Diffusion Crosslinking Kinetics of Thermoset Polymers

The problem of the delayed crosslinking arising due to the diffusion of a crosslinker molecule from a vector particle within a thermoset polymer matrix is discussed. The crosslinker molecules, initially embedded in the vector particles, diffuse from the particle to the polymer matrix and react with the functional groups grafted to polymer chains. The two‐step diffusion crosslink kinetics is studied theoretically on the example of polyethylene functionalized with anhydride groups reacting with 1,4‐butanediol as a crosslinker molecule. This provides the independent of time limiting distribution functions of the concentration of crosslinks, unreacted and intermediate functional groups, which are shown to be rather sensitive to system parameters as rates of chemical reactions, ratio of diffusion coefficients of matrix to vector particles, stoichiometric composition of the reactive groups, etc. The nonmonotonic distribution of the crosslink concentration around the vector particles at certain range of the parameters is revealed.

     

Lyubeznik Table of Sequentially Cohen–Macaulay Rings

We prove that sequentially Cohen–Macaulay rings in positive characteristic, as well as sequentially Cohen–Macaulay Stanley–Reisner rings in any characteristic, have trivial Lyubeznik table. Some other configurations of Lyubeznik tables are also provided depending on the deficiency modules of the ring.     

From curing kinetics to network structure: A novel approach to the modeling of the network buildup of epoxy–anhydride thermosets

The curing kinetics and network buildup during curing of epoxy–anhydride formulations using tertiary amines as initiators are reviewed in this work. A mechanism‐based kinetic and structural model has been defined, showing better prediction capabilities than previous living polymerization and simple regeneration models. The curing kinetics have been analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the gelation during curing has been determined by combined thermomechanical analysis and DSC. The effect of initiator content and epoxy equivalent weight are taken into account. The network buildup has been modeled using a stochastic network buildup model based on the random combination of primary chains generated by the kinetic model. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 61–75     

Influence of micromixer characteristics on polydispersity index of block copolymers synthesized in continuous flow microreactors

The influence of interdigital multilamination micromixer characteristics on monomer conversions, molecular weights and especially on the polydispersity index of block copolymers synthesized continuously in two microtube reactors is investigated. The micromixers are used to mix, before copolymerization, a polymer solution with different viscosities and the second monomer. Different geometries of micromixer (number of microchannels, characteristic lengths) have been studied. It was found that polydispersity indices of the copolymers follow a linear relationship with the Reynolds number in the micromixer, represented by a form factor. Thus, beside the operating conditions (nature of the first block and comonomer flow rate), the choice of the micromixer geometry and dimension is essential to control the copolymerization in terms of molecular weights and polydispersity indices. This linear correlation allows the prediction of copolymer features. It can also be a new method to optimize existing micromixers or design other geometries so that mixing could be more efficient.     

A rapid method for detection of catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria based on monitoring of hydrogen peroxide evolution at a composite peroxidase biosensor

The rapid detection of catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria in complex culture media has been accomplished by monitoring of hydrogen peroxide consumption or generation with a graphite-Teflon-peroxidase-ferrocene composite electrode. Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae have been used as model catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide evolution was amperometrically measured at 0.00 V. Experimental conditions, including the working solution composition, the incubation time and the hydrogen peroxide concentration, were optimized. The reusability of the biosensor was improved by placing a nylon membrane on the bioelectrode surface to prevent fouling caused by the bacterial medium. The developed methodology allowed the detection of E. coli and S. pneumoniae at concentration levels of approximately 2x10(6) and 2x10(5) cfu/mL, in assays taking 10 and 15 min, respectively, without any pre-concentration step or pre-enrichment procedure.     

Bottom-up Solution Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons with Precisely Engineered Nanopores

The incorporation of nanopores into graphene nanostructures has been demonstrated as an efficient tool in tuning their band gaps and electronic structures. However, precisely embedding the uniform nanopores into graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) at the atomic level remains underdeveloped especially for in-solution synthesis due to the lack of efficient synthetic strategies. Herein we report the first case of solution-synthesized porous GNR ( pGNR ) with a fully conjugated backbone via the efficient Scholl reaction of tailor-made polyphenylene precursor ( P1 ) bearing pre-installed hexagonal nanopores. The resultant pGNR features periodic subnanometer pores with a uniform diameter of 0.6 nm and an adjacent-pores-distance of 1.7 nm. To solidify our design strategy, two porous model compounds ( 1 a , 1 b ) containing the same pore size as the shortcuts of pGNR , are successfully synthesized. The chemical structure and photophysical properties of pGNR are investigated by various spectroscopic analyses. Notably, the embedded periodic nanopores largely reduce the π-conjugation degree and alleviate the inter-ribbon π–π interactions, compared to the nonporous GNRs with similar widths, affording pGNR with a notably enlarged band gap and enhanced liquid-phase processability.     

A general method for the synthesis of the most powerful naturally occurring Maillard flavors

The natural flavors 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline 1a, 2-propionyl-1-pyrroline 1b, 2-acetyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1c, 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline 1d, 2-propionyl-2-thiazoline 1e, and the artificial flavor 2-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine 1f have been prepared by catalytic SeO₂ oxidation of the corresponding cyclic imines 6a-c and sulfur cyclic imines 7a-c using TBHP as co-oxidant. The oxidation of the pyrrolines 1a and b is completely regioselective. Professional olfactory evaluation together with the odor threshold of the new flavor 1f is reported.     

Continuous nondestructive monitoring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bordetella pertussis</Emphasis> biofilms by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and other corroborative techniques

This work describes the application of several analytical techniques to characterize the development of Bordetella pertussis biofilms and to examine, in particular, the contribution of virulence factors in this development. Growth of surface-attached virulent and avirulent B. pertussis strains was monitored in continuous-flow chambers by techniques such as the crystal violet method, and nondestructive methodologies like fluorescence microscopy and Fourier transform (FT) IR spectroscopy. Additionally, B. pertussis virulent and avirulent strains expressing green fluorescent protein were grown adhered to the base of a glass chamber of 1-μm thickness. Three-dimensional images of mature biofilms, acquired by confocal laser scanning microscopy, were quantitatively analysed by means of the computer program COMSTAT. Our results indicate that only the virulent (Bvg⁺) phase of B. pertussis is able to attach to surfaces and develop a mature biofilm. In the virulent phase these bacteria are capable of producing a biofilm consisting of microcolonies of approximately 200 μm in diameter and 24 μm in depth. FTIR spectroscopy allowed us not only to follow the dynamics of biofilm growth through specific biomass and biofilm marker absorption bands, but also to monitor the maturation of the biofilm by means of the increase of the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio.