Analysis of viscoelastic behavior and dynamic mechanical relaxation of copolyester based layered silicate nanocomposites using Havriliak–Negami model

The solid‐state viscoelastic properties are examined for intercalated nanocomposites based on a copolyester and (2‐ethyl‐hexyl)dimethyl hydrogenated‐tallow ammonium montmorillonite. The nanocomposites are prepared via the direct melt intercalation technique using a conventional twin‐screw extruder. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of the nanocomposites is conducted using two different test setups. The dynamic mechanical relaxation spectra show an increase in the storage modulus of the nanocomposite over the entire temperature range under study as compared to the pristine polymer (except in the transition region from 70 to 80 °C). These results are analyzed using the empirical Havriliak–Negami (HN) equation. The four temperature independent HN parameters (α, β, E₀, and E_∞) and one temperature dependent parameter (τ, the relaxation time) are determined by solving the HN equation for each temperature over the range of temperatures. The calculated moduli results fit well with the experimental values of the relaxation spectra for the nanocomposites. This study shows that the HN model can be applied to polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, and it can be used to predict their dynamic mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies a priori. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2657–2666, 2004     

Gold-catalyzed 1,2-difunctionalizations of aminoalkynes using only N- and O-containing oxidants

We report two viable routes for the 1,2-difunctionalization of aminoalkynes using only oxidants. In the presence of a gold catalyst, nitrones enable the oxoamination of aminoalkynes 1 to form 2-aminoamides 2. With a suitable gold catalyst, nitrosobenzenes implement an alkyne/nitroso metathesis of the same substrates to give 2-oxoiminylamides 3. These two novel oxidations also provide 1,2-aminoalcohols with opposite regioselectivity via NaBH(4) reduction in situ.     

A synergistic approach to polycyclics via a strategic utilization of Claisen rearrangement and olefin metathesis

Olefin metathesis promoted by a well-defined metal carbene complex has evolved into an efficient method for the construction of a broad range of carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings of varying size. The synthetic potential of the olefin metathesis has been further increased by combining various other C-C bond forming processes either in tandem or in sequence. Herein, application of Claisen rearrangement and olefin metathesis to prepare various intricate and/or biologically important targets has been described.     

Dual-stage nested homogenization for rate-dependent anisotropic elasto-plasticity model of dendritic cast aluminum alloys

This paper proposes a nested dual-stage homogenization method for developing microstructure based continuum elasto-viscoplastic models for large secondary dendrite arm spacing or SDAS cast aluminum alloys. Microstructures of these alloys are characterized by extremely inhomogeneous distribution of inclusions along the dendrite cell boundaries. Traditional single-step homogenization methods are not suitable for this type of microstructure due to the size of the representative volume element (RVE) and the associated computations required for micromechanical analyses. To circumvent this limitation, two distinct RVE’s or statistically equivalent RVE’s are identified, corresponding to the inherent scales of inhomogeneity in the microstructure. The homogenization is performed in multiple stages for each of the RVE’s identified. The macroscopic behavior is described by a rate-dependent, anisotropic homogenization based continuum plasticity (HCP) model. Anisotropy and viscoplastic parameters in the HCP model are calibrated from homogenization of micro-variables for the different RVE’s. These parameters are dependent on microstructural features such as morphology and distribution of different phases. The uniqueness of the nested two-stage homogenization is that it enables evaluation of the overall homogenized model parameters of the cast alloy from limited experimental data, but also material parameters of constituents like inter-dendritic phase and pure aluminum matrix. The capabilities of the HCP model are demonstrated for a cast aluminum alloy AS7GU having a SDAS of 30 μm.     

A Self‐Improved Water‐Oxidation Catalyst: Is One Site Really Enough?

The homogeneous catalysis of water oxidation by transition‐metal complexes has experienced spectacular development over the last five years. Practical energy‐conversion schemes, however, require robust catalysts with large turnover frequencies. Herein we introduce a new oxidatively rugged and powerful dinuclear water‐oxidation catalyst that is generated by self‐assembly from a mononuclear catalyst during the catalytic process. Our kinetic and DFT computational analysis shows that two interconnected catalytic cycles coexist while the mononuclear system is slowly and irreversibly converted into the more stable dinuclear system: an extremely robust water‐oxidation catalyst that does not decompose over extended periods of time.     

