The effect of nanoparticle shape on polymer‐nanocomposite rheology and tensile strength

Nanoparticles can influence the properties of polymer materials by a variety of mechanisms. With fullerene, carbon nanotube, and clay or graphene sheet nanocomposites in mind, we investigate how particle shape influences the melt shear viscosity η and the tensile strength τ, which we determine via molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations of compact (icosahedral), tube or rod‐like, and sheet‐like model nanoparticles, all at a volume fraction ? ≈ 0.05, indicate an order of magnitude increase in the viscosity η relative to the pure melt. This finding evidently can not be explained by continuum hydrodynamics and we provide evidence that the η increase in our model nanocomposites has its origin in chain bridging between the nanoparticles. We find that this increase is the largest for the rod‐like nanoparticles and least for the sheet‐like nanoparticles. Curiously, the enhancements of η and τ exhibit opposite trends with increasing chain length N and with particle shape anisotropy. Evidently, the concept of bridging chains alone cannot account for the increase in τ and we suggest that the deformability or flexibility of the sheet nanoparticles contributes to nanocomposite strength and toughness by reducing the relative value of the Poisson ratio of the composite. The molecular dynamics simulations in the present work focus on the reference case where the modification of the melt structure associated with glass‐formation and entanglement interactions should not be an issue. Since many applications require good particle dispersion, we also focus on the case where the polymer‐particle interactions favor nanoparticle dispersion. Our simulations point to a substantial contribution of nanoparticle shape to both mechanical and processing properties of polymer nanocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1882–1897, 2007     

Capacity augmentation of a supply chain for a short lifecycle product: A system dynamics framework

For an innovative product characterized by short product lifecycle and high demand uncertainty, investment in capacity buildup has to be done cautiously. Otherwise either the product’s market diffusion is impeded or the manufacturer is left with unutilized capacity. Using the right information for making capacity augmentation decisions is critical in facing this challenge. In this paper, we propose a method for identifying critical information flows using the system dynamics model of a two-echelon supply chain. The fundamental premise of system dynamics methodology is that (system) structure determines (its) behavior. Using loop dominance analysis method we study the feedback loop structure of the supply chain system. The outcome is a set of dominant loops that determine the dynamics of capacity growth. It is revealed that the delivery delay information has little effect while the loop that connects retail sales with production order affects the dynamics significantly. Modifying this loop yields appropriate capacity augmentation decisions resulting in higher performance. What-if analyses bring out effects of modifying other structural elements. In conclusion, we claim that the information feedback based methodology is general enough to be useful in designing decision support systems for capacity augmentation. The limitations of the model are also discussed and possible extensions identified.     

General synchronization dynamics of coupled Van der Pol–Duffing oscillators

This paper considers the general synchronization dynamics of coupled Van der Pol–Duffing oscillators. The linear and nonlinear stability analysis on the synchronization process is derived through the Whittaker method and the Floquet theory in addition to the multiple time scales method. A stability map displaying different dynamical states of the system is performed. Numerical simulation is carried out to support and to complement the accuracy of the analytical treatment.     

A supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded complex between 1,3,5‐tris(diisobutylhydroxysilyl)benzene and trans‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene

The trisilanol 1,3,5‐(HOi‐Bu₂Si)₃C₆H₃ ( 7 ), prepared in three steps from 1,3,5‐tribromobenzene via the intermediates 1,3,5‐(Hi‐Bu₂Si)₃C₆H₃ ( 8 ) and 1,3,5‐(Cli‐Bu₂Si)₃C₆H₃ ( 9 ) forms an equimolar complex with trans‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene (bpe), 7 ·bpe, whose structure was investigated by X‐ray crystallography. The hydrogen‐bonded network features a number of SiO? H(H)Si and SiO? H hydrogen bridges. Evidence was found for cooperative strengthening within the sequential hydrogen bonds. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pseudo-Anosov foliations on periodic surfaces

We study lifts of the stable foliation of a pseudo-Anosov diffeomorphism to abelian covers. Under certain conditions, we show that it is ergodic but not uniquely ergodic and describe the ergodic measures.     

