Elastic behavior of single polymer chains adsorbed on rough surfaces

In this paper, elastic behaviors of single polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surfaces with a substrate and some periodically tactic pillars are investigated by the pruned-enriched-Rosenbluth method (PERM). In our simulation, a single polymer chain is firstly adsorbed on the substrate and then pulled along the z-axis direction, which is vertical to the substrate. We investigate the chain size and shape of polymer chains, such as mean-square radii of gyration per bond 〈S²〉_xy/N, 〈S²〉_z/N and shape factor 〈δ^∗〉 in order to show how the size and shape of adsorbed polymer chains change during the desorption process. Due to the occurrences of separation of the chains from the substrate, farther adsorption on the upper surfaces of pillars and complete separation from the whole rough surfaces in the elastic process, the changes of 〈S²〉_xy/N, 〈S²〉_z/N and 〈δ^∗〉 during the process are complicated. On the other hand, some thermodynamic properties such as average energy per bond, average Helmholtz free energy per bond, elastic force f are investigated, and our aim is to study the elastic behaviors of polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surface during the elasticity process. Elastic force f has some plateaus during the desorption process for strong adsorption interaction. If there is no adsorption interaction, the chains can get away from the rough surfaces spontaneously. These investigations can provide some insights into the elastic behaviors of polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surface.     

Elastic behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) chains

The Monte Carlo (MC) method based on the rotational-isomeric-state (RIS) model is adopted in studying the elastic behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) chains in this paper. The mean-square end-to-end distance 〈R²〉, the mean-square radius of gyration 〈S²〉, and the ratio of 〈R²〉/〈S²〉 all increase with elongation ratio λ. The interior conformations are also investigated through calculating the a priori probability of rotational state in the process of tensile elongation. The radius of gyration tensor S is introduced here in order to measure the shape of PET chains, and increases with elongation ratio λ, however, some different behaviors are obtained for . Here , and are the eigenvalues of the radius of gyration tensor . The average energy per repeat unit 〈U〉 and the average free energy per repeat unit 〈A〉 are also calculated, and we find that the average energy decreases with elongation ratio λ, however, the average free energy per repeat unit increases with elongation ratio λ. Elastic force f, energy contribution to force f_U, and entropy contribution to force f_S are also investigated. Both elastic force f and entropy contribution to force f_S increases with λ, however, energy contribution to force f_U and the ratio f_U/f decreases with λ. The ratio of f_U/f is less than zero and almost independent of chain length. The results of these microscopic calculations may explain some macroscopic phenomena of rubber elasticity.     

Elastic behavior of non-Gaussian polymethylene chains

In this paper, elastic behaviors of non-Gaussian polymethylene (PM) chains with chain length N=100 are investigated by rotational isomeric state model. Here the tetrahedral lattice of PM chain and the non-local interaction of Sutherland potential are adopted. In the metropolis movement of PM chain, a four-bond movement model is used. The average energy and average Helmholtz free energy with various elongation ratios λ are calculated by Monte Carlo simulation method. The average energy increases with elongation ratio λ and the average Helmholtz free energy decreases with elongation ratio λ. The elastic force f and the energy contribution to elastic force f_u can be obtained from f=∂〈A〉/∂r and f=∂〈U〉/∂r. We find that the elastic force f increases with elongation ratio λ and the energy contribution f_u decreases with elongation ratio λ, and f_u is less than zero. The ratio f_u/f is close to −0.21 for λ?1.25, and −0.04 to −0.35 for λ>1.25 at T=364 K. In our calculation, the rubber elasticity may be discussed in terms of the chemical structure of polymer chains.     

Influence of excluded volume on the conformational property of tail-like chain on the simple cubic lattice

The influence of excluded volume on the conformational property of linear tail-like chain with one end attached to a flat surface is investigated by means of dynamic Monte Carlo method. Conformational properties such as mean-square end-to-end distance 〈R²〉, mean-square radius of gyration 〈S²〉 and mean asphericity parameter 〈A〉 are calculated for random walking (RW) and self-avoiding walking (SAW) tail-like chains on the simple cubic lattice. We find that the EV has nearly the same effect on 〈R²〉 as on 〈S²〉: (1) 〈R²〉_SAW/〈R²〉_RW≈〈S²〉_SAW/〈S²〉_RW∝n^0.204±0.05, where n is the chain length, and (2) the limiting value of 〈R²〉/〈S²〉≈7.7 for both chains. The distribution P(R) of the SAW tail-like chain can be expressed as a R⁴ correction of that of the RW one. We find that the value 〈A〉 of the SAW tail-like chain is bigger than that of the RW tail-like chain for all chain lengths, and the limiting values are 0.446±0.006 and 0.403±0.005 respectively.     

