Rheology of polystyrene solutions around the coil overlapping concentration: A phenomenological description of stresses in simple shear flow

Linear viscoelasticity behavior is described with the sum of two terms for polystyrene solutions in tricresyl phosphate around the coil overlapping concentration (K. Osaki, T. Inoue, & T. Uematsu, J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 2001, 39, 211). One is a Rouse–Zimm (RZ) term represented by the Zimm theory with arbitrarily chosen values of the hydrodynamic interaction parameter and the longest relaxation time (τ_RZ). The other (the L term) consists of a relaxation mode with a single relaxation time (τ_L > τ_RZ) and a high‐frequency limiting modulus proportional to the square of the concentration. In this study, we describe the viscosity (η) and first normal stress coefficient (Ψ₁) in steady shear with simple formulas. The stress due to the L term is assumed to be given by a Kaye, Bernstein, Kearsley, and Zapas (K‐BKZ) equation with the damping function h(γ) = (1 + 0.2γ²)^?1/2, where γ is the magnitude of shear. Contributions to η and Ψ₁ from the RZ term are derived from the RZ model, in which the relaxation time in steady flow is given by τ_st = τ + (τ_RZ ? τ)/(1 + 0.35τ_RZ γ˙) instead of τ_RZ. Here, γ˙ is the rate of shear, and τ is the τ_RZ value at the infinite dilution limit. η and Ψ₁ at various concentrations for two polystyrene samples (with molecular weights of 2890 and 8420 kg mol^?1) are well described with parameters derived from dynamic viscoelasticity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1038–1045, 2002     

Fractionation and characterization of a protein–polysaccharide complex from Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotia

A water‐soluble sample (TM4b), extracted from sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium, was analyzed using elemental analysis, one‐ and two‐dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The results indicated that TM4b was protein–polysaccharide complex, and the polysaccharide moiety was hyperbranched β‐D ‐glucan with residuals branched at C3, C2, C4, and C6 positions. A preparative size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) column combined with nonsolvent addition method was used to fractionate TM4b, and nine fractions were obtained. Solution properties of TM4b in 0.15 M aqueous NaCl were studied using static laser light scattering and viscometry at 25 °C. The dependences of intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and radius of gyration (〈S²〉) on weight–average molecular weight (M_w) for TM4b in the M_w range from 1.89 × 10⁴ to 2.58 × 10⁶ were found to be [η] = 0.21M and 〈S²〉 = 3.63M. It indicated that TM4b existed as compact sphere conformation in the aqueous solution. Atomic force microscopy image further confirmed that the TM4b molecules exhibited globular shape in the solution. This work gave valuable information on fractionation and chain conformation characterization of the globular protein–polysaccharide complex. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2546–2554, 2007     

Study of free volume and crystallinity in polybithiophene and poly(3-methylthiophene)

Compressed pellets of partly crystalline, chemically synthesized, doped (Cl^? and FeCl) polybithiophene (PBTd), poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MTd), and their neutral (dedoped) forms (PBTn and P3MTn) were studied by wide-angle x-ray diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. As synthesized, PBTd and P3MTd polymers have a helical syn conformation they crystallize in the hexagonal system. On dedoping, PBT macromolecules change their helical syn conformation in a rodlike anti conformation and crystallize in the orthorhombic or monoclinic system, whereas P3MT macromolecules retain their helical syn conformation. Chemical doping–dedoping cycles lead to amorphous PBT and P3MT in either doped or dedoped states. The P3MT helical macromolecule behaves like a spiral spring; by doping, it becomes axially compressed. The unit-cell volume of P3MTd is smaller than that of P3MTn. The positron lifetime spectra for all polymers were resolved, without constraint, into three components. The τ₁ lifetime is attributed to free-positron annihilation events, the τ₂ lifetime to positrons annihilating trapped in voids, and the τ₃ lifetime to positrons annihilating as o-Ps trapped in cavities located inside the polymer grains for P3MTn and at the surface of the grains for PBTd, PBTn, and P3MTd. Most positrons annihilate when trapped in voids, both in doped and dedoped PBT and P3MT. The doping apparently increases the concentration of the voids and their mean diameter in P3MT, and probably also in PBT. Cavities anchored in the bulk are produced by dedoping. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Darstellung,Kristallstruktur und Schwingungsspektren von (n-Bu4N)2[(Mo6I)(NCS)]

