Infrared spectroscopic studies of polymer transitions. III. Effects of sodium ion on glass transitions in styrene-based ionomers

The glass transition in styrene-based ionomers was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Transition temperatures were determined from the temperature dependence of the peak absorbances of the 1700 and 1745 cm^?1 bands. These transition temperatures agreed with glass transition temperatures (T_g) determined by DSC. With increasing degree of ionization, T_g and the enthalpy ΔH of the residual intermolecular hydrogen bonding increased. The values of T_g obtained were analyzed by the theory of Fox and Loshaek for the effect of crosslinks. It is concluded that sodium ions probably from ionic domains and act as crosslinks to reinforce the residual hydrogen bonding and may increase T_g. The absorbance at 1560 cm^?1 (ν_COO^?) did not change at T_g. This suggests that the glass transition observed here is not due to the onset of the mobility in ionic domains, as has been proposed for ethylene-based ionomers on the basis of dielectric measurements.     

Structures and fusion parameters of methoxycarbonyl-benzenes and -naphthalenes

The heats of fusion of methoxycarbonyl-benzenes (12 isomers) and -naphthalenes (32 isomers) have been determined by the differential scanning calorimetric method and the correlation of numbers and positions of methoxycarbonyl groups against the parameters of fusion (melting point, enthalpy and entropy) are discussed. The enthalpy—entropy relationship shows two correlation lines depending on the symmetry of the molecules including the positions of the substituents.     

Preparation of sterically congested di(4-pyridyl)diazomethanes and characterization of triplet carbenes from them

Di(4-pyridyl)diazomethanes having two and four ortho chlorine groups were prepared, and the triplet carbenes generated from them were characterized by ESR and UV/vis at low temperature and time-resolved UV/vis at room temperature. An appreciable increase in the stability of triplet carbenes is achieved by introducing ortho chlorine groups. [structure: see text]     

Thermal splitting of Bis-Cu(II) octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1) into two Cu(II) porphyrins

When heated, bis-Cu(II) octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1) is quantitatively split into two Cu(II) porphyrins both in solution and film states, which is accompanied by large absorption spectral changes.     

Crystalline inclusion compounds constructed through self-assembly of isonicotinic acid and thiocyanato coordination bridges

The synthesis, crystal structures, inclusion ability, and structural robustness of novel crystalline inclusion compounds of [Ni(SCN)2(isoH)2].xG (isoH = isonicotinic acid; G = aromatic guest) are described. The inclusion compounds are constructed by stacking identical 2D host layers that consist of SCN-, isoH, and Ni2+ with van der Waals contact separation. In the layer, two types of rectangular cavities (A-type and B-type) are formed, and the guests are included in the former cavity. The inclusion compounds were categorized into four stacking modes according to the difference in the stacking mode of the layers. A systematic investigation of the crystal structures of the 21 inclusion compounds clarified the close relationship between the molecular structure of the guest and the resultant stacking mode of the layers.     

High resolution imaging of contact potential difference using a novel ultrahigh vacuum non-contact atomic force microscope technique

An ultrahigh vacuum scanning Kelvin probe force microscope (UHV SKPM) based on the gradient of electrostatic force was developed using the technique of a UHV non-contact atomic force microscope (NC-AFM) capable of atomic level imaging, and used for simultaneous observation of contact potential difference (CPD) and NC-AFM images. The CPD images with a potential resolution of less than 10 meV were observed in the UHV SKPM, demonstrating an atomic level resolution. The change of potential corresponding to the charges on the insulated surface of polypropylene have been observed in UHV SKPM. We also demonstrated a reliable method to obtain the CPD from the bias voltage dependence curves of the frequency shift in all of the scanning area. The results are consistent with comparing the barrier height images in that the work functions of adatoms are greater than the work function of corner holes.     

ULTRA-LOW-LIGHT LEVEL CAMERA FOR PHOTON COUNTING IMAGING

Abstract— A new ultra-low-light level camera svstem has been developed to detect a single photon. Operation principles and some characteristics are presented.     

Automatic Deformation Analysis in Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry Using One Speckle Interferogram of Deformed Object

We propose a new fringe analysis method that uses only one speckle interferogram of a deformed object to obtain phase change distribution by deformation. This method uses cos^-1 operations to extract absolute, not signed, values of new phase after deformation. Considering the phase changes in a small local area, true phase changes retain almost the same value by assuming a continuous deformation in the area. This retention determines the sign of the new phase. From the new phase and the initial phase, the phase change distribution by the deformation can be obtained. Experimental results show the usefulness of this method.     

A distortion compensation method for a conical holographic stereogram

An image processing technique to display a distortion-free reconstructed image from a rainbow type conical holographic stereogram is proposed. The method consists of forming a new set of 2D images from the original set by applying an image process. The image processing method is made through ray tracing equations. The results show that the performance of the proposed method is good as it removes distortion of the image.     

Effect of Acid Treatment of Montmorillonite on “Support‐Activator” Performance to Support Metallocene for Propylene Polymerization Catalyst

This work is focused on montmorillonite (MMT)‐based “support‐activators” (S‐As) for the metallocene‐catalyzed propylene polymerization. This catalyst was previously industrialized; however, for further technological advances, the activation mechanism is investigated. The chemical and morphological requirements of the S‐A are surveyed using both commercially available raw clay minerals (non‐acid‐treated) and acid‐treated clay minerals. The S‐A possessing strong‐acid sites (pK a < ?8.2) gives a highly active catalyst. Acid treatment of MMT induces morphological changes as well as the formation of strong acid sites. Based on pore size distribution analysis and atomic force microscopy observations, it is concluded that the strong acid sites are located in the small pores around the edge of the clay mineral (not in the interlayer), where the structure is disordered by the acid treatment.