Assessment of two‐equation turbulence modelling for high Reynolds number hydrofoil flows

This paper presents an evaluation of the capability of turbulence models available in the commercial CFD code FLUENT 6.0 for their application to hydrofoil turbulent boundary layer separation flow at high Reynolds numbers. Four widely applied two‐equation RANS turbulence models were assessed through comparison with experimental data at Reynolds numbers of 8.284×106 and 1.657×107. They were the standard k–εmodel, the realizable k–εmodel, the standard k–ωmodel and the shear‐stress‐transport (SST) k–ωmodel. It has found that the realizable k–εturbulence model used with enhanced wall functions and near‐wall modelling techniques, consistently provides superior performance in predicting the flow characteristics around the hydrofoil. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and association of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) copolymers with perfluorocarbon pendent groups connected through polyethylene‐glycol tethers

The synthesis is reported of copolymers of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and methacrylates containing 2,2′‐dihydroperfluorodecanoyl (RF) groups separated from the methacrylate by long polyethylene glycol (PEG) tether groups (between 1000 and 14,000 Da). At concentrations of between 1 and 8 wt % the copolymers with macromonomer contents of 1 mol % or less give gels in organic solvents such as dioxane, THF, or methanol, as well as in water. Given the low molecular weights, this indicates very efficient association of very low numbers of RF groups. Association and gel formation is enormously enhanced in the presence of longer PEG tethers. This is consistent with smaller poly(N,N,‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) intermolecular excluded volume effects that are mediated by the longer PEG tethers and possibly by the incompatibility of PEG and PDMA that may lead to the formation of PEG microdomains. This increases the local concentrations of the RF groups in the PEO domains that are not diluted by the PDMA chains, as would be the case in the absence of PEG tethers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 360–373, 2004     

Synthesis of a soluble pyrrole copolymer with phenetidine

A new series of copolymers was synthesized through the oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (PY) and o‐phenetidine (PHT) with inorganic oxidants in acidic media. The polymerization parameters including the mixing method of the oxidant with the comonomer, the comonomer ratio, the time, the temperature, the oxidant, the organic medium, and the acid were systematically optimized for the synthesis of copolymers with high yields, intrinsic viscosities, and solubility. The resultant copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, ultraviolet–visible, solution high‐resolution ¹H NMR and solid‐state high‐resolution ¹³C NMR, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that the PY observed content in the copolymers was much higher than the PY feed content. The regular variation of the polymerization yield, intrinsic viscosity, solubility, macromolecular structure, and electroactivity of the resulting polymers with the comonomer ratio, together with the complete solubility of a PY/PHT (10/90) polymer in highly polar solvents, indicated the formation of real random copolymers containing both PY and PHT units rather than a mixture of two homopolymers. However, the polymers containing more than 59 mol % PY were not homogeneous copolymers consisting of soluble and insoluble parts. A semiquantitative relationship between the polymerization yield or solubility of the copolymers and the polarity index of the organic solvents was examined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2073–2092, 2004     

Living polymerization of styrene initiated by mercaptan/ε‐caprolactam

The bulk polymerization of styrene initiated by ?‐caprolactam (CL) and n‐dodecyl mercaptan (RSH) has been explored. This novel polymerization system shows living characteristics. For example, the molecular weight of the resulting polymers increases with conversion, and the system has the ability to form diblock copolymers and so forth. The polymer chain end contains thiol and lactam structures, which we have investigated with Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR techniques. Electron spin resonance spectra and theoretical calculations by the Hartree–Fock methods have been used to examine the mechanism. The results reveal that the initial polymerization starts from thiol via a chain‐transfer reaction, and the propagation proceeds by the insertion of a monomer between the terminal group and the intermediate structure of lactam. Finally, the polymerization kinetics have been examined. The polymerization rate varies linearly with the concentration of CL and RSH, and this confirms the mechanism. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4976–4993, 2004     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel,fluorinated poly(phthalazinone ether)s containing perfluorophenylene moieties

The synthesis and structural characterization of a series of novel, fluorinated poly(phthalazinone ether)s containing perfluorophenylene moieties are described. The monomers, 4‐(4′‐hydroxyaryl)phthalazin‐1(2H)‐ones ( 2a – 2d ), were conveniently and efficiently synthesized from phenols and phthalic anhydride in two steps via 2‐(4′‐hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acids, which were first obtained by the Friedel–Crafts reaction in good yields and with high stereoselectivity and were then converted into 2a – 2d by fusion with hydrazine. All the polymers were prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) polycondensation between the compounds perfluorobiphenyl and 4‐(4′‐hydroxyaryl)phthalazin‐1(2H)‐ones ( 2a ‐ 2d ). The resulting fluorinated polymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents (e.g., CHCl₃, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N‐methylpyrrolidone, etc.) at room temperature. Their weight‐average molecular weights and the polydispersities ranged from (7.96–18.25) × 10³ to 1.31–2.71, respectively. Their glass‐transition temperatures varied from 213 to 263 °C. They were all stable up to 390 °C both in air and in argon. The 5% weight‐loss temperatures of these polymers in air and argon ranged from 393–487 to 437–509 °C, respectively. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction studies indicated they were all amorphous and could be attributed to the presence of kink nonplanar moiety, phenyl phthalazinone along the polymer backbone. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 925–932, 2004     

