Study on the solid solution of YMn1−xFexO3: Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties

The solid solution of YMn_1−xFe_xO₃ (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0) was synthesized from the citrate precursor route. The hexagonal crystal structure related to YMnO₃ was stable for x?0.3. Rietveld refinement was carried out on the composition for x=0.3 and was refined to a major hexagonal phase (∼97%) with 3% of orthorhombic Y(Fe/Mn)O₃ phase. The a-axis lattice constant increases and the c-axis lattice constant decreases with x for x?0.2. The increase in the c-axis lattice constant at x=0.3 could be due to the doping of significant amount of d⁵ ion (high spin Fe³⁺ ion) in a trigonal bipyramidal crystal field. The detailed structural, magnetic and dielectric properties are discussed.     

Measurement of the infinite dilution diffusion coefficients of small molecule solvents in silicone rubber by inverse gas chromatography

The infinite dilution diffusion coefficients of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-decane in crosslinked silicone rubber with different crosslinking agent concentrations were measured in the temperature range of 348.15 K-368.15 K by inverse gas chromatography. The crosslinked silicone rubber was obtained by dissolving PDMS prepolymer, crosslinking agent and catalyst in n-heptane solvent and characterized by FTIR spectra. The Van Deemter equation was used to determine diffusion coefficients from the variation in chromatographic peak width with carrier gas flow rate. The good linear relation indicated the Van Deemter equation used in this work was reliable. The influences of small molecule solvent, crosslinking agent concentration and temperature on the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient were investigated. The results showed that the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient decreased with an increasing number of CH₂ group in the alkane series. The increase in crosslinking agent concentration resulted in decrease of the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient. The infinite dilution diffusion coefficient increased with the rising of temperature. The interdependence on the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient and temperature accorded with Arrhenius equation well. Diffusion constant and activation energy obtained from the Arrhenius equation provided straight lines with the specific critical volume and crosslinking agent concentration.     

Adiabatic compressibility of critical binary mixtures of nitroethane/isooctane and nitroethane/3-methylpentane

The adiabatic compressibility β_S of nitroethane/isooctane is measured from 18 to 900 Hz at reduced temperatures ? ranging from 5 × 10^-5 to 5 × 10^-2. The zero-frequency compressibility extrapolated from the data is related with the specific heat at constant pressure c_p through the theory of Ferrell and Bhattacharjee (FB). The coupling constant g is evaluated from this relation as 0.38, which agrees with that from the thermodynamic definition of g. β_S at 900 Hz is observed for nitroethane/3-methylpentane at ? 5 × 10^-5-6 × 10^-2. A linear plot of the critical part of β_S against 1n? gives g = 0.34, which agrees with g from the thermodynamic definition and also with that from ultrasonic absorption. Numerical values of the critical and background components of β_S, the isothermal compressibility β_T, c_p, the specific heat at constant volume c_v, and the thermal expansion coefficient α_p are calculated for the two mixtures. The expression of β_S from Anisimov's theory is found to be consistent with that from the FB theory.     

Impact of the Type of Crosslinking Agents on the Properties of Modified Sodium Alginate/Poly(vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogels

Here, we report on studies on the influence of different crosslinking methods (ionic and chemical) on the physicochemical (swelling ability and degradation in simulated body fluids), structural (FT-IR spectra analysis) and morphological (SEM analysis) properties of SA/PVA hydrogels containing active substances of natural origin. First, an aqueous extract of Echinacea purpurea was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. Next, a series of modified SA/PVA-based hydrogels were obtained through the chemical crosslinking method using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA, M_n = 700 g/mol) as a crosslinking agent and, additionally, the ionic reaction in the presence of a 5% w/v calcium chloride solution. The compositions of SA/PVA/E. purpurea-based hydrogels contained a polymer of natural origin—sodium alginate (SA, 1.5% solution)—and a synthetic polymer—poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA, M_n = 72,000 g/mol, 10% solution)—in the ratio 2:1, and different amounts of the aqueous extract of E. purpurea—5, 10, 15 or 20% (v/v). Additionally, the release behavior of echinacoside from the polymeric matrix was evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C. The results indicate that the type of the crosslinking method has a direct impact on the release profile. Consequently, it is possible to design a system that delivers an active substance in a way that depends on the application.     

