Morphology and properties of nanostructured materials based on polypropylene/poly(butylene succinate) blend and organoclay

Nanostructured materials based on organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and polypropylene (PP)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blend were prepared via melt-mixing of PP, PBS, and OMMT in a batch mixer. The weight ratio of PP and PBS was 70:30, and the OMMT loading varied from 0.5 to 5 wt%. The surface morphologies of unmodified and OMMT-modified blend were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the particle size of the dispersed PBS phase was significantly reduced with the addition of a small amount of OMMT (1.5 wt%). Upon the addition of 5 wt% of OMMT, the domain size of the dispersed PBS phase changed significantly from the unmodified blend, and a homogeneous dispersion of very fine particles of PBS was observed. The degree of dispersion of silicate layers in the blend matrix was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The improved adhesion between the phases and the fine morphology of the dispersed phase contributed to the significant improvement in the properties and thermal stability of the final nanocomposite materials. On the basis of these results, we describe a general understanding of how the morphology is related to the final properties of OMMT-incorporated PP/PBS blend.     

Thermophysical properties of pure 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulphate and its binary mixtures with alcohols

The density and surface tension of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulphate, [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] ionic liquid have been measured from (283.15 to 333.15) K. The coefficient of thermal expansion was calculated from the experimental density results using an empirical correlation for T = (283.15-338.15) K. Molecular volume and standard entropies of [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] ionic liquid were obtained from the experimental density values. The surface properties, critical temperature and enthalpy of vaporization were also discussed. Density and surface tension have been measured over the whole composition range for [EMIM][CH₃SO₄] with alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol) binary systems at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Excess molar volumes and surface tension deviations for the binary systems have been calculated and were fitted to a Redlich-Kister equation to determine the fitting parameters and the root mean square deviations.     

Electrochemical properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide melt containing water impurities

The effect of a water impurity (1.8–10 wt %) on the conductivity of the ionic liquid-H₂O binary system was studied in a wide temperature range. It was shown that the interaction between components is characteristic of this system, and the molar ratio of components 1: 1 is boundary between the structures of solution and melt. The basic kinetic features of electrochemical reduction of water of the BMImBr-H₂O binary system were determined by voltammetry with linear potential sweep. The transfer coefficient for the cathodic process (α = 0.46) and H₂O molecule diffusivities were determined depending on the water content ( $ D_{H_2 O} The effect of a water impurity (1.8–10 wt %) on the conductivity of the ionic liquid-H₂O binary system was studied in a wide temperature range. It was shown that the interaction between components is characteristic of this system, and the molar ratio of components 1: 1 is boundary between the structures of solution and melt. The basic kinetic features of electrochemical reduction of water of the BMImBr-H₂O binary system were determined by voltammetry with linear potential sweep. The transfer coefficient for the cathodic process (α = 0.46) and H₂O molecule diffusivities were determined depending on the water content ( = (0.2–1.3) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²s⁻¹). Original Russian Text ? E.P. Grishina, A.M. Pimenova, L.M. Ramenskaya, O.V. Kraeva, 2008, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 11, pp. 1352–1358.     

Control of surface morphology of polypropylene/polystyrene blend pellets prepared by diffusion and subsequent polymerization of styrene in isotactic polypropylene pellets

Inhibitor hydroquinone (HQ) was added to the reaction system to prepare polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blend pellets without PS on the surface during diffusion and subsequent polymerization of styrene in isotactic polypropylene pellets. The effects of the amount of HQ on diametrical distribution of PS, surface morphology of the pellets and phase morphology inside the blend pellets were investigated.     

1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑l-乳酸盐的合成及其物理性质

离子液体;手性离子液体;烷基甲基咪唑l-乳酸盐     

Effect of thermal history on the mechanical properties of three polypropylene impact-copolymers

The effect of thermal history on static mechanical properties and impact fracture behavior of three reactor polypropylene impact-copolymers (ICPPs) was investigated for three ICPPs prepared using commercial Innovene^®, Unipol^® and Spheripol^® polymerization technologies. Multiple extrusion employing a co-rotating twin-screw extruder resulted in a significant reduction of the molecular weight of the PP homopolymer phase evidenced by the increasing melt flow index (MFI). Neither cross-linking of the ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) phase nor EPR particle coarsening was detected for any of the ICPPs after 5 consecutive extrusions. Decreasing molecular weight of the PP homopolymer phase caused change in the crystalline morphology of injection molded specimens due to the change in crystallization kinetics and reduction of the number of tie molecules, however, the overall degree of crystallinity did not change, significantly. The static tensile mechanical properties (E, σ_y, ?_b), critical strain energy release rate, G_c, and the Charpy notched impact strength, a_k, decreased with increasing MFI in a monotonous manner for all the ICPPs investigated. Despite significant differences between the absolute values of the mechanical properties for the three ICPPs, the MFI dependence of the σ_y and G_c relative to that for the unaffected ICPP fell on a single master curve for all of them. High-speed digital camera, used to follow the fracture process during the instrumented impact test, revealed no significant change of the small scale yielding fracture process with increasing MFI. This was in an agreement with the negligible change in the size of the crack tip plastic zone, R_p, predicted using simple mixed mode fracture model. The plane strain value of the critical strain energy release rate, G_1c, calculated from the measured G_c for the INN (2.4 kJ/m²), UNI (2.8 kJ/m²) and SPH (3.5 kJ/m²) using a simple LEFM model did not exhibit significant dependence on the number of extruder passes. The observed differences between the three ICPPs were ascribed to the significantly larger EPR content in UNI compared to the other two ICPPs and significantly larger content of isotactic PP homopolymer in the INN compared to the remaining two ICPPs.     

