Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides containing trifluoromethyl groups in their backbone

A series of polyimides were synthesized from 2,2‐Bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, 2,2‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane, and 4,4′‐oxydianiline by chemical imidization. The effects of the diamine ratios on the properties of the films were evaluated through the study of their thermal, electrical, and morphological properties. All the polymers exhibited better solubility in most of the organic solvents and hence were easily processable. Polyimides with more 2,2‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane exhibited better solubility and a low refractive index, which is highly desired for microelectronic applications. The dielectric constant and birefringence were strongly dependent on the fluorine content. With an increase in the fluorine substitution, both the dielectric constant and birefringence decreased. All the polymers exhibited high thermal stability (>400 °C). The absence of crystalline melting in differential scanning calorimetry and broad wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of the polymers, which was due to the presence of bulky CF₃ groups and hinged ether linkages of the diamine component. The residual stress values decreased with an increase in the 4,4′‐oxydianiline content, and the results were in agreement with the dielectric constant. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4303–4312, 2004     

Influence of solvents on the formation of ultrathin uniform poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) nanofibers with electrospinning

Although there have been many reports on the preparation and applications of various polymer nanofibers with the electrospinning technique, the understanding of synthetic parameters in electrospinning remains limited. In this article, we investigate experimentally the influence of solvents on the morphology of the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) micro/nanofibers prepared by electrospinning PVP solution in different solvents, including ethanol, dichloromethane (MC) and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). Using 4 wt % PVP solutions, the PVP fibers prepared from MC and DMF solvents had a shape like a bead‐on‐a‐string. In contrast, smooth PVP nanofibers were obtained with ethanol as a solvent although the size distribution of the fibers was somewhat broadened. In an effort to prepare PVP nanofibers with small diameters and narrow size distributions, we developed a strategy of using mixed solvents. The experimental results showed that when the ratio of DMF to ethanol was 50:50 (w/w), regular cylindrical PVP nanofibers with a diameter of 20 nm were successfully prepared. The formation of these thinnest nanofibers could be attributed to the combined effects of ethanol and DMF solvents that optimize the solution viscosity and charge density of the polymer jet. In addition, an interesting helical‐shaped fiber was obtained from 20 wt % PVP solution in a 50:50 (w/w) mixed ethanol/DMF solvent. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3721–3726, 2004     

Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric determination of traces of copper with a tobramycin-Nafion modified electrode.

A Nafion-modified glassy carbon electrode incorporated with tobramycin for the voltammetric stripping determination of Cu2+ has been explored. The electrode was fabricated by tobramycin containing Nafion on the glassy carbon electrode surface. The modified electrode exhibited a significantly increased sensitivity and selectivity for Cu2+ compared with a bare glassy carbon electrode and the Nafion modified electrode. Cu2+ was accumulated in HAc-NaAc buffer (pH 4.6) at a potential of -0.6 V (vs. SCE) for 300 s and then determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The effects of various parameters, such as the mass of Nafion, the concentration of tobramycin, the pH of the medium, the accumulation potential, the accumulation time and the scan rate, were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a linear calibration graph was obtained in the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-9) to 5.0 x 10(-7) mol l(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9971. The relative standard deviations for eight successive determinations were 4.3 and 2.9% for 1.0 x 10(-8) and 2.0 x 10(-7) mol l(-1) Cu2+, respectively. The detection limit (three times signal to noise) was 5.0 x 10(-10) mol l(-1). A study of interfering substances was also performed, and the method was applied to the direct determination of copper in water samples, and also in analytical reagent-grade salts with satisfactory results.     

Diffraction grating in noncrosslinked polymers

The diffraction efficiency and morphology of the transmission modes of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals were studied with respect to the molecular structure of poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA), the film (polymer/liquid crystal) and resin (oligomer/monomer) compositions, and the cell thickness. PUA, based on N‐vinylpyrrolidone and ethyl hexyl acrylate, with low‐molecular‐weight poly(propylene glycol) at a low oligomer content, showed high diffraction efficiency. The results were interpreted in terms of the monomer reactivity and polymer elasticity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 613–620, 2004     

Desorption behavior of a surfactant in a linear low‐density polyethylene blend at elevated temperatures

The desorption behavior of a surfactant in a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend at elevated temperatures of 50, 70, and 80 °C was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composition of the LLDPE blend was 70:30 LLDPE/low‐density polyethylene. Three different specimens (II, III, and IV) were prepared with various compositions of a small molecular penetrant, sorbitan palmitate (SPAN‐40), and a migration controller, poly(ethylene acrylic acid) (EAA), in the LLDPE blend. The calculated diffusion coefficient (D) of SPAN‐40 in specimens II, III, and IV, between 50 and 80 °C, varied from 1.74 × 10^?11 to 6.79 × 10^?11 cm²/s, from 1.10 × 10^?11 to 5.75 × 10^?11 cm²/s, and from 0.58 × 10^?11 to 4.75 × 10^?11 cm²/s, respectively. In addition, the calculated activation energies (E_D) of specimens II, III, and IV, from the plotting of ln D versus 1/T between 50 and 80 °C, were 42.9, 52.7, and 65.6 kJ/mol, respectively. These values were different from those obtained between 25 and 50 °C and were believed to have been influenced by the interference of Tinuvin (a UV stabilizer) at elevated temperatures higher than 50 °C. Although the desorption rate of SPAN‐40 increased with the temperature and decreased with the EAA content, the observed spectral behavior did not depend on the temperature and time. For all specimens stored over 50 °C, the peak at 1739 cm^?1 decreased in a few days and subsequently increased with a peak shift toward 1730 cm^?1. This arose from the carbonyl stretching vibration of Tinuvin, possibly because of oxidation or degradation at elevated temperatures. In addition, the incorporation of EAA into the LLDPE blend suppressed the desorption rate of SPAN‐40 and retarded the appearance of the 1730 cm^?1 peak. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1114–1126, 2004     

