Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene as π-bridge at different acceptor systems for electrochromic applications

Benzoselenadiazole, quinoxaline and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene are the units preferred in conducting polymers due to their electrochemical properties. There are no reports in the literature on polymers containing both moieties. In this study, novel benzoselenadiazole, quinoxaline and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene based monomers; 4-(3a,6a-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]thiophen-2-yl)-7-(thieno[3,2-b]thiophenyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole (BSeTT) and 2,3-bis(3,4-bis(decyloxy)phenyl)-5,8-dibromo-2,3-dihydroquinoxaline (QTT) were synthesized via Stille Coupling and polymerized electrochemically. These polymers were characterized in terms of their spectroelectrochemical and electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry and UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy. Spectroelectrochemistry analysis of PBSeTT revealed an electronic transition at 525 nm corresponding to π–π* transition with a band gap of 0.93 eV whereas PQTT revealed electronic transitions at 440 and 600 nm corresponding to π–π* transitions with a band gap of 1.30 eV. Electrochromic investigations showed that PBSeTT has gray color PQTT switching between green and gray. Switching time of the polymers was evaluated by a kinetic study upon measuring the percent transmittance (%T) at the maximum contrast point.     

Solvent swelling studies of Göynük (Kerogen Type-I) and Beypazar? oil shales (Kerogen Type-II)

The volumetric swelling procedure was applied to Göynük and Beypazar? oil shales from Turkey by using 10 solvents and the cross-linking in the macromolecular network of oil shales were investigated using this technique. Results from solvent swelling measurements show that the volumetric solvent swelling of oil shales samples roughly follows the regular solution theory. The theory of solvent swelling of cross-linked polymers developed Flory-Rehner and extension of this theory by Kovac-Peppas was used to calculate number average molecular weight per cross-link of kerogen structure in oil shale samples. Results indicate no remarkable difference between values for Göynük oil shale (Kerogen Type I) and Beypazar? oil shale (Kerogen Type II).     

Effects of Ultrasonic Vibration on the Electroinitiated Copolymerisation of Styrene and Isoprene

Copolymerisation of styrene and isoprene by constant potential electrolysis in dichloromethane was achieved at different polymerisation potentials. Effect of ultrasonic vibration on the rate and the yield of polymerisation has been discussed. The composition of the copolymers was found to be affected by the vibration as well as the polymerisation potential (E_pol). At E_pol=+3.30 V we found that r₁=r₂ and mole percents of isoprene and styrene in copolymer were equal to each other. Equality was also observed on reacted monomer concentrations, at that potential, which can be called critical polymerisation potential. At E_pol values above or below the critical polymerisation potential none of the above-mentioned properties were equal. Monomer reactivity ratios were determined by the integrated Lewis-Mayo equation. Ultrasonic vibration as well as polymerisation potential was found to affect reactivity ratios.     

Electroinitiated and radiation-induced polymerisation of epoxycyclohexane

Liquid-state radiation-induced and electroinitiated polymerisations of epoxycyclohexane (ECH) have been investigated. The effect of temperature on the electroinitiated polymerisation rate was also studied. The decrease in monomer concentration during polymerisation was followed by gas chromatographic analysis of electrolysis solutions. The i.r. spectra of the polymers suggested polyether structure. N.m.r. spectra of products indicate that the polymerisation of ECH propagates through the opening of the epoxy rings. Poly(epoxycyclohexane) obtained by both methods are amorphous according to X-ray analyses.     

Mode I fracture toughness determination with straight notched disk bending method

A new method called the straight notched disk bending method is developed for mode I fracture toughness determination using rock cores. Disk specimens of andesite and marble having a single straight edge notch were subjected to three-point bending loads. Dimensionless stress intensity factor estimations and fracture toughness tests were conducted for different notch lengths, span lengths, thicknesses and diameters of the cylindrical rock specimens. Stress intensity factors were computed by three-dimensional finite element modeling and the results were presented for a wide range of specimen geometrical parameters. Results of experiments were compared to the results of well-known mode I fracture toughness testing methods. For specimens having thickness equal to the radius, mode I fracture toughness was lower and close to the results obtained by semi-circular bending method. When thickness was increased and doubled, mode I fracture toughness increased and approached to the value found by the suggested cracked chevron notched Brazilian disk method. Advantages of the new method included easy specimen preparation and testing procedure, stiffer specimen geometry, smaller fracture process zone, and flexibility of the specimen geometry for the investigation of the size effect behavior.     

Photovoltaic system assessment for a school building

The installation of photovoltaic panels (PVs) on the roof of residential and commercial buildings is getting widespread as these areas stand normally idle and can be used for another purpose without losing an inhabited space. Considering the solar potential of Turkey, a significant amount of electricity generation is possible using current PV technology. For this reason, a two-story detached school building located in ?zmir, Turkey was taken into consideration and monthly as well as annual coverage ratio of an on-grid PV system for its entire energy requirement (including heating, cooling and lighting) was investigated. The PVs were installed on the south face of the school building roof. A heat pump, with a typical coefficient of performance (COP) value of 2.5, was used for supplying required cooling and heating. The heating, cooling and lighting loads were determined on a monthly basis. The average monthly electrical energy generation of the mounted PVs was calculated using a written code in Energy Equation Solver (EES) software. As a result, the monthly as well as yearly electrical energy demand coverage ratio values for the school using the installed PVs were revealed. Since the school building has a large south faced roof, the installation of PVs is very suitable to meet the cumulative electrical energy need of the heat pump and the lighting load. For Case 1, 180 PVs, which supply the entire yearly demand (with a 110% coverage ratio), were taken into consideration, while for Case 2, 265 PVs, which cover 75% of the roof area, were evaluated. The results showed that between November and March, PV electrical energy generation is not sufficient to meet all energy need of the school for both cases. However, significant coverage ratio values were observed for the rest of the year. In a yearly basis, the PV generation exceeded the building demand by 62% for the Case 2. This conclusion points out that the school can meet its yearly electricity need with the considered PV system and can even have an additional financial profit by selling its surplus PV electricity to the grid. Economic and environmental payback time values as well as simple payback time value were also computed for both investigated cases. The results pointed out a simple payback time of 7.9 years for Case 1 and 7.6 years for Case 2. Energy payback time was determined as 5 years for both systems. The greenhouse gas payback time of 2.7 years and 5.9 years was encountered for coal based and natural gas based calculations.