Side-Chain Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether)s for Fuel Cell Applications

Summary: Poly(arylene ether sulfone)s of high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained by melt polycondensation of 4,4′-difluorodiphenyl- sulfone and trimethylsilylethers of 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone and phenylhydroquinone using CsF as catalyst. Although a block-like structure of the polymers could be expected from the course of reaction, only a single T_g ranging from 190 °C to 230 °C could be detected by DSC and which depended on the copolymer composition. Contrary to the sulfonation of similar poly(ether ether ketone)s the poly(arylene ether sulfone)s here reported were sulfonated both in the side chain and the main chain. Nonetheless the sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s showed high hydrolytic stability in water at 130 °C.     

Interface Structure between Immiscible Reactive Polymers under Transreaction: a Monte Carlo Simulation

Summary: The interface structure between two immiscible melts, a polycondensate polymer A (e.g., polycarbonate, polyester or polyamide) and a polymer B, was studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations using the bond fluctuation model. Polymer B contained a reactive end group (e.g., OH, NH₂ or COOH). Copolymers were generated in‐situ at the interfaces by transreactions (alcoholysis, aminolysis or acidolysis), composing of various length of block A, depending on the position of transreaction in the polycondensate chain A. The content of copolymer at the interface increased with the time, particular fast at the early stage. Fragments of polymers A were released with an end group, reactive to polymers A. This resulted in the proceeding of internal transreactions. An asymmetric interface structure was formed. The simulation also showed that copolymers generated by interfacial transreactions increased the compatibility of the two polymers and enhanced the adhesion strength at the interfaces.

     

The formation of biaxial nematic phases in binary mixtures of thermotropic liquid-crystals composed of uniaxial molecules

ABSTRACT

Monte Carlo simulations in the isothermal-isobaric ensemble are used to investigate the formation of an ordered, biaxial nematic phase in a binary mixture of thermotropic liquid crystals. The orientational dependence of the interaction between molecules of each pure component is the same as in the well-known Maier-Saupe model; each pure component of the mixture is therefore capable of forming a uniaxial nematic phase. For the interaction between molecules of different components, we use the same Maier-Saupe model but change the sign of the coupling constant. As a consequence a T-shaped arrangement of these molecules is energetically favoured. The formation of the biaxial phase occurs in two steps. At higher temperatures T, one of the components forms a uniaxial nematic phase whereas the other is in a quasi two-dimensional restricted isotropic liquid state. We develop a simple theoretical model to understand the high degree of (ostensible) nematic order in the latter. At lower T, the second component becomes nematic and then the entire mixture of the two compounds has biaxial symmetry. The biaxial nematic phase does not demix into domains rich in molecules of one or the other species.     

Front Cover: Novel Glucosylimidazolium Ionic‐Liquid‐Supported Novozym 435 Catalysts – A Proof of Concept for an Acrylation Reaction (ChemistryOpen 9/2022)

The Cover Picture shows the conversion of acrylic acid and n‐butanol into butyl acrylate through an engine of Novozym 435, in which the powering piston CalB (Candida antarctica lipase B) is supported by the newly developed GMIM‐I (glucosyl‐methyl‐imidazolium iodide). The authors acknowledge Dr. Johanna Meyer (University of Hannover) for the creation of the cover image. More information can be found in the Research Article by S. Jopp et al. (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200135).     

Elastic proton-proton scattering: Excitation functions from 0.45 to 2.5 GeV

Excitation functions of the differential cross sections dσ/dgw, analyzing powers A_N and spin correlation parameters A_NN, A_SS and A_SL have been measured with internal targets at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY. Data were taken continously during the acceleration and deceleration of the internal beam for kinetic energies between 450 and 2500 MeV and scattering angles 30° σ_cm 90°. Details of the experimental method are presented. The results provide excitation functions and angular distributions of high precision and internal consistency. No evidence for narrow structures are found. Upper limits on the coupling of narrow resonances to elastic scattering in the mass range √s = 2.2…2.8 GeV are deduced. The data have significant impact on phase shift solutions.     

Synthesis of non-symmetrical 3,5-diamidobenzyl amines, ethers and sulfides

A straightforward synthesis of non-symmetrical 3,5-diamidobenzyl amines, ethers and sulfides starting from 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid is reported. Functionalization of the benzylic position is only achieved after formation of the two amides, otherwise benzylic hydrogenolysis occurs during nitro group reduction.     

Classical models of confinement II

We generalize the class of Abelian models of paper I which lead to a linear potential between opposite charges. The electric fieldE is here taken as a power series in the electric displacementD raised to the σ^th power. We solve to first order the case of two opposite static point charges asymptotically for large separations.