Molecular dynamics of MgSiO3 perovskite melting

The melting curve of MgSiO分子动力学 MgSiO3钙钛矿 熔化温度 高压melting temperature, molecular dynamics, high pressureProject supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 10274055 and 10376021),the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province, China (Grant No 3ZS051-A25-027) and the Scientific Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Gansu Province, China (Grant No 0410-01).2005-01-125/8/2005 12:00:00 AMThe melting curve of MgSiO3 perovskite is simulated using molecular dynamics simulations method at high pressure. It is shown that the simulated equation of state of MgSiO3 perovskite is very successful in reproducing accurately the experimental data. The pressure dependence of the simulated melting temperature of MgSiO3 perovskite reproduces the stability of the orthorhombic perovskite phase up to high pressure of 130GPa at ambient temperature, consistent with the theoretical data of the other calculations. It is shown that its transformation to the cubic phase and melting at high pressure and high temperature are in agreement with recent experiments.     

F+H2→HF+H反应的全量子态分辨的散射动力学研究

利用高灵敏度的氢原子里德堡飞渡时间谱方法研究了 F H_2→HF H 反应碰撞能在5.02kJ/mol 下的交叉分子束反应态态散射动力学.所有在时间飞渡谱中被观测到的谱峰可以归属为 HF 产物的振转态结构.还观测到了明显的 HF(v’=3)前向散射,以及少许的 HF(v’=2)前向散射.     

Controlled structure and density of “living” polystyrene brushes on flat silica surfaces

Thin layers of polystyrene were grown from surface-grafted nitroxide initiators via controlled “living” free radical polymerization. The “reactive” Langmuir-Blodgett deposition method allowed an effective control of the initiator layer density leading to PS brushes with different and high grafting density and stretching. The influence of the grafting density on the layer structure was studied. Comparison with theoretical predictions for monodispersed brushes in bad solvent was discussed. The thickness was found to vary linearly with molecular weight and the density dependence was shown using wetting measurements. Special features of controlled radical nitroxide polymerization from a surface were discussed. A direct comparison of the molecular weight and polydispersity between surface and bulk polymers was made by de-grafting the brushes into a toluene/HF solution. Finally, some evidence of a “surface Fischer” effect was shown from re-initiated layers. Received 20 December 2001     

Two-spin-majority cellular automaton as a model of 2D cluster and interface growth

A new probabilistic cellular automaton model is introduced to simulate cluster and interface growth in two dimensions. The dynamics of this model is an extension to higher dimensions of the compact directed percolation studied by Essam. Numerical results indicate that the two-dimensional cluster coarsening and growth can be described only approximately by the conventional cluster size scaling due to a crossover in the growth mode. The spreading of the initially flat interface follows a purely diffusional,t ^1/2, law.     

不同方法制备的CO2-3替换磷灰石固溶体晶体化学的FTIR研究

采用不同方法制备了CO2-3替换的磷灰石固溶体,利用FTIR结合XRD对其进行了晶体化学研究,结果表明均相沉淀法制备的碳羟磷灰石(CHAP)属B型替换且替换方式是[CO3·OH]四面体替换[PO4]四面体;固相离子交换法制备的CHAP属A型替换且替换方式是[CO3]三角形配位体替换通道位置的OH-;固相反应法制备的碳氟磷灰石(CFAP)属B型替换,其替换方式是[CO3·F]四面体替换[PO4]四面体;sol-gel法制备的CHAP属AB混合型替换,其Ψ3分裂为Ψ3-1,Ψ3F,Ψ3-4.高斯函数法拟合表明Ψ3F峰是A型替换的Ψ3-2与B型替换的Ψ3-3的叠合.当WCO2-3＜3.34%时,随CO2-3含量增加,A型替换量增大,且当WCO2-3=3.34%时达最大值,当3.34%＜WCO2-3＜7.52%时,随CO2-3含量增加,B型替换量增大,且当WCO2-3= 7.52%时亦到饱和.