Effect of physical aging of poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) films synthesized with TaCl5 and NbCl5 on gas permeability,fractional free volume,and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy parameters

The effect of physical aging on the gas permeability, fractional free volume (FFV), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) parameters of dense, isotropic poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) films synthesized with TaCl₅ and NbCl₅ was characterized. As‐cast films were soaked in methanol until an equilibrium amount of methanol was absorbed by the polymer. When the films were removed from methanol, film thickness initially decreased rapidly and was almost constant after 70 h in air for both catalysts. This timescale was much longer than the timescale for complete methanol desorption (ca. 5 h). From the film‐thickness data, the reduction in FFV with time was estimated. For samples prepared with either catalyst, the kinetics of FFV reduction were well‐described by a simple model based on the notion either that free‐volume elements diffuse to the surface of the polymer film and are subsequently eliminated from the sample or that lattice contraction controls polymer densification. Methane permeability decreased rapidly during the first 70 h, which was the same timescale for the thickness change. The decrease in methane permeability was smaller in films prepared with NbCl₅ than with TaCl₅. The logarithm of methane permeability decreased linearly as reciprocal FFV increased, in accordance with free‐volume theory. The PALS results indicate that the concentration of larger free‐volume elements (as indicated by the intensity I₄) decreased with aging time and that the other PALS parameters were not strongly influenced by aging. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1222–1239, 2000     

Positron annihilation lifetime measurements of mechanically fatigued polystyrene samples

Early stages of cyclic fatigue‐loaded polystyrene (PS) specimens were investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) at a maximum stress amplitude of 15 MPa. PALS yields information about the average unoccupied hole volume. A linear increase in the ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) lifetime was observed in a range from 0 to 50,000 cycles. This increase occurs homogeneously distributed at different positions along a sample of 170 mm. The average unoccupied void volume increases by 1.2%. On the other hand, the o‐Ps intensity shows no systematic change upon cycling. The results suggest a homogeneous and linear increase in free volume prior to craze formation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1991–1995, 2008     

Characterization of poly(silylenemethylene)s by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. I.

Amorphous and crystalline poly(silylenemethylene)s with the repeating PhRSiCH₂ (R : Me or Ph) units were characterized by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to gain insights into the molecular motions of these polymers. The temperature dependence of the ortho-positronium lifetime (τ₃) and intensity (I₃) was examined from 50 to 470 K for each sample. The glass transition temperature of each polymer was easily distinguished by a change in the slope of τ₃ spectrum. Both polymers exhibited a steep drop of I₃ at 130–140 K being probably assignable to the transition arising from the motions of phenyl groups, which was almost undetectable by means of differential scanning calorimetry or dynamic mechanical analysis. Several other transitions of these polymers detected by PALS are also discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 755–761, 1998     

Pressure‐volume‐temperature and glass transition behavior of silica/polystyrene nanocomposite

The pressure‐volume‐temperature (PVT) behavior and glass transition behavior of a 10 wt % silica nanoparticle‐filled polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite sample are measured using a custom‐built pressurizable dilatometer. The PVT data are fitted to the Tait equation in both liquid and glassy states; the coefficient of thermal expansion α, bulk modulus K, and thermal pressure coefficient γ are examined as a function of pressure and compared to the values of neat PS. The glass transition temperature (T_g) is reported as a function of pressure, and the limiting fictive temperature (T_f′) from calorimetric measurements is reported as a function of cooling rate. Comparison with data for neat PS indicates that the nanocomposite has a slightly higher T_g at elevated pressures, higher bulk moduli at all pressures studied, and its relaxation dynamics are more sensitive to volume. The results for the glassy γ values suggest that thermal residual stresses would not be reduced for the nanocomposite sample studied. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1131–1138     

Liquid Chromatography of Synthetic Polymers under Limiting Conditions of Insolubility III

