Shear Effect on Morphology of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate)/Poly(Styrene‐co‐Acrylonitrile) Blends

Abstract

The shear flow effect on the morphology of poly(butylene terephthalate)(PBT)/poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)(SAN) was studied by a parallel plate type shear apparatus. In PBT/SAN = 20/80 blend, particle size of dispersed domains was governed by both break‐up and coalescence processes, and it was much affected by shear rate. The minimum particle size was observed at a certain shear rate. This phenomenon can be explained by the shear matching effect of PBT and SAN; that is, the viscosity ratio of PBT to SAN changed with shear rate and the finest morphology was obtained at the appropriate viscosity ratio. Similar behavior was also observed for PBT/SAN = 70/30 (PBT was the matrix), even though the particle size was larger than that of PBT/SAN = 20/80. For PBT/SAN = 10/90 blend, the sample showed a complicated appearance during shearing. A translucent region correlated to the fine morphology was observed more than twice with increasing shear rate. This phenomenon could not be explained by the viscosity matching effect only. It was affected by small changes in the balance of breaking‐up and coalescence effects.     

Thermal Behavior of an Fe(III)‐2,9,16,23‐Tetramidephthalocyanine‐Grafted Poly(N‐Vinylcarbazole)

Abstract

The introduction of 2,9,16,23‐tetramide‐Fe(III)phthalocyanine [Fe(III)taPc] units into phosphorylated poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) yields an amorphous grafted polymer containing free carbazolyl groups, phosphonic acid attached to carbazolyl groups, and grafted Fe(III)taPc units as evidenced by infrared spectroscopy. Several thermal transitions were detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermodegradation of the grafted sample, analyzed by simultaneous thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), showed successive endo‐ and exothermal reactions resulting from the development of a cross‐linked structure. To determine kinetic parameters, both isothermal and dynamic experiments were performed at the different steps of the degradation process and theoretical methods were applied.     

Electrochemical Synthesis and Structure of Poly(2‐methyl‐1‐naphthylamine) Films

A novel polymer, poly(2‐methyl‐1‐naphthylamine), which was synthesized electrochemically at various temperatures from a solution containing 2‐methyl‐1‐naphthylamine, acetic acid and sodium acetate, was characterized by IR spectroscopy. The structural conclusions were based on comparisons of polymer spectra with the IR‐spectrum of the monomer, 2‐methyl‐1‐naphthylamine. IR spectroscopy indicates that the electropolymerization proceeds via the –NH₂ groups and that the poly(2‐methyl‐1‐naphthylamine) structure consists of imine (–N?C) and amine (–NH–C) links between naphthalene rings as well as a free methyl groups in the chains. An analysis of the “substitution pattern” region in the polymer's spectra suggests that the polymer molecules were formed via mixed N–C(4), N–C(5) and N–C(7) linkages between repeated units. The ratio of between the 1645 and 1620 cm^? 1 peak areas decreases with increased temperature during synthesis, indicating that 25°C is the best temperature to obtain higher molecular weights.     

Thermal Behavior of Polyamide‐12 and Poly (Styrene‐Co‐Acrylonitrile) Blend

In this work, an unusual morphology of a mixture of polyamide‐12 (PA‐12) with a series of poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) was obtained by solution casting and fast solvent evaporation. The prepared film was transparent although it contained many crystals. These crystals apparently prevented phase separation despite the instability of the PA‐12 and SAN mixtures below 180°C. In isothermal experiments, once the crystals were melted, phase separation began and the scattered intensity fit the Cahn–Hilliard theory. When the AN content in the SAN copolymer was less than 5%, the phase separation took place when only part of the crystals were melted at 180°C. However, due to the constraint of unmelted crystals, the growth rate of phase separation at this temperature was much slower.     

Effect of Non‐Ideal Mixed Solvents on Dimensions of Poly(N‐Vinylpyrrolidone) and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Coils

An addition of a small amount of non‐solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF) to good solvent water gave rise to a strong solvent power for poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). It was found that PVP coils in mixtures of water and THF first swelled as the fraction of THF was increased, and then the coils contracted after a critical composition of the solvent mixture based on the measurement of dilute solution viscosities. It was reached that the power of the mixed solvents was not the simple average of the power of individual components. The influence of the non‐ideal mixing of water and THF on the power of these mixtures for PVP and the dimensions of PVP coils was taken into account. Especially the formation of pseudo‐clathrate hydrate structure with the composition φ _THF ≈ 0.44 was found to be an important factor to change the solvation and dimensions of PVP coils. Some other solvent mixtures for PVP and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were also found to be non‐ideal mixtures. The viscosities of these solvent mixtures could show positive or negative deviation from the values obtained from the addition rule. It was shown again that the influence of the non‐ideality of these solvent mixtures on the dimensions of polymer coils was great. The action of mixed solvents changed the dimension of polymer coils, not only because of excluded volume effects but also because of the different molecular interactions present in these mixed solvents.     

