Synchronization in heterogeneous networks of discrete‐time introspective right‐invertible agents

This paper studies output synchronization problem, formation problem, and regulated synchronization problem for a heterogenous network of discrete‐time introspective right‐invertible agents. We first propose a decentralized control scheme to solve the output synchronization problem for a set of communication topologies. Moreover, if the synchronization trajectories are assumed to be bounded, a universal controller can be constructed for all communication topologies, which contain a directed spanning tree. The design can be applied to solve the formation problem with arbitrary formation vectors. In the regulated synchronization problem, we assume only the root receives information from exosystem. We then design a decentralized controller to solve the problem for a set of communication topologies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Processing Characteristics of Ba0.65Sr0.35TiO3 Powders from Catecholate Precursors

Powders of composition Ba_0.65Sr_0.35TiO₃ were prepared from catecholate precursor phases, BaTi(C₆H₄O₂)₃ and SrTi (C₆H₄O₂)₃. The physical and chemical properties of the base powders, and those doped with 0.2 wt% manganese, are reported in detail. The dimensions of the primary particles in the starting powders were of the order of 20–50 nm, but the occurrence of abnormal grain growth during sintering promoted grain sizes in the ceramic of up to ∼100 μm. In some microstructures, coarse grains coexisted with a ∼1-μm fraction to produce a characteristic bimodal grain size distribution. By contrast, under comparable sintering conditions, namely 1350° or 1400°C for 1 h, grain growth in Mn-doped samples was suppressed, leading to uniform microstructures with a grain size of only a few micrometers. The pellet densities were nevertheless similar, 97% of theoretical in both doped and undoped samples. No significant difference was observed in the dielectric permittivity of the two compositions: the peak relative permittivity occurred at ∼20°C, with a maximum value of ∼22 000.     

Eco-friendly electronics,based on nanocomposites of biopolyester reinforced with carbon nanotubes: a review

ABSTRACT

Fabrication of electronic materials from nanocomposite of biopolyesters reinforced with carbon nanotubes can be regarded as the effective alternative for conventional nanocomposites consisting of non-biodegradable polymers. Commercial availability of biopolyester-based nanocomposites is limited because of their high cost compared to other polymers, but the factor of their compostable nature is worthless for environmental protection. Such nanocomposites have potential applications in biodegradable sensors, EMI materials, etc. In this review, the current progress of biopolyester/CNTs nanocomposites in the field of biodegradable electronics is reviewed and also the impact of CNTs dispersion on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of eco composites is stipulated.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor activity of poly(maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐acrylic acid)

The ternary copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MA), vinyl acetate (VA), and acrylic acid (AA) [P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA)], which is considered to be an acceptor–donor–acceptor system, was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Constants of complex formation for the monomer systems in the study were determined by UV–visible (hydrogen‐bonding complex) and ¹H‐NMR (charge transfer complex) methods, respectively. The results show that polymerization of the P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) system proceeds by an alternating terpolymerization mechanism. It is shown that the synthesized copolymers have typical polyelectrolyte behavior, ability for reversible hydrolysis–anhydrization reactions, and semicrystalline structures. In these cases, including radical polymerization, and formation of semicrystalline structures, the hydrogen‐bonding effect plays a significant role. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the synthesized terpolymer and alternating copolymer were evaluated using Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activities of prepared anion‐active copolymers