Summary Performance was evaluated of silica based commercial monolithic rod-like columns in liquid chromatography of synthetic polymers under limiting conditions of enthalpic interactions (LC LC). LC LC employs the barrier effect of the pore permeating and therefore slowly eluting small molecules toward the pore excluded, fast eluting macromolecules. Phase separation (precipitation) barrier action was applied in present study. The barrier was created either by the narrow pulse of an appropriate nonsolvent injected into the column just before the sample solution (LC LC of insolubility – LC LCI) or by the eluent itself. In the latter case, the polymer sample was dissolved and injected in a good solvent (LC LC of solubility – LC LCS). In LC LCI, polymer species cannot break thru the nonsolvent zone while in LC LCS they cannot enter eluent, which is their precipitant. Therefore, polymer species keep moving in the zone of their original solvent. Macromolecules eluting under the LC LC mechanism leave the column in the retention volume (V_R) roughly corresponding to V_R of the low molar mass substances and can be efficiently separated from the polymer species non-hindered by the barrier action. The known advantages of monoliths were confirmed. From the point of view of LC LCI and LC LCS the most important quality of monolithic columns represents their excellent permeability, which allows both working at high flow rates and injecting very high (in the range of 5%) sample concentrations. Monolithic column tolerate also extremely high molar mass samples (M>10,000 kg · mol⁻¹). On the other hand, the mesopores (separation pores) of the tested monoliths exhibited rather small volume and wide size distribution. These shortcomings partially impair the permeability advantage of monoliths because in order to obtain high LC LC separation selectivity a tandem of several monolithic columns must be applied. Presence of large mesopores also reduces applicability of monolithic columns for molar masses below about 50 kg · mol⁻¹ because V_Rs of polymers eluted behind the barrier are similar to that of freely eluting species. The non- negligible break-thru phenomenon was observed for the very high polymer molar masses largely eluting behind the barrier. It is assumed that the fraction of very large mesopores present in the monoliths or association/microphase separation of macromolecules may be responsible for this phenomenon. This is why the presently marketed SiO₂ monolithic columns are mainly suitable for the fast purification of the LC LC eluting macromolecules from the polymeric admixtures non-hindered by the barrier-forming liquid. Still, monolithic columns have large potential in the LC LCI and LC LCS procedures provided size (effective diameter) of the mesopores can be reduced and their volume increased.     

Effect of residual water and free volume on the glass‐transition temperature and heat capacity in polystyrene/poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐butyl acrylate) structured latex films

The dynamic heat capacity and glass‐transition temperature of polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (VAc–BA) (50:50 w/w) structured latex films as a function of annealing time at 70, 77, and 85 °C were examined with modulated‐temperature differential scanning calorimetry. The PS and poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) components were considered to be the cores and shells, respectively, in the structured latex. The dynamic heat capacity decreased with time. The glass‐transition temperatures of the PS and VAc–BA phases shifted to higher values after annealing. The results of thermogravimetry showed that there existed about 1.8% residual water in the films. The mean free volume and relative concentration of holes at room temperature (before and after annealing) and 85 °C, as a function of time, were obtained with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The PALS results indicated no significant change in free volume during annealing. It is believed that the loss, by diffusion, of residual water mainly caused a decrease in heat capacity and an increase in the glass‐transition temperatures. As little as 1.8% residual water in the structured latex films had a significant influence on the thermal properties. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1659–1664, 2001     

Synthesis of highly dispersed,block copolymer‐grafted TiO2 nanoparticles within neat block copolymer films

The objective of the study is to formulate exclusive block copolymer (BCP) nanocomposites by dispersing bcp end‐grafted nanoparticles (bcp‐g‐nps) of PMMA‐b‐PS‐g‐TiO₂ within PS‐b‐PMMA matrix. PMMA‐b‐PS‐g‐TiO₂ is synthesized using a “grafting‐to” approach and characterized by XPS and TGA to establish that the copolymer chains were bonded to NPs. Good dispersion of bcp‐g‐nps in PMMA and PS‐PMMA bcp films is observed, in contrast to poor dispersion in PS films. In PS‐PMMA films, the compatible and identical bcp nature of the end‐grafted polymer, and large NP size caused it to span across entire PS‐PMMA domains. Poor and good dispersion in PS and PMMA matrices, respectively, can be rationalized by the fact that NPs interactions are driven by the PMMA at the outer corona of the bcp‐g‐nps. Developing bcp‐g‐nps as a strategic route to preparation of highly dispersed high permittivity NPs like titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in bcp matrix can have important ramifications for energy storage devices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 468–478     

