Dispersion of "guava-like" silica/polyacrylate nanocomposite particles in polyacrylate matrix

A series of “guava-like” silica/polyacrylate nanocomposite particles with close silica content and different grafting degrees were prepared via mini-emulsion polymerization using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSPM) modified silica/acrylate dispersion. The silica/polyacrylate composite particles were melt-mixed with unfilled polyacrylate (PA) resin to prepare corresponding silica/polyacrylate molded composites and the dispersion mechanism of these silica particles from the “guava-like” composite particles into polyacrylate matrix was studied. It was calculated that about 110 silica particles were accumulated in the bulk of every silica/polyacrylate composite latex particle. Both the solubility tests of silica/polyacrylate composite latex particles in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and the section transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of silica/polyacrylate molded composites indicated that the grafting degree of silica particles played a crucial role in the dispersion of silica/polyacrylate composite particles into the polyacrylate matrix. When the grafting degree of polyacrylate onto silica was in a moderate range (ca. 20%–70%), almost all of silica particles in these “guava-like” composite particles were dispersed into the polyacrylate matrix in a primaryparticle-level. However, at a lower grafting degree, massive silica aggregations were found in molded composites because of the lack of steric protection. At a greater grafting degree (i.e., 200%), a cross-linked network was formed in the silica/polyacrylate composite particles, which prevented the dispersion of composite particles in THF and polyacrylate matrix as primary particles.     

Dispersion of “guava-like” silica/polyacrylate nanocomposite particles in polyacrylate matrix

A series of “guava-like” silica/polyacrylate nanocomposite particles with close silica content and different grafting degrees were prepared via mini-emulsion polymerization using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSPM) modified silica/acrylate dispersion. The silica/polyacrylate composite particles were melt-mixed with unfilled polyacrylate (PA) resin to prepare corresponding silica/polyacrylate molded composites and the dispersion mechanism of these silica particles from the “guava-like” composite particles into polyacrylate matrix was studied. It was calculated that about 110 silica particles were accumulated in the bulk of every silica/polyacrylate composite latex particle. Both the solubility tests of silica/polyacrylate composite latex particles in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and the section transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of silica/polyacrylate molded composites indicated that the grafting degree of silica particles played a crucial role in the dispersion of silica/polyacrylate composite particles into the polyacrylate matrix. When the grafting degree of polyacrylate onto silica was in a moderate range (ca. 20%–70%), almost all of silica particles in these “guava-like” composite particles were dispersed into the polyacrylate matrix in a primary-particle-level. However, at a lower grafting degree, massive silica aggregations were found in molded composites because of the lack of steric protection. At a greater grafting degree (i.e., 200%), a cross-linked network was formed in the silica/polyacrylate composite particles, which prevented the dispersion of composite particles in THF and polyacrylate matrix as primary particles.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(butyl acrylate)/silica and poly(butyl acrylate)/silica/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite particles

Poly(butyl acrylate)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PBA/PMMA) core–shell particles embedded with nanometer‐sized silica particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) in the presence of silica particles preabsorbed with 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AIBA) initiator and subsequent MMA emulsion polymerization in the presence of PBA/silica composite particles. The morphologies of the resulting PBA/silica and PBA/silica/PMMA composite particles were characterized, which showed that AIBA could be absorbed effectively onto silica particles when the pH of the dispersion medium was greater than the isoelectric potential point of silica. The critical amount of AIBA added to have stable dispersion of silica particles increased as the pH of the dispersion medium increased. PBA/silica composite particles prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization using silica preabsorbed with AIBA showed higher silica absorption efficiency than did the PBA/silica composite particles prepared by direct mixing of PBA latex and silica dispersion or by emulsion polymerization in which AIBA was added after the mixing of BA and silica. The PBA/silica composite particles exhibited a raspberrylike morphology, with silica particles “adhered” to the surfaces of the PBA particles, whereas the PBA/silica/PMMA composite latex particles exhibited a sandwich morphology, with silica particles mainly at the interface between the PBA core and the PMMA shell. Subsequently, the PBA/silica/PMMA composite latex obtained had a narrow particle size distribution and good dispersion stability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3425–3432, 2006     