Novel fixed‐site–carrier polyvinylamine membrane for carbon dioxide capture

Fixed‐site–carrier membranes were prepared for the facilitated transport of CO₂ by casting polyvinylamine (PVAm) on various supports, such as poly(ether sulfone) (PES), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), cellulose acetate (CA), and polysulfone (PSO). The cast PVAm on the support was crosslinked by various methods with glutaraldehyde, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and ammonium fluoride. Among the membranes tested, the PVAm cast on polysulfone and crosslinked by ammonium fluoride showed the highest selectivity of CO₂ over CH₄ (>1000). The permeance of CO₂ was then measured to be 0.014 m³ (STP)/(m² bar h) for a 20 μm thick membrane. The effect of the molecular weight of PVAm and feed pressure on the permeance was also investigated. The selectivity increased remarkably with increasing molecular weight and decreased slightly with increased pressure in the range of 1 to 4 bar. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4326–4336, 2004     

Bio‐based nanocomposites from functionalized plant oils and layered silicate

Some discovery work was done on the synthesis of clay nanocomposites based on renewable plant oils. Functionalized triglycerides, such as acrylated epoxidized soybean oil, maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil, and soybean oil pentaerythritol maleates, combined with styrene were used as the polymer matrix. The miscibility of these monomers and clay organomodifier was assessed by solubility parameters. The formation of nanocomposites was confirmed by both X‐ray data and transmission electron microscopy. The morphology showed a mix of intercalated and partially exfoliated sheets. The flexural modulus increased 30% at only 4 vol % clay content, but there was no significant effect on flexural strength, glass‐transition temperature, and thermal stability. Property enhancement was related to the degree of exfoliation that depends on both the polarity and flexibility of the monomers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1441–1450, 2004     

Effects of poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] on the charge distributions of low‐density polyethylene/polystyrene blends

The effect of the triblock copolymer poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS) on the formation of the space charge of immiscible low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/polystyrene (PS) blends was investigated. Blends of 70/30 (wt %) LDPE/PS were prepared through melt blending in an internal mixer at a blend temperature of 220 °C. The amount of charge that accumulated in the 70% LDPE/30% PS blends decreased when the SEBS content increased up to 10 wt %. For compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends, no significant change in the degree of crystallinity of LDPE in the blends was observed, and so the effect of crystallization on the space charge distribution could be excluded. Morphological observations showed that the addition of SEBS resulted in a domain size reduction of the dispersed PS phase and better interfacial adhesion between the LDPE and PS phases. The location of SEBS at a domain interface enabled charges to migrate from one phase to the other via the domain interface and, therefore, resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of space charge for the LDPE/PS blends with SEBS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2813–2820, 2004     

Colorimetric recognition of different enzymology-concerning transition metals based on a hybrid cluster complex.

A hybrid cluster complex, formed by chelating a chromogenic ligand to a [2Fe-2S] cluster, sensitively exhibited differential colorimetric responses towards Hg2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2, Sn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+ and Co2+ in water at physiological pH. Speciation of some of these metal elements, such as Cr(III) and Sn(IV), was also studied by UV/Vis absorption.     

The Research on Polymer Microcapsulation for Cell Technology

Microcapsulation is a technology that enwrapped the solid or liquid or some gas matter with membrane materials to form microparticles(i.e.microcapsules). The materials of microcapsule is composed of naturnal polymers or modified naturnal polymers or synthesized polymers. The water-soluble core matter can only use oil-soluble wall materials, and vice versa.Synthesized methods of polymer microcapsulesSynthesized methods with monomers as raw materialsThis kind of methods include suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, dispersal polymerization, precipitation polymerization,suspension condensation polymerization, dispersal condensation polymerization, deposition condensation polymerization, interface condensation polymerization, and so on.Synthesized methods with polymers as raw materialsThese methods are suspension cross-linked polymerization, coacervation phase separation,extraction with solvent evaporation, polymer deposition, polymer chelation, polymer gel,solidification of melting polymer, tray-painted ways, fluidized bed ways, and so forth.Polymer materials to synthesize microcapsules2.1. Naturnal polymer materialsThe characteristics of this kind of materials are easy to form membrane, good stability and no toxicity. The polymer materials include lipids(liposome), amyloses, proteins, plant gels, waxes, etc.2.2. Modified polymer materialsThe characteristics of these materials are little toxicity, high viscidity(viscosity), soluble salt materials. But they cannot be used in water, acidic environment and high temperature environment for a long time. The materials include all kind of derivants of celluloses.2.3. Synthesized polymer materialsThe characteristics of the materials are easy to form membrane, good stability and adjustment of membrane properties. The synthesized polymer materials include degradable polymers(PLA, PGA,PLGA, PCL, PHB, PHV, PHA, PEG, PPG and the like) and indegradable polymers(PA, PMMA,PAM, PS, PVC, PB, PE, PU, PUA, PVA and otherwise).The applications of polymer microcapsules in cell technologyThe "artificial cell" is the biological active microcapsule used in biological and medical fields.The applications of cells (including transgenic cells, the same as artificial cells) technology include several aspects as follows:3.1. Microcapsulation of artificial red cell3.2. Microcapsule of artificial cell of biological enzyme3.3. Microcapsule of artificial cell of magnetic material3.4. Microcapsule of artificial cell of active carbon3.5. Microcapsule of active biological cell