Dilute solutions of nylon 12—II. Relationship between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight

Samples of poly(12-dodecanelactam) (polylaurolactam, nylon 12) with $\text{M}$_n 1 × 10³?33 × 10³ were prepared. Polymerizations initiated with water or with lauric acid proceeded under conditions for minimum changes in end-group concentration. Values of $\text{M}$_n were calculated from the end-group content and $\text{M}$_n from light scattering in the mixture m-cresol/60 vol% of 2.2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol. From measurements of intrinsic viscosity in m-cresol, the relationship [n] ? $\text{M}$_n was established in the given range of $\text{M}$_n. The relationship [n] ? $\text{M}$_w for $\text{M}$_w from 3.3 × 10³ to 125 × 10³ has been established.     

Electron impact mass spectra of some salts of carboxylic acids with alkali (group Ia) metals

Thirteen of the salts of the alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) with acetic, 2,2-dimethylpropionic, trifluoroacetic and heptafluorobutyric acid have been found to be sufficiently volatile to give mass spectra under normal electron impact conditions. The metal containing ions observed include (M=metal): [M]⁺, [MO]⁺, [MCO₂]⁺, [M₂]^+·, [M₂O]^+·, [M₂CO₂]^+· and the cluster ions [M_n (carboxylate)_n-1]⁺ for n = 2–8.     

IR Emission Spectra of Carbonate-Chloride Melts 2CsCl-NaCl-Cs2CO3 Containing Lithium and Beryllium Ions

The IR emission spectra of the molten systems NaCl-CsCl-Cs₂CO₃-MCl _n (M = Li, Be) have been obtained. Spectral data shows that, at a definite limiting molar ratio n _lim = [CO₃]/[Mⁿ⁺] characteristic for each Mⁿ⁺, carbonate-chloride melts based on the NaCl-CsCl eutectic contain carbonate complexes [Li(CO₃)₃]^5? and [Be(CO₃)₃]^4? and, if n < n _lim, carbonato chloro complexes [M(CO₃) _m Cl_4?m ], where m = 1–2.     

Lithium–silicon Si n Li (n = 2–10) clusters and their anions: structures, thermochemistry, and electron affinities

The molecular structures, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of neutral Si _n Li (n = 2–10) species and their anions have been studied by the B3LYP and the BPW91 methods in conjunction with a DZP++ basis set. The geometries have been fully optimized with each of the proposed methods. The ground state structure of neutral Si _n Li keeps the corresponding Si _n framework unchanged. For anion, the corresponding Si _n (or ${{\rm Si}_{n}^{-}}$ ) framework changes largely when n ≥ 7. To evaluate the stability of the resulting anions we have calculated the adiabatic electron affinity (EA_ad), the vertical electron affinity (EA_vert), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The dissociating energies of Li from the lowest energy structures of neutral Si _n Li and their anions are calculated to examine relative stabilities.     

Na-Li-[V3O8] insertion electrodes: Structures and diffusion pathways

The potential insertion-electrode compounds Na_1.2[V₃O₈] (NaV) and Na_0.7Li_0.7[V₃O₈] (NaLiV) were synthesized from mixtures of Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃ and V₂O₅, which were melted at 750° and subsequently cooled to room temperature. The structures of NaV and LiV contain sheets of polymerized (VO_n) polyhedra, which are topologically identical to the sheet of polymerized polyhedra in Li_1.2[V₃O₈] (LiV). Vanadium occurs in three different coordination environments: [2+3] V(1), [2+2+2] V(2) and [1+4+1] V(3). Calculated bond-valence sums indicate that V⁴⁺ occurs preferentially at the V(3) site, which agrees with the general observation that [6]-coordinated V⁴⁺ prefers [1+4+1]-rather than [2+2+2]-coordination. The M-cations Na and Li occur at three distinct sites, M(1), M(2) and M(3) between the vanadate sheets. The M(1)-site is fully occupied and has octahedral coordination. The M(2) sites are partly occupied in NaV and NaLiV, in which they occur in [4]- and [6]-coordination, respectively. Li partly occupies the M(3) site in NaLiV, in which it occurs in [3]-coordination. The M(2) and M(3) sites in NaLiV occur closer to the vanadate sheets than the M(2) sites in NaV and LiV. The shift in these cation positions is a result of the larger distance between the vanadate sheets in NaLiV than in LiV, which forces interstitial Li to move toward one of the vanadate sheets to satisfy its coordination requirements. Bond-valence maps for the interstitial cations Na and Li are presented for NaV, NaLiV and LiV. These maps are used to determine other potential cation positions in the interlayer and to map the regions of the structure where the Na and Li have their bond-valence requirements satisfied. These regions are potential pathways for Na and Li diffusion in these structures, and are used to explain chemical diffusion properties of Na and Li in the Na-Li-[V₃O₈] compounds.     