Development of polyoxadiazole nanocomposites for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Novel nanocomposite membranes were prepared with sulfonated polyoxadiazole and different amounts of sulfonated dense and mesoporous (MCM-41) silica particles. It has been shown that particle size and functionality of sulfonated silica particles play an important role when they are used as fillers for the development of polymer electrolyte nanocomposite membrane for fuel cells. No significant particle agglomerates were observed in all nanocomposite membranes prepared with sulfonated dense silica particles, as analyzed by SEM, AFM, TGA, DMTA and tensile tests. The T_g values of the composite membranes increased with addition of sulfonated silica, indicating an interaction between the sulfonic acid groups of the silica and the polyoxadiazole. Constrained polymer chains in the vicinity of the inorganic particles were confirmed by the reduction of the relative peak height of tan δ. A proton conductivity of 0.034 S cm⁻¹ at 120 °C and 25% RH, which is around two-fold higher than the value of the pristine polymer membrane was obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new network polymer electrolyte containing polyether in the main chains and side chains

A new network polymer electrolyte matrix with polyether in the side chains and main chains was synthesized by the azo-macroinitiator method and urethane reaction. The macroinitiator, polymer and network polymer were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ¹H NMR. FT-IR was also used to study the environment of lithium ions doped in these network polymer electrolytes. Three important groups are considered: N-H, carbonyl, and ether groups. The thermal properties of the polymer electrolytes were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The T_g value of this polymer is less than that of a general comb-like polymer. Added lithium ions interact with the oxygen atoms on ether groups, causing the T_g of the polymer electrolyte to increase. Moreover, the interaction between lithium ions and ether groups decreases the decomposition temperature of the polymer. The conductivity measured by AC impedance reached a maximum of 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹. A plot of conductivity vs. temperature fit the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher equation, indicating that ionic mobility in this network polymer electrolyte is coupled to segmental chain movements.     

A molecular study on the reinforcement of polymethylene elastomers

Monte Carlo simulations are carried out on filled networks of polymethylene (PM), which are modeled as composites of PM chains and three-dimensional cubic lattices of filler particles. Calculations are carried out for PM chains with various chain lengths n and various cubic unit dimensions a. The elastic behavior is investigated by using a realistic rotational-isomeric-state (RIS) model and enumeration calculation method. The average conformations, such as a priori probability P_η and the segmental orientation function 〈P₂(cosζ)〉 of PM chains are also calculated. In the process of tensile deformation, the a priori probability P_t increases with elongation ratio λ, however, it decreases with increasing cubic unit dimensions a. The segmental orientation distribution function 〈P₂(cosζ)〉 of deformed PM chains decreases with increasing cubic unit dimensions a, especially in the region of large deformation. Average Helmholtz free energy per bond becomes small when increasing cubic unit dimensions a, and average energy per bond becomes large when increasing cubic unit dimensions a. We find that the elastic force increases with elongation ratio for small λ, and abruptly for large λ. In the meantime, the energy contribution to elastic force is negative and significant. It is also shown that the elastic force and the energy contribution to elastic force is almost the same with various cubic unit dimensions a. The ratio f_u/f ranges from −0.4 to −0.6 at T=425 K. The reinforcement effects on the Helmholtz free energy 〈A〉 and energy 〈U〉 are important; however, the effect on the elastic force is insignificant. Our calculation may provide some insight into the macroscopic phenomena of rubber elasticity.     

High Tg nematic thermosets: Synthesis, characterization and thermo-mechanical properties

In this paper the synthesis and characterization of a new family reactive nematic oligomers based on 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) will be presented. We modified the backbone using para- and meta-substituted aromatic monomers such as terephthalic acid (TA), isophthalic acid (IA), hydroquinone (HQ), resorcinol (RS), 4,4′-bisphenol (BP) and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA). All oligomers, with a target M_n of 5000 and 9000 g mol⁻¹, were end-capped with reactive phenylethynyl functionalities and synthesized using standard melt condensation techniques. Curing of the phenylethynyl reactive functionalities proceeds through chain extension and crosslinking, depending upon the temperature and time and can be carried out between 310 and 400 °C. Fully cured nematic thermosets could be obtained with glass-transition temperatures previously not accessible (T_g > 400 °C). The cured polymers exhibit excellent tensile properties, i.e. tensile strength (83 MPa) and elongation at break (9%). This approach allows us to prepare all-aromatic polymers with a combination of useful properties such as ease of processing, high T_g’s, and excellent mechanical properties.     

