Thermo-mechanical properties of the blend syndiotactic/atactic polystyrene after crystallization of the syndiotactic polystyrene

The thermo-mechanical properties of the blend syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS)/ atactic polystyrene (aPS) are characterized by studying the concentration depending softening behavior with thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA) and the temperature depending Young's modulus for different concentrations with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).     

Effect of gamma irradiation on structural,morphological and optical properties of thermal spray pyrolysis deposited CuO thin film

This study reports the influences of gamma irradiation (GI) in the range of 20–100 kGy on CuO thin films via thermal spray pyrolysis technique on the glass substrates. The results demonstrate significant influences of GI on the crystallographic, microstructural and optical characteristics of CuO thin films. The obtained XRD results showed that the crystallinity of the films deteriorates by gradually decreasing crystallite size (from 59.13 to 46 nm) as applied gamma doses increases. However, the basic monoclinic crystal structure remains same. The dislocation density and lattice strain increased with the rise of GI absorbed dose due to the creation of defects. The values of number of crystallites per unit surface area increased as dose increased indicating the abundance of crystallization of nano CuO thin films. A UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometer was utilized to determine the optical properties and obtained results indicated that the optical energy band gap (OBG) energies reduced from 2.00 to 1.72 eV as the doses increased from 0 to 100 kGy. No distinctions of the monoclinic phase of virgin CuO thin film have been perceived under applied absorbed doses, notwithstanding the slight deterioration of the crystallinity and narrowing the OBG.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on optical and chemical properties of cellulose nitrate thin films

In this work, cellulose nitrate films were irradiated with different doses of gamma irradiations. The gamma irradiation doses were 25, 55, 120, and 170 kGy. The compositional transformation, optical properties, and morphological changes resulted from the gamma irradiation were obtained using different spectroscopic methods. These methods were Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, UV/visible spectrometry, and scanning electron microscope. The surface roughness, as well, for pristine and gamma-irradiated polymer films was determined. The obtained results exhibit changes in the absorbance intensities of the function groups of the irradiated cellulose nitrate films. An induced increase in the UV/visible absorption spectra with increase in the gamma irradiation was observed. A noticeable shifting in the UV/visible spectra toward higher wavelength and decrease in the optical band gap were observed as the gamma irradiation increases. As well, the number of carbon clusters and the activation energy were discussed. The morphological investigation indicates the decrease in the roughness surface with increasing of gamma irradiation.     

间规聚苯乙烯热性能研究

对间规聚苯乙烯（sPS）的热性能（包括熔点、晶型及热稳定性等）进行了差示扫描量热、热重分析和动态力学性能等的测量和分析，发现sPS中存在着不同的晶型，它理想晶体的热力学临界分子量熔点为270．13℃，sPS在静态和动态时间的使用温度可达250℃，说明sPS具有良好的热性能。研究结果有助于sPS的进一步加工和应用。     

Polymorphism and mechanical properties of syndiotactic polystyrene films

The dynamic-mechanical behaviour and the tensile moduli of unstretched and stretched semicrystalline s-PS films, presenting different polymorphic forms (α, γ, δ and clathrate) but similar crystallinity and orientation, have been compared. The main aim is to elucidate the possible influence of different crystalline phases, being largely different in chain conformation and density, on mechanical properties of s-PS semicrystalline samples. For unstretched films presenting a preferential perpendicular orientation of the chain axes, the highest elastic modulus is observed for films with the high density γ phase while for uniaxially oriented films the highest modulus is observed for films with the trans-planar α phase. As for the clathrate films, the guest molecules when only included into the crystalline clathrate phase, have no plasticizing effect.     

酰化间规聚苯乙烯的合成与热性能

采用异相反应合成了乙酰化间规聚苯乙烯,用FTIR,NMR,DSC对乙酰化间规聚苯乙烯的结构与性能进行了研究.结果表明,乙酰化间规聚苯乙烯与间规聚苯乙烯相比,玻璃化转变温度升高,熔融温度和熔融热焓下降.     

