Cyclodextrin effects on the photochromism of spiropyrans/β-cyclodextrin inclusion polymers

A series of photochromic polymers were prepared by forming inclusion complexes of various spiropyrans (SPs) in the cyclodextrin cavities of the β-cyclodextrin polymer (CDP). Experimental and calculation results demonstrate that the hydrophobic β-CD cavities can encapsulate the studied SPs from an aqueous solution and form 1:2 SP/β-CD inclusion complexes. The complexes undergo reversible photoinduced isomerization from a colorless closed form with absorption maxima (λ_expt) at 297–359 nm to a colored open-form photomerocyanines (PMs) with absorption maxima at 547–618 nm. For the less polar closed-form SPs, the β-CD cavity behaves similarly to toluene, providing a hydrophobic environment, and thus the λ_expt of the inclusion complexes of SPs with the β-CD in CDP is increased compared with that of ethanol solutions of the SPs. However, the structure effects from the steric hindrance of the β-CD cavity reduce the energy gap of excitation and further increase the λ_expt of SPs. For zwitterionic open-form PMs, the hydroxyl groups, laced on the rims of β-CD, act similarly to ethanol. The interaction effects from the hydroxyl groups simultaneously lower the ground- and excited-state energy of the SPs. The competing effects between the structure and interaction factors cause changes in the λ_expt of SPs.     

Disassembly methodology for conducting failure analysis on lithium–ion batteries

To facilitate construction analysis, failure analysis, and research in lithium–ion battery technology, a high quality methodology for battery disassembly is needed. This paper presents a methodology for battery disassembly that considers key factors based on the nature and purpose of post-disassembly analysis. The methodology involves upfront consideration of analysis paths that will be conducted on the exposed internal components to preserve the state (operational or failed) of the battery. The disassembly processes and exposures must not alter the battery materials once they are removed from their hermetically sealed containers. Because the process of battery disassembly can involve exposure to potentially hazardous compounds or lead to thermal run-away, a brief review concerning the safety hazards of disassembly is also given.     

Effects of fine–coarse particles interaction on flotation separation and interaction energy calculation

The particle interaction behavior is important in flotation process, and the interaction energy calculation is helpful for evaluating this behavior. This study investigates and compares the floatability of magnesite, dolomite, and quartz in single mineral flotation and artificial mixture flotation with dodecylamine (DDA) as collector. The results showed that while the pH, dissolved ions, and competitive adsorption had a minor influence on their floatability, fine magnesite and dolomite largely decreased the recovery of quartz. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis on the flotation products demonstrated severe masking of fine particles on the surface of quartz. The extended-DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) theory was applied to calculate the interaction energy between the mineral particles, and the results showed that the interaction force between magnesite and quartz and between dolomite and quartz was attractive; therefore, fine magnesite and dolomite particles were easily masked on the surface of quartz. The calculation results agree with the experiment results and explain the mechanism of particles’ interaction and the reasons for the differences in single mineral flotation and artificially mixed minerals flotation.     

Surface design with self-heating smart polymers for on–off switchable traps

We have developed a novel self-heating, temperature-responsive chromatography system for the effective separation of biomolecules. Temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxymethylacrylamide), poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm), was covalently grafted onto the surface of magnetite/silica composites as ‘on-off’ switchable surface traps. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)s was controlled from 35 to 55 °C by varying the HMAAm content. Using the heat generated by magnetic particles in an alternating magnetic field (AMF) we were able to induce the hydrophilic to hydrophobic phase separation of the grafted temperature-responsive polymers. To assess the feasibility of the poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)-grafted magnetite/silica particles as the stationary phase for chromatography, we packed the particles into the glass column of a liquid chromatography system and analyzed the elusion profiles for steroids. The retention time for hydrophobic steroids markedly increased in the AMF, because the hydrophobic interaction was enhanced via self-heating of the grafted magnetite/silica particles, and this effect could be controlled by changing the AMF irradiation time. Turning off the AMF shortened the total analysis time for steroids. The proposed system is useful for separating bioactive compounds because their elution profiles can be easily controlled by an AMF.     

