Biphenylene units possessing flammable and nonflammable characteristics in fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomeric silica gel matrices after calcination at 800 °C

Two kinds of fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomer [R_F-(VM) _n -R_F] silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units were prepared by the sol-gel reactions of the corresponding oligomer with biphenylene-bridged ethoxysilanes or 4,4′-biphenol under alkaline conditions, respectively. One is the fluorinated oligomer/silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units [R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Ar-SiO ₂ ], of whose biphenylene units were incorporated into nanocomposite cores through the siloxane bondings, and the other is the fluorinated oligomer/silica nanocomposites containing biphenylene units [R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Biphenol], of whose biphenylene units were directly encapsulated into nanocomposite cores through the sol–gel process. Interestingly, the shape of R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Ar-SiO ₂ nanocomposites is morphologically controlled cubic particles; although the shape of R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Biphenol nanocomposites is spherically fine particles. Thermogravimetric analyses ²H magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, Ultraviolet visible, and fluorescent spectra showed that biphenylene units in R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Ar-SiO ₂ nanocomposites have a flammable characteristic after calcinations at 800 °C; in contrast, biphenylene units in R_F-(VM-SiO₂) _n –R_F/Biphenol nanocomposites have a nonflammable characteristic even after calcination at 800 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of these two kinds of fluorinated nanocomposites showed that nonflammable characteristic toward biphenylene units in the silica gel matrices is due to the formation of ammonium hexafluorosilicate during the sol–gel process.     

Low molecular weight aromatic compounds possessing nonflammable and flammable characteristics in calcium fluoride nanocomposite matrices after calcination at 800 °C

Calcium chloride reacted with potassium fluoride in the presence of low molecular weight aromatic compounds (ArH) such as bisphenol AF, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, biphenyl, and 1-(2-naphthyl)ethanol under alkaline conditions to afford new calcium fluoride/ArH composites. Dynamic light scattering and field emission scanning electron micrographs measurements show that these calcium fluoride/ArH composites are nanometer size-controlled fine particles and have a good dispersibility and stability in water, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichloroethane, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and 2-propanol. Interestingly, aromatic compounds possessing acidic hydroxyl groups in the calcium fluoride nanocomposites were found to exhibit a nonflammable characteristic even after calcination at 800 °C, although the corresponding aromatic compounds possessing neither acidic hydroxyl groups nor hydroxyl groups in the nanocomposites exhibited a usual flammable characteristic under similar conditions. In contrast, calcium fluoride/ArH nanocomposites, which were prepared under no catalytic conditions, afforded a clear weight loss corresponding to the contents of ArH in the composites to exhibit a usual flammable characteristic.

Preparation of polystyrene/silica nanocomposites by radical copolymerization of styrene with silica macromonomer

A two-stage process has been developed to generate the silica-based macromonomer through surface-modification of silica with polymerizable vinyl groups. The silica surfaces were treated with excess 2,4-toluene diisocynate (TDI), after which the residual isocyanate groups were converted into polymerizable vinyl groups by reaction with hydroxypropylacrylate (HPA). Thus, polystyrene/silica nanocomposites were prepared by conventional radical copolymerization of styrene with silica macromonomer. The main effecting factors, such as ratios of styrene to the macromonomer, together with polymerization time on the copolymerization were studied in detail. FTIR, DSC and TGA were utilized to characterize the nanocomposites. Experimental results revealed that the silica nanoparticles act as cross-linking points in the polystytene/silica nanocomposites, and the glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites are higher than that of the corresponding pure polystyrene. The glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites increased with the increasing of silica contents, which were further ascertained by DSC.     

Studies on morphology of polyaniline films formed at liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interfaces at 25 and 5 °C,respectively, and effect of doping

It is well accepted that the morphology of the nanomaterials has great effect on the properties and hence their applications. Therefore, morphology of materials has become a focus of research in the scientific world. The present study shows that interfacial polymerization and subsequent self-assembly provides a control over the morphology, nanorod/nanosheet, of polyaniline (PANI) films synthesized by liquid–liquid interface reaction technique and solid–liquid interface reaction technique. The synthesized PANI films and its particulate structure are characterized by using various spectroscopic techniques such as UV–visible, ATR-IR, Raman and XPS. The study confirmed the formation, the structure, the size and shape of particles and morphology of PANI by using analytical techniques namely, SAED, SEM and TEM. An important observation is that doping with HCl significantly improves the nanorod formation at the interface. The doped PANI electrode exhibits a higher area with rectangular shape in CV cycle and better cycle stability when compared with the performance of undoped PANI films. We believe that the results of these studies can give valuable leads to manoeuvre formation of PANI films with desired morphology for various applications.