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Spectra of (n-Bu₄N)₂[(Mo₆I)(NCS)] By treatment of [(Mo₆I)I]^2– with (SCN)₂ in dichloromethane at –20 °C the hexaisothiocyanato cluster anion [(Mo₆I)(NCS)]^2– is formed. The X-ray structure determination of (n-Bu₄N)₂[(Mo₆I)(NCS)] · 2 Me₂CO (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 13.168(5), b = 11.964(5), c = 24.636(5) Å, β = 104.960(5)°, Z = 2) shows, that the thiocyanate groups are coordinated exclusively via N atoms with Mo–N bond lengths of 2.141–2.150 Å, Mo–N–C angles of 166–178° and N–C–S-angles of 174–180°. The vibrational spectra exhibit characteristic innerligand vibrations at 2073–2054 (ν_CN), 846–844 (ν_CS) and 480–462 cm^–1 (δ_NCS).     

Positron annihilation and differential scanning calorimetry studies of polyacrylamide and poly(dimethylacrylamide)/poly(ethylene glycol) blends

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed for blends of polyacrylamide (PAM) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and blends of poly(dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAM) and PEG. The samples were prepared by codissolution in a concentration range of 0–100 wt % PEG. The thermal behavior, characterized by DSC measurements, showed similar variations of the glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) with the PEG concentration for the two systems. Pure PAM and PDMAM presented T_g's of 188 and 111 °C, respectively. A relatively small and nearly linearly decreasing T_g was observed for the two systems in the range of 20–80 wt % PEG. PEG crystals were present in all blend compositions, and no melting point depression was observed. The thermal results pointed to the partial miscibility of the blends. The degree of crystallinity of PEG increased with increasing PEG concentration for the PDMAM/PEG systems. The ortho‐positronium lifetime (τ₃) increased with increasing PEG concentration for both blends. However, the parameter of the ortho‐positronium formation probability (I₃) decreased with the PEG concentration. The product τI₃, which was proportional to the total free volume fraction, was approximately constant with the PEG concentration for PDMAM blends and increased with the PEG concentration for PAM systems. This result may be interpreted as a consequence of a more heterogeneous structure in PAM blends. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of blends with 40 and 80 wt % PEG provided evidence of the regions associated with PEG crystallites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1493–1500, 2003     

Spin probe mobility in relation to free volume and relaxation dynamics of glass‐formers: A series of spin probes in poly(isobutylene)

We present the dynamics of a series of three paramagnetic molecules of different volume, mass, and shape in amorphous glass‐forming polymer poly(isobutylene) (PIB) as investigated by means of electron spin resonance (ESR) technique. The reorientation behavior of spin probes is related to the ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) annihilation in PIB from positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and the extracted free volume information. It is also related to the dynamic data of PIB from broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), neutron scattering (NS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy from literature. In the case of the smallest spin probe, 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), a discontinuous course of the spectral parameter 2A_zz′ versus T dependence was observed and the subsequent phenomenological model‐free analyses of the spectral parameter, 2A_zz′ versus T, as well as of the correlation time, τ_c, versus 1/T plots provided the characteristic ESR temperatures ( , T_50G, ) and (T, T, T). These characteristic ESR temperatures were found to be consistent with the characteristic PALS temperatures: T, T = T from temperature dependences of the mean o‐Ps lifetime, τ₃, or the width of o‐Ps lifetime distribution, σ₃, respectively. In addition, the relationships between the spin probe size, V, and the free volume hole size distributions g_n(V_h) at the characteristic ESR temperatures indicate the significant influence of the free volume fluctuation at the crossover from slow to rapid regime as well as within the rapid motional regime. On the other hand, the two larger spin probes exhibit a rather continuous 2A_zz′–T plots with the respective T_50G's lying in the vicinity of T independently of their volume, mass and shape, suggesting the common origin of underlying process controlling this T_50G transition. Finally, these mutual PALS and ESR findings were compared with the known dynamic behavior of PIB which suggest that the dynamics of the TEMPO and the larger spin probes are related to free volume fluctuation associated with primary α ‐ and secondary β processes, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1058–1068, 2009     

