Stochastic approach to the theory of stratification of water and aqueous solutions: A model of twinkling hydrogen bonds

The equations of state for liquids and liquid solutions with intermolecular hydrogen bonds were derived in the dichotomous noise model for these bonds. The analytically obtained PT and TC phase diagrams show that finite-lifetime bonds can be responsible for new experimentally found phase transitions. These are (i) stratification of solutions in a closed TC region (i.e., a region with upper and lower critical points) and in a low-concentration TC region and (ii) low-temperature stratification of monomolecular liquids into heavy and light phases.     

Dynamics of terrace formation in a nanostructured thin block copolymer film

We have used dynamic self-consistent field (DSCF) theory to investigate the structural evolution of an ABA block copolymer thin film placed between a solid substrate and a free surface. In line with the few existing theoretical studies for pure homopolymers and mixtures, the free interface is introduced by a void component. In our calculations, the free surface experiences surface roughening and eventually the formation of terraces, as in the experiments. The kinetic pathway of the microstructures was compared to findings of an existing detailed experimental study (Knoll, A.; Lyakhova, K. S.; Horvat, A.; Krausch, G.; Sevink, G. J. A.; Zvelindovsky, A. V.; Magerle, R. Nat. Mater. 2004, 3, 886) and was found to be equivalent in detail. This corroborates our assumption in this earlier work that the pathway due to changing film thickness is similar to a pathway due to changing surface energetics. Moreover, our calculations show for the first time that microstructural transitions are a driving force of polymer/air interface curving and the formation of terraces.     

Mechanism of the transition between lamellar and gyroid phases formed by a diblock copolymer in aqueous solution

The mechanism of the transition from a lamellar phase to a gyroid phase in an aqueous solution of a diblock copolymer has been studied by time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. The transition occurs via a metastable perforated lamellar structure. The perforations initially have liquidlike ordering before developing hexagonal packing. The transient phase of irregularly perforated layers is revealed by the development of diffuse scattering peaks, just below the Bragg peaks of the lamellar structure. The diffuse scattering is modeled by Monte Carlo simulations of perforated layers. Following the formation of perforations, Bragg peaks characteristic of a hexagonal structure signal an ordering into a hexagonal lattice (with the concomitant loss of diffuse scattering). Computer simulations based on a dynamic density functional model reproduce these features. The hexagonal perforated lamellar phase is rapidly replaced by the gyroid phase. The domain spacing of the gyroid phase is larger than that of the perforated lamellar structure. The perforated lamellar and gyroid phases coexist for a defined period. The reverse transition from gyroid to lamellae occurs directly, with no transient or metastable intermediates.     

51V NMR studies of systems V2O5-KHSO4 and V2O5?K2SO4

Systems V₂O₅–KHSO₄ and V₂O₅–K₂SO₄ have been studied by the⁵¹V NMR method. The first system demonstrates the same states of vanadium as the previously studied V₂O₅–K₂S₂O₇, in this system a compound with an equimolar ratio of components has been found. In V₂O₅–K₂SO₄ the state of vanadium differs from the above systems and the formation of a compound with V/K=4 is observed.

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⁵¹V KHSO₄–V₂O₅ K₂SO₄–V₂O₅. , K₂S₂O₇–V₂O₅, . K₂SO₄–V₂O₅ V/K4.

     

Phase behavior in thin films of cylinder-forming ABA block copolymers: mesoscale modeling

The phase behavior of cylinder-forming ABA block copolymers in thin films is modeled in detail using dynamic density functional theory and compared with recent experiments on polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene triblock copolymers. Deviations from the bulk structure, such as wetting layer, perforated lamella, and lamella, are identified as surface reconstructions. Their stability regions are determined by an interplay between surface fields and confinement effects. Our results give evidence for a general mechanism governing the phase behavior in thin films of modulated phases.     

Studies of vanadium catalysts for sulfur dioxide oxidation by51V-NMR

Studies of the⁵¹V-NMR spectra of a series of industrial catalysts and systems modelling the active catalyst component indicate that the catalyst composition depends on the preparation method and during thermal treatment the support interacts with the active component. The local environment of vanadium is being formed in the process of catalytic reactions.

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⁵¹V , -I-4, , : KVO₃, KVO₃–SiO₂, KVO₃–K₂SO₄ , , . .

     

Chemical properties of marine terpenoids. 1. Some reactions of (6S,10R)-10-bromo-3,11,11-trimethyl-7-methylidenespiro[5,5]undec-2-en-4-one,a sesquiterpenoid from the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela

The structures of products obtained by reductive debromination and CF₃COOH- and KOH-induced transformations of natural chamigrane-type sesquiterpenoid (6S,10R)-10-bromo-3,11,11-trimethyl-7-methylidenespiro[5,5]undec-2-en-4-one (dactylone) isolated from the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela were analyzed. The absolute configurations of the reaction products were established by CD spectra taking into account the configuration of the starting dactylone.