Molecular dynamics simulation on devitrification: isothermal devitrification and thermodynamics of PbF2 glasses

The vitrification and devitrification features of lead fluoride are investigated by means of molecular dynamic simulations. The influence of heating rate on the devitrification temperature as well as the dependence of the glass properties on its thermal history, i.e., the cooling rate employed, is identified. As expected, different glasses are obtained when the cooling rates differ. Diffusion coefficient analysis during heating of glass and crystal, indicates that the presence of defects on the glassy matrix favors the transition processes from the ionic to a superionic state, with high mobility of fluorine atoms, responsible for the high anionic conduction of lead fluoride. Nonisothermal and isothermal devitrification processes are simulated in glasses obtained at different cooling rates and structural organizations occurring during the heat treatments are clearly observed. When a fast cooling rate is employed during the glass formation, the devitrification of a single crystal (limited by the cell dimensions) is observed, while the glass obtained with slower cooling rate, allowing relaxations and organization of various regions on the glass bulk during the cooling process, devitrifies in more than one crystalline plane.     

Thermochemical Properties of the 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquid under Conditions of Equilibrium with Atmospheric Moisture

Thermochemical properties of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ionic liquid [EMim]NTf₂ containing moisture absorbed from the atmosphere (0.242 wt %) are investigated. The phase behavior and thermal stability relative to salt dried in vacuum are studied by means of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry at different heating and cooling rates. The glass transition, crystallization, and melting temperatures, the enthalpies of phase transitions, and the changes in heat capacity during the formation of glass are determined. It is established that the absorbed water crystallizes at a temperature of around ?40.6°C and has virtually no effect on the thermal stability and phase behavior of the salt. Rapid cooling results in the ionic liquid transitioning into the glass state at ?91.7 °C and the formation of three mesophases with different melting temperatures; one crystalline modification that melts at a temperature of ?19.3°C forms upon slow cooling.     

丙三醇浓溶液玻璃化转变与结构松弛参数DSC分析

In order to examine the effects of water contents and heating/cooling rates on the glass transition and the structure relaxation parameters of glycerol/water mixtures, five aqueous solutions (60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%) were investigated using the differential scanning calorimetry. Four scanning rates (10, 15, 20, 25 K/min) were used to obtain the glass transition parameters. The fitting results of plasticization constants indicated that Gordon-Taylor relationship could not be used effectively without considering scanning rates and that point on calorimetric step was chosen as the glass transition temperature. The specific heat changes during glass transition processes were relative not only to water content but also to heating rates. With the increasing of water contents in glycerol aqueous solutions, the structure relaxation activation energies and dynamic fragilities were decreased. Since the thermodynamic fragilities were increased with the increasing of water content, so the dynamic fragility and thermodynamic fragility were changed inversely if the water contents were changed in glycerol/water mixtures.     

Influence of heating and cooling rates on the glass transition temperature and the fragility parameter of sorbitol and fructose as measured by DSC

The glass transition temperatures of sorbitol and fructose were characterized by four points determined on DSC heating thermograms (onset, mid-point, peak and end-point), plus the limit fictive temperature. The variations of these temperature values, observed as functions of cooling and heating rates, were used to determine the fragility parameter, as defined by Angell [1] to characterize the temperature dependence of the dynamic behavior of glass-forming liquids in the temperature range above the glass transition. The apparent activation energy values, determined for the different temperatures studied, were similar for fructose and sorbitol. These values were compared to data obtained from other techniques, such as mechanical spectroscopy. The variations of the apparent activation values, observed in experiments involving cooling and heating at the same rate, slow cooling followed by rate-heating, or rate-cooling followed by fast heating, were explained by aging effects occurring during the heating step.     

Novel method to detect the volumetric glass --> liquid transition at high pressures: glycerol as a test case

We report a novel method of detecting the glass --> liquid transition at high pressures, which comprises measuring the relative volume change incurred upon heating glassy samples into the liquid state. We show data on glycerol in the pressure range 0.050-1.00 GPa to demonstrate the viability of the method. The reversible glass --> liquid transition is observed by means of a kink in the relative volume change on heating the sample isobarically, which is attributed to the glass --> liquid transition temperature Tg. This kink can only be observed in the second and subsequent heating cycles since it is superposed by a compaction in the first heating cycle. The isobaric thermal expansivity beta, which is closely related to the first derivative of this curve, shows the features expected for a glass --> liquid transition, including a sharp rise of beta(glass) in a narrow temperature interval to beta(viscous liquid) and an accompanying overshoot effect. Both Tg and the size of the overshoot effect vary in accordance with theory upon changing the ratio of cooling to heating rates. From the shape of this curve the onset, inflection, overshoot peak, and endpoint of the glass --> liquid transition can be extracted, which can be employed to calculate the reduced glass transition width as a measure for the fragility of the liquid. Comparison with literature data allows quantifying the accuracy of the liquid's thermal expansivity beta to be at least +/-10%, while the error in beta is significantly larger for the expansivity of the glassy state. The reproducibility of the glass --> liquid transition temperature Tg is better than +/-2 K. Our glycerol data confirms literature studies showing a nonlinear increase of Tg with increasing pressure (approximately 35 K/GPa on average), which is accompanied by an increase in fragility.     

