Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering studies of the morphology of ionomers

Preliminary small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies have been made of different ionomers in the dry state and after saturation with water. Scattering from the dry samples arises from differences in the neutron scattering cross sections of the ionic and nonionic units in the polymer. The SANS technique is complementary to previous small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) studies since the SANS contrast differences are generally quite different than those for SAXS. A quantitative comparison is made of SANS and SAXS intensities for a dry cesium salt of an ethylene-methacrylic acid (E-MAA) copolymer. For water-saturated samples the technique of isotopic replacement can be used in conjunction with SANS since saturation can be effected with either H₂O or D₂O. In this case information about the chemical composition of the phases is obtained from an analysis of the intensity ratio I/I. Results are consistent with the presence of a separate phase containing water molecules and ions in a matrix of the nonionic units. A Guinier analysis gives a radius of gyration of 17 Å for a water-saturated cesium salt of an E-MAA copolymer.     

Small-angle X-ray scattering studies of the open and closed conformations of aspartate aminotransferase

Summary Aspartate aminotransferase was investigated by X-ray small-angle scattering. A small difference was found between the open (active) and the closed (liganded) conformation of the enzyme. The results were compared with X-ray crystallography data.

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Untersuchungen zur Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung der offenen und geschlossenen Konformation von Aspartat-Aminotransferase

Zusammenfassung Aspartat-Aminotransferase wurde mittels Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung untersucht. Ein kleiner Unterschied zwischen der offenen (aktiven) und der geschlossenen (ligandierten) Konformation wurde gefunden. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Röntgenkristallstrukturdaten verglichen.

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Abbreviations AspAT aspartate aminotransferase     

Fluorescence and light-scattering studies on the formation of stable colloidal nanoparticles made of sodium sulfonated polystyrene ionomers

The lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomer is only soluble in some organic solvents, such as toluene and tetrahydrofurnan (THF). The mixture of its organic solution with water normally leads to macroscopic phase separation, namely precipitation. In this study, using the steady-state fluorescence, the nonradiative energy transfer and dynamic laser light scattering, we demonstrate that the sulfonated polystyrene ionomers can form stable colloidal nanoparticles if the THF solution of the ionomers is dropwisely added into an excessive amount of water, or vice verse, water is added in a dropwise fashion into the dilute ionomer THF solution under ultrasonification or fast stirring. The hydrophobic core made of the polystyrene backbone chains is stabilized by the ionic groups on the particle surface. Such formed stable nanoparticles have a relatively narrow size distribution with an average diameter in the range of 5–12 nm, depending on the degree of sulfonation, the initial concentration of the ionomer THF solution, and the mixing order. This study shows another way to prepare surfactant-free polystyrene nanoparticles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1593–1599, 1997     

Small-angle scattering studies of silicalite-1 growth from clear solutions

This review summarizes recent small-angle X-ray scattering investigations of the initial stages of zeolite formation and growth. These studies have increased the zeolite science community's understanding of the structures present at the earliest stages of growth, particularly in the case of silicalite-1 formed from so-called ‘clear solution’ syntheses.     

Preparation and characterization of sulfonated polyimide ionomers via post‐sulfonation method for fuel cell applications

This paper describes our work on the synthesis of a series of sulfonated homo‐/co‐polyimides (SPI) which were obtained by post‐sulfonation method over three steps. In the first step, 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) dissolved in N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) were reacted with benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) in order to yield poly(amic acid) (PAA). Secondly, precipitated PAA was sulfonated via concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%) at room temperature to give post‐sulfonated PAA (PSPAA). Finally, PSPAA was converted into post‐sulfonated PI (PSPI) by the thermal imidization method. PSPIs with ion exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 0.20 to 0.67 meq/g were prepared. The thermal properties of the PSPIs were evaluated and high desulfonation temperature was found in the range of 190–350°C, suggesting the high stability of sulfonic acid groups. In water, PSPI‐5 membrane displayed similar proton conductivity to Nafion®117, whereas this membrane showed poor conductivity in dry state. All PSPIs displayed good solubility in common polar aprotic solvents such as NMP and dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Furthermore, the effects of post‐sulfonation reaction on chemical structure, thermal oxidative behavior, and physical properties of the PSPI membranes such as membrane quality/stability and water uptake were discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Miscible blends of zinc-neutralized sulfonated polystyrene and poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene oxide)

Zinc-neutralized sulfonated polystyrene ionomers (ZnSPS) and poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene oxide) homopolymer (PXE) form miscible blends up to at least 7.8 mol % sulfonation, as measured by thermal and mechanical criteria. The addition of an equal weight of PXE raises the glass transition temperature of ZnSPS by 40–50°C. However, this miscibility is not achieved by eradicating the microdomain structure present in ZnSPS, even though the PXE coils are considerably larger than the spacings between ionic aggregates. Small-angle x-ray scattering indicates that while the average interaggregate spacing is roughly the same in ZnSPS and its 50/50 blend with PXE at a given sulfonation level, the extent of phase separation is reduced upon PXE addition, indicating that more ionic groups are dispersed in the matrix. Factors influencing miscibility in the ZnSPS/PXE materials and related blends are discussed.     

