Silver nanoparticles formed in bio- and chemical syntheses with biosurfactant as the stabilizing agent

In this work, the comparison of the physical properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained via the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in biological and chemical (model) syntheses supplemented with the biosurfactant surfactin is described. In the studies, two strains of Bacillus subtilis (denoted T’1 and I’1a) were used. The biological synthesis of AgNPs was performed using supernatants obtained from cultures of bacteria growing on brewery effluents, molasses, and Luria–Bretani (LB) medium. In model experiments, ascorbic acid served as the reductant; surfactin acted as the stabilizing agent. The surfactin concentrations were adjusted to 5 and 30?mg/L, which corresponded to minimum and maximum surfactin concentrations as measured in the supernatants obtained from the B. subtilis cultures. The chemical synthesis was carried out at acidic as well as alkaline pH. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that in model and biological samples, single AgNPs were accompanied by aggregated structures. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the contribution of the aggregates in bacterial supernatants and in chemical synthesis is negligible under acidic conditions. However, in the alkaline environment, this contribution predominates. In the model experiments, smaller nanoparticles were formed with higher concentrations of surfactant. The presence of surfactin significantly increased the stability of AgNPs in both bio- and chemical syntheses.     

Waterborne crackle decorative coatings and crack patterns

A preparation method of waterborne crackle decorative coatings was reported in this paper and the factors that influence crack patterns were investigated. The crackle coating consisted of a waterborne basecoat and a waterborne topcoat. The basecoat was made from two-component epoxy emulsion and the topcoat was made from fluorine-containing acrylic emulsion, silicone-acrylic emulsion or styrene-acrylic emulsion. Three junction types of crack patterns were prepared by the three top coatings, which were T-junction, Y-junction and mixed junction. T-junction type with long and straight cracks was prepared from styrene-acrylic emulsion 296DS. Y-junction type with curve and short cracks was prepared from fluorine-containing acrylic emulsion A603C and mixed junctions type was made from silicone-acrylic emulsion. Crack patterns with different spacing were prepared by controlling the thickness of topcoat, dryness of basecoat or conditions of film forming. The characterize methods of type and spacing for crack pattern were developed and properties of coating film including adhesion, water resistance, scrub resistance and so on were tested. The results showed that the crackle coatings possessed satisfactory properties for practical application.     

Thermodynamic properties and rheology of sterically stabilized colloidal dispersions

A procedure for predicting thermodynamic, dynamic, and rheological properties of polymerically stabilized colloidal dispersions in good solvents by mapping onto an effective hard sphere dispersion is investigated and evaluated for its range of applicability. Configurational pressures and energies, calculted by Monte Carlo simulations, are used to assess the model's accuracy for predicting thermodynamic data. Similarly, long-time self-diffusivities, calculated by equilibrium Brownian Dynamic simulations, are used to assess the model's feasibility for predicting dynamic properties. Finally, zero shear viscosities are calculated by the method of hydrodynamic preaveraging and compared to rheological measurements. The various testing methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure and suggest the model's range of applicability. Received: 13 March 2000 Accepted: 28 June 2000     

“Click” generation of a conjugated polymer library for SWNT dispersion

Noncovalent functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with conjugated polymers enhances SWNT processability and allows for selective dispersion of various SWNT species. Selective dispersions can be obtained by tuning the nature of the polymer, which can involve using various polymer backbones or side‐chains. However, a clear understanding of selectivity determinants is elusive, as the degree of polymerization (DP) has a large effect on SWNT selectivity. Additionally, preparing libraries of conjugated polymers with varying functionality while keeping DP consistent is difficult. Here, we report the utilization of a strained cyclooctyne‐containing conjugated polymer that serves as a versatile scaffold, enabling systematic preparation of a small library of conjugated polymers with different side‐chain functionality, while maintaining a consistent DP. The resulting polymers were used as dispersants for SWNTs, forming supramolecular polymer‐SWNT complexes that were characterized by UV‐Vis‐NIR absorption and Raman spectroscopy. In the series of polymers, we were able to probe the effect of small changes within the side chains, such as the incorporation of a carbonyl group or an aromatic unit, on the quality of the polymer‐SWNT dispersion. The results of these studies provide new insight into the factors that dictate the ability of a polymer to form strong interactions with SWNTs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2053–2058     

Nanopowder Characterization: Challenges and Future Directions

This article summarizes the conclusions of a workshop organized at the National Institute of Standards and nobreak Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, October 4–5, 2001. The workshop was focused on the strengths and limitations of the techniques currently used for creating stable dispersions of nanoparticles and measuring the size distribution of powders in the nanosize range. Several emerging and alternative techniques with potential for use in particle size measurement in the nanometer range were advanced. Future needs for procedural and instrumental techniques and standards were identified.     

Airbrush Formation of Liquid Crystal/Polymer Fibers

A homogeneous solution of a low‐molecular‐weight liquid crystal and a polymer spontaneously phase separates during airbrushing to form uniform fibers with a fluid liquid‐crystal core surrounded by a solid polymer sheath. This structure forms because it effectively minimizes the interfacial energy of the phase‐separated components while minimizing the elastic energy of the liquid‐crystal core. These fibers incorporate the sensitive stimuli response of liquid crystals while maintaining the structural integrity, flexibility, and large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios inherent in fibers. We demonstrate the electro‐ and thermo‐optical response of the resulting fibers. They may find use as biological and chemical sensors. The resulting fibers have the potential to shape the future of flexible/wearable electronics and sensors.     

Monodisperse polystyrene microspheres prepared by dispersion polymerization with microwave irradiation

Monodisperse polystyrene microspheres with diameters of 200–500 nm were prepared by dispersion polymerization with microwave irradiation with poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) as a steric stabilizer and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as a radical initiator in an ethanol/water medium. The morphology, size, and size distribution of the polystyrene microspheres were characterized with transmission electron microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy, and the formed films of the polystyrene dispersions were characterized with atomic force microscopy. The effects of the monomer concentration, stabilizer concentration, and initiator concentration on the size and size distribution of the polystyrene microspheres were investigated. The polystyrene microspheres prepared by dispersion polymerization with microwave irradiation were smaller, more uniform, and steadier than those obtained with conventional heating. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2368‐2376, 2005     

A general Mobius inversion transform formula for hcp lattices and its application

In this paper,we present a general Mobius inversion transform formula for hcp lattices.This formula can be applied to hcp lattices with a non-ideal c/a value and to obtain the pair potential between atoms in these lattices from the cohesive energy.Also,the three-body interaction among atoms in the lattices can be taken into account in the method.This method gives a useful means to obtain interatomic interactions in the interatomic force model.The method has been applied to zinc,and the pair potential obtained is used to calculate the phonon dispersion relations for some high-symmetry directions.It is found that,by properly considering a three-body interaction,one can acquire satisfactory results.     

Organic solvent dispersion of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) with the use of polymeric ionic liquid

A nonaqueous dispersion of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was prepared with the use of polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) as a polymerization template and phase transfer medium. A detailed investigation was performed to understand the role of PIL in the course of polymerization and phase transfer reaction. On the basis of our findings from X‐ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS), we propose a mechanism by which the PIL leads to the nanostructured PEDOT colloids in various organic solvents and thus facilitating smoother surface morphologies of the PEDOT‐PIL films. In addition, the enhancement of charge transport was observed for PEDOT‐PIL complex when compared with PEDOT without PIL. Raman spectroscopy indicates that there is a reduced interaction between the charge carriers on the PEDOT and the counter ions bound to PIL, thus promoting charge carrier hopping rates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6872–6879, 2008