X-ray diffraction of the crystallinity of glycolysates derived from PET

Glycolysates coming from the chemical recycling of PET scraps are most often very crystalline compounds making them difficult to perform in further reactions like step growth polyaddition with diisocyanates to obtain polyurethanes. The glycolysis of PET was investigated using unusual reagents: polyesters based oligomers, bisphenol A, cycloaliphatic alcohol and aliphatic diols. The thermal properties of the glycolysates obtained were compared in terms of crystallinity with that of coming from the glycolysis with DEG. The crystallinity extents were calculated using X-ray diffraction. Surprisingly, the crystalline or non-crystalline nature of the reactants do not predict the morphology of the final glycolysates.     

拉曼光谱研究CaCl2和MgCl2对水结构的影响

测试了CaCl2、MgCl2溶液(浓度小于1.0 mol•L-1)的OH伸缩振动区域的拉曼光谱.对所得到的拉曼光谱进行了计算机去卷积处理,并由此计算了不同溶液中水的四面体结构的百分数.研究表明,CaCl2、MgCl2对水中四面体结构有破坏作用，且CaCl2的破坏作用比MgCl2大.与17O核磁共振结果对比与分析,认为CaCl2、MgCl2虽然破坏水中的四面体结构,但通过促进含氢键数少的水分子形成氢键,故从总体上促进水的缔合结构.     

A Raman microscopy study of stress transfer in high-performance epoxy composites reinforced with polyethylene fibers

Raman spectroscopy is shown to be a very powerful method for the study of stress transfer in epoxy composite materials reinforced with high-performance polyethylene (PE) fibers. We found that the stress transfer length as determined by Raman spectroscopy is substantially shorter for a plasma-treated fiber than for an untreated one. A shorter stress transfer length indicates stronger interactions between fiber and matrix. Furthermore, the stress transfer length was higher for a PE fiber/epoxy matrix cured at a higher temperature.     

Stoichiometry and conformation of the azacrown moiety in sodium complexes of azacrown ethers. A Raman/IR spectroscopic study. Part II: Complexes of 4,13-diaza-15-crown-5

4,13-Diaza-15-crown-5 and three of its sodium complexes (bromide, iodide and thiocyanate) were studied using Raman and IR spectroscopy and normal coordinate calculations, following the corresponding study on the sodium complexes of 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 in the preceding paper. Complex formation was again accompanied by a characteristic shift of the bands, especially of those in the 800–900 cm^–1 region. The complexes of 4-13-diaza-15-crown-5 were distinct from those of 4-13-diaza-18-crown-6, in that both of the bands at 830 and 890 cm^–1 of the parent azacrown were affected on complex formation and in that only the 11 complex was formed. Normal mode calculations were made to predict conformations of the azacrown ring of the parent 4,13-diaza-15-crown-5 and its sodium complexes. Attention was paid to the different extent of mismatch in size of a sodium ion and azacrown cavities.     

Kinetics of water sorption in flax and PET fibers

Composite materials are usually reinforced by synthetic fibers as carbon, glass etc…. Because of their good mechanical properties and low density, natural fibers are being considered more preferentially as reinforcement. The application of natural fibers as reinforcements in composite materials requires a strong adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. The poor resistance towards water absorption is one of the drawbacks of natural fibers which makes it more important to understand the dynamic properties of penetration of water molecules through these heterogeneous materials. Water vapour sorption kinetics in natural flax fibers have been performed at 25 °C by using an electronic microbalance (IGA, Hiden). By using the Fickian model for a complete cylinder water diffusion coefficients have been determined and calculated at short times (first half-sorption) and long times (second half-sorption) of kinetic curve and for different water activities. The values obtained for D₁ and D₂ are rather similar on the all range of water activity. Generally, water diffusivity increases and then decreases with water activity. The increase of diffusivity at low water activities may be explained on the basis of the dual mode sorption (Langmuir and Henry sorption’s combination) whereas the decrease for the higher activities can be attributed to the immobilization of sorbed water molecules due to the water clustering.     

Chair, boat and twist conformation of dodecamethylcyclohexasilane and undecamethylcyclohexasilane: a combined DFT and Raman spectroscopic study.