Water on silicene: A hydrogen bond-autocatalyzed physisorption–chemisorption–dissociation transition

A single water molecule is nothing special.However,macroscopic water displays many anomalous properties at interfaces,such as hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity.Although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive,hydrogen bonds between water molecules are expected to play a major role in these interesting phenomena.An important question concerns whether water clusters containing few molecules are qualitatively different from a single molecule.Using the water adsorption behavior as an example and by carefully choosing two-dimensional silicene as the substrate material,we demonstrate that water monomers,dimers,and trimers show distinct adsorption properties at the substrate surface.On silicene,the additional water molecules in dimers and trimers induce a transition from physisorption to chemisorption and then to dissociation,arising from the enhancement of charge transfer and proton transfer processes induced by hydrogen bonding.Such a hydrogen bond autocatalytic effect is expected to have broad applications in metal-free catalysis for the oxygen reduction reaction and water dissociation.     

Surface design with self-heating smart polymers for on–off switchable traps

Abstract

We have developed a novel self-heating, temperature-responsive chromatography system for the effective separation of biomolecules. Temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxymethylacrylamide), poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm), was covalently grafted onto the surface of magnetite/silica composites as ‘on-off’ switchable surface traps. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)s was controlled from 35 to 55 °C by varying the HMAAm content. Using the heat generated by magnetic particles in an alternating magnetic field (AMF) we were able to induce the hydrophilic to hydrophobic phase separation of the grafted temperature-responsive polymers. To assess the feasibility of the poly(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)-grafted magnetite/silica particles as the stationary phase for chromatography, we packed the particles into the glass column of a liquid chromatography system and analyzed the elusion profiles for steroids. The retention time for hydrophobic steroids markedly increased in the AMF, because the hydrophobic interaction was enhanced via self-heating of the grafted magnetite/silica particles, and this effect could be controlled by changing the AMF irradiation time. Turning off the AMF shortened the total analysis time for steroids. The proposed system is useful for separating bioactive compounds because their elution profiles can be easily controlled by an AMF.     

Small polaron transport in V2O5–NiO–TeO2 glasses

Semiconducting glasses of the V₂O₅–NiO–TeO₂ system were prepared by the press-quenching method and their d.c. conductivities in the temperature range 300–450 K were measured. The d.c. conductivities at 395 K for the present glasses were determined to be 10^–7 to 10^–1 S m^–1, indicating that the conductivity increased with increasing V₂O₅ concentration. A glass of composition 67.5V₂O₅–2.5NiO–30TeO₂ (mol %) having a conductivity of 2.47×10^–2 S m^–1 at a temperature of 395 K was found to be the most conductive glass among the vanadium-tellurite glasses. From the conductivity–temperature relation, it was found that a small polaron hopping model was applicable at the temperature above _D/2 (_D: the Debye temperature); the electrical conduction at T>_D/2 was due to adiabatic small polaron hopping of electrons between vanadium ions. The polaron bandwidth ranged from 0.06 to 0.21 eV. The hopping carrier mobility varied from 1.1×10^–7 to 5.48×10^–5 cm² V^–1 s^–1 at 400 K. The carrier density is evaluated to be 1.85×10¹⁹–5.50×10¹⁹ cm^–3. The conductivity of the present glasses was primarily determined by hopping carrier mobility. In the low-temperature (below _D/2) regime, however, both Mott's variable-range hopping and Greaves intermediate range hopping models are found to be applicable.     