Recent developments in thermal analysis of polymers: Calorimetry in the limit of slow and fast heating rates

This review focuses on new insights into the crystal melting transition and the amorphous glass transition of polymers that have been gained through recent advances in thermoanalytical methods. The specific heat capacity can now be studied under two extreme limits, that is, under quasi‐isothermal conditions (limit of zero heating rate) and, at the other end of the scale, under rapid heating conditions (heating rates on the order of thousands of degrees per second), made possible through nanocalorimetry. The reversible melting, and multiple reversible melting, of semicrystalline polymers is explored using quasi‐isothermal temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry, TMDSC. The excess reversing heat capacity, above the baseline, measured under nearly isothermal conditions is attributed to locally reversible surface melting and crystallization processes that do not require molecular nucleation. Observations of double reversible melting endotherms in isotactic polystyrene suggest existence of two distinct populations of crystals, each showing locally reversible surface melting. The second subject of the review, nanocalorimetry, is utilized to study samples of small mass under conditions of very fast heating and cooling. The glass transition properties of thin amorphous polymer films are observed under adiabatic conditions. The glass transition temperature appears to be independent of film thickness, and is observed even in ultra‐thin films. Recrystallization and reorganization during rapid heating are studied by nanocalorimetry of semicrystalline polymers. The uppermost endotherm seen under normal DSC scanning of poly(ethylene terephthalate) is caused by reorganization, and vanishes under the rapid heating conditions (3000K/s) provided by nanocalorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 629–636, 2005     

Instrumentation of a PLC-regulated temperature cycler with a PID control unit and its use for miniaturized PCR systems with reduced volumes of aqueous sample droplets isolated in oil phase in a microwell

We have developed a temperature cycler for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a microwell fabricated on a polymer/glass chip. The entire system consisted of three subsystems, which included (1) a thermal conditioner, (2) a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control signal conditioner and (3) a data acquisition subsystem. The subsystems were regulated coordinately by a ladder logic program written for the programmable logic control (PLC) so that an actual sample temperature could be timed, changed and maintained according to the programmed temperature cycles. The present temperature control system showed high accuracy, stability and minimum overshoot with reduced heating and cooling transition rates. Applicability of the temperature controller to the miniaturized PCR system with reduced volumes of aqueous sample droplets isolated in an oil phase was confirmed by successful amplifications of a target DNA sequence in the microwell.     

Crystallisation kinetics and structure of modified Zn–Al–Cu alloys

The present paper reports induced glass transition dynamics appeared in porous silica (PSi) and nonporous silica (NPSi) nanoparticles. The size of these spherical particles is 5–15 nm for PSi and 15–20 nm for NPSi. PSi shows two glass transitions (Tg1 and Tg2) on heating, whereas NPSi shows one glass transition (Tg). The NPSi shows Tg at a higher temperature than PSi. PSi shows an exothermic transition on cooling, whereas NPSi shows no transition on cooling. Both Tgs appeared in PSi show dynamic behavior with the existence of positive activation energy. Both Tgs are reversible in PSi, whereas NPSi shows only one and irreversible Tg. The observed glass transitions in PSi and NPSi follow the configuron percolation model and show thermodynamic quasi-equilibrium with percolation threshold (fc) <1. The silica nanoparticles show induced glass transitions because of the presence of weak hydrogen bonds (HB) and a weak van der Waal force present in PSi, whereas the lack of porosity in NPSi shows irreversible Tg with stronger HB. The porosity of PSi makes it more reactive and dynamic due to its capillary behavior and shows its applicability in medical sciences, whereas the stability of NPSi makes it important for industrial research.     

Temperature calibration of an electrical compensation DSC on cooling using thermally stable high purity liquid crystals

Temperature calibration of DSCs is usually carried out on heating. In order to accurately control the temperature during cooling experiments, the calibration has to be carried out on cooling. Therefore, three high-purity, thermally stable liquid crystals were used to perform a temperature calibration of an electrcial compensation DSC on cooling. All three liquid crystals have several liquid crystalline phases, and they all were purified to a 99.9% lovel. Temoperatures of the isotropic to nematic or cholesteric and the mesophase to mesophase transitions were used. It was verified that these liquid crystals have sufficient thermal stability for carrying out the calibration on cooling. The dependence of the real temperature on the indicated temperature has been established for all the combinations of the heating and cooling rates of practical interest. It is also shown that the vant's Hoff equation can only be applied to the crystal to a liquid crystal transition, but not to the liquid crystal to liquid crystal or liquid crystal to isotropic transitions.     

