An investigation of micro-brownian motions in polydimethylsiloxane by complementary incoherent-neutron-scattering and nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments below room temperature

Two different experimental methods, neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance are used to investigate the random methyl group and segmental rotational jump motions in polydimethylsiloxane. It is shown that nuclear magnetic relaxation and line width experiments are complementary to incoherent neutron scattering fixed-window experiments, the principle of the fixed-window experiments being discussed in somewhat detail. Satisfactory agreement of these experimental techniques is achieved as to the determination of the two model parameters of the motional processes in question, i. e. the activation energy and the preexponential factor of the Arrhenius ansatz made for the correlation time or jump time, respectively.Contribution partly presented during the meeting of the Macromolecular Club, June 8–10, 1983 in Uppsala, the spring conference of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft, March 12–17, 1984 in Münster and the Fourth International Seminar on Polymer Physics, October 22–26, 1984 in Eyba (GDR).     

Effects of pressure and solvent on the diffusion of aromatic compounds through polymers

The diffusion of six azo and five anthraquinone derivatives through nylon 6, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and secondary cellulose acetate films were studied under high hydrostatic pressures of up to 3000 bar and at temperatures 80–130 °C, by analyzing the diffusion profiles yielded in a stacked multiple film, placed in the solution of the diffusant. It was found that the diffusion coefficient,D, of the diffusant decreased with increasing pressure, giving a linear relationship between InD and the pressure, the slope of which gave the activation volume for the diffusion,V . It was revealedV increased linearly with increasing intrinsic molecular volume of the diffusant,V _w , the slopes being different between the azo and the anthraquinone derivatives. The ratio ofV toV _w (V /V _w ) ranged from 0.13 to 0.93, depending in a sensitive manner on the degree of swelling of the polymer matrix which in turn was varied by the solvent. The overall results could be explained in accordance with the formulation,V _{f, local} +V =V _w , whereV _{f, local} represents the free volume contribution. It was proposed thatV _w is increased by solvation when the solvent is good for the diffusant.     

Study of the polymer latex coalescence by dielectric measurements at microwave frequency—feasibility of the method

The measurement of the complex dielectric constant ( ^*=–j) in the dipolar absorption domain of the free water molecule (microwave region) permits us to follow quasi-specifically and precisely the water circulation during the coalescence process of a latex. Weight losses and dielectric constants variations have been simultaneously recorded upon latex drying, in a resonant cavity at 5 and 9 GHz and under controlled atmosphere and temperature. Two different latexes were studied (polybutylacrylate (PBuA) and polystyrene (PS)) from which the glass transition temperature effect was investigated. It is found that the harder the polymer particles, the more clearly evidenced the flocculation and packing points are. This method appears to be quite reliable for discriminating the various steps in the film formation process of latexes.     

Phase diagram of the system dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine/dihexadecyl-phosphatidic acid/water/NaOH at pH=14

Differential-scanning-calorimetry, freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and³¹P-NMR spectroscopy were used to study the lyotropic and thermotropic properties of the system dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine/dihexadecylphosphatidic acid/water/ NaOH in dispersion with excess water at pH=14. The phase diagram showed that both phospholipids are demixed nearly completely in the gel phase. The coexistence of theP and theB -phase in the mixtures was pointed out in the freeze-fracture electron micrographs by the ripple structure (P -phase) and by the lamellar structure (B -phase).     

Monte Carlo simulation of a lattice model for ternary polymer mixtures

Monte Carlo studies of symmetrical polymer mixturesAB, modelled by selfavoiding walks withN _A =N _B =N steps on a simple cubic lattice, are presented for arbitrary concentrations of vacancies _v in the range from _v =0.2 to _v =0.8 and chain lengthsN64. We obtained the phase diagrams and the equation of state for three choices of the ratio / _AB ( being the energy between monomers of the same kind, _AB being the energy between different monomers). Flory-Huggins theory provides only a qualitative understanding of these results. If the equation of state is fitted with an effective Flory-Huggins parameter _eff , the latter turns out to be strongly dependent on both concentration and temperature.Contributed paper delivered at the Tagung der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Fachausschuß Polymerphysik, Berlin, March 30–April 3, 1987.     