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria for some polystyrene-methylcyclohexane mixtures

Liquid-liquid cloud point diagrams of solutions of nearly monodisperse samples of polystyrene (PS), and binary mixtures of nearly monodisperse PS’s, both in methylcyclohexane (MCH), were determined for several polymer molecular weights (M_w) at 0.1 MPa. The bimodal mixtures (PS[M_w(1),ρ(1)] + PS[M_w(2),ρ(2)], M_w(1)=90×10³ g/mol, M_w(2)=13×10³ g/mol, 5.78 × 10³ g/mol, and 2.2 × 10³ g/mol, ρ=1.06) were prepared constraining 〈M_w〉=38.6×10³ g/mol, ρ=M_w/M_n is the polydispersity index. In each case the cloud point curves (CPC’s) for the bimodal mixtures are strongly skewed, lying well above CPC for 〈M_w〉 when φ<φ_CRITICAL, and below CPC for 〈M_w〉 when φ>φ_CRITICAL; φ is volume fraction polymer in the polymer/solvent mixture. The experimental results are discussed in the context of empirical and mean-field representations.     

The properties of a single polymer chain in solvent confined in a slit: A molecular dynamics simulation

A single polymer chain in solvent confined in a slit formed by two parallel plates is studied by using molecular dynamics simulation method. The square radii of gyration and diffusion behaviors of polymers are greatly affected by the distance between the two plates, but they do not follow the same way. The chain size decays drastically with increasing h (h is the distance between two plates), until a basin occurs, and a universal h/〈R _g〉₀ dependence for polymer chains with different degrees of polymerization can be obtained. While, for the chain’s diffusion coefficient, it decays monotonously and there is no such basin-like behavior. Furthermore, we studied the radial distribution function of confined polymer chains to explain the reason why there is a difference for the decay behaviors between dynamic properties and static properties. Besides, we also give the degree of confinement dependence of the static scaling exponent for a single polymer chain. Our work provides an efficient way to estimate the dynamics and static properties of confined polymer chains, and also helps us to understand the behavior of polymer chains under confinement.     

A high-frequency EPR characterization of the S = 2 linear tri-atomic chain in Cr3(dpa)4Cl2·CH2Cl2

We report the high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) study of Cr₃(dpa)₄Cl₂, a linear tri-atomic (Cr^II)₃ chain, that was reported to be EPR silent at the X-band (9.5 GHz). Higher frequencies yield well resolved spectra for this S = 2 system even at room temperature. At 30 K, our variable frequency (34-400 GHz) EPR spectra yield a large axial zero-field splitting (D) of −1.643(1) cm⁻¹ as well as a small rhombic ZFS parameter E = 0.0339(4) cm⁻¹; with g_x = 1.9978(4), g_y = 1.9972(4), and g_z = 1.9808(4). The magnetic susceptibility measurements fully support the earlier magnetic susceptibility studies and the current EPR results. The observation of the EPR spectrum of only the S = 2 state at room temperature suggests that the ground state is well isolated from the excited states.     

A steered molecular dynamics simulation on the elastic behavior of adsorbed star polymer chains