Properties of sulfonated poly(butylene terephthalate)

The synthesis, morphology, and mechanical properties of sulfonated poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and its unsulfonated analogs were studied. The morphology of these copolymers crystallized from the melt were examined by a combination of wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS), polarized light microscopy, and small-angle light scattering (SALS). Stress-strain measurements are correlated with the morphological results. Spherulitic morphology, with a maltese cross at 45°C with respect to the crossed polars, is formed at low sulfonate levels (≤ 5.0 mol %). At a higher ion content, the maltese cross rotates 45° to form a cross pattern. At still higher sulfonate contents, typically 13 mol %, the light scattering pattern disappears completely. Microscopic and WAXS examination of these functionalized PBT copolymers confirms that the crystallinity level decreases with increasing ion content and is eliminated completely at the higher sulfonation level. The spherulite radius, however, remains invariant until the highest functionalization level. On the contrary, the morphology and properties of the unsulfonated isophthalate copolymer analogs remain relatively constant over the entire composition range examined. In several compositions clearly inferior properties are noted compared with the ion-containing copolymers.     

Small-angle X-ray scattering study on the microstructure evolution of zirconia nanoparticles during calcination

Zirconia nanoparticles have been synthesized from zirconium hydroxide precipitates followed by a supercritical CO₂ extraction. The microstructure evolution of these zirconia nanoparticles during the calcination at the moderate temperature has been investigated. Assisted by the analyses of TEM and XRD, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) study offers possibilities to a comprehensive and quantitative characterization of the structural evolution on the nanometer scales. The as-synthesized zirconia sample exhibits a mass fractal structure constructed by the surface fractal particles. Such a structure can be preserved up to 300 °C. After calcination at 400 °C, considerable structural rearrangement occurs. In the interior of nanoparticles zirconia nanocrystallites emerge. It is the scattering from such zirconia nanoparticles that give rise to the broadened crossover in the ln[J(q)] vs. ln q plot and the scattering peak in the ln[q³J(q)] vs. q² plot. With a further increase in the calcination temperature, the power-law region at large-q in ln J(q) vs. ln q plot expands, and the peak in ln[q³J(q)] vs. q² plot shifts towards lower q values, indicating size increases in both the nanocrystallites and nanoparticles. Besides, the mass fractal structure constructed by zirconia nanoparticles can be largely preserved during the moderate temperature calcination.     

Small-angle X-ray scattering of isotactic poly(4-methyl-1-pentene)

Although the crystalline phase of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (P4MP) is less dense than the amorphous phase, the density difference is very small at room temperature. This makes it difficult to study the fine structure of P4MP by small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). It has therefore not been clear whether a so-called superlattice, or long-spacing structure, is formed in P4MP as in other synthetic polymers. However, it is found that raising the temperature increases the density difference sufficiently to make SAXS study feasible, and the existence of the long-spacing structure of P4MP is indicated. Annealing studies reveal two characteristic temperatures of 170 and 200°C: above 170°C the long-spacing structure is formed with an abrupt increase of crystallinity, and at 200°C the structure is further developed.     

Blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with PMMA ionomers: Mechanical properties

Rigid–rigid blends made of ionomer and ionomer precursor polymer, based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), have been investigated. Two series of blends have been prepared for studying mechanical properties. In one series, dynamic mechanical properties were determined over a wide range of temperatures. As the weight fraction of the ionomer was increased, there was a modest increase of modulus at ambient temperature and a very large increase in the rubbery modulus at elevated temperatures above the glass transition temperature of PMMA. In a second series of tests, tensile stress–strain measurements, made at an ambient temperature, were carried out over a wide range of blend compositions. For all blends tested, the mechanical properties exhibited a synergistic enhancement, i.e., average values of modulus, strength and fracture energy were all higher than expected based on the rule of mixtures. Measurements of fracture toughness also exhibited synergy, with a maximum value, higher than the value of either blend component, being attained in blends containing about 30 wt % of the PMMA ionomer. These results are interpreted in terms of a higher resistance to fracture of the more chain-entangled ionomer phase and good interfacial adhesion between the two components of the blend. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1235–1245, 1998     

Clustering in carboxylated polysulfone ionomers: A characterization by dynamic mechanical and small-angle X-ray scattering methods

The dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of carboxylated polysulfone ionomers were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. It was found that at 25 mol % of ions, ionomers show two glass transitions: one at about 200 °C (the matrix T_g) and the other at about 235 °C (the cluster T_g). It was also found that with increasing ion content up to about 37 mol %, the matrix T_g shifted to higher temperatures and the size of tan δ peak decreased. The cluster T_g did not change. From the results, it is suggested that even at high ion content, the ionomers contain a significant amount of unclustered material, but that the increase in the ion content does not increase the amount of clustered material. SAXS profiles showed the ionic peak, which represents the presence of multiplets in the cluster regions. In addition, the difference in the matrix and cluster T_g's of this ionomer system was found to be about 35°. Thus, it is postulated that ionic group aggregation is subject to steric hindrance owing to the bulkiness of benzene ring, and tension on polymer chains surrounding the multiplet owing to chain rigidity, which limit the size and stability of the multiplet significantly. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 3226–3232, 1999     