Isothermic spherulitic growth and the shape of grain boundaries and growth fronts

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the isothermic growth of two spherulites of different modification into a supercooled isotactic polypropylene film. The faster growing-spherulite grows around the-spherulite, and finally the-spherulite is symmetrically and completely included in. In contrast to literature but in agreement with experimental evidence we find that the grain boundary between the teardropshaped-spherulite and the surrounding-spherulite consists of two parts, where one is always an arc of a logarithmic spiral. This-spherulite ends always in a vertex. Its angle depends on the ratio of the two growth rates only. Behind the vertex an intrinsic--grain boundary exists, degenerating to a channel in bulk material. The growth fron of the-spherulite, which ends on the logarithmic spiral or on the intrinsic grain boundary during growth, consists of an arc of a circle continued by an arc of a logarithmic spirial, too.     

Effect of thick fixed-charge layers on electrostatic interaction — a theoretical approach

The electrostatic interaction pressure of charged surface layers is considered qualitatively and quantitatively. In the case of mutual penetration of the surface layers in addition to Maxwell stress and osmotic resp. hydrostatic pressure an isotropic stress on the fixed charges carrying molecules of the surface layers has to be taken into account. The derivation of the pressure-distance equations is given starting from both thermodynamic/electrostatic and hydrostatic/electrostatic principles. A possible biological significance of the additional stress is discussed emphasizing its role in modifying the structure of surface layer molecules.List of symbols e ₀ elementary charge - k Boltzmann constant - n _i concentration of theith ionic species in the bulk solution - P hydrostatic pressure - P hydrostatic pressure in the bulk volume (× ) - P ^h integration constant, independent on ×:P ^h =P(h) - T absolute temperature - Z _i electrovalence of theith ionic species - thickness of the surface layer - , ₀ relative and absolute permittivities - II(×) osmotic pressure at position × - II osmotic pressure in the bulk solution (× ) - osmotic pressure in the symmetry plane of interacting identical surface layers (electric field strength equals zero) - integration constant, independent on ×: - _e ^h electrostatic component of the disjoining pressure _e ^h = _e (h) - (×) mobile charge density profile (cations and anions of the electrolyte) - (×) fixed charge density profile - ^t(x) total charge density profile ( ^t = +) - ¹(x) fixed charge density profile of one of the two surface layers ( ¹(×) 0 for 0×) - (×) electric potential profile     

Swelling pressure equilibrium of physical networks in the field of an analytical ultracentrifuge

Investigations of the swelling pressure equilibria of a physical network are performed with an analytical ultracentrifuge. The advantage of this method is that in contrast to the known swelling pressure instruments, swelling pressures in a range of composition are obtained from only a single equilibrium experiment. The Schlieren optical system of the ultracentrifuge allows the observation of the concentration gradient during the process of deswelling and swelling, and furthermore, the detection of the gel concentration at every point. The system gelatin/water shows a different behavior than that expected from the theory of Flory-Huggins for a swollen random network. The measured curves of concentration vs. the swelling pressure intersect each other in case of low initial concentrations. This shows that these networks are inhomogeneous. A new method to measure and evaluate the Schlieren pattern is described.This paper was presented at the VI. Symposium on Analytical Ultracentrifugation, Marburg, FRG, February 16–17, 1989.     

Production of anomalously shaped carboxylated polymer particles by seeded emulsion polymerization

Anomalous polymer particles with a partial protuberance like octopus ocellatus were produced under alkaline conditions by seeded emulsion copolymerization for styrene and butyl acrylate, with styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid terpolymer emulsion as seed. The mechanism of production of the polymer particles was studied. By transmission electron microscopic observation of the particles at each conversion, it was observed that the anomalous polymer particles were produced by partial growth of each of the individual seed particles throughout polymerization. Ionization of the carboxyl groups and low viscosity in the growing particles during the process of polymerization were important factors for partial growth.Part CIII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

Complex polarizability as used to analyze dielectric relaxation measurements

The effect of representing dielectric properties in terms of the complex polarizability ^c = – i is examined. Loss curves ( and tan ) are shifted towards higher frequencies, revealing the existence of new relaxations and allowing the clarifications of ones already known. We have calculated the shift ratios (at maximum or tan )/ (at maximum or tan ) from the more conventional empirical equations representing the dielectric behavior. Some examples are given.     