Ultrahigh-temperature regenerated gratings in boron-codoped germanosilicate optical fiber using 193 nm

Regenerated gratings seeded by type I gratings in boron-codoped germanosilicate optical fiber written with 193 nm are shown to withstand temperatures beyond 1000 degrees C.     

Calculated structural, electronic and optical properties of Ga-based semiconductors under pressure

The structural, electronic and optical properties of GaP, GaAs and GaSb at ambient and under hydrostatic pressure have been calculated using the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The calculated lattice constant, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative are compared with available experimental data. The first and second order pressure coefficients for the (Γ-Γ) energy gaps and hydrostatic deformation potential shows agreement with measurement. The linear pressure coefficients of the transition (Γ-Γ) increases significantly as anion atomic number increases (GaP→GaAs→GaSb). The magnitude of linear pressure coefficient of the transition (Γ-X) are small and usually negative. The variation of linear pressure coefficient of the transition (Γ-L) are relatively small and follow similar trend as (Γ-Γ). Overall the calculated linear and nonlinear pressure coefficients show good agreement with the experimental data. The obtained dielectric function, refractive index, extinction coefficient and reflectivity are compared with measured data and show qualitatively good agreement.     

A pyrazole-based orthogonal ferromagnetically coupled [2 × 2] homoleptic square Cu4 grid: Magnetostructural correlations

The synthesis and structure of a pyrazole-based orthogonal ferromagnetically coupled tetracopper(II) 2 × 2 homoleptic grid complex [Cu₄(PzOAPyz)₄(ClO₄)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O (1), formed by the reaction between the ditopic ligand PzOAPyz and Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, are described. The ligand contains terminal pyrazole and pyrazine residues bound to a central flexible diazine subunit (N–N) as well as one potentially bridging alkoxo group. The two adjacent metal centers are linked by an alkoxo oxygen forming essentially a square Cu₄(μ-O₄) cluster. In the Cu₄(μ-O₄) core, out of the four copper centers, two copper centers are penta-coordinated and the remaining two are hexa-coordinated. In each case of hexa-coordination, the sixth position is occupied by one of the oxygen atoms of a coordinated perchlorate ion. Complex 1 has been characterized structurally and magnetically. Although the large Cu–O–Cu bridge angles (137–138°) and short Cu–Cu distances (3.964–3.970 Å) are suitable for the transmission of the expected antiferromagnetic coupling, the square-based Cu₄(μ-O₄) cluster exhibits an intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange (J = 7.47 cm⁻¹) between the metal centers with an S = 2 magnetic ground state associated with the quasi orthogonal arrangement of the magnetic orbitals (d_x2-y2${\text{d}}_{x^2-y^2}$). The exchange pathway parameters have been evaluated from density functional calculations.     

Selective hydrogenation of monosubstituted alkenes by Pd nanoparticles embedded in polyelectrolyte films

Pd nanoparticles embedded in multilayer polyelectrolyte films can be easily prepared through layer-by-layer adsorption of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(ethyleneimine)-Pd2+ (PEI-Pd(II)) complexes followed by reduction of Pd(II) with NaBH4. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the formation of Pd particles with diameters of 1-3 nm. Remarkably, [PAA/PEI-Pd(0)]3PAA films catalyze the hydrogenation of monosubstituted alkenes with turnover frequencies that are as much as 100-fold higher than turnover frequencies for hydrogenation of multiply substituted double bonds. Selectivities in the hydrogenation of monosubstituted over multisubstituted double bonds are higher than those of Wilkinson's catalyst. Moreover, the turnover frequency for the hydrogenation of allyl alcohol did not change when the catalyst was recycled three times. Intramolecular selectivity for the hydrogenation of monosubstituted alkenes also occurs when substrate molecules contain both mono and multiply substituted double bonds. The combination of the encapsulating polyelectrolyte film and small nanoparticles apparently results in hindered access of multiply substituted double bonds to catalytic sites.