Positron annihilation studies on radiation‐crosslinked poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels

The temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels, prepared by γ and electron‐beam (EB) irradiation, were studied using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The effect of water content in the hydrogel on the ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) lifetime and intensity was investigated. The observed positronium lifetime suggests microstructural differences between γ‐ and EB‐synthesized hydrogels. The distribution in positronium lifetime indicates nonhomogeneity in the distribution of free‐volume holes in EB‐synthesized hydrogels. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3462–3466, 2000     

The buildup of the electric field during positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurement

Positron annihilation lifetime spectra were measured on pure polystyrene (PS) and PS samples whose film surfaces were coated with gold, graphite (GR‐PS), or M_oS₂. The results showed the longest lifetime remained constant with measured time in all experimental samples, whereas the corresponding intensity decreased with time at different rates. The experimental phenomena were associated with the buildup of an electric field inside the polymer during extended positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurement. The decrease in the rate was attributed to the presence of conductive film causing the neutrality between positive charges and negative charges, thereby reducing the buildup of the electric field. Additionally, we also performed PALS measurement on GR‐PS under different experimental conditions, such as the conductive film being grounded or not grounded or the presence of an external electric field. These results further indicated that the buildup of the electric field was responsible for the decrease in the intensity with time. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 332–336, 2001     

Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization Based Pore‐Size‐Selective Functionalization of Glycidyl Methacrylate Based Monolithic Media: Access to Size‐Stable Nanoparticles for Ligand‐Free Metal Catalysis

Monolithic polymeric supports have been prepared by electron‐beam‐triggered free‐radical polymerization using a mixture of glycidyl methacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate in 2‐propanol, 1‐dodecanol, and toluene. Under appropriate conditions, phase separation occurred, which resulted in the formation of a porous monolithic matrix that was characterized by large (convective) pores in the 30 μm range as well as pores of <600 nm. The epoxy groups in pores of >7 nm were hydrolyzed by using poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (M_w=69 400 g mol^?1, PDI=2.4). The remaining epoxy groups inside pores of <7 nm were subjected to aminolysis with norborn‐5‐en‐2‐ylmethylamine ( 2 ) and provided covalently bound norborn‐2‐ene (NBE) groups inside these pores. These NBE groups were then treated with the first‐generation Grubbs initiator [RuCl₂(PCy₃)₂(CHPh)]. These immobilized Ru–alkylidenes were further used for the surface modification of the small pores by a grafting approach. A series of monomers, that is, 7‐oxanorborn‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic anhydride ( 3 ), norborn‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic anhydride ( 4 ), N,N‐di‐2‐pyridyl‐7‐oxanorborn‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxylic amide ( 5 ), N,N‐di‐2‐pyridylnorborn‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxamide ( 6 ), N‐[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxamide ( 7 ), and dimethyl bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐ylphosphonate ( 8 ), were used for this purpose. Finally, monoliths functionalized with poly‐ 5 graft polymers were used to permanently immobilize Pd²⁺ and Pt⁴⁺, respectively, inside the pores. After reduction, metal nanoparticles 2 nm in diameter were formed. The palladium‐nanoparticle‐loaded monoliths were used in both Heck‐ and Suzuki‐type coupling reactions achieving turnover numbers of up to 167 000 and 63 000, respectively.     

Anionic synthesis and detection of fluorescence‐labeled polymers with a terminal anhydride group

To monitor polymer–polymer coupling reactions between two different monofunctional polymers in dilute polymer blends, fluorescence‐labeled anhydride‐functional polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared by conventional anionic polymerization. Sequential trapping of lithiopolystyrene by 1‐(2‐anthryl)‐1‐phenylethylene (APE) and then di‐t‐butyl maleate (4) provided, after pyrolysis, anhydride‐functional fluorescent PS. Fluorescent PMMA anhydride (8) was synthesized with sec‐butyllithium/APE as an initiator for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate, trapping by 4, and pyrolysis. These polymers could be reacted with amine‐functional polymers by melt blending, and the reaction progress could be monitored by gel permeation chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. This technique not only allows monitoring of the coupling reaction with high sensitivity (ca. 100 times more sensitive than refractive index detection) but also permits selective detection because unlabeled polymers are invisible to fluorescence detection. This highly sensitive and selective detection methodology was also used to monitor the coupling reaction of 8 with PS‐NH₂ at a thin‐film interface, which was otherwise difficult to detect by conventional methods. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2177–2185, 2000     