A new proposal for polymer dynamics in steady shearing flows

Beginning with a recently proposed expression for the drag force on a single macromolecule pulled with constant velocity through a fluid of long‐entangled molecules (V. R. Mhetar and L. A. Archer, Macromolecules 1998, 31, 6639), we investigate the effect of entanglement loss on polymer dynamics in steady shearing flows. At steady‐state, a balance between the elastic restoring force and viscous drag acting on entangled polymer segments reveals a critical molecular strain γ_m,c beyond which the drag force exerted on polymer molecules by their neighbors is insufficient to support arbitrarily small orientation angles. Specifically, we find that in fast steady shear flows τ < γ˙ < τ, polymer orientation in the shear plane approaches a limiting angle χ_c ≈ atau(1/(1 + γ_m,c)) beyond which flow becomes incapable of producing further molecular alignment. Shear flow experiments using a series of concentrated polystyrene/diethyl phthalate solutions with fixed entanglement spacing, but variable polymer molecular weight 0.94 × 10⁶ ≤ M_w ≤ 5.48 × 10⁶, reveal a limiting steady‐state orientation angle between 6° and 9° over a range of shear rates; confirming the theoretical result. Orientation angle undershoots observed during start‐up of fast steady shearing flows are also explained in terms of a transient imbalance of elastic restoring force and viscous drag on oriented polymer molecules. Our findings suggest that the Doi–Edwards affine orientation tensor (Q) is not universal, but rather depends on deformation type and deformation history through a balance of elastic force and viscous drag on polymer molecules. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 222–233, 2000     

Critical behavior of brittle‐ductile transition of polymers

We report that the brittle‐ductile transition of polymers induced by temperature exhibits critical behavior. When t close to 0, the critical surface to surface interparticle distance (ID_c) follows the scaling law: ID_c ∝ t^?v, where t = 1 ? T/T (T and T are the test temperature and brittle‐ductile transition temperature of matrix polymer, respectively) and v = 2/D. It is clear that the scaling exponent v only depends on dimension (D). For 2, 3, and 4 dimension, v = 1, 2/3, and 1/2 respectively. The result indicates that the ID_c follows the same scaling law as that of the correlation length (ξ), when t approach to zero. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 766–769, 2008     

Primary radical termination and unimolecular termination in the heterogeneous polymerization of acrylamide initiated by a fluorinated azo‐derivative initiator: A kinetic study

Acrylamide was polymerized in acetonitrile at 82 °C with a perfluorinated azo‐derivative initiator. The polymerization proceeded heterogeneously. Varying amounts of initiator and monomer were used. The activation energy was deduced from three experiments carried out at 59, 71, and 82 °C. The following kinetic law, deviating a great deal from the classical law, was obtained: R ∼ [I₂][M](0.05% < [I₂]_o/[M]_o < 1.00%) and R ∼ [I₂][M](1% < [I₂]_o/[M]_o < 7%). These results can be interpreted in light of the contribution of primary radical termination and the emergence of occlusion. The development of a new kinetic relationship allowed us to confirm the existence of both of these termination reactions. The calculation of the k_prt /k_i · k_p ratio was also achieved. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1834–1843, 2000     

New simple method of measuring the surface glass transition temperature of polymers

A lap‐shear joint mechanical testing method has been probed to measure the surface glass transition temperature (T) of the thick bulk films of high‐molecular‐weight polymers. As T, the temperature transition “occurrence of autoadhesion–nonoccurrence of autoadhesion” has been proposed. The influence of chain flexibility, of molecular architecture, of polymer morphology, and of chain ends concentration on the T has been investigated. The correlation between the reduction in T with respect to the glass transition temperature of the bulk (T) and the intensity of the intermolecular interaction in the polymer bulk in amorphous polymers has been found. The effect of surface roughness on T has been discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 2012–2021, 2010     

A fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic study of the surface hydrolysis of polythiazyl

The hydrolysis of (SN)_x, in air at room temperature and 90% relative humidity has been studied using the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) method. Decomposition gave rise to strong bands at 3210 and 3150 cm^–1 [v₃ and v₁ (NH)], 1420 cm^–1 (v_b NH), 1220 cm^–1 (S?O), 1089 and 610 cm^–1 [v₁ and v₃ (SO)]. For the first 3 days, the decay of the 808 and 690 cm^–1 bands of (SN)_x was first order, with a half life of about 30 h. The spectroscopic data were consistent with the rapid formation of ? SO₂? NH₂ and ?S?NH chain end groups with subsequent relatively slow hydrolysis to (NH₄)₂SO₄, sulfur, and fresh hydrolysable chain ends.     

Thermodynamic analysis of polymer‐solid adhesion: Sticker and receptor group effects

Adhesion of dense linear polymer chains containing a small number of randomly distributed sticker groups (?_X) to a solid substrate containing receptor groups (?_Y) has been analyzed by a single‐chain scaling approach. An entanglement sink probability (ESP) model motivated by vector percolation explains the nonmonotonic influences of sticker concentration (?_X), receptor concentration (?_Y), and their interaction strength (χ) on the adhesion strength G_IC of the polymer‐solid interface. The ESP model quantifies the degree of interdigitation between adsorbed and neighboring chains on the basis of the adsorbed chain domain with an extension of the scaling treatment of de Gennes. Here, the adsorbed chain domain changes thermodynamically with respect to the energy of interaction parameter, r = χ?_X?_Y. This model considers the situation of a blend consisting of a small volume fraction of adhesive molecules as a compatibilizer at the interface, where these molecules promote adhesion by adsorbing to the surface via sticker‐receptor interactions. The percolation model scales solely with r = χ?_X?_Y, and this parameter can be related to both the adhesive potential (G_A) and the cohesive potential (G_C). G_A describes adhesive failure between adsorbed chains and the solid surface and linearly behaves as G_A ～ r = χ?_X?_Y. The cohesive strength between adsorbed and neighboring chains corresponds to G_C ～ r^?0.5～?1.0 = (χ?_X?_Y)^?0.5～?1.0. When the fracture stresses for cohesive and adhesive failure are equal, the model predicts maximum adhesion strength at an optimal value of r* = (χ?_X?_Y)*. Thus, for a given χ value, optimal values ? and ? exist for the sticker and receptor groups, above or below which the fracture energy will not be optimized. Alternatively, if the X‐Y interaction strength χ increases, then the number of sticker groups required to achieve the optimum strength decreases. Significantly, the optimum strength is not obtained when the surface is completely covered with receptor groups (?_Y = 1) but is closer to 30%. For polybutadiene, the optimum value of r* was determined experimentally (Lee, I.; Wool, R. P. J Adhesion 2001, 75, 299), and typically ? ≈ 1–3%, ? ≈ 25–30%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2343–2353, 2002     

Characterization of poly(silylenemethylene)s by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. I.

Amorphous and crystalline poly(silylenemethylene)s with the repeating PhRSiCH₂ (R : Me or Ph) units were characterized by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to gain insights into the molecular motions of these polymers. The temperature dependence of the ortho-positronium lifetime (τ₃) and intensity (I₃) was examined from 50 to 470 K for each sample. The glass transition temperature of each polymer was easily distinguished by a change in the slope of τ₃ spectrum. Both polymers exhibited a steep drop of I₃ at 130–140 K being probably assignable to the transition arising from the motions of phenyl groups, which was almost undetectable by means of differential scanning calorimetry or dynamic mechanical analysis. Several other transitions of these polymers detected by PALS are also discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 755–761, 1998     

Nonlinear rheology of highly entangled polymer solutions in start‐up and steady shear flow

Orientation angle and stress‐relaxation dynamics of entangled polystyrene (PS)/diethyl phthalate solutions were investigated in steady and step shear flows. Concentrated (19 vol %) solutions of 0.995, 1.81, and 3.84 million molecular weight (MW) PS and a semidilute (6.4 vol %) solution of 20.6 million MW PS were used to study the effects of entanglement loss on dynamics. A phase‐modulated flow birefringence apparatus was developed to facilitate measurements of time‐dependent changes in optical equivalents of shear stress (n₁₂ ≈ Cσ) and first normal stress differences (n₁ = n₁₁ ? n₂₂ ≈ CN₁) in a planar‐Couette shear‐flow geometry. Flow birefringence results were supplemented with cone‐and‐plate mechanical rheometry measurements to extend the range of shear rates over which entangled polymer dynamics are studied. In slow (τ > ) steady shear‐flow experiments using the ultrahigh MW polymer sample (20.6 × 10⁶ MW PS), steady‐state n₁₂ and n₁ results manifest unusual power‐law dependencies on shear rate [n_12,ss ～ ^0.4 and n_1,ss ～ ^0.8]. At shear rates in the range τ < < τ, steady‐state orientation angles χ_SS are found to be nearly independent of shear rate for all but the most weakly entangled materials investigated. For solutions containing the highest MW PS, an approximate plateau orientation angle χ_p in the range 20–24° is observed; χ_p values ranging from 14 to 16° are found for the other materials. In the start‐up of fast steady shear flow (γ˙ ≥ τ), transient undershoots in orientation angle are also reported. The molecular origins of these observations were examined with the help of a tube model theory that accommodates changes in polymer entanglement density during flow. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2275–2289, 2001     

