Self-catalytic cross-linking reaction and reactive mechanism studies of α-aminomethyl triethoxysilanes for α,ω-dihydroxy poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Some kinds of aminomethyl triethoxysilanes, cross-linkers of α,ω-dihydroxy poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), can act as catalyst to self-catalyze the cross-linking reaction with PDMS, as found in our studies. Three kinds of α-aminomethylsilanes, [(diethyl)aminomethyl triethoxysilane (DMTS), anilinomethyl triethoxysilane (AMTS) and cyclohexylaminomethyl triethoxysilane (CMTS)], and two kinds of γ-aminopropyl silanes, [(γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS) and (N-β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (AATS)] were selected to study the self-catalytic cross-linking reaction and its mechanism. The reactivity of the cross-linkers determined by n-hexane extraction experiments, was found to be DMTS > CMTS ? AMTS, but APTS and AATS could not react with PDMS without catalysis. The cross-linking degree was increased with the reactivity. The results of extraction experiments and Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectra indicated that the cross-linking reaction was an equimolar reaction between the Si-OH groups and Si-OC₂H₅ groups. Formation of electron conjugation of N and Si in α-aminomethyl triethoxysilane molecules has been proposed to elucidate the mechanism of the self-catalytic cross-linking reaction. The Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter (MDSC) results showed that the increase of the glass-transition temperature (T_g) of the cross-linked products was dependent on the reactivity of the cross-linkers. The thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) results demonstrated that the thermal stabilities of the cross-linked products were also related to the reactivity and the structures of the cross-linkers.     

Gel permeation chromatography studies of chain scission and cross-linking during photo-oxidation of atactic polystyrene below and at tg

Photo-oxidative degradation of polystyrene in the form of film 20 μm thick was carried out in air using u.v. light of 254 nm at room temperature and at temperatures up to T_g. GPC was used to study changes of molecular weight distribution during the process. The GPC results were analysed using equations for an initially most probable distribution and non-uniform energy dissipation; the quantum yield values of chain scission and cross-linking of polystyrene during degradation were calculated. Initially, degradation progressed at high rate, connected with consumption of oxygen dissolved in the film. The slower subsequent degradation was connected with consumption of oxygen supplied during the reaction. An appreciable increase in the quantum yields for chain scission and cross-linking was observed just below and at T_g for the initial stage of photo-oxidative degradation. This increase of the quantum yield of photodegradation was caused by increased mobility of oxygen molecules in the film, connected with movement of polymer chain elements.     

UV-curable epoxy systems containing hyperbranched polymers: Kinetics investigation by photo-DSC and real-time FT-IR experiments

The effect of the presence of a hyperbranched OH-functionalized polymer (HBP) on the kinetics of cationic photopolymerization of an epoxy system was investigated employing two complementary techniques, photo-DSC and real-time FT-IR spectroscopy.Lower rates of cross-linking reactions and higher conversion degrees were obtained in photo-DSC experiments with respect to real-time FT-IR spectroscopy. A limited amount (10% wt) of HBP influenced to a certain extent the cure kinetics of the epoxy resin followed by RT-IR; a final conversion of epoxy groups equal to 100% was achieved by increasing the content up to 20% wt The addition of 10% wt of HBP leaves the cure kinetics of the CE resin studied by p-DSC almost unchanged. By increasing the HBP content, a slightly lower reaction rate is observed at lower reaction times. The presence of the HBP produced a continuous decrease of the T_g of the UV-cured epoxy resin but only modest reductions in its thermo-oxidative stability.     

Thermal and dynamic mechanical investigations on poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)]

A series of new semi-ladder poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)], obtained by the polycondensation of dinaphthalene dianhydrides and aromatic tetraamines was investigated by TG, DSC and DMA methods. The influence of polymer structure on the thermal behaviour of the poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] was examined. The polymers were found to be thermally stable with T_d > 723 K in air and T_g ranging from 585 to 701 K. A good agreement was obtained in T_g values measured by DSC and DMA methods. It was found that some cross-linking processes occurred at temperatures above T_g. Some of the isothermal ageing curves were used to find the activation energies of isothermal cross-linking and decomposition.     

