Analysis of structure transition and compatibility of PTT/PC blend without transesterification

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate (PTT/PC) blends were prepared by solvent mixing to avoid transesterification during high temperature blending. The influences of compositions on the thermal behavior, crystallization morphology and structure of the blends were studied. FTIR results indicated that there was no COO linking to two phenyl groups on each side chain and DSC results supported no transesterification reaction. DSC curves showed that T _c and T _mc increased to maximum range when PC contents were between 7 wt%-15 wt%, however, T _m decreased constantly with the increase of PC contents. It was observed from POM that PTT spherulitic morphology and crystallization kinetics were obviously influenced by the change of PC contents. Structural evolutions during cooling were investigated by SAXS which showed L _c of PTT remained a constant with different PC contents and also fixed during crystallization, nevertheless, it revealed a maximum value of L _nc for sample PTT₉₃. It was concluded that PC chains could be permeated into not only amorphous crystallite structure but also amorphous lamellae structure and 7 wt% PC content was supposed to be the “proper” penetration amount into PTT lamellae structure which led to a maximum capacity of amorphous lamellar layer. Fringedmicelle crystal model was adopted to illustrate semi-crystalline physical structures of the blend in two kinds of component aggregation states.     

Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behavior of β-Nucleated Isotactic Polypropylene/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites with Different Melt Structures

In this study, the melt structure status of isotactic polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites (iPP/MWCNTs) nucleated with β-NA was tuned by changing the fusion temperature T _f . The non-isothermal crystallization behavior and subsequent melting behavior of the sample were studied in detail. The results showed that under different cooling rates (2, 5, 10, 20 and 40 deg/min), the crystallization temperature increased gradually with the decrease of T _f , meanwhile, when T _f was in the temperature range of 166–174°C where ordered structures survived in the melt (named Region II), the crystallization activation energy was significantly lower compared with the case T _f > 174°C or T _f < 166°C. On the subsequent melting curves, the occurrence of the melt structure can be observed at all the cooling rates studied; the location of the Region II was constant, which did not show dependency on the cooling rates; low cooling rate and relative low T _f within 166–174°C encouraged the formation of more β-phase triggered by melt structure.     

Fractionated and Confined Crystallization of Polybutene-1 in Immiscible Polypropylene/Polybutene-1 Blends

In this work,the crystallization of immiscible polypropylene(PP)/polybutene-1(PB)blends,in particular the effect of crystal morphology of PP(HTC,high Tm component)on the subsequent crystallization behavior of PB(LTC,low Tm component)was studied.Herein,we firstly indicated that PP/PB blends were not completely compatible but characterized as the LCST-like phase diagram above the melting temperature of PP.Crystallization of PP at different crystallization temperatures brought about different PP crystal morphologies and PB was segregated and confined at different locations.Much larger-sized domain of PB component appeared in PP spherulites resulting from the effects of non-negligible phase separation and the slower PP crystallization rate as PP crystallized at high temperature.As temperature continued to fall below Tm of PB,the fractionated and confined crystallization of PB occurred in the framework of PP spherulites,reflected by the decreased crystallization temperature(Tc)of PB and the formation of form I′beside form II.Notably,if PP previously crystallized at high Tc,fractionated crystallization of PB became predominant and confined crystallization of PB became weak due to the much wider droplet-size distribution of PB domains.     

Monoclinic Low-Temperature Polymorph of Cesium Nitrate

A new CsNO₃ polymorph with space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 4.5699(9) Å, b = 11.1871(10) Å, c = 9.1484(18) Å, β = 131.24(3)° has been prepared by crystallization from a mixture of water and DMSO. Flat triangles NO₃ are located in the (010) and (020) planes between the layers formed by coordination polyhedra of Cs atoms in the (040) plane. In contrast to the previously known low-temperature polymorph, the new modification is characterized by the crystal equivalence of all Cs and NO₃ groups.     

