Effect of molecular weight distribution on the structure and mechanical properties of ultradrawn,ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene cast from solution. I. Thermoluminescence and NMR

Ultradrawing of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) films produced by gelation/crystallization from solution was investigated using thermoluminescence (TL), DSC, and pulsed NMR. The TL from an x-irradiated UHMW-PE gel film is considerably affected by ultradrawing. The TL glow peak is correlated with the α_c dispersion of the crystalline phase in the UHMW-PE gel film. The TL integrated intensity is weak for folded-chain crystals but strong for extended-chain crystals. An extra higher TL peak, observed for samples drawn 150x, is related to the appearance of some highly extended tie-chains in the interfacial region in the process of ultradrawing. On the basis of the above observations, the effects of molecular weight distribution on the morphology of UHMW-PE gel film are examined. It is concluded that B-PE (Broad MWD) having a broader MWD has better drawability than N-PE; but at a given draw ratio, higher modulus and tensile strength are realized for N-PE (Narrow MWD).     

Effect of urea on self-organization of sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-L-valinate in water

In this paper, the hypotheses proposed for the action of urea on the perturbation of molecular assemblies have been tested through studies of the effects of urea on the aggregation properties of a chiral surfactant, sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-L-valinate in water. Surface tension, fluorescence, and circular dichroism were used to characterize the solution behavior of the amphiphile in the presence of urea. Surface tension measurement indicated decrease of critical aggregation concentration (cac) with the addition of urea in the low concentration range. Fluorescence probe studies using pyrene and 1-anilinonaphthalene indicated solubilization of urea molecules near the aggregate-water interface. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements using 1,6-diphenylhexatriene as probe molecule suggested increase of packing of the hydrocarbon chains of the amphiphiles upon addition of low concentration of urea. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed an increase of the hydrodynamic radius (R(h)) in the presence of increased concentration of urea. At higher concentrations of urea, the R(h) value decreased. Circular dichroism spectra showed the presence of chiral aggregates even in the presence of high concentration of urea.     

Effect of urea on self-organization of sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-l-valinate in water

In this paper, the hypotheses proposed for the action of urea on the perturbation of molecular assemblies have been tested through studies of the effects of urea on the aggregation properties of a chiral surfactant, sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-L-valinate in water. Surface tension, fluorescence, and circular dichroism were used to characterize the solution behavior of the amphiphile in the presence of urea. Surface tension measurement indicated decrease of critical aggregation concentration (cac) with the addition of urea in the low concentration range. Fluorescence probe studies using pyrene and 1-anilinonaphthalene indicated solubilization of urea molecules near the aggregate-water interface. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements using 1,6-diphenylhexatriene as probe molecule suggested increase of packing of the hydrocarbon chains of the amphiphiles upon addition of low concentration of urea. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed an increase of the hydrodynamic radius (R(h)) in the presence of increased concentration of urea. At higher concentrations of urea, the R(h) value decreased. Circular dichroism spectra showed the presence of chiral aggregates even in the presence of high concentration of urea.     

Functional properties and electroanalytical selectivity of some anion exchange membranes

Heterogeneous membranes of Fe(III)-Zr(IV), Cr(III)-Zr(IV) mixed hydrous oxides and one doped with Sn(II) ion have been prepared using polystyrene as a binding material. Functional properties like water content, porosity, swelling, electrolyte absorption and conductance of these membranes have been determined in various anionic forms and correlated with their electroanalytical selectivity.     