Phosphor–silicone interaction effects in high power white light emitting diode packages

As a widespread application of high power phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes (pc-WLEDs) with long lifetime and color-consistence, the highly reliable phosphor/silicone composite, one of core materials used for light-conversion, working under severe operation conditions has become increasingly necessary. This paper selects three widely used monochromatic phosphors (Aluminates, Silicates and Nitrides based) as well as a pristine silicone to determine the potential interaction effects in their phosphor/silicone composites operated under different environments. Firstly, the transient thermal quenching and long-term high temperature ageing tests are used to investigate the thermal stabilities of both monochromatic phosphor powders and phosphor/silicone composites. Furthermore, the degradation mechanisms of phosphor/silicone composites aged under the high temperature & blue light exposure and high temperature & high humidity conditions are studied by considering the interaction effect. The results show that: (1) the thermal stabilities of different phosphors are different and the phosphor/silicone composites have more severe thermal quenching effects than those of their corresponding phosphor powders, but with the similar degradation trends; (2) the blue light irradiation can deteriorate silicone which is related to the photolysis effect; (3) the moisture can accelerate the degradation of phosphor/silicone composites because the change of pH condition, owing to the dissolution of phosphor powders in moisture, can degrade both phosphors and silicone.     

Evaluation of asphalt–aggregate interaction based on the rheological properties

The silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and calcium oxide (CaO) analytical reagents are selected to prepare asphalt mastics and the effects of aggregate chemical composition on asphalt–aggregate interactions (AAI) are evaluated based on the complex modulus and phase angle. It is found that the oxide analytical reagents significantly affect the rheological properties such as complex shear modulus and phase angle, and the effects of CaO are greater than SiO₂ due to the stronger interaction between asphalt binder and CaO analytical reagents. Both the modulus stiffening ratio and the phase angle-based K. Ziegel-B coefficient could be used to evaluate the AAI, and the latter is the better index. Results show that the indexes increase with the test temperature, but decrease with the loading frequency, and tend to be constant. The higher adhesive strength between asphalt binder and limestone than basalt is likely attributed to the higher content of CaO in limestone aggregate and the stronger asphalt–CaO interaction.     

Three-dimensional modal analysis of an idealized human head including fluid–structure interaction effects

A three-dimensional analytical and numerical method is presented in this article for the analysis of the acoustic fluid–structure interaction systems including, but not limited to, the brain, cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), and skull. The model considers a three-dimensional acoustic fluid medium interacting with two solid domains. This article deals with the analytical and numerical computation of eigenproperties for an idealized human head model including fluid–structure interaction phenomena. We determine in the present work the natural frequencies and the modes shapes of the system of the brain, cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), and skull. Two models are presented in this study: an elastic skull model and a rigid model. In the analysis, a potential technique is used to obtain in three-dimensional cylindrical coordinates a general solution for a solid problem. A finite element method analysis is also used to check the validity of the present method. The results from the proposed method are in good agreement with numerical solutions. The effects of the fluid thickness and compressibility on the natural frequencies are also investigated.     

Burning polymers — reliable test for the corrosive effects?

Properties of materials in combustion are described.     

Influence of different conducting substrates on magnetic properties of electrodeposited Ni–Fe thin films

Electrodeposition of Ni–Fe soft magnetic alloy on copper and stainless steel substrates was performed in chloride bath. The deposition parameters such as current density, pH, temperature and deposition time have been investigated. From the investigation the optimized deposition parameters were current density 3.5 mA/cm², pH 3, temperature 30 °C and deposition time 15 min. The Ni–Fe magnetic alloys deposited on copper and stainless steel substrates under optimized deposition parameters are subjected to various characterizations. The structural and surface morphology of the Ni–Fe films were detected by using X-ray diffractogram (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively. The constituents in the films were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) technique. The magnetic properties such as the coercivity (H_c) and saturation magnetization of the films were studied with the help of vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). From the magnetic studies it is concluded that the grain size are create a considerable impact on magnetic behavior of the films on both the substrates. The films prepared on stainless steel substrate of 0.1 M concentration at optimized deposition parameters exhibits higher coercivity (5010 Oe) which seems to be ideal for magnetic sensor applications.     

