Morphologies of microphase-separated conformationally asymmetric diblock copolymers

The equilibrium morphological behavior of a series of conformationally asymmetric linear diblock copolymers is characterized via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The linear diblock molecules of polyisoprene and poly(t-butylmethacrylate) (PtBMA) are prepared anionically over a range of PtBMA volume fractions 0.17 to 0.85. Solution light-scattering experiments are performed on PtBMA homopolymer at theta conditions, and the results were compared with PI data in the literature in order to characterize the degree of conformational asymmetry between the respective blocks. This conformational asymmetry is quantified by an ε of 0.75. The experimental results are compared with morphological behavior calculated utilizing self-consistent mean field theory for a diblock system with ε = 0.75. At middle to high PtBMA volume fractions, ϕ_PtBMA > 0.30, the experimental morphological behavior agrees well with the calculated behavior; the microphase boundaries are slightly shifted to higher volume fractions of the PtBMA block due to its larger Kuhn length. At ϕ_PtBMA < 0.30, however, discrepancies are found in the volume fraction dependence of experimentally determined morphological behavior and that calculated theoretically. Interestingly, extremely well-ordered cylindrical microstructures were observed for PI cylinder domains embedded in PtBMA matrices; these samples were prepared by solvent casting with no treatment, such as shearing, to enhance long-range order. These well-ordered cylinder structures contrast with PtBMA cylinders in a PI matrix on the opposite side of the phase diagram that have very poor long-range order. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 2629–2643, 1997     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Novel Type of Heteropolyanion: [Sb4Mo12(OH)6O48]10‐

A novel antimony substituted polyoxomolybdate has been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis, Raman and IR spectroscopy. The [Sb₄Mo₁₂(OH)₆O₄₈]^10‐ anion exhibits a central Sb₄(OH)₆O₁₄ core where all Sb^V atoms are coordinated octahedrally by six oxygen atoms. It represents a novel type of heteropolyanion with no known analogous structure in literature.     

Furan Derivatives from Cyclodehydratign of Brackein-Like 1,4-Dicarbonyl Compounds

The synthesis of 2,3,4,5 tetrasubstituted and 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans from suitable butan-1,4-dione derivatives is described.     

Quantum leptogenesis I

Thermal leptogenesis explains the observed matter–antimatter asymmetry of the universe in terms of neutrino masses, consistent with neutrino oscillation experiments. We present a full quantum mechanical calculation of the generated lepton asymmetry based on Kadanoff–Baym equations. Origin of the asymmetry is the departure from equilibrium of the statistical propagator of the heavy Majorana neutrino, together with CP violating couplings. The lepton asymmetry is calculated directly in terms of Green’s functions without referring to “number densities”. Compared to Boltzmann and quantum Boltzmann equations, the crucial difference are memory effects, rapid oscillations much faster than the heavy neutrino equilibration time. These oscillations strongly suppress the generated lepton asymmetry, unless the standard model gauge interactions, which cause thermal damping, are properly taken into account. We find that these damping effects essentially compensate the enhancement due to quantum statistical factors, so that finally the conventional Boltzmann equations again provide rather accurate predictions for the lepton asymmetry.     

Hydrogen bond mediated self-assembly of two diblock copolymers

Two chemically dissimilar diblock copolymers, polybutadiene-b-poly(acrylic acid), PBd-b-PAA (M_w = 5.8–4 kg mol⁻¹) and poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide), PS-b-PEO (M_w = 9–5 kg mol⁻¹) were blended in an effort to achieve morphologies typical of triblock copolymers. Blend compatibility was achieved by the hydrogen bond driven association of the PAA block of one diblock with the PEO block of the other. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the morphologies of the compositions, which were further investigated using transmission electron microscopy and selective staining techniques. The crystallinity of the PEO block was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrogen bond interactions between PEO and PAA yielded a complex triblock lamellar morphology of the form PS-b-(PEO/PAA)-b-PBd-b-(PEO/PAA). This morphology was stable when crystallization of PEO was suppressed by sufficient interaction with PAA.     

Magnetic excitations of HoAl2 in a magnetic field

The ground state spin wave excitation energies of single crystalline HoAl₂ have been studied at T= 4.2 K in external magnetic fields up to 7 T by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The results have been interpreted in terms of a cubic crystalline electric field using the parameters determined by magnetization measurements and an exchange interaction with the exchange parameters taken from the zero field measurements.     

High throughput screening in agrochemical research

The demand for new herbicides, insecticides and fungicides led to a steady increase in the number of compounds being tested to find novel market products. To keep pace with the rising workload, high throughput screening (HTS) technologies have been introduced. In agrochemical research miniaturised in vivo tests on whole real target organisms are now possible and are an integral part of the screening cascade. A complementary target based in vitro HTS has also been established in agrochemical research. Target based HTS allows a directed approach towards untouched market shares by novel modes of action. Selection of the best suited targets is the most crucial issue in this approach. Genomic methods thereby deliver many essential genes as candidate targets. Consideration of further criteria such as druggability notably narrows down the number of promising targets. Though target to hit to lead progression still is as in pharmaceutical research a complex and therefore risky process, the implementation of novel bioscience technologies has entailed the transition to an integrated innovative agrochemical research perspective.     

Reaction of 2-Formyl Imidazole with Intermediates From the Baylis-Hillman Reaction

The reaction of formyl imidazole (in the presence and absence of DABCO, and with either THF or methanol as solvent) with α-hydroxylaryl derivatives of methyl acrylate affords novel synthetic intermediates. By controlling the reaction conditions, either allylic substitution products (THF, DABCO) or rearrangement (MeOH, no DABCO) products result.     

PdO nanoparticles decorated TiO2 film with enhanced photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties

Magnetron sputtering and gas aggregation source (GAS) approaches were combined for the preparation of columnar TiO₂ structures decorated with PdO nanoparticles (NPs). The totally solvent-free synthesis approach provides good control of surface coverage, size, morphology, and stoichiometry of PdO NPs in comparison to wet chemical synthesis methods. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that the heat treatment led to the formation of a mixed oxide state PdO/PdO₂ on the TiO₂ layer. A steady equilibrium between PdO (oxidation by free and adsorbed ?OH) and PdO₂ (reduced by trapped photogenerated electrons) phases under UV irradiation seems to provide an efficient electron-hole pair separation. Such robust PdO–TiO₂ thin films have a strong potential for use as photocatalytic and self-cleaning windows or similar out-door technical surfaces.