纳米铝填充聚苯乙烯熔融纺丝及其性能研究

采用分散聚合法合成了聚苯乙烯(PS)及在PS中掺杂纳米铝(Al NPs)的PS/Al NPs复合材料,采用熔融纺丝法制备了PS及PS/Al NPs纤维,并对其结构与性能进行了研究。结果表明:重均相对分子质量(Mw)为(5~25)×104的PS,在220~270℃熔融纺丝,制得PS纤维直径可达25μm,断裂强度为1.2 c N/dtex,断裂伸长率为4.8%;PS/Al NPs复合材料中Al NPs在PS中分散均匀,PS内部中的Al NPs抗氧化能力较好;与相同Mw的PS纤维比较,PS/Al NPs纤维的玻璃化转变温度提高了4℃,断裂强度提高了4.1%,断裂伸长率提高了13.3%。     

Degradation of polystyrene by gamma irradiation: Effect of air on the radiation-induced changes in mechanical and molecular properties

Irradiation of 3 mm polystyrene sheet in air at 30°C with γ rays caused a rapid decrease in the tensile and flexural strengths and strains to fracture. These properties were decreased to 50% of their initial values after ca. 80 Mrads and to 25% after ca. 200 Mrads, beyond which dose the rate of change was relatively small. These results contrast with the negligible changes that are observed after 600 Mrads in vacuum. The effect of irradiation in air has been correlated with decreasing molecular weight at the surface, even though crosslinking predominated over the complete sample so that a gel point was reached at a dose slightly in excess of 100 Mrads. Scission and crosslinking yields, G(S) and G(X), were determined as a function of depth by gel permeation chromatography of layers removed progressively from the surface. G(S) decreased and G(X) increased with depth, in accord with the concepts of increased scission by reaction with oxygen and a diffusion effect. Unusual transverse cracking to a limited depth occurred during tensile measurements, a phenomenon that is attributed to the nonuniform molecular weight profile.     

Effect of silver oxide additives on structural,optical dispersion and protection features of lead boro-phosphate glasses

This work presents the structural, optical, refractive index dispersion, and shielding properties of Ag-containing lead-boro-phosphate glasses. The glasses were prepared using the classic melt-quenching method, in which the Ag₂O concentration was varied in each synthesis. The precipitation of Ag NPs was proved by the appearance of the (200) crystal plane in the XRD patterns and confirmed by the homogeneous distribution of spherical agglomerates observed in TEM images. FTIR and Raman analyses have revealed a network depolymerization process resulting from the distortion of the PO₄ units and the formation of Ag NPs. Therefore, the Ag ions contribute at high concentrations to an increase in the glass density and a reduction in the optical band gap energy. Ellipsometry parameters indicate that the glass becomes more optically dispersive due to the Ag NPs formation, which improves its performance for several potential applications in multi-functional optical devices. The mass attenuation factors are determined in the energy range of 15 keV–15 MeV and are very sensitive to the silver content at low energies. The Half value layer (HVL) decreases with the amount of Ag₂O, indicating the improvement in the material's ability to attenuate radiation. The results show that the glass sample with the highest Ag content has the highest shielding effectiveness.     

Effects of maleated syndiotactic polystyrene on the morphology,mechanical properties,and crystallization behavior of syndiotactic polystyrene/polyamide 6 blends

The compatibilization of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS)/polyamide 6 (PA‐6) blends with maleic anhydride grafted syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS‐g‐MA) as a reactive compatibilizer was investigated. The sPS/PA‐6 blends were in situ compatibilized by a reaction between the maleic anhydride (MA) of sPS‐g‐MA and the amine end group of PA‐6. The occurrence of the chemical reaction was substantiated by the disappearance of a characteristic MA peak from the Fourier transform infrared spectrum. Morphology observations showed that the size of the dispersed PA‐6 domains was significantly reduced and that the interfacial adhesion was much improved by the addition of sPS‐g‐MA. As a result of reactive compatibilization, the impact strengths of the sPS/PA‐6 blends increased with an increase in the sPS‐g‐MA content. The crystallization behaviors of the blends were affected by the compatibilization effect of sPS‐g‐MA. A single melting peak of sPS in the noncompatibilized blend was gradually split into two peaks as the amount of the compatibilizer increased. A single crystallization peak of PA‐6 in the noncompatibilized blend became two peaks with the addition of 3 wt % sPS‐g‐MA. The new peak was a result of the fractionation crystallization. As the amount of sPS‐g‐MA increased, the intensity of the new peak increased, and the original peak nearly disappeared. Finally, the crystallization peak of PA‐6 disappeared with 20 wt % sPS‐g‐MA in the blend. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2502–2506, 2003     

Synthesis and physical properties of sulfonated syndiotactic polystyrene ionomers