Preparation and characterization of film-forming raspberry-like polymer/silica nanocomposites via soap-free emulsion polymerization and the sol–gel process

Herein, we report on the synthesis of film-forming poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)/SiO₂ [P(St-BA-AA)/SiO₂] nanocomposites by in situ formation of SiO₂ nanoparticles from TEOS via sol–gel process in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-functionalized poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) [P(St-BA)] particles fabricated by soap-free emulsion polymerization. The formed silica particles could be absorbed by polyacrylate chains on the surface of PAA-functionalized P(St-BA) particles; thus, raspberry-like polymer/silica nanocomposites would be obtained. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectrum, ultraviolet–visible transmittance spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the resulting composites. The results showed that the hybrid polymer/silica had a raspberry-like structure with silica nanoparticles anchored on the surface of polymer microspheres. The thermal, fire retardant, and mechanical properties and water resistance of the film were improved by incorporating silica nanoparticles, while the optical transmittance was seldom affected due to nanosized silica particles uniformly dispersed in the film.

The kinetics of lithium transport through a composite electrode made of mesocarbon-microbeads heat-treated at 800 °C investigated by current transient analysis

Lithium transport through a mesocarbon-microbeads composite electrode was investigated in a 1 M LiPF₆ solution in ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate (1:1 by vol%) using a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and a potentiostatic current transient technique. From analysis of the anodic current transient it is recognized that when the potential step is small enough for the lithium extraction potential to be below the transition potential, the lithium concentration is not fixed at the electrode surface, but the change in surface concentration with time is determined by the "cell-impedance-controlled" boundary condition. In contrast, when the potential step is large enough for the lithium extraction potential to be above the transition potential, the "real potentiostatic" boundary condition is then established at the electrode surface. Moreover, a "quasi-current plateau" was observed in a certain anodic current transient. This experimental result was theoretically analysed, based upon the modified McNabb-Foster equation as a governing equation. This strongly indicates that the difference in activation energies for lithium deintercalation between the different lithium deintercalation sites existing within the electrode accounts for the different kinetics of lithium transport between the different sites. Electronic Publication     

Liquid–liquid equilibria of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and sodium citrate/tartrate/acetate aqueous two-phase systems at 298.15 K: Experiment and correlation

Binodal curves of the aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF₄) + sodium citrate (Na₃C₆H₅O₇), [Bmim]BF₄ + sodium tartrate (Na₂C₄H₄O₆) and [Bmim]BF₄ + sodium acetate (NaC₂H₃O₂) systems have been determined experimentally at 298.15 K. The Merchuk equation was used to correlate the binodal data. The effective excluded volume (EEV) values obtained from the binodal model for these three systems were determined. The binodal curves and EEV both indicate that the salting-out abilities of the three salts follow the order: Na₃C₆H₅O₇ > Na₂C₄H₄O₆ > NaC₂H₃O₂. The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data were obtained by density determination and binodal curves correlation of these systems. Othmer–Tobias and Bancraft, and Setschenow equations were used for the correlation of the tie-line data. Good agreement was obtained with the experimental tie-line data with both models.     

Liquid–liquid equilibria of alkane (C10/C12/C14)+1,4-diisopropylbenzene+sulfolane at 323.15, 348.15 and 373.15 K

Tie line data have been determined at 323.15, 348.15 and 373.15 K for the ternary liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) of alkane (C10/C12/C14)+1,4-diisopropylbenzene+sulfolane systems. The addition of 1,4-diisopropylbenzene to sulfolane is found to increase the solubility of alkanes in the order of n-decane>n-dodecane>n-tetradecane and the relative mutual solubility of 1,4-diisopropylbenzene is higher in n-decane+sulfolane than in n-dodecane+sulfolane or n-tetradecane+sulfolane mixtures. The tie line data were correlated with the well-known UNIQUAC and NRTL models. The calculated equilibrium mole fractions based on the UNIQUAC model are better than those based on the NRTL model. The values of selectivity and distribution coefficient were derived from the equilibrium data.     

