STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYETHYLENES BY DSC ANALYSIS AFTER CRYSTALLIZATION SEGREGATION*

The molecular structure of polyethylene (PE) samples with various comonomers including propylene, 1-buteneand 1-hexene was investigated by DSC and ~(13)C-NMR techniques. The density of the samples varies from 0.948 g/cm~3 to0.917 g/cm~3, and the molecular weight determined by the GPC method is in the range of 1～2×10~5. The branch point contentof the samples was determined by ~(13)C-NMR measurements and was found to be less than 20 per 1000 C atoms along themain chain. Crystallization segregation DSC technique (CSDSC) was used to characterize the branch point distribution or thesegment length distribution of PEs. The crystallization segregation was performed in a successive annealing process atdecreasing temperatures. The interval of two successive annealing temperatures was 6 K, and the time length of eachannealing step was 2.5 h. The CSDSC results clearly indicate that all the PE samples used, including some metallocene PEs,more or less exhibit their non-uniformity in segment length distribution, and bimodal or multimodal CSDSC curves wereusually observed. For quantitative characterization of the CSDSC curves and the segment length distribution two parameters,the average melting point, T_(mAV), and the root-mean-square deviation of melting temperature, (ΔT_(mAV)~2)~(1/2), were proposed.T_(mAV) is corresponding to the average segment length due to branching and (ΔT_(mAV)~2)~(1/2) gives information about the width ofthe segment length distribution. Experimental results show that both the degree of average melting temperature depressionand the width of the distribution seem to increase with increasing the branching content and are dependent on the type ofcomonomers. Very good reproducibility and additivity of the CSDSC method were evidenced experimentally. It wasconcluded that the CSDSC technique is a sensitive and convenient method for characterizing the segment length distribution of branched polyethylenes and will be of great interest in structure-property relationship studies of crystalline polymers.     

Morphology and interactions of polymer brush‐coated spheres in a polymer matrix

Using a real space implementation of the self‐consistent field theory, we calculated the morphology and interactions of spherical nanoparticles with radius R_p that are grafted by polymer chains of N monomers immersed in a chemically identical polymer melt of polymerization index P. The calculation shows that, for big particles (R_p ? N^1/2a, with a the segment size), the interactions and density profiles of the grafted layers are that of brushes at flat interface; While for small particles (R_p ? N^1/2a), the interactions and density profiles are characteristic of star polymers. In the case of intermediate grafted chain lengths, that is, R_p ～ N^1/2a, we found that the grafting density of the polymers and the radius of the spherical nanoparticles are both important in determining the structure and interactions of the grafted layers. Our findings suggest possible ways to tailor the structure and interactions of the nanoparticles to benefit the fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2811–2820, 2006     

Estimation of molecular weight distribution based on chain length dependence of termination rate

When a chain length dependence of polymer-polymer termination is given by k_t,ns = const. (n^?2a + s^?2a) where n and s are the chain lengths for the polymer radicals and a is parameter, an instantaneous weight fraction of the non-reacting polymers is derived as: where h and k? are the kinetic parameters, p is a parameter depending on a, and p_n is instantaneous number-average chain length. Such a weight fraction corresponds to the experimental one over a wide range of conversion in the polymerization of styrene. On the scope of this correspondence, the polymer-polymer termination rate is estimated as: k?_t = 8πR₀D₁/100 ( = 4πR_sD_s) where R₀ is reaction radius between monomer radicals and D₁ is the diffusion coefficient of the monomer; R_s is reaction radius between segment radicals with n ? 100 and D_s is the diffusion coefficient of the segment. The Fujita-Doolittle theory applies to such a rate. Further, the rate also yields 1.5 × 10⁷1./mole-sec, which is the observable extent at conversions less than 0.2.     

Negligible Ion Migration in Tin-Based and Tin-Doped Perovskites

Ion migration is a notorious phenomenon observed in ionic perovskite materials. It causes several severe issues in perovskite optoelectronic devices such as instability, current hysteresis, and phase segregation. Here, we report that, in contrast to lead halide perovskites (LHPs), no ion migration or phase segregation was observed in tin halide perovskites (THPs) under illumination or an electric field. The origin is attributed to a much stronger Sn-halide bond and higher ion migration activation energy (E_a) in THPs, which remain nearly constant under illumination. We further figured out the threshold E_a for the absence of ion migration to be around 0.65 eV using the CsSn_yPb_1-y(I_0.6Br_0.4)₃ system whose E_a varies with Sn ratios. Our work shows that ion migration does not necessarily exist in all perovskites and suggests metallic doping to be a promising way of stopping ion migration and improving the intrinsic stability of perovskites.     

