Radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and reducing agent monomer for branched polymers

In this article, we report the radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and commercially available or designed reducing agent monomer (RAM) for the preparation of branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMAs). The reaction behavior of the RAM was studied by NMR. Triple‐detection SEC (TD‐SEC) analysis was used to confirm the branching structure of the prepared PMMAs and to investigate the influence of peroxide concentration and RAM concentration on molecular weight and branched structure. The obtained branched PMMAs exhibited high molecular weights and relatively narrow polydispersities at high conversion of MMA. Interestingly, a significant increase in molecular weight and degree of branching of the obtained polymers are observed in higher BPO concentration, these results are quite different from that reported in the literature. The unique radical polymerization mechanism in the RAM/BPO redox‐initiated radical polymerization system resulted in branched PMMAs with high molecular weights at relatively high RAM and BPO concentrations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 833–840     

Detectability conditions for output-only subspace identification

ABSTRACT

The scope of output-only/blind identification is restricted to stochastic/statistical processes, but for the first time in this study, the detectability conditions for general output-only subspace identification are investigated. This aids the range of input sources to be extended in a much realistic manner, beyond the only stochastic inputs. For this purpose, the subspace framework is assigned to make a connection between the output signal contents and the LTI system order. A few substantial hypotheses and algebraic statements are propounded affirming the sufficiency of the genuine output sequences for the identification purpose. This can be perceived as the cornerstone of state-space model reconstruction. In order to consolidate the notions according to reality, several examples are studied and examined for different input classes with stochastic disturbance.     

High efficiency of Mn–Ce‐modified TiO2 catalysts for the low‐temperature oxidation of Hg0 under a reducing atmosphere

Manganese‐ and cerium oxide‐modified titania catalysts were prepared by the deposition precipitation for the removal of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) from simulated yellow phosphorus off‐gas at low temperature. In addition, these catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field‐emission scanning electron microscope to determine the surface morphology of the obtained compounds and explore their formation mechanism. The results revealed that a Mn–Ce loading and reaction temperature of 10% and 150 °C, respectively, as well as a Mn/Ce molar ratio of 2:1, led to an optimal efficiency for the oxidation of elemental mercury. Furthermore, the effects of flue gas components were investigated. The presence of O₂ clearly promoted the oxidation of Hg⁰. A CO atmosphere did not affect the Hg⁰ oxidation, when compared with N₂, whereas the presence of H₂S and water vapor inhibited the oxidation process. Furthermore, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of Hg 4f revealed that the elemental mercury adsorbed by the catalyst is present as HgO. Finally, the Hg⁰ catalytic oxidation mechanism was discussed on the basis of the experimental results and characterization analysis.     

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities—Surface Active Properties Relation of Novel Dischiff Base Cationic Gemini Amphiphiles Bearing Homogeneous Hydrophobes

A novel series of cationic Gemini amphiphiles containing Dischiff base species were synthesized and their chemical structures were determined using different analytical tools. Their surface properties were determined using surface tension measurements. The adsorption and micellization thermodynamic parameters were calculated using Gibb's equations at 25°C. The surface parameters were also determined including critical micelle concentration, effectiveness, efficiency, maximum surface excess, minimum surface area, interfacial tension, and emulsification power. The synthesized cationic Gemini surfactants were evaluated as bactericides for gram negative and gram positive bacteria and also against sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB). The results of the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds against the targeted bacterial strains were promising and completely dependent on the surface activity of these compounds.     

A new subspace iteration method for the algebraic Riccati equation

We consider the numerical solution of the continuous algebraic Riccati equation A*X + XA ? XFX + G = 0, with F = F*,G = G* of low rank and A large and sparse. We develop an algorithm for the low‐rank approximation of X by means of an invariant subspace iteration on a function of the associated Hamiltonian matrix. We show that the sought‐after approximation can be obtained by a low‐rank update, in the style of the well known Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) iteration for the linear equation, from which the new method inherits many algebraic properties. Moreover, we establish new insightful matrix relations with emerging projection‐type methods, which will help increase our understanding of this latter class of solution strategies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reducing Agents for Improving the Stability of Sn‐based Perovskite Solar Cells

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have aroused tremendous research interest for their high efficiency, low cost and solution processability. However, the involvement of toxic lead in state‐of‐art perovskites hinders their market prospects. As an alternative, Sn‐based perovskites exhibit similar semiconductor characteristics and can potentially achieve comparable photovoltaic performance in comparison with their lead‐based counterparts. The main challenge of developing Sn‐based PCSs lies in the intrinsic poor stability of Sn²⁺, which could be oxidized and converted to Sn⁴⁺. Notably, introduction of SnX₂ (X=Cl, Br, I) additive becomes indispensable in the fabrication process, which highlights the importance of incorporating a reducing agent to improve the device stability. Additionally, efforts are made to utilize other reducing agents with different functions for the further enhancement of device performance. Currently, Sn‐based PSCs could attain a record efficiency over 10% with great stability. In this review, we present the recent progress on reducing agents for improving the stability of Sn‐based PSCs, and we hope to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of this research field.     

根据表面反射特性进行目标探测的波段选择

计算和分析了表面反射特性对选择波段进行目标探测的影响.通过引入正交子空间投影方法,将背景信号从接收到的混合光谱中消除,从而达到压缩背景信号的目的.并在此基础上运用匹配跟踪算法自动地进行优化波段的选择,达到选择最佳波段的目的,从而进行目标探测.在大气外实际目标的探测中,得到了进行大气外目标探测的波段选择与目标表面反射特性的关系.     

关于子空间的和的推广的注记

对向量空间的子空间的和的概念不能推广到无限多个子空间的情形进行了讨论.     

磁性Co/TiB2室温高效催化氨硼烷产氢及串联降解有机污染物

通过熔盐法制备TiB₂载体,并采用简单的沉淀-沉积法制备了Co/TiB₂磁性可回收纳米催化剂,用于室温催化氨硼烷（NH₃BH₃）溶液产氢及串联降解对硝基苯酚（4-NP）及偶氮染料酸性橙7（AO7）、酸性红1（AR1）和甲基橙（MO）等有机污染物。采用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱、振动样品磁强计等表征方法对催化剂的微观形貌和结构等进行分析。结果表明,Co纳米粒子均匀地分布在TiB₂载体表面,晶粒尺寸约为40 nm,并且被TiB₂载体包覆,具有典型的金属-载体强相互作用。Co/TiB₂表现出优异的室温催化NH₃BH₃溶液产氢活性,产氢速率为565.8 mol_H2·mol_cat^-1·h^-1。在串联降解有机污染物反应中,Co/TiB₂在7 min内催化4-NP氨基化的转化率接近100%,反应速率常数高达0.72 min^-1;降解AO7的反应速率常数在3种偶氮染料中最高（0.34 min^-1）。通过EPR-DMPO（EPR=电子顺磁共振,DMPO=5,5-二甲基-1-吡咯啉-N-氧化物）自由基捕获实验检测出Co/TiB₂+NH₃BH₃催化体系中产生大量的氢自由基（·H）。得益于·H的强还原性,Co/TiB₂+NH₃BH₃催化体系能够将4-NP氨基化为具有更高价值的对氨基苯酚（4-AP）,同时能够还原偶氮染料分子中的显色基团偶氮基（—N=N—）。