An SFG/DFG investigation of CN− adsorption at an Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ionic liquid

In this paper we report an SFG/DFG investigation of the adsorption of CN^? – used as a probe molecule to study the electrochemical double-layer structure – at a polycrystalline Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([BMP][TFSA]) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). The adsorption of CN^? yielded single SFG and DFG bands in the range from ca. 2125 to 2135 cm^?1, exhibiting a Stark tuning of ca. 3 cm^?1 V^?1. Vibrational resonances – corresponding to modes of the RTIL coadsorbed with CN^?, were found in the range from ca. 1200 to 1500 cm^?1. The study of the double-layer structure was complemented by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, from which the differential double-layer capacity (C_DL) was estimated.     

Synthesis and characteristics of nanostructured Li(Co1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathode material prepared at 0 °C

Special synthetic conditions at 0 °C were used to prepare nanostructured Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ via chemical coprecipitation synthesis. The precursor preparation shows platelet shape with thickness of 10 nm and width of 100 nm. After calcination, the particles change to spherical or rectangle shape with a size of 100~200 nm. The nanostructured Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ shows a well-ordered layered hexagonal lattice with low cation mixing. Galvanostatic testing showed good electrochemical properties and high rate capability, which may be due to its unique morphological and structural characteristics. Synthesis at 0 °C effectively prevented growth of the precursor particles and produced nanosize Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂, which gave improvement in high rate performance and favoring the future use of this cathode material for high power applications.     

Three-layer structure graphene/mesoporous silica composites incorporated with C8-modified interior pore-walls for residue analysis of glucocorticoids in milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Three-layer structure graphene/mesoporous silica composites incorporated with C8-modified interior pore-walls (graphene@mSiO₂-C8) were prepared and applied for efficient extraction of glucocorticoid residuals in milk followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis. The graphene@mSiO₂-C8 nanocomposites were synthesized by coating C8-modified mesoporous silica onto hydrophilic graphene nanosheets through a simple surfactant-mediated co-condensation sol–gel process. The obtained nanosheets possess unique properties of large surface area (632 m²/g), extended plate-like morphology in the exterior surface, highly open pore structure with uniform pore size (2.8 nm), numerous C8-modified interior pore-walls, as well as good water dispersibility. The performance of the prepared graphene@mSiO₂-C8 materials for extracting small hydrophobic molecules directly from complex protein-rich samples was evaluated by analysis of glucocorticoids in milk. Extraction conditions such as sorbents amount, type and volume of eluting solvent, time of adsorption and desorption were investigated and optimized to achieve the best efficiency. Method validations including linearity, recovery, repeatability, and limit of detection (LOD) were also studied. The results indicated that this methodology provided low LOD (S/N = 3, 0.0075–0.03 ng mL⁻¹) and good linearity (0.03–60 ng mL⁻¹, R² > 0.996) for glucocorticoids. Satisfactory reusability and stability were also obtained during the extraction. Finally, the graphene@mSiO₂-C8 composites were successfully applied to the extraction and residue analysis of glucocorticoids in real milk samples. The experimental results showed that this novel approach offered an attractive choice for convenient, efficient and rapid solid-phase extraction of targeted hydrophobic compounds in biological samples.     

In situ electrochemical SFG/DFG study of CN⁻ and nitrile adsorption at au from 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ionic liquid([BMP][TFSA]) containing 4-{2-[1-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl]diazenyl} benzonitrile (CTDB) and K[Au(CN)₂

In this paper we report an in situ electrochemical Sum-/Difference Frequency Generation (SFG/DFG) spectroscopy investigation of the adsorption of nitrile and CN? from the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([BMP][TFSA]) containing 4-{2-[1-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl]-diazenyl}benzonitrile (CTDB) at Au electrodes in the absence and in the presence of the Au-electrodeposition process from K[Au(CN)?]. The adsorption of nitrile and its coadsorption with CN? resulting either from the cathodic decomposition of the dye or from ligand release from the Au(I) cyanocomplex yield potential-dependent single or double SFG bands in the range 2,125-2,140 cm?1, exhibiting Stark tuning values of ca. 3 and 1 cm?1 V?1 in the absence and presence of electrodeposition, respectively. The low Stark tuning found during electrodeposition correlates with the cathodic inhibiting effect of CTDB, giving rise to its levelling properties. The essential insensitivity of the other DFG parameters to the electrodeposition process is due to the growth of smooth Au.