Kinetic analysis of the disproportionation of aqueous glyoxal

Rates of disproportionation of 0.015–0.4 mM aqueous glyoxal toglycolic acid were measured at 0.24–75 mM NaOH and constant ionic strength, leading to the empirical rate expression r = (a₁[OH^?] + a₂[OH^?]²) [G_T]/(1 + a₃[OH^?]), where [G_T] is the total glyoxal concentration. These results were confirmed in bicarbonate/carbonate buffer and at 2–20 mM [G_T]. The rate form is in contradiction to earlier work on glyoxal, which suggested a second-order dependence on [OH^?], but agrees with the rate equation for phenylglyoxal disproportionation. The kinetic data can be explained by a mechanism postulating the presence of monohydrated and dihydrated forms of glyoxal in equilibrium, with the rate-limiting steps being intramolecular hydride ion transfers to the unhydrated carbonyl carbon of the mono- and divalent anions of glyoxal monohydrate.     

Surface segregation measurements of In and S impurities from a dilute Cu(In,S) ternary alloy

The surface segregation of In and S from a dilute Cu(In,S) ternary alloy were measured using Auger electron spectroscopy coupled with a linear programmed heater. The alloy was linearly heated and cooled at constant rates. Segregation data of a linear heat run showed surface segregation of In that reached a maximum surface coverage of 25% followed by S, which reached a coverage of 30%. It was found that after In had reached a maximum surface coverage, it started to desegregate as soon as the S enriched the surface until In was completely replaced by S. The segregation parameters, namely, the pre‐exponential factor (D₀), activation energy (Q), segregation energy (ΔG?) and interaction energy (Ω) were extracted from the measured segregation data for both In and S segregation in Cu by simulating the measured segregation data with a theoretical segregation model (modified Darken model). The segregation parameters obtained for In segregation in Cu are D₀ = 1.8 ± 0.5 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, Q = 184.3 ± 1.0 kJ.mol^?1, ΔG? = ?61.4 ± 1.4 kJ.mol^‐1, Ω_Cu?In = 3.0 ± 0.4 kJ.mol^?1; for S segregation in Cu the parameters are D₀ = 8.9 ± 0.5 × 10^?3 m² s^?1, Q = 212.8 ± 3.0 kJ.mol^?1, ΔG? = ?120.0 ± 3.5 kJ.mol^?1, Ω_Cu?S = 23.0 ± 2.0 kJ mol^?1 and the In and S interaction parameter is Ω_In?S = ?4.0 ± 0.5 kJ.mol^?1. The initial parameters used for the Darken calculations were extracted from fits performed with the Fick's and Guttmann model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical computation of surface areas of molecules

For a cubical tesselation of a finite region of space which contains an irregularly shaped surface, a fairly accurate estimate of the surface area is 2/3N a ², whereN is the total number of cubes cut by the surface and a is the length of the edges of the cubes. An estimate of slightly improved accuracy can be obtained by using different increments to the surface area, depending on the number of edges of the corresponding cube cut by the surface and the number of vertices on either side of the surface.     

Surface Charge Changes upon Formation of the Signaling State in Visual Rhodopsin†

The cytoplasmic surface of G protein‐coupled receptors plays a central role for activation and deactivation of the receptor. To understand the molecular mechanisms which underlie these processes, we determined the surface charge density and its changes upon activation directly at the cytoplasmic surface of bovine rhodopsin and correlated these changes with key events in receptor activation. The surface charge density was calculated from the ionic strength dependence of the apparent pK_a of the surface‐bound pH‐indicator dye fluorescein according to the Gouy‐Chapman theory. The surface charge density at pH 6.5 changes by 0.8 ± 0.2 elementary charge/1000 Ų in rod outer segment disk membranes and by 0.4 ± 0.2 elementary charge/1000 Ų in rhodopsin/dodecylmaltoside micelles upon formation of the active metarhodopsin‐II state. By comparison of these surface charge density values determined with and without the native lipid environment, we calculated the charge change to about 1 elementary charge/cytoplasmic rhodopsin surface. The more positive surface charge density in metarhodopsin‐II decreases back to the dark state level of σ = ?2.0 ± 0.2 elementary charges/1000 Ų in the opsin state, providing further evidence that the cytoplasmic surface properties after metarhodopsin‐II decay resemble almost those of the dark state.     