Density,Viscosity, and Glass Transition of an Ethylenediamine–Ethylene Glycol Binary System

Densities ρ and viscosities η were measured for the binary mixtures of ethylenediamine (EDA) and ethylene glycol (EG) in the temperature range 288.15–323.15 K for ρ and at 273.15–323.15 K for η, both of which are broader temperature ranges than those reported previously. The value of ρ monotonously decreases against the mole fraction of EDA, x _EDA, and increasing temperature. The concentration dependence of η exhibits a maximum in the intermediate concentration range at all temperatures measured. The glass transition temperature, T _g, for samples with x _EDA < 0.7 was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The measured T _g values show a peak in the intermediate concentration range, which is a behavior similar to that of η; however, the peak concentrations for η and T _g did not precisely align because of a deviation in the maximum hydrogen-bond density. The partial molar volumes for EDA and EG and the thermal expansivities, α, were obtained from ρ. Results in the present study are discussed in terms of the extensively increasing hydrogen-bond density for polyamine–polyhydric alcohol systems.     

Synthesis of cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) via dispersion polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide

Cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) particles were prepared via dispersion polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) using poly(heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate) (PHDFDMA) and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as the dispersant and the initiator, respectively. The following chemicals were used as cross-linking agents: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,4-buthanediol di(meth)acrylate (1,4-BD(M)A), and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate. PHDFDMA was synthesized by solution polymerization in scCO₂. We investigated the effect of the chemical structure, concentration of the cross-linking agents, reaction pressure, and CO₂ density on the morphology, the polydispersity, and the cross-linking density of polymer particles. The resulting polymer particle was characterized by field emission SEM, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The cross-linked PMMA particles is more agglomerate as the cross-linking agent concentration increased and as pressure decreased at constant temperature. Glass-transition temperature (T _g) of the resulting polymer increased as the cross-linking agent increased with temperature and pressure increasing at the same CO₂ density. Decomposition temperature is slightly increased as 1,4-BDA concentration increased. From these results, we can confirm that the thermal stability of the polymer increased as the cross-linking agent and EGDMA is the best cross-linking agent in term of the thermal stability.     

Influence of electron beam irradiation on physicochemical properties of poly(trimethylene carbonate)

Electron beam (EB) irradiation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), an amorphous, biodegradable polymer used in the field of biomaterials, results in predominant cross-linking and finally in the formation of gel fraction, thus enabling modification of physicochemical properties of this material without significant changes in its chemical structure. PTMC films (M_w: 167-553 kg mol⁻¹) were irradiated with different doses using an electron accelerator. Irradiation with a standard sterilization dose of 25 kGy caused neither significant changes in the chemical composition of the polymer nor significant deterioration of its mechanical properties. Changes in viscosity-, number-, weight-, and z-average molecular weights of PTMC for doses lower than the gelation dose (D_g) as well as gel-sol analysis and swelling tests for doses above D_g indicate domination of cross-linking over degradation. EB irradiation can be considered as an effective tool for increasing the average molecular weight of PTMC and sterilization of PTMC-based biomaterials.     

Hydrogen bonding interactions between ethylene glycol and water: density,excess molar volume,and spectral study

Studies of the density and the excess molar volume of ethylene glycol (EG)-water mixtures were carried out to illustrate the hydrogen bonding interactions of EG with water at different temperatures. The re-sults suggest that a likely complex of 3 ethylene glycol molecules bonding with 4 water molecules in an ethylene glycol-water mixture (EGW) is formed at the maximal excess molar volume,which displays stronger absorption capabilities for SO2 when the concentration of SO2 reaches 400×10?6 (volume ratio) in the gas phase. Meanwhile,FTIR and UV spectra of EGWs were recorded at various EG concentra-tions to display the hydrogen bonding interactions of EG with water. The FTIR spectra show that the stretching vibrational band of hydroxyl in the EGWs shifts to a lower frequency and the bending vibra-tional band of water shifts to a higher frequency with increasing the EG concentration,respectively. Furthermore,the UV spectra show that the electron transferring band of the hydroxyl oxygen in EG shows red shift with increasing the EG concentration. The frequency shifts in FTIR spectra and the shifts of absorption bands in UV absorption spectra of EGWs are interpreted as the strong hydrogen bonding interactions of the hydrogen atoms in water with the hydroxyl oxygen atoms of EG.     