Phase behavior and crystallization analysis in binary crystalline blends of syndiotactic polypropylene and ethylene—Propylene random copolymer

The effects of liquid–liquid (L–L) phase separation on the crystallization behavior of binary syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) and ethylene–propylene random copolymer (PEP) mixtures are examined by phase‐contrast microscopy (PCM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and cloud point measurements. The PCM experiments reveal that blends of sPP and PEP exhibit a lower critical solution temperature behavior in the melt. The L–L phase diagram, constructed in terms of temperature (T) and composition by cloud point measurements, follows the prediction of the Flory–Huggins theory with the interaction parameter between sPP and PEP [χ(T) = 0.01153 ? 4.5738/T (K)]. When the blends are melted within the two liquid‐phase (α and β) regions, because of the fact that each phase domain reaches the equilibrium concentration ? and ? as well as the phase volume fraction ν^α and ν^β, the crystallinity of each component obeys the equation X_C,I = ν^α X + ν^β X, I = PEP, sPP. Also, the equilibrium melting temperatures of both components remain constants, slightly lower than those of neat polymers. For the sPP/PEP blends crystallized from one homogeneous phase in the melt, we observe that the crystallizability of the major component is not greatly affected upon blending. However, the crystallization behavior of the minority component in the presence of the major component is strongly dependent on the crystallization temperature (T_c). When T_c is high, because the decreasing degree of the minority mobility is much greater than the increasing degree of the formed nuclei, the crystallizability of the minor component is depressed significantly. On the other hand, the promotion of the minority crystallizability in the intermediate regime of T_c is mainly because of the large increase of the heterogeneous nuclei upon blending with a major component. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2995–3005, 2004     

Ortho‐positronium lifetime distribution analyzed with MELT and LT and free volume in poly(ε‐caprolactone) during glass transition,melting, and crystallization

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used to study the free volume behavior in the temperature range between 100 and 370 K in semicrystalline poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). For the analysis of the spectra we used the well‐known routine MELT as well as the new program LT8.0, which allows both discrete and log‐normal distributed annihilation rates. From experiments, confirmed by the analysis of simulated spectra, we found that MELT returns too large values for the o‐Ps lifetime τ₃ associated with too small intensities I₃. This is due to the underestimation of the width of o‐Ps lifetime distribution in MELT (the spectra analyzed contained 3 million counts). The same effects were observed in the parameters obtained from the discrete term analysis. LT, however, returns, when allowing the o‐Ps lifetime to be distributed, rather accurate values for τ₃, I₃, and the width (standard deviation σ₃) of the o‐Ps lifetime distribution. The effect of the glass transition, melting, and crystallization on the annihilation parameters was observed. These results were compared with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) experiments. From this comparison, the number density of holes and the fractional free (hole) volume have been estimated. At a “knee” temperature T_k ≈ 1.5 T_g, a leveling off of the o‐Ps lifetime τ₃ and a distinct decrease in the width, σ₃, of its distribution was observed; the latter effect was detected for the first time. Fast motional processes and/or the disappearance of the dynamic heterogeneity of the glass and the transition to a homogeneous liquid are discussed as possible reasons for these effects. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3077–3088, 2003     

Electrochemical synthesis of PEDOT derivatives bearing imidazolium‐ionic liquid moieties