A novel temperature‐step method to determine the glass transition temperature of ultrathin polymer films by liquid dewetting

A novel temperature‐step experimental method that extends the Bodiguel‐Fretigny liquid dewetting method of investigating polymer thin films is described and results presented from an investigation of thickness effects on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of ultrathin polystyrene (PS) films. Unlike most other methods of thin film investigation, this procedure promises a rapid screening tool to determine the overall profile of T_g versus film thickness for ultrathin polymer films using a limited number of samples. Similar to our prior observations and other literature data, with this new method obvious T_g depression was observed for PS thin films dewetting on both glycerol and an ionic liquid. The results for PS dewetting on the two different liquids are similar indicating only modest effects of the substrate on the T_g‐film thickness relationship. In both instances, the T_g depression is somewhat less than for similar PSs supported on silicon substrates reported in the literature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1343–1349     

Triptycene‐containing polyetherolefins via acyclic diene metathesis polymerization

Several new triptycene‐containing polyetherolefins were synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. The well‐established mechanism, high selectivity and specificity, mild reaction conditions, and well‐defined end‐groups make the ADMET polymerization a good choice for studying systematic variations in polymer structure. Two types of triptycene‐based monomer with varying connectivities were used in the synthesis of homopolymers, block copolymers, and random copolymers. In this way, the influence of the triptycene architecture and concentration in the polymer backbone on the thermal behavior of the polymers was studied. Inclusion of increasing amounts of triptycene were found to increase the glass transition temperature, from ?44 °C in polyoctenamer to 59 °C in one of the hydrogenated triptycene homopolymers ( H‐PT2 ). Varying the amounts and orientations of triptycene was found to increase the stiffness ( H‐PT1 ), toughness ( PT1₁‐b‐PO₁ ) and ductility ( PT1₁‐ran‐PO₃ ) of the polymer at room temperature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Transition and relaxation processes of polyethylene,polypropylene, and polystyrene studied by positron annihilation

Transition and relaxation processes of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were studied by the positron annihilation technique. From measurements of lifetime spectra of positrons as a function of temperature, the lifetime of ortho-positronium, τ₃, and its intensity, I₃, were found to increase above 260 K for PP. This fact was attributed to a cooperative motion of large segments of molecules above the glass transition temperature, T_g. For PE, above T_g (140 K), the value of τ₃ increased, but the temperature coefficient of I₃ was negative below 230 K. From this fact, for PE, the molecular motions that cause the glass transition were associated with a rearrangement of molecules by local motions such as kink motions. The discrepancy between the results for PE and PP was attributed to the presence of methyl groups in PP and the resultant suppression of the local motions. For PS (T_g = 340 K), the molecular motions were found to start above 260 K, but those were suppressed by an interphenyl correlation. Detailed annihilation characteristics of positrons in polymers were also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1601–1609, 1997     

Micromechanical fast quasi‐static detection of α and β relaxations with nanograms of polymer

Micromechanical string resonators are used as a highly sensitive tool for the detection of glass transition (T_g or α relaxation) and sub‐T_g (β relaxation) temperatures of polystyrene (PS) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The characterization technique allows for a fast detection of mechanical relaxations of polymers with only few nanograms of sample in a quasi‐static condition. The polymers are spray coated on one side of silicon nitride (SiN) microstrings. These are pre‐stressed suspended structures clamped on both ends to a silicon frame. The resonance frequency of the microstrings is then monitored as a function of increasing temperature. α and β relaxations in the polymer affect the net static tensile stress of the microstring and result in measureable local frequency slope maxima. T_g of PS and PMMA is detected at 91 ±2°C and 114 ±2°C, respectively. The results match well with the glass transition values of 93.6°C and 114.5°C obtained from differential scanning calorimetry of PS and PMMA, respectively. The β relaxation temperatures are detected at 30 ± 2°C and 33 ± 2°C for PS and PMMA which is in accordance with values reported in literature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1035–1039     

