A modern approach to the solution and analysis of the Simha-Somcynsky model for the description of pressure-volume-temperature properties of polymer fluids

We revisit the Simha-Somcynsky model of polymer fluids with the purpose of developing novel theoretical and computational approaches to simplify and speed up its solution as well as the fitting of experimental data, and decrease its level of mathematical complexity. We report a novel method that allows us to solve one of the two equations of the model exactly, thus putting the level of mathematical difficulty on a par with the one of other models for polymer fluids. Moreover, we describe a computational algorithm capable of fitting all five parameters of the model in an unbiased way. The results obtained reproduce literature results and fit experimental pressure-volume-temperature and solubility parameter data for three polymers very accurately. Moreover, the new techniques allow for the investigation of the model at very low temperatures. Unexpectedly, the model predicts behaviors that could be interpreted as a glass transition, as routinely observed in dilatometry and differential scanning calorimetry, and a glass phase. We compared the predicted and experimental T g’s for cis poly(1,4-butadiene) and found an excellent quantitative agreement.     

Cycloparaphenylene (CPP) series are molecular models for graphene armchair edges: trends in their aromaticity and cyclic conjugation are evaluated

Cycloparaphenylene ([r]CPP) and cyclacene ([r]CA) series are models for short carbon nanotubes. It is shown that armchair edges in model cycloparaphenylenes possess greater aromaticity and cyclic conjugation than do zigzag edges in model cyclacenes. According to Aihara’s bond resonance energy (BRE) and Bosanac and Gutman energy effect (ef) measurements, cycloparaphenylenes are twice as aromatic as cyclacenes. The general solution of all eigenvalues of all members of the cycloparaphenylene series is given. The origin of the recurrence of some eigenvalues are determined.     

Phase separation in blends of two homopolymers and a diblock copolymer during film casting

Demixing during film casting of blends of polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, and a symmetric diblock copolymer of styrene and methylmethacrylate is discussed. The concentration fluctuations in the homogeneous solutions were calculated in mean field approximation. The structures in the homogeneous and demixed solutions and in the dry films were measured by small-angle x-ray scattering, and the morphologies of the dry films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The structure of the dry blends is evidently already pre-formed in solution.     

掺钕聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯的光学特性

研究了制备的掺钕螯合物Nd(DBM)3Phen材料的吸收光谱、激发光谱、荧光光谱,应用Judd-Ofelt理论计算了该材料的强度参量．分析了钕离子激发态4F3／2的辐射寿命(631 μs)和4F3／2→4IJ′跃迁的受激发射截面和荧光分支比．     

Single-mode rib polymer waveguides and electro-optic polymer waveguide switches

Mode-matching and effective index methods are used to analyze single-mode operation of optical rib polymer waveguides. Their single-mode waveguiding conditions are determined. Single-mode rib waveguides fabricated from guest–host polyetherketone are presented. The estimated propagation loss of straight rib-waveguides is 0.7 dB/cm at 1.55 μm. Furthermore, by using the mode field-transfer matrix method, 2×2 and 4×4 polymer Mach–Zehnder interference switch operating at 1.55 μm wavelength has been designed based on optical multi-mode interference.     

Feedback controlled periodic states for different kinds of photorefractive nonlinear response

We investigate analytically and numerically the influence of the type of the photorefractive nonlinear response on the periodic states (attractors) which occur during feedback controlled 2W-coupling and correspond to almost 100% diffraction efficiency of the dynamic index grating. In addition to the case of the local response typical, for example, for LiNbO₃ crystals we consider the cases of nonlocal (diffusive) response (BaTiO₃, SBN) and resonant response (DC-biased BSO, BTO, and BGO crystals). It is shown that the conditions for the transition to the periodic states and their apparent characteristics are strongly different for the two limiting cases above. Received 16 July 2002 / Received in final form 29 October 2002 Published online 4 March 2003     

Hybrid Electrodes Used in Polymer Electro-Optic Modulator with Ultra-Broadband

Hybrid electrode combined coplanar waveguide (CPW) and microstrip lines in ultra-broadband electro-optic modulators. The characteristics of the modulators with hybrid electrode is like that of the modulator with the microstrip lines, in which the microstrip electrode is loaded above only one arm of Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) optical waveguide, besides the problem of microstrip line to coaxial transition and corona polarization in polymer modulators have been best solved at the same time. By using finite element method (FEM), the characteristic parameters such as half-wave voltage, modulation bandwidth characteristic impedance, effective microwave refractive index of polymer modulators with microstrip line and hybrid electrode are analysed and compared in this paper. The results present that velocity match, impendence match and lower microwave propagating loss is easily realized in modulators with hybrid electrode.     

Chemoselective tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols using polystyrene supported aluminium chloride as a catalyst

A simple, efficient and highly chemoselective method for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols has been developed by their reaction with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of polystyrene supported AlCl₃. The method is also highly selective for monoprotection of symmetrical diols.     

Anisotropic and isotropic phases of polymer melts

The melting mechanism of polymer crystals is proposed. It is assumed that the melting happens due to forming supervacancies. This mechanism leads the appearance of anisotropic phase of a melt. It is shown that two phases—anisotropic and isotropic—can exist in polymer melts.     

Grafting onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) driven by 172 nm UV light

The reactivity of the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film under 172 nm UV irradiation (xenon excimer lamp) towards nitrogen-borne 1-octene, n-nonane and heptafluorodecene vapor was investigated. Materials receiving from 0 to 24 J/cm² of UV were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF/SIMS), water and mineral oil contact angle measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A uniform nanoscale layer developed on PET surface attributed to the grafting reaction between photolytically-produced polymer radicals and vapor phase molecules.