Preparation and properties of a novel waterborne fluorinated polyurethane–acrylate hybrid emulsion

The waterborne fluorinated polyurethane–acrylate hybrid emulsion (WFPUA) was prepared by two steps, including the preparation of the fluorinated alcohol blocked polyurethanes (FBPU) in the mixtures of vinyl monomers and fluorinated monomers and then the free radical polymerization after the pre-emulsification of the said system. The effects of hydrophilic monomer (MDEA) on the surfactivity and the emulsifiability of the FBPU were firstly reported. Then, the particle size (d), zeta potential (ζ), and viscosity (η) of the WFPUA hybrid emulsion were characterized, respectively. At the same time, the surface properties and the mechanical properties of the films were investigated. The results show that the increase of MDEA is good for the emulsifiability and the lower surface tension of the FBPU. This increase improves the stability, the ζ and η, yet decreases the d of the WFPUA emulsion. However, it has disadvantages to the hydrophobic performance of the WFPUA films. When the content of the MDEA in the WFPUA is increased from 4.67 to 14.89 %, the surface free energies are increased from 22.22 to 27.28 mJ m^?2 and the attenuation rate of the contact angle–time curve is increased from 0.3051° to 0.6290°/min. Also, with the increase of MDEA, the tensile strength and the shore hardness of the film are increased, but its elongation at break is decreased. The storage moduli of the film are enhanced remarkably. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperature of the soft segment [T_g(s)] is reduced and that of the hard segment [T_g(h)] is raised.     

Preparation and optical properties of sol–gel materials doped with coumarin molecules

New optical materials containing coumarin (3-(3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)propenoyl)-2H-chromen-2-one) in silica are reproducibly prepared by a sol–gel technique and characterized with UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopy. The incorporation of the coumarin molecules in the silica gels is monitored with UV/Vis spectroscopy. The coumarin doped gels change their color with time which is attributed to a protonation of the dimethylamino group of the coumarin molecules during aging of the gels and is proved by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The process of protonation of the dimethylamino group is described as a second order reaction. The luminescence spectra of the coumarin doped gels at room temperature also are given.     

Preparation and properties of waterborne polyurethane–urea anionomers—influences of the type of neutralizing agent and chain extender

Waterborne polyurethane–urea anionomers were prepared by polyaddition reaction using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMG, Mn=1000), dimethylolbutanoic acid (DMBA), and hydrazine monohydrate (HD), ethylene diamine (EDA), 1,4-butane diamine (BDA) as a chain extender, followed by neutralization of pendant COOH groups by NH₄OH/Cu(OH)₂ or triethylamine (TEA) as a neutralizing agent. The effects of the types of neutralizing agent such as NH₄OH/Cu(OH)₂ and TEA with various chain extenders on the properties of waterborne polyurethane–urea ionomers were investigated. Two loss modulus peaks for all samples are observed owing to the glass transition temperature of soft segments (Tg_s) and the glass transition temperature of hard segments (Tg_h). The conductivity, Tg_h, Tg, and tensile strength/modulus of TEA-based samples increased in the order of BDA>EDA>HD; however, those of NH₄OH/Cu(OH)₂-based samples increased in the order of HD>EDA>BDA. TEA-based film samples were found to have higher thermal stability, Tg_h, Tg, tensile strength/modulus, and storage modulus than NH₄OH/Cu(OH)₂-based ones at the same chain extender. On the other hand NH₄OH/Cu(OH)₂-based samples had higher conductivity and stronger antibacterial halo than TEA-based samples.     

Preparation and properties of VO2 thin films by a novel sol–gel process

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) thin films were fabricated using a simple and novel sol–gel process in which V₂O₅ was used as the vanadium source; oxalic acid was used as the reducing agent; and polyvinyl alcohol was used as the film former to control the viscosity of the VO₂ precursor solution and bond vanadium ions. The microstructure and surface morphology of VO₂ films were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that using polyvinyl alcohol forms porous nanostructure of VO₂ films with a uniform grain size of ~25 nm. The measured optical reflectance shows well-defined phase transition as observed by an increase of reflectance upon heating above the transition temperature from ~11 to ~30 % at 1,100 nm. Upon cooling, the expected hysteresis is observed.     

