Structure and Properties of TiB2 ― AlN Coatings Made by Spark and Laser Methods

Studies have been done on how various concentrated energy forms (spark discharge and laser beam) affect the formation, composition, and structure of coatings made from the new composite material TiB₂ ― AlN (1:1). The working surfaces have been examined by x-ray phase analysis, microprobe, and metallography. It is found that the composition and structure of a spark coating differ from those of the depositing electrode. The TiB₂ ― AlN material is recommended for hardening low-carbon steels.     

The mechanism of the oxidative polymerization of aniline and the formation of supramolecular polyaniline structures

Polyaniline is one of the most important conducting and responsive polymers. A molecular mechanism for the oxidation of aniline is proposed. This mechanism explains the specific features of aniline oligomerization and polymerization in various acidity ranges. The formation of polyaniline precipitates, colloids and thin films is reviewed and discussed on the basis of the chemistry of aniline oxidation. The generation of nanostructures, i.e. granules, nanotubes, nanowires and microspheres, is also considered. Oligomers containing phenazine constitutional units play an important role in self‐assembly to form templates. Polyaniline chains then grow from these templates and produce the various individual morphologies. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Magnetometric Studies of Catalyst Refuses in Nanocarbon Materials

It is shown that magnetometry can be employed as an effective tool to control the content of a ferromagnetic constituent in nanocarbon materials. We propose a thermochemical treatment protocol to achieve extensive cleaning of the source nanocarbon materials from ferromagnetic refuses.     

Synthesis and characterization of grafted copolymers of aromatic polyimides and ε‐caprolactam

Anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam was performed in the presence of only 5 wt % of aromatic polyimides having five‐ and six‐membered imide cycles and bearing hexafluoroisopropylidene, ether, fluorene, siloxane, phthalide, or SO₃H? groups, both in the polymer backbone and as side moieties. The synthesized new copolymers were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermomechanical analysis, dilatometry, and X‐ray diffraction. Tough and frictional properties of the obtained copolymers were estimated as well. It was found that on the selection of polyimide activator it is possible to gain the desirable control over the polymer properties, namely the gel‐fraction content, phase composition, compression modulus, notched Izod impact strength, temperature of frictional contact, friction coefficient, etc. These investigations will facilitate the choice of the optimum macromolecular activator for the modification of both the synthetic method and the properties of the commercial polycaproamide. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Composition and submicron structure of thin films of supersaturated Zn x Pb1 − x S solid solutions

Thin films of supersaturated Zn _x Pb_{1 ? x} S solid solutions containing up to 4.1 mol % ZnS have been obtained by hydrochemical deposition. The dependence of the material structure and surface morphology on the film composition has been studied. It is established that an increase in the content of zinc sulfide leads to the growth of grains with a more complicated crystalline structure, the formation of grain boundary fragments with dimensions from 60 to 100 nm, and a modification of the electrical properties of deposited layers.