Dependence of phase behavior of some non-ionic surfactants at the air-water interface on micellization in the bulk

The temperature-dependent surface phase behavior of two sparingly soluble surfactants, namely, ethylene glycol n-dodecyl ether (EGDE) and ethylene glycol n-tetradecyl ether (EGTE), at the air-water interface was investigated by film balance and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). A cusp point followed by a pronounced plateau region in the surface pressure-time (pi-t) adsorption isotherms of the amphiphiles measured by film balance indicates the first-order phase transition. Bright two-dimensional condensed phase domains in a dark background are observed by BAM just after the phase transition. In both cases the critical surface pressure necessary for the phase transition increases with increasing temperature. The domains are found to be circular up to 5 and 27 degrees C for EGDE and EGTE, respectively, above which they show a fingering pattern. Condensed domains are observed up to 23 and 37 degrees C for EGDE and EGTE, respectively. The surface properties of the amphiphiles are found to be markedly affected by their tendency to aggregate in the bulk as micelles. The CMC values of both the amphiphiles show a maximum at a definite temperature, T(max), that corresponds well to their respective maximum temperatures of domain formation. An increase in temperature beyond T(max) results in an increasing trend for the formation of micelles. Consequently the system suffers from a shortage of two-dimensional surface concentration of the molecules to attain the surface pressure necessary for phase transition. With increasing temperature, the enthalpy, DeltaH(m) degrees , and entropy, DeltaS(m) degrees , of micellization change from negative to positive in both cases. An enthalpy-entropy compensation effect is found to hold for both the amphiphiles over the entire temperature range. The thermodynamic quantities reveal that the increase in temperature is favorable for micellization when the temperature exceeds the corresponding T(max) of the amphiphiles.     

Development of new cyclic olefin polymers for optical uses

New cyclic olefin polymers (COP) with a better balance of properties than those of conventional optical plastics have been developed by using norbornene monomers. The COP are prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene monomers followed by complete hydrogenation of double bonds. The COP have practically been applied for optical uses such as lenses, prisms and optical discs.     

Synthesis and evaluation of polyamine graft and block copolymers as novel biomaterials for cell separation

Graft copolymer (HA) composed of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and a polyamine exhibits unique biospecific behavior at the interface with living cells. In the present paper, the writer will discuss on four topics : (i) effective separation of rat lymphocyte subpopulations by using HA copolymer; (ii) surface analysis of HA copolymers by ESCA and streaming potential measurements; (iii) a hybrid field flow fractionation/adhesion chromatography technique; and (iv) specific cellular recognition of poly(HEMA)-graft-quaternized polyamine copolymer (HQA)     

Stable first-order particle-frame relativistic hydrodynamics for dissipative systems

We propose a stable first-order relativistic dissipative hydrodynamic equation in the particle frame (Eckart frame) for the first time. The equation to be proposed was in fact previously derived by the authors and a collaborator from the relativistic Boltzmann equation. We demonstrate that the equilibrium state is stable with respect to the time evolution described by our hydrodynamic equation in the particle frame. Our equation may be a proper starting point for constructing second-order causal relativistic hydrodynamics, to replace Eckart's particle-flow theory.     

A hydrogel with rubber elasticity transition

Reaction between dimethyldivinylsilane and 3,6-diazaoctane in the presence of 3-lithio-3,6-diazaoctane yields a new telechelic oligomer, poly(silamine), which consists of alternating 3,3-dimethyl-3-silapentane and N,N′-diethylethylenediamine units in the main chain. Poly(silamine) shows unique phase transition properties in response to the degree of protonation of amino groups in the polymer. Poly(silamine) also shows a strong interaction with several anions. Due to the interaction between poly(silamine) and anions along with the protonation of amino groups in the poly(silamine), the rubber elasticity of poly(silamine) is drastically changed. A discrete volume change can be observed when the environmental pH of the poly(silamine) gels is varied. This can be explained not only by a change in ionic osmotic pressure but also by a change in the rubber elasticity of the networks in the gel.     

Gas-Phase Alkylation of Pyridine and Phenol with Alcohols Over Halide Clusters of Group 5–7 Transition Metals as Solid Acid Catalysts

Pyridine is allowed to react with methanol under a hydrogen stream in the presence of (H₃O)₂[(W₆Cl₈)Cl₆]·6H₂O supported on silica gel. When the temperature is raised above 200 °C, the catalytic activity of the cluster appears. Methylation of pyridine proceeds yielding 2-methylpyridine in 61% selectivity at 400 °C. The corresponding hexanuclear chloride clusters of niobium, molybdenum, and tantalum also catalyze the reaction. Ethanol affords the corresponding 2-ethylpyridine. When phenol is allowed to react with methanol in the presence of (H₃O)₂[(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₆]·6H₂O supported on silica gel in the same manner, selective O-methylation proceeds yielding anisole in 57% selectivity at 150–200 °C. Above 250 °C, C-methylation predominates and provides o-cresol with 67% selectivity at 300 °C. The corresponding clusters of niobium, tantalum, and tungsten also catalyze the reaction. Ethanol and 1-propanol afford the corresponding 2-alkylphenols. Alkyl cations produced over weak Brønsted acid sites (H ₀ ≈ +1.3) developed on the clusters are assumed as intermediates for both reactions.     

Application of solid-state early-transition metal clusters as catalysts

Metal cluster compounds are expected to be catalysts for new reactions because of synergistic effect of the metal atoms. In solid-state halide clusters and sulfide clusters, metal cluster frameworks are linked in two- or three-dimensions to form a cluster network. Halogen- or sulfur-deficient metal sites in an octahedral metal cluster framework are retained intact and act as catalytically active sites even at high temperatures of 400–700?°C. This review reports recent advances in the development of coordinatively unsaturated metal atoms on solid-state clusters with an octahedral metal framework and their application to organic catalytic reactions.