含纳米二氧化硅粒子的丙烯酯丁酯细乳化

为了调控含纳米SiO₂的丙烯酸丁酯细乳化后液滴的粒径及粒径分布,研究了细乳化体系组成和超声分散条件对细乳化液滴粒径及粒径分布的影响.发现存在使细乳化液滴粒径及粒径分布趋于稳定的临界超声功率和超声时间;随着十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）乳化剂浓度增加,液滴粒径减小,而十六烷浓度对液滴粒径影响较小;随着BA分散液中纳米SiO₂质量分数和BA分散液/水质量比的增加,液滴平均粒径增大,粒径分布变宽,这是由于纳米SiO₂粒子吸收了部分超声波能量,同时改变了分散相特性所致.当放置或聚合温度在65℃以下时,细乳化液或相应的聚丙烯酸丁酯/纳米SiO₂复合乳胶能稳定分散.     

Preparation of crosslinked composite nanoparticles

Crosslinked composite nanoparticles were prepared by adding a trifunctional monomer (trimethyol propane trimethacrylate) or a difunctional monomer (divinyl benzene) as a crosslinker into the emulsion polymerization system of styrene in the presence of inorganic nanosilica. A coupling agent, 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), was added along with the monomer, crosslinker, and silica to improve the interfacial interaction between silica and polymer and thus to obtain high binding efficiency. The role of MPS was examined. The effects of crosslinkers on the kinetics of emulsion polymerization, monomer conversion, and yield were investigated. The morphology of the composite particles was observed by TEM. The particle size and size distribution of composite latex particles were measured by the dynamic light scattering method. The binding efficiency and swelling ratio were determined by reluxing the sample in xylene using a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. FTIR spectra and TGA verified the participation of crosslinker and silica. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1538–1544, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of nanosilica/polyacrylate composite latex

The nanosilica/polyacrylate organic–inorganic composite latex was synthesized by in‐situ emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) in the presence of silica nanoparticles, which were modified by silane coupling agent. The surface properties and dispersibility of silica nanoparticles modification, chemical structure, Zeta potential, diameter distribution of the composite latex prepared, surface roughness, and thermal stability of the hybrid film formed by the composite latex were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Zeta meter, ZetaPlus apparatus (dynamic light scattering method), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. After modification with silane coupling agent, silane was grafted onto the surface of silica nanoparticles to form the organic layers, which was able to efficiently prevent the silica nanoparticles from aggregating to individually homogeneous disperse in the in‐situ emulsion polymerization system and improve the compatibility of silica nanoparticles with the acrylate monomers. The nanosilica/polyacrylate organic–inorganic composite latex prepared had the properties of silica nanoparticles and pure polyacrylate latex but was not simply a combination. Strong chemical bonding tethered the silica and acrylate chains to form the core/shell structural composite latex. Consequently, the hybrid film formed by nanosilica/polyacrylate composite latex exhibited a smooth surface and better thermal properties than the pure polyacrylate film. POLYM. COMPOS. 27:282–288, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The preparation and characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate–methylacrylate acid)/nano-ZnO composite latex particles

In this work, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methylacrylate acid)/ZnO (poly(MMA–MAA)/ZnO) composite latex particle was synthesized by three steps The first step was to synthesize poly(MMA–MAA) copolymer latex particles by soapless emulsion polymerization. Following the first step, the second step was to polymerize MMA, MAA and 3,3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS) in the presence of poly(MMA–MAA) seed latex particles to form the poly(MMA–MAA)/poly(MMA–MAA–MPS) core–shell latex particles. In the third step, the poly(MMA–MAA)/poly(MMA–MAA–MPS) latex particles reacted with ZnO nanoparticles, which were synthesized by a traditional sol gel method, to form the polymer/inorganic poly(MMA–MAA)/poly(MMA–MAA–MPS)/ZnO composite latex. In this study, MPS with silanol groups essentially was used as the coupling agent to couple with ZnO nanoparticles, while the results of the study showed that there was not covalent bond existed between ZnO particles and polymer latex. The ZnO particles were adsorbed on the surface of polymer latex by electrostatic interaction. Besides, the linear poly(MMA–MAA)/crosslinking poly(MMA–MAA–MPS) core–shell latex particles which were synthesized in the second step were heated in the presence of ammonia to form the hollow poly(MMA–MAA–MPS) latex particles. The factors of heating time and concentration of crosslinking agent significantly influenced the morphology of hollow poly(MMA–MAA–MPS) latex particles.     

