Dispersing phase viscometry and zeta potential in alumina dispersions

The stabilities of alumina dispersions were studied as a function of poly- and low molecular weight electrolyte concentration, using viscometry of the dispersing phase, and zeta potential measurements. The relation of polyelectrolyte adsorption to polymer concentration (at different low molecular weight electrolyte concentrations) was found to depend upon the dimensions of the polymer (which were a priori known to decrease with increasing poly- and low molecular weight electrolyte concentration). The occurrence of flocculation and bridging in the destabilization mechanism of the alumina dispersions was also characterized.     

Polymorphic transformations of C26H54 and C28H58 n-paraffins as typical rotator substances

Thermal deformations and polymorphic transformations of two long-chain evennumbered normal paraffins C₂₆H₅₄ and C₂₈H₅₈ were studied by thermal X-ray diffraction (temperature step is tenths of a degree), infrared spectroscopy (temperature step is 1–5°), and differential scanning calorimetry (temperature step is 2° in a sample heating melt cooling mode. The samples are characterized by high homologous purity (99.0%) and belong to so-called “boundary” n-paraffins. The starting C₂₆H₅₄ n-paraffin sample is a triclinic modification at room temperature (Tc _cryst). When quickly cooled, the melt crystallizes as the triclinic Tc _cryst and monoclinic monolayer 1M _cryst forms (two-phase mixture Tc _cryst + 1M _cryst). The starting C₂₈H₅₈ n-paraffin sample is a double-layer monoclinic modification 2M _cryst at room temperature. Crystallization from hexane or slow cooling of a melt leads to a monolayer monoclinic form 1M _cryst. Thermal deformations and temperature ranges of existence of the crystalline forms (Tc _cryst, 1M _cryst, and 2M _cryst), low-temperature rotator crystalline orthorhombic form (Or _rot.1), and high-temperature rotator crystalline hexagonal (H _rot.2) phases of these n-paraffins were evaluated from changes in their diffraction patterns and unit cell parameters. The molecular structure and the conformational composition of these n-paraffins in different states were found from their IR spectra. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the phase transition temperature. Thermal X-ray diffraction, IR, and DSC data agree well with one another.     

Lithium sulfate: Calorimetric determination of the temperatures and enthalpies of high-temperature phase transitions

Using a high-temperature Calvet calorimeter as a differential enthalpic analyser Li₂SO₄ was investigated in the temperature range 800–1200 K. One transformation in the solid state was observed at 847 K with a corresponding enthalpy increment of 24.2 kJ mol^?1. The solid-liquid transition was found to occur at 1131 K with an enthalpy of fusion of 7.74 kJ mol^?1. Furthermore, the analysis of the corresponding thermograms supports the presence of the premelting effect which was evidenced by other techniques. A critical comparison with previous results in the literature is given.     

The effect of water on the zeta potential of chromium dioxide in tetrahydrofuran

Experiments have been performed to determine the effect of water on dilute suspensions of CrO₂ in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The effect of water in the solvent as well as on the particle surface has been investigated using electrokinetic and dispersion stability measurements. Results of these investigations have shown that the zeta potential of dried CrO₂ (physisorbed water removed) in THF is positive and is dependent on the water content in THF. The zeta potential exhibits a maximum at about 1,800 ppm water. Good correlation also exists between the electrokinetic and dispersion stability measurements.     

Theoretical study of fullerene derivatives: C28H4 and C28X4 cluster molecules

Based on the basic theory of C₂₈ cluster molecule proven by H. W. Kroto and the research findings of C₂₈'s derivative such as Ti@C₂₈* and Mg@C₂₈, proven by T. Guo, B. I. Dunlap, O. D. Haberlen, and others, we examine the two series fullerene derivatives, C₂₈H₄ and C₂₈X₄ cluster molecules, which are formed by the skeleton of C₂₈ cluster molecule. In this work, we not only prove that C₂₈ cluster molecule belongs to the T_d symmetry structure and its ground state is ⁵A₂ open-shell with four unpaired electrons, but also find that C₂₈ can easily react with single valence electron atoms, like hydrogen atom and halogen atoms, to be formed to stable fullerene derivatives, C₂₈H₄ and C₂₈X₄ cluster molecules (X=F, Cl, Br, I). The PM3 semiempirical molecular orbital method from G94W and Hyperchem program packages were applied very well in these fullerene derivatives. According to the results presented herein, we obtain the structures of geometrical optimization, ionization potential energy gap, heat of formation, atomization energy, and vibration frequency data of the C₂₈H₄ and C₂₈X₄ cluster molecules. The above calculation data confirm that these unknown fullerene derivatives are stable molecules; the stable behavior resembles the 1,3,5,7-tetrahaloadamantane molecules. It is quite possible that they can be synthesized experimentally in the near future. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 67: 187–197, 1998     

Determination of water content in internally self-assembled monoglyceride-based dispersions from the bulk phase

We determined the water intake of internally structured oil-loaded monoglyceride-based dispersions. This was possible through small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments on the corresponding bulk mesophases because the structural parameters in full hydration conditions are identical to those of the dispersed particles. From low water contents to full hydration, the bulk phases depend strongly on the amount of oil. At room temperature in excess water and with increasing oil concentration, successive bicontinuous cubic, reverse hexagonal, micellar cubic, and inverse micellar-type isotropic fluid phases are found. The solubilized water is determined as a function of the oil content for each phase, and it is found to range from 5-33 wt %.     

