The chemical synthesis of conductive polyaniline doped with dicarboxylic acids

The chemical polymerization of aniline was carried out in media containing different linear dicarboxylic acids with the use of oxidants such as K₂Cr₂O₇, KMnO₄, K₂S₂O₈, KIO₃ and FeCl₃. The highest yield and the conductivity were observed with K₂Cr₂O₇. The yield and the conductivity of the polyaniline (PAn) synthesized were observed to decrease in the order of oxalic acid > malonic acid > succinic acid > glutaric acid > adipic acid > phthalic acid. The solubility tests carried out in solvents such as DMF, DMSO and NMP showed that the larger the dopant molecule, the higher is the solubility of polyaniline. The PAn synthesized was characterized by measurements of conductivity, intrinsic viscosity, density and FTIR, UV-VIS and TGA techniques.     

(ClAlNH)n簇合物的结构与稳定性

用量子化学从头算方法（HF／6－31G）和密度泛函理论（DFT）的B3LYP方法，以6－31G标准基组加一个极化函数，对（ClAlNH)n(n=1-10)簇合物的几何构型，电子结构和红外光谱进行了优化，并讨论了聚合反应（ClAlNH)m→(ClAlNH)n的热力学效应，结果表明，（ClAlNH)n系列簇合物的基态稳定结构为Cs(n=1),D2h(n=2),D3h(n=3),Td(n=4),Cs(n=5),D3d(n=6),Cs(n=7),S4(n=8),D3h(n=9),C2h(n=10,n=2,4,6,8,10等偶数对应的（ClAlNH)n簇化合物的结构比n等于奇数量更稳定。     

涤纶织物热定型后动态力学行为

利用Rhcovibron DDV-II-EA型动态粘弹谱仪测试了PET平纹布在不同温度热定型后的布样及其经、纬纱的动态力学性质。发现布及其纱的动态力学-温度谱与原纤维的截然不同。在[Ε]-T 曲线上出现[Ε]峰,[Ε]_max值随织物热定型温度的增高呈指数下降,峰位向高温移动。同时在Ε’’-T曲线上出现双损耗模量峰,相应的松弛转变活化能相差半个数量级。初步分析认为,与织布过程及随后的织物热定型有关。     

Acetylation and molecular mass effects on barrier and mechanical properties of shortfin squid chitosan membranes

Chitosan samples with different N-deacetylation levels were obtained from β-chitin under heterogeneous alkali conditions. Oxidative depolymerisation was performed to attain low-acetylated chitosan samples with different molecular mass. Water vapour permeability, membrane swelling and tensile mechanical properties were analysed in plasticized self-supporting chitosan membranes. The main purpose was to describe unambigously the effect of the biopolymer molecular mass and acetylation degree on these properties. Commercially available chitosan samples derived from α-chitin were also studied for comparison. The equilibrium degree of swelling in water and the water vapour permeability increase by increasing the molecular mass or the degree of acetylation. Regarding the effect on the mechanical properties, generally harder and tougher membranes were obtained for chitosans with higher molecular mass or lower acetylation degree. These observations are tentatively explained based on the different structural characteristics of the polymer and can lead to a better understanding of the tools necessary to tailor a specific type of chitosan membrane.     

Concerning the Thermal Diastereomerization of the Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore

Summary. Two model compounds for the green fluorescent protein chromophore were prepared. One of them incorporates the natural 4-hydroxybenzylidene group of the natural tyrosin derived chromophore, the other one bears a methyl group instead of the hydroxy group. Whereas the photochemically prepared (E)-diastereomer of the first compound very effectively reverted thermally (room temperature) to the thermodynamically stable (Z)-diastereomer, the (E)-diastereomer of the second derivative proved to be stable even at elevated temperatures for more than a day. This finding can be rationalized by constructing the appropriate resonance structures showing that only in the first case an effective delocalization enables partial single bond character of the benzylidene double bond. From the standpoint of chemical etiology, only Nature’s choice of the tyrosin derived chromophore of the green fluorescent protein provides an efficient radiationless thermal relaxation channel for the unwanted photo-diastereomerization product formed after excitation besides the dominating fluorescence channel of its chromophore.     

The combined effect of photodegradation and stress cracking in polystyrene

This work aims to analyze the effects of photodegradation on the stress cracking resistance of polystyrene. Injection moulded samples were exposed to the ultraviolet light for various times in the laboratory prior to solvent contact. The bars were then stressed in a tensile testing machine under the presence of butanol. During this period the stress relaxation was monitored and the ultimate properties were evaluated after selected periods of stress cracking. Complementary tests were done by size exclusion chromatography and by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that butanol causes significant modification in polystyrene, with extensive surface crazing as well as reduction in mechanical properties. This is intensified under higher mechanical stress. The previous degraded samples showed a higher level of stress relaxation and a greater loss in tensile strength in comparison to the undegraded ones. The synergist action of photodegradation and stress cracking in polystyrene may be a consequence of the chemical changes caused by oxidation like the formation of polar chemical groups and the reduction in molecular weight.     