1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑溴化盐离子液体的晶体结构及性能

以不同链长溴代烷烃和N-甲基咪唑反应得到1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑溴化盐,用元素分析和核磁共振对化合物进行了表征.室温下用溶剂蒸发法得到了单晶,并用X射线单晶衍射法测定了晶体结构,该晶体属于三斜晶系,空间群为P-1.化合物采用双分子层结构,水分子参与结构的形成,整个化合物由交叉的线性烷基链、咪唑头基、溴离子和水分子组成,溴离子和水分子之间较强的氢键作用在(010)方向上形成了一个无限的O-H···Br氢键链.用偏光显微镜、差示扫描量热(DSC)技术研究了其液晶行为,证明其一水合物为近晶相热致液晶.液晶区域的温度范围较宽说明水分子起到稳定作用.     

Thermophysical properties of 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium based ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anions

The thermophysical properties of 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium based hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs); with tetrafluoroborate (BF₄), hexafluorophosphate (PF₆), and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf₂N) anions, namely density ρ (298.15 to 348.15) K, dynamic viscosity η (288.2 to 348.2) K, surface tension σ (298.15 to 338) K, and refractive index n_D (302.95 to 332.95) K have been measured. The coefficients of thermal expansion α_p values were calculated from the experimental density data using an empirical correlation. The thermal stability of all ILs is also investigated at two different heating rates (10 and 20) °C · min⁻¹) using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The experimental results presented in this study reveal that the choice of anion type shows the most significant effect on the properties of ILs. The chloride and water contents of ILs (as impurities) are also investigated and reported in the present work.     

Evidence of change in the molecular organization of 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid solutions with the addition of water

Physico-chemical properties of ionic liquids like density, viscosity, conductivity, surface tension and excess molar volume are strongly dependent on their concentration in aqueous solutions. 1-n-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/water solutions, at 25 °C, shows two clearly distinguished behaviors, corresponding to a water-rich and a salt-rich region, with distinct physico-chemical properties. It is shown that [BMIm][BF₄] exhibits surfactant properties. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the interactions between cations and anions of the ionic liquid and the water molecule. IR studies show that the addition of water modifies the organization of the ionic liquid molecules. The data collection reported is helpful for a variety of different technological applications and in particular for electrochemical applications, as capacitors, batteries and fuel cells among others.     

Effects of alkyl chain length on properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid crystals

A series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate salts (C_xMIm(FH)₂F, x=8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18) have been characterized by thermal analysis, polarized optical microscopy, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and anisotropic ionic conductivity measurements. Liquid crystalline mesophases with a smectic A interdigitated bilayer structure are observed from C₁₀ to C₁₈, showing a fan‐like or focal conic texture. The temperature range of the mesophase increases with the increase in the alkyl chain length (from 10.1 °C for C₁₀MIm(FH)₂F to 123.1 °C for C₁₈MIm(FH)₂F). The distance between the two layers in the smectic structure gradually increases with increasing alkyl chain length and decreases with increasing temperature. Conductivity parallel to the smectic layers is around 10 mS cm^?1 regardless of the alkyl chain length, whereas that perpendicular to the smectic layers decreases with increasing alkyl chain length because of the thicker insulating sheet with the longer alkyl chain.     

