Measurement of splay elastic constant and rotational viscosity of an induced nematic binary system

We investigated the temperature dependence of the splay elastic constant (K₁₁) and rotational viscosity (γ₁) of a binary liquid crystal system comprising 5-trans-n-butyl-2-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,3-dioxane (4DBT) and 4-cyano-4′-n-undecyloxy-biphenyl (11OCB), exhibiting induced nematic phase. Both the splay elastic constant and rotational viscosity increased following lowering of the temperature. In the vicinity of smectic A-nematic (SmA-N) transition, both the relaxation time and rotational viscosity exhibited a strong pretransitional behaviour. The critical exponent (ν) presented here led to valuable qualitative information about the pre-transitional behaviour of the rotational viscosity data near the SmA-N phase transition. The extracted ν values ranging between 0.336 and 0.352 are in fair agreement with those predicted in the de Gennes model as compared to that by the mean-field model.     

Viscoelastic scaling in polymer gels

New scaling laws for chain networks are derived to describe the fundamental relationships between the viscosity exponent (k), viscoelastic exponent (m), stretched exponent (β), spatial dimension (d). fractal dimension (d_f), and a universal constant (γ). The scaling of the total number of monomers and the radius of gyration is defined by d_f. We have discovered γ = m/β to be a universal constant which relates the shear modulus of a polymer gel melt to the shear modulus near the glass transition. Analyzing the size-dependent shear viscosity, we have determined γ = 3d_fcd/(7d−5d_fc) = 2.647 for d = 3 where d_fc is the fractal dimension of critical clusters at the gel point. By using γ, the present theory extends previous work pertaining to systems near the sol-gel transition, and shows how properties far from the critical point can be explained. The theoretical prediction is in good agreement with viscoelastic measurements.     

The role of chain transfer agents in the emulsion polymerization of styrene

The effect of chain transfer agents on the nucleation and growth of polymer particles in the emulsion polymerization of styrene were examined extensively. The chain transfer agents used are carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrabromide, and four primary mercaptans (C₂, n-C₄, n-C₇, and n-C₁₂). It is shown that with an increase in the amount of chain transfer agents charged the rate of polymerization per particle decreases progressively. The number of polymer particles formed, on the other hand, increases initially then decreases. These effects can be enhanced by using a chain transfer agent with higher values of chain transfer constant and solubility in water. It is also demonstrated that with increasing radical desorption from the particles, aided by chain transfer agents, the emulsifier dependence exponent for the number of polymer particles formed increases from 0.6 to 1.0 and the initiator dependence exponent decreases from 0.4 to 0. The effect of chain transfer agents on the nucleation and growth of polymer particles in the emulsion polymerization of styrene can be explained in terms of desorption of chain-transfered radicals from the polymer particles.     

Model phase diagrams of binary nematic mixtures. A comparative study between linear and crosslinked polymers

Model calculations of phase diagrams of side chain liquid crystal polymers (SCLCP) and low molecular weight liquid crystals (LMWLC) are presented. The polymer is assumed to have grafted side chain units characterized by a nematic‐isotropic transition temperature T_{NI 2}, and the LMWLC presents also a similar transition at a temperature T_{NI 1} . The model calculations can accommodate for the cases where the latter two temperatures are comparable or widely different. For the sake of illustration, the case T_{NI 1} = 60°C and T_{NI 2} = 80°C is adopted here. The main point of interest here is to perform a comparative study of the equilibrium phase diagrams of SCLCP made either of linear free chains or crosslinked chains forming a single network. To our knowledge this is the first comparative study of the phase behavior of binary nematic mixtures involving linear and crosslinked polymer matrices which permits to clearly identify the effects of crosslinks present in the polymer matrix. The crosslinks attribute elasticity to the polymer constituent which induces important distortions in the phase diagram. To highlight these distortions, examples of hypothetical binary nematic mixtures are chosen involving both linear and crosslinked polymers with side chain mesogen units. The quadrupole interaction parameter between the two nematogens is related to individual parameters via a geometric average ν²₁₂ = κν₁₁ν₂₂ with a coupling parameter κ. Different values of this parameter are considered and the impact of coupling strength on the phase diagram is discussed for crosslinked and linear polymers.     

