2‐Cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile targeting a polymer with a higher molecular weight

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) mediated by 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate was first applied to synthesize polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with a high molecular weight up to 32,800 and a polydispersity index as low as 1.29. The key to success was ascribed to the optimization of the experimental conditions to increase the fragmentation reaction efficiency of the intermediate radical. In accordance with the atom transfer radical polymerization of AN, ethylene carbonate was also a better solvent candidate for providing higher controlled/living RAFT polymerization behaviors than dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. The various experimental parameters, including the temperature, the molar ratio of dithiobenzoate to the initiator, the molar ratio of the monomer to dithiobenzoate, the monomer concentration, and the addition of the comonomer, were varied to improve the control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index. The molecular weights of PANs were validated by gel permeation chromatography along with a universal calibration procedure and intrinsic viscosity measurements. ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1272–1281, 2007     

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     

A Rapid Solid-phase Synthesis to Soluble Oligothiophene Molecular Wires

A novel method for the preparation of oligothiophene molecular wires is described via a bi-directional solid-phase synthesis. Using an alternating sequence of bromination and Stille coupling reactions, oligomers were obtained up to the heptamer in excellent yield and purity.     

基于超分子结构共掺杂纳米复合薄膜的制备与荧光特性

为改善功能分了的特性,提出一种基于金属纳米粒子-偶氮染料复合物共掺杂超分子结构功能材料的设计新方法.并依照此方法制备出复合材料,观测了其显微结构,测量了其紫外-可见光吸收,研究了该超分子结构复合体系的荧光特性.实验发现,由于金属银纳米粒子的掺杂,使得超分子结构复合体系中功能分子甲基橙在溶液态体系的荧光强度增强近5倍,而在两种不同结构(共混结构和包覆结构)的薄膜态超分子结构体系中,其荧光强度分别被猝灭15%和20%.研究结果表明,复合膜中采用超分子结构完全能够改善功能分子的特性.     

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.     

Atomistic packing models for experimentally investigated swelling states induced by CO2 in glassy polysulfone and poly(ether sulfone)

Atomistic packing models have been created, which help to better understand the experimentally observed swelling behavior of glassy polysulfone and poly (ether sulfone), under CO₂ gas pressures up to 50 bar at 308 K. The experimental characterization includes the measurement of the time‐dependent volume dilation of the polymer samples after a pressure step and the determination of the corresponding gas concentrations by gravimetric gas‐sorption measurements. The models obtained by force‐field‐based molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods allow a detailed atomistic analysis of representative swelling states of polymer/gas systems, with respect to the dilation of the matrix. Also, changes of free volume distribution and backbone mobility are accessible. The behavior of gas molecules in unswollen and swollen polymer matrices is characterized in terms of sorption, diffusion, and plasticization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1874–1897, 2006     

Chain length effect on dynamical structure of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)-polar solvent mixtures in dilute solution of dioxane studied by microwave dielectric relaxation measurement

Dielectric relaxation study of the binary mixtures of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) (Mw=24000, 40000 and 360000 g mol⁻¹) with ethyl alcohol (EA) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) (Mw=200 and 400 g mol⁻¹) in dilute solutions of dioxane were carried out at 10.1 GHz and 35°C. The relaxation time of PVP-EA mixtures was interpreted by the consideration of a wait-and-switch model in the local structure of self-associated ethyl alcohol molecules and also the PVP chain length as a geometric constraint for the reorientational motion of ethyl alcohol molecules. The formation of complexes and effect of PVP chain length on the molecular dynamics, chain flexibility and stretching of PEG molecules in PVP-PEG mixtures were explored from the comparative values of dielectric relaxation time. Further, relaxation time values in dioxane and benzene solvent confirm the viscosity independent molecular dynamics in PVP-EA mixtures but the values vary significantly with the non-polar solvent environment.     

Supramolecular chemistry

The article discusses molecular recognition and overviews the key concepts -storage and retrieval of chemical information by molecular structures, supramolecular reagents and catalysts, molecular transport, semiochemistry and self assembly. The prospects of controlling supramolecular architecture through engineered molecular recognition and design of ‘programmed systems’ controlled by molecular information are also discussed.     

Anharmonic effects in large-amplitude vibrations of metal clusters

Two types of extreme collective motion, large-amplitude many-phonon vibration of the ionic core and rotation of the cluster with high angular momenta, are considered. The interplay between vibration and collective motion towards fission is discussed. A new mechanism of formation and rupture of the neck is proposed which is based on the Franck-Condon principle, and accounts for the interplay between vibration and fission. Under rotation, the change of the shape of the cluster and a phase transition from axially symmetric to triaxial ellipsoid are predicted. For studying the effects, vibrational motion can be induced by laser radiation. Rotational motion may arise in collisions of clusters. Received 26 April 2001 and Received in final form 15 October 2001     

Towards understanding the increase in strength of thermotropic polyesters with heat treatment

Thermotropic copolyester fibers of oxynaphthoate and oxybenzoate have been subjected to conditions that promote solid-state polymerization as well as annealing. The annealing process causes the crystals to perfect with a simultaneous increase in heat of fusion and melting temperature. Solid-state polymerization, a reaction rate-controlled process, causes the polymer viscosity average molecular weight to increase by chain extension from about 14,000 g/mole to more than 87,000 g/mole with a simultaneous impressive increase in tenacity from about 10 g/d (1.2 GPa) to almost 30 g/d (3.7 GPa). To understand the changes in mechanical properties, we have modeled the fiber structure as short rod-like molecules poorly bonded to a continuous matrix of parallel molecules. Lengthening of the reinforcing molecules facilitates better transfer of load from matrix to molecules, resulting in higher tenacity fibers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.