Macromolecular conformations at the water-air interface: Interactions between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides

Bidimensional miscibility between alpha and beta conformations of polypeptides was investigated at the water-air interface in the 15°–30°C temperature range. The polypeptides were poly--methyl-L-glutamate (PGMG), poly--benzyl-L-glutamate (PGBG) and poly--benzyl-L-aspartate (PBBA). The polypeptide conformations, alpha or beta, were checked by IR spectroscopy using the MIR technique.The spreading isotherms for mixed monolayers alpha-PGMG/alpha-PGBG and beta-PGMG/beta-PBBA showed bidimensional miscibility both for alpha-alpha and beta-beta mixtures.For the alpha-alpha system, attractive interactions among the polypeptide alphahelices were found (G_mix<0) and the driving factor appeared to be the entropic one (packing). Compressibility moduli and surface potential measurements showed a fluidification effect of alpha-PGBG on mixed monolayers. In the case of beta-beta mixed monolayers, ideal behaviour was observed and no fluidification effect detected.Scanning electron micrographs made on collapsed monolayers showed hexagonal structures for alpha-alpha mixtures and no well-defined or characterized features for the beta-beta system.     

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.     

Silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves: Characterization of textural and acidic properties

The silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-37 as well as ZSM-20 zeolite have a faujaside-like structure and are potentially useful as catalysts. We report in this work different procedures to decompose the organic template occluded in SAPO-37. The texture of the final products was analyzed by means of nitrogen adsorption. The acid properties of SAPO-37 and ZSM-20 were also compared by IR measurements of adsorbed pyridine and related to the acidic properties of the presently commonly used cracking catalyst zeolite Y.

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-37, ZSM-20 . , -37. . -37 ZSM-20 - . , .

     

Charge carrier photogeneration on some substituted polyacetylenes

The photogeneration of charge carriers was studied with the following polymers: poly-[N-(2-propinyl)-phenothiazine] (PPPT) and copolymers of N-(2-propinyl)-carbazole with N-(2-propinyl)-phenothiazine (PCz+PPT) and N-(2-propinyl)-carbazole with phenylacetylene (PCz+PA). In the case of PCz+PA, the experimentally found dependence of the photogeneration efficiency on the strength of an externally applied electric field could be well fitted with the curve calculated on the basis of Onsager's model of geminate recombination. In the cases of PPPT and PCz+PPT, on the other hand, the experimental values deviated strongly from the theoretical curve at field strengths between 10⁶ and 10⁷ V/m.Equal values for the separation distancer ₀ and the primary charge carrier yield ₀ were found for all polymers:r ₀=2.0 nm and ₀=0.20 at _inc=254 nm;r ₀=2.5 nm and ₀=0.15 at _inc=355 nm.With PPT and PCz+PPT a strong dependence of the electric resistance on the humidity content of surrounding air was observed.     

Investigation of n-heptane conversion over Pt?Al2O3 catalysts under gradientless reforming conditions

The rates of the total and individual directions of n-heptane conversion in reforming over platinum-on-alumina catalysts were shown to be independent of dilution with hydrogen. They can be described by simple equations following from kinetic concepts in ideal adsorbed layers.

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, - , .

     

Adsorption behavior of polymers having phosphoric acid group on γ-Fe2O3 and magnetic characteristics in magnetic coatings

Polymers having phosphoric acid groups were prepared as a model binder for magnetic coatings, and the correlation among the adsorption behavior of the polymers onto-Fe₂O₃ particles and the dispersibility, the orientation, and the packing density of-Fe₂O₃ particles in the magnetic coatings was investigated.PMMA homopolymer molecules hardly adsorbed on-Fe₂O₃, and the interfacial tension at a water/polymer solution (toluene) interface ( _W/T) was scarcely changed compared with a water/toluene interface. Increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group, the adsorbance of polymer increased and the interfacial tension ( _W/T) decreased. When the content of polymeric phosphoric acid groups was over 0.4 mol%, the adsorbance of polymer and interfacial tension ( _W/T ) remained constant. When these polymers were used as a binder for magnetic tapes, the dispersibility of-Fe₂O₃ in the magnetic coatings was improved, increasing with the content of polymeric phosphoric acid group; however, when the content of phosphoric acid group was over 0.2 mol%, its dispersibility decreased abruptly.Studies on Recording Magnetic Materials and Magnetic Composite. XVIII.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer microspheres having cationic groups

