Polyurea-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes: synthesis, morphology, and Raman spectroscopy

An in situ polycondensation approach was applied to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), resulting in various linear or hyperbranched polycondensed polymers [e.g., polyureas, polyurethanes, and poly(urea-urethane)-bonded carbon nanotubes]. The quantity of the grafted polymer can be easily controlled by the feed ratio of monomers. As a typical example, the polyurea-functionalized MWNTs were measured and characterized in detail. The oxidized MWNTs (MWNT-COOH) were converted into acyl chloride-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-COCl) by reaction with neat thionyl chloride (SOCl2). MWNT-COCl was reacted with excess 1,6-diaminohexane, affording amino-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-NH2). In the presence of MWNT-NH2, the polyurea was covalently coated onto the surfaces of the nanotube by in situ polycondensation of diisocyanate [e.g., 4,4'-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate)] and 1,6-diaminohexane, followed by the removal of free polymer via repeated filtering and solvent washing. The coated polyurea content can be controlled to some extent by adjusting the feed ratio of the isocyanato and amino groups. The structure and morphology of the resulting nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, NMR, Raman, confocal Raman, TEM, EDS, and SEM measurements. The polyurea-coated MWNTs showed interesting self-assembled flat- or flowerlike morphologies in the solid state. The signals corresponding to that of the D and G bands of the carbon nanotubes were strongly attenuated after polyurea was chemically tethered to the MWNT surfaces. Comparative experiments showed that the grafted polymer species and structures have a strong effect on the Raman signals of polymer-functionalized MWNTs.     

Expanding the Hierarchy of Metal-Oxide Building Blocks from Fragments via Clusters to Networks: A ∞2 [({Mo17(NO)2}3{MoV2}3{FeIII}6)(FeII1.5)]-Type Layer Compound

A planar network consisting of {Mo₁₇(NO)₂}₃{Mo^V ₂}₃{Fe₆^III} cluster entities that are interlinked to layers via {Fe^II(H₂O)₄}²⁺ groups is formed stepwise from building units. The corresponding mixed-valence compound exhibits a variety of different formal oxidation states: {MoNO}³⁺, Mo^V, Mo^VI, Fe^II, and Fe^III. This compound also represents an extension of building-block hierarchy from the molecular level to extended networks.     

Ozonolysis of vinyl compounds,CH2=CH-X,in aqueous solution--the chemistries of the ensuing formyl compounds and hydroperoxides

Reactions of ozone with some vinyl compounds of the general structure CH2=CH-X were studied in aqueous solution. Rate constants (in brackets, unit: dm3 mol-1 s-1) were determined: acrylonitrile (670), vinyl acetate (1.6 x 10(5)), vinylsulfonic acid (anion, 8.3 x 10(3)), vinyl phenylsulfonate (ca. 200), vinyl diethylphosphonate (3.3 x 10(3)), vinylphosphonic acid (acid, 1 x 10(4); mono-anion, 2.7 x 10(4); di-anion, 1 x 10(5)), vinyl bromide (1 x 10(4)). The main pathway leads to the formation of HOOCH2OH and HC(O)X. As measured by stopped flow with conductometric detection, the latter one may undergo rapid hydrolysis by water, e.g. HC(O)CN (3 s-1). Other HC(O)X hydrolyse much slower, e.g. HC(O)PO3(Et)2 (7 x 10(-3) s-1) and HC(O)P(OH)O2- (too slow to be measured). The OH(-)-induced hydrolyses range from ca. 5 dm3 mol-1 s-1 [HC(O)PO(3)2-] to 3.8 x 10(5) dm3 mol-1 s-1 [HC(O)CN]. HC(O)Br mainly decomposes rapidly (too fast for the determination of the rate) into CO and Br- plus H+, and the competing hydrolysis is of minor importance (3.7%). The slow hydrolysis of HC(O)PO(3)2- at pH 10.2, where HOOCH2OH is rapidly decomposed into CH2O plus H2O2, allows an H2O2-induced decomposition (k = 260 dm3 mol-1 s-1) to take place. Formate and phosphate are the final products.