Role of C2 methylation and anion type on the physicochemical and thermal properties of imidazolium-based ionic liquids

This study focused on the effects of methylation and different anions (Br^? and Cl^?) on the physicochemical and thermal properties of [C₁₆MIM]X and [C₁₆MMIM]X, belonging to the imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) family. The effect of methylation on the transmittance in the fingerprint region of the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum was observed as a blue shift, and a new peak associated with the C-N stretching bond was obtained. In contrast, in the functional group region, the frequency shift was related to the change in the vibrational mode from C2-H-X to C2-methyl-X. In general, methylation resulted in an increase in decomposition temperature, an increase in melting temperature, and a decrease in melting enthalpy, leading to a reduction in entropy. The trends observed for the decomposition temperature, melting temperature, and melting enthalpy with different anions depended on the strength of the Brønsted acids and hydrogen bonds of the Br^? and Cl^? based anions. The thermal conductivity of the methylated ILs increased with an increase in temperature. In contrast, for the non-methylated (protonated) ILs, the thermal conductivity of [C₁₆MIM]Br decreased with an increase in temperature, while the opposite trend was observed for [C₁₆MIM]Cl. The data were compared with those of the short alkyl chain and weakly coordinating anion of NTf₂. The analysis was performed considering different phases, the prominent role and different behaviour in the hydrogen bonding at the C2 position of the imidazolium ring upon methylation, and the significant change in viscosity, which can influence the IL structure.     

The effects of reprocessing cycles on the structure and properties of isotactic polypropylene/cloisite 15A nanocomposites

The effects of reprocessing cycles on the structure and properties of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/Cloisite 15A (OMMT) (5 wt. %) nanocomposites was studied in presence of maleic anhydride-grafted-polypropylene (PP-g-MA) (20 wt. %) used as the compatibiliser to improve the clay dispersion in the polymer matrix. The various nanocomposite samples were prepared by direct melt intercalation in an internal mixer, and further they were subjected to 4 reprocessing cycles. For comparative purposes, the neat PP was also processed under the same conditions. The nanocomposite structure and the clay dispersion have been characterized by wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and rheological measurements. Other characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), tensile measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have also been used to evaluate the property changes induced by reprocessing. The study showed through XRD patterns that the repetitive reprocessing cycles modified the initial morphology of PP/OMMT nanocomposites by improving the formation of intercalated structure, especially after the fourth cycle. Further, the addition of PP-g-MA promoted the development of intercalated/exfoliated silicate layers in the PP matrix after the second cycle. These results are in agreement with TEM observations indicating an improved silicate dispersion in the polymer matrix with reprocessing cycles displaying a morphology with both intercalated/exfoliated structures. The initial storage modulus (G′) of the nanocomposites, which was highly improved in presence of PP-g-MA seems to be less affected by reprocessing cycles at very low frequencies exhibiting a quasi-plateau compared to pristine PP/OMMT and PP. In contrast, the complex viscosity was found to decrease for the whole samples indicating that the main effect of reprocessing was a decrease in the molecular weight. Moreover, the thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were significantly reduced after the first cycle; nevertheless they remained almost unchanged during recycling. No change in the chemical structure was observed in the FT-IR spectra for both the nanocomposites and neat PP samples after 4 cycles.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene in the thermoplastic elastomeric state

One result of the discovery of homogeneous metallocene stereospecific catalysts is the ability to prepare polypropylene in a stereoblock form in which the isotactic stretches give crystallites acting as temporary crosslinks in an elastomeric network structure. The fact that these elastomers are thermoplastic and thus reprocessible increases the importance of establishing their structure-property relationships. In this report, the dependence of their physical properties on isotactic pentad content, molecular weight, and possible strain-induced crystallization are described. Thermal evaluations and mechanical tests of these materials under oscillatory strain, continuous extension and near-equilibrium uniaxial and biaxial elongation showed that they were multiphase, tough elastomeric materials. Their moduli and tensile strengths increased with increase in % isotactic pentad content and with increase in molecular weight. Equilibrium stress-strain measurements showed the occurrence of strain-induced crystallization in uniaxial, but not in biaxial, deformations.     

Computational studies of the structure and cation-anion interactions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ionic liquid

Quantum chemical calculations of the structures and cation-anion interaction of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ([Emim][LAC]) ion pair at the B3LYP/6-31++G** theoretical level were performed. The relevant geometrical characteristics, energy properties, intermolecular H-bonds (H-bonds), and calculated IR vibrations with respect to isolated ions were systematically discussed. The natural bond orbital (NBO) and atoms in molecule (AIM) analyses were also employed to understand the nature of the interactions between cation and anion. The five most stable geometries were verified by analyzing the relative energies and interaction energies. It was found that the most of the C-H···O intermolecular H-bonds interactions in five stable conformers have some covalent character in nature. The elongation and red shift in IR spectrum of C-H bonds which involve in H-bonds is proved by electron transfers from the lone pairs of the carbonyl O atom of [LAC] to the C-H antibonding orbital of the [Emim]+. The interaction modes are more favorable when the carbonyl O atoms of [LAC] interact with the C2-H of the imidazolium ring and the C-H of the ethyl group through the formation of triple H-bonds.     