<正>Elastic behavior of 4-branched star polymer chain with different chain length N adsorbed on attractive surface is investigated using steered molecular dynamics(SMD) simulation method based on the united-atom(UA) model for branched alkanes.The simulation is realized by pulling up the chain via a linear spring with a constant velocity v = 0.005 nm/ps.At the beginning,the chain lies extensionally on adsorbed surface and suffers continuous deformations during the tensile process.Statistical parameters as mean-square radii of gyration S~2_(xy),S~2_z,shape factor δ,describing the conformational changes,sectional density den which gives the states of the chain,and average surface attractive energy U_a,average total energy U,average force f probed by the spring,which characterize the thermodynamic properties, are calculated in the stimulant process.Remarkably,distinguishing from the case in linear chains that there only exists one long plateau in the curve of f,the force plateau in our study for star chains is multiple,denoting different steps of desorption,and this agrees well with the experimental results in essence.We find during the tensile process,there are three characteristic distances Z_c,Z_t and Z_0 from the attractive surface,and these values vary with N.When Z=Z_c,the chain is stripped from the surface,but due to the form of wall-monomer interaction,the surface retains weak influence on the chain till Z = Z_c.From Z=Z_t,parameters U_a,U and f respectively reach a stable value,while the shape and the size of the chain still need adjustments after Z_t till Z_0 to reach their equilibrium states.Specifically,for short chain of N= 41,Z_t and Z_0 are incorporated.These results may help us to deepen the knowledge about the elastic behavior of adsorbed star polymer chains.     

Synthesis and solution properties of linear,four-branched,and six-branched star polyisoprenes

A number of linear, four- and six-branched regular star polyisoprenes were synthesized by anionic polymerization techniques in benzene using lithium as the counterion and polyfunctional silicon chloride compounds as the coupling agents. Light-scattering measurements in dioxane were performed in order to establish Θ solvent conditions. Determinations of the radius of gyration of the polymers of different structure indicate that g = 〈S²〉_0,br/〈S²〉_0,lin agree closely with random flight calculations for the ratios. Intrinsic viscosities determined in a Θ solvent establish g′ = [η]_br/[η]_lin to be 0.77₃ and 0.62₅ for the four- and six-branched polyisoprenes, respectively. In a good solvent g′ values are slightly lower. These values are compared with theoretical estimates. Viscosities of 19.29% (w/w) solutions of the polyisoprenes in n-decane at 25°C are correlated with the intrinsic viscosities of the polymers under Θ conditions.     

Mechanism of degradation induced embrittlement in polyethylene

The thermal oxidation of polyethylene films in air at 80 °C and 90 °C has been studied by tensile testing, IR spectrophotometry and molar mass determination from rheometric measurements. In the conditions under study, the polymer predominantly undergoes chain scission and embrittles suddenly when the weight average molar mass reaches a critical value (90 kg mol⁻¹), far before significant damage of the entanglement network (M_e = 1.9 kg mol⁻¹) in the amorphous phase.The following embrittlement mechanism is proposed: chain scission in the amorphous phase induces chemicrystallization. The thickness of the interlamellar amorphous layer (l_a) decreases until a critical value of the order of 6-7 nm, below which plasticity cannot be activated and the polymer behaves in a brittle manner, as previously shown for virgin polyethylene. Using (l_a, M_W) maps, it is possible to explain the differences observed in the embrittlement behaviour of semi-crystalline polymers predominantly undergoing chain scission.     

Conductivity and thermal behavior of proton conducting polymer electrolyte based on poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone)

The polymer electrolytes based on poly N-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) with different compositions have been prepared by solution casting technique. The amorphous nature of the polymer electrolytes has been confirmed by XRD analysis. The shift in T_g values and the melting temperatures of the PVP-NH₄SCN electrolytes shown by DSC thermo-grams indicate an interaction between the polymer and the salt. The dependence of T_g and conductivity upon salt concentration have been discussed. The conductivity analysis shows that the 20 mol% ammonium thiocyanate doped polymer electrolyte exhibit high ionic conductivity and it has been found to be 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, at room temperature. The conductivity values follow the Arrhenius equation and the activation energy for 20 mol% ammonium thiocyanate doped polymer electrolyte has been found to be 0.52 eV.     

Synthesis of basic molecular brushes: ATRP of 4-vinylpyridine in organic media

A poly(2-(2-bromopropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate) (PBPEM) was used as macroinitiator in the synthesis of molecular brushes with poly(4-vinylpyridine) side chains, (P(BPEM-g-4VP). Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was employed as the polymerization technique. The polymerizations were carried out in DMF at 30 °C using a copper-chloride-based ATRP catalyst, which converted all the dormant polymer chain ends to alkyl chloride groups, thus minimizing branching and crosslinking, which occurred when a copper bromide-based catalyst was employed. Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine was selected as the ligand due to the high activity of its Cu^I complex in ATRP as well as its strong binding to both Cu^I and Cu^II, which prevented competitive complexation of the monomer or polymer to the metal center. In order to prevent crosslinking via radical coupling, the monomer conversion was kept low (under 3%) and the alkyl chloride end groups of P4VP side chains were converted to alkoxyamines upon activation followed by a reaction with TEMPO radical. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed the hydrodynamic diameter (D_H) of the brushes was pH-dependent. Aggregation of single P(BPEM-g-4VP) brushes in water was very pronounced at high pH values but was observed even when the amount of added HCl was enough to completely protonate the pyridine units (D_H = 278 nm).     

