Small angle X-ray scattering study of an extremely elongated micelle system of CTAB-p-toluidine solution

Whenp-toluidine is added to an aqueous solution of CTAB, a remarkable increase of viscosity is accompanied by a spectacular elasticity. We detected the existence of extremely elongated rod-like micelles in electron micrographs. SAXS measurements indicate a closely packed array of cylindrical rod-like micelles, brought about when solutions flow through a thin capillary. A scattering maximum ofd=160 Å almost corresponds to the distance between the nearest neighbours of the cylindrical rod-like micelles. This value agrees with the diameter measured on electron micrographs. The second broad peak (d=75 Å) is assigned to a subsidiary maximum of the shape function of the cylinder with infinite length.     

Rigid-rod polymers with flexible side chains

Modeling studies were performed for a rigid-rod polyester with hexadecyloxy side chains (n=16) in order to simulate x-ray scattering curves in the medium angle scattering region (s=4 sin / from 0.2 Å^–1 to 2.2 Å^=t–1). The experimental ones were taken from a material obtained by cooling to room temeperature from the smectic mesophase at 150°C. The wide-angle x-ray diffractograms were calculated for given conformations and molecular arrangements using Debye's equation. The theoretical result thus obtained for a great variety of possible packing models and structures was compared to the experimental result. The size of the effective scattering region is found to be 61×18×52=6×10⁴ ų and consists of approximately five layers, each of which is composed of two rigid rods and 20 side chains. The planes form by the rigid rods, together with the side chains, have a distance of 3.6 Å, the distance between the rods being 26 Å. As the main result, it was found that the side chains form regions with a denser ordering (clustering). The interchain distance for side chains decreases in the regions from 5.3 Å to 4.8 Å.     

Lamellar phases in mixtures of low molecular weight alkanols and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)

Partial phase diagrams showing the domains of existence of a transparent, viscous, lamellar-structured (D)-phase that transforms reversibly into fluid single phase solutions at high temperature are presented for the system: cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), two low molecular weight alcohols, and water with and without additives. At constant temperature and with a fixed amount of surfactant, the size and location of this phase in the phase diagram depends upon three composition variables: i) the ratio of concentrations of medium chain alcohol to long chain alcohol (R), ii) the ratio of concentrations of medium chain alcohol to surfactant (R), and iii) the concentrations of small amounts (up to 10 % by weight) of additives such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dimethylformamide, as well as NaBr. Small-angle x-ray scattering measurements of these mixtures reveal a lamellar structure. The observed lamellar repeat distances range from 60 A to 290 Å and depend upon the ratiosR andR and the concentration of the additives. The mechanical and structural properties of theseD-phases can be tuned by adjustingR andR. TheD-phase-to-isotropic transition temperature can be varied from near room temperature to above 80 °C by adjustingR andR.     

Spinodal decomposition of the polymer blend deutereous polystyrene (d-PS) and polyvinylmethylether (PVME) studied with high resolution neutron small angle scattering

Decomposition of a polymer blend in the miscibility gap has been studied by small angle scattering of neutrons, using a double crystal diffractometer. It covers a range of 10^–5 to 10^–3 Å^–1, which connects the region of elastic light scattering and, at the upper end, the region of conventional neutron small angle scattering instruments. The decomposed structure in the miscibility gap can be described by a characteristic lengthR which increases with time,t ^1/3 between 7 and 25 min. At longer times, the growth follows a more linear power law. This behaviour is consistent with predictions of the domain growth for liquid mixtures and is estimated by using the self diffusion constant, viscosity, and the surface energy of the polymer.on leave ESFM-IPN Mexico     

A structural study of the mesophases of two oxyethylene alkyl ether-decane-water systems,a comparison between technical grade C12EO〈7〉 and pure C12EO6

As part of a study polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (C _m EO _n ), water and decane, the phase diagram and the structures of the mesophases of pure C₁₂EO₆ and technical grade C₁₂EO₇ were compared. The constructed phase diagrams of the two systems show a great resemblance except for one difference: the viscous isotropic phase is only present in the C₁₂EO₆ phase diagram.The swelling behavior of the lamellar and hexagonal phases was studied with smallangle x-ray scattering. Both the lamellar and hexagonal phases showed an ideal swelling behavior and no differences between the lamellar and hexagonal phases of the two systems were detected.With freeze-fracture electron microscopy the hexagonal and lamellar phases were visualized. No differences in the textures of the lamellar phases were found, however, the micrographs of the hexagonal phases of the two systems clearly showed different textures. While in the hexagonal phase of the C₁₂EO₆ system only infinite long rods were visualized, short interrupted rods were found in the hexagonal phase of the C₁₂EO₇ system.     