Effect of Ag addition on crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of As–Se chalcogenide glasses

Chalcogenide glasses of (As₅₀Se₅₀)_100?xAg_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 25) were prepared using the melt quenching technique under non-isothermal conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry curves measured at different heating rates (5 ≤ β ≤ 40 K min^?1) are used to characterize the as-quenched samples. The thermal stability was monitored through the calculation of the temperature difference T _c ? T _g, stability parameter S and crystallization rate factor K _p. The glass-forming ability (GFA) was investigated on the basis of Hurby parameter H _r which is a strong indicator of GFA. In addition, the activation energy of glass transition E _t, activation energy of crystallization E _c and Avrami exponent n of the studied compositions were determined. The mechanism of crystallization was found to be a combination of two- and three-dimensional crystal growth.     

Structure and properties of gel-spun ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers with high gel solution concentration

The gel-spun ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE) fibers were prepared at the industrial production line with different gel solution concentrations of 15 wt%, 18 wt% and 24 wt%. The difference in ultimate structure and mechanical properties of UHMWPE fibers for different gel solution concentrations were analyzed by tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD) and small angle X-ray scattering(SAXS). With the increase of gel solution concentration, the ultimate mechanical properties of UHMWPE fibers were decreased and the crystallization and orientation of UHMWPE fibers became inferior. Besides, both the average shish length(〈L _(shish)〉) and shish misorientation(B_φ) of UHMWPE fibers were decreased with the increase of gel solution concentration. In addition, the appropriate increase of spinning temperature led to the further optimization of the ultimate structure and mechanical properties of UHMWPE fibers.     

Crystal Chemistry Study of Two Magnesium Complexes with Trifluoroacetylacetone

Single crystal X-ray diffraction at a temperature of 150(2) K is used to determine the structures of two magnesium complexes with trifluoroacetylacetone: [Mg(tfac)₂]₃I and [Mg(H₂O)₂(tfac)₂]·H₂O II. Crystallographic data for I: space group P2₁/n, a = 12.5226(10) Å, b = 13.0591(7) Å, c = 12.6034(13) Å, β = 95.243(2)°, V = 2052.5(3) ų, Z = 2; for II: space group P2₁/c, a = 10.826(2) Å, b = 7.0742(13) Å, c = 21.858(4) Å, β = 102.712(5)°, V = 1632.9(5) ų, Z = 4. The isle structure of I is formed by linear trimeric molecules; in the structure of II the molecules of the complex and crystallization water form a layered framework using hydrogen bondings; the coordinated water molecules are in a trans position. The magnesium atoms have a distorted octahedral coordination environment, the Mg–O distances are 1.991(4)- 2.146(4) Å and 2.040(5)-2.073(5) Å in molecules of I and II respectively.     

Crystallization Behaviors and Regime Kinetics Analysis of Poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-lactide)-poly(butylene adipate)-poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-lactide) Based Multiblock Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Poly(L-lactide)-based (PLLA) poly(ester-urethane)s are particularly relevant and gain significant attention due to their environment-friendly degradability and elastomeric shape memory capability. The tensile properties, resilience and degradation are strongly affected by their crystallization. This work was to investigate crystallization behaviors of the poly(L-lactide)-poly(butylene adipate)-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PBAPLLA) based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (PLAEUs) we synthesized previously. Dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) in combination with Avrami, Jezioney and Hoffman-Weeks models were used to analyze the impact of the PLLA block length on the crystallization temperature T_c, degree of crystallinity X_c, nucleation and spherulite growth mode and crystallization regime kinetics of the PLAEUs. The results indicate the low melting point poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) block resides in the amorphous domains while the PLLA block resides in both crystalline and amorphous phases. The X_c of the PLAEUs increase with the increased length of the PLLA block (i.e. higher content of PLLA block). The analyses with Avrami and Jezioney models show the PLAEU copolymers follow a disc-like spherulite growth. The covalently bonded PBA block decreases both nucleation velocity and spherulite growth rate in the isothermal crystallization. Such an impact is lessened as PLLA block length increases. The PLLA homopolymers demonstrate crystallization regime transition from II to III at a certain T_c of isothermal crystallization, while the crystallization regime kinetics of PLLA block in the PLAEUs are explained by a single regime III at low molecular weights of PLLA and the transition is restored as the PLLA block length increases (i.e. regime II to III).     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and kinetics of thermal decomposition of the Zn(II) complex with vanillin