Concentration dependence of the global and anisotropic dimensions of confined macromolecules

The chain dimensions 〈R²〉 of nondilute polymer solutions confined to a slit of the width D were studied using lattice simulations. It was found that the chain compression induced in good solvents by the concentration ϕ is enhanced in a slit relative to the bulk. The global dimensions of chains also change with ϕ in confined and unconfined theta solutions. At intermediate slit widths, a region was noted where coils are squeezed along all three axes. This region is manifested as a channel on the three‐dimensional surface 〈R²〉(D,ϕ) in both good and theta solvents. The coil anisotropy, given by the ratio of the parallel and perpendicular components of the chain dimensions 〈R_y²〉/〈R_x²〉, reaches high values at strong confinements, where coils form quasi‐two‐dimensional pancakes. The concentration‐induced reduction of the global chain dimensions in good solvents is almost fully transmitted to the parallel component 〈R_y²〉. The computed effects of concentration and confinement were compared with the predictions of mean‐field and scaling theories, and implications of the results to ultrathin films and layered nanocomposites were discussed. In addition, the distribution functions of the components of the end‐to‐end distance R perpendicular and parallel to the plates, W (R_x) and W (R_y), were calculated. The function W (R_x) combined with the concentration profile ϕ (x) along the pore provided details of the chain structure close to walls. A marked difference in the pace of the filling up of the depletion layer was noticed between chains in theta and good solvents. From the distribution functions W (R_x) and W (R_y), the highly anisotropic force‐elongation relations imply the deformation of chains in confined solutions and ultrathin bulk films.     

One-pot, novel chemical modification of glycidyl methacrylate copolymers with very bulky organosilicon side chain substituents

Glycidyl methacrylate (GM) random copolymers with styrene and methylstyrene (in a 1:1 and 1:3 mole ratio) were synthesized by solution free radical polymerizations at 70 ± 1 °C using α,α′-azoisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The copolymer compositions were obtained using related ¹H NMR spectra and the polydispersity indices of the copolymers determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Both types of polymer could be modified by incorporation of the highly sterically demanding tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl substituent (Me₃Si)₃C-(Tsi = trisyl) through the ring opening reaction of the epoxy groups in copolymers. Chemical modification was determined by ¹H NMR and infrared spectroscopies. The glass transition temperature T_g of all copolymers was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The T_g value of the copolymers containing bulky trisyl groups was found to increase with incorporation of trisyl groups in polymer structures. The presence of trisyl groups in the polymer side chain created new macromolecules with novel modified properties and potential use as membranes for fluid separation.     

Elastic behavior of bimodal poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks

The rubberlike elastic behavior of bimodal poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) networks was investigated by the Monte Carlo simulation method and enumeration calculation method on the basis of the rotational‐isomeric‐state (RIS) model. These bimodal PDMS networks consist of short chains (chain length from 10 to 20) as well as long chains (chain length equal to 150). For long PDMS chains, through generating many PDMS conformations in the equilibrium state using the Monte Carlo simulation method we can obtain the average Helmholtz free energy and the average energy. For short PDMS chains with chain lengths from 10 to 20, as the total number of conformations is only from 6.56 × 10³ to 3.87 × 10⁸, we adopt the enumeration calculation method. The deformation is partitioned nonaffinely between the long and short chains, and this partitioning can be determined by requiring the free energy of the deformed network to be minimized. Chain dimensions and thermodynamic statistical properties of bimodal PDMS networks at various elongation ratios are discussed. We find that elastic force f increases with elongation ratio λ; the energy contribution f_u to elastic force is significant, and the ratio of ranges from 0.15 to 0.36 at T = 343 K. In the meantime, elastic force f increases with the average energy 〈U〉. The energy change in the process of tensile elongation is taken over, which has been ignored in previous theories. Our calculations may provide some insights into the phenomena of rubberlike elasticity of bimodal networks. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 105–114, 2002