The conformations of dodecamethylcyclohexasilane Si6Me12 and undecamethylcyclohexasilane Si6Me11H have been investigated by ab initio calculations employing the B3LYP density functional with a 6-31+G(d) basis set. Local minima as well as transition structures were calculated with imposed symmetry constraints. For Si6Me12, three unique minima, which correspond to the chair, twist and boat conformations were located with relative zero-point-vibration-corrected energies of 0.0, 7.8 and 11.4 kJ mol(-1). A half-chair conformation with four coplanar silicon atoms connects the chair and twisted minima via an energy barrier of 16.0 and 8.2 kJ mol(-1), respectively. A second transition structure with a barrier of 3.9/0.3 kJ mol(-1) connects the twist with the boat structure. Solution Raman spectra of Si6(CH3)12 and Si6(CD3)12 fully corroborate these results. Below -40 degrees C, the symmetric SiSi ring breathing vibration is a single line, which develops a shoulder (originating from the twist conformer) at longer wavelengths whose intensity increases with increasing temperature. From a Van't Hoff plot, the chair/twist enthalpy difference is 6.6+/-1.5 kJ mol(-1) for Si6(CH3)12 and 6.0+/-1.5 kJ mol(-1) for Si6(CD3)12, which is in reasonable agreement with the ab initio results. Due to the low barrier, the boat conformation cannot be observed, because either the lowest torsional vibration level lies above it or a rapid interconversion between the twist and boat conformations occurs, resulting in averaged Raman spectra. For Si6Me11H, six local minima were located. The chair with the hydrogen atom in the axial position (axial chair) is the global minimum, followed by the equatorial chair (+1.9 kJ mol(-1)) and the three twist conformers (+5.3, +8.0 and +8.1 kJ mol(-1)). The highest local minimum (+11.9 kJ mol(-1)) is a C(s) symmetric boat with the hydrogen atom in the equatorial position. Two possible pathways for the chair-to-chair interconversion with barriers of 13.9 and 14.5 kJ mol(-1) have been investigated. The solution Raman spectra in the SiSi ring breathing region clearly show that below -50 degrees C only the axial and equatorial chairs are present, with an experimental deltaH-value of 0.46 kJ mol(-1). With increasing temperature a shoulder develops which is attributed to the combined twist conformers. The experimental deltaH-value is 6.9 kJ mol(-1), in good agreement with the ab initio results. Due to the low interconversion barriers, the various twist conformers cannot be detected separately.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of 1,2-benzenedithiol adsorbed on silver

Adsorption of 1,2-benzenedithiol (1,2-BDT) on a silver surface has been investigated by surface-enhanced Raman (SER) and reflection-absorption infrared (RAI) spectroscopy. The molecule was adsorbed on silver very favorably by forming two Ag---S bonds after deprotonation. From the RAI spectral pattern, the benzene ring of adsorbed 1,2-BDT was presumed to be tilted by ca. 38° from the surface normal. This RAI information was used to test the validity of various proposed SER selection rules. Being frequently quoted in the literature, the presence or absence of the benzene ring CH stretching vibration in the SER spectrum seemed, in fact, to be a very useful indicator in judging the perpendicular or parallel orientation of the benzene ring with respect to the surface. However, the so-called in-plane/out-of-plane dichotomy as well as the more elaborate symmetry-based electromagnetic selection rule was found not to work in the present system.     

The effect of chain extension on the thermal behaviour and crystallinity of reactive extruded recycled PET

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET) was chain extended with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) in a commercial size twin-screw reactive extrusion system. Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) was used to evaluate the effect of the chain extension process on the thermal transitions and crystallinity of R-PET. Reactive extruded recycled PET (RER-PET) samples were tested based on different PMDA concentration and reactive extrusion residence times. The glass transition temperature (T _g) did not show a significant change as a function of PMDA addition or the extrusion residence time. Melting temperature (T _m) and crystallisation temperature (T _c) decreased with increasing PMDA concentration and with increasing extrusion residence time. RER-PET samples showed double melting peaks, it is believed that different melting mechanism is the reason behind this phenomenon. The crystallinity of RER-PET samples is lower than that of R-PET. RER-PET samples at constant PMDA concentration showed a decrease in crystallinity with increasing extrusion residence time. Results suggest that the reactive extrusion process is more dependent on PMDA concentration rather than reactive extrusion process residence time.The first author would like to acknowledge Advanced Engineering Center for Manufacturing (AECM) and Visy Industries for their financial support to this study.     

Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopic study of unsaturated and saturated waxes

The application of Fourier-transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy to the non-destructive analysis of plant biomaterials, comprising ten different waxes, is illustrated in this work. All the wax specimens studied are multicomponent systems and comparison of the individual spectra was effected. This leads to a means of distinguishing the individual wax specimen using FT-Raman spectroscopy. The samples were not pre-treated before analysis and were used directly from their respective storage collections.     

变温红外法研究聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯分子链的松弛运动及其构象转变

在30～170 ℃范围内逐渐升温过程中,用红外光谱仪原位检测无定形聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（PET）薄膜红外光谱图的变化情况。通过特征谱带吸光度与温度的变化特点,研究了PET分子链在热变化过程中的松弛运动及冷结晶过程中分子链的构象变化。实验结果表明在冷结晶过程中,随PET结晶的不断完善,对应左右式(gauche)构象的吸收峰减弱,对应反式(trans)构象的吸收峰增强,并计算出CH2面外摇摆振动结晶前和结晶后反式构象和左右式构象的相对百分含量随温度的变化关系,以及玻璃化转变和冷结晶的温区范围。     

澳大利亚烟煤热解的拉曼光谱研究

采用拉曼光谱考察了澳大利亚烟煤在常压、温度为298~1 473 K条件下,不同热解气氛(Ar和N2)下的热解性能。结合AD/Aall、AG/Aall、WG以及PG-PD等表征参数分析发现,澳大利亚烟煤的热解可以分为三个阶段:298~873 K为固有小分子和大分子键能较弱处断裂分解产生的小分子化合物的析出沉积和挥发;873~1 273 K为大分子化合物裂解挥发和炭化;1 273~1 473 K为焦炭的石墨化。在N2和Ar气氛经1 473 K热处理后,焦炭的不同杂化结构的碳相对含量呈现明显差异。不同保温时间下,其煤焦碳结构演变趋势相似,但保温时间越长,越有利于小分子挥发分在较低温度的挥发。     

Electrospinning fabrication of partially crystalline bisphenol A polycarbonate nanofibers: Effects on conformation, crystallinity, and mechanical properties

The application of an electrostatic and centrifugal field (1800 rpm) in a novel electrospinning process was shown to improve the degree of uniaxial alignment in polymer nanofibers and to enhance orientational order in polymer chains, producing bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPAPC) nanofibers with superior mechanical properties. High-speed videography showed that the additional centrifugal field effectively removed electrical bending instability and promoted molecular orientation during the electrospinning process. Infrared spectroscopic (IR) characterization revealed that the fraction of trans–trans conformers in BPAPC nanofibers reached 67% under optimal electrospinning conditions (25 kV and 1800 rpm at 25 °C). Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD) assays showed that a degree of crystallinity of 6.5% could be achieved. Moreover, two crystal phases at angles of 2θ = 17.3° and 21.9° were produced in BPAPC nanofibers. The elastic modulus of BPAPC nanofibers with a crystallinity of 6.5% was 7.11 and 5.13 GPa, as measured via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindenter (NI) experiments, respectively. These results demonstrated that the mechanical behavior of BPAPC nanofibers could be improved by conducting the proposed electrospinning technique. Moreover, BPAPC nanofibers produced through the proposed method could be potentially applied for the reinforcement of composites.     