A complex [Zn(C₈H₇O₃)₂(H₂O)₂] (C₈H₈O₃ is vanillin) has been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction single-crystal analysis. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 22.236(8) Å, b = 10.594(2) Å, c = 7.8190(16) Å, α = 89.90(3)°, β = 106.87(4)°, γ = 89.99(3)°, V = 1762.6(8) ų, Z = 4, F(000) = 832, S = 1.079, ρ _c = 1.521g cm^?3, R = 0.0221, R _w = 0.0604, μ = 1.433 mm^?1. The Zn²⁺ ion is six-coordinated with a distorted octahedron geometry. The complex forms a three-dimensional network through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the complex for the second stage was studied under non-isothermal conditions by the TG and DTG methods. The kinetic equation can be expressed as dα/dt = Ae^?E/RT 2(1 ? α)[1 ? ln(1 ? α)]^1/2. The kinetic parameters (E, A), activation entropy ΔS ^≠, and activation free-energy ΔG ^≠ were also gained.     

Method for calculating the sizes of nucleation centers upon homogeneous crystallization from a supercooled liquid

An alternative approach to calculating critical sizes l_k of nucleation centers and work A_k of their formation upon crystallization from a supercooled melt by analyzing the variation in the Gibbs energy during the phase transformation is considered. Unlike the classical variant, it is proposed that the transformation entropy be associated not with melting temperature T_L but with temperature T < T_L at which the nucleation of crystals occurs. New equations for l_k and A_k are derived. Based on the results from calculating these quantities for a series of compounds, it is shown that this approach is unbiased and it is possible to eliminate known conflicts in analyzing these parameters in the classical interpretation.     

Two crystalline polymorphic forms of α-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzoxazolin-2-one)acetic acid

Two crystalline polymorphic forms of α-(N-benzoxazolin-2-one)acetic acid (BAA) are prepared by changing the temperature of its crystallization from solution in ethanol. Crystallographic data of the α-form are determined: a = 12.7769(17) Å, b = 8.2574(9) Å, c = 16.7390(19) Å, β = 105.087(13)°, space group C2/c, V = 1705.2(4) ų, and Z = 8, while those of β form are a = 5.2854(4) Å, b = 5.9880(4) Å, c = 13.4509(5) Å, β = 94.666(4)°, space group P2₁, V = 424.30(4) ų, and Z = 2. It is found that BAA molecules of the α form combine into infinite one-dimensional chains arranged along axis b by means of O?H···O and C?H···O hydrogen bonds, and these chains are crosslinked via C?H···O hydrogen bonds to form a threedimensional structure. The β form has another system of hydrogen bonds, one of which is bifurcated (O4···O2, O4···O3), and the π–π-interactions between the benzoxazolinone fragments of BAA molecules combined into a chain also arranged along axis b are observed. Calorimetric analysis shows that the polymorphic transition from the α form to the β form occurs at 129°C.     

New complex of Zn(II) with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate and 2-methylimidazolyl: Synthesis,structure, and luminescence properties

A new zinc(II) complex Zn(TMB)₂(2-MIM)(H₂O)₂ (I), where HTMB is 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, 2-MIM is 2-methylimidazole, was synthesized and characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and photoluminescence spectrum. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c) with the unit cell parameters: a = 18.104(9), b = 8.509(4), c = 17.688(9) Å, β = 103.185(9)°, Z = 4, R ₁ = 0.0740 and wR ₂ = 0.1790. At room temperature the photoluminescence spectrum of complex I in the solid state exhibits maximum excitation at 314 nm and maximum emission at 337 nm.     

