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.     

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.     

Effect of induced shielding current transmission in longitudinal direction on levitation force of melt grown single-domain YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x) cylindrical superconductor

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) bulk is one of the most important high temperature superconducting materials for magnetic levitation applications, because it has a high magnetic irreversibility field Hirr at liquid nitrogen temperature, and can grow into large grains. The levitation force of YBCO bulk is proportional to the critical current density (Jc) and grain radius (r)[1], so higher Jc and r are appreciated for YBCO bulks to achieve higher levitation force. Now single-domain YBCO bulks up to s…     

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.     

Acyl chloride‐facilitated condensation polymerization for the synthesis of heat‐sensitive poly(anhydride‐ester)s

We succeeded in developing the acyl chloride‐facilitated condensation polymerization method for the synthesis of new poly(anhydride‐ester)s with aromatic side groups, which cannot be polymerized by the classic melt condensation polymerization method. Using chlorinated and acylated carboxylic acids as the intermediates, the polymerization was carried out at low temperatures of 120 or 135 °C to yield pure poly(anhydride‐ester)s of molecular weights as high as 1.55 × 10⁵ with minimal side‐reactions. A homogeneous route of preparation was developed and optimized, using butyric anhydride as the acylating reagent and oxalyl chloride as the chlorinating reagent. A comparison of the mechanisms of the classic method and the new method indicates that the effects of transacylation—cyclization and oligomer formation—were greatly reduced due to the high reactivity of carboxylic acid chloride and the steric effect of bulky acyl groups. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5899–5915, 2007     

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.