High-pressure speed of sound and compressibilities in heavy normal hydrocarbons:n-C23H48andn-C24H50

The speed of sound in the normal hydrocarbonsn- C₂₃H₄₈andn- C₂₄H₅₀has been measured up to 150 MPa in the temperature range (293.15 to 373.15) K using a pulse technique operating at 3 MHz. The data have been used to evaluate various thermophysical properties such as density, and isentropic and isothermal compressibilities up to 150 MPa with the help of additional density measurements performed at atmospheric pressure.     

Responsive hydrogel colloids: Structure,interactions, phase behavior,and equilibrium and nonequilibrium transitions of microgel dispersions

Soft and responsive colloids based on polymer hydrogels have moved into the focus of the colloid community. This review gives a brief overview of the recent literature on the structure and phase behavior of neutral and ionic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel dispersions from dilute to over-packed conditions, focusing in particular on the ability of these particles to adapt their size and shape in response to external stimuli. The review is hierarchical; it first covers the aspects of an individual microgel particle viz., the internal structure of inhomogeneous and homogeneously cross-linked particles, followed by studies of ensembles of particles covering in particular structural ordering, phase behavior, and liquid–solid and solid–solid transitions. Insights on the ability of the microgel particles to deform, compress, and interpenetrate beyond the close-packed volume fractions are discussed. Building complex architectures using microgel particles for fundamental studies as well as future applications is reviewed towards the end of the article.     

Thermodynamic characteristics and the temperatures of relaxation transitions of poly(methacrylic acid)

The heat capacity of poly(methacrylic acid) containing 2.5 wt % water was measured in a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter at temperatures between 80 and 325 K. The heat capacity of anhydrous poly(methacrylic acid) was calculated, and its standard enthalpies of combustion and formation were determined. On the basis of the enthalpy of melting of the “free”-water phase, the limit of water solubility in the polymer was found calorimetrically at 273 K. The temperatures of relaxation transitions (the glass transition and the β and γ transitions) of poly(methacrylic acid) mixtures with water were determined via differential thermal analysis in the region 80–550 K. In addition, the determination of the temperatures of transitions of anhydrous poly(methacrylic acid) was performed via extrapolation to zero water content of the concentration dependences of the relaxation-transition temperatures.     

Molecular simulation of gas hydrate nanoclusters in water shell: Structure and phase transitions

Gas hydrate nanoclusters surrounded by water shells are studied by the molecular dynamic method. Hydrates of methane (sI structures) and krypton (sII structures), as well an ice nanocluster in a supercooled water shell, are considered. The main attention was focused on studying the local structure and phase transitions. Variations in local partial densities with an increase in temperature are monitored. Melting points of nanosized samples of gas hydrates are determined using caloric curves. Additional information on the behavior of the considered systems is obtained from the temperature dependences of diffusion coefficients and the Lindemann criterion. Two-phase transitions are revealed for gas hydrate nanoclusters. The first phase transition at 210 K can be assigned to the melting of the ice shell. The second transition at 230–235 K is identified as the phase transition in the hydrate core. The melting of ice cluster is observed at 215 K, which corresponds to the melting point of bulk crystal upon the use of the SPC/E water model.     

Phase and glass transitions in short-range central potential model systems: the case of C60

Extensive molecular dynamics simulations show that a short-range central potential, suited to model C60, undergoes a high temperature transition to a glassy phase characterized by the positional disorder of the constituent particles. Crystallization, melting, and sublimation, which also take place during the simulation runs, are illustrated in detail. It turns out that vitrification and the mentioned phase transitions occur when the packing fraction of the system-defined in terms of an effective hard-core diameter-equals that of hard spheres at their own glass and melting transition, respectively. A close analogy also emerges between our findings and recent mode coupling theory calculations of structural arrest lines in a similar model of protein solutions. We argue that the conclusions of the present study might hold for a wide class of potentials currently employed to mimic interactions in complex fluids (some of which are of biological interest), suggesting how to achieve at least qualitative predictions of vitrification and crystallization in those systems.     

Influence of trans-cis photoisomerizations of solubilized compounds on transition temperatures in the system cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-water: Light-induced phase transitions

Transition temperatures (TN1) from the nematic lyotropic liquid-crystalline phase to the isotropic phase were measured for the system cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) water in the presence of small amounts of 3-stilbene carboxylic acid (3SC), 4-stilbene carboxylic acid (4SC) and Δ2/2'-bi-(2H-l,4-benzothiazine) (BT). TNI, increases as a function of trans-3SC or trans-4SC concentration, ranging from 01 to 08 wt %, by up to 12°C. A further increase in TNI between 2 and 5°C can be achieved by photochemically converting the solubilized trans stilbene derivatives to the cis isomers. Irradiation of a trans-3SC containing sample at a temperature just above TNl leads to a light-induced phase transition to the lyotropic liquid-crystalline phase. Solubilization of trans-BT causes a slight decrease of TNI while photoisomerization to cis-BT increases T_NI by 1°C.     