Van der Waals networks in the compressive deformation of polyethylene

The compressive stress-strain behavior of biaxially oriented polyethylene (PE), obtained by pressing uniaxially oriented samples, is described with the aid of the van der Waals equation of state. Results are discussed in terms of two parameters: the biaxiality (B) and the biaxial draw ratio (), which offer a measure of the strain along the two principal directions and of the average draw ratio on the film plane, respectively. Comparison of experimental and calculated data indicates that after compression up to very large deformations the maximum average strain ( _m ), which is proportional to the square root of the chain length of the network, remains constant. This result supports the view that the network of entanglements is not destroyed after compression. Experiments carried out on isotropic melt crystallized PE show the presence of a network having a not very different chain length. Finally, it is shown that the segment length of this network is close to the X-ray long period of the initial structure. This result implies the existence of a high density of entanglements (two entanglements every three adjacent lamellae), which are rejected into the defective layer of the crystals.     

Capillary rise of liquids in rectangular tubings

The capillary rise of liquids was investigated in square capillary tubings of different dimensions (e. g. 300 m · 300 m to 1000 m · 1000 m) in the temperature range 25° to 35°C.The data were fitted to an equation:=1/2 · ·g · (S · (C ·H/2 +C ·S)) where is the surface tension of the liquid,S is the side length of the square tubing,H is the capillary rise,C (= 1.089) is a capillary constant.     

Covalent immobilization of trypsin onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene composite microspheres by cyanogen bromide method and its enzymatic activity

Covalent immobilization of trypsin onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/ polystyrene composite microspheres, produced by emulsifier-free seeded emulsion polymerization technique, was carried out using the cyanogen bromide method under various conditions. The highest enzymatic activities of the trypsin immobilized in this study against N--benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester and N--benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide, as low-molecular substrates and casein as a high-molecular substrate, were high, as corresponding to 80%, 85% and 50% of those of free trypsin, respectively.Part C of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

Conformational changes in the human serum albumin-indomethacin binding

The effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, the indomethacin, on the conformation of human serum albumin is investigated by evaluating-helix,-structure and random coil structure contents from optical rotatory dispersion spectra. The observed structural changes may be attributed to the-helix-to--structure conversion, because the content of random coil is not largely changed. The increase in-structure is due to a loss in the degrees of freedom in albumin.     

Cubic phases in surfactant and surfactant-like lipid systems

Cubic liquid crystalline phases are common in surfactant and surfactant-like lipid systems at temperatures above the Krafft point. They are optically isotropic and very stiff. Therefore, they are often not recognized as independent phases and separated in pure state. The liquid crystalline nature is evidenced by a low-angle diffraction pattern with sharp reflections having Bragg-values above 20 Å coupled with a diffuse wide-angle reflection at 4.5 Å, proving that the hydrocarbon moiety is in a liquid state. The cubic phases occur in a variety of lipid/water systems (also with liquid organic solvents), such as simple soaps, amphiphilic lipids of biological origin, and extracts from membrane lipids. The location of the cubic phases in a phase diagram varies.The original concept of a cubic structure composed of closed globular aggregates, either of oil-in-water or water-in-oil type in face-centered array seems to be obsolete. The present structure concepts include closed anisotropic aggregates, short rod-like aggregates forming continuous networks or lamellar aggregates with zero curvature forming networks of Infinite Periodic Minimal Surfaces (IPMS). The structure is mostly primitive or body-centered cubic.     