Fabrication and properties of polysilsesquioxane-based trilayer core–shell structure latex coatings with fluorinated polyacrylate and silica nanocomposite as the shell layer

Polysilsesquioxanes (PSQ)-based core–shell fluorinated polyacrylate/silica hybrid latex coatings were synthesized with PSQ latex particles as the seeds, and methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS)-modified SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl methacrylate (PFOMA) as the shell monomers by emulsifier-free miniemulsion polymerization. The results of Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering suggested the obtained hybrid particles emerged with trilayer core–shell pattern. Contact angle analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atom force microscopy results indicated that the hybrid film containing SiO₂ NPs showed higher hydrophobicity, lower surface free energy and water absorption, in comparison with the control system (without SiO₂ NPs). Compared with the control system, the hybrid latex film containing SiO₂ NPs in the fluorinated polyacrylate shell layer showed the higher content of fluorine atoms and a rougher morphology on the film surface. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the enhanced thermostability of PSQ-based nanosilica composite fluorinated polyacrylate latex film.     

Synthesis of silica hybrid nanoparticles modified with photofunctional polymers and construction of colloidal crystals

Photofunctional polymer as silane coupling agent (PFD) was prepared by free radical copolymerization of 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of (3‐mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS) as chain transfer agent. Next, silane (SiO₂; the average diameter D_n = 192 nm) nanoparticles was surface‐modified with PFD and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (γ‐MPS) by covalent bond formed between silanol groups and silane coupling agents. The PFD and γ‐MPS functionalizations changed the silica surface into hydrophobic nature and provided grafting initiation sites and methacrylate terminal groups respectively. We performed the construction of hybrid nanocomposites by using these modified SiO₂ nanoparticles. It was found from electron microscopy observations that SiO₂ particles were packed into repeating cubic arrangements in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix such as colloidal crystals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Fabrication and characterization of polysiloxane/polyacrylate composite latexes with balanced water vapor permeability and mechanical properties: effect of silane coupling agent

In order to improve the water vapor permeability and mechanical properties of latex films, polysiloxane/polyacrylate (PSi/PA) composite latexes were fabricated via seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate onto PSi latex particles, and the effects of the silane coupling agent 3-methacryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MATS) on the morphologies of the latex particles and films, as well as the microphase separation degree, the water vapor permeability and the mechanical properties of the latex films were investigated. Results indicated that MATS was essential for obtaining the PSi/PA composite latex particles with PSi as core and PA as shell and made a great contribution to restrict the phase separation. The PSi/PA core/shell latex films showed similar tensile strength and elongation with pure PA film, while exhibiting promising water vapor permeability. It was found that the influences of MATS content on the water vapor permeability and mechanical properties were opposite, and on the premise of the requirements for mechanical properties, lower MATS content could provide the PSi/PA core/shell latex films with better water vapor permeability.     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposite through emulsion polymerization using dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate

Polymer/Silica nanocomposite latex particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DM). The reaction was performed using a nonionic surfactant and in the presence of silica nanoparticles as the seed. The polymer‐coated silica nanoparticles with polymer content and number average particle sizes ranged from 32 to 93 wt % and 114–310 nm, respectively, were obtained depending on reaction conditions. Influences of some synthetic conditions such as MMA, DM, surfactant concentration, and the nature of initiator on the coating of the silica nanoparticles were studied. Electrostatic attraction between anionic surface of silica beads and cationic amino groups of DM is the main driving force for the formation of the nanocomposites. It was demonstrated that the ratio of DM/MMA is important factor in stability of the system. The particle size, polymer content, efficiency of the coating reaction, and morphology of resulted nanocomposite particles showed a dependence on the amount of the surfactant. Zeta potential measurements confirmed that the DM was located at the surface of the nanocomposites particles. Thermogravimeteric analysis indicated a relationship between the composition of polymer shell and polymer content of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were also characterized by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Mechanism and grafting reactions in seeded emulsion polymerization with emulsified monomer feeding

The seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene with emulsified monomer feeding was performed by polyethyl acrylate (PEA) latex as seed emulsion. It was shown that the grafting reactions occurred between two components on the composite latex particles. The loci of seeded polymerization were studied by the kinetics of grafting reaction. The highest grafting efficiency in the initial period of seeded emulsion polymerization supported the fact that the surfaces of PEA particles are the sites of polymerization of styrene. The grafting efficiency decreased with increasing monomer‐to‐polymer ratio and initiator concentration. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1495–1499, 1999     