Infrared studies of phase transitions in ferroelectric (C5H5NH)5Bi2Br11

Infrared spectra (3500–500 cm⁻¹) of polycrystalline (C₅H₅NH)₅Bi₂Br₁₁ samples were investigated within the temperature range 27–456 K. The assignments of the observed bands in the spectra measured at 27, 310 and 456 K are proposed. A temperature dependence of the wavenumbers and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the bands arising from some internal vibrations of pyridinium cations are analysed in order to explain the role of cations in the mechanism of the phase transition at 118 (paraelectric–ferroelectric) and 403 K. It was found that numerous bands arising from the internal modes of the cations exhibit the splitting in the vicinity of both phase transitions, that indicates a distinct changes in the motional state of the pyridinium moieties.     

Temperature effect on the surface phase transitions of monolayer films of C12E1 at air/water interface

The temperature-dependent conformational states of a monolayer film of ethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C₁₂E₁) at the air/water interface have been investigated using ellipsometry, surface tension, external reflection–absorption FTIR spectroscopy and two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) correlation analysis. The ellipticity coefficients and the entropy associated with C₁₂E₁ adsorption changed almost discontinuously at certain temperatures, which manifested the interfacial phase transitions. The phase transition and coexistence of two phases were further clarified using 2DIR correlation analysis with temperature perturbation. The asynchronous correlation maps revealed that both bands of asymmetric and symmetric C–H stretching vibration in one-dimensional IR were split into two components, which confirmed the coexistence of two phases at the interface.     

Raman investigation of the order-disorder phase transitions in the 2[N(C3H7)4]SbCl4 compound

The Raman spectra of bis (tetrapropylammonium tetrachloroantimonate (III)) 2[(C₃H₇)₄N]SbCl₄ compound single crystals were studied in the wavenumber range from 3500 to 50 cm⁻¹ for temperatures between 300 and 415 K. Two phase transitions occurring at 343 (T_tr1) and 363 K (T_tr2) were observed and characterized. The strong evolutions of the Raman shift, half-widths and intensity of many lines associated with the organic cations were observed with discontinuities in the vicinity of the two phase transitions. The most important changes were noticed for the band at 307 cm⁻¹ (at room temperature) assignable to the torsion of CH₃ groups of the cations. The spectral characteristics of this band was analyzed and consistently described in the framework of an order–disorder model for the two phase transitions. They allowed us to obtain information relative to the activation energy, the correlation length, and the critical exponent of the mechanism. The decrease of the estimated activation energies for the band 307 cm⁻¹ with the increase in temperature has been interpreted in terms of a change in the reorientation motion of cations. The temperature dependence of the reduced peak intensity allowed for the determination of the critical exponents and evolution of the correlation length on approaching the transition.     

Correlation of the enthalpies of hydration and solution of nonelectrolytes in water with their physicochemical characteristics

The enthalpies of hydration and solution of organic substances in water at infinite dilution cannot be quantitatively characterized using any single correlation parameter. A correlation analysis using linear multiparameter equations shows that these quantities are governed by the combined effect of the nonspecific and specific solvation and the molar volume.     

Visualizing worm micelle dynamics and phase transitions of a charged diblock copolymer in water

Assemblies of block copolymer amphiphiles are sometimes viewed as glassy, frozen, or static colloids, especially in strongly segregating solutions. Here, we visualize by fluorescence microscopy and AFM the dynamics and transitions of single cylindrical micelles and vesicles composed of a charged diblock copolymer in water. In mapping the salt- and pH-dependent phase diagrams of a near-symmetric diblock of poly(acrylic acid)-polybutadiene, low pH and high salt (NaCl, CaCl2) neutralize and screen the charged corona sufficiently to foster membrane formation and generate vesicles. Decreased salt and neutral pH increases intra-coronal repulsion and drives a transition to multi-branched cylinders and highly stable, but fluid and flexible, worm micelles. Ca2+ both stiffens cylinders and stabilizes them relative to spheres. Further increase of intra-coronal repulsion generates spherical micelles by fragmentation and pinch-off at the ends of worms. Both the transition kinetics and phase diagrams indicate divalent cation is about 5-10-fold more effective than monovalent in stabilizing all nonspherical morphologies.     

Raman spectrum of n-C23H48 and n-C44H90 at high pressures: Fermi resonance between the CH2 deformation and bending modes

Resonance interaction in the deformation (1400 to 1500 cm^?1) region of the Raman spectrum of n-C₂₃ H₄₈ and n-C₄₄H₉₀ at high pressures are reported. Implications of these results concerning the interpretation of the corresponding bands of the Raman spectrum of crystalline polyethylene are discussed.