Cation Intercalation in Manganese Oxide Nanosheets: Effects on Lithium and Sodium Storage

The rapid development of advanced energy‐storage devices requires significant improvements of the electrode performance and a detailed understanding of the fundamental energy‐storage processes. In this work, the self‐assembly of two‐dimensional manganese oxide nanosheets with various metal cations is introduced as a general and effective method for the incorporation of different guest cations and the formation of sandwich structures with tunable interlayer distances, leading to the formation of 3D M_xMnO₂ (M=Li, Na, K, Co, and Mg) cathodes. For sodium and lithium storage, these electrode materials exhibited different capacities and cycling stabilities. The efficiency of the storage process is influenced not only by the interlayer spacing but also by the interaction between the host cations and shutter ions, confirming the crucial role of the cations. These results provide promising ideas for the rational design of advanced electrodes for Li and Na storage.     

Polyisobutylene-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers. I. Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene-Polyisobutylene-Polystyrene Triblock Copolymers

Abstract

Polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene triblock copolymer thermoplastic elastomers have been synthesized by living carbocationic sequential copolymerization using the tert-butyl dicumyl chloride/TiCl₄/methylcyclohexane:methyl chloride (60:40 v:v)/ ?80°C system in the presence of the proton trap 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine. Structure-property relationships have been examined by varying the M_n of the PIB middle block (39,000 to 156,000) and that of the PSt end-segment (1,000 to 19,000). The tensile strength is controlled by the molecular weight of the PSt segment and independent of the PIB middle block length in the studied range. Phase separation starts when the M_n of the PSt segment reaches ～ 5,000, and it is complete when the M_n reaches ～ 15,000. These triblocks exhibited 23-25 MPa tensile strength, similar to that of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers obtained by anionic polymerization.     

Theoretical insights into the properties of the XY≡YX...M<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>+</Superscript> complexes (X = H,F, Cl; Y = C,Si; M = alkaline and alkaline earth metals)

The character of alkaline (M⁺= Li, Na, K) and alkaline earth metal ions (M²⁺= Be, Mg, Ca) interactions with disilyne and acetylene has been studied by using high-level ab initio computations. The interaction energies were calculated at MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. These calculations show that the size and charge of cation are two significant factors that affect the character of interaction. AIM and NBO analyses of M ⁿ⁺...X₂Y₂ interactions specify that the variation of densities and the extent of charge transfers upon complexation correlate well with the obtained interaction energies.     

Planar Hypercoordinate Carbons in Alkali Metal Decorated CE32− and CE22− Dianions

After exploring the potential energy surfaces of M_mCE₂^p (E=S−Te, M=Li−Cs, m=2, 3 and p=m-2) and M_nCE₃^q (E=S−Te, M=Li−Cs, n=1, 2, q=n-2) combinations, we introduce 38 new global minima containing a planar hypercoordinate carbon atom (24 with a planar tetracoordinate carbon and 14 with a planar pentacoordinate carbon). These exotic clusters result from the decoration of V-shaped CE₂²⁻ and Y-shaped CE₃²⁻ dianions, respectively, with alkali counterions. All these 38 systems fulfill the geometrical and electronic criteria to be considered as true planar hypercoordinate carbon systems. Chemical bonding analyses indicate that carbon is covalently bonded to chalcogens and ionically connected to alkali metals.     