The effect of external pressure on the gamma-ray induced crosslinking of polyvinylalcohol

Commercially available polyvinylalcohol was irradiated under various conditions by γ-ray in the form of compressed disks. The maximum gel percentage was only 30% and there were optimum doses and pressures for crosslinking. Degradation predominated crosslinking, and the values of p₀/q₀ varied from 1.1 to 1.9. The crosslinking characteristics of polyvinylalcohol are discussed.     

Swelling and network parameters of crosslinked thermoreversible hydrogels of poly(N-ethylacrylamide)

Samples of Poly(N-ethylacrylamide) (PEA) have been synthesized by free radical polymerization in water using N,N′-methylene bis-acrylamide (BIS) as crosslinker. Hydrogels obtained by swelling them in water, 15 wt% KCl and 1 wt% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were examined by gravimetric, dimensional and compression-strain measurements to afford values of swelling ratio, polymer-solvent interaction parameters, elastic moduli and effective crosslinking density ν_e. Crosslinking inefficiency is evidenced by the low value (0.23) of ν_e relative to the theoretical crosslinking density ν_t based on the content of BIS in the synthesis. A small but finite extrapolated value of ν_e at ν_t = 0 is indicative of hydrophobic physical interactions. In water at 298 K increasing the content of BIS leads to a decrease in swelling and increases in values of elastic moduli and polymer-water interaction parameter. At a fixed content of BIS the values of ν_e and the elastic moduli exhibit an unusual increase with temperature, the crosslinking thus being thermally reversible. It is proposed that this results from a balance between hydrophobic interaction and breakage of hydrophilic hydrogen bonding. Although KCl in the medium decreases the swelling compared with that in water, the opposite effect occurs on incorporation of SDS, which is assumed to confer some polyelectrolyte character to the PEA chains. The finding, that these two swelling media reduce the values of ν_e and elastic moduli cf the value in water, has not been resolved satisfactorily.     

Determination of the calibration cosntant gKs in the quantitative differential thermal analysis of powdered materials

In this article, results are presented for the determination of the calibration constant gK_s for the DTA of powdered materials related to the mass and particle size of the samples studied.It was established that gK_s represents a linear function of the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the samples studied. The determined value of gK_s is not valid for all experiments in quantitative studies of a particular system, but should be corrected depending on changes in the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the sample studied. These dependences are also valid for the DTA of metal systems, i.e. for cases in which the sample is in monolithic form.     

Photocrosslinking of poly(N-vinylcarbazole): Implementing a complementary set of techniques to characterize the three-dimensional network formation

The crosslinking of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) PVK resulting from UV irradiation (λ > 300 nm) was studied by combining various techniques including infrared spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), swelling ratio, positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) and thermoporosimetry. The results obtained from all of these techniques were correlated and allowed a complete monitoring of the crosslinking during irradiation, from the creation of the first crosslinks to the formation and densification of the three-dimensional network. From SEC analysis and determination of swelling ratios, it was demonstrated that crosslinking was the predominant mechanism during the first stages of irradiation. PAS and DSC analyses revealed a good correlation between variations of free volume and increase of glass transition (T_g) of the bulk material. In addition, the development of the polymer architecture shown by the growth of T_g was nicely correlated with the modifications of the chemical structure observed by infrared analysis. Thermoporosimetry allowed the determination of the mesh size distributions within the polymer for the longest irradiation times. Numerical relationships were established and their validity was checked.     

Permanent antistatic phthalocyanine/epoxy nanocomposites - Influence of crosslinking agent, solvent and processing temperature