Preparation and properties of barium-ferrite-containing glass ceramic fibers via an electrospinning/sol–gel process

Barium-ferrite-containing glass ceramic fibers were successfully prepared by the combination of a sol–gel process and electrospinning technique using basic iron formate, barium acetate and boric acid as the starting materials. After leaching of barium borate matrix, pure phase BaFe₁₂O₁₉ fibers were obtained. The relationship of aged time and viscosity of the precursor solution was studied and the results showed that the viscosity corresponding to the spinnable state was 1–4 Pa s. The morphology, structure and magnetic properties of the obtained fibers were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis–differential scanning calorimetry, vibrating sample magnetometer. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that only the M-type Ba-ferrite and Ba-borate exist. The fibers had rough surface and hollow structure with the diameter no more than 1 μm. The fibers were composed of 40 nm BaFe₁₂O₁₉ nanoparticles embedded in the borate matrix. The coercivity and saturation magnetization of the synthesized fibers were 4,106.9 Oe and 17.8 emu/g, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of Ce-doped and Zr-doped sol–gel inks of titanium alkoxide

Inks of titanium diisopropoxide bisacetylacetonate ([(CH₃)₂CHO]₂Ti(C₅H₇O₂)₂) are suitable for the fabrication of photonic bandgap materials by direct ink writing (DIW). Using this method we are able to obtain micro-periodic titania (TiO₂) structures with high refractive index by calcining the structures built with those inks. Calcining at high temperatures causes titania grain growth and surface roughness of the structure, which has an influence over its optical properties. In order to inhibit the grain growth of titania nanocrystals when the structures are calcined, we have synthesized using the sol–gel technique titanium diisopropoxide bisacetylacetonate inks doped with Cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O) and Zirconyl nitrate hydrate (ZrO(NO₃)₂·xH₂O). The grain growth process of titania powders derived from the calcined doped sol–gel inks during various heat-treatment programs has been investigated by the X-ray line-broadening analysis. It was demonstrated how the dopants reduce the grain growth of the rutile phase after heat treatment. The influence of the dopants on the rheological behaviour of doped inks were studied and compared with the undoped. The flow and oscillation curves as a function of time demonstrate that doped inks have the same rheological behaviour than undoped inks. Thermogravimetric analysis also proves that doped inks keep the same mass loss after calcination than undoped inks. These results show how doped inks can be applied for DIW in the same conditions than undoped inks with a significant reduction of titania grain growth.     

Application of lateral sol–gel type crosslinking to a polyurethane copolymer

A triethoxysilyl (TES) group was attached to polyurethane (PU) as a side group through allophanate bonding. The PUs were crosslinked by a sol?Cgel reaction between the triethoxysilyl groups after acidic hydrolysis, and the tensile strength and shape memory properties were tested for a series of PUs with a different TES group contents. The tensile stress suddenly increased at a critical TES content level, and the tensile strain was rather increased with increasing stress. The shape recovery at 45?°C remained above 90?% for the entire range of TES group contents. The low temperature flexibility of the TES crosslinked PUs was better than that of the linear PU without crosslinking. The extraordinary characteristics of the sol?Cgel crosslinked PUs are discussed.     

Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline Ca-doped CeO2 by sol–gel process

The reactivity of CeO₂ is determined by grain size and oxygen vacancies, which can be achieved by doping elements with less oxidation state into CeO₂. In this study nanocrystalline Ca-doped CeO₂ sol was synthesized from the reaction of hydrate cerium (III) nitrate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate in alcohol solution after being calcined at 600?°C. X-ray diffraction as well as selected area electron diffraction gave evidence that the synthesized Ca-doped CeO₂ samples were well crystalline and had a cubic fluorite structure. TEM observation revealed that Ca-doped CeO₂ was composed by nanoparticles with grain size around 8?nm. The Raman spectrum of pure CeO₂ consists of a single triple degenerate F_2g model characteristic of the fluorite-like structure. In the Ca-doped CeO₂ sample, two additional low-intensity Raman bands were detected, thus confirming the formation of the solid solution. The synthesized nanometric powder is expected to be used in solid oxide fuel cells as well as in the catalytic treatment of automobile exhaust fumes.     

Preparation and characterization of anticorrosion Ormosil sol–gel coatings for aluminum alloy

Organically modified silicate (Ormosil) coatings have been synthesized through the sol–gel method for corrosion protection of aluminum alloy. Silica-based unmodified coatings were also designed to investigate the effect of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) content on the properties of the coatings. The surface morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by immersion test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. In addition, the surface potential differences of the coated samples were determined by scanning Kelvin probe. The results showed that a better corrosion resistance of unmodified coating was prepared by controlling the TEOS/EtOH/H₂O molar ratio of 0.109/1/1.52. Ormosil coatings provided excellent barrier properties and corrosion resistance in comparison with the unmodified sol–gel coatings. The Ormosil coating modified with triethoxyoctylsilane exhibited corrosion resistance properties superior to the other Ormosil coatings after exposure to 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 10 days.     

