Polymerization effects on molecular dynamics of n-ethylene glycol dimethacrylates followed by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy

A detailed dielectric characterization of n-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomers with n = 2 and 4 is provided. Besides the α relaxation associated to the glass transition, two secondary relaxation processes were detected: the γ process assigned to the twisting motions within the ethylene glycol moiety, and the β process related with hindered rotations of carboxylic groups. While the relaxation time of the γ process is independent of the size of the ethylene glycol group, the β process deviates to higher times with increasing n. Upon polymerization the α process goes to extinction, faster in the 4-ethylene monomer, with a concomitant depletion of the β process that remains at higher polymerization degrees relatively to the α process, thus acting as a more sensitive probe to evaluate conversion. The height decrease of α and β processes of monomers with the polymerization progress, occurs without significant changes of position. At intermediate states of polymerization, a new relaxation process evolves being only detectable in a narrow temperature range. In the end, the polymer networks show, in addition to the γ_pol relaxation identical to the γ relaxation of the monomer, a β_pol relaxation with similar features to the β relaxation found in poly n-alkyl methacrylates originated by a π flip of the ester unit accompanied by a restricted main chain rearrangement. The main dielectric relaxation corresponding to the swollen polymer network should appear at quite high temperatures already in early stages of the polymerization process because phase segregation occurs and only a limited amount of liquid monomer plasticizes the newly formed material.     

Effects of ethylene polymerization conditions on the activity of SiO2-supported zirconocene and on polymer properties

The effects of polymerization conditions were evaluated on the production of polyethylene by silica-supported (n-BuCp)₂ZrCl₂ grafted under optimized conditions and cocatalyzed by methylaluminoxane (MAO). The Al : Zr molar ratio, reaction temperature, monomer pressure, and the age and concentration of the catalyst were systematically varied. Most reactions were performed in toluene. Hexane, with the addition of triisobutilaluminum (TIBA) to MAO, was also tested as a polymerization solvent for both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems. Polymerization reactions in hexane showed their highest activities with MAO : TIBA ratios of 3 : 1 and 1 : 1 for the homogeneous and supported systems, respectively. Catalyst activity increased continuously as Al : Zr molar ratios increased from 0 to 2000, and remained constant up to 5000. The highest activity was observed at 333 K. High monomer pressures (≈ 4 atm) appeared to stabilize active species during polymerization, producing polyethylenes with high molecular weight (≈ 3 × 10⁵ g mol⁻¹). Catalyst concentration had no significant effect on polymerization activity or polymer properties. Catalyst aging under inert atmosphere was evaluated over 6 months; a pronounced reduction in catalyst activity [from 20 to 13 × 10⁵ g PE (mol Zr h)⁻¹] was observed only after the first two days following preparation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1987–1996, 1999     

Glass Transition Dynamics of Poly(L‐lactic acid) during Isothermal Crystallisation Monitored by Real‐Time Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy Measurements

Summary: Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was used to monitor the development of crystallinity in poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) at 80 °C. The continuous shifting of the main loss peak towards lower frequencies was modelled considering the evolution of three relaxation processes: the α‐process of the bulk‐like (non‐restricted) amorphous phase, the α‐process of the amorphous fraction influenced by the crystalline structure and the β‐relaxation. It was found that the shape parameters and the position of the loss peaks are essentially constants during crystallisation, just with their dielectric strengths varying. This indicates that (i) the two segmental dynamics process develops independently and (ii) the dynamics features of the (slower) confined amorphous phase do not change during crystallisation. Optical microscopy results showed that a correlation exists between the evolution of the spherulitic morphology and the dielectric strength of the α‐processes.

Dielectric loss in the frequency domain for PLLA during crystallisation at 80 °C and polarised optical micrographs showing the spherulitic morphology in PLLA after 45 min during isothermal crystallisation.     

Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Commercial Essential Oils and Hydrolates Obtained from Portuguese Forest Logging and Thinning

Essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (Hds) are natural sources of biologically active ingredients with broad applications in the cosmetic industry. In this study, nationally produced (mainland Portugal and Azores archipelago) EOs (11) and Hds (7) obtained from forest logging and thinning of Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Cryptomeria japonica, were chemically evaluated, and their bioactivity and sensorial properties were assessed. EOs and Hd volatiles (HdVs) were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. 1,8-Cineole was dominant in E. globulus EOs and HdVs, and α- and β-pinene in P. pinaster EOs. Limonene and α-pinene led in P. pinea and C. japonica EOs, respectively. P. pinaster and C. japonica HVs were dominated by α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ORAC and ROS. C. japonica EO showed the highest antioxidant activity, whereas one of the E. globulus EOs showed the lowest. Antimicrobial activity results revealed different levels of efficacy for Eucalyptus and Pinus EOs while C. japonica EO showed no antimicrobial activity against the selected strains. The perception and applicability of emulsions with 0.5% of EOs were evaluated through an in vivo sensory study. C. japonica emulsion, which has a fresh and earthy odour, was chosen as the most pleasant fragrance (60%), followed by P. pinea emulsion (53%). In summary, some of the studied EOs and Hds showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and they are possible candidates to address the consumers demand for more sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients.     

The cuticle of the cactusCereus peruvianus as a source of a homo-α-d-galacturonan

The waxy pecto-cellulosic cuticle of cladodes of the columnar cactusCereus peruvianus (19% of the whole phytobiomass; dry wt) is a source of an α-d-polygalacturonic or pectic acid (35–40% yield, on a dry wt based on the wax-free pectocellulose layer). Warm EDTA/oxalate or room temperature strong acid/alkali cycles are efficient for pectic acid extraction, since divalent cation (mainly Ca²⁺) is a barrier to be removed within the native and compact architecture of the cuticle. Despite some molecular dispersion arising from the application of strong mineral acid in the first extraction step, the pectic material appears to be quite homogeneous and, on acid or enzymatic analyses, was shown to contain onlyd-galacturonic acid as its monomer.Cereus cuticle pectate (sodium salt) tends to gel above a concentration of 1%, a useful property that can be more easily obtained by the inclusion of sucrose, light addition of calcium salt, and/or mild acidification.     

Continuous production of cellulose acetate microspheres for textile impregnation using a mesostructured reactor

Cellulose - In this work, the emulsion step of a previously reported batch formulation, for production of cellulose acetate (CA) microspheres, is transposed to continuous mode using the NETmix...     

Neolipid enzymatic synthesis

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Enzymatic coupling of aminopolyols and medium-chain length fatty acids was carried out via the reverse action of a fungal lipase. Model reactants and...     

Correction to: Motivations,benefits and challenges on ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation of higher education institution laboratories

Accreditation and Quality Assurance - Unfortunately, figure 3 was incorrectly published in the original publication and the correct version is updated here.     

Crystallization kinetics and morphology of poly(lactic acid) with polysaccharide as nucleating agent

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - An ever-increasing concern about environmental pollution has spearheaded research into alternative biodegradable polymers. Currently, poly(lactic acid)...