A comparative study on effects of two kinds of polymerization methods on grafting of polymer onto silica surface

In this article we present the result of a comparative study of two kinds of polymerization methods—solution polymerization (sol. poly.) and dispersion polymerization (dis. poly.) for grafting polymer onto silica. As a model for the grafting polymerization reaction, styrene was chosen as the monomer and azo diisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. The study aims at supplying theoretical reference for better selecting polymerization method to graft polymer on the silica particle surface. First, monolayers of 3‐methacryloylpropyl trimethoxysilane were chemically bonded onto the surfaces of micrometer‐sized silica gel particles, and so double bonds were immobilized onto the silica surface. Second, the copolymerizations between the immobilized double bonds and the monomer styrene were carried out, homopolymerizations of styrene followed, and finally polystyrene was grafted to the silica surfaces. Two kinds of polymerization methods, sol. poly. and dis. poly., were adopted respectively, and the effects of polymerization methods on grafting process were examined mainly. At the same time, the effects of different polymerization conditions on the grafting degree were researched. It was found that in the dis. poly. system the grafting degree is obviously higher than that in the sol. poly. system under the same polymerization conditions, and the grafting degree can go up to 47%, i.e. 47g/100g. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5808–5817, 2006     

Grafting of selected presynthesized macromonomers onto various dispersions of silica particles

A new process was developed which enables one to obtain surface‐modified silica with a high heavy metal ion complexing ability. The synthetic approach is based on grafting of vinyl‐terminated macromonomers onto silica via covalent bonding. A proper selection of the macromonomer structure, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution allows materials to be obtained with a range of desirable properties. The process has been tested on various dispersions (ranging from 35 and 200 μm) of silica particles and two structurally related macromonomers. Native silica and the resulting mixed organic–inorganic products were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, SEM, yield of grafting (elemental analysis and calcination), density (helium pycnometry), specific surface area (BET method), and pore size (gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry) measurements. It was found that the corresponding polymers are effectively grafted onto the surface; the density, surface area, and pore size of the silica particles decrease with polymer grafting. Preliminary results on metal‐ion uptake indicate that polymer‐grafted silica exhibits an excellent complexing ability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1287–1296, 2002     

STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS OF SILICA SOL-ORGANIC POLYMER COMPOSITE EMULSION

An emulsion of polystyrene/poly (butylacrylate-methyl methacrylate acrylic acid) core/shell latex particles (PS/P (BA-MMA-AA)) has been prepared by use of three synthetic methods. The effects of synthetic methods on the distribution of carboxyl groups in latex particles were studied. The results show that the seed emulsion polymerization in which the pre-emulsified monomers were added by dropping method to the second stage is the best technique for obtaining the optimum distribution of carboxyl groups on the surface of the latex particles. Furthermore, by using PS/P (BA-MMA-AA), a type of novel composite emulsion of silica sol-PS/P (BA-MMA-AA) was synthesized with the above method. By observation through transmission EM, the morphology of the latex particles obtained shows that a composite structure has been formed between silica sol particles and organic polymer particles.     

Particle morphology development in hybrid miniemulsion polymerization

Incompatibility between polymer phases resulting from hybrid minienulsion polymerization of acrylic monomers in the presence of alkyd resin leads to interesting particle morphologies. In this paper, morphology was deduced through crosscomparison of results from several forms of microscopy. For the combination of methyl methacrylate and alkyd, a derivative of core/shell morphology was observed through the combination of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and spin diffusion NMR. A raspherry-like shell was found to form on the hybrid particle surface consisting of a full coverage of small (roughly 25 nm) polymethyl methacrylate spheres anchored to the particle surface through grafting with the alkyd core. Migration of the spheres to tha surface is thought to be induced by phase separation, and the size of the spheres precludes their origin from homoparticles from homogeneous nucleation. Homopolymethyl methacrylate particles were also detected in the particle distribution, resulting from the aqueous-phase initiator and hydrophilicity of methyl methacrylate monomer. For copolymer/alkyd systems (either methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/alkyd or methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/alkyd), more traditional core/shell morphologies were observed with a lesser degree of homonucleated particles. A significantly different result was found in the combination of butyl acrylate and alkyd, resulting in a continuous particle-phase of polylbutyl acrylate and small internally dispersed island domains of alkyd. This is likely due to the lesser incompatibility between polybutyl acrylate and alkyd along with their similar hydrophobicity and glass transition temperatures. A higher degree of grafting between the alkyd and polybutyl acrylate also contributed to the compatibility between the two components, when compared to hybrid methyl methyl methacrylate/alkyd systems.     