Micron-size monodisperse crosslinked polymer microspheres having chloromethyl groups were prepared by seeded copolymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene, and chloromethylstyrene in the presence of 2.1- monodisperse polystyrene seed particles produced by dispersion polymerization. The modification reaction of chloromethyl groups on the surfaces with polyamines such as triethylenetetramine and ethylenediamine was carried out. From the measurements of potential and the amount of chloride ion released, the introduction of a large number of cationic groups at the surfaces was confirmed.Part CXXXI of the series Studies on suspension and Emulsion.     

Torsional potential and strain energy distribution in an extended chain under stress

Torsional potentialV() for the single bond transformation in an extended hexadecane, subjected to elongation, has been determined by molecular mechanics calculations. The stored elastic energy significantly modifies the potentialV(), the conformational energies and the barriers of transition. Apart from the soft torsional coordinate, elastic energy is also dissipated considerably by bond stretching and angle bending. Maximal variations of the valence coordinates occur in the vicinity of the torsional defect and dampen along the chain. At higher elongation, the gauche minimum on the potentialV() disappears and the calculations predict the abrupt gauche to trans transition. The energetics of torsion of a deformed chain are compared with the experimental data on the hydrodynamic extension of polymers in dilute solution by elongational flow. The calculations also provide details of a single bond transformation mechanism at conformational interconversions in a long chain, proposed by Helfand.     

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.     

Estimation of distribution of vinyl groups in micron-sized monodisperse polymer microspheres by bromine titration method

The distribution of vinyl groups in polystyrene/poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS/P(S-DVB)) composite microspheres produced by seeded copolymerization of S and DVB in the presence of 2.1-m monodisperse PS seed particles was estimated from the amount detected with bromine titration method as a function of the reaction time under various conditions.Part CXXIII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

Phase separation in colloidal dispersions with nonadsorbing polymer

The influence of the volume restriction effect on phase separation in colloidal dispersions consisting of a nonadsorbing polymer has been studied using statistical mechanical cell models and perturbation theories in combination with Monte Carlo experiments. The attractive interparticle potential proposed by Asakura and Oosawa is used to represent the effect of polymer depletion between the particles. The equilibrium properties are determined using the cell model for the solid-like phase (with Monte Carlo simulations for the structure of the solid phase) and a perturbation theory for the liquid-like phase. Both aqueous and nonaqueous dispersions are considered, and the phase separation behavior predicted is compared with available experimental and theoretical results.     

The viscoelasticity of spinnable solutions of alkyltrimethylammonium salicylates

The viscoelasticity has been measured for aqueous solutions of tetradecyl-and hexadecyltrimethylammonium salicylates (C₁₄TASal, C₁₆TASal). The aqueous solutions of C₁₄TASal without salt displayed the gel-like behavior at 10.0×10^–2 g cm^–3, but those more dilute than 3.2×10^–2 g cm^–3 presented the viscoelasticity similar to that of a Maxwell liquid. The Maxwell-like behavior was converted to the polymer-like one on the addition of (0.1–0.2) M NaBr or (0.02–0.2) M NaSal. The gel-like viscoelasticity can be connected with the spinnability of cohesive fracture failure, and the Maxwell-like and polymer-like viscoelasticities are concerned with the spinnability of ductile failure. The gel-like and Maxwell-like viscoelasticities originate in the pseudo-network formed by the pseudo-linkages between rodlike micelles, while the polymer-like viscoelasticity is caused by the entanglement of long rodlike micelles in semidilute and concentrated solutions. The aqueous solutions of C₁₆TASal behaved very similar to those of C₁₄TASal.     

