Functional copolymer/organo‐MMT nanoarchitectures. XIX. Nanofabrication and characterization of poly(MA‐alt‐1‐octadecene)‐g‐PLA layered silicate nanocomposites with nanoporous core–shell morphology

Novel bioengineering functional copolymer‐g‐biopolymer‐based layered silicate nanocomposites were fabricated by catalytic interlamellar bulk graft copolymerization of L‐lactic acid (LA) monomer onto alternating copolymer of maleic anhydride (MA) with 1‐octadecene as a reactive matrix polymer in the presence of preintercalated LA…organo‐MMT clay (reactive ODA‐MMT and non‐reactive DMDA‐MMT) complexes as nanofillers and tin(oct)₂ as a catalyst under vacuum at 80°C. To characterize the functional copolymer layered silicate nanocomposites and understand the mechanism of in situ processing, interfacial interactions and nanostructure formation in these nanosystems, we have utilized a combination of variuous methods such as FT‐IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic mechanical (DMA), thermal (DSC and TGA‐DTG), SEM and TEM morphology. It was found that in situ graft copolymerization occurred through the following steps: (i) esterification of anhydride units of copolymer with LA; (ii) intercalation of LA between silicate galleries; (iii) intercalation of matrix copolymer into silicate layers through in situ amidization of anhydride units with octadecyl amine intercalant; and (iv) interlamellar graft copolymerization via in situ intercalating/exfoliating processing. The main properties and observed micro‐ and nanoporous surface and internal core–shell morphology of the nanocomposites significantly depend on the origin of MMT clays and type of in situ processing (ion exchanging, amidization reaction, strong H‐bonding and self‐organized hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfacial interactions). This developed approach can be applied to a wide range of anhydride‐containing copolymers such as random, alternating and graft copolymers of MA to synthesize new generation of polymer‐g‐biopolymer silicate layered nanocomposites and nanofibers for nanoengineering and nanomedicine applications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polymer blend nanocomposites: effect of mercapto silane modified kaolin clay on the thermal properties of Polypropylene/Polystyrene blend

Nanocomposites based on polypropylene/polystyrene blends were prepared by melt mixing in a Thermo Haake Rheochord mixer. The effect of mercapto silane modified kaolin clay on the properties of nanocomposites has been studied. The characterization of polypropylene/polystyrene/clay nanocomposites was made by dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopic, and the thermal stability was determined by using Thermogravimetric analysis. The activation energy of degradation was determined using three mathematical models, namely Horowitz–Metzger, Coats–Redfern and Broido's methods, and the results were compared. TGA results show an improved thermal stability for nanocomposite than the pure blend. The improvement in thermal stability of nanocomposites was confirmed by increasing the activation energy. Transmission electron microscopic observations showed that nanoclay layers were intercalated on the polymer matrix and were located at the interface between the two polymers Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase Transition of [2,2]‐Paracyclophane – An End to an Apparently Endless Story

In this contribution, the solid‐state low‐temperature phase structure of [2,2]‐paracyclophane is unambiguously characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Additionally, a heat capacity measurement was undertaken, which proves the existence of a λ‐type phase transition at 45 K, a transition that is connected with the formation of a secondary C_p/T feature at 60 K. The low‐temperature phase (<45 K) crystallises in the lower symmetry space group P$\bar 4$ n2, whereas the high‐temperature phase (>60 K) crystallises in space group P4₂/mnm. This proves what has been postulated both by experimental and theoretical chemists but has repeatedly been dismissed as speculation many times.     

