Vinyl Polymerization. 418. Polymerization of Vinyl Monomer Initiated by Betaine-Type Polymers in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Three kinds of betaine-type polymers, which are macromolecular amphoteric electrolytes, were found to be able to polymerize vinyl monomers in aqueous solution through a radical mechanism without any further initiator. Betain-type polymers form hydrophobic areas (HA) in water. Vinyl polymerization commenced in the HA. The effect of the pH of the aqueous solution on polymerization was investigated.     

Synthesis and Polymerization of N-(L-Menthylcarboxylatomethyl)maleimide

A new type of optically active N-(L-menthylcarboxylatomethyl)maleimide (MGMI) was synthesized from maleic anhydride, glycine, and L-menthol. Radical homopolymerization of MGMI was performed at 50°C for 24 h to give optically active polymer having [α]_D = -57°. Radical copolymerizations of MGMI (M ₁) were performed with styrene (ST, M ₂), methyl methacrylate (MMA, M ₂) in benzene at 50°C. From the results, the monomer reactivity ratios (r ₁, r ₂) and the Alfrey-Price Q, e values were determined as follows: r ₁ = 0.16, r ₂ = 0.006 for the MGMI-ST system; r ₁ = 0.15, r ₂ = 1.65 for the MGMI-MMA system, and Q ₁ = 0.72, e ₁ = 1.59 calculated from the MGMI-MMA system. Anionic homopolymerizations of MGMI were also carried out. Chiroptical properties of the polymers were investigated.     

Enhancement of Solar Hydrogen Evolution from Water by Surface Modification with CdS and TiO2 on Porous CuInS2 Photocathodes Prepared by an Electrodeposition–Sulfurization Method

Porous films of p‐type CuInS₂, prepared by sulfurization of electrodeposited metals, are surface‐modified with thin layers of CdS and TiO₂. This specific porous electrode evolved H₂ from photoelectrochemical water reduction under simulated sunlight. Modification with thin n‐type CdS and TiO₂ layers significantly increased the cathodic photocurrent and onset potential through the formation of a p–n junction on the surface. The modified photocathodes showed a relatively high efficiency and stable H₂ production under the present reaction conditions.     

Holographic window for solar power generation

A new photovoltaic generation unit based on the application of holographic technologies called a Holo-Window is proposed in this work. The basic principle and the optical configuration used for the basic experimental unit are described. Suitable fabrication technology for a hologram with the broadband spectrum required to provide the appropriate sunlight capture capability is then discussed. Finally, a laboratory-prototype Holo-Window unit was developed and its performance was evaluated.     

Synthesis and properties of noncyclic polyether compounds. Part V : The influence of acid and concentration of cations on the uphill transport rates of cations and selectivities through liquid membranes by synthetic,noncyclic polyether ionophores

The effects of acid and cation concentration on the uphill transport rates of cations and selectivities through chloroform liquid membrane by noncyclic polyether ionophores, which are pentaethylene glycol derivatives containing both 8-quinolyt and o-carboxylphenyl terminal groups, have been demonstrated. Using sulfuric, oxalic, or polyphosphoric acid in aqueous solution, the initial transport rates and the amount of cation transported by the ionophores after two days were larger than those using hydrochloric or nitric acid. Using picric acid, the amount of cation transported decreased greatly. It was confirmed that it decreased where an acid could easily be counter-transported by the ionophore through liquid membranes. On the other hand, it was found that the rates, amounts of cation transported, and selectivities, change with the changing of the cation concentration in the aqueous solutions. When the cation concentration in both aqueous solutions is high enough compared with the pH gradient between the two aqueous solutions, the rate, amount, and selectivity of the ionophore for potassium ion increases compared with when the cation concentration is low.     

Determination of trace vanadium in petroleum oils by oxygen flask combustion and a catalytic method

The petroleum oil sample is combusted in an improved oxygen flask and vanadium (?0.1 ppm) is then determined by a catalytic method based on spectrophotometric monitoring of the gallic acid-bromate reaction. For most samples, there is no interference from other elements normally present, but an ion-exchange separation prior to catalytic determination is recommended in order to achieve reliable analyses of a wide variety of real petroleum samples.