Optical properties of polymer films for transparent insulation

Commercially available, highly transparent polymer films for transparent insulation applications were investigated systematically as to their relevant optical properties in the solar and infrared wavelength range. The photometric characterisation in the solar range and the calculation of non-spectral, solar optical film properties using models for scattering-absorbing media have shown, that the solar extinction is dominated by scattering occuring mainly at the surface. For various amorphous and semi-crystalline films the root-mean-square surface roughness correlated well with the solar optical thickness. Regarding high infrared absorptance in the wavelength range of about 10 μm the carbon-oxygen single bond is highly effective for commercial materials with maximum service temperatures of about 100°C. For 50 μm thick films of different polymer types with carbon-oxygen single bonds in the molecular structure a good correlation between the concentration of the functional corbon-oxygen group and the nonspectral, infrared optical thickness was found.     

Nanometer scale characterization of polymer films by atomic-force microscopy

Atomic-force microscopy was applied to perform a comprehensive surface roughness characterization of commercially available, highly transparent polymer films for transparent insulation applications. The morphological characterization included evaluation of the root-mean-square roughness, the lateral correlation length of roughness as well as the roughness exponent. In addition, high-resolution scans have been recorded yielding morphological information on a length scale of only a few ten nm. These measurements revealed the correlation between surface nanostructure and fabrication technique. For an impact-modified polymethylmethacrylate film with rubber inclusions phase images clearly uncovered the core-shell structure of these inclusions.     

ChemInform Abstract: ScFe5P3, ScRu6P4, U2Mo30P19, and Other Ternary Phosphides with a Metal to Phosphorus Ratio Close to 2:1.

The new ternary phosphides ScFe₅P₃ (I), Sc(Ta_0.18Fe_0.82)Fe₄P₃ (II), ZrFe₅P₃ (III), ScRu₆P₄ (IV), ErRu₆P₄ (V), ZrCr₆P₄ (VI), Nd₂Ru₁₂P₇ (VII), and U₂Mo₃₀P₁₉ (VIII) are prepared from mixtures of the elements in most cases with elemental Sn as a flux (alumina crucibles, 650—950 °C, 7—10 d).     

ChemInform Abstract: Van Hove Function for Diffusion in Zeolites.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Radiation curable materials – principles and new perspectives

Increasing environmental concerns and the ensuing legislation to cut emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been major driving forces behind the development of radiation cured coatings over the past 25 years. Today radiation cured coatings are known for their good overall performance and their excellent resistance against chemical and physical surface damages. Advanced photoinitiator systems allow the light stabilisation of UV‐curable formulations and the outdoor application of the coating. The rapid curing, combined with the possibility of immediate processing of the coated objects opens the way for radiation curing – in 100%‐, water based‐, and dual cure systems as well as for radiation curable powder coatings – for a wide variety of application.