High Lithium Capacity MxV2O5Ay·nH2O for Rechargeable Batteries

The aqueous synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O are described. It is easily and quickly prepared by precipitation from acidified vanadate solutions. M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, TGA, chemical analyses, and electrochemical studies. The atomic structure is related to that of xerogel-derived V₂O₅·nH₂O. In M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, M is a cation from the starting vanadate salt and A is an anion from the mineral acid. This material exhibits high, reversible Li capacity and may be considered for use in a cathode in primary and secondary batteries. The lithium capacity of an electrode composed of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O/EPDM/carbon (88/4/8) is ∼380(mA h)/g (C/80 rate) and the energy density is ∼1000(W h)/kg (120-μm-thick cathode, 4-1.5 V, versus Li metal anode). Critical parameters identified in the synthesis of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, with respect to achieving high Li-ion insertion capacity, are acid/vanadium ratio, starting vanadate salt, and temperature. Inclusion of carbon black in the synthesis yields a composite that maintains the high Li capacity, lowers the electrochemical-cell polarization, and preserves the lithium capacity at higher discharge rates. Li-ion coin cells, using pre-lithiated graphite anodes, exhibit electrochemical performance comparable to that of Li-metal coin cells.     

Polymerization of phenylacetylene by iridium catalysts

Polymerization of phenylacetylene (PA) with [(cod)IrCl]₂‐based catalysts (cod: 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) was examined. The [(cod)IrCl]₂/n‐BuLi and [(cod)IrCl]₂/Ph₂C?C(Ph)Li systems induced the polymerization of PA to produce polymers with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of around several thousand in rather low yields. On the other hand, the catalyst composed of [(cod)IrCl]₂, norbornadiene (nbd), Ph₃P, and Ph₂C?C(Ph)Li (molar ratio of 1:1:1.1:2) produced polymer in a high yield (ca. 80%) in toluene at 0 °C. The resulting polymer showed a bimodal gel permeation chromatographic profile (M_n = 209,000 and 4300; ratio: 81/19). On the basis of these findings, the presence of two active species, that is, Ir complexes with nbd and cod, are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1075–1080, 2002     

Copolymerizations of tetraethyl vinylidene phosphonate. Bisphosphonate units in the main polymer chain. II

This is the second part of the article with a subtitle “… The First Synthesis” published by us previously. For this, second part, we have chosen copolymers with low proportion of (‐b‐) units, as well as random copolymers with substantial proportions of (‐b‐) units. This is in contrast to the part I, in which we mostly described alternating copolymerization. In this article, radical copolymerization of tetraethyl vinylidene phosphonate (B) with several vinyl/ethylenic monomers (M₂), namely acrylamide, methacrylamide, methyl methacrylate, n‐butyl acrylate, n‐butyl methacrylate, and styrene has been described and reactivity ratios of monomers as well as the average length of the comonomer blocks (n) have been determined (r₁ = 0). It has been found, that (as it should be) there is a proportionality between r₂ (=k_m2M2/k_m2B) and n. Moreover, there is a proportionality between r₂ (or n) and the comonomer (M₂) “reactivity,” defined as the rate constant of M₂ addition to the styrene radical. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1614–1621     

Living Carbocationic Polymerization. XLIX. Two-Stage Living Polymerization of Isobutylene to Di-tert-chlorine Telechelic Polyisobutylene

Abstract

A two-stage process was developed for the living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) employing di-tert-alcohol initiators in conjunction with BCl₃ coinitiator in the first or initiation stage, followed by TiCl₄ coinitiator in the second or propagation stage; the process was shown to yield high molecular weight (up to M ⁿ 20,000), narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) M ^w/M ⁿ = 1.1–1.2) di-tert-chlorine telechelic polyisobutylenes (^tCl-PIB-Cl^t). The initiation stage involves the homogeneous solution living polymerization of IB induced by the di-tert-alcohol/BCl₃ combination in the presence of an electron donor such as N,N-dimethylacetamide in CH₃Cl solvent at ?80°C and proceeds up to M ⁿ < 5000; this is followed by the propagation stage in which TiCl₄ and the bulk of IB plus a sufficient amount of n-C₆H₁₄ are added to the charge to bring the solvent composition to CH₃Cl/n-C₆H₁₄ 60/40 v/v and the living polymerization is continued until high M ⁿ product is obtained. This two-stage process was developed because 1) it employs very inexpensive chemicals; 2) di-tert-alcohol/BCl₃ combinations initiate living IB polymerization in CH₃Cl but the product after reaching M ⁿ ≤ 5000 precipitates out of the CH₃Cl solution, and di-tert-alcohol/BCl₄ combinations do not initiate IB polymerization; and 3) di-tert-alcohol/BCl₃ systems do not initiate (or only very slowly) the living polymerization of IB in CH₃Cl/n-C₆H₁₄ mixtures, whereas similar TiCl₄-based systems do. The polymerization remains living during both stages although the propagating species and solvent polarity are profoundly altered. The livingness of the system has been analyzed by kinetic experiments and the structure of the ^tCl-PIB-Cl^t product by routine spectroscopic means.     

