Structure of w/o-microemulsion templated polymer networks

 The droplet phase of a water-in-oil microemulsion is used as a matrix to create amphiphilic polymer network structures from a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(isoprene)-poly(oxyethylene) triblock copolymer bearing polymerizable methacrylate end groups. Conductivity measurements and freeze fracture electron microscopy are used to obtain information about the structure of these gels. The droplet structure of the underlying microemulsion is only preserved for low droplet and polymer concentration. For higher concentrations the crosslinking reaction can induce the formation of a bicontinuous structure. Received: 6 January 1997 Accepted: 12 February 1997     

Phase behavior of the orange essential oil/sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate/water system

The ternary phase diagram for the orange essential oil (OEO)/sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water system was constructed at 25 °C. It indicates a large single phase region, comprising an isotropic water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion (ME) phase (L₂), a liquid crystal (LC) (lamellar or hexagonal) and a large unstable emulsion phase that separates in two phases of normal and reverse micelles (L₁ and L₂). In this communication the properties of the ME are investigated by viscosity, electric conductivity and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) indicating that the isotropic ME phase exhibits different behaviors depending on composition. At low water content low viscous “dry” surfactant structures are formed, whereas at higher water content higher viscous water droplets are formed. The experimental data allow the determination of the transition from “dry” to the water droplet structures within the L₂ phase. SAXS analyses have also been performed for selected LC samples.     

Study of water solubilized in AOT/n-decane/water microemulsions

The state of water in AOT-n-decane-water microemulsions has been studied by using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The existence of three kinds of water, which correspond to water populations with different degrees of organization, has been observed. Densities of these microemulsions have been measured. From these studies (FT-IR and densities), the apparent molar volumes of the different types of water molecules have been estimated. These apparent molar volumes, as well as their variations with respect to the composition of the microemulsion, depend on the type of water. The volume of the water bound to the ionic heads of the surfactant is lower than that for bulk water and shows a slight dependence on the molar ratio W. In contrast, no dependence on W is found for the volume of water trapped between the tails of the surfactant.     

Dodecanuclear water cluster in bowl: microwave-assisted synthesis of a heptanuclear cobalt(II) cluster

A heptanuclear double-bowl-like cluster [Co₇(mmp)₆(OH)₆]₂·(ClO₄)₂·12H₂O (1·12H₂O, Hmmp is 2-methoxy-6-methyliminomethyl-phenol) has been synthesized through the microwave-assisted reaction of Co(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (Hhmb) and methylamine in mixed solvent (acetonitrile : distilled water = 9 : 1) for 29 min. 1·12H₂O was heated until 180 °C and it formed a non-water complex [Co₇(mmp)₆(OH)₆]₂·(ClO₄)₂ (1). The core of 1·12H₂O can be described as a double bowl, while the dodecanuclear water cluster stands on the bowl. Magnetic investigations show that 1·12H₂O and 1 display ferromagnetic interaction between cobalt ions. Moreover, 1 shows single molecular magnet behavior under 2 K. Magnetic studies indicate that hydrogen bond plays a vital role in transferring magnetic exchange effects.     

Enhanced tungstate electrochromism via formation of transparent conductive networks

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanopowder was added to a polymer film containing WO₃ · H₂O particles to enhance electron conductivity and complimentary Li ion kinetics in an electrochromic device. Film conductivity increased dramatically with ITO content, suggesting the formation of conductive ITO networks in the film. The improved electron conductivity leads to a substantial increase of the effective Li⁺ ion diffusion coefficient in the composite film, from 10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁹ cm²/s. Electrochromic contrast studies revealed that the presence of the ITO networks leads to enhanced blue/green color contrast.     

单笼形水分子簇中心水分子对类型关系

随机产生单笼形水分子簇(H2O)n(n=8~36),经分类统计后发现,在笼形水分子簇中,其1221,1212,2121和2112四类氢键的个数与水分子和氢键总数之间有定量关系,且1212类氢键的个数与2121类的氢键始终相等.如果笼形水分子簇中某一类氢键数已知,则它的其余三类氢键的个数也随即确定.     

Poly(ethyleneimine) as reducing and stabilizing agent for the formation of gold nanoparticles in w/o microemulsions

This paper is focused on the use of branched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as reducing as well as stabilizing agent for the formation of gold nanoparticles in different media. The process of nanoparticle formation was investigated, in the absence of any other reducing agents, in microemulsion template phase in comparison to the nucleation process in aqueous polymer solution.

On the one hand, it was shown that the polyelectrolyte can be used for the controlled single-step synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles via a nucleation reaction and particles with an average diameter of 7.1 nm can be produced.

On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the polymer can also act as reducing and stabilizing agent in much more complex systems, i.e. in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion droplets. The reverse microemulsion droplets of the quaternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/toluene–pentanol (1:1)/water were successfully used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The polymer, incorporated in the droplets, exhibits reducing properties, adsorbs on the surface of the nanoparticles and prevents their aggregation. Consequently, nanoparticles of 8.6 nm can be redispersed after solvent evaporation without a change of their size.