Diaceno[a,e]pentalenes: An Excellent Molecular Platform for High‐Performance Organic Semiconductors

Three diaceno[a,e]pentalene analogues with pendant sterically bulky di‐tert‐butylphenyl groups have been designed and synthesized. With the extension of the conjugated molecular framework, the molecular arrangement is apparently tuned by the balance between the π‐extended surface and pendant alkyl or aryl substituents. Theoretical calculations of the morphologies were in good agreement with the experimental results. Ambient‐stable field‐effect transistors based on dianthraceno[a,e]pentalene ( DAP ) have been fabricated, which exhibited excellent hole mobilities (up to 6.55 cm² V^?1 s^?1). Thus, this study has shown that diaceno[a,e]pentalenes are stable even with an extraordinarily large π‐surface area, and may thus serve as excellent molecular platforms for further exploring high‐performance semiconducting materials.     

Fddd network phase in ABA triblock copolymer melts

Using self‐consistent field theory, we investigate the stability of the orthorhombic Fddd network phase (O⁷⁰) in ABA triblock copolymer melt systems. Consistent with previous findings, we observe that the gross topology of phase behavior is unchanged with varying chain asymmetry. However, the mean field critical point is displaced from the diblock copolymer value of f_A = 0.5 (f_A is the A segment volume fraction) to larger values as the triblock copolymer symmetry is broken with unequal A block lengths. This deviation significantly shifts the order‐order phase boundaries, resulting in an appreciable region of O⁷⁰ stability in the phase diagram of asymmetric ABA triblock copolymers. More importantly, the stability of the O⁷⁰ phase extends to the intermediate segregation regime for select chain asymmetries. Both features are desirable for achieving a synthetic realization of the phase in binary AB block copolymer systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1112–1117     

Additional synthesis on thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as inhibitors of M. tuberculosis and 3D-QSAR studies

Abstract

We earlier reported thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as novel cores carrying anti-tubercular activity, and identified S006-830 as the phenotypic lead with potent bactericidal activity against single- and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). In this work, we carried out additional synthesis of several TRSMs. The reaction scheme essentially followed the Grignard reaction and Friedel–Crafts alkylation, followed by insertion of a dialkylaminoethyl chain. We also performed microbiological evaluations including in vitro screening against the virulent strain M. tb H37Rv, cytotoxicity assessment in the Vero C-1008 cell line, and 3D-QSAR studies with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA). CoMFA and CoMSIA models yielded good statistical results in terms of q² and r² values, suggesting the validity of the models. It was concluded that a para-substituted benzene ring with bulkier electron-donating groups and aminoalkyl chains are required for higher inhibitory capacity against M. tuberculosis. We believe that these insights will rationally guide the design of newer, optimal, TRSMs.     

Orientational relaxation times of worm-like chains

A semi-empirical formula for orientational relaxation times of worm-like chains in dilute solutions is proposed where τ_rod = τ₀N³ is the relaxation time of a rigid rod composed of N segments, and x = 2a/L is the chain rigidity, i.e. the ratio of the double persistence length to the chain contour length, L. The formula, which can be used in the entire range of molecular rigidities and chain lengths, has been tested against segment relaxation times for semi-rigid chains calculated from the optimized Rouse-Zimm model.     

Molecular parameters of sodium amylose xanthate in dilute solution

Molecular parameters of sodium amylose xanthate in 1N NaOH solution have been determined by means of light scattering and viscometry. The expansion factor, α, has been determined from the expression due to Orofino and Flory. The value of a of the Mark-Houwink relation, [η] = KM^a, has been determined. The Stockmayer-Fixman relationship has been used to evaluate the unperturbed dimension of the chain. The effective bond length b, Kuhn-Kuhn equivalent chain segment length A_m and the steric factor σ, i.e., the ratio of the unperturbed dimension to the dimension assuming free rotation of the chain \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$(\bar R_o^2 )_z ^{1/2} /(\bar R_f^2 )^{1/2}$\end{document} have also been determined. From these data, it is concluded that sodium amylose xanthate in 1N NaOH solution behaves as a loosely coiled molecule.     

