Synthesis of functional polymers—Vinylidene fluoride based fluorinated copolymers and terpolymers bearing bromoaromatic side‐group

The radical co‐ and terpolymerization of 4‐[(α,β,β‐trifluorovinyl)oxy]bromo benzene (TFVOBB) with 1,1‐difluoroethylene (or vinylidene fluoride, VDF, or VF₂), hexafluoropropene (HFP), perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (PMVE), and chlorotrifluroroethylene (CTFE) is presented. Although TFVOBB could be thermocyclodimerized, it could not homopolymerize under radical initiation. TFVOBB could be copolymerized in solution under a radical initiator with VDF or CTFE comonomers, while its copolymerization with HFP or PMVE were unsuccessful. The terpolymerization of TFVOBB with VDF and HFP, or VDF and PMVE, or VDF and CTFE also led to original fluorinated terpolymers bearing bromoaromatic side‐groups. The conditions of co‐ and terpolymerization were optimized in terms of the nature of the radical initiators, and of the nature of solvents (fluorinated or nonhalogenated). Various monomer concentrations in the co‐ and terpolymers were assessed by ¹⁹F and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The thermal and physico chemical properties were also studied. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5077–5097, 2004     

UV curing of a novel resin derived from poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The synthesis and characterization of photopolymerizable unsaturated polyester resins based on PET waste are described. The resins came from a depolymerization process based on the glycolysis of PET by diethylene glycol (DEG). Different molecular weights of glycolysates were synthesized. Then, the latter was functionalized by a methyl hemiester of maleic acid to obtain unsatured α,ω‐bismaleate PET oligomers. In the presence of an electron donor monomer, such as triethylene glycol divinyl ether, these electron acceptor oligomers were copolymerized by way of charge‐transfer complexes under UV irradiation. The reaction was monitored in situ by real‐time IR spectroscopy to study the kinetics of photopolymerization. This one was studied in relation with the physical and chemical characteristics of oligoesters and the composition of mixtures containing divinyl ethers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1324–1335, 2007     

ON SOME INTERPRETATIONS OF CLASSICAL LOGIC

In distinction from the well-known double-negation embeddings of the classical logic we consider some variants of single-negation embeddings and describe some classes of superintuitionistic first-order predicate logics in which the classical first-order calculus is interpretable in such a way. Also we find the minimal extensions of Heyting's logic in which the classical predicate logic can be embedded by means of these translations.     

On the localization of topological invariants

The approach of formal differential geometry to the topological invariants which can be localized is developed. The universal space and universal characteristic forms are constructed. They give rise to primary and secondary characteristic forms.     

The use of sulfide cluster-derived catalysts to understand the promotional effect in hydrotreatment catalysis

Sulfide cluster-derived ensembles are promising models of the active sites in commercial hydrotreatment catalysts. A series of sulfide clusters were adsorbed intact onto high-surface-area γ-alumina, magnesium oxide and activated carbon supports, then pretreated to produce highly dispersed catalytic ensembles with sizes similar to those of their precursor clusters. The activities of the bimetallic cluster-derived catalysts were significantly higher than those of the monometallic catalysts. We took this as evidence that direct interactions between molybdenum and the promoter element cause the promotional effect observed in commercial hydrotreatment catalysts. The hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation activities correlated with the extent of molybdenum reduction. Our results suggested that the active sites in promoted hydrotreatment catalysts are centered on molecular-scale ensembles containing molybdenum, sulfur and the promoter element.     

Towards understanding the increase in strength of thermotropic polyesters with heat treatment

Thermotropic copolyester fibers of oxynaphthoate and oxybenzoate have been subjected to conditions that promote solid-state polymerization as well as annealing. The annealing process causes the crystals to perfect with a simultaneous increase in heat of fusion and melting temperature. Solid-state polymerization, a reaction rate-controlled process, causes the polymer viscosity average molecular weight to increase by chain extension from about 14,000 g/mole to more than 87,000 g/mole with a simultaneous impressive increase in tenacity from about 10 g/d (1.2 GPa) to almost 30 g/d (3.7 GPa). To understand the changes in mechanical properties, we have modeled the fiber structure as short rod-like molecules poorly bonded to a continuous matrix of parallel molecules. Lengthening of the reinforcing molecules facilitates better transfer of load from matrix to molecules, resulting in higher tenacity fibers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Arc Discharge in a Channel with Transparent Walls at Intense Flow Rates of a Plasma Forming Gas

The arc discharge was studied in a transparent channel at an intense flow rate of nitrogen, hydrogen, air, carbon dioxide in the current range 100–1500 A. The internal diameter of the porous channel varied from 10 to 34 mm, the length - from 50 to 150 mm, the air and nitrogen flow rates - from 0.05 to 1.5 kg/s, hydrogen - from 0.005 to 0.05 kg/s. The electric field strength in the arc channel reached a value of 300 V/cm for N₂ and 500 V/cm for H₂. The effect of plasma thermochemical non-equilibrium was discovered.