Electrochemical systems for galvanic cells in organic aprotic solvents: V. Electrochemical behaviour of gamma-butyrolactone

Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) was shown to decompose on the clean surface of Li, Na, K, and their amalgams. Polarization curves were obtained on Pt and “Kovar” electrodes at potentials from 4 to ?4 V vs. Li?Hg in 0.5 M LiClO₄ or vs. K?Hg in 0.5 M KPF₆. GBL was found to reduce electrochemically at potentials more positive than 1 V. Various passivation phenomena provoked by the decomposition of the solvent were observed, hindering cathodic deposition of the alkali metals from solutions of their salts in GBL. The presence of a high-molecular surfactant in the electrolyte suppresses the decomposition of GBL and suggests a path to the deposition of Li on the electrode.     

Living carbocationic polymerization. IV. Living polymerization of isobutylene

Truly living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) has been achieved for the first time by the use of new initiating systems comprising organic acetate-BCl₃ complexes under conventional laboratory conditions in various solvents from ?10 to ?50°C. The overall rates of polymerization are very high, which necessitated the development of the incremental monomer addition (IMA) technique to demonstrate living systems. The living nature of the polymerizations was demonstrated by linear M _n versus grams polyisobutylene (PIB) formed plots starting at the origin and horizontal number of polymer molecules formed versus amount of polymer formed plots. DP _n obeys [IB]/[CH₃COOR^t · BCl₃]. Molecular weight distributions (MWD) are very narrow in homogeneous systems (M _w/M _n = 1.2–1.3) whereas somewhat broader values are obtained when the polymer precipitates out of solution (M _w/M _n = 1.4–3.0). The MWDs tend to narrow with increasing molecular weights, i.e., with the accumulation of precipitated polymer in the reactor. Traces of moisture do not affect the outcome of living polymerizations. In the presence of monomer both first and second order chain transfer to monomer are avoided even at ?10°C. The diagnosis of first and second order chain transfer has been accomplished, and the first order process seems to dominate. Forced termination can be effected either by thermally decomposing the propagating complexes or by nucleophiles. In either case the end groups will be tertiary chlorides. The living polymerization of isobutylene initiated by ester. BCl₃ complexes most likely proceeds by a two-component group transfer polymerization.     

Oxocarbon Salts for Fast Rechargeable Batteries

Oxocarbon salts (M₂(CO)_n) prepared through one‐pot proton exchange reactions with different metal ions (M=Li, Na, K) and frameworks (n=4, 5, 6) have been rationally designed and used as electrodes in rechargeable Li, Na, and K‐ion batteries. The results show that M₂(CO)₅/M₂(CO)₆ salts can insert two or four metal ions reversibly, while M₂(CO)₄ shows less electrochemical activity. Especially, we discover that the K₂C₆O₆ electrode enables ultrafast potassium‐ion insertion/extraction with 212 mA h g^?1 at 0.2 C and 164 mA h g^?1 at 10 C. This behavior can be ascribed to the natural semiconductor property of K₂C₆O₆ with a narrow band gap close to 0.9 eV, the high ionic conductivity of the K‐ion electrolyte, and the facilitated K‐ion diffusion process. Moreover, a first example of a K‐ion battery with a rocking‐chair reaction mechanism of K₂C₆O₆ as cathode and K₄C₆O₆ as anode is introduced, displaying an operation voltage of 1.1 V and an energy density of 35 Wh kg^?1. This work provides an interesting strategy for constructing rapid K‐ion batteries with renewable and abundant potassium materials.     