Molecular potential-energy surfaces for chemical reaction dynamics

This paper reviews the construction of molecular potential-energy surfaces by an interpolation method which has been developed over the last several years. The method uses ab initio quantum chemistry calculations of the molecular electronic energy in an automated procedure to construct global potential- energy surfaces which can be used to simulate chemical reactions with either classical or quantum dynamics. The methodology is explained and several applications are presented to illustrate the approach. Received: 22 February 2002 / Accepted: 2 May 2002 / Published online: 6 November 2002 Correspondence to: M. A. Collins e-mail: collins@rsc.anu.edu.au Acknowledgements. The methods described in this overview are the result of collaborations with former members of my group, in particular with Josef Ischtwan, Meredith Jordon, Keiran Thompson and Ryan Bettens. I am also indebted for inspiration gained from many discussions with my colleagues Leo Radom and Donghui Zhang (National University of Singapore). This work has been supported by the Supercomputer Facility of the Australian National University and the Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing.     

A thorough study of the surface wax of apple fruits

The composition of the surface waxes of three apple ( Malus domestica L.) cultivars ("Florina", "Golden B" and "Ozark Gold") has been studied by means of spectroscopic and GC–MS analysis of the class-fractionated mixture of components. Odd n -alkanes, mainly C₂₇ and C₂₉ molecules, are prevalent in the saturated fraction. Small concentrations of alkenes were also found; the C_28:1 component is strongly (72%) in excess over the other 1-alkenes. Straight-chain esters (mainly of palmitic acid) of saturated primary alcohols (C₁₈–C₃₀) were also detected; whereas the acyl moiety is made up essentially of an even number of carbons, the alcohol counterpart does not exhibit this characteristic. Aldehydes are present (C₂₀–C₃₀) with the homologue patterns C₂₆–C₃₀ most strongly represented. Straight-chain free secondary alcohols characterize the waxes of "Florina" and "Ozark Gold"; the hydroxy function is located far from the extremity of the carbon framework. Outstanding is the presence of three alcohols with 29 carbon centres. These alcohols are accompanied by free straight-chain primary alcohols, mainly with even-numbered carbon chains in the range C₂₆–C₃₀. Free fatty acids are present; all of have a framework of even-numbered carbon chains mainly in the range C₁₆–C₂₀. C_18:1 (oleic acid) is well represented.     

Effects of coupling agents on mechanical and morphological behavior of the PP/HDPE blend with two different CaCO3

The main purpose of incorporating fillers, such as calcium carbonate, into blends of polyolefins is to decrease costs and change tensile and impact properties. Structural differences between both components give rise to the formation of large filler agglomerates in the polymer matrix, which influence the mechanical response of the material. Therefore, the coupling agents of the Lica 12 type at various concentrations was used to facilitate the link between filler and matrix (the latter consisting of PP/HDPE 80/20 wt). Filler was added to the PP/HDPE blend at a 30 wt.% concentration. Two types of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were used. These have different average sizes (3.0 and 1.8 μm) which were determined by means of laser diffraction techniques. In addition other coupling agents of the titanate type, such as Lica 09, Lica 01, zirconates ZN 12, and a 1:1 mixture of Lica 12 and Lica 01, were used. This study clearly demonstrated that the addition of the coupling agent to CaCO₃ modifies the mechanical properties of the PP/HDPE/CaCO₃ composites. Values of the mechanical properties indicate that due to its characteristics, each coupling agent gives rise to increases in a particular mechanical property. In the case of Lica 01 an increase was verified in Young’s modulus at 0.7 wt.% and in elongation at break at both concentrations (0.3 and 0.7 wt.%), whereas ZN 12 brought about an increase in elongation at break. The 1:1 mixture of Lica 12 and Lica 01 caused impact resistance of the blend of PP/HDPE with CaCO₃ to increase considerably.     

2D metal slabs in new nickel-tin chalcogenides Ni7−δSnQ2 (QSe, Te): average crystal and electronic structures, chemical bonding and physical properties

A systematic search for mixed low-valence, nickel-tin chalcogenides performed by establishing phase relations in the parts of Ni-Sn-Se and Ni-Sn-Te ternary systems resulted in the discovery of two new compounds, Ni_5.62SnSe₂ and Ni_5.78SnTe₂. Single crystals of both compounds were prepared by chemical transport with iodine and crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray investigation. The ED patterns for Ni_5.78SnTe₂ showed the presence of satellite reflections, which indicate a modulated structure with q≈0.4a^*. Average crystal structures of both compounds were determined to be of tetragonal symmetry (Sp.gr. I4/mmm, Z=2) with a=3.6890(8) Å, c=18.648(3) Å, R_w=0.0716 and a=3.7680(5) Å, c=19.419(4) Å, R_w=0.0832, correspondingly, and are isostructural to known Ni_5.72SbSe₂ and Ni_5.66SbTe₂. Measurements were carried out for both compounds with respect to thermal, electrical and magnetic properties. Ab initio band structure calculations were also performed to take a first glance into the electronic structure of such type compounds. The anisotropy of their band structure was found. Physical property measurements showed both compounds to be the anisotropic metallic conductors and paramagnetics. Calculated difference charge density maps revealed pairwise covalent and multicenter metallic nature of the d-metal—chalcogen and d-metal—p-metal interactions, respectively.