3,3′‐Bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazoles) Featuring the Fluorodinitromethyl and Trinitromethyl Groups

Here we report on the preparation of two hydrogen atom free 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) derivatives. 5,5′‐Bis(fluorodinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was synthesised by fluorination of diammonium 5,5′‐bis(dinitromethanide)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole). For our previously reported analogue 5,5′‐bis(trinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole), a new synthetic route starting from new 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazolyl)‐5,5′‐diacetic acid was developed. In this course also hitherto unknown 5,5′‐dimethyl‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was isolated. The compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as mass spectrometry. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed and the crystal structures for the 5,5'‐dimethyl and 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) derivatives are reported. The energetic 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) and 5,5'‐(trinitromethyl) compounds do not contain any hydrogen atoms and show remarkable high densities. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities and sensitivities were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and standardised impact and friction tests. The heats of formation were calculated by the atomisation method based on CBS‐4M enthalpies. With these values and the room‐temperature X‐ray densities, several detonation and propulsion parameters, such as the detonation velocity and pressure as well as the specific impulse of mixtures with aluminium, were computed using the EXPLO5 code.     

Enhanced Thermal Oxidation Stability of Reduced Graphene Oxide by Nitrogen Doping

Nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (N‐doped RGO) samples with a high level of doping, up to 13 wt. %, have been prepared by annealing graphene oxide under a flow of pure ammonia. The presence of nitrogen within the structure of RGO induces a remarkable increase in the thermal stability against oxidation by air. The thermal stability is closely related with the temperature of synthesis and the nitrogen content. The combustion reaction of nitrogen in different coordination environments (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic) is analyzed against a graphene fragment (undoped) from a thermodynamic point of view. In agreement with the experimental observations, the combustion of undoped graphene turns out to be more spontaneous than when nitrogen atoms are present.     

MnO_2/NiCo_2O_4的静电自组装合成及其电化学性能

通过带负电荷的MnO2纳米片与带正电荷的Co-Ni层状双氢氧化物(LDHs)纳米片的静电自组装外加后续热处理合成了异质层状结构的MnO2/NiCo2O4复合物.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱、拉曼光谱、原子吸收光谱(AAS)、场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)对其结构和形貌进行了表征.用循环伏安(CV)、恒流充放电和电化学交流阻抗技术对其电化学性能进行了测试.研究结果表明,该方法制得的异质复合物具有多孔层状堆垛结构,这种特殊的结构不仅增大了电解液离子的接触面积,而且还为其嵌入-脱出提供了有效途径.该复合物在1 A·g-1电流密度时,-0.6-0.45 V电位窗口内的比电容达482 F·g-1,优于纯组分MnO2和NiCo2O4的电容性能.     

SnO_2/石墨纳米片复合电极及其在超级电容器中的应用

在电场的作用下对石墨棒进行电化学剥离,使其表面形成相互平行排列,且垂直于石墨棒基底的二维(2D)石墨纳米片阵列(GNSA).然后通过阴极还原电沉积法制备Sn O2/石墨纳米片阵列(Sn O2/GNSA)复合电极.采用场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱对其形貌和结构进行了表征.电化学测试表明该复合电极具有优异的超电容性能,在0.5 mol·L-1Li NO3电解质中,扫描速率为5 m V·s-1,电位窗口为1.4 V时,比电容达4015 F·m-2.由Sn O2/GNSA复合电极和相同电解质组装成的对称型超级电容器,在扫描速率为5 m V·s-1时,其电位窗口可增至1.8 V,能量密度达到0.41 Wh·m-2,循环5000圈后其比电容仍保持为初始比电容的81%.     

低温热分析标准物质的研制

研制了两种0~100℃热分析标准物质,分别为金属镓和水杨酸苯酯标准物质。研制的标准物质具有良好的均匀性和稳定性,采用与NIST,LGC相应标准物质比较的方法定值。NIST为SRM 2234镓,其定值采用288.6~314.35 K范围内的绝热热量计测得温度及热量值;LGC用绝热法为水杨酸苯酯的熔化温度和熔化热定值,两种方法都可以直接溯源至SI单位。对定值结果的不确定度进行了分析和评定。镓和水杨酸苯酯标准物质的熔化温度分别为(29.77±0.20)℃(k=2),(41.81±0.34)℃(k=2);熔化热分别为(80.52±0.48)J/g(k=2),(88.94±0.62)J/g(k=2)。研制的两种标准物质满足国家标准物质的技术要求,申报已获批准。