Ru/C-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Aqueous Glycolic Acid from Microalgae – Influence of pH and Biologically Relevant Additives

Ethylene glycol (EG) is obtained by a novel, two-step approach combining a biotechnological and a heterogeneously catalyzed step. First, microalgae are cultivated to photobiocatalytically yield glycolic acid (GA) by means of photosynthesis from CO₂ and water. GA is continuously excreted into the surrounding medium. In the second step, the GA-containing algal medium is used as feedstock for catalytic reduction with H₂ to EG over a Ru/C catalyst. The present study focuses on the conversion of an authentic algae-derived GA solution. After identification of the key characteristics of the algal medium (compared to pure aqueous GA), the influence of pH, numerous salt additives, pH buffers and other relevant organic molecules on the catalytic GA reduction was investigated. Nitrogen- and sulfur-containing organic molecules can strongly inhibit the reaction. Moreover, pH adjustment by acidification is required, for which H₂SO₄ is found most suitable. In combination with a modification of the biotechnological process to mitigate the use of inhibitory compounds, and after acidifying the algal medium, over Ru/C a EG yield of up to 21 % even at non-optimized reaction conditions was achieved.     

Effect of cross-linking on the molecular motion of water in polymer gel as studied by pulse 1H NMR and PGSE 1H NMR

¹H NMR measurements on the spin-spin relaxation time (T₂) and self-diffusion coefficient (D_H2O) of water in a poly(metacrylic acid) gel were carried out to clarify the molecular motion of water molecules as a function of the degree of cross-linking under a constant amount of water contained in the gel. From experimental results, it was found that ¹H T₂ and D_H2O decrease with an increase in the degree of cross-linking in the gel. It can therefore be said that an increase in cross-linking leads to a restraint of molecular motion of the water molecules in the gel.     

The influence of cross-linking agents on ring-opening metathesis polymerized thermosets

The addition of suitable cross-linking agents with norbornene-based monomers has significant effects on the thermal properties of the resulting polymers formed by olefin metathesis. Ethylidene norbornene (ENB) and endo-dicyclopentadiene (endo-DCPD) were mixed separately with various loadings of three different cross-linking agents and then polymerized with the addition of Grubbs’ catalyst. The polymerization kinetics and resulting glass transition temperature (T _g) of the systems were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of the first cross-linking agent, norbornadiene (CL-1), to both endo-DCPD and ENB resulted in decreasing glass transition temperatures with increasing concentrations. In contrast, the addition of the other two cross-linking agents (CL-2 and CL-3), which were both custom synthesized bifunctional norbornyl systems, to both endo-DCPD and ENB resulted in a monotonic increases in T _g with cross-linker concentration. By tailoring the loading of these custom cross-linking agents, the properties of these polymer systems can be controlled for various applications, including self-healing composites.     

Glass transition and enthalpy relaxation of ethylene glycol and its aqueous solution

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cryomicroscopy were employed to investigate the glass transition and enthalpy relaxation behaviors of ethylene glycol (EG) and its aqueous solution (50% EG) with different crystallization percent. Isothermal crystallization method was used in devitrification region to get different crystallinity after samples quenched below glass transition temperature. The DSC thermograms upon warming showed that the pure EG has a single glass transition, while the 50% EG solution has two if the solution crystallized partially. It is believed that the lower temperature transition represents the glass transition of bulk amorphous phase of EG aqueous solution glass state, while the higher one is related to ice inclusions, whose mobility is restricted by ice crystal. Cryomicroscopic observation indicated that the EG crystal has regular shape while the ice crystal in 50% EG aqueous solution glass matrix has no regular surface. Isothermal annealing experiments at temperatures lower than T_g were also conducted on these amorphous samples in DSC, and the results showed that both the two amorphous phases presented in 50% EG experience enthalpy relaxation. The relaxation process of restricted amorphous phase is more sensitive to annealing temperature.     