Cross-linked epoxy matrices containing small amounts of semi-conductive phthalocyanine (Phthalcon) nanoparticles were prepared using different crosslinking agents and processing temperatures. A starting mixture containing an optimum dispersion of these nanoparticles and with an almost equal and large Hamaker constant was always used. Nevertheless large differences in the relation between the volume conductivity σ_v and the particle concentration φ were found and this relation appeared to be sensitive to small changes in processing temperature and the application of a post-cure. Also the amine crosslinker chosen and the initial amount of solvent (catalyst) in the starting dispersion had a major effect. It was shown that these changes influence strongly the formation of and the final conductive fractal particle network morphology through the polymer matrix. During processing a local relaxation of the initially formed fractal particle network into another fractal particle network was often observed, which introduced or enlarged the amount of isolating material between the particles of the conductive network and changed the fractality and structure of the conductive backbone of the particle network. This local relaxation lowered the σ_v at each phthalcon concentration and enlarged φ_c by several orders of magnitude. The occurrence of local relaxation is dependent on the rate of viscosity change during the crosslinking of the polymer matrix components, the way the fractal conductive particle network is formed during processing (universal or non-universal) and the amount of solvent present. Local relaxation may even occur after the gel point of the polymer matrix. A severe post-cure may be needed to stop this local relaxation. To our knowledge local relaxation of a (fractal) nanoparticle network in a polymer matrix during processing is a new phenomenon, not reported before for polymer composites containing (conductive) nanoparticles.     

The conformation of succinic acid in aqueous solution studied by 1h and 13c nmr

The vicinal H-H coupling constants of succinic acid were obtained as a function of pH and related to its conformation. The syn-clinal arrangement of the two CO₂H groups appears as more stable than the anti-periplanar conformation at variance with previous work but in agreement with recent data on similar molecules. The vicinal¹³CO₂H-¹H coupling constant was also obtained and is found to support that conclusion. The analysis was extended to solvents of variable dielectric constant and no significant effect was found.     

Effects of sensitizer length on radiation crosslinked shape–memory polymers

Shape–memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that can be designed to retain a metastable state and upon activation, recover a preprogrammed shape. In this study, poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) is blended with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) of various molecular weights in various concentrations and subsequently exposed to ionizing radiation. PEGDA sensitizes the radiation crosslinking of PMA, lowering the minimum absorbed dose for gelation and increasing the rubbery modulus, after crosslinking. Minimum dose for gelation, as determined by the Charlesby–Pinner equation, decreases from 25.57 kGy for unblended PMA to 2.06 kGy for PMA blended with 10.00 mole% PEGDA. Moreover, increase in the blend concentration of PEGDA increases the crosslinking density of the resulting networks. Sensitizer length, namely M_n of PEGDA, also affects crosslinking and final mechanical properties. Increase in the length of the PEGDA molecule at a constant molar ratio increases the efficacy of the molecule as a radiation sensitizer as determined by the increase in gel fraction and rubbery modulus across doses. However, at a constant weight ratio of PEGDA to PMA, shorter PEGDA chains sensitize more crosslinking because they have more reactive ends per weight fraction. Sensitized samples of PMA with PEGDA were tested for shape–memory properties and showed shape fixity of greater than 99%. Samples had a glass transition temperature near 28 °C and recovered between 97% and 99% of the induced strain when strained to 50%.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF γ-IRRADIATED CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS Ⅰ. CHARACTERIZATION OF γ-RADIATION INDUCED CROSSLINKED POLYAMIDE 1010 BY CRYSTALLIZATION TEMPERATURE*

The effect of ~(50)Co γ-radiation on plain polyamide 1010 (PA1010 Ⅰ) and PA1010 containing dif-ferent amount of crosslinking agent (BMI) (PA1010 Ⅱ) both in vacuum and in air at room tempera-ture was investigated with DSC. It was found that the crystallization temperature T_c of crosslinkedsample determined with DSC at constant cooling rate decreased as the radiation dose increased. Thedifference between crystallization temperatures before and after crosslinking (T_(c_o)-T_(c_R) is linearlyrelated to the radiation dose for PA1010I. Based on the Charlesby-Pinner's equation an expressionwas derived S+S~(1/2)=A+B/(T_(c_o)-T_(c_R)) where S is the sol fraction, A and B are constants. Since thereis evidence that T_c is relative to S only and independent of the way of irradiation, the equation is alsoapplicable to the enhanced γ-irradiation crosslinked PA1010 Ⅱ. Therefore, determination of T_cof crosslinked polymer by DSC offers a convenient approach to study quantitatively the random andespecially non-random crosslinking reaction of crystalline polymer.     