Nevertheless, the polymer acts already as a “template” during the formation of the nanoparticles in water and in microemulsion, so that an additional template effect of the microemulsion is not observed.

The particle formation for both methods is checked by means of UV–vis spectroscopy and the particle size and size distribution are investigated via dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Structure formation and dynamics of water in strong external electric fields

We have performed molecular dynamics computer simulations of water in homogeneous external electric fields which were varied in a wide range of field strengths. The dielectric response is found to be linear up to fields E₀≈0.01 V/Å from where dielectric saturation effects become important. At fields of E₀≈3 V/Å a phase transition into an ordered, ice-like structure is observed, which is stabilized through hydrogen-bonds. With an increasing external electric field, the frequency spectrum of the water dynamics shows a remarkable red shift of the intramolecular modes and a blue shift of the librational motions, where the frequency varies quadratically with the field strength. A simple analytical model is discussed which reproduces the observed behavior.     

Influence of active sites distribution on CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> formation under model biofilms at the air/water interface

In an approach to understand the influence of structural parameters of interfaces on calcification in biomineralisation, the distribution of COOH groups as active sites in an inert matrix was varied using two-component lipid model monolayers. Octadecanoic acid (ODA) and octadecyl succinic acid (OSA), respectively, were the active components, and methyl octadecanoate (MOD) the inactive matrix. Surface pressure-area isotherms provide evidence for a different distribution of the active components in the matrix. Formation of solid calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with two-component monolayers on subphases containing aqueous CaCO₃ was observed in situ by Brewster angle microscopy, where CaCO₃ domains appear bright. Striking differences in kinetics and extent of CaCO₃ formation were observed between monolayers containing ODA and those containing OSA of the same average surface density of COOH groups.     

Structural connectivity and formation mechanism of monometallic cluster fullerenes YCN@Cn (n = 68–84)

Excited by the recently experimental reports of monometallic cluster fullerenes, we examined the electronic and geometrical properties of monometallic cluster fullerenes YCN@C_n with size from C₆₈ to C₈₄ by density functional theory and statistical thermodynamic calculations. The calculations demonstrate that the thermodynamically favored isomers of YCN@C_n are in good agreement with available experimental results. Morphology analysis shows that the lowest‐energy YCN@C_n species are structurally connected by C₂ insertion/extrusion and Stone–Wales rotation, which can be promoted under high temperature; enthalpy–entropy interplay can change the relative abundances of low‐energy isomers significantly at high temperature. All the results suggest that there is a structural evolution among these metallic cluster fullerenes in discharge condition, and thus, can rationalize their structural diversity in the soot and partly disclose their formation mechanism. The geometrical structures, electronic properties of these endohedral fullerene were discussed in detail.     

Possible mechanism of BN fullerene formation from a boron cluster: Density‐functional tight‐binding molecular dynamics simulations

We simulate the formation of a BN fullerene from an amorphous B cluster at 2000 K by quantum mechanical molecular dynamics based on the density‐functional tight‐binding method. We run 30 trajectories 200 ps in length, where N atoms are supplied around the target cluster, which is initially an amorphous B₃₆ cluster. Most of the incident N atoms are promptly incorporated into the target cluster to form B‐N‐B bridges or NB₃ pyramidal local substructures. BN fullerene formation is initiated by alternating BN ring condensation. Spontaneous atomic rearrangement and N₂ dissociation lead to the construction of an sp² single‐shelled structure, during which the BN cluster undergoes a transition from a liquid‐like to a solid‐like state. Continual atomic rearrangement and sporadic N₂ dissociation decrease the number of defective rings in the BN cluster and increase the number of six‐membered rings, forming a more regular shell structure. The number of four‐membered rings tends to remain constant, and contributes to more ordered isolated‐tetragon‐rule ring placement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

AOT-水-正庚烷微乳液中脂肪酶催化拆分消旋布洛芬的研究

以手性高效液相色谱分析法为检测手段,研究了AOT-水-正庚烷微乳液反应介质中,脂肪酶催化消旋布洛芬的不对称酯合成反应。结果表明,在此反应介质中,消旋布洛芬与正辛醇能顺利地进行酯合成反应,转化率达0．3613,产物为光学纯度很高的S-构型布洛芬辛酯,其对映体过量值为0．9732。微乳液中的含水量叫。值（水与表面活性剂的摩尔数比）及AOT浓度主要影响酯合成反应转化率,对产物对映体过量值没有太大的影响;不同链长的脂肪醇不仅影响酯合成反应速率及其对应的最佳ω0值,还影响产物的对映体过量值。     

Difference in formation of carbon cluster cations by laser ablation of graphene and graphene oxide