Steady state kinetic equation for SO2 oxidation on vanadium catalysts

From the analysis of the detailed reaction mechanism and taking into account vanadium complex formation processes, a steady state kinetic equation has been derived to describe experimental data in a wide range of reaction conditions.

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, .

     

Thermal and photochemical stability of polystyrene and its blends with polyvinyl chloride

The influence of some irregularities in polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chains on their thermal stability was investigated. UV irradiation caused an increase in the content of these irregularities in the polymers. It was found that the presence of carbonyl groups and crosslinking of the polymer chains hamper the thermal dehydrochlorination of PVC and the total decomposition of both polymers. On the other hand, weak peroxy linkages (which facilitate degradation processes) and conjugated double bonds decrease the temperature of total decomposition of PS and PVC blends.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde der Einfluß von Unregmlmäßigkeiten in Polystyrol (PS)- und Polyvinylchlorid (PVC)-Ketten auf deren thermische Stabilität untersucht. UV-Bestrahlung verursacht ein Ansteigen des Gehaltes an Unregelmäßigkeiten in den Polymeren. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die Gegenwart von Carbonylgruppen und Querverbindungen der Polymerketten die thermische Dehydrochlorierung von PVC und eine vollständige Zersetzung beider Polymere verhindern. Andererseits senken Peroxidverknüpfungen (die die Degradierungsvorgänge erleichtern) und konjugierte Doppelbindungen die Temperatur für eine vollständige Zersetzung von PS und PVC Gemischen.

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. - . , . , , , .

     

Thermal and photochemical stability of polystyrene and its blends with polyvinyl chloride I.

The influence of a 1–20% content of PVC in PS films on their thermal stability was investigated. It was found that the thermal stabilities of these blends are higher than that of either of the two pure polymers. This indicated the mutual stabilizing effects of these polymers on each other. The effect is significant when the PVC content in the blends is 1–5%. A higher amount of PVC causes either no significant change or a lowering of the thermal stability. The miscibility of the polymer components in the blends clearly has an important influence on the course of the thermal processes.

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Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von 1–20% PVC in PS-Filmen auf deren thermische Stabilität wurde untersucht. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die thermische Stabilität dieser Gemische höher ist, als die der beiden reinen Polymere für sich. Dies verdeutlicht den gegenseitigen Stabilisierungseffekt der beiden Polymere. Zu einem signifikanten Effekt kommt es bei einem PVC Gehalt der Gemische von 1–5%. Ein höherer Gehalt an PVC führt entweder zu keiner signifikanten Veränderung oder zu einer Abnahme der thermischen Stabilität. Die Mischbarkeit der Polymerkomponenten des Gemisches verfügt eindeutig über einen wichtigen Einfluß auf den Ablauf der thermischen Prozesse.

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() 1 20%. , , . 1–5%. . .

     

Catalyst deactivation in toluene steam dealkylation

Two deactivation factors of Rh/-Al₂O₃ catalysts in toluene steam dealkylation are examined: deactivation during working and sulfur poisoning. Onstream deactivation is only due to coke deposit. Specific activity per free exposed fraction of the metal is constant. Sulfur is a strong non-selective poison which may hinder coke formation.

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Rh/-Al₂O₃ : . . . , .

     