A simple interaction law for viscous–inviscid interaction

The viscous–inviscid interaction (VII) philosophy for modelling aerodynamic boundary layers is discussed. ‘Traditionally’ the shear-layer equations are solved with pressure prescribed by the inviscid flow, but then the solution breaks down in a singularity related to flow separation. In the quasi-simultaneous coupling approach this singularity is overcome by making use of an interaction law. A novel mathematical analysis is presented of the essential properties of such interaction laws, which is based on classical theory for non-negative matrices. The performance of a highly simplified interaction law is demonstrated for separated airfoil flow beyond maximum lift.     

Detailed analysis of particle–substrate interaction based on a centrifugal method

The interaction between particles and inclined substrates in a centrifuge was investigated theoretically and experimentally. First, the balance of the force acting on a particle adhering to the substrate, with an inclination angle from 0 to 90° to the horizontal, was formulated separately in the normal and tangential directions. The adhesion force was then derived based on the point-mass model as a function of the angular velocity. Next, the balance of the moments of the forces acting on a particle adhering to the substrate was formulated; theoretical equations for the adhesion force and the effective contact radius were then derived from the angular velocities, obtained at any two inclination angles, based on the rigid-body model. Finally, the removal fraction curves of spherical/nonspherical particles with median diameters of less than 10 µm were experimentally obtained by increasing the angular velocity at each inclination angle. The experimentally obtained angular velocities were substituted into the theoretical equations to compare the point-mass and rigid-body models. The effects of the particle shape on the adhesion force and effective contact radius and that of the inclination angle on the removal fraction curves based on the theoretical equation were also investigated.     

Luminescent guest–host composite films based on an azomethine dye in different matrix polymers

New hybrid guest/host composite films obtained by dispersing a light-emitting azomethine dimer into three different matrix polymers have been studied. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), UDEL polysulfone (PSU) and chitosan were chosen as host matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements revealed the composite morphology and their thermal properties. UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated the influence of polymer matrix on the azomethine dye optical properties. The composite films exhibited strong photoluminescence emission when excited with maximum absorption wavelength. It was concluded that polysulfone is a good candidate in guest/host composite obtaining.     

Alloying effects on the microstructure and phase stability of Fe–Cr–Mn steels

Austenitic Fe–Cr–Mn stainless steels interstitially alloyed with nitrogen have received considerable interest lately, due to their many property improvements over conventional Fe–Cr–Ni alloys. The addition of nitrogen to Fe–Cr–Mn stabilizes the fcc structure and increases the carbon solubility. The benefits of increased interstitial nitrogen and carbon content include: enhanced strength, hardness, and wear resistance. This study examines the effect of carbon, silicon, molybdenum, and nickel additions on the phase stability and tensile behavior of nitrogen-containing Fe–Cr–Mn alloys. Nitrogen and carbon concentrations exceeding 2.0 wt.% were added to the base Fe–18Cr–18Mn composition without the formation of nitride or carbide precipitates. Minor additions of molybdenum, silicon, and nickel did not affect nitrogen interstitial solubility, but did reduce carbon solubility resulting in the formation of M₂₃C₆ (M=Cr, Fe, Mo) carbides. Increasing the interstitial content increases the lattice distortion strain, which is directly correlated with an increase in yield stress.     

Pore–crack orientation effects on fracture behavior of brittle porous materials

Mechanical behavior of two-dimensional microstructures containing circular pores were simulated under uniaxial and biaxial loading using the finite element method. Resulting stress distributions were combined with classical fracture mechanics to investigate fracture behavior of brittle porous materials assuming that randomly oriented cracks are present along pore surfaces. Multiple crack orientations were found to introduce a variability in Weibull modulus even for the same set of microstructures containing equal number and size of cracks. Also, the variability increases with increasing crack size to pore size ratio. Under uniaxial loading, angular distribution of fracture origin widens with increasing porosity.