Refraction effects and structural changes of hard elastic polypropylene (HEPP) during stretching

Small angle X-ray diffraction from hard elastic polypropylene 5M-45B (HEPP) of Celanese shows a sharp long streak along the equator indicating total reflection and refraction effects equivalent to 2000 Å long cylindrical parts within the fibre. The well known amorphous phase therefore does not exist in high modulus fibres similar to 11-times stretched samples of PE with fully extended chains. A new method is described which explains the observed scattering by means of shape functions. One term depends on the lamellae, the other one on the fibrils, whilst the third takes care of the correlations between terms 1 and 2. The latter does not interfere with the calculation because it is simply another well separated component of the equatorial scattering analysis previously described by Guinier. Fibrils exist between the lamellae for extensions greater than= 40%. Below this value the diffuse equator scattering is explained by 100 Å long gaps between the chain molecules; from 5 vol. % packing density at =0 % they increase to about 50 vol. % at=40 %. Here the gaps change their functions to become the surroundings of the fibrils. This thermodynamically-induced metamorphosis explains the metastable nature of the lamellae, the gaps and the fibrils, observed at=40 %. The pseudo-Hook domain disappears gradually during iterated strain-relaxation operations after 100 cycles. The stress-strain curve is similar, then, to that of a sulphur vulcanized natural rubber except that theE-modulus is now 100 times larger. The small angle scattering changes according to these phenomena: The number of lamellae becomes smaller and their mean distance increases to 2000 Å or more along the chain direction.     

Microhardness and surface free energy in linear polyethylene: The role of entanglements

The microhardness of a series of melt crystallized samples of linear polyehtylene was investigated in a wide range of molecular weights. The x-ray long period was analyzed to study the variation of the hardness-derived constantb as a function of molecular weight (M ). It is pointed out thatb offers a measure of the hardness depression due to the finite thickness of the lamellar crystals. The data obtained show that the increase and final leveling-off (forM 200 000) ofb withM parallels the concurrent increase of the surface free energy, as derived from DSC experiments. Results are discussed using the concept og chain folded lamellae as thermodynamically stable non-homogeneous microphases. Comparison of experimental and calculated data supports the view that the number of molecular entanglements, segregated onto the defective surface boundary of the heterogeneous crystals influence the shearing mechanism within the mesocrystals and thereby control the yield behavior of the material.     

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.     

Internal and interfacial structure of small vesicle in aqueous colloid of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide

The vesicle structure and interfacial structure of a two-chain amphiphile didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMA) in aqueous colloid have been studied by small-angle x-ray scattering. The radius of the DMA small vesicle is ca. 64 Å, and the thickness of the bilayer, which is the surface layer of the vesicle, is ca. 41 Å. The small vesicle has a core space at the center, whose radius is ca. 23 Å. The specific inner surface of the small vesicle has also been calculated and the surface area of the vesicle has been estimated to be five times larger than that of the smooth sphere.     

Effects of thermal history on the rigid amorphous phase in poly(phenylene sulfide)

The rigid amorphous phase of semicrystalline poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) has been studied as a function of thermal history using scanning calorimetry, dielectric relaxation, density, and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Based on the new heat of fusion of perfect crystalline PPS, which is 26.7±0.8 cal/gram, the weight fraction of rigid amorphous phase is shown to be nearly twice as large as previously reported [1]. The mass fraction of the rigid amorphous phase ranges from 0.24 to 0.42 and is dependent upon thermal treatment. We have taken the approach of assuming a three-phase model for the morphology of semicrystalline PPS consisting of crystalline lamellae, mobile amorphous, and rigid amorphous components. Using this three-phase model, we determine that the average density of the rigid amorphous fraction is 1.325 g/cc, which is slightly larger than the density of the mobile amorphous phase fraction and was insensitive to thermal history. From the SAXS long period, the layer thicknesses of the mobile amorphous phase, rigid amorphous phase, and crystal lamellae were estimated. Only the lamellar thickness shows a systematic variation with thermal history, increasing with melt or cold crystallization temperature, or with decreasing cooling rate.     