Theory of ring formation in a reversible system: general solutions

The enumeration theory is extended in this work into a more general theory, taking back-reactions into consideration. The solutions may faithfully reproduce real processes from arbitrary starting points to a steady-state. Therefore, the presented theory includes the equilibrium theory by Jacobson-Stockmayer, the numerical solution by Gordon-Temple, and the irreversible theory by the present authors. The solutions are described first in general forms of transition probabilities {P}, and then explicitly with the aid of rate equations; simple proofs are given. The presented theory was applied to an experimental data: the distribution of cyclic species in poly(ethylene terephthalate). We shall show that agreement between theory and experiment is nearly perfect.AB model N ₀ Total number of units - V System volume - C ₀=N ₀/N _A ·V Initial concentration (N _A : Avogadro's number) - L _x AB type chain x-mer; (AB)_x - N _x Number of AB type x-mers - R _x Ring x-mer - N _Rx Number of ring x-mers - E Small molecule eliminated by bond-formation - N _E Number of small molecules eliminated by bond-formation - h _k Number of reacted functional units (f.u.) in statek - _k Number of reacted functional units (f.u.) in chains in statek - _k Total number of units in chains in statek - D=h _k /N ₀ Extent of reaction in statek - D ^*= _k / _k Extent of reaction in chains in statek - k _L Chain-propagation rate constant - k _Rx Cyclization rate constant of chain x-mers - k _B Bond breakage rate constant of chains - k _B,Rx Bond breakage rate constant of cyclic x-mers - <k _Rx > _k Mean cyclization rate constant in statek - g(x)=k _B,Rx /k _B Ring-opening factor of cyclic x-mers - P _Lx,k Probability that a chain x-mer will be formed in statek - {P} Set of transition probabilities per single jump in forward direction or reverse direction (see the text on individual transition probabilities) AB model M _A Total AA monomer unit number - M _B Total BB monomer unit number - M ₀=M _A +M _B Total particle number - _A,i =2M _A –h _i Unreacted A functional unit (f.u.) number in statei - _B,i =2M _B –h _i Unreacted B f.u. number in statei - _Ax Unreacted A f.u. number on x-mers - h _i Number of reacted A (or B) f.u. in statei - _i Number of reacted A (or B) f.u. in chains in statei - _A,i =2M _A –h _i + _i A f.u. number in chains in statei - _B,i =2M _B –h _i + _i B f.u. number in chains in statei - _i =2(M ₀–h _i + _i ) Total f.u. number in chains in statei - D=h _i /M ₀ Extent of reaction in statei - D _A ^* = _i / _A,i Extent of reaction of A f.u. in chains in statei - D _B ^* = _i / _B,i Extent of reaction of B f.u. in chains in statei - D ^*=2 _i / _i Extent of reaction in chains in statei - L _x (AA-BB)_x-1-AA type chain x-mer;x=1,2,3,... - L _x BB-(AA-BB)_x type chain x-mer;x=0,1,2,... - L _x (AA-BB)_x type chain x-mer;x=1,2,3,... - N _x Number of type x-mers - N _x Number of type x-mers - N _x Number of type x-mers     

Kinetics of isotope exchange of dioxygen with a powdered high-temperature superconducting material Ba2YCu3O7?x

It has been found that the rate of isotope exchange in Ba₂YCu₃O_7–x–O₂ system is high. Its kinetics is exponential, first order with respect to dioxygen and the exchange is of the mixed first/third type.

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Ba₂YCu₃O_7–x–O₂ . -, -, - .

     

Novel evidence for the selective behaviour of tungsten carbide in liquid phase heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation

Liquid (aqueous) phase catalytic hydrogenation of compounds containing two oxo-groups in -position (biacetyl, glyoxal, alloxan) was studied in the presence of tungsten carbide catalyst. It has been shown that only one of the oxo-groups is affected in the course of the process and is transformed into a >CH–OH group. Comparative studies carried out in the presence of platinum catalyst attest the selective behaviour of tungsten carbide.

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- - (, , ). , >C=O >CH–OH, . .

     

NO adsorption on tin(IV) oxide

The adsorption of NO on SnO₂ has been studied in the temperature range from 0 to 86°C, at pressures from 0.4 to 3.5 Torr. The adsorption isotherms are described by the Freundlich equation. The rate of adsorption obeys the Roginskii-Zeldovitch equation and decreases with increasing temperature. The reduction of SnO₂ with carbon monoxide results in a drop in the adsorption rate and in the amount of adsorbed NO.

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NO SnO₂ 0°–86°C 0,4–3,5 . . - . SnO₂ NO.