Steady–shear‐induced Isothermal Crystallization of Poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA)

The isothermal crystallization of poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) under steady‐shear flow was investigated in situ using an optical polarizing microscope with a hot shear stage. The steady–shear‐induced crystalline morphology of PLLA, to a great degree, depends on the crystallization temperature. There is a critical temperature, 120°C, below which shear‐induced row nuclei enhance nucleation ability, leading to the improvement of crystallinity, and above which cylindrite structure is generated. Their numbers increase and size reduces with temperature owing to the better movement and relaxation behavior of chains in the presence of shear flow. The results of 2D wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction (WAXD), showing the oriented structure at high T _c , and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), detecting the rising of T _m with increasing T _c , well confirm the effect of T _c on the crystallization of PLLA under shear flow.     

Polystyrene‐b‐Poly(Ethylene‐r‐butylene)‐b‐Polystyrene Triblock Copolymer/Organoclay Nanocomposites and Their Phase Characteristics

Abstract

Intercalated polymer/clay nanocomposites were prepared using a polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene‐r‐butylene)‐b‐polystyrene (SEBS) cylindrical triblock copolymer. Dynamic rheological measurements, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) were conducted to investigate the internal structure and physical and phase characteristics of the nanocomposites. The XRD data confirmed that the interlayer distance between the anisotropic silicates increased due to the intercalation of SEBS into the clay interlayers. As the clay loading increased, the onset points of the order–disorder transition (ODT) and order–order transition (OOT) were found to decrease, whereas the thermal decomposition temperatures, monitored by TGA, increased with the clay loading.     

Temperature‐Triggered Capture of Dispersed Particles Using a Laponite‐Poly(NIPAM) Temperature‐Responsive Surface

In this study a new method is investigated that enables a conductive surface to be modified so as to capture dispersed particles when the temperature is increased. Poly(NIPAM) (NIPAM is N‐isopropylacrylamide) was grafted from electrodeposited Laponite RD particles using surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to give a temperature‐responsive surface. This was used to capture dispersed polystyrene particles. In the first part of the study the conditions used to electrodeposit Laponite onto a carbon foam electrode were determined. The ability of the temperature‐responsive surface to capture dispersed polystyrene particles was investigated between 20 and 50°C. Temperature‐triggered particle capture was reversible or irreversible depending on the conditions used during ATRP. A high surface concentration of poly(NIPAM) on the particle electrodes is believed to increase the extent of polystyrene particle capture and also reversibility. A theoretical analysis in terms of interaction energy–distance curves is presented for the capture behavior. It is concluded that the temperature‐responsive surface has both electrostatic and steric contributions to the total interaction energy. The steric component (which originates from poly(NIPAM)) is temperature‐dependent and provides the basis for temperature‐triggered particle capture.     

Poly(m‐Phenylene Isophthalamide) Ultrafine Fibers from an Ionic Liquid Solution by Dry‐Jet‐Wet‐Electrospinning

Ultrafine poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) fibers from PMIA solution in an ionic liquid via dry‐jet‐wet electrospinning technology are described. The morphology of the fibers with and without treatment in a coagulation water bath in the dry‐jet‐wet‐electrosinning process was observed by scanning electrical microscopy (SEM) and a high resolution optical microscope. The crystal structure of the fibers was analyzed by wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The differences of morphologies and properties between the ultrafine fibers obtained by the electrospinning process and fibers from conventional wet‐spinning technology are discussed. The thermal properties of the ultrafine PMIA fibers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Hydrogen Bonding Interactions in Miscible Blends of Poly(hydroxyether ester)s with Poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)

Studies on the miscibility and intermolecular specific interactions in the blends of two structurally similar poly(hydroxyether ester)s, poly(hydroxyether terephthalate ester) (PHETE), and poly(hydroxyether benzoate) (PHEB) with poly(4‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVPy) are reported. In the miscible blends there are intermolecular specific interactions between PHEEs and PVPy. It was found that intercomponent hydrogen‐bonding interactions in PHETE/PVPy blends are much stronger than those in PHEB/PVPy blends. It seems that the higher ratio of hydroxyl to carbonyl groups results in the stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The difference in intermolecular specific interactions between the two miscible systems is interpreted on the basis of the impact of macromolecular structures on intermolecular specific interactions. The structural characteristics of macromolecular chains, such as chain connectivity, accessibility (or screening effect), and rigidity of the macromolecular chains have a profound effect on the intermolecular interactions. These factors constitute steric hindrance and reduce the specific interactions among functional groups. These factors can become dominant in the blends of polymers.     