Soluble,saturated‐red‐light‐emitting poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) containing triphenylamine units and cyano groups

A conjugated poly(p‐CN‐phenylenevinylene) (PCNPV) containing both electron‐donating triphenylamine units and electron‐withdrawing cyano groups was prepared via Knoevenagel condensation in a good yield. Gel permeation chromatography suggested that the soluble polymer had a very high weight‐average molecular weight of 309,000. A bright and saturated red emission was observed under UV excitation in solution and film. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the polymer presented quasi‐reversible oxidation with a relatively low potential because of the triphenylamine unit. A single‐layer indium tin oxide/PCNPV/Mg–Ag device emitted a bright red light (633 nm). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3947–3953, 2004     

Completely biodegradable composites of poly(propylene carbonate) and short,lignocellulose fiber Hildegardia populifolia

The composites of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) reinforced with short Hildegardia populifolia natural fiber were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphologies of the composites were studied via static and dynamic mechanical measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Static tensile tests showed that the stiffness and tensile strength of the composites increased with an increasing fiber content. However, the elongation at break and the energy to break decreased dramatically with the addition of short fiber. The relationship between the experimental results and the compatibility or interaction between the PPC matrix and fiber was correlated. SEM observations indicated good interfacial contact between the short fiber and PPC matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the introduction of short Hildegardia populifolia fiber led to a slightly improved thermooxidative stability of PPC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 666–675, 2004     

The effect of compatibilization and rheological properties of polystyrene and poly(dimethylsiloxane) on phase structure of polystyrene/poly(dimethylsiloxane) blends

The compatibilization effect of polystyrene (PS)‐poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) diblock copolymer (PS‐b‐PDMS) and the effect of rheological properties of PS and PDMS on phase structure of PS/PDMS blends were investigated using a selective extraction technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dual‐phase continuity of PS/PDMS blends takes place in a wide composition range. The formation and the onset of a cocontinuous phase structure largely depend on blend composition, viscosity ratio of the constituent components, and addition of diblock copolymers. The width of the concentration region of the cocontinuous structure is narrowed with increasing the viscosity ratio of the blends and in the presence of the small amount diblock copolymers. Quiescent annealing shifts the onset values of continuity. The experimental results are compared with the volume fraction of phase inversion calculated with various theoretical models, but none of the models can account quantitatively for the observed data. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 898–913, 2004     

Combined effects of clay modifications and compatibilizers on the formation and physical properties of melt‐mixed polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

The melt mixing technique was used to prepare various polypropylene (PP)‐based (nano)composites. Two commercial organoclays (denoted 20A and 30B) served as the fillers for the PP matrix, and two different maleated (so‐called) compatibilizers (denoted PP‐MA and SMA) were employed as the third component. The results from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) experiments revealed that 190 °C was an adequate temperature for preparing the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites were achieved only if specific pairs of organoclay and compatibilizer were simultaneously incorporated in the PP matrix. For example, PP/20A(5 wt %)/PP‐MA(10 wt %) and PP/30B(5 wt %)/SMA(5 wt %) composites exhibited nanoscaled dispersion of 20A or 30B in the PP matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the organoclays served as nucleation agents for the PP matrix. Generally, their nucleation effectiveness increased with the addition of compatibilizers. The thermal stability enhancement of PP after adding 20A was confirmed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The enhancement became more evident as a suitable compatibilizer was further added. However, for the 30B‐included composites, thermal stability enhancement was not evident. The dynamic mechanical properties (i.e., storage modulus and loss modulus) of PP increased as the nanocomposites were formed; the properties increment corresponded to the organoclay dispersion status in the matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4139–4150, 2004     

Behavior and surface energies of polybenzoxazines formed by polymerization with argon,oxygen, and hydrogen plasmas

Polybenzoxazine (PBZZ) thin films can be fabricated by the plasma‐polymerization technique with, as the energy source, plasmas of argon, oxygen, or hydrogen atoms and ions. When benzoxazine (BZZ) films are polymerized through the use of high‐energy argon atoms, electronegative oxygen atoms, or excited hydrogen atoms, the PBZZ films that form possess different properties and morphologies in their surfaces. High‐energy argon atoms provide a thermodynamic factor to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of BZZ and result in the polymer surface having a grid‐like structure. The ring‐opening polymerization of the BZZ film that is initiated by cationic species such as oxygen atoms in plasma, is propagated around nodule structures to form the PBZZ. The excited hydrogen atom plasma initiates both polymerization and decomposition reactions simultaneously in the BZZ film and results in the formation of a porous structure on the PBZZ surface. We evaluated the surface energies of the PBZZ films polymerized by the action of these three plasmas by measuring the contact angles of diiodomethane and water droplets. The surface roughness of the films range from 0.5 to 26 nm, depending on the type of carrier gas and the plasma‐polymerization time. By estimating changes in thickness, we found that the PBZZ film synthesized by the oxygen plasma‐polymerization process undergoes the slowest rate of etching in CF₄ plasma. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4063–4074, 2004