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).     

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.     

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.     

Structure and interconversion of intermediates in pyridine-catalyzed mesylation reactions

The structure of intermediates of pyridine-catalyzed mesylation processes, i.e. sulfene and sulfonyl salts, and the ways of their interconversion have been studied by the joint use of semi-empirical MNDO approximation and methods of molecular mechanics. Calculation results agree well with the kinetic data.

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, : , . .

     

An Alternative Method of Introducing Fugacity

In current textbooks fugacity is introduced according to its differential or integral mathematical formulation. In this article an alternative method of explanation is offered. It is suggested that the real state of a pure gas can be described by comparing it to a hypothetical idealized state. The differences between these two states can then be expressed in terms of a function, , defined as (T,P) = _real(T,P) - _ideal(T,P) where _real and _ideal are the chemical potentials of the gas in its real and ideal states, respectively. The function is a molar excess quantity and is expressed as (T,P) = RT1n where is the fugacity coefficient. This approach introduces fugacity deductively through the function, which leads to , the fugacity coefficient. This method is also appropriate for introducing the activity of solution components and the fugacity of a real gas in gaseous mixtures.     

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.     

Geometric effects in methylcyclopentane hydrogenolysis on platinum catalysts

Methylcyclopentane hydrogenolysis was studied at 493 K over variously dispersed platinum catalysts. The relative contributions of the predominant hydrogenolysis mechanisms are correlated to the particle size in agreement with a simple geometric model.

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493 . .

     

Shear-induced deformation of polystyrene coils in dilute solution from small angle neutron scattering 2. Variation of shear gradient,molecular mass and solvent viscosity

The technique of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to study the conformation of polystyrene chains in dilute solution under a constant shear gradient. The experiments reveal a distinct anisotropy of the molecular dimensions with regard to the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction on the 2D-multidetector. The deformation ratio of the single polymer chain (R ²/R _iso ² )–1 as a function of the reduced shear gradient=([] · · M _w G)/RT shows a transition from the ideal ²-behaviour for dynamic infinitely flexible coils found at small gradients, to a behaviour with smaller increase at larger. These results are qualitatively consistent with the theory of Cerf for a polymer with finite internal viscosity in a shear gradient. At low(<1), a better agreement with the model of a free-draining coil (Rouse behaviour) than with the Zimm model is observed.     

Vapor phase oxidation of 2-methylpyridine on vanadyl polyphosphates

Vanadyl -and -polyphosphates in vapor phase oxidation of 2-methylpyridine show comparable activity and selectivity to the formation of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde as traditional vanadium-molybdeum oxide catalysts. A redox mechanism for the reaction of 2-methylpyridine oxidation on vanadyl polyphosphates is suggested with interaction between 2-methylpyridine and oxygen of the catalyst lattice as the rate-determining step.

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- - 2- -- . - 2- . - 2- .

     

On the nature of surface sites for heterolytic dissociation of hydrogen on Al2O3

A quantum-chemical analysis of the models for geminal OH groups of Al₂O₃ and of the processes of their dehydroxylation with further dissociative chemisorption of hydrogen has been carried out. Calculations were performed by the SCF MO LCAO method using STO-3G basis set in terms of the cluster approach.

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OH- Al₂O₃ . , STO-3G .

     

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.     

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).     

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.     

Polypeptides mixed monolayers: collapse mechanism

The mechanism of the collapse process of monolayers of poly-L-alanine and of its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate was studied at the water/air interface at temperatures of 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30 °C.From measurements of the collapse surface pressure as a function of molar ratios and from the determination of the collapse kinetics, as well as from ellipsometrical measurements of the thickness of the film, the complete solubility of the components, even in the collapsed phase, was deduced.Furthermore, activation energies and values ofG*,H*, andS* in relationship to the kinetics of this process were deduced; it was shown that this process is constituted of a first phase of nucleation and of a second phase of growth both for the poly-L-alanine alone and for its mixtures with poly--methyl-L-glutamate.     

Infrared spectroscopic studies of H2S adsorption on γ-Al2O3

IR spectra of H₂S adsorbed in various quantities on -Al₂O₃ have been studied. The method of spectral probes has been used to determine the extent of H₂S blocking of Lewis acid and basic centers.

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- , -Al₂O₃. .

     

Catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid by molecular oxygen in aqueous pyridine in the presence of Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ ions

In aqueous pyridine solutions, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ effectively catalyze the oxidation of ascorbic acid by molecular oxygen. A kinetic expression consistent with the experimental data is given and a possible mechanism proposed.

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- , , . , . .

     

The acceleration of decomposition of potassium persulfate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and polymer particles as a model of emulsion polymerization system

The decomposition rates of potassium persulfate (KPS) in aqueous solutions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) particles as models of emulsion polymerization systems were measured by isotachophoresis. Free SDS molecules dispersed in the monomolecular state had an ability to accelerate the KPS decomposition, but SDS molecules adsorbed onto the polymer particles did not accelerate it.Part CXX of the series of Studies on Suspension and Emulsion     

Dielectric properties of cleaned and monodisperse polystyrene latexes in microwaves

The dielectric behavior (, ) of three well-cleaned monodisperse polystyrene latexes having the same particle size and the same number of chemically-bound surface groups has been studied at a fixed microwave frequency (9.4 GHz), as a function of temperature and surface group (SO ₄ ^– , COO^–, OH).A large dielectric relaxation was observed in the sulfate-stabilized latex, which has the most polar surface end-group. The anomalous behavior in the thermal dependence of the hydroxyl and carboxyl-stabilized latexes (the OH latex being more pronounced than the COO^– latex) may originate from differences in the experimental conditions used for the preparation of such polymer colloids, or due to the presence of ionic species.On the basis of various dielectric models, the apparent volume fractions of the latexes were calculated. The amount of bound water around the latex particle was quantitatively correlated to the polarity of surface end-group (SO ₄ ^– > COO^– > OH). The differences between the calculated and actual values were not only a reflection of the thickness of vicinal water, but could also be indicative of the presence of oligomeric species in the suspension's medium (serum) of the latex. The permittivities of hydrated particle and of bound water were obtained with a non-linear iterative procedure.