Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis of cross-linked poly(esterurethanes)

New cross-linked poly(esterurethanes) (PEU) based on unsaturated olygo(alkyleneester)diol (OAE), 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and styrene or methyl methacrylate as curing monomers were prepared. The synthesis of PEU was performed in two steps. In the first step OAE was obtained from adipic acid, maleic anhydride and ethylene glycol. In the second step a prepolymer was obtained in a reaction of OAE with different amounts of 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate followed by crosslinking using previously mentioned curing monomers. The influence of structure of the poly(esterurethanes) on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties is studied. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that cross-linked poly(esterurethanes) demonstrate high thermal stability. Moreover the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis shows that the presence of styrene cross-linking chains in polymers lead to the phase separation in cross-linked poly(esterurethanes).     

Analysis of Uniformity of Magnetic Field Generated by the Two-Pair Coil System

In this paper we use a simple analysis based on properties of the axial field generated by symmetrical multipoles to reveal all possible distributions of two coaxial pairs of circular windings, which result in systems featuring zero octupole and 32 pole magnetic moments (six-order systems). Homogeneity of magnetic field of selected systems is analyzed. It has been found that one of the derived systems generates homogenous magnetic field whose volume is comparable to that yielded by the eight-order system. The influence of the current distribution and the windings placement on the field homogeneity is considered. The table, graphs and equations given in the paper facilitate the choice of the most appropriate design for a given problem. The systems presented may find applications in low field electron paramagnetic resonance imaging, some functional f-MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) and bioelectromagnetic experiments requiring the access to the working space from all directions.     

Molecular dynamics studies of polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels

Polyurethane PEO-based hydrogels have a broad range of biomedical applicability. They are attractive for drug-controlled delivery systems, surgical implants and wound healing dressings. In this study, a PEO based polyurethane hydrogels containing Cloisite® 30B, an organically modified clay mineral, was synthesized. Structure of nanocomposite hydrogels was determined using XRD technique. Its molecular dynamics was studied by means of NMR spectroscopy, DMA and DSC analysis. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the systems were improved by incorporation of clay and controlled by varying the clay content in polymeric matrix. Molecular dynamics of polymer chains depends on interaction of Cloisite® 30B nanoparticles with soft segments of polyurethanes. The characteristic nanosize effect is observed.     

Two-dimensional imaging of two types of radicals by the CW-EPR method

New EPR resonators were developed by using a ceramic material with a high dielectric constant, epsilon=160. The resonators have a high quality factor, Q=10(3), and enhance the sensitivity of an EPR spectrometer up to 170 times. Some advantages of the new ceramic resonators are: (1) cheaper synthesis and simplified fabricating technology; (2) wider temperature range; and (3) ease of use. The ceramic material is produced with a titanate of complex oxides of rare-earth and alkaline metals, and has a perovskite type structure. The resonators were tested with X-band EPR spectrometers with cylindrical (TE(011)) and rectangular (TE(102)) cavities at 300 and 77K. We discovered that EPR signal strength enhancement depends on the dielectric constant of the material, resonator geometry and the size of the sample. Also, an unusual resonant mode was found in the dielectric resonator-metallic cavity structure. In this mode, the directions of microwave magnetic fields of the coupled resonators are opposite and the resonant frequency of the structure is higher than the frequency of empty metallic cavity.     

Molecular dynamics in comb-like ionene as studied by NMR

Proton and fluorine second moment and spin-lattice relaxation timesT ₁ andT _lρ have been employed to study molecular dynamics in the comb-like I-6,6-16-Me-BF₄ ionene in the temperature range from 110 up to 300 K. The existence of motions of methyl groups, trans-gauche isomerization, and/or rotation of the main- and side-chain méthylene groups, as well as isotropic reorientation of tetrafluoroborate ions were established. The observed relaxation behaviors are explained by motional models which assume Davidson-Cole asymmetrical distribution of correlation times. The best-fit motional parameters are given.     

Interactions of cationic surfactantswith DPPC

The effects of different cationic surfactants (n-undecylammonum chloride, UDACl and dodecyldimethyl (dodecyloxymethyl) ammonium chloride, DDMDDACl) on fully hydrated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) vesicles have been studied. In the studied systems the molar ratio (x) of DPPC/surfactant ranged between x=0.0164–0.82 and from x=0.0352–1.76 for DPPC/DDMDDACl and DPPC/UDACl, respectively. For both systems, the enthalpy associated with the phase transition significantly decreases even at the lowest surfactant concentration. Also the main phase transition temperature is shifted towards lower temperatures. The structural parameters of the phases have been characterised by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The SAXS results have proved that UDACl at x=0.0352 molar ratio significantly influences the DPPC lamellar structure, while its total disappearance was observed for x=0.176. The presence of DDMDDACl causes a total disappearance of the DPPC lamellar structure already at the lowest molar ratio (x=0.0352). Each surfactant in the system with DDPPC leads to a mixed micellar phase formation.     

Nanomechanical properties of silica-coated multiwall carbon nanotubes-poly(methyl methacrylate) composites

The mechanical properties of polymer composites, reinforced with silica-coated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), have been studied using the nanoindentation technique. The hardness and the Young's modulus have been found to increase strongly with the increasing content of these nanotubes in the polymer matrix. Similar experiments conducted on thin films containing MWNTs, but without a silica shell, revealed that the presence of these nanotubes does not affect the nanomechanical properties of the composites. While carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a very high tensile strength due to the nanotube stiffness, composites fabricated with CNTs may exhibit inferior toughness. The silica shell on the surface of a nanotube enhances its stiffness and rigidity. Our composites, at 4 wt % of the silica-coated MWNTs, display a maximum hardness of 120 +/- 20 MPa, and a Young's modulus of 9 +/- 1 GPa. These are respectively 2 and 3 times higher than those for the polymeric matrix. Here, we describe a method for the silica coating of MWNTs. This is a simple and efficient technique, adaptable to large-scale production, and might lead to new advanced polymer based materials, with very high axial and bending strength.     

Low-temperature ordering effects in diblock copolymer melts from lattice simulation

A lattice simulation of a model diblock copolymer melt is presented. In a series of simulation experiments an 8-8 diblock melt is quenched from an athermal state to 47 lower temperatures. A set of simulation boxes, 30 x 32 x 30, 40 x 32 x 60, 50 x 32 x 30, and 60 x 32 x 30, is used in order to explore the size effects. Energy, specific heat, copolymer end-to-end distance, lamellar spacing, and the degree of interfacial ordering are reported. For all sizes considered, the low-temperature interfacial ordering is noticeable.     

The Instrument Set for Generating Fast Adiabatic Passage

The design and construction of a high-performance, low-cost, and easy to assemble adiabatic extension set for homebuilt and commercial spectrometers is described. Described apparatus set was designed for the fast adiabatic passage generation and is based on direct digital synthesizer DDS. This solution gives generator high signal to noise ratio, phase stability even during frequency change which is only possible in expansive commercial high-end hardware. Critical synchronization and timing issues are considered and solutions are discussed. Different experimental conditions and techniques for the measurements are briefly discussed. The proposed system is very flexible and might be used for the measurement of low-frequency nuclear magnetic resonance.