Raman spectroscopic study on classification of cervical cell specimens

Cervix-cancer is the third most common female cancer worldwide. Papanicolaou (Pap) test, a well-recognized screening tool, is labor intensive, time consuming and prone to subjective interpretations. Optical spectroscopic methods, sensitive to molecular changes are being pursued as potential diagnostics tool. In this study we have explored Raman spectroscopic approach to differentiate exfoliated cell pellets using 94 cervical cell specimens (45-normal and 49-abnormal specimens). Study was carried out by two approaches. In the first approach, spectral data from 37 cell specimens were acquired and analyzed by Principal Component-Linear Discriminant Analysis (PC-LDA), which yielded classification efficiencies of 86% and 84% for normal and abnormal specimens, respectively. Mean and difference spectra suggest presence of blood in abnormal specimen as a major cause of discrimination. However, as tumor is vascular, bleeding was observed during abnormal sample collection. Hence, spectra of abnormal specimens show heme and fibrin features, and this can lead to false interpretations, as bleeding also occur in several non-cancerous conditions. Therefore, remaining 57 specimens were treated with Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC) lysis buffer in order to remove the RBC influence. PC-LDA resulted classification efficiency of about 79% and 78% for normal and abnormal smear, respectively – comparable to Pap test. Thus finding of the study suggests feasibility of Raman spectroscopic classification of normal and cancerous exfoliated cervical cell specimens.     

A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral laueite

A laueite mineral sample from Lavra Da Ilha, Minas Gerais, Brazil has been studied by vibrational spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with EDX. Chemical formula calculated on the basis of semi-quantitative chemical analysis can be expressed as (Mn²⁺_0.85,Fe²⁺_0.10Mg_0.05)_∑1.00(Fe³⁺_1.90,Al_0.10)_∑2.00(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O.The laueite structure is based on an infinite chains of vertex-linked oxygen octahedra, with Fe³⁺ occupying the octahedral centers, the chain oriented parallel to the c-axis and linked by PO₄ groups. Consequentially not all phosphate units are identical. Two intense Raman bands observed at 980 and 1045 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₁ PO₄³⁻ symmetric stretching mode. Intense Raman bands are observed at 525 and 551 cm⁻¹ with a shoulder at 542 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₄ out of plane bending modes of the PO₄³⁻. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept of non-equivalent phosphate units in the structure. Intense Raman bands are observed at 3379 and 3478 cm⁻¹ and are attributed to the OH stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Intense broad infrared bands are observed. Vibrational spectroscopy enables subtle details of the molecular structure of laueite to be determined.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the morphological structure of the polyethylenes

The method described by Strobl and Hagedorn to analyze the Raman spectrum internal modes of semi-crystalline polyethylene has been applied to a set of selected polyethylene samples crystallized under controlled conditions. The crystallite structure can be described in terms of the relative amounts of the crystalline orthorhombic phase, the liquid-like amorphous phase and the interfacial region. The dependence of the level of crystallinity on molecular weight and crystallization conditions is very similar to that found by other methods. However, this method allows for the quantitative determination of the interfacial content which becomes significant for molecular weights greater than about 1×10⁵ for linear polyethylene fractions, and for all the branched samples and copolymers. The degree of crystallinity determined from density measurements is equal to the sum of the crystallinity and interfacial content obtained from the Raman analysis while enthalpy of fusion measurements yield values which are equal to just the crystallinity content. The difference between the level of crystallinity obtained from density and enthalpy of fusion is thus found to be primarily due to interfacial contributions.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F. H. Müller     

Raman spectroscopic study of Lactarius spores (Russulales, Fungi)

Fungi are important organisms in ecosystems, in industrial and pharmaceutical production and are valuable food sources as well. Classical identification is often time-consuming and specialistic. In this study, Raman spectroscopy is applied to the analysis of fungal spores of Lactarius, an economically and ecologically important genus of Basidiomycota. Raman spectra of spores of Lactarius controversus Pers.: Fr., Lactarius lacunarum (Romagn.) ex Hora, Lactarius quieticolor Romagn. and Lactarius quietus (Fr.: Fr.) Fr. are reported for the first time. The spectra of these species show large similarity. These spectra are studied and compared with the Raman spectra of reference substances known to occur in macrofungi, including saccharides, lipids and some minor compounds that may serve as specific biomarkers (adenine, ergosterol and glycine). Most Raman bands could be attributed to specific components. In agreement with the biological role of fungal spores, high amounts of lipids were observed, the main fatty acid being oleate. In addition to different types of lipids and phospholipids, the polysaccharides chitin and amylopectin could be detected as well. The presence of trehalose is not equivocally shown, due to overlapping bands. Raman band positions are reported for the observed bands of the different species and reference products.     

