Highly Effective Proton-Conduction Matrix-Mixed Membrane Derived from an -SO3H Functionalized Polyamide

Developing a low-cost and effective proton-conductive electrolyte to meet the requirements of the large-scale manufacturing of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is of great significance in progressing towards the upcoming “hydrogen economy” society. Herein, utilizing the one-pot acylation polymeric combination of acyl chloride and amine precursors, a polyamide with in-built -SO₃H moieties (PA-PhSO₃H) was facilely synthesized. Characterization shows that it possesses a porous feature and a high stability at the practical operating conditions of PEM fuel cells. Investigations of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA-PhSO₃H displays a proton conductivity of up to 8.85 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO₃H-free analogue, PA-Ph (6.30 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹), under the same conditions. Therefore, matrix-mixed membranes were fabricated by mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios, and the EIS analyses revealed that its proton conductivity can reach up to 4.90 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K and a 98% relative humidity (RH) when the weight ratio of PA-PhSO₃H:PAN is 3:1 (labeled as PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1)), the value of which is even comparable with those of commercial-available electrolytes being used in PEM fuel cells. Additionally, continuous tests showed that PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1) possesses a long-life reusability. This work demonstrates, using the simple acylation reaction with the sulfonated module as precursor, that low-cost and highly effective proton-conductive electrolytes for PEM fuel cells can be facilely achieved.     

离子色谱法测定芳香族聚酰胺纤维中硫、钠、钾、钙、镁

应用离子色谱法(IC)测定芳香族聚酰胺纤维中硫、钠、钾、镁及钙。测定阴离子时,试样置于铂坩埚中用艾斯卡试剂覆盖,置于马弗炉中,450℃灼烧1 h使有机物碳化,取出,稍冷,再加少许艾斯卡试剂,升温至850℃灼烧1．5 h,使有机物完全分解。坩埚中的熔块经冷却后用去离子水浸出,用18 mmol·L-1碳酸钠及17 mmol·L-1碳酸氢钠混合溶液定容后,用IC法的阴离子方式测定。用IC法测定阳离子时,试样置于铂坩埚中,不必加艾斯卡试剂,置于马弗炉直接灼烧至有机物完全分解。残渣用1 mol·L-1硝酸或1 mol·L-1盐酸超声波处理,用去离子水洗涤坩埚并定容至100 mL,按所测得峰面积值从标准曲线查得其含量。用此方法测定SO42-,Na+,K+,Mg2+及 Ca2+的检出限依次为0．02,0．25,0．25,0．70及0．80 mg·L-1。     

A study of texture in PVC gels by infrared dichroism and X-ray diffraction

The main body of the present work is a summary of the extensive account in Ref. 1 to which we have to refer the reader for most of the details. Additional material is being included where explicitly stated.     

Synthesis of a Calix[4]crown‐6 Cone Conformer‐Based Oligomer and its Metal Cation Extraction Abilities

A new calixcrown‐6 oligomer 5 was synthesized by reacting a 1,3‐distal di‐amino derivative of cone p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]crown‐6 with malonyl dichloride. Extraction studies with precursor monomers 2 and 3 and oligomer 5 showed differences in their metal cation extraction behavior and selectivity. Precursors monomers 2 and 3 were selective for Hg²⁺; whereas, oligomer 5 showed high affinity towards both alkali (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺) and heavy metal cations (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺).     

Novel Methods for Obtaining High Modulus Aliphatic Polyamide Fibers

Super high modulus polyethylene fibers can be created by converting high molecular weight flexible PE chains into highly oriented and extended chain conformations. However, unlike polyethylene, aliphatic polyamides have very high cohesive energy and therefore cannot be easily drawn and highly oriented. This review addresses this fundamental problem by analyzing various novel approaches that can be used to suppress hydrogen bonding in these types of polyamides. Plasticization of such polymers with ammonia, iodine, salts, and Lewis acids, as well as dry spinning, wet spinning, and gel spinning, are discussed. Specialized techniques that involve vibrational zone drawing and annealing as well as laser heating zone drawing and annealing are also reviewed. Some of these methods definitely lead to remarkable improvements in initial modulus and other mechanical properties. The development of recombinant spider silk proteins as well progress in spinning these materials is also reported. The advantages and disadvantages of all of these processes are then summarized.     

Towards scalable production of polyamide 12/halloysite nanocomposites via water‐assisted extrusion: mechanical modeling,thermal and fire properties

In this study, polyamide 12 (PA12)/untreated halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) nanocomposites are prepared in a semi‐industrial scale extruder using a non‐traditional “one step” water‐assisted extrusion process. A morphological study is carried out using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses to evaluate the influence of water injection and filler content on the quality of clay dispersion. The use of water injection slightly improves the nanoscale dispersion at low HNTs content (<8 wt.%), while this effect is more pronounced at higher filler loading (16 wt.%). A mechanism explaining the physico‐chemical action of water during extrusion is proposed. The materials are characterized with respect to their mechanical, thermo‐mechanical, thermal and fire properties. A strong correlation is found between nanostructure and physical properties; the more uniform dispersion of the clay nanotubes, the higher mechanical reinforcement, thermal stability and fire retardancy of PA12 nanocomposites. Tensile tests results are interpreted in terms of three mechanical models: the Halpin–Tsai's model for stiffness and the interfacial strength model and the Pukanszky's equation for yield strength. Linear fits of the experimental data confirm that the superior reinforcement of nanocomposites prepared using water injection results from improved clay dispersion and better interfacial adhesion between PA12 and HNTs. In view of these promising results, the proposed direct melt compounding method could be easily scaled‐up towards the production of PA12–HNTs nanocomposites at an industrial scale. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and relaxivity of polyamide paramagnetic metal complexes for magnetic resonance imaging

A new class of paramagnetic macromolecular magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents has been developed. Eight new polyamide ligands were synthesized by copolymerization of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dianhydride or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride and diamine monomers. Their gadolinium(III), manganese(II) and iron(III) complexes were also synthesized. All polyamide ligands and metal complexes were characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectra and elemental analyses. Relaxivity studies showed that the polyamide paramagnetic metal complexes had obviously higher relaxation effectiveness as compared to corresponding simple monomeric paramagnetic metal complexes.     

二[1-甲基-4-(1-甲基-4-硝基吡咯-2-酰胺基)吡咯-2-酰胺基乙基]胺的合成与表征

报道了一种对称平行的多酰胺分子——二[1-甲基-4-(1-甲基-4-硝基吡咯-2-酰胺基)吡咯-2-酰胺基乙基]胺的合成方法, 以期对DNA序列进行新的特异性识别和切割, 从而研制新型有效的工具酶或抗癌药物. 合成方法简便易行、耗时短、不需过柱分离, 每步合成都有较高产率.     

外围由小分子修饰的树枝状聚酰胺的合成及其荧光性能研究

合成了1－5代外围由小分子荧光体修饰的树枝状聚酰胺，通过红外，紫外，核磁等表征了其结构，并对其荧光性能进行了研究，修饰后的固体产物的荧光较修饰前粘稠体产物的荧光强得多，树枝状高分子荧光受组分比，代数，溶液浓度，溶剂等因素的影响，有机硅对树状高分子的端氨基与3，5二羟基苯甲酸按1／1摩尔比反应时，其产物荧光最强，对于端氨基与3，5－二羟基苯甲酸摩尔比为1／1的不同代树枝状聚酰胺而言，2代产物荧光最强。