Multiarm star block and multiarm star mixed‐block copolymers via azide‐alkyne click reaction

The synthesis of multiarm star block (and mixed‐block) copolymers are efficiently prepared by using Cu(I) catalyzed azide‐alkyne click reaction and the arm‐first approach. α‐Silyl protected alkyne polystyrene (α‐silyl‐alkyne‐PS) was prepared by ATRP of styrene (St) and used as macroinitiator in a crosslinking reaction with divinyl benzene to successfully give multiarm star homopolymer with alkyne periphery. Linear azide end‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐N₃) and poly (tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA‐N₃) were simply clicked with the multiarm star polymer described earlier to form star block or mixed‐block copolymers in N,N‐dimethyl formamide at room temperature for 24 h. Obtained multiarm star block and mixed‐block copolymers were identified by using ¹H NMR, GPC, triple detection‐GPC, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 99–108, 2010     

A study on free‐volume properties of styrene‐acrylic ester type copolymers

The positron annihilation lifetime measurements have been performed on a number of amorphous styrene–methyl acrylate copolymers and styrene–butyl methacrylate copolymers. The densities of copolymers were obtained with immersion method by using a capillary pycnometer and the average molecular weights were determined by gel chromatography. The lifetime τ₃ of ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) pick‐off annihilation have been found to correlate with side group volume and polarity of macromolecular chains in the copolymers, and relative intensity I₃ is attributed mainly to the electron‐attracting groups trapping the spur electrons and positrons. The experimental results have been discussed on the basis of the structural variation of macromolecular chains. In addition, the PALS measurement as a function of time for polystyrene and several styrene–methyl acrylate copolymers has also been performed. The result shows that an electric field is built in polymers during extended positron annihilation spectroscopy measurement, and the field effect is a main factor which causes the decrease in I₃ with time. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2476–2485, 1999     

Effect of polymer polarity on the positronium formation

Positron annihilation lifetime spectra have been measured on styrene–methyl methacrylate, styrene–acrylonitrile, and styrene–butyl methacrylate copolymers. The results show that the longest lifetime τ₃ remains constant during extended PALS measurement in all experiment copolymers, and relative intensity I₃ decreases to a certain extent with measured time in weak polar copolymers and remain almost unchanged in strong polar copolymers as well as ST–BMA copolymers. The observed decrease in I₃ have been found to be unrelated to the microstructural change of copolymers, and, instead, to be more likely a result of the buildup of an electric field inside the copolymers during the prolonged PALS measurement. The field effect can result in the decrease of I₃ due to the increase in the positrons and electrons diffusing out of the spur, but the influence of the electric field on I₃ decrease with increasing the polarity of the copolymers and the softness of side groups of macromolecular chains in the copolymers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 435–442, 2000     

Microstructure and Defect Characterization of Nanostructured Ni3Al

 Nanostructured Ni₃Al was produced by the inert gas condensation and in situ compaction technique and characterized by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction, and density measurements. The defect structure was investigated using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). It is shown that in some samples besides the cubic also the martensitic phase can be present. The defect structure can be divided into three major components: vacancy-like defects in the grain boundaries and nano-voids with a size of 1 nm as seen with PALS, and large pores with sizes up to 8 nm as seen with HRTEM. Furthermore, it is shown that an increasing compaction temperature leads to significantly smaller nano-voids.     

Novel polymer monolith prepared from a water‐soluble crosslinking agent

In this study, we described the fundamental properties of novel polymer monoliths that were prepared from a water‐soluble crosslinking agent. Each monolith was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and scanning probe microscope (SPM) to observe the monolithic structure, and the polymer films that were prepared from several monomers were evaluated by the contact angle of water. As results of evaluations, the polymer prepared from a water‐soluble crosslinking agent had high hydrophilicity. Furthermore, SEM evaluations suggested that polymer porogenic solvent (PEG) was contributed to the construction of monolithic structure, and the polymerization degree of PEG was also taken effect of the structural changing by the variation of phase separation. Additionally, the results of SPM evaluations and the differences of monolithic structure were also reflected under water condition although the swelling of polymer was observed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3811–3817, 2007