Small-angle neutron scattering study on microstructure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) in water

By employing small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we investigated the microstructures of, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (NE) in deuterated water D₂O, as related to macroscopic behaviors of fluidity, turbidity and synerisis. SANS revealed following results: (i) microphase separation occurs at around above 17 °C in a temperature range of transparent sol below 30 °C. In the microdomain appeared in the transparent sol state, both block chains of PNIPA and PEG are swollen by water; (ii) for the NE solution of polymer concentration W_p > 3.5% (w/v), corresponding to opaque gel above 30 °C, a percolated structure, i.e., network-like domain is formed by NE as a result of macrophase separation due to dehydration of the PNIPA chains. As the temperature increases toward 40 °C, the network domain is squeezed along a direction parallel to the NE interface, which leads to increase of the interfacial thickness given by swollen PEG chains and to the macroscopic synerisis behavior.     

Novel poly(aryl ether phthalazinium) ionomers and their properties

The synthesis of N-phenyl phthalazinium salts by condensation of a 1,2-diaroylbenzene with phenylhydrazine is described. This reaction was utilized to prepare novel poly(aryl ether phthalazinium) ionomers by the direct condensation of poly(aryl ether ketone)s with phenylhydrazine. The preparation of poly(aryl ether phthalazinium) ionomers by methylation of poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s is also described. Most of the ionomers are amorphous, thermally stable, and soluble in organic solvents. They can be cast into flexible and strong films. The glass transition temperature of the ionomers ranges from 297 to 363°C, an increase of 12 to 100°C over the corresponding neutral polymers. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solution viscosity behavior of complexes of poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) with lightly sulfonated polystyrene or its zinc salt

The rheological behavior of solutions containing blends of poly(γ-benzyl-L -glutamate) (PBLG) and either the free acid or the zinc salt of lightly sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) was studied as a function of blend composition, polymer concentration, degree of sulfonation of the SPS, and the polypeptide molecular weight. The zinc salt of SPS formed a transition metal complex with the amine-end groups of the PBLG, and this resulted in an enhancement of the solution viscosity relative to a weighted average of the viscosities of the individual polymer solutions. The ZnSPS/PBLG solutions showed no anomalous time or shear dependencies. In contrast, solutions containing PBLG and the sulfonic acid derivative of SPS also had enhanced viscosities, but in addition, they exhibited time-dependent viscosities (thixotropic behavior) and shear thickening (dilatant behavior). This was attributed to a nonequilibrium structure of the interpolymer complex due to a competition between acid-amine and acid-ester interactions. Although the acid-amine interaction is enthalpically favored, when sufficient sulfonic acid groups were available, interactions between the sulfonic acid and the glutamate ester side groups of PBLG developed and this interaction promotes a helix-to-coil transition of the PBLG. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Aggregation of sulfonated poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) in dilute solutions

The viscosities of dilute solutions of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), PPTS, in dimethylacetamide, water, and their mixtures were determined. The reduced viscosity plot in dimethylacetamide shows a negative slope. When the water content in the mixed solvent in 90% or higher, there is an upswing in the reduced viscosity values at concentrations below 0.1 g/dL. The latter behavior suggests a “polyelectrolyte” effect. However, an association model was found to be able to explain the viscosity behaviors in both solvents. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structural investigation of polystyrene grafted and sulfonated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membranes

Structural investigation of polystyrene grafted and sulfonated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membranes prepared by radiation-induced grafting of styrene onto commercial PTFE films and subsequent sulfonation was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The effect of the structural changes taking place in the membranes during the preparation procedure (grafting and sulfonation) and the variation of the degree of grafting on melting temperature (T_m), glass transition temperature (T_g), heat of melting (ΔH_m), and degree of crystallinity was studied. The melting temperature (T_m) was found to be independent of the degree of grafting unlike glass transition temperature (T_g), which was found to be a function of the degree of grafting. Moreover, the degree of crystallinity of the membranes was found to decrease with the increase in the degree of grafting. The results of this work suggest that grafting takes place in the entire amorphous region without any significant disruption in the crystalline structure of PTFE film and the decrease in the degree of crystallinity is mainly attributed to the dilution effect.     

Modification of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with phenolic resin

Soluble phenol formaldehyde resin containing hydroxymethyl groups has been used to modify sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). Modification has been carried out with films containing both the polymers and using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as casting solvent at various temperatures under reduced pressure. Associated solvent and the hydrogen‐bonded by‐product dimethyl amine (DMA) were removed through mild alkali–acid–water treatment. Cured and treated films show good and consistent mechanical properties, water uptake (22–25%), ion‐exchange capacity (1.1–1.5 meq/g) and proton conductivity (125–150 mS/cm) at 30°C and hold promise for application in fuel cells, as indicated by a polarization study in a fuel cell test station. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.