The effect of viscosity on the kinetics of redox reactions in highly viscous silicate liquids

The kinetics of the temperature dependent redox reaction between chromium and manganese (Cr(6+) + 3Mn(2+)?Cr(3+) + 3Mn(3+)) in highly viscous silicate melts were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy at temperatures in the range from 25 to 800 °C. At high temperatures, the reaction is in equilibrium. During cooling, it is continuously shifted to the right. During cooling from Tg+50 K to Tg (Tg = glass transition temperature), a further decrease in the Cr(6+) concentration was obtained which, however, was less pronounced if larger cooling rates were applied. In this temperature range, the kinetics plays an important part. Finally, at a certain temperatures below Tg, the equilibrium was frozen. The temperature, the equilibrium is frozen in decreases with decreasing cooling rate. It also decreases with the glass transition temperature of the respective composition. The activation energies increase with the activation energies of the viscosity of the respective melt. The redox reaction is controlled by the viscosity, i.e., the rearrangement of the glass network and not by diffusion. The reason is a drastic change in the coordination spheres during the reaction which leads to a high inner reorganization energy according to Marcus' Theory.     

SeTe8Sb1非晶合金的玻璃转变

The process of glass transition on the non-crystal SeTe_8Sb_1 has been researched using low temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The following conclusions are deduced: this process is a second-order phase transformation, the stronger endotherm displayed in it is imputed to hysteresis of the transition. The temperature of glass transition in heating process decrease with reduction of the cooling rate while forming glass. The activation energy of glass transition quickly increases from 174 kJ·mol. (at quenching rate ~10~4 K·min~(-1)) to 399 kJ·mol~(-1). (at cooling rate ~10 K·min~(-1)) So that the glass obtained at lower cooling rate is more stable than that obtained at higher rate.     

On the high-temperature phase transition of Gd5Si2Ge2

The first-order monoclinic-to-orthorhombic (beta-->gamma) phase transition of the giant magnetocaloric material Gd(5)Si(2)Ge(2) was studied using in situ high-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A special crystal mounting procedure was developed to avoid crystal contamination by oxygen or nitrogen at high temperatures. The elastic beta-->gamma transformation occurs at 300-320 degrees C during heating, and it is reversible during fast and slow heating and slow cooling but irreversible during rapid cooling. Contrary to theoretical predictions, the macroscopic distribution of the Si and Ge atoms remains the same in both the orthorhombic gamma-polymorph and the monoclinic beta-phase. It appears that interstitial impurities may affect stability of both the monoclinic and orthorhombic phases. In the presence of small amounts of air, the beta-->gamma transformation is complete only at 600 degrees C. The interslab voids, which can accommodate impurity atoms, have been located in the structure, and an effect of partially filling these voids with oxygen or nitrogen atoms on the beta-gamma transition is discussed.     

1,2-丙二醇水溶液玻璃化转变与结构松弛

为了考察水含量对1, 2-丙二醇水溶液玻璃化转变和结构松弛参数的影响, 用差示扫描量热法(DSC), 测量了5种高浓度1, 2-丙二醇水溶液(60%、70%、80%、90%、100%, w)玻璃化转变区域的表观比热容. 用5种降温速率(1、2、5、10、20 K·min-1)和10 K·min-1的升温速率获得玻璃化转变的相关参数. 玻璃化转变温度分析结果表明, 虽然水含量增加能从总体上降低体系的玻璃化转变温度, 但与纯羟基类多元醇相比, 水对1, 2-丙二醇的增塑作用并不显著. 结构松弛活化能计算结果表明, 体系水含量的增加能明显降低结构松弛活化能. 脆度分析结果表明, 随着体系水含量增加, 动力学脆度逐渐降低, 但热力学脆度是先升高后降低, 在80%左右达到最大值. 结构松弛协同重排域计算结果表明, 当浓度由60%增加至100%时, 玻璃化转变特征长度由2.79 nm增加至3.57 nm.     

Temperature calibration of heat flux DSC's on cooling

The temperature calibration of a TA Instruments 3200-2920 DSC has been performed on cooling using the isotropic → nematic, isotropic → cholesteric and other liquid crystal → liquid crystal transitions of thermally stable, high purity liquid crystals. The thermal stability of these liquid crystals has been verified by measuring the temperature of the mentioned transitions during cyclic heating and cooling experiments. Correspondence has been established between the real and indicated temperature during cooling for all combinations of heating and cooling rates of practical interest: correction values were determined to the indicated temperature in order to obtain the real temperature on cooling. These correction values were calculated as the average from the temperatures of four or five different liquid crystal transitions for each heating-cooling rate combination. The accuracy of the temperature calibration on cooling is ca. 0.2?C for heating and cooling rates up to 20?C min^?1.     