Design of modified plastic surfaces for antimicrobial applications: Impact of ionizing radiation on the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene

Surface modification of polypropylene (PP) sheets was carried out by radiation induced graft polymerization of hydrophilic functional molecules such as N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and [2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, which is a quaternary ammonium salt (QAS).Polypropylene sheets were activated prior to the grafting reaction by using electron beam radiation. The changes in morphology, crystallinity and tensile parameters like deformation and stress at yield and deformation at break of PP after irradiation were investigated. The results showed that a minor crystalline reorganization takes place during the irradiation of PP at 100 kGy.The grafting has been observed to be strongly dependent on the monomer dilution in the reaction medium. After grafting of QAS (40%) and DMA (20%) it was possible to develop highly hydrophilic surfaces (water contact angle comprised between 30 and 41°). The surfaces of virgin, irradiated and grafted PP were studied using polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spherical particles (i.e. polystyrene or silica beads) adhering to the modified samples were studied according to the surface parameters. Adhesion tests confirmed the strong influence of substrate type (mainly hydrophilicity and roughness) and to a lesser extent underlined the role of electrostatic interactions for the design of plastic surfaces for antimicrobial applications.     

溴化1-乙烯基-3-十二烷基咪唑硅胶键合固定相制备及其色谱性能

膜脂作为细胞质膜的主要组成部分,在生命活动中扮演着重要的作用,其涉及多种重要疾病的发生和发展过程。发展适用于膜脂分离分析的新型色谱材料对于其后续结构和生物学功能研究具有重要的意义。该文选用具有潜在生物相容性的离子液体溴化1-乙烯基-3-十二烷基咪唑(1-vinyl-3-dodecylimidazole bromide, VDI)为功能单体,通过一步法点击反应将其接枝到巯基功能化硅球表面,制备得到了新型溴化1-乙烯基-3-十二烷基咪唑硅胶键合固定相(Sil-VDI)。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪和热重分析仪对Sil-VDI固定相材料的结构进行表征,结果证明Sil-VDI色谱固定相已被成功制备。保留机制研究显示填充Sil-VDI色谱柱具有典型的反相/离子交换混合模式保留特性。基于此,采用不同疏水性物质烷基苯、多环芳烃、苯胺、苯衍生物和无机阴离子BrO^-₃、NO^-₃和IO^-₃为测试物,对所制备固定相的色谱性能进行了研究。结果表明,该固定相对4类疏水性物质和无机阴离子...     

Microwave-assisted preparation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachlorogallate and its catalytic use in acetal formation under mild conditions

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachlorogallate, [bmim][GaCl₄], prepared via microwave-assisted protocol, is found to be an active catalyst for the efficient acetalization of aldehydes under mild conditions.     

甲基丁基咪唑四羰基钴离子液体的改进合成与表征

对新型甲基丁基咪唑四羰基钴离子液体的合成方法进行了有效的改进, 克服了文献方法中的某些不足, 并因而能够首次稳定地以更高的纯度获得该种离子液体.对其进行了全面的谱学表征证明了产物的结构和纯度.     

反相气相色谱法表征1-烯丙基-3-甲基氯代咪唑离子液体的表面性质

采用反相气相色谱(IGC)技术研究了不同温度下1-烯丙基-3-甲基氯代咪唑(［AMIM］Cl)的表面性质。以正己烷、正庚烷、正辛烷和正壬烷作为非极性探针分子测定［AMIM］Cl在343.15、353.15、363.15和373.15 K温度下的表面色散自由能;以二氯甲烷、三氯甲烷、丙酮、乙酸乙酯、四氢呋喃作为极性探针分子测定离子液体Lewis酸碱性质,并测定了吸附自由能和吸附自由焓变等热动力学参数。实验结果表明,［AMIM］Cl的酸解离平衡常数Ka为0.34,碱解离平衡常数Kb为1.68,其表面呈Lewis两性偏碱性特点。在343.15、353.15、363.15和373.15 K温度下,［AMIM］Cl的表面色散自由能分别为52.26、50.82、46.08和42.05 mJ/m2。这一结果对研究离子液体的表面性质及应用有指导作用。     

Influence of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate on the lamellar liquid crystal formed by tetraethylene glycol lauryl ether and water

Lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) formed in tetraethylene glycol lauryl ether–water system by the addition of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C _n Mim][BF₄], n?=?2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are characterised by polarised optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques. A small number of [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules can be solubilised in the liquid crystal without changing the lamellar type. These imidazolium salts are considered as an ideal kind of modifiers for the ordered structure. With different lengths of alkyl chains, [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules appear in various domains of ordered assemblies: in the water layer for [C₂Mim][BF₄], in the water layer as well as in the polar domain for [C₄Mim][BF₄] and in the apolar domain for the other imidazolium salts with long alkyl chains. Diverse distributions of [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules in the inner structure bring about their specific influence on the lamellar phase. These results enlighten the use of diverse alkyl-substituted imidazolium salts in modulating LLC and other assemblies and also enrich the aggregation behaviour of these assemblies.