Nanostructured Thermosetting Blends of Phenolic Thermosets and Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(propylene oxide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) Triblock Copolymer

The amphiphilic triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(propylene oxide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO‐b‐PPO‐b‐PEO) was incorporated into novolac resin to prepare thermosetting blends. The morphology of the thermosetting blends was investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) and the nanostructures were obtained. It was identified that the reaction‐induced phase separation occurred in the blends of phenolic thermosets with the model poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), whereas poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was miscible with novolac resin after and before the curing reaction. In terms of miscibility and phase behavior of the subchains of the triblock copolymer with novolac resin, it was demonstrated that the formation of nanostructures in the thermosets followed a mechanism of reaction‐induced microphase separation.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Poly(1‐Naphthylamine)‐Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Intercalated by Emulsion Polymerization

Nanocomposites of montmorillonite (MMT) with poly(1‐naphthylamine) (PNA) is investigated for the first time by emulsion polymerization using three different oxidants. Polymerization of PNA was confirmed by Fourier transformation infrared (FT‐IR) as well as UV‐visible spectra. The in situ intercalative polymerization of PNA within MMT layers was confirmed by FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, conductivity; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy studies. X‐ray diffraction revealed intercalated as well as exfoliated structures of PNA/MMT nanocomposites, which were compared with the reported polyaniline‐MMT nanocomposites. It was found that the increase in the concentration of PNA in the interlayer galleries of MMT led to destruction of the layered clay structure resulting in exfoliation of the nanocomposite. Conductivity of the nanocomposites was found to be in the range of 10^?3 to 10^?2 S cm^?1 which was found to be higher than the ones reported for polyaniline‐clay nanocomposites as well as PEOA‐OMMT nanocomposites at similar concentrations of intercalated species. The morphology of PNA/MMT nanocomposites was found to be governed by the nature of the oxidant used.     

Influence of Thermal Treatment on the Thermal Behavior of Poly‐L‐lactide

The influences of thermal treatment on cold crystallization and the thermal behavior of poly‐L‐lactide (PLLA) were investigated by DSC and polarizing microscopy. Both the cooling and heating rates had effects on cold crystallization. Double peaks were observed for the samples on subsequently heating at 10°C min^?1 after cooling between 5 and 20°C min^?1. The degrees of crystallinity dramatically increased with decreasing cooling rate, and the size of PLLA spherulites increased with a decrease in the cooling rate. Double cold crystallization peaks were also observed during heating traces at higher rates for this material after fast cooling (20°C min^?1) from the melt. The competition between the crystallization from the nuclei formed during cooling, and that from spontaneous nucleation might be responsible for the appearance of double peaks.     

Thermal Cross‐Linking of Poly(Vinyl Methyl Ether). III. Rheological Kinetics of Cross‐Linking Reaction

Abstract

The kinetics of the thermally activated cross‐linking reaction of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) were investigated rheologically by evaluating the viscoelastic material functions such as elastic storage modulus, G′, viscous loss modulus, G″ and complex dynamic viscosity, η*, during the curing process, both isothermally and nonisothermally. The isothermal kinetics reaction was described using a phenomenological equation based on the Malkin and Kulichikhin model, which was predicated originally for the isothermal curing kinetics of thermosetting polymers followed by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and was found to be applicable for rheokinetic reactions as well. An excellent representation of the data was obtained using this model; the rate of the reaction was found to be second order regardless of the temperature, which is in good agreement with literature data. The temperature dependence of the cross‐linking rate constant was described by an Arrhenius plot with an apparent activation energy equal to 60–62 kJ mol^?1, in reasonable agreement with the value obtained previously from the temperature dependence of gel time, t _gel. The nonisothermal kinetics reaction rate was described by a model that included the classical rate equation, the Arrhenius equation, and the time–temperature relationships. The apparent activation energy obtained nonisothermally was found to be frequency independent and equal to 72 kJ mol^?1, in very good agreement with the value obtained isothermally from the temperature dependence of t _gel in part II.     