Oxidation of ketones by cerium(IV) in presence of iridium(III) chloride

Kinetic data, in iridium(III) chloride catalyzed oxidation of ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) and methyl propyl ketone (MPK) by cerium(IV) perchlorate in aqueous perchloric acid medium, suggest the formation of complex C₁ between cerium(IV) and organic substrate in the first equilibrium step, which in turn gives rise to another complex C₂ with the catalyst. This second complex in the rate-determining step gives rise to the intermediate products. Interestingly IrCl_3, which is considered to be a sluggish catalyst in alkaline media, was found to surpass the catalytic efficiency of even osmium and ruthenium in acidic media. Rate decreases in the beginning at low acid concentrations, but after reaching to a minimum it becomes directly proportional to acid concentrations. Probably on increasing the acid concentrations hydrolyzed species of ceric perchlorate gradually converts into the un-hydrolyzed species, which then accelerates the rate at higher [H⁺], resulting in the observed peculiar effect of hydrogen ions on the rate. Initial concentrations of cerium(IV) and acid determine the extent of reduction of cerium(IV) by water. Order of the reaction shows direct proportionality with respect to the oxidant and ketones at their low concentrations, but tends to become zeroth order at their higher concentrations. Rate of the reaction shows direct proportionality with respect to [IrCl₃] while change in ionic strength of the medium does not affect the reaction velocity. Parameters such as the energy of activation, free energy of activation and entropy data suggest that methyl propyl ketone forms the activated complex more easily compared to ethyl methyl ketone.     

Spontaneously formed vesicles of sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-glycinate and L-alaninate in water

Two N-acyl amino acid surfactants, sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-glycinate (SAUG) and L-alaninate (SAUA), were synthesized and characterized in aqueous solution. A number of techniques, such as surface tension, fluorescence probe, light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy were employed for characterization of the amphiphiles in water. The surface and interfacial properties were measured. The amphiphiles have two critical aggregation concentrations. The results of surface tension and fluorescence probe studies suggested formation of bilayer self-assemblies in dilute aqueous solutions of the amphiphiles. The magnitudes of free energy change of aggregation have indicated that bilayer formation is more favorable in the case of SAUG. Steady-state fluorescence measurements of pyrene and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) were used to study the microenvironment of the molecular self-assemblies. Temperature-dependent fluorescence anisotropy change of DPH probe revealed phase transition temperature of the bilayer self-assemblies. The effects of pH on the structure of the self-assemblies of SAUG and SAUA have been studied. The role of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between amide groups upon aggregation toward microstructure formation in solution has been discussed. Circular dichroism spectra suggested the presence of chiral aggregates in an aqueous solution of SAUA. The transmission electron micrographs revealed the presence of closed spherical vesicles in aqueous solutions of the amphiphiles. Dynamic light scattering measurements were performed to obtain average size of the aggregates.     

Calorimetric study of correlated disordering in [Hdamel]2[Cu(II)(tdpd)2] x 2 THF crystal

The heat capacity of [Hdamel]2[Cu(II)(tdpd)2] x 2 THF was measured from 6 to 250 K by adiabatic calorimetry. There are four heat anomalies around 150 K associated with disordering in the orientation of the uncoordinated THF molecules and in the conformation of the out-of-plane allyl groups of [Hdamel](+) units. The total entropy of transition was determined to be 19.8 J K(-1) mol(-1), less than the 4R ln 2 (R = gas constant) expected from the crystal structure at room temperature. The smallness of the total entropy change on phase transitions proves the presence of the strong motional correlation between the adjacent allyl groups. The calorimetric conclusion agreed with the crystal structure at 200 K re-examined in this study.     

Effect of hydrogen-bonding interactions on the self-assembly formation of sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-L-serinate, L-asparaginate, and L-glutaminate in aqueous solution

Aggregation behavior of three N-acyl amino acid surfactants, sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-l-serinate (SAUS), sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-l-asparaginate (SAUAS), and sodium N-(11-acrylamidoundecanoyl)-l-glutaminate (SAUGL), was studied in aqueous solution by use of surface tension, fluorescence, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The amphiphiles have been shown to initially form flexible bilayer structures, which upon increase of surfactant concentration transform into closed spherical vesicles. The transmission electron micrographs of the aqueous solutions of the surfactants confirmed the existence of spherical vesicles. Dynamic light scattering measurements were performed to obtain hydrodynamic radii of the vesicles. Circular dichroism spectra of the amphiphiles indicated formation of chiral helical aggregates in the case of SAUS. The self-assembly formation of the amphiphiles has been discussed in light of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction of the amide groups.