Exploring Microstructures and Interphase Properties of Surface- Grafted Diblock Copolymers in a Homopolymer Melt by Self-Consistent Field Theory Simulations

Polymeric self-consistent field theory is used to investigate microstructures and interphase properties of diblock copolymers grafted onto solid surfaces in a homopolymer melt. The calculations show that the grafted diblock copolymers can self-assemble into hemispherical microstructures at low grafting densities of the diblock copolymers. The morphology transforms into hemicylinder-like and sandwich-like lamellar microstructures with an increase in the chain-grafting density. The effective thickness of the grafted block layer and the interphase width between the homopolymer melt and the grafted copolymers strongly depend on the physicochemical parameters of the system, such as the composition of the grafted copolymer, the chemical incompatibility between the different components, the length ratio of grafted copolymer to homopolymer, and the grafting density of the diblock copolymers. In addition, the above computational results of microphase-separated structures and interphase properties are qualitatively compared with our previous experimental observations. The comparison indicates that our theoretical results not only reproduce the general feature of the experimental observations, but also elucidate the internal structural information and complement the findings in the region of high grafting densities of diblock copolymers.     

Nondestructive rare earth element imaging of fish teeth from deep‐sea sediments

X‐ray fluorescence computed tomography is an emerging imaging modality that allows for the nondestructive reconstruction of the internal distribution of elements within a sample. The common use of X‐ray excitation energy (up to approximately 20 keV) has necessitated the use of l ‐shell fluorescence for heavy elements. In this study, based on high energy X‐ray at BL13W1 of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, we employed high‐energy excitation for tomographic imaging of the heavy metals (rare earth elements) in fish teeth from deep‐sea sediments on the micrometer scale using K‐shell X‐ray fluorescence. The virtual cross‐sectional distribution of La, Ce, Pm, Pr, Nd, and Sm were obtained, thereby providing a feasible approach for analyzing the enrichment mechanism of rare earth elements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of [(Substituted Phenoxyacetoxy) (Substituted Phenyl)Methyl](Methyl) Phosphinates Containing Fluorine

Abstract

A series of [(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)(substituted phenyl)methyl](methyl)phos- phinates containing fluorine were designed and synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were identified by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry. O-methyl [(2-fluorophenoxyacetoxy)(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl](methyl)phosphinate was further analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Their herbicidal activity against a set of weed species was examined. Some of the compounds showed potential herbicidal activity, which provided some indications for further studies on structure modification.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Single-Ion Conduction and Electrochemical Characteristics of Poly (Oxyethylene)/ Lithium Methoxy Oligo(Oxyethylene) Sulfate Blend

Abstract

The ion conduction of a blend of poly(oxyethylene) (PEO) and lithium methoxy oligo(oxyethylene) sulfate (SAL₈) and its electrochemical characteristics were studied. The maximum ambient conductivity of the blend reaches 1.2 × 10^?6 S/cm. The blend exhibits single-ion conduction, excellent mechanical performance, and electrochemical stability. A battery of Li/PEO + SAL₈/Li_1+xV₃O₈ has a constant discharge capacity at different discharge current densities up to a certain voltage, while the discharge capacity of Li/P (MEO_16-AM) + LiClO₄/Li_1+xV₃O₈ decreases with an increase of the discharge current density.     

An approach to the Paal–Knorr pyrroles synthesis in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous media

An efficient and facile method for the synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles in moderate to good yields by the Paal–Knorr reaction of γ-diketones with amines in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous media has been developed.Moreover,this process tolerated diamines(e.g.,para-,meta- or orthophenylenediamine)to construct bis-pyrrole or mono-pyrrole derivates.β-Cyclodextrin can be recovered easily after the reactions and reused without evident loss in activity.     

Preparation and characterization of an imprinted monolith by atom transfer radical polymerization assisted by crowding agents

A method based on reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (R-ATRP) and molecular crowding has been used for design and synthesis of monolithic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) capable of recognizing ibuprofen (IBU). 4-Vinylpyridine (4-VP) was used as the functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) was the crosslinking monomer. Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)–CuCl₂–N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) was used as the initiating system. Compared with conventional radical polymerization-based IBU-MIPs, the imprinting effects of the obtained IBU-MIPs was enhanced, suggesting the merit of combination of reverse ATRP and molecular crowding. In addition, it was found that the polymerization time of the molecularly imprinted monolithic column, the amount of template, the degree of crosslinking, and the composition of mobile phase greatly affected retention of the template and the performance of molecular recognition .

Solid-Liquid Phase Transfer Catalytic Synthesis XII

The anion derived from diethyl malonate reacts with a series of halides readly under microwave irradiation, and the isolated yield of alkylated products varying from 64% to 86%.     

In situ self-assembly synthesis of gold nanoparticle arrays on polystyrene microspheres and their surface plasmon resonance

Gold (Au) nanoparticle arrays with tunable morphology and optical characteristics were synthesized by in-situ self-assembly process that occurred on the surface of aniline-modified polystyrene (PS) microspheres. The method can be used to control the growth of both single and aggregated Au nanoparticle arrays on PS microsphere surface. This method could also be adapted for synthesis of other noble metals hybrid materials, which opens exciting opportunities for their practical applications.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of Quaternary α‐Amino Acid Containing Pyrrolidines through 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides to α‐Aminoacrylates

The first catalytic enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to α‐aminoacrylate catalyzed by a AgOAc/ferrocenyl oxazolinylphosphine (FOXAP) system was developed, which exhibits excellent exo‐ and enantioselectivity (92–99 % ee). This process provides efficient access to useful 4‐aminopyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (APDC)‐like compounds containing a unique quaternary α‐amino acid unit.