Controlled structure and density of “living” polystyrene brushes on flat silica surfaces

Thin layers of polystyrene were grown from surface-grafted nitroxide initiators via controlled “living” free radical polymerization. The “reactive” Langmuir-Blodgett deposition method allowed an effective control of the initiator layer density leading to PS brushes with different and high grafting density and stretching. The influence of the grafting density on the layer structure was studied. Comparison with theoretical predictions for monodispersed brushes in bad solvent was discussed. The thickness was found to vary linearly with molecular weight and the density dependence was shown using wetting measurements. Special features of controlled radical nitroxide polymerization from a surface were discussed. A direct comparison of the molecular weight and polydispersity between surface and bulk polymers was made by de-grafting the brushes into a toluene/HF solution. Finally, some evidence of a “surface Fischer” effect was shown from re-initiated layers. Received 20 December 2001     

不同方法制备的CO2-3替换磷灰石固溶体晶体化学的FTIR研究

采用不同方法制备了CO2-3替换的磷灰石固溶体,利用FTIR结合XRD对其进行了晶体化学研究,结果表明均相沉淀法制备的碳羟磷灰石(CHAP)属B型替换且替换方式是[CO3·OH]四面体替换[PO4]四面体;固相离子交换法制备的CHAP属A型替换且替换方式是[CO3]三角形配位体替换通道位置的OH-;固相反应法制备的碳氟磷灰石(CFAP)属B型替换,其替换方式是[CO3·F]四面体替换[PO4]四面体;sol-gel法制备的CHAP属AB混合型替换,其Ψ3分裂为Ψ3-1,Ψ3F,Ψ3-4.高斯函数法拟合表明Ψ3F峰是A型替换的Ψ3-2与B型替换的Ψ3-3的叠合.当WCO2-3＜3.34%时,随CO2-3含量增加,A型替换量增大,且当WCO2-3=3.34%时达最大值,当3.34%＜WCO2-3＜7.52%时,随CO2-3含量增加,B型替换量增大,且当WCO2-3= 7.52%时亦到饱和.     

Combinatorial computational chemistry approach of tight-binding quantum chemical molecular dynamics method to the design of the automotive catalysts

Recently, we have developed a new tight-binding quantum chemical molecular dynamics program “Colors” for combinatorial computational chemistry approach. This methodology is based on our original tight-binding approximation and realized over 5000 times acceleration compared to the conventional first-principles molecular dynamics method. In the present study, we applied our new program to the simulations on various realistic large-scale models of the automotive three-way catalysts, ultrafine Pt particle/CeO₂(111) support. Significant electron transfer from the Pt particle to the CeO₂(111) surface was observed and it was found to strongly depend on the size of the Pt particle. Furthermore, our simulation results suggest that the reduction of the Ce atom due to the electron transfer from the Pt particle to the CeO₂ surface is a main reason for the strong interaction of the Pt particle and CeO₂(111) support.     

A Scanning Electron Microscopy study of water in soil

Cold stage Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with a rapid cooling technique makes it possible to investigate the water phase within unsaturated porous media. It is thought that this technique preserves the main features of the micromorphology of the water menisci as it exists in the liquid phase in soils. Saddle-shaped elements, as well as pendular rings of water, were observed with concave and convex curvatures of the water-air interface. The hydraulic conductivity of an unsaturated soil may be inferred from SEM photographs. Observations of isolated water menisci indicate the existence of an immobile water domain. The surface geometry of the water menisci was analyzed quantitatively and surface tension and capillary pressure were determined.     

Solubility of carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride: Experimental results and correlation

The solubility of carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride was measured in the temperature range from 40 to 160°C, up to 6 mol-kg salt solutions and total pressures up to 10 MPa. Pitzer's⁽¹⁾ equations as well as the Chen and Evans⁽²⁾ model were used to correlate the new data. Results are reported and compared to literature data and correlations.     

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.     

High spin chemistry underlying organic molecular magnetism: Topological symmetry rule as the first principle of spin alignment in organic open-shell systems of π-conjugation and their ions

This review paper deals with an overview of molecule-based magnetism as a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field, topological symmetry rule as the first principle of spin alignment in organic open-shell systems in the ground state, the proposal of organic through-bond 1D and 2D ferro- and superparamagnets and the detection of the first organic high-spin molecule, m-phenylenebis(phenylmethylene) in the quintet ground state (S = 2), followed by extended organic high-spin systems with π-conjugation such as aromatic hydrocarbons having S = 3, 4, 5. The paper also describes a theoretical approach to the understanding of electronic spin structures of organic high-spin molecules by invoking both Heisenberg and Hubbard model Hamiltonians, weakly interacting intramolecular high-spin systems from both experimental and theoretical sides, the spin density distribution of the first organic high-spin molecule in terms of electron- nuclear multiple resonance spectroscopy and the detection and characterization of ionic high-spin hydrocarbons, emphasizing the establishment of high spin chemistry underlying organic molecular magnetism.     

Unexpected end‐groups of poly(acrylic acid) prepared by RAFT polymerization

Low‐molecular‐weight poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization with a trithiocarbonate as chain‐transfer agent (CTA). With a combination of NMR spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, the PAA end‐groups of the polymer were analyzed before and after neutralization by sodium hydroxide. The polymer prior to neutralization is made up of the expected trithiocarbonate chain‐ends and of the H‐terminated chains issued from a reaction of transfer to solvent. After neutralization, the trithiocarbonates are transformed into thiols, disulfides, thiolactones, and additional H‐terminated chains. By quantifying the different end‐groups, it was possible to demonstrate that fragmentation is the rate limiting step in the transfer reaction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5439–5462, 2004