Promotion of crystal growth rate in aqueous solution by direct contact with gas corona discharge

A new technique to promote crystal growth in aqueous solution using gas plasma is proposed. In this method, short‐lived radical species produced in solution which is contacted with gas corona discharge play a role to increase chemical potential of inorganic solute. In an experimental examination, single crystal of KDP was grown in a supersaturated solution which receives oxygen ions and radicals from adjacent corona discharge in air. KDP crystal has two unique growth faces (100) and (101), and the growth rates of both faces were increased considerably by generating the corona discharge. The both growth rates with and without corona discharge were well converged by one function based on chemical potential supersaturation. This result revealed that the solution in contact with gas corona discharge has a larger capacity of chemical potential than that without the discharge. Short‐lived species induced by gas corona discharge are considered to be anti‐solvents to cause this effect. The crystal growth process proposed here is considered to be an excellent method in terms of low impurity inclusion because such short‐lived species do not remain in the final crystal products and solution. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Distribution of metallic ions in a single KDP crystal grown from aqueous solution

A single KDP (potassium dihydrogen phosphate) crystal was grown in a supersaturated solution containing a metallic ion (Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, or Cr³⁺). The growth rate, morphology, and distribution of the metallic ions into the KDP crystal were measured as the ionic concentration and supersaturation in the solution changed. It was found that in the KDP crystal, Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ were greatly concentrated, but Cr³⁺ was diluted. Complete expressions for the effect of metallic ions on all aspects of the growth of KDP crystal were suggested. The growth rates of (100) and (101) faces were well correlated by the empirical equation and resulted in good estimation of morphology. The distribution of metallic ions into KDP crystal was also correlated by the distribution model. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources. II. Synthesis and biodegradability of polyesters containing furan rings

A series of polyesters were synthesized by the bulk polycondensations of the respective combinations of two difuranic diesters, i.e., bis(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-furyl)methane ( 4a ) and 1,1-bis(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-furyl)ethane ( 4b ), with two 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydrohexitols [1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D -glucitol ( 1 ) and 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D -mannitol ( 2 )], four aliphatic diols, and three oligo(ethylene glycol)s. The polycondensations were carried out at 220–230°C in the presence of titanium isopropoxide as a catalyst, giving polyesters having number average molecular weight up to 2.4 × 10⁴. These polyesters are soluble in a variety of solvents including chlorinated hydrocarbons, 1,4-dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and sulfolane. Soil-burial tests along with enzymatic degradation experiments showed that these polyesters are potentially biodegradable. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2729–2737, 1997     

Polymorphism of phenylpyruvic acid studied by IR, Raman and solid state C NMR spectroscopy

Polymorphs I and II of phenylpyruvic acid are obtained as mixtures of both crystal forms or relatively pure crystals, from different solvents. Polymorph I is more stable than polymorph II at room temperature. Spectral characteristics of these polymorphs are discussed on the basis of IR, Raman and solid state ¹³C NMR spectra. Also, the assignment of the IR features observed in the 1600–1700 cm⁻¹ region is re-investigated by referring to the spectra of heavy-atom substituted derivatives. It is suggested that the C=O stretching band is split by the crystal field for both polymorphs.     

Novel synthesis of polymeric phase transfer catalysts containing N,N-dialkylacrylamide unit and their catalytic activity

Soluble polymeric phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) containing benzyltributylphosphonium chloride moieties and polar N,N-dialkyl-acrylamide with long alkyl groups such as N,N-dipropylacrylamide, N,N-dibutylacrylamide, N,N-dihexylacrylamide, and N,N-dioctylacrylamide were prepared via two-step reactions from p-chloromethylstyrene and the corresponding N,N-dialkylacrylamide. When the obtained polymers were added, the phase transfer catalyzed reaction of benzylchloride with solid potassium acetate to proceed smoothly. The catalytic activity was strongly affected by the content of phosphonium chloride and the varieties of comonomer unit in the polymeric PTC. The polymeric PTC containing the N,N-dihexylacrylamide unit showed excellent high catalytic activity in a low polar solvent such as the mixed solvent of toluene with 70 vol % n-tridecane. Therefore, the polymer containing lipophilic long chains such as the hexyl group is desirable for polymeric PTC. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Orientation-dependent interactions in polymer systems: Segmental orientation,miscibility, and self-organization

Three co-operative phenomena that are supposed to originate in the orientation-dependent interactions among polymer segments are discussed and attempted to be interpreted in terms of a common set of polymer models.     

Synergy of organic dyes for KDP crystal growth

Single potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals were grown in a supersaturated solution containing an organic dye (sunset yellow FCF, brilliant blue FCF, and sky blue). The growth rate, morphology, and impurity dye distribution of faces, (100) and (101) in a KDP crystal were measured as dye concentration and the supersatutation of KDP were changed. Complete expressions for the effect of dye on all aspects of the growth of KDP crystals were discussed. The growth rates of (100) and (101) faces were well correlated by the empirical equation, and resulted in good estimation of the morphology. The distribution of dye in a KDP crystal was represented by the distribution model containing the minimum growth rate for coloring. The growth rate equation and distribution equation were expressed by functions of the supersaturation and dye concentration, and they could effectively provide the operational conditions with coloring the KDP crystal. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Evolution of dislocation patterns in a tricrystal model subjected to cyclic loading

When a polycrystalline aggregate is deformed beyond the elastic range, dislocations pile up at grain boundaries and make some patterned structures within the grains. If the external load is reversed, most dislocations at grain boundaries and in the patterned structure are supposed to disappear or change their arrangements, but the details are not yet well known. In this study, we examined such changes in dislocation structures by a crystal plasticity analysis. Models for the polycrystalline aggregates consist of three grains and the generation and degeneration of the geometrically necessary dislocations during cyclic loading are examined in detail. The results show that there are some groups of dislocations that do not dissipate but evolve upon reverse loading.