Nickel oxide/expanded graphite nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitor application

Nickel oxide/expanded graphite (NiO/EG) nanocomposites with different loading of EG were prepared through chemically depositing Ni(OH)₂ in EG followed by thermal annealing and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) isotherm and electrochemical measurements. The prepared NiO/EG composites were found to be crystalline and highly porous with high specific surface area and pore volume. SEM analysis reveals uniform porous morphology for NiO in the NiO/EG-60 nanocomposites which shows good specific capacitance (510?F?g^?1) at a current density of 100?mA?g^?1 in 6?mol?L^?1 KOH measured by chronopotentiometry employing a three-electrode system. The specific capacitance retention of the NiO/EG-60 nanocomposites was found to be ca. 95% after 500 continuous galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles, indicating that the NiO/EG nanocomposites can become promising electro-active materials for supercapacitor application.     

Ru/C‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Aqueous Glycolic Acid from Microalgae – Influence of pH and Biologically Relevant Additives

Ethylene glycol (EG) is obtained by a novel, two‐step approach combining a biotechnological and a heterogeneously catalyzed step. First, microalgae are cultivated to photobiocatalytically yield glycolic acid (GA) by means of photosynthesis from CO₂ and water. GA is continuously excreted into the surrounding medium. In the second step, the GA‐containing algal medium is used as feedstock for catalytic reduction with H₂ to EG over a Ru/C catalyst. The present study focuses on the conversion of an authentic algae‐derived GA solution. After identification of the key characteristics of the algal medium (compared to pure aqueous GA), the influence of pH, numerous salt additives, pH buffers and other relevant organic molecules on the catalytic GA reduction was investigated. Nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐containing organic molecules can strongly inhibit the reaction. Moreover, pH adjustment by acidification is required, for which H₂SO₄ is found most suitable. In combination with a modification of the biotechnological process to mitigate the use of inhibitory compounds, and after acidifying the algal medium, over Ru/C a EG yield of up to 21 % even at non‐optimized reaction conditions was achieved.     

Orbital symmetry analysis of the reaction of silylenes with acetylenes and the dimerization of 1-silacyclopropenes

The addition of silylenes to acetylenes, and the dimerization of silacyclopropenes, are treated by Orbital Correspondence Analysis in Maximum Symmetry (OCAMS). The products observed in the latter reaction are consistent with an allowed pathway, a b_1g displacement involving rotation of the silacyclopropene molecules relative to one another in the transition state.     

Preparation of low initial expansion temperature expandable graphite and its flame retardancy for LLDPE

To get expandable graphite (EG) flame retardant for Liner Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) with low initial expansion temperature and high dilatability, the effects of various factors on dilatability were investigated including the dosages of oxidant KMnO₄, intercalating reagent H₂SO₄, assistant intercalating reagent acetic acid (HAc) and reaction temperature. Feasible conditions were obtained according to the results of L₉ (3⁴) experiments and single factor experiments. EG with an initial expansion temperature of 160°C and expansion volume of 460 mL g^?1 could be prepared according to the mass ratio of material graphite C: KMnO₄: 100% H₂SO₄: HAc = 1.0: 0.4: 5.0: 1.0 (H₂SO₄ should be diluted to the mass concentration of 75% before the intercalation reaction); the reaction time was 1.0 hour at 25°C. It was found that reaction temperature and H₂SO₄ dosage were the most important influence factors for dilatability. The limiting oxygen index could be improved to 28.1% by adding 30% of the prepared EG to LLDPE, and the synergistic anti-flame capability of 20% EG with 10% Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) (I) can reach to 33.9%. According to thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis results, 70% LLDPE /10% APP (I) /20% EG synergistic anti-flame system shows higher residual carbon and thermal stability.      