Sulfonation of highly stereoregular syndiotactic polystyrene has been accomplished in 1,1,2‐trichloroethane and chloroform (60/40 v/v) mixed solvent. FTIR spectroscopy was used to confirm that the sulfonated syndiotactic polystyrene was the product of the sulfonation reactions. Sodium, potassium, zinc (II), manganese (II) and cobalt (II) salts of the sulfonated polymers exhibited behaviour indicative of strong interactions. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC data showed that the roles of the cation–anionic site interactions in alkali form and transition metal form ionomers are somewhat different. The DSC data also showed that the alkali metal cations had more pronounced effect on T_g than did the transition metal cations. In addition, the crystallization behaviour of the ionomers with a low degree of sulfonation also exhibited considerable differences in comparison with the neat syndiotactic polystyrene. The melting points (T_m) and the degree of crystallization (X_c) were significantly lowered by the presence of the sulfonic acid groups or the sulfonate metal groups. Moreover, the ionomers were more thermally stable and more hygroscopic than the unmodified polymer. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

The atactic polystyrene molecular weight effect on the thermal properties and crystal structure of syndiotactic polystyrene/atactic polystyrene blends

This work examined how the molecular weight of atactic polystyrene (aPS) affects the thermal properties and crystal structure of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS)/aPS blends using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) technique. For comparative purposes, the structure and properties of the parent sPS was also investigated. The experimental results indicated that these blends showed single glass transition temperatures (T_gs), implying the miscibility of these blends in the amorphous state regardless of the aPS molecular weight. The non-isothermal and isothermal melt crystallization of sPS were hindered with the incorporation of aPSs. Moreover, aPS with a lower molecular weight caused a further decrease in the crystallization rate of sPS. Complex melting behavior was observed for parent sPS and its blends as well. The melting temperatures of these blends were lower than those of the parent sPS, and they decreased as the molecular weight of aPS decreased. Compared with the results of the WAXD study, the observed complex melting behavior resulted from the mixed polymorphs (i.e. the α and β forms) along with the melting-recrystallization-remelting of the β form crystals during the heating scans. The degree of melting-recrystallization-remelting phenomenon for each specimen was dependent primarily on how fast the sPS crystals were formed instead of the incorporation of aPSs. Furthermore, the existence of aPS in the blends, especially the lower molecular weight aPS, apparently reduced the possibility of forming the less stable α form in the sPS crystals.     

Influence of nanoparticles and nanofibers of aluminum oxide on the properties of epoxy composites

The strength properties of epoxy composites filled with aluminum oxide nanoparticles and reinforced by aluminum oxide nanofibers are compared. It is demonstrated that these fillers have a specific effect on the properties of the epoxy matrix. Original Russian Text ? B.N. Dudkin, G.G. Zainullin, P.V. Krivoshapkin, E.F. Krivoshapkina, M.A. Ryazanov, 2008, published in Fizika i Khimiya Stekla.     

Improvement of the magnesium battery electrolyte properties through gamma irradiation of nano polymer electrolytes doped with magnesium oxide nanoparticles

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPE) were prepared using nano polyethylene oxide PEO doped with Magnesium (Mg) salts. Gamma irradiation was utilized to improve the PEO‐Mg salts particle sizes. Consequently, Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were prepared by green synthesis and incorporated into PEO‐Mg salts to improve their properties toward magnesium battery electrolyte applications. The prepared samples were examined before and after exposures to the radiation doses. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated the particles size of the synthesized nano polymer‐Mg salts and MgO nanoparticles. Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopic measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical conductivity, electrochemical properties, and thermal stability of the samples were determined. FTIR indicated the interaction between PEO with Mg salts and MgO nanoparticles which confirmed the structure. The TEM results showed a spherical nanoparticles of MgO and a good dispersion of MgO in PEO matrix. It was found that the irradiation dose 70 kGy gave the best results for the nano polymer‐Mg salts (13 nm). The electrical conductivity (σ) evaluated for NCPE, was more than three orders of magnitude of pure PEO. The liquid NCPE of 20 mL MgO NPs at 100 kGy exhibited a maximum conductivity of 3.63 × 10^–3 Scm^?1 at room temperature. The increase in temperature caused a slight effect on conductivity, 4.85 × 10^–3 Scm^?1 at temperature 250°C, at the same concentration. While un‐irradiated sample of 30 mL MgO NPs (σ) reached to 3.8 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 then became 5.03 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 by increasing temperature. From the cyclic voltammetry results, the polymer electrolytes containing MgO filler, 20 and 30 mL, for irradiated and un‐irradiated samples, respectively exhibited wider electrochemical stability window than the others due to the appearance of Mg deposition/desolution peak in CV curve showed that magnesium effectively migrating through electrolytes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was enhanced by adding Mg salts electrolyte and also MgO nanoparticles to PEO. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:243–254, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Nucleation effects on structural and optical properties of electrodeposited zinc oxide on tin oxide

