Surface effects on the polarization reversal of the ferroelectric liquid crystal 8SI*

Abstract

The activation field for the switching time (τ_1/2) in the truly ferroelectric liquid crystal 8SI* (CE8; ΔS-(+)-4-(2′-methylbutyl) phenyl-4′-n-octylbiphenyl-4 carboxylate) has been studied for various surface conditions of the transparent electrode (SnO₂), in order to understand the memory effect, the polarization reversal mechanism and its surface effect. We prepared five different surfaces, namely one coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the other four by scratching N-times(N = 0, 10, 20 and 30) with a paste made of Cr₂O₃ powder (about 0·1 μm). The number and the area of scratches on the electrode surface obviously increase with N. The polarization reversal processes are influenced by this treatment. τ_1/2 decreases with increasing N, but no change is observed in the contrast of the light transmittance. Two different activation fields, E _a1, for the applied field E > E ₀ and E _a2 for E < E ₀ are observed, where E ₀ is a certain field depending on the sample. Here E _a1 is much larger than E _a2; typically E _a1, = 260 kV cm^?1 and E _a2 = 144 kV cm^?1 for N = 0. This means that nucleation for the higher field needs a large activation energy which therefore has strong barriers. In contrast with this, nucleation for the low field occurs easily. Changing a surface condition, E _a2 clearly decreases with increasing N although E _a1 is almost independent of the surface scratching. This may suggest that E _a1 corresponds to the activation field for the bulk pinning and nucleation, and E _a2 for the surface pinning. The PVA treatment gives an intermediate influence between N = 0 and 10.     

Vinyl Polymerization. 274. Polymerization of Acrylonitrile Initiated by the System Tetramethyl Tetrazene and Co(II) Chloride

Abstract

The binary system of tetramethyl tetrazene (TMT) and Co(II) chloride was used as initiator of acrylonitrile (AN) in dimethylformamide. The initial rate of polymerization (Rp) was found to be expressed by Rp = k[TMT]^0.62[Co(II) chloride]^0.57 [AN]^2.00

The polymerization was confirmed to proceed via a radical mechanism. The over-all activation energy for the polymerization was estimated as 15.1 kcal/mole. On the basis of these results and the product analysis of the reaction between the catalyst components in the absence of monomer, the initiation mechanism of the polymerization is discussed.     

Asymmetric Induction Copolymerization of Optically Active N-(1-Menthyl Carboxylatomethyl) Citraconimide with Methyl Methacrylate

Copolymerization of an optically active N-(1-menthyl carboxylatomethyl)citraconimide (MCMCI) was carried out with methyl methacrylate (MMA) with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator in benzene at 50°C. All the copolymers obtained were optically active. After the removal of the optically active menthyl group, the hydrolyzed poly(MCMCI-co-MMA)'s still showed optical activity. The asymmetric induction to the copolymer main chain and the mechanism are discussed based on the measurements of optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of the original and hydrolyzed copolymers.     

Vinyl Polymerization. 439. Vinyl Polymerization Initiated by Poly(Ethylene Glycol] Diglycolic Acid or its Sodium Salt

Abstract

The polymerization of some kinds of vinyl monomer was found to occur in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) diglycolic acid (PEG Acid) or sodium poly(ethylene glycol) diglycolate (PEG Acid Na) through radical mechanisms without any further initiator, as a so-called “uncatalyzed polymerization.” Although the initiating radical species for PEG Acid was determined to be the same as that for PEG Acid Na by means of the spin-trapping technique, the initiating ability of PEG Acid was higher than that of PEG Acid Na. These results are assumed to be attributable to the difference in the initiation mechanisms of the two systems and in the incorporating abilities of monomer into the hydrophobic areas formed by PEG Acid and PEG Acid Na.     

Vinyl Polymerization. 436. Effect of Magnetic Field on Uncatalyzed Polymerization

The radical polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated with several kinds of hydrophilic macromolecule was carried out in a magnetic field. The magnetic field promoted the polymerization; the conversion of monomers and the molecular weight of the polymers obtained increased with increasing field strength in the range of 0–0.1 T. The dependence of the composition and tacticity of the mother polymer on the magnitude of the magnetic field was studied. Using graft or block copolymers, which consisted of hard and soft segments, the effect of a magnetic field was further investigated. The degree of hardness and tightness of the hydrophobic areas (reaction areas) formed by the mother polymer in the aqueous solution was found to affect the magnetic field effect on the uncatalyzed polymerization. The overall activation energy obtained in the magnetic field was almost equal to that obtained without a magnetic field.     

One-pot synthesis of tryptanthrin by the Dakin oxidation of indole-3-carbaldehyde

A one-pot approach to indolo[2,1-b]quinazolines from indole-3-carbaldehydes through the Dakin oxidation was developed. It was shown that the reaction proceeded through the condensation of indole-3-carbaldehydes with isatoic anhydrides, derived in situ from indole-3-carbaldehydes by the Dakin oxidation, and further oxidation/cyclization steps.     

Enzymatic degradation of aliphatic polyesters copolymerized with various diamines

Poly(hexamethylene adipate) copolymers with 10–40 mol-% (in feed) of aliphatic diamines of various methylene chain lengths were prepared by melt polycondensation. In vitro degradation was performed in buffer solution at 37°C with a lipase and was evaluated by weight loss of the films. The weight loss increased greatly by the copolymerization and showed a maximum at 10 mol-% of comonomer content. Degradation also increased in a zig-zag fashion with decreasing number of methylene chains in the diamine comonomers. Both effects on the enzymatic degradation are discussed.