Reactive functionalization of poly(lactic acid), PLA: Effects of the reactive modifier,initiator and processing conditions on the final grafted maleic anhydride content and molecular weight of PLA

A response surface methodology (RSM) design was used to analyze the effects of maleic anhydride (MA) and 2,5-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl hexane (Luperox or L101) content, and TSE screw speed on the degree of grafted MA (MA_g) and number average molecular weight (M_n) of maleated PLA (PLA-g-MA), which can be used as a reactive compatibilizer in production of PLA blends with various components. PLA-g-MA's FTIR peaks indicated that MA was grafted onto the PLA backbone and oligomeric MA was also present. A maximum of 0.52 wt% MA_g determined by titration was achieved at the expense of a 50% reduction of M_n and an increase in the polydispersity index to around 2.0. Generally, increasing L101 increased the degree of grafting and decreased M_n. L101 and MA_g had a large effect on the stability of PLA-g-MA's M_n during storage. Nominally, amounts of MA equal to 4.5 wt%, L101 between 0.45 and 0.65 wt%, and screw speed of 20 rpm provided the optimal conditions for grafting MA onto PLA.     

Radical block polymerization of vinyl chloride. II. Synthesis and characterization of vinyl chloride block copolymers

Peroxidized polypropylene has been used as a heterofunctional initiator for a two-step emulsion polymerization of a vinyl monomer (M₁) and vinyl chloride with the production of vinyl chloride block copolymers. Styrene, methyl-, and n-butyl methacrylate and methyl-, ethyl-, n-butyl-, and 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate have been used as M₁ and polymerized at 30–40°C. In the second step vinyl chloride was polymerized at 50°C. The range of chemical composition of the block copolymers depends on the rate of the first-step polymerization of M₁ and the duration of the second step; e.g., with 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate block copolymers could be obtained with a vinyl chloride content of 25–90%. The block copolymers have been submitted to precipitation fractionation and GPC analysis. Noteworthy is the absence of any significant amount of homopolymers, as well as poly(M₁)n as PVC. The absence of homo-PVC was interpreted by an intra- and intermolecular tertiary hydrogen atom transfer from polypropylene residue to growing PVC sequences. The presence of saturated end groups on the PVC chains is responsible for the improved thermal stability of these block polymers, as well as their low rate of dehydrochlorination (180°C). Molecular aggregation in solution has been shown by molecular weight determination in benzene and tetrahydrofuran.     

Study of the reduction of tungsten trioxide doped with MCl (M=Li,Na, K)

Thermodynamic calculations predict the formation of hydrochloric acid gas and alkali tungstates during hydrogen reduction of WO₃ doped with alkali chlorides MCl (M=Li, Na, K). The formation of HCl was proved experimentally by simultaneously coupled TG-MS measurements from RT to 1200°C. The formation of HCl is the result of the reaction between MCl, WO₃ and water. Ubiquitous traces of moisture in the gas are sufficient for reaction according to WO₃+(2+2n)MCl +(1+n)H₂O→M_2+2nWO_4+n+(2+2n)HCl (n=0, 1, 2). Laboratory reduction tests showed that the formed tungstates differ. NaCl and KCl form monotungstates (n=0), while LiCl produces more lithium-rich compounds (n=1, 2). Temperature and humidity, among other process factors, control subsequent reduction of the tungstates to metals. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Alkali Metal Triphenyl- and Trihydridosilanides Stabilized by a Macrocyclic Polyamine Ligand

Potassium silanide [KSiH₃]_∞ contains 4.2 wt % of hydrogen and has been intensely studied as hydrogen storage material. The macrocyclic ligand Me₄TACD (1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaminocyclododecane, L ) stabilizes the full range of triphenylsilyl complexes [( L )MSiPh₃]_n (M=Li–Cs), which react with H₂ or PhSiH₃ to form molecular [( L )MSiH₃]_n that can be isolated in soluble form and fully characterized.