this work, we apply the alkane thermosets, octadecane (C₁₈H₃₈) and tetracosane (C₂₄H₅₀), taking the role of “concrete”, and the low-molecular-weight monomer with long alkyl chains as the essential “fiber” component, to fabricate the “fiber reinforced supramolecular polymer”. Very much like FRC mechanism in material science, the resulting fiber reinforced supramolecular polymer thus exhibit unusually high mechanical strength and stiffness, which is unprecedented in the conventional supramolecular strategy.     

Stereochemical language in supramolecular polymer chemistry: How we can do better

Stereochemical nomenclature remains a point of attention; especially now different fields in chemistry become more and more entwined. The ubiquitously used terminology “amplification of chirality” is fundamentally incorrect, as chirality cannot be amplified. Instead, we now recommend “amplification of asymmetry” as an alternative in the field of (supramolecular) polymer chemistry. Amplification of asymmetry refers to the increase of the magnitude of the asymmetry in the enantiomeric composition either at the molecular or the supramolecular level, and covers observations of nonproportional increase in optical activity in helical (supramolecular) polymers and in high enantiomeric excesses found when nonlinear effects are operative in asymmetric catalysis.     

Recent advances of CuAAC click reaction in building cyclic polymer

Cyclic polymers have attracted more and more attentions in recent years because of their unique topological structures and characteristic properties in both solution and bulk state. There are relatively few reports on cyclic polymers, partly because of the more demanding synthetic procedures. In recent years, “click” reaction, especially Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), has been widely utilized in the synthesis of cyclic polymer materials because of its high efficiency and low susceptibility to side reactions. In this review, we will focus on three aspects: (1) Constructions of monocyclic polymer using CuAAC “click” chemistry; (2) Formation of complex cyclic polymer topologies through CuAAC reactions; (3) Using CuAAC “click” reaction in the precise synthesis of molecularly defined macrocycles. We believe that the CuAAC click reaction is playing an important role in the design and synthesis of functional cyclic polymers.     

Nomenclature of polymers (based on structure)

In the complete absence of a systematic polymer nomenclature, a scheme of nomenclature based on structure is proposed. The problem of naming a “mer” has been solved for an addition polymer by adding “ne” to the monomer name, the justification being on withdrawal of a π bond a monomer becomes a mer. To furnish completeness to the nomenclature, condensation polymers were included in the system. The present nomenclature system of polymers is very arbitrary. Some polymers are not chemically named, some named incorrectly, and there are some fantastic names. After pointing these out, the possible solutions were shown, encompassing a systematic discussion on nearly every type of polymer–linear, branched, or crosslinked–and copolymer (including block or graft), and plastic, fiber, or rubber, and stereospecific polymer. One or more names were proposed for different cases.     

Modification of Nylons via Graft Copolymerization

Abstract

Polyamides or nylons are linear thermoplastic polymers with recurring amide groups as integral parts of the polymer chain. Polyamides or nylon fibers have been defined by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission as “a manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substances are any long chain synthetic polyamides having amide groups (— CONH —) as an integral part of the polymer chain.”     

Rapid mechanical deformation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers at temperatures above the glass transition

The mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers at temperatures above the glass transition are investigated by means of a specially constructed device. Measurements of the deformation rate and of the “dynamic” stress-strain curves of the fibers are performed in nearly isothermal regime (after initial rapid heating) in a temperature interval 100–200°C. The results reported in the present work demonstrate that the high-temperature mechanical characteristics of rapidly crystallizing polymers can be deduced to a satisfactory precision, while keeping the crystallinity development at low level. Our investigations indicate that if the high-temperature deformation is sufficiently fast, the polymer behavior is similar to the deformation at sub-T_g temperatures. Based on this similarity, a qualitative model of the deformation in the high-temperature region is proposed. The proposed model is fundamentally equivalent to the models describing mechanical deformation of glassy polymers at temperatures below the glass transition. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Morphology and Crystal Structure of Wholly Aromatic All-Para Polyamide-Hydrazide Polymers

The morphology of some amide-hydrazide polymers of the type useful for high-modulus X-500 class fibers has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy of thin films crystallized from dilute solution. Selected area electron diffraction was used to characterize the crystallinity and crystal structure of the thin films and precipitated polymer. The films were cast from concentrated solutions and crystallized by heating the films. The results of these studies revealed several unique features relative to the crystal structure of the all-para polymers. Thin films of the crystallized polymer showed a distinctive crystalline texture—the molecular chains were found to be preferentially oriented parallel to the film plane and randomly oriented about an axis normal to the film plane. Electron diffraction measurements showed equatorial reflection maxima at tilt angles of = 30, ±48, and =59 when the films were tilted on an axis parallel to the film plane. From these results a tentative crystal unit cell and theoretical crystal density were determined: a = 8.5 [Agrave], b = 4.9 Å, c (chain axis) = 29.6 Å, p (density) =1.51 g/cc. The value a/b = 1.735, which is very near 3¹/², implies essentially hexagonal packing of the chains. Crystallization from dilute solution revealed lamellar structures resembling “single crystals” in the electron microscope similar to those observed in other crystalline polymers. However, in contrast to these other polymers, these “crystals” are not likely to contain folded chains because of the very rigid nature of the all-para poiyamide-hydrazide.