New organosols of ZnS and HgS in N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. Use in the preparation of semiconductive polymer-metal sulfide composite films

Organosols of ZnS and HgS in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were prepared by reaction of Zn and Hg salts with H₂S. ZnS in the DMF organosol has a particle size of about 300 Å, determined by an argon laser scattering technique. The form of HgS in the organosols varies with temperature, concentration of HgS, and type of solvent;-HgS in a DMF organosol is converted into-HgS at –30 °C or above. Poly(acrylonitrile)-ZnS or -HgS composite films prepared from organosols are semiconductive, and the electrical conductivity of the film increases by a factor of 10²–10³ on exposure to moisture or alcohol vapour. Poly(acrylonitrile)--HgS composite films, prepared from heated-HgS, show electrical conductivity of a range of 10^–1–10^–2 S cm^–1 and a large electron mobility.     

Changes of mesophase structure of BRIJ 96/water mixtures on addition of liquid paraffin

The influence of the addition of liquid paraffin (LP) on the structure of the lamellar (L ) and hexagonal (H₁) mesophases formed in mixtures of water (W) and BRIJ 96 (B) was studied. Mesophases were identified using polarization microscopy and small angle x-ray diffraction (SAXD). Repeat spacings were also determined with SAXD. Depending on theW/B ratio, addtion ofLP toL gives a large, almost linear one-dimensional swelling or an initial swelling followed by a gradual transition to H₁.L with a highLP-content gives a diffraction pattern showing only the first order diffraction maximum, possibly a result of undulations of the layers. The lamellar structure, however, was confirmed using freeze fracture electron microscopy (FFEM). Addition ofLP to H₁ gives an initial swelling followed by a transition to a transparent, highly viscous, isotropic phase, called the gel-phase (G). The diffraction pattern obtained fromG yields little information on its structure. A large swelling ofG withLP was observed. From the degree of swelling as a function of hydrocarbon content it was inferred that this phase consists of spherical aggregates forming a close-packed structure. Using FFEM, textures were visualized resembling those obtained from the isotropic mesophase (I₁) in water-surfactant mixtures. Finally, geometrical factors are discussed that may play a role in the formation of the gel-phase.     

Micelle structure in isotropic aqueous colloids of a poly(oxyethylene) amphiphile C12E8

Micelle structure in aqueous colloids in the isotropic liquid phase (L₁) of a nonionic amphipile (n-dodecyl octa(oxyethylene glycol) monoether (C₁₂E₈) has been investigated as a function of concentration and temperature using light scattering (LS), viscometry, NMR, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).The spherical micelles, having a radius of 28–31 Å, remain in a wide concentration range from very dilute to ca. 42 wt %. The micelle size increases sligthly with increasing temperature in the range of 25–60 °C. In the concentrated colloids, the spherical micelles are likely to be arranged in a certain ordered structure. Even at such a high concentration as 30 wt %, the isotropic colloid shows Newtonian flow. This suggests that interaction between micelles in the ordered structure is very weak and the structure is very fragile. Moreover, coexistence of the isotropic phase and the ordered structure in L₁ phase is discussed.     

Effect of pH on colloidal properties of native ovalbumin aqueous systems

The effect of pH on the molecular shape and dispersed state of native ovalbumin molecules in 20 mM phosphate and acetic acid buffer solutions has been studied using small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and a rheological method The degree of association of the OA molecule at the 0.5% colloid system increases slightly with decreasing pH, i.e., 2.10 at pH 7.0, and 2.88 at pH 4.0, and the radius of the OA molecule decreases slightly with decreasing pH, i.e., 24.5 Å at pH 7.0, and 22.0 Å at pH 4.0.The OA colloid shows apparent yield stress and rigidity which are due to a certain ordered arrangement of the molecules. The yield stress and the rigidity increase abruptly at a pH value near to an isoelectric point (ca. pH 4.4). In the dilute system this increment is attributed to the change in the ordered arrangement or in the interparticle interaction, and not to the change in the association state of the OA molecules. The values of the yield stress and the rigidity remain almost constant over a wide concentration range and this feature (an auto-controlled mechanism) is kept over a certain range of pH.     