Nematic conformation of oxyethylene spacers involved in main-chain liquid crystals

²HNMR measurements were performed on main-chain dimer and polymer liquid crystals (LC) having oxyethylene (OE) spacers -(OCH₂CH₂)_xO-(x=2, 3). The orientational as well as conformational characteristics of these molecules have been investigated in bulk and in a nematic solution. The OE spacer was found to take spatial arrangements characteristics of the nematic phase. The nematic conformation of the spacer remains nearly invariant over a wide range of temperature and concentration. In these analyses, the ratio of the deuterium quadrupolar splittings Δν/Δν^R (Δν: spacer and Δν^R: mesogenic unit) provided an important information regarding the spatial configuration of molecules in the LC state. The results obtained in this study are consistent with our previous conclusion drawn on a series of main-chain LC oligomers and polymers comprising n-alkane spacers -O(CH₂)_nO- (n=9, 10).     

Growth process of polymers near the gelation threshold

We will review experimental results obtained recently on the determination of the laws governing the growth process of polymer clusters as the gel point is approached. The exponent γ which characterizes the increase of the mean weight-average molecular weight M_w as the gel point is approached and the exponent τ which characterizes the mass distribution were measured on different chemical systems. They were found to be independent of the chemical system (within experimental error) and very close to exponent values calculated by computer simulations following the percolation model. Therefore, the sol-gel transition is a critical phenomenon of connectivity belonging to the same class of universality as percolation.     

On the Scaling Behavior of the Force/Extension Relation of a Chain

Applying an extending force F along the end‐to‐end vector r of a chain enlarges the initial size ρ_i ∼ | r _i| leading to a final state with ρ_f larger than ρ_i. Assuming a power law dependence of the size ρ ∼ N^ν of the chain on its length N, at the two different states with different exponents ν_i and ν_f, a scaling relationship is derived between the measure of the extending force F and the extension ρ of the chain. The exponent γ of the force/extension relation, ρ ∼ F^γ, depends on both exponents ν_i and ν_f of the initial and the final states. A relation between γ and the exponents ν_i and ν_f is derived which permits the explanation of previous results and predicts some more. The scaling behavior is checked with the exactly soluble model of a random walk under a force.

     

Diffusive and hydraulic permeabilities of water in water-swollen polymer membranes

The diffusive permeability of water P, which relates to diffusive flux of water under a concentration gradient of water (measured by diffusion of tritiated water), and the hydraulic permeability of water K, which relates to the water flux under a hydraulic pressure gradient are defined. For the case of diffusive transport one has P = KRT/ν₁, where ν₁ is the molar volume of water. The relationship between P and K was investigated as a function of hydration H, i.e., the volume fraction of water in swollen polymer membranes. The following characteristic features of water permeability are revealed. (a) In the lowhydration region (H < 0.2), water permeates by diffusion even under an applied hydraulic pressure gradient and KRT/ν₁ = P. (b) In the higher hydration region KRT/ν₁ is greater than P, and the ratio ω = KRT/ν₁P increases nearly exponentially with decrease of (1-H)/H. Water in this region moves partly by bulk flow under an applied hydraulic pressure gradient but moves only by diffusion in the absence of a pressure gradient. (c) The dependence of log P on (1-H)/H is nearly linear in regions of both high and low hydration but the slopes are different. The transition occurs in about the same H range where the discrepancy between P and KRT/ν₁ becomes significant. Excellent agreement was found between the experimental data for P as a function of H and the theoretical prediction based on the free-volume concept of diffusive transport in hydrated homogeneous membranes.     

Spectra and emission lifetimes of H2CS(Ã 1A2)

Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of single vibronic levels of the first excited singlet state of H₂CS have been measured under effusive flow conditions. Fluorescence lifetimes of the single vibronic levels decrease from 140±3 μs (0°) to 68 μs(3¹4¹5¹) with increasing excitation energies. The promoting vibrational modes for the non-radiative transition are considered to be the out-of-plane bending (ν₄) and the asymmetric rocking (ν₆) modes rather than the asymmetric stretching mode (ν₅).     

Infrared Spectroscopy of Size-Selected Hydrated Carbon Dioxide Radical Anions CO2.−(H2O)n (n=2–61) in the C−O Stretch Region

Understanding the intrinsic properties of the hydrated carbon dioxide radical anions CO₂^.−(H₂O)_n is relevant for electrochemical carbon dioxide functionalization. CO₂^.−(H₂O)_n (n=2–61) is investigated by using infrared action spectroscopy in the 1150–2220 cm⁻¹ region in an ICR (ion cyclotron resonance) cell cooled to T=80 K. The spectra show an absorption band around 1280 cm⁻¹, which is assigned to the symmetric C−O stretching vibration ν_s. It blueshifts with increasing cluster size, reaching the bulk value, within the experimental linewidth, for n=20. The antisymmetric C−O vibration ν_as is strongly coupled with the water bending mode ν₂, causing a broad feature at approximately 1650 cm⁻¹. For larger clusters, an additional broad and weak band appears above 1900 cm⁻¹ similar to bulk water, which is assigned to a combination band of water bending and libration modes. Quantum chemical calculations provide insight into the interaction of CO₂^.− with the hydrogen-bonding network.     