On-line digitalization of Schlieren pictures inside the analytical ultracentrifuge

A rationalization of the analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) is reported that also improves the accuracy of measurement with sedimentation runs controlled by Schlieren optics. A digital video camera was inserted into the optic beam of the AUC which detects Schlieren pictures on-line by means of an attached computer and evaluates them by instantaneous data reduction. Thus the photographic production of Schlieren pictures and their time-consuming manual evaluation can be avoided. With the new technique, a reference cell, a dark current cell, a brightness distribution cell, and five sample cells are simultaneously measured within an eight-cell rotor. Either a triggerable laser or a flashlight serves as a light source. Every 25 s, a Schlieren picture can be recorded and then be evaluated on-line by means of image processing.This paper was presented at the VI. Symposium on Analytical Ultracentrifugation, Marburg, FRG, February 16–17, 1989.     

Gas permeability of block copolymers of styrene and butadiene

The permeability of styrene-butadiene block copolymer foils with different composition prepared by casting and pressing has been investigated for the gases Ar, CO₂, and CH₄ at pressure difference of 400 mbar and at the temperature range 298 T [K] 333.The permeation process can be described by the solution diffusion mechanism. The diffusion coefficients decrease in the sequence of the gases Ar, CO₂, and CH₄ and the solubility coefficients increase in the sequence Ar, CH₄, CO₂.The dependence of the permeability on the composition of the block copolymer can be interpreted by the help of percolation theory and the effective medium theory. It follows the critical volume fraction of the percolation of the transport phase _PB ^c (= 0,23) and the coordination numberz (= 4) giving an information concerning the multiphase structure of the block copolymer.Presented in part at the 33^rd Annual Meeting of the Colloid-Gesellschaft, Graz, Austria, September 14–16, 1987.     

Electrokinetic study on concentrated suspensions using colloid vibration potential measurements

-potentials of a silica suspension and three types of polystyrene latex suspensions with different surface charge groups were measured, as a function of the particle concentration () in the suspension over a wide range, using the colloid vibration potential (CVP) technique. The concentration dependence of the-potential in silica suspension is explained well by Levine et al.s [1] cell model theory, verifying the applicability of the cell model to the CVP in silica suspension. However, the-potential of latex suspensions ordinarily decreases as the particle concentration increases, even after being corrected by the term of (1-). This tendency is especially noticeable in the systems that have particles with high surface charge densities. Furthermore, the conductivity measurements of these suspensions reveal that the conductivity of these systems, especially in their highly charged state, increases as the particle concentration is increased; opposite in tendency to silica suspensions. These new findings can be explained as follows: on the highly charged surface of a latex particle, a polyelectrolyte-like (hairy) layer is present, which overlaps at some point. This permits interparticle surface conduction and results in the abnormal behavior of CVP in these systems.     

Bioactive polymers 67: isosorbide dinitrate retardation in xanthan-based hydrogels

Xanthan and its crosslinked beads have many biomedical applications. Xanthan has been reticulated with epichlorohydrin, thus becoming a hydrogel with a swelling ratio in the range 1–10 and having a solvent content of 80–90%. Through its diffusion from alcohol/water mixture (5/1–5/4,v/v) of various concentrations, isosorbide dinitrate has been inserted into the hydrogel. The content of isosorbide dinitrate in the hydrogel varies in the range 40–150 mg/g. The drug is released according to zero-order kinetics at a constant rate of 1.5 g/h, for a duration of 9 h.     

Scattering from concentration fluctuations in polymer blends: A monte carlo investigation

The collective scattering function S_coll( ), which describes light (neutron-, x-ray) scattering under wavevector , is obtained from Monte Carlo simulations for a symmetrical polymer mixture. The polymers are modelled by self-avoiding walks ofN _A=N_B=N steps on a simple cubic lattice, where a fraction _V of sites is left vacant, and an attractive energy occurs if two neighboring sites are taken by the same kind of monomer. Spinodal curves are estimated from linear extrapolation of S _coll ^–1 (0) vs./k _B T, whereT is the temperature. Also the single chain structure factor is obtained and the de Gennes random phase approximation (RPA) can thus be tested. Unexpectedly, strong deviations are found if one species is very dilute. The estimation of an effective Flory-Huggins-parameter from scattering data is also discussed.Contributed paper delivered at the Tagung der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Fachausschuß Polymerphysik, Hamburg, March 14–16, 1987.