The distributions of positive carbon cluster ions produced by laser ablation of graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO) are found to be quite different. Under a typical experimental condition, narrow distributions of even‐numbered clusters from to were observed for G, and broad distributions including even‐numbered clusters from to and odd‐numbered clusters from to were observed for GO. The threshold of laser energy for G is lower than that of GO. Further results of collision‐activated dissociation mass spectrometry indicate that the cluster ions generated from G are structurally similar but are different with those generated from GO or nanodiamonds. It is proposed that the experimentally observed difference can be attributed to the different mechanisms behind the process. A top‐down mechanism including both direct transformation of G to fullerene and fragmentation of large‐sized fullerenes is suggested for the generation of carbon cluster cations in the process of laser ablation of G. For GO, the experimental results are close to those of nanodiamonds and other materials reported previously and can be explained by the generally accepted bottom‐up mechanism. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT cluster model of hydroperoxide activation intermediates in Ti-containing porous silicates

Various intermediates of hydroperoxide activation on Ti-containing microporous and mesoporous silicates were studied using the DFT cluster model approach. Lowering the coordination number of Ti(IV) ions in the matrix was found to destabilize the peroxide form =Ti(OO) and to hinder the formation of singlet dioxygen.     

Kinetics of hydrate formation using gas bubble suspended in water

An innovative experimental technique, which was devised to study the effects of temperature and pressure on the rate of hydrate formation at the surface of a gas bubble suspended in a stagnant water phase, was adapted in this work. Under such conditions, the hydrate-growth process is free from dynamic mass transfer factors. The rate of hydrate formation of methane and carbon dioxide has been systematically studied. The measured hydrate-growth data were correlated by using the molar Gibbs free energy as driving force. In the course of the experiments, some interesting surface phenomena were observed.     

Magnesium interference and different efficiencies of diastereoisomeric cluster formation in phenylalanine enantiomeric discrimination by the kinetic method

The kinetic method has been applied for determination of d-Phe/l-Phe enantiomeric ratio. Discrimination of enantiomers was inferred from product ion mass spectra of trimeric cluster ions containing the analyte (l,d-Phe), Cu²⁺ as a central metal and l-Trp as a chiral reference ligand. Unsatisfactory quantitative results achieved on an ion trap were rationalized by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The formation of Mg²⁺-containing cluster isobaric to trimeric cluster [Cu(l-Trp)₂Phe]⁺ was observed. Interference like this was identified as a possible reason for deterioration of quantitative low-resolution mass spectrometric analyses of real-world samples based on the kinetic method. Cation-exchanger was used for easy removal of magnesium from a sample and improvement of quantitation.Chiral dependence of formation of the Cu²⁺-containing trimeric cluster was also observed. Heterochiral diastereoisomeric ions were created less effectively.     

Glass transition and film formation of VeoVa/vinyl acetate latices; role of water and co-solvents

The physical forces causing deformation of latex particles during the film formation process have been witley studied. However, the forces resisting particle deformation are still poorly characterized. It is clear that the extent of particle deformation is dependent on the viscoelastic nature of the polymer. In an emulsion, the latex particles will normally contain water, surfactants and “free” monomers which lead to plasticization of the polymer. Although this effect has been recognized, so far it has been studied only on films that had been dried and then partially or completely swollen by water. In this work, plasticization of the emulsion polymers by water and co-solvent has been quantified via differential scanning calorimetry investigation directly on the aqueous latex dispersions. More specifically, the plasticizing effect of water on VeoVa/vinyl acetate copolymer latices and its influence on minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT) has been studied. A linear correlation has been found between T_g and MFFT for the wet latices. This new direct method should help to improve our understanding of the forces resisting latex film formation. Additionally, the homogeneous distribution of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers (VeoVa and vinyl acetate respectively) in the latex particles was verified via a ¹³C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) study performed directly on the latices. This study confirmed that no significant core/shell type of morphology had influenced latex film formation.     

Network formation of a phenyl vinyl ketone copolymer with 4-vinylbenzil and its photodecrosslinking in films

The irradiation (λ > 400 nm) in air of a copolymer of phenyl vinyl ketone with 4-vinylbenzil (VBZ) containing 1.5 wt % VBZ structural units in film, followed by the thermal decomposition of the resulting pendant benzoyl peroxide groups, leads to crosslinking. The subsequent irradiation of the crosslinked polymer at 366 nm results in the cleavage of the poly(phenyl vinyl ketone) chain between the junction points of the polymer network through a Norrish type II reaction. Therefore, poly(phenyl vinyl ketone-co-4-vinylbenzil) represents a novel type of photoresist based on polymer network decrosslinking. The process involves three steps: photogeneration of peroxide, crosslinking by its thermal decomposition, and subsequent photodecrosslinking of the polymer network. This material provides positive-tone images after UV exposure (λ > 330 nm) and development in an organic medium such as isopropyl methyl ketone. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 765–771, 2004