Synthesis and structure investigation of Co(III) complex salts with the perrhenate anion

Complex salts of the composition [Co(NH₃)₆](ReO₄)₃·2H₂O (I), [Co(en)₃](ReO₄)₃ (II), [Co(NH₃)₅H₂O](ReO₄)₃·2H₂O (III), and [Co(NH₃)₅Cl](ReO₄)₂·0.5H₂O (IV) are obtained. Their crystal structures are determined by single crystal XRD. Crystallographic characteristics: (I) a = 9.9797(3) Å, b = 12.6994(3) Å, c = 14.7415(4) Å, β = 102.870(1)°, C2/c space group; (II) a = 8.0615(3) Å, b = 8.4483(4) Å c = 8.8267(4) Å, α = 61.923(2)°, β = 89.552(2)°, γ = 72.295(2)°, P1 space group; (III) a = 8.0086(4) Å, b = 12.9839(6) Å, c = 17.5122(7) Å, β=91.858(1)°, P2₁/n space group; (IV) a = 14.9446(3) Å, b = 14.6562(4) Å, c = 12.2434(4) Å, Cmc2₁ space group.     

Preparation and properties of physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels with good mechanical strength

To correct the defects of hydrophobic association hydrogels(HA-gels), new physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels(hybrid HA-gels) were prepared by radical copolymerization of acrylamide(AM), octylphenol polyoxyethylene(n) acrylate(OPn AC, n stands for the number of ethoxy group, and is 10 and 21) and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide(MBA). On the basis of the statistical molecular theory of rubber elastic, the Mooney-Rivlin model and using the tensile true stress(σ_true) tested at room temperature, the number of network strands per unit volume(υ_0) and the number-average molar mass of a network strand(M_c) were evaluated for hybrid HA-gels. For the hydrogels, the effect of the content of MBA and OP10 AC on their tensile mechanical properties was studied by using υ_0 and M_c; also, the effect of the compositions and temperature on their swelling behavior in distilled water was discussed in detail. In addition, hybrid HA-gels including a small quantity of MBA possessed the capabilities of secondary self-healing and remolding. In contrast with HA-gels prepared by the same compositions besides MBA, hybrid HA-gels showed good mechanical strength and long-term thermal stability in distilled water in the range of 25 to 80 °C. Furthermore, hybrid HA-gels also avoided the self-deswelling behavior of HA-gels. The results show that the application fields of HA-gels will be greatly broadened after introducing a chemical cross-linking network.     

Synthesis,structural phase transition,and characterization of potassium hydrogen bis-dichloroacetate

Potassium hydrogen bis-dichloroacetate (1) was synthesized and separated as crystals. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement reveals that this compound undergoes a reversible phase transition at about 259 K with a heat hysteresis of 23.5 K. Dielectric anomaly observed at 260 K in the heating process further confirms the phase transition. The room temperature X-ray single-crystal structure determination indicates that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with a centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c, and cell parameters are a =?6.240(1), b =?23.177(4), c =?7.335(1) Å, β =?106.938(1)°, V =?1014.8(3) ų, and Z =?4. In the low temperature phase, 1 also crystallizes in monolinic with space group P2₁/c, and cell parameters are a =?6.180(1), b =?22.988(2), c =?7.200(1) Å, β =?108.098(1)°, V =?972.4(1) ų, and Z =?4. The structural phase transition is dominating caused by the torsion of bond angles.     

The solubility and kinetics of decomposition of ozone in aqueous solutions of nitrates

The influence of the concentration of NaNO₃ on the solubility of ozone in water was studied at 20, 30, and 40°C. The solubility coefficients of ozone were calculated, and the Henry constants and Sechenov coefficients determined. The Sechenov coefficients (K _c ) were found to decrease insignificantly as the temperature increased. The kinetics of dissolved O₃ transformations was analyzed. The decomposition of ozone was described by a pseudofirst-order equation with respect to salt concentration. The rate constant (k _c ) for the decomposition of ozone in the presence of NaNO₃ was found to be 3.5 × 10^?4 l mol^?1 s^?1.     