[Tetraphenylphosphonium](1+) {3,3′-commo-bis-[η5-1,2-dicarba-(3)-nickel(III)-closo-dodecaborate]}(1−)-monotetrachloromethanate, [(C6H5)4P]+{Ni3+[η5-(3)-1,2-B9C2H11]2}− · CCl4: Synthesis, structure, and temperature-dependent EPR spectra

A novel compound containing tetraphenylphosphonium and nickel dicarbollyl, [[P(C₆H₅)₄][Ni(B₉C₂H₁₁)₂] · CCl₄ (I) was synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction and EPR methods. The crystals are monoclinic: C₂₉H₄₂B₁₈PCl₄Ni (M = 816.69), space group P2/c, the unit cell parameters a = 13.3964(5), b = 7.0556(2), c = 20.6610(8) Å, β = 94.9070(13)°, V = 1945.7(2) ų, Z = 2, ρ(calcd.) = 1.394 g/cm³, T = 100 K, F(000) = 834, μ = 0.081 mm^?1. The structure was solved by the direct and Fourier methods and refined by the full-matrix least-squares method in the anisotropic (isotropic for the hydrogen atoms) approximation (R ₁ = 0.032 for 4027 I _hkl ≥ 2σ(I), 19886 measured and 5379 independent I _hkl ; X8 APEX Bruker difractometer, λMoK _α, graphite monochromator, ?/ω scan mode). At 100 K, the crystal contains the intermolecular hydrogen bonds B–H…Cl that favor the formation of infinite chains of the alternating anions and solvate molecules along the z axis of the unit cell. The single-crystal EPR study of complex I showed that the temperature changes of the cell parameters induce changes in the parameter of the g-factor g ₁ directed along Cb-Ni-Cb. The cell parameters are increased and the g ₁ value is gradually decreased with the increasing temperature. The temperature study of the EPR spectra of the powdered compound I revealed also jumpwise changes in g ₂ and g ₃ with hysteresis at 183–203 K depending on the direction of the temperature changes. The differences observed in the EPR spectra of the powders and single crystal of compound I in both the g-factor and the temperature dependence of its components are supposed to be caused by the CCl₄ vacancies formed in the crystal structure of a complex as a result of the partial removal of the solvate CCl₄ molecules when grinding the sample and by the change in the lability of the solvate molecules of a solvent with temperature.     

Molecular structure of SmBr<Subscript>3</Subscript> and DyBr<Subscript>3</Subscript> according to the data of simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment

The saturated vapors of samarium and dysprosium tribromides were investigated for the first time by electron diffraction with mass spectrometric monitoring at temperatures of 1151(10) K and 1141(10) K. Dimer molecules (up to 2 mole %) were found in vapors along with monomer molecules. The SmBr₃ and DyBr₃ molecules have a pyramidal effective configuration with bond angles ∠_gBr-Sm-Br=115.1(9)° and ∠_gBr-Dy-Br=115.3(7)°. The difference between the internuclear distances of SmBr₃ and DyBr₃ (r _g(Sm-Br) = 2.653(6) Å and r _g(Dy-Br) = 2.609(5) Å) coincides with the difference between the ionic radii of Sm³⁺ and Dy³⁺. The insignificant pyramidality of the r _g configuration and the low deformation vibration frequencies of SmBr₃ and DyBr₃ may be indicative of a planar equilibrium geometry of D _3h symmetry. The equilibrium distances r _e(Sm-Br) and r _e(Dy-Br) have been evaluated and compared with the values obtained by quantum chemical calculations.     

Preparation of Mn3O4 nanocrystallites by low-temperature solvothermal treatment of γ-MnOOH nanowires

The preparation of trimanganese tetroxide (Mn₃O₄) nanocrystallites from γ-MnOOH nanowires under mild conditions has been achieved by two steps: first, γ-MnOOH nanowires with a mean diameter of about 12 nm and lengths of up to several micrometers were directly prepared via hydrothermal reaction between KMnO₄ and toluene in water at 180°C for 24 h; then, pure Mn₃O₄ nanocrystallites could be obtained by solvothermal treatment of the γ-MnOOH nanowires in ethylenediamine (EDA) and ethylene glycol (EG) at 150°C for 24 h. It was found that the Mn₃O₄ product obtained in EDA comprised well-defined nanocrystallites with the size in the range of 15-35 nm, while the one obtained in EG consisted of aggregated nanoparticles with the size of less than 18 nm.The possible formation mechanism of nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄ in EDA and EG and reasons for the different effects of various solvents on the products were also proposed.