Zinc oxide was electrodeposited from oxygenated aqueous solutions of zinc chloride at 80 C on tin oxide covered glass substrates. A new activation treatment for the substrate is established. This consists in the initial formation, in the deposition solution, of a thin metallic zinc layer (5–50 nm) converted to ZnO by in situ reoxidation. Variable densities of nucleation centers (with values approaching 10¹⁰ cm^–2) are formed by this treatment. This allows control of the formation of a zinc oxide layer ranging from open deposits of isolated crystallites to compact and homogeneous layers. Compact layers have high specular transmission below the band gap value (3.5 eV), whereas open films exhibit extensive light scattering. The shapes of the current–time curves during deposition are discussed in terms of nucleation and structural effects. A possible influence of the semiconducting properties of the films is pointed out.     

Effect of gamma rays on the structural and optical properties of a new hybrid monolith silica sucrose xerogel

A new hybrid monolithic silica xerogel containing sucrose has been synthesized via the sol–gel method. The resulting sucrose silica xerogels were exposed to gamma radiation with a dose in the range of 10–100 kGy. The effect of gamma rays on the physical and structural properties of sucrose silica xerogels was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV visible spectroscopy. The results of FTIR spectroscopy show that the irradiation process causes changes in the network's structure by inducing defects. The UV visible spectra present three main band defects; E′ center, Non-Bridging Oxygen Hole center (NBOHC) and carbonyl radicals in irradiated sucrose silica xerogel samples. Additionally, the results show that the values of optical band gap energy depend on irradiation. Therefore, generated defects suggest that the behavior of sucrose silica xerogels was modified from an insulator (Eg=5.82 eV) to a semiconductor (Eg=3.16 eV) under gamma irradiation.     

Structural,optical, morphological properties of silver doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles by microwave irradiation method

The synthesis of silver doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles by microwave-assisted method and their structural, optical, antibacterial activities are presented in this study. The doping concentrations were chosen as 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt percentages. The sample was undergone powder X-ray diffraction studies and the result shows the good crystalline nature of the sample. Also, the average crystallite size increases from 13.95 nm, 21.26 nm, 26.13 nm, and 28.35 nm with different doping concentrations. The transmission electron microscopy image shows cubic and spherical morphology. The optical properties were tested by UV–vis–NIR absorption spectrum. It indicates the decrease of band gap value. From the antibacterial activity studies, the 20 wt % Ag doped nanoparticles exhibit better activity.     

Effect of the crystallization conditions on the phase behavior of syndiotactic polystyrene/poly(phenylene oxide) blends

Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) and poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends, miscible in the melt state, were crystallized from the melt and the quenched state at different temperatures. The effect of the crystallization temperature on the phase behavior of the blends and the polymorphic changes in sPS was investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and density measurements. In most blends, the crystallization of sPS induced segregation into two homogeneous amorphous phases of different compositions. The temperatures of the DMA relaxations of the neat homopolymers and crystallized blends were fit by the Gordon–Taylor relation to calculate the compositions of these phases. In melt‐crystallized blends, with slower crystallization, the major amorphous phase became sPS‐rich, whereas the minor phase became PPO‐rich. These major and minor amorphous phases could be tentatively assigned to interfibrillar and interlamellar regions, respectively. In cold‐crystallized blends, slower crystallization decreased the sPS concentration in both phases, and the scale of segregation was much smaller. WAXD studies and density measurements indicated a complex polymorphic behavior of sPS after it was blended with PPO. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1975–1983, 2003     

Effects of molecular weight and comonomer content on the optical clarity of crystallized syndiotactic polystyrene sheets

Clear and high-crystallinity sheets can be prepared consistently from syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) simply by annealing amorphous sPS sheets at a temperature ranging from 150 to 180°C. The combination of its high clarity and high crystallinity makes sPS sheet suitable for many food/medical packaging applications. A series of sPS polymers with various molecular weight and para-methylstyrene (PMS) comonomer content were used in this study for gaining a mechanistic understanding of the cause for this unusual coexistence of high crystallinity and high clarity. Results show that high molecular weight is preferred for high sheet clarity. The effect of the comonomer content, however, is more complicated; instead of a monotone response to % PMS, the sheet clarity was found to peak at 4% PMS. A mechanism based on the regime growth theory of crystallization was used to interpret successfully the above behavior. Briefly, increasing molecular weight reduces the crystal growth rate and thus shifts the growth pattern to regime III, resulting in more clear sheet. Increasing % PMS reduces both the nucleation and crystal growth rates and thus shifts the growth pattern to either regime I (lower clarity) or III (higher clarity) as controlled by the relative magnitude of the two rate reductions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2455–2461, 1999