Relationship between kinetic chain length and radical polymerization rate

In the copolymerization of monomers M₁ and M₂ which form polymer radicals of chain length n of N¹_n with electron on a M₁ type and N²_n with one on a M₂ type, it is assumed that the specific rates of termination between N¹_n and N¹_n and N¹_s, N¹_n and N²_s, and N²_n and N²_s are k_α(ns)^?a, k_β(ns)^?a, and k_γ(ns)^?a, respectively, where k_α, k_β, and k_γ are the rate constants of reaction between segment radicals in the respective termination, and a is constant. The relation between kinetic chain length n? and polymerization rate R_p is derived as: 1/n? = 1/n?₀ + const. (R_p)^A(a), where n?₀ is the kinetic chain length of the polymer formed by transfer and A (a) is unity (predominance of transfer) and 1/(1–2a) (no transfer). In the copolymerization between methyl methacrylate (M₁) and styrene (M₂) at 60°C, when R_p → 0, k_r12/k₁₂ + k_r21/k₂₁ = 5.9× 10^?5 is obtained, where k_r12 and k_r21 are the rate constants of transfer of N¹ to M₂ and N² to M₁, and k₁₂ and k₂₁ are the rate constants of propagation of N¹ to M₂ and N² to M₁. In the absence of transfer, the a value is found to be 0.065 ± 0.008, from the relation between n? and R_p, regardless of the monomer composition. Such a value is also estimated by setting b = 0.72 in a = 0.153 (2b–1), where b is the constant in the Mark-Houwink equation. Further, the value of k_β is found to be 1.18 × 10⁹l./mole-sec, which is comparable with the diffusion-controlled rate of reaction between small molecules. The rate of reaction between segment radicals is fivefold larger than the polymer-polymer termination when transfer predominates.     

1D + 1D model of a DMFC: localized solutions and mixedpotential

Our 1D + 1D model of DMFC reveals a new effect. At infinitely small total current in the cell, near the channel inlet forms a “bridge”, a narrow region with finite local current density. The bridge short-circuits the electrodes, thus reducing cell open-circuit voltage. In our previous work the effect is described for the case of equal methanol λ^a and oxygen λ^c stoichiometries. In this Letter, we analyze the general case of arbitrary λ^a and λ^c. In the case of λ^a > λ^c current may occupy finite domain of the cell surface. Asymptotic solution for the case of λ^a  λ^c shows, that the size of this domain is proportional to oxygen stoichiometry. In the opposite limit of λ^a  λ^c local current exponentially decreases with the distance along the channel. Asymptotic solutions suggest that the bridge forms regardless of the relationship between λ^a and λ^c. In all cases local current density in the bridge increases with the rate of methanol crossover and decreases with the growth of the “rate-determining” stoichiometry. The expression for voltage loss at open-circuit is derived.     

Crystallite orientation in stretched polychloroprene networks. II

The orientation of crystallites grown isothermally in several drawn trans-polychloroprene networks is studied as a function of crystallization temperature t_x, degree of crystallinity ω, and elongation ratio α. The orientation distribution is particularly simple for this polymer since the crystallographic c axis (chain axis) orients preferentially along the stretching direction, while a and b are randomly arranged about c. Hence the parameter cos² χ_c adequately characterizes the distribution, where χ_c is the angle between the c axis and the fiber axis, and the average is taken over all crystallites. A treatment due to Krigbaum and Roe is utilized to obtain values of v (the number of statistical segments comprising the crystallization nucleus of critical size) through comparison of the average orientation of crystallites and amorphous statistical segments. The behavior observed falls into two categories. First, if the initial amorphous network is well oriented, 〈cos² χ_c〉 is independent of crystallinity during both crystallization and melting, and v varies with t_z (or the degree of supercooling) as predicted by nucleation theory. If different networks are to have the same crystallite orientation distribution, they must not only be crystallized at the same supercooling, but must also have the same distribution of amorphous segment orientations. Both the relative elongation and the network crosslink density affect the latter distribution. Next, we consider the second category. If the initial amorphous orientation is poor, 〈cos² χ_c〉 decreases linearly during crystallization and increases along approximately the same path during melting. Further, 〈cos² χ_c〉 for a given t_z yields v values which are too large. These two behaviors can be explained if, in the former case, nucleation involves the best oriented statistical segments of all network chains, while in the latter there is a selection according to the chain displacement vector orientation. Thus, if the amorphous orientation is poor, both the orientation and thermodynamic stability of the crystallites decreases with further crystallization. If this decreased stability is reflected in shorter fold lengths, the reversible variation of long period spacing with temperature reported earlier for an oriented polychloroprene network can also be explained as a preferential melting process.     