Pulsed NMR of cis-polyisoprene solutions T1 and T2 relaxations,free volume,viscosity relationships

Previous pulsed NMR studies of polyisoprene have largely been concerned with entangled or crosslinked networks. This paper deals with (i) the relaxation of high molecular weight entangled; (ii) cross-linked; (iii) monodisperse low molecular weight; and (iv) high molecular weight polymer in the presence of tetrachloroethylene which, by increasing molecular mobility, can be expected to influence the NMR relaxation. For all four types of polyisoprene, the spin-lattice T₁, relaxation shows a minimum with position depending only on the free volume, as influenced by changes in temperature T and polymer concentration v₁,. For monodisperse polyisoprene of molecular weight 7200, insufficient to form an entangled network, the spin-spin relaxation decay constant T_2L is quantitatively related to the free volume ₁ by two parameters A′ and B″ when the free volume is altered by a change in temperature, or in polymer concentration (10–100/). This can also be expressed in the form where the parameter T_∞ at 100% concentration agrees with the value used to describe rheological properties. At other concentrations of polymer, T_∞ and B′ can be derived quantitatively from the coefficients of volume expansion of polymer and solvent. The variation of T_2L with molecular weight (T_2L ∝ M^?0.5) occurs via the A′ parameter. It is concluded that T_2L can be quantitatively related to the free volume available for molecular motion (as influenced by temperature and solvent concentration) as well as to molecular weight. Furthermore T_2L is simply related to viscosity n, over a wide range of temperatures and concentrations. T₂ can be used to analyse the molecular motions involved in theology.     

Thermosensitive and control release behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/nano-Fe3O4 magnetic composite latex particle that is synthesized by a novel method

In this study, a novel method was used to synthesize the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/Fe₃O₄ (poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄) magnetic composite latex. The crosslinked poly(NIPAAm-AA) polymer latex particles were first synthesized by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization, then Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions were introduced to bond with the -COOH groups of AA segments in poly(NIPAAm-AA) polymer latex particles. Further by a reaction with NH₄OH, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were generated in situ. The concentrations of acrylic acid (AA), crosslinking agent (N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA)), and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were important factors to influence the morphology and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ magnetic composite latex particles. The poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ latex particles were used as a thermosensitive drug carrier to load caffeine. The control release of caffeine was studies. Morphology-based schematic models were proposed to explain the control release behavior of the composite particles with different compositions. Moreover, the protein (albumin, acetylated from bovine serum (BSA)) was bound on the surface of poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ composite latex particles. The effects of AA, crosslinking agent and Fe₃O₄ contents on the amount of BSA binding were investigated at different temperatures and pH values. The composition-morphology-BSA conjugation relationship was established.     

Kinetics and molecular orbital calculations of desulfonation of strong acid cation-exchange resin

This paper deals with the desulfonation properties of some strong acid cation-exchange resins. The sulfate concentration in solution is continuously increased when a strong acid cation-exchange resin is mixed with water. The leaching of sulfate results from the desulfonation of the fixed group, and the amount of leached sulfate depends on the counter ion charge, the crosslinking degree and the exchanger matrix. The effects of the counter ion charge on the desulfonation rate suggested that the counter ion induces the nucleophilic attack of a water molecule on the sulfo group. This interpretation was supported by semiempirical molecular orbital calculations for the C₆H₅SO₃⁻M^m+ (M^m+ = Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺) systems, and the transition state of the Na⁺ system was successfully predicted by DFT calculations. The crosslinking degree influenced the desulfonation rate, which can be related to the decreasing hydration number of each counter ion in the resin phase with the increasing crosslinking degree. Furthermore, different exchanger matrices produced the differences in the rates, which may be derived from the electron-density donation from the exchanger matrix to the sulfo group. The desulfonation is governed by the electron-density of the sulfur atom and the water activity in the solid phase.     

The temperature dependence of the HO2 + HO2 reaction

The temperature dependence of the rate constant for the reaction HO₂ + HO₂ → H₂O₂ + O₂ (2k₁) has been determined using flash photolysis techniques, over the temperature range 298–510 K, in a nitrogen diluent at a total pressure of 700 Torr. The overall second order state constant is given by k₁ = (4.14 ± 1.15) × 10^?13 exp[(630 ± 115)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, where the quoted errors refer to one standard deviation. This result is compared with previous findings and the negative activation energy is shown to be consistent with the observation that the rate constant is pressure dependent at 700 Torr.     