The Composition,Sequence Analysis,and Crystallization Characterization of Poly(Trimethylene‐co‐Butylene Terephthalate) Copolymer

A series of poly(trimethylene‐co‐butylene terephthalate) (PTBT) copolymers were prepared by direct esterification followed by polycondensation. The composition and sequence distribution of the copolymers were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results demonstrate that the synthesized PTBT copolymers are block copolymers and the content of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) units incorporated into the copolymers is always less than that in the polymerization feed. The 1,4‐butanediol consumption by a side reaction leads to a relatively lower content of PBT units in the resultant copolymers. At the same time, the PBT and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) sequence length distributions in the copolymers are different. The PBT segments favor a longer sequence length than do the PTT segments in their corresponding enriched copolymers. The crystallization rate of the copolymers becomes lower than the homopolymers, especially for PTT‐enriched copolymers. Compared with the PTT segment, the presence of PBT segments in the copolymers seems to accelerate crystallization. A wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis indicates PTT and PBT units do not co‐crystallize. The reduced melting temperatures of the copolymers may be attributed to a smaller lamellar thickness and lateral size due to short sequence lengths.     

Holographic Recording Media Based on Poly‐N‐Epoxypropylcarbazole Films Doped with Organic Dyes

A comparative analysis of the recording media based on polyNepoxypropylcarbazole films doped with cationic, anionic, and intraionic organic dyes has been carried out for the purposes of holographic interferometry. It is shown that in the case of application of intraionic dyes recording media have satisfactory information characteristics. The use of anionic and cationic dyes does not give a positive result because of the absence of the photoconductivity effect in the anionic dyes and of the high electrical conductivity of the films on increase of the temperature of the cationic dyes. The effect of longterm storage of a latent image in the films with intraionic dyes makes it possible to use them for recording holograms with several exposures.     

Non‐isothermal Melt Crystallization Kinetics for Poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN)/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Prepared by Melt Intercalation

The nonisothermal crystallization behaviors for poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) and poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN)/montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Jeziorny, Ozawa, Ziabicki, and Kissinger models were used to analyze the experimental data. Both the Jeziorny and the Ozawa models were found to describe the nonisothermal crystallization processes of PEN and PEN/montmorillonite nanocomposites fairly well. The results obtained from the Jeziorny and the Ozawa analysis show that the montmorillonite nanoparticles dispersed into PEN matrix act as heterogeneous nuclei for PEN and enhance its crystallization rate, accelerating the crystallization, but a high‐loading of montmorillonites restrain the crystal growth of PEN. The analysis results from the Ziabicki and the Kissinger models further verify the dual actions stated above of the montmorillonite nanoparticles in PEN matrix.     

Viscoelastic and Dielectric Behavior of Poly(1‐Butene)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Linear viscoelastic properties and dielectric behavior of poly(1‐butene)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed significant increase in storage modulus in the rubbery regime. The tan δ peak temperature remained constant; however, the peak intensity was lowered for the nanocomposites. In melt rheological studies the nanocomposites showed a shift in crossover frequency to the lower side, suggesting delayed relaxation of the molecular chains in the presence of MWCNT and this shift was found to depend on the content of MWCNT. The dielectric constant increased from 2.2 to 70 for the nanocomposite with 7 wt. % MWCNT. The electrical conductivity increased significantly, from 10^?15 to 10^?3 S/cm. The results of rheology and dielectric studies indicate that a percolation network is formed that is responsible for the observed changes.     

Coaxial Electrospun Poly(L‐Lactic Acid) Ultrafine Fibers for Sustained Drug Delivery

A coaxial electrospinning technique to fabricate core‐shell ultrafine fiber mats for drug delivery application is described in this paper. Poly (L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) were employed as the shell and core materials, respectively. To investigate the feasibility of the resulting fiber mats for use as drug release carriers, these electrospun fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile testing. In vitro drug release behavior was also examined by ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐VIS) spectroscopy. Results indicated that a reservoir‐type drug release device can be conveniently obtained through encapsulating TCH in the PLLA ultrafine fiber. The size of the ultrafine fibers had a significant effect on their physical‐chemical properties. Furthermore, a sustained TCH release from these fiber mats was also observed. Consequently, the electrospun ultrafine fiber mats containing drugs may be used as drug release carriers or made into biomedical devices such as sutures and wound dressings.     

三螺旋DNA分子Poly(dT)·Poly(dA)·Poly(dT)碱基振动模式

利用晶格动力学方法计算了三螺旋 DNA分子 poly(d T)· poly(d A)· poly(d T)碱基振动模式 ,并根据势能分布矩阵对碱基振动模式进行了指定。计算的模式频率同拉曼光谱实验相符合