Synthesis and sol–gel assembly of nanophosphors

Some recent works made in our group on inorganic nanophosphors are briefly reviewed in this paper. We first present the synthesis of highly concentrated semiconductor quantum dot colloids allowing the extension of the well-known oxide sol–gel process to chalcogenide compounds. Secondly, we show the synthesis and the chemical functionalization of lanthanide-doped insulator nanoparticles. In particular, the annealing process of these particles at high temperature leads to highly bright nanocrystals, which can be used as biological luminescent labels or for integration in transparent luminescent coatings. Finally, we consider luminescent transition metal clusters, which combine the inorganic structure of nanoparticles with the monodispersity and the easy functionalization of the organic molecules. Emphasis is put on the original thermochromic luminescence properties of copper iodide clusters trapped in siloxane-based films.     

Surface properties of sol–gel treated thermally modified wood

The application of inorganic sol coating agents is a versatile method for wood surface functionalisation. However, the use of sols for the surface finishing of thermally modified wood (TMT) so far has not been investigated thoroughly. This paper reports on the surface properties of TMT treated with modified silica sols. The silica sols are modified with the inorganic colour pigment iron oxide red. Pigment distribution and height profiles of sol treated TMT are characterised by optical microscopy in 3D mode and by scanning electron microscopy. Selected evaluations are also repeated after artificial weathering of the coated wood specimens. Hydrophobic surface properties are determined using contact angle measurements. The coloration can be adjusted by the degree of pigmentation of the applied nanosol. Moreover, the water repellency of TMT is significantly enhanced by the sol treatment. Therefore, the application of pigment modified nanosols could lead to TMT with improved weathering stability and a wider coloration spectrum.     

Pyrolysis-controlled synthesis and magnetic properties of sol–gel electrospun nickel cobaltite nanostructures

Poly(chloropropyl-methyl)silsesquioxanes (PCMSQ) were prepared using the base catalyzed sol–gel processing on methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane (CPTES) with 5:5, 6:4, and 7:3 molar ratios in methanol and water. The PCMSQ with 6:4 molar ratio of MTMS:CPTES, which has the maximum yield, according to the elemental analysis, was chosen and some chlorine atoms of the chloropropyl groups were changed to different amines by refluxing it with ethylenediamine (en), diethylenetriamine (dien), ortho-phenylenediamine (opda), and 2-imidazolidinethion (imt). The amine grafted PCMSQ were then used to support MoO₂(acac)₂ complex and dien grafted PCMSQ with higher metal content was applied to the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with TBHP. The product yields were studied by gas liquid chromatography and the catalytic procedure was optimized for the parameters involved such as the solvent and oxidant. The catalytic activity of this catalyst also was investigated toward epoxidation of some other alkenes. It was also applied to check its reuse ability.

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In this research, micro-spherical poly-organo-silsesquioxane was prepared using the base catalyzed sol–gel processing of methyltrimethoxysilane and 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane with different molar ratios. The sample which has the maximum yield, was used to graft MoO₂(acac)₂ and for the successful anchoring, some chlorine atoms of the chloropropyl side groups were changed to amines. Then the prepared catalyst with higher molybdenum content was used for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene and some other alkenes with TBHP.

     

Physical and optical properties of organo-modified silica nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel

A comparative study on the physical and optical properties of silica nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel has been carried out. Post-modification of as-synthesized silica nanoparticles produced organo-functionalized silica nanoparticles slightly increased in size (~20%) and relatively high aggregation. However, in situ method produced sixfold bigger functionalized particles with good dispersion and less aggregation. Higher organic content was observed for in situ modified nanosilica, leading to a higher surface hydrophobicity that improved compatibility and dispersion in preparation of silica-polymer nanocomposite. Furthermore, in situ and post-modified nanosilica demonstrated a distinct optical activity, photoluminescence and UV compared to the unmodified nanoparticles.     

Preparation and methodology for chemical mapping of sol–gel thin films containing lysozyme

Sol–gels are seeing widespread interest as suitable materials for the immobilization of biomolecules in applications ranging from optical coatings to specialty biocatalysts. Although there are numerous studies that have characterized these materials in terms of their macroscopic properties, few studies have examined and correlated these properties at the microscopic level. This study describes a spin-coating technique for the preparation of aluminum-supported sol–gel thin films containing immobilized lysozyme [E.C. 3.2.1.17] that are suitable for chemical mapping using FTIR microscopy operating in reflectance mode. This type of information can then be used to understand a variety of aspects of these materials which can be used for optimal engineering of these materials, as well as insightful design and modeling. A data analysis method was developed to extract information on chemical speciation and domain information on the materials from FTIR data matrices. Results from these studies indicated that, contrary to what might be expected, these sol–gels are not homogeneous on the microscopic level. Instead, they are heterogeneous in both the distribution of lysozyme and hydrophobic monomers at the scale investigated (20 μm resolution). The method described here has promise in terms of providing a non-invasive approach of chemically mapping concentrations of proteinaceous and related substances as well as chemical domains in situ in sol–gel thin films.