Improvement of CO2/CH4 separation characteristics of polyimides by chemical crosslinking

Uncrosslinked and crosslinked polyimides and copolyimides have been synthesized in order to increase selectivity without an unacceptable loss in permeability. The goal was to reduce undesirable effects caused by CO₂ induced swelling in CO₂/CH₄ separation processes by stabilizing the polyimide structure with crosslinks. In the polymerization reaction 6FDA (4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride) was used as dianhydride monomer and mPD (m-phenylene diamine) and DABA (diamino benzoic acid) were used as diamine monomers. With copolyimides containing strong polar carboxylic acid groups (i.e. 6 FDA–mPD/DABA 9:1) reduced plasticization was seen up to a pure CO₂ feed pressure of 14 atm, presumably due to hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid groups. By chemical crosslinking of the free carboxylic acid groups of the 6FDA–mPD/DABA 9:1 with ethylene glycol, the swelling effects due to CO₂ can be reduced at least up to a pure CO₂ feed pressure of 35 atm. With increasing degree of crosslinking, increasing CO₂/CH₄ selectivity was found because of reduced swelling and polymer chain mobility. By using ethylene glycol as a crosslinking agent, CO₂ permeability was not significantly lowered because the reduced chain mobility was compensated by the additional free volume caused by the crosslinks.     

Studies on diphenylguanidine–accelerated sulfur vulcanization of styrene butadiene rubber in the presence and absence of dicumylperoxide

Diphenylguanidine (DPG) raises the rate of decomposition of dicumylperoxide (DCP) and the crosslinking maxima due to DCP is lowered to some extent by DPG. When the molar proportion of DPG–S is approximately 1:1, no additive results of crosslink formation (as reported for NR) are observed. Zinc oxide and stearic acid increase the rate of crosslinking as well as the crosslinking maxima. In the present study it appears most probable that DPG-accelerated sulfuration of SBR is an ionic process. At a constant level of DCP and sulfur crosslink density increases when the amount of DPG is increased; a constant level of DCP and DPG crosslinking increases with rising sulfur concentration. An increase in the concentration of DPG or sulfur leads to greater formation of the complex as well as a change in its composition. The effect of DPG is more pronounced, for by reducing the number of sulfur atoms more sulfur is available for crosslinking. Sulfur absorbs little SO₂ or H₂S; if it is already saturated, there is no perceptible effect. DPG does absorb H₂S or SO₂ and the rate and maxima of crosslinks is increased. The effect of SO₂ is higher because of the higher K_a values of H₂SO₃ and consequently higher concentration of HSO₃^?. Reversion is a free-radical process inhibited by free DPG present in the system. In the presence of zinc oxide and stearic acid the reaction follows a polar mechanism as well as a radical mechanism.     

Interfacial impedance behaviour of polished and paint platinum electrodes at Na2WO4-Na2MoO4 solid electrolytes

Interfacial impedances of the cell systems polished Pt/Na₂WO₄-Na₂MoO₄ and painted Pt/Na₂WO₄-Na₂MoO₄ were studied as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure by a.c. and pulse methods. The impedances are probably related to rate determining surface reactions of oxygen atoms and molecules. With Pt-paint, a particular type of impedance behaviour characterized by a constant phase angle, CPA, is observed: Z_p=K_p(jω)^?p (K_p and p independent of ω). No simple physical models were found to explain this behaviour, which is probably due to highly inhomogeneous current distribution effects.     

Polymerization of ethylene with the system (C5H5)2TiEtCl-AlEtCl2

The catalytic system (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl-AlEtCl₂ in benzene and heptane was investigated. Only two species are formed at an equimolar ratio Al: Ti, viz. active (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl.AlEtCl₂ (I) and inactive (C₅H₅)₂TiCl.AlEtCl₂ formed from (I). The rate constant of propagation is k_p^20° = 6.4 l/mole sec and is independent of the medium. The rate of polymerization decreases with time because of valence reduction. The bimolecular law is obeyed during a run but the apparent termination constant is inversely proportional to the initial catalyst concentration. The kinetic data with different ratios Al:Ti and the dependence of the number of polymer molecules/Ti atom show that AlEtCl₂ is a termination agent and a chain transfer agent.