Effect of size on the strength of polymeric fibers

Using a molecular model introduced previously, we study the effects of chain-end segregation on the relationship between strength (σ) and diameter (d) in polymeric fibers. For segregated structures with a monodisperse molecular weight distribution, our results show a scaling law σ ～ d^?α, with α in the range [0.4–0.5], in agreement with experimental observation. A weaker dependence is found for polydisperse systems. Further investigation also reveals that macroscopic cracks have little influence on the fiber strength/diameter relationship, unless the crack width shows a faster than linear increase with fiber diameter. Finally, our model results also indicate a very weak dependence of fiber strength on its length, in good agreement with experimental observation. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of saturated heterocycles: II—substituent effects on the 13C chemical shifts of methyl substituted 1,3-dithianes and their application to the determination of conformational equilibria

The ¹³C chemical shifts for 1,3-dithiane and 9 methyl substituted derivatives are reported. Only three of the methyl-1,3-dithianes were conformationally anancomeric and hence the conformational equilibria must be taken into account when deriving the values of the different substituent effects on the ¹³C chemical shifts. The best fit for each substituent effect was obtained when –ΔG^θ (5a-Me) for 5-methyl-1,3-dithiane was given the value 3.8 ± 0.3 kJ mol^?1 and when the difference between –ΔG^θ (2a-Me) and –ΔG^θ (5a-Me) for cis-2,5-dimethyl 1,3-dithiane equalled 3.4 ± 0.4 kJ mol^?1. The conformer populations chosen from our earlier paper¹ were then suitable for all the other conformational equilibria in question. The magnitude of the derived substituent effects are compared with those for cyclohexane and 1,3-dioxane.     

Crown-ether styryl dyes

The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of styryl dyes containing a crown-ether group and a heteroaromatic residue with sulfoalkyl (1a) or alkyl (1b)N-substituent and of their complexes with Mg²⁺ cations were recorded in the 10^–4–10^–8 mol L^–1 concentration range. A model for the interaction of compoundsla,b with a silver surface during their adsorption on an electrochemically treated electrode was suggested. Fastcis-trans relaxation of the adsorbed molecules1a,b and complexes (1a,b)Mg²⁺ was found. It was shown that at [1a] = 10^–5 mol L^–1 and moderate molar ratios (C _Mg/[1a] = 3/1 to 9/1) in acetonitrile solutions, (trans-1a)Mg²⁺ complexes are joined into head-to-tail type dimers. An excess of Mg²⁺ cations (C_Mg/[1a] > 100) leads to dissociation of the dimers yielding (trans-1a)(Mg²⁺)₂ complexes. The formation of dimers from complexes (trans-1a)Mg²⁺ is accompanied by a substantial distortion of the planar structure oftrans-1a. This may be an important factor influencing the efficiency of photocycloaddition involving dimers of (trans-1a)Mg²⁺.For part 15, see Ref. 1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2429–2436, December, 1995.The work was carried out with financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 94-03-08760) and, to some extent, of INTAS (Grant No. 93-1829) and of the International Science Foundation (Grant No. MHAOOO).     

Optical anisotropy of polyisobutylene: Strain birefringence

Strain birefringence measurements on crosslinked polyisobutylene (butyl rubber) confirm earlier work of Stein and Tobolsky on the linear polymer indicating the optical anisotropy to be much greater than should have been expected from the structural symmetry of the polyisobutylene (PIB) chain. The configuration–optical anisotropy parameter Δa for PIB at 25°C is 4.1(±0.1) × 10^?24 cm³, or about half the value for crosslinked polymethylene, both polymers being undiluted and amorphous. Swelling with cyclohexane, CCl₄, and CBrCl₃ lowers Δa to values of 3.8, 3.4, and 2.8 × 10^?24 cm³, respectively. Contributions from intermolecular correlations in the bulk polymer and from form anisotropy in the diluted systems are small, if not negligible. Temperature coefficients measured isometrically yield d In Δa/dT ≈ 0.2 × 10^?3 deg^?1. Both Δa and its temperature coefficient are much greater than calculated from rotational isomeric state theory assuming additivity of bond polarizabilities. The disparity (more than tenfold for Δa) cannot be relieved by any rational adjustment of the structural parameters. It is suggested that the severe crowding of groups in the PIB chain may affect the anisotropies of group polarizabilities.