Raman spectroscopic study on the formation of an adduct of acetonitrile with formamide

Raman spectra of binary mixtures of acetonitrile (ACN) and formamide (FA) in different compositions were obtained. The appearance of a new band at 2257 cm⁻¹, whose intensity shows large dependence on the FA concentration, is assigned to a FA–ACN adduct. This has been possible owing to the two H-bond donor sites of FA and the strong donor character of ACN, becoming the environment propitious for the donor–acceptor reaction. Quantitative measurements performed in the CN stretching region in the binary mixtures give a 1:1 stoichiometry in this adduct in the limit of infinite dilution. In the N–H stretching region of FA, the band at 3270 cm⁻¹ is assigned to (FA–FA)_n interactions, via hydrogen bonding.

The experimental evidence of the 1:1 FA–ACN adduct is presented for the first time using Raman spectroscopy. The results described here open new possibilities to study this adduct and to evaluate thermodynamics parameters of interest.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the conformation of dicarboxylic acid salts in aqueous solutions

It is already known that the molecules of long chain monocarboxylic acid salts have a tendency to form micelles in aqueous solutions, the molecular chain taking the all-trans zigzag structure. However it is considered difficult for dicarboxylic acid salts to adopt the same structure as the monocarboxylic acid salts as they have two carboxyl groups, one on each end of the molecular chain. Therefore, a special structure is expected to exist for dicarboxylic acid salts in aqueous solution. In order to examine this, Raman spectra of suberic acid salt and azelaic acid salt in aqueous solution were measured and the normal vibrational calculation carried out, showing that dicarboxylic acid salts have a helical structure in aqueous solution.     

The effects of conformation and intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the structural and vibrational spectral data of naproxen molecule

The structural and vibrational properties of naproxen, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, were investigated by molecular modeling and experimental IR and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Possible conformers of the molecule were searched via a molecular dynamics simulation carried out with MM2 force field. The total energies, equilibrium geometries, force fields, IR and Raman spectral data of the found stable conformers were determined by means of geometry optimization and harmonic frequency calculations carried out using the B3LYP method and Pople-style basis sets of different size. The stability order obtained for the lowest-energy conformers was confirmed by high-accuracy thermochemistry calculations performed with G3MP2B3 composite method. Some electronic structure parameters of naproxen and the anharmonicity characters of its vibrational modes were determined by means of natural population analysis (NPA) and anharmonic frequency calculations at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory. A part of these calculations carried out for free naproxen molecule were repeated also for its energetically most favored dimer forms. Two different scaling procedures ((1) “SQM-FF methodology” and (2) “Dual scale factors”) were independently applied to the obtained harmonic vibrational spectral data to fit them to the corresponding experimental data. In the light of the obtained calculation results, which confirm the remarkable effects of conformation and intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the structural and vibrational spectral data, in particular, on those associated with the functional groups in the propanoic acid chain, a reliable assignment of the fundamental bands observed in the experimental IR and Raman spectra of the molecule was achieved.     

Raman spectroscopic study of a post-medieval wall painting in need of conservation

Raman spectroscopic studies of four specimens from an important angel wall painting in need of conservation work in a medieval church have provided some information about the pigments and pigment compositions which will influence possible future preservation and restoration strategies. Excitation of the Raman spectra at 1,064 nm in macroscopic mode and at 785 nm in microscopic mode revealed that the white pigment on the angel's wings was a mixture of barytes with calcite and lead white in minor composition. Although the specimens provided were not directly associated with coloured regions of the painting, yellow and blue microcrystals were found and they were identified as chrome yellow and lazurite, respectively. Red and brown particles were identified as cinnabar/vermilion and haematite. Several green particles were also found but could not be identified. The green and blue crystals could be related to neighbouring coloured regions of the artwork and the yellow colour could be identified as a background to the angel figure. Particles of carbon were found to be dispersed throughout the specimens and can be ascribed to soot from candles, heating stoves or oil lamps providing lighting in the church. No evidence for biological deterioration was found from the spectra. The unusual pigment palette is strongly suggestive of a later date of painting than was originally believed but there is a possibility that an earlier rendition exists underneath. Following a review of the spectroscopic data, a more extensive sampling protocol is recommended, from which some stratigraphic evidence could identify the underlying plaster and possible artwork.