Gamma radiation-initiated polymerization of styrene at high pressure. II. Chain termination

The pressure dependence of the termination rate constant k_t for the free radical polymerization of monomers such as styrene is a function of polymer chain length, chain stiffness, and monomer viscosity, all of which influence the rate of segmental diffusion of an active radical chain end out of the coiled polymer chain to a position in which it can react with a proximate radical. Although k_t is not sensitive to changes in chain length, the large increase in molecular weight is responsible for a significant reduction in k_t at high pressures. For most of the common vinyl polymers, which exhibit some degree of chain stiffness, k_t is inversely proportional to a fractional power of the monomer viscosity because it depends in part on the resistance of chain segments to movement and in part on the influence of viscosity in controlling diffusion of the chain ends. The fractional exponent appears to increase with pressure and this is interpreted as evidence that the polymer chains become more flexible in a more viscous solvent. Because the fractional exponent is higher for more flexible chains, the value of the activation volume for chain termination is an indication of the degree of flexibility of the polymer chains, provided that the monomer is a good solvent for the polymer and that chain transfer is negligible.     

Resonance Raman scattering in the 1Σg+ → 1B2 (1Σu+) transition of CS2

Resonance Raman spectra of CS₂ are presented at excitation wavelengths of 204 and 200 nm. Both spectra show activity in the symmetric (ν₁) stretch and bending (ν₂) modes consistent with a bent, symmetrically stretched ¹B₂(¹Σ_u⁺) upper state. In addition, these spectra show activity of the transition involving two quanta in the asymmetric (ν₃) stretch as well as progressions in ν₁ and ν₂ based upon this asymmetric mode overtone.     

Changes in the IR Spectra of Aqueous Solutions of Alkali Metal Chlorides during Crystallization

The IR spectra of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and rubidium chloride with the same concentration of 0.1 M upon freezing are studied in the middle IR region. The changes that occur in the absorption bands of the bending ν₂, compound ν₂ + ν_L, and stretching (ν₁, 2ν₂, and ν₃) vibrations of water molecules with gradual crystallization of the solutions are studied. The obtained spectra of crystallized solutions are compared to the IR spectrum of ice Ih. Analysis allows conclusions about the structure of the investigated frozen crystallized solutions.     

Polymer Structures and Glass Transition: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Full atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on five polymers with different chain backbone (C—C, Si—O, and C—O) and different side groups (—H, one —CH₃, and two —CH₃) are performed to study the effects of chain flexibility and side groups on the glass transition of polymers. Molecular dynamics simulations of NPT (constant pressure and constant temperature) dynamics are carried out to obtain specific volume as a function of temperature for polyethylene (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), polyisobutylene (PIB), poly(oxymethylene) (POM), and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The volumetric glass transition temperature has been determined as the temperature marking the discontinuity in slope of the plots of V–T simulation data. Various energy components at different temperatures of the polymers are investigated and their roles played in the glass transition process are analyzed. In order to understand the polymer chain conformations above and below the glass transition temperature, dihedral angle distributions of polymer chains at various temperatures are also studied.     

The association of urethane-polyethyleneoxide (HEUR) thickeners,as studied by NMR self-diffusion measurements

The concentration and molecular weight dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient (D _self) of associative polymers of HEUR-type in aqueous solution have been investigated using FT-PGSE-NMR technique. The idea of three-dimensional network formation as a result of aggregation of the hydrophobic end-groups of the polymer in junctions is supported through the observed dramatic lowering ofD _self with increased concentration. The network-formation efficiency depends on the polymer molecular weight as well as the hydrophobicity of the end-groups.A double logarithmic dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient versus concentration (c) has been observed:D _selfc ^–a1,a2 . The first exponent,a ₁, is valid at low concentration, <1% polymer per weight solution, and ranges from 0.5 to 1, whereas the second exponent,a ₂, describing systems of higher concentration, ranges from 2 to 2.7.     