Novel poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymers bearing imidazolium‐ionic liquid moieties were synthesized by electrochemical polymerizations. For this purpose, new functional monomers were synthesized having an 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) unit and an imidazolium‐ionic liquid with different anions such as tetrafluoroborate (BF), bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide ((CF₃SO₂)₂N^?), and hexafluorophosphate (PF). Next, polymer films were obtained by electrochemical synthesis in dicholoromethane solutions. Obtained polymers were characterized, revealing the characteristics of PEDOT in terms of electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties, FTIR, ¹H NMR, and AFM microscopy. Interestingly, the hydrophobic character of electropolymerized films could be modified depending on the anion type. The hydrophobicity followed the trend PF > (CF₃SO₂)₂N^? > BF > pure PEDOT as determined by water contact angle measurements. Furthermore, the polymers could be dissolved in a range of polar organic solvents such as dimethylformamide, propylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide making these polymers interesting candidates for wet processing methods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3010–3021, 2009     

Proof of the Existence of a Linear,Centrosymmetric Polyiodide Ion I: the crystal structure of Cu(NH3)4 I4

Tetrammine-copper(II)-tetraiodide Cu(NH₃)₄I₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C 2/m. The crystal structure has been determined from X-ray diffractometer data and refined to R_w = 2.2%. Four coplanar nitrogen atoms and two axial iodine atoms form an octahedral coordination around Cu(II) with a pronounced 4 + 2 tetragonal distortion. A connection of the Cu(II) atoms by linear, centrosymmetric I polyiodide ions results in infinite chains of [Cu(NH₃) I]-units. The central I-I-bond distance in I is 2.802(1) Å; a considerable amount of I-I bonding is indicated by the distance of 3.342(1) Å found for the terminal bonds. These intramolecular bond distances correspond to calculated I-I-bond orders of 0.80 and 0.43.     

Iodostannate mit polymeren Anionen: (Me3PhN)4 [Sn3I10], [Me2HN–(CH2)2–NMe2H]2 [Sn3I10] und [Me2HN–(CH2)2–NMe2H][Sn3I8]

Iodostannates with Polymeric Anions: (Me₃PhN)₄ [Sn₃I₁₀], [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H]₂ [Sn₃I₁₀], and [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H] [Sn₃I₈] The polymeric iodostannate anions in (Me₃PhN)₄ [Sn₃I₁₀] ( 1 ) and [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H]₂ [Sn₃I₁₀] ( 2 ) consist of Sn₃I₁₂‐trioctahedra, which share four common iodine atoms with adjacent units to form infinite layers in 1 and polymeric chains in 2 . In the anion of [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H] [Sn₃I₈] ( 3 ) distorted SnI₆ octahedra sharing common edges and vertices form a two‐dimensional network. (Me₃PhN)₄ [Sn₃I₁₀] ( 1 ): Space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 2406.9(2), b = 968.26(7), c = 2651.7(2) pm, β = 111.775(9), V = 5738.9(8) · 10⁶ pm³; [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H]₂ [Sn₃I₁₀] ( 2 ): Space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a = 1187.2(1), b = 1554.4(1), c = 1188.9(1) pm, β = 116.620(8), V = 1961.4(3) · 10⁶ pm³; [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H] [Sn₃I₈] ( 3 ): Space group P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 1098.9(2), b = 803.93(7), c = 1571.5(2) pm, β = 102.96(1), V = 1352.9(2) · 10⁶ pm³.     

Hole growth as a microrheological probe to measure the viscosity of polymers confined to thin films

We review recent hole growth measurements performed at elevated temperatures in freely-standing polystyrene (PS) films, using optical microscopy and a differential pressure experiment (DPE). In the hole growth experiments, which were performed at temperatures close to the bulk glass-transition temperature of PS, T = 97 °C, we find evidence for nonlinear viscoelastic effects, which markedly affect the growth of holes in freely-standing PS films. The hole radius R initially grew linearly with time t before undergoing a transition to exponential growth characterized by a growth time τ. The time scale τ₁ for the decay of the initial transient behavior prior to reaching steady state was consistent with the convective constraint release mechanism of the tube theory of entangled polymer dynamics, while the characteristic hole growth times τ of the holes were consistent with significant reductions in viscosity of over eight orders of magnitude with increasing shear strain rate due to shear thinning. DPE measurements of hole growth on very thin freely-standing films revealed that hole formation and growth occurs only at temperatures that are comparable to or greater than T, even for films for which the T_g value was reduced by many tens of degrees Celsius below the bulk value. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B:Polym Phys 44: 3011–3021, 2006