Grafting of branched polymers onto nano-sized silica surface: Postgrafting of polymers with pendant isocyanate groups of polymer chain grafted onto nano-sized silica surface

To control the surface wettability of nano-sized silica surface, the postgrafting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers to grafted polymer chains on the surface was investigated. Polymers having blocked isocyanate groups were successfully grafted onto nano-sized silica surface by the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 2-(O-[1′-methylpropylideneamino]caboxyamino)ethyl methacrylate (MOIB) initiated by azo groups previously introduced onto the surface. The blocked isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica were stable in a desiccator, but isocyanate groups were readily regenerated by heating at 150 °C. The hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), were postgrafted onto the poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica by the reaction of functional groups of PEG and PEI with pendant isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica to give branched polymer-grafted silica. The percentage of grafting increased with increasing molecular weight of PEG, but the number of postgrafted chain decreased, because of steric hindrance. The hydrophobic polymers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) were also postgrafted onto poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica. It was found that the grafting of hydrophobic polymer and the postgrafting of hydrophilic polymer branches readily controls the wettability of silica surface to water.     

Preparation and characterization of polysiloxane–polyacrylates composite lattices by two seeded emulsion polymerization and their film properties

Gamma ray‐induced seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate was carried out in the presence of polymerizable polysiloxane seed latex, which was obtained by the ring‐opening copolymerization of octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and tetramethyl tetravinyl cyclotetrasiloxane(VD₄) catalyzed by dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA). After the first seeded polymerization, 3‐methacryloxylpropyltrimethoxylsilane (MPS) was added for the second seeded polymerization. The conversion–time curve showed that the first seeded polymerization rate was accelerated much by the polysiloxane seed latex. The final composite lattices also showed good storage stability, mechanical stability, and high electrolyte resistance ability. The morphology of the composite latex particles was found to be a quite uniform fine structure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The graft of polyacrylates onto polysiloxane and hydrolysis of MPS were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The mechanical performance, water absorption ratio, surface properties, and transparency of the latex films were also investigated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1406–1411, 2007     

原位乳液聚合制备丙烯腈聚合物/纳米氧化硅复合粒子

利用2,2'-偶氮(2-脒基丙烷)二氯化氢(AIBA)引发剂与纳米氧化硅粒子的静电作用而使AIBA吸附在纳米氧化硅表面,进而引发丙烯腈-甲基丙烯酸甲酯(AN-MMA)原位乳液聚合.考察了AIBA浓度和反应温度对AN-MMA原位乳液聚合动力学的影响以及氧化硅含量对AN-MMA共聚物/纳米氧化硅复合乳胶粒径分布和形态的影响.结果表明:聚合速率随AIBA浓度和聚合温度的升高而增大; AIBA浓度相同时,原位乳液聚合速率小于普通乳液聚合;AN-MMA共聚物/纳米氧化硅复合粒子粒径随纳米氧化硅含量增加而增大;原位乳液聚合得到的复合胶粒表面粗糙,当纳米氧化硅质量分数为10%时,纳米氧化硅与聚合物乳胶粒子复合良好;当纳米氧化硅质量分数为20%和30%时,有部分纳米氧化硅粒子与乳胶粒子分离而分散在连续相中.     

Preparation and characterization of titanium dioxide core/polymer shell hybrid composite particles prepared by emulsion polymerization

Titanium dioxide inorganic core and polymer shell composite poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butylacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) [P(MMA‐co‐BA)‐MAA] particles were prepared by emulsion copolymerization. Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to measure the content of MAA composite particles. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) characterized the composite particle size and size distribution. The field emission SEM (FE‐SEM) results of the composite particles showed regular spherical shape and no bare TiO₂ was detected on the whole surface of the samples. The composite particles were produced, showing good spectral reflectance compared with bare TiO₂. TGA results indicated the encapsulation efficiency and estimated density of composite particles. Encapsulation efficiency was up to 78.9% and the density ranged from 1.76 to 1.94 g/cm³. Estimated density of the composite particles is suitable to 1.73 g/cm³, due to density matching with suspending media. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2970–2975, 2004