Measurement of size‐dependent glass transition temperature in electrospun polymer fibers using AFM nanomechanical testing

The glass transition temperature (T_g) of individual electrospun polymer polyvinyl alcohol fibers of varying diameter was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanomechanical thermal analysis. Indentation and bending of individual electrospun fibers using AFM allowed the calculation of the elastic modulus of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers across a range of different temperatures. The elastic modulus of electrospun PVA fibers was observed to decrease significantly when passing through T_g, which allowed accurate determination of T_g. The T_g of electrospun PVA fibers was shown to decrease for smaller fiber diameters especially for fiber diameters below 250 nm. This size‐dependent glass transition behavior of electrospun PVA fibers is indicated as being due to polymer chain confinement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

High-Resolution Infrared Synchrotron Investigation of (HCN)2 and a Semi-Experimental Determination of the Dissociation Energy D0

The high-resolution infrared absorption spectrum of the donor bending fundamental band ν of the homodimer (HCN)₂ has been collected by long-path static gas-phase Fourier transform spectroscopy at 207 K employing the highly brilliant 2.75 GeV electron storage ring source at Synchrotron SOLEIL. The rovibrational structure of the ν transition has the typical appearance of a perpendicular type band associated with a Σ–Π transition for a linear polyatomic molecule. The total number of 100 assigned transitions are fitted employing a standard semi-rigid linear molecule Hamiltonian, providing the band origin ν₀ of 779.05182(50) cm⁻¹ together with spectroscopic parameters for the degenerate excited state. This band origin, blue-shifted by 67.15 cm⁻¹ relative to the HCN monomer, provides the final significant contribution to the change of intra-molecular vibrational zero-point energy upon HCN dimerization. The combination with the vibrational zero-point energy contribution determined recently for the class of large-amplitude inter-molecular fundamental transitions then enables a complete determination of the total change of vibrational zero-point energy of 3.35±0.30 kJ mol⁻¹. The new spectroscopic findings together with previously reported benchmark CCSDT(Q)/CBS electronic energies [Hoobler et al. ChemPhysChem. 19 , 3257–3265 (2018)] provide the best semi-experimental estimate of 16.48±0.30 kJ mol⁻¹ for the dissociation energy D₀ of this prototypical homodimer.     

The UV absorption spectrum and geometry of the HS2 radical

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the transient HS₂ radical produced in the flash photolysis of H₂S₂ was recorded. The spectrum observed in the λ = 3070–3800 Å region is assigned to the òA′ ← X²A″ electronic transition, and three progressions to the SS stretching (ν′₁), SSz.sbnd;H bending (ν′₂) and SH stretching (ν′₃) vibrations of the ²A′ upper electronic state. Open-shell CNDO/2 calculations were carried out to optimize the ground state (²A″) molecular geometry. For comparison, similar calculations were also performed on the HO₂ radical. HS₂ is bent in the ground state and nearly linear in the (²A′) and (⁴A″) excited states.     

Heat capacity of a polydiacetylene single crystal from 3 to 300 K

Heat capacities C_p of a polydiacetylene-bis(toluene sulfonate) single crystal and its monomer have been measured in the temperature range from 3 to 300 K. The temperature dependence of C_p for both monomer and polymer crystals differs from that for monoatomic solids. By applying a chain lattice model for a polymer crystal, the temperature dependence of the heat capacity can be described assuming a phonon density of states given by bending and stretching modes of the polymer backbone. With a combination of one-dimensional and three-dimensional elastic continuum approximations, the heat capacity has been calculated and a good fit to the data has been obtained. A small peak in C_p was detected at 161 K for the monomer and at 198 K for the polymer. This may be ascribed to a lower-temperature phase transition in the polydiacetylene crystals evidenced by previous x-ray and spectroscopic measurements.     

A Monte Carlo study of a tethered polymer chain in a uniform field

We study the non‐uniform stretching and relaxation of a long flexible end‐anchored polymer chain of N monomers (32 ≤ N ≤ 1 024) in a uniform field B by means of an off‐lattice bead‐spring Monte Carlo model. Our simulational results for the case of a Rouse‐like polymer in the good solvent regime confirm the existence of “trumpet”‐ and “flower”‐type chain conformations, predicted recently by scaling analysis based on the notion of Pincus tensile blobs. The observed elongation of the chain and the critical fields, separating three different regimes of chain deformation, are found to obey the predicted scaling behavior. The segment density distribution matches that of a DNA molecule pulled from one end at constant velocity in a good solvent. As expected, the relaxation of the stretch to coil transition of the polymer of length N is determined by the typical Rouse time τ ∝ N^2ν+1.