Crystal structures of two new dinuclear Ag(I) complexes constructed from 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid and N-containing ligands

The reaction of silver 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate with 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) and 2-amino-5-methylpyridine (AMP) respectively results in the formation of two dinuclear silver(I) complexes: [Ag₂(DAP)₂](BPC)·2H₂O (1) and [Ag₂(BPC)(AMP)₄]·2H₂O (2), where BPC is 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate. The complexes are characterized by elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, P-1 space group, a = 8.585(2) Å, b = 8.849(2) Å, c = 9.890(3) Å, α = 107.893(3)°, β = 94.139(3)°, γ = 113.202(3)°, V = 640.9(3) ų, Z = 1. Complex 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, P-1 space group, a = 11.818(3) Å, b = 13.132(4) Å, c = 13.281(4) Å, α = 92.571(4)°, β = 96.425(3)°, γ = 102.142(4)°, V = 1997.5(10) ų, Z = 2. Complex 1 consists of a macrocyclic dinuclear silver(I) dication, a 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate anion, and two water molecules of crystallization. Each Ag atom is in a linear coordination. Complex 2 consists of a dinuclear silver(I) complex molecule and two water molecules of crystallization. Each Ag atom is in a T-shaped coordination. The Ag...Ag separations are 5.127(2) Å in 1 and 3.172(2) Å in 2.     

Phase equilibria in the BaS–Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

In the BaS–Ga₂S₃ system, the following compounds form: congruently melting compound BaGa₄S₇ (rhombic system, space group Pmn2₁, a = 1.477 nm, b = 0.624 nm, c = 0.593 nm, and T_melt = 1490 K) and incongruently melting compounds BaGa₂S₄ (cubic system, space group Pa3, a = 1.2661 nm, and Tmelt = 1370 K), Ba₂Ga₂S₅ (monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 1.529, b = 1.479, c = 0.858 nm, ß = 106.04°, and T_melt = 1150 K), Ba₃Ga₂S₆ (monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 0.909 nm, b = 1.448 nm, c = 0.903 nm, ß = 91.81°, and T_melt = 1190 K), Ba₄Ga₂S₇ (monoclinic system, space group P2₁/m, a = 1.177 nm, b = 0.716 nm, c = 0.903 nm, ß = 108.32°, and T_melt = 1230 K), and Ba₅Ga₂S₈ (rhombic system, space group Cmca, a = 2.249 nm, b = 1.215 nm, c = 1.189 nm, and T_melt = 1480 K). The compositions of eutectics are 38 and 72 mol % Ga₂S₃, and their melting points are 1120 and 1160 K, respectively. The BaS solubility in γ-Ga₂S₃ at 1070 K reaches 3 mol %.     

Synthesis and study of potassium peroxypentafluorotantalate monohydrate

Potassium peroxypentafluorotantalate monohydrate K₂TaO₂F₅ · H₂O was synthesized by the introduction of hydrogen peroxide and potassium chloride into highly pure tantalum-containing fluoride solutions at 70°C followed by cooling of the mixture to room temperature at a rate of 10–15 K/h. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that K₂TaO₂F₅ · H₂O crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with the following unit cell parameters: a = 8.965(2) Å, b = 8.966(2) Å, c = 9.257(2) Å, β = 99.78(3) °, Z = 4, V _{unit cell} = 733.3(5) ų, ρ_calcd = 3.681 g/cm³, FW = 404.13, space group C ₂ ³ = C2(5). The thermolysis of K₂TaO₂F₅ · H₂O was studied at 160–1000°C, and the phases formed under specified conditions were determined.     

Crystal structure of KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>5</Subscript> and KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Br<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The KPb₂Cl₅ and KPb₂Br₅ crystals are monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a microtwinned structure. X-ray analysis of chloride resulted in the parameters a = 8.854(2) Å, b = 7.927(2) Å, c = 12.485(3) Å; β = 90.05(3)°, d_calc = 4.78(1) g/cm³ (STOE STADI4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 80°), R₁ = 0.0702 for 4094 F ≥ 4 σ(F) reflections. For bromide, a = 9.256(2) Å, b = 8.365(2) Å, c = 13.025(3) Å; β = 90.00(3)°, d_calc = 5.62(1) g/cm³ (Bruker P4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 70°), R₁ = 0.0692 for 3076 F ≥ 4 (F) reflections.