Improved calorimetric procedure for monitoring the approach to thermodynamic equilibrium in glassy polymers

Techniques for measuring the enthalpy change during isothermal aging of polymer glasses are discussed. Critical analysis of conventional scanning calorimetry reveals that its accuracy may be suspect under certain circumstances due to the thermal lag inherent in a temperature scanning experiment. An additional problem is that the conventional technique is restricted to certain kinds of paths for reaching the aging temperature. It is proposed that both problems can be overcome by analyzing the output of a scanning calorimeter not only during steady heating but also during the transients at the beginning and end of a heating scan. This data analysis method represents an extension of a method used previously by others in accurate measurements of the much larger heat of fusion of crystalline polymers. Practical feasibility of the improved technique is demonstrated by preliminary measurements of enthalpy relaxation during aging of well-characterized polystyrene at 80°C. In particular, the initial departure from equilibrium of a glass prepared by 5°C/min cooling from the liquid state is found to be 6.9 ± 0.6 J/g. This measured value agrees with a value calculated on the basis of the glass transition temperature corresponding to 5°C/min cooling and heat-capacity data from the literature.     

How to determine activation energy of glass transition

The article critically reviews the current methodologies for determination of apparent activation energy of structural relaxation, ?h*, in the glass transition range. Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan phenomenological model was used to simulate data for all major types of relaxation behavior, which were consequently evaluated in terms of the tested methodologies (curve-fitting, evaluation of ?h* from intrinsic cycles and evaluation of ?h* from constant heating rate cycles). Advantages and disadvantages of particular methodologies are demonstrated and thoroughly discussed. In addition, effects of various data-distortive effects influencing determination of glass transition activation energy are demonstrated and described. The discussed data-distortive effects include presence thermal gradients, improperly designed temperature programs, incorrectly applied subtractions of the thermokinetic background, or inability of the DSC instrument to perform high cooling/heating rates. Detailed guide for correct determination of ?h* from DSC measurements is introduced.     

Phase Diagram of an Ethylene Glycol–Hexamethylphosphorotriamide System

The phase diagram of an ethylene glycol (EG)–hexamethylphosphorotriamide (HMPT) system is studied over two wide temperature intervals (+25°С…?90°С…+40°С) and (?150°С…+40°С) by means of differential scanning calorimetry using INTERTECH DSC Q100 and METTLER TA4000 DSC instruments (Switzerland) in the DSC30 mode with variable cooling/heating rates. Substantial overcooling of the liquid phase, a glass transition, and different types of interaction are observed in the system. No thermal effects are observed in intermediate range of concentrations during the slow cooling/heating processes, and the system remains liquid until the glass transition. The presence of such a metastable phase is attributed to a sharp rise in the viscosity of the system due to different kinds of interaction between the components. HMPT: 2EG and HMPT: EG compounds with crystallization temperatures of +5 and ?0.5°С, respectively, are observed upon rapid cooling and slow heating. Changes in enthalpy are calculated for all of the observed thermal effects. The distinction from the phase diagram of H₂O–HMFT (literary data) is explained by the difference in the interactions between system components and by the structural differences between EG and H₂O.     

非等温结晶对PLLA的热行为和形貌的影响

将聚L-乳酸(PLLA)熔化非等温熔融结晶, 采用DSC、POM、SEM等技术研究了降温速率对PLLA的热行为和形貌的影响. PLLA在低降温速率(2 ℃·min-1)下的结晶在118 ℃伴随有结晶机制的转变. 玻璃化温度和结晶度随着降温速率的降低而增大. 随着降温速率的降低, 球晶尺寸增大, 当降温速率为10 ℃·min-1 时, PLLA 为无定型材料. 采用模压成型的方法并控制降温速率制备了具有球晶结构的条状PLLA 生物材料, 与高降温速率下制备的PLLA相比,低降温速率下获得的具有球晶结构的PLLA材料的断面更光滑和致密, 但脆性增强.     

DTA中升温速率及样品热导率对T_g测量值影响的模拟研究

就不同升温速率和实际样品的不同热导率对差热分析 (DTA)中高分子材料的玻璃化转变曲线的影响进行了MonteCarlo模拟研究 ,发现当所有样品刚完成玻璃化转变时 ,在Tg 曲线中该特征点要低于Tg 的转变中点。转变中点所对应的样品温度肯定要高于实际的玻璃化转变温度。如果以玻璃化转变曲线的转变中点所对应的样品温度作为该材料的玻璃化转变温度 ,那么 ,升温速率越快、样品的热导率越小 ,所测得的玻璃化转变温度就越大 ,反之亦然。DTA测得的玻璃化转变温度与升温速率间有很好的线性依赖关系 ,但与样品热导率间的关系是非线性的