Small-angle neutron scattering of colloidal silica dispersions in a non-polar solvent

Small-angle neutron scattering studies were performed on dilute dispersions of colloidal silica spheres in mixtures of h₁₂- and d₁₂-cyclohexane. The particles consisted of a SiO₂-core and a layer of stearyl alcohol molecules terminally attached with a chemical bond (Si-O) to the particle surface. The contrast variation method was applied to reveal the internal structure of the particles. The matchpoints determined with this method were in accordance with those calculated from the mass density of the particles and the atomic composition, as determined with elemental analysis.For a detailed interpretation of the scattering curves, we assumed that the particles were spherosymmetrical and consisted of two concentric layers. With the relation we derived between the radius of gyration and the reciprocal contrast for such a model, it was possible to determine all the parameters characterizing the particle in terms of this model. The model calculations performed using these parameters fitted very well to the experimental intensities for high contrasts. For lower contrasts, the fit was somewhat less good. This is probably due to random fluctuations in the scattering length density within the particle core.The different radii as found by neutron scattering, agreed very well with those determined using other techniques, such as light scattering (static and dynamic) and electron microscopy.     

Dielectric relaxation of specially prepared polystyrene terminated with rigid polar groups

Two polystyrenes terminated withp-cyanobenzyl andp-cyanobiphenyl groups (=labels) were prepared and their complex dielectric constants were measured in the glass transition region in the frequency range 10^–2–10⁶ Hz. The glass temperaturesT _g (DSC) were considerably different, 92 and 97.5°C, resp., although their molecular weights were very similar (11 000 and 10 000 g/mol, resp.). Their relaxation behavior showed that the cyano groups relax cooperatively with the polymer segments. The cyanophenyl groups were found to relax with shorter relaxation times than the cyanobiphenyl groups. The measured relaxation strengths showed that there was no association between the dipoles. The relaxation mechanisms of the cyano groups in both labels seemed to be different although the only difference between them was an additional phenyl group in the case of the second label.     

A two-ply artificial blood vessel of polyurethane and poly(L-lactide)

A biodegradable microporous small-caliber vascular prosthesis has been developed that consists of two layers. The inner layer has been made highly antithrombogenic by cross-linking of a mixture of linoleic acid and an aliphatic polyetherurethane with dicumylperoxide. Microporosity was introduced by adding sodiumfluoride crystals of about 5 m in diameter prior to cross-linking and leaching them out afterwards.The outer ply has been constructed by precipitating a (95/5) physical mixture of polyesterurethane and poly(L-lactide) from solution in the presence of sugar crystals with dimensions in the range 30–90 m which were removed by exposing the graft to water.The two-ply grafts were tested in vivo by replacing 1 cm of the abdominal aorta of rats. All the grafts remained patent at least up to 1 year and did not exhibit any aneurismal formation. The inner layer was covered with endothelial cells and several layers of smooth muscle cells.     

Growth of polyethylene single crystals from the melt: change in lateral habit and regime I–II transition

Using the technique of extraction, single crystals have been obtained from polyethylene fractions isothermally crystallized from the melt at atmospheric pressure. It has been found that the lateral habit of single crystals changes in the vicinity of the transition temperature of growth regime (regime I–II): lenticular shape elongated in the direction of theb axis (type A) in the range of regime I and truncated lozenge with curved edges of {200} and {110} growth faces (type B) in that of regime II. The transition of lateral habit causes a drastic change in the width of {110} growth faces; {110} growth faces are well developed in type B crystals while they cannot be observed and must be very small in type-A crystals. It has been shown that the growth regime of the small {110} growth face of type-A crystals must be in regime I; hence the regime I–II transition can be explained as the result of this change in lateral habit (width of the {110} growth face).     

Electrically conducting,thermally stable,and mechanically strong CuS-poly(parabanic acid) composite films and their shielding effect of electromagnetic wave

Poly(parabanic acid)-CuS composite film (wt-% of CuS=20–50) prepared by using organosol of CuS (=1500 Å) showed electrical conductivity of 0.1–70 S cm^–1, high thermal stability up to 250°C, high mechanical strength (breaking stress=7.0–12 × 10⁷ Pa), and good shielding effect of electromagnetic wave.