Atomic force microscopy images of lyotropic lamellar phases

For the very first time, atomic force microscope images of lamellar phases were observed combined with a freeze fracture technique that does not involve the use of replicas. Samples are rapidly frozen, fractured, and scanned directly with atomic force microscopy, at liquid nitrogen temperature and in high vacuum. This procedure can be used to investigate micro-structured liquids. The lamellar phases in Sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water and in C12E5/water systems were used to asses this new technique. Our observations were compared with x-ray diffraction measurements and with other freeze fracture methods reported in the literature. Our results show that this technique is useful to image lyotropic lamellar phases and the estimated repeat distances for lamellar periodicity are consistent with those obtained by x-ray diffraction.     

Diffusion Studies on Polystyrene in 1,4-Dioxane

The diffusion behavior of polystyrene with narrow molecular weight distribution at 20℃ in 1, 4-dioxane was investigated by the photon correlation spectroscopy. The cumulant method was employed for the analysis of the intensity-intensity autocorrelation function measured over a wide range of the scattering vector. The diffusion coefficient D was determined as the function of concentration C in the molecular weight range of 3. 0×104-1. 20×106. In a low concentration range, D was found to be linearly dependent on C, which has been found for some other systems. The dependence of D on molecular weight at infinite dilution can be written as an empirical formula D0 = kDM-γ M, the exponent γ(0. 576 ±0. 01) is in good agreement with the result of the scaling theory.     

Competition between anchoring and reversible photo-induced alignment of a nematic liquid crystal

We investigated the alignment induced on a nematic liquid crystal (LC) by a photo-aligned polymer film with azo-dye side groups. The orientation of the LC molecules can be manipulated in a reversible manner by irradiating the film with polarized light. We analyzed the competition between the orientation induced by the main chain, through rubbing of the film and that induced by the photo-aligned polymer. Anchoring strength for the different processing conditions are reported. The changes in film morphology caused by rubbing or photo-alignment could be captured by atomic force microscopy. The reversibility of the photo-induced alignment and the competition between the two anchoring mechanisms may allow recording and erasing of information in a LC display. PACS 61.30.-v; 61.30.Gd     

碳和硼的笼状原子簇及其关系

碳笼烯C_(60)的发现及碳笼烷C-(60)H_(60)的制备,激励人们去探索合成新的碳元素类似物和其它元素的类似物。本文利用碳和硼的笼型烷烃的化学键和几何特征,讨论碳和硼的笼状原子簇骨架的共轭关系,推导其中一些高对称化合物的原子数和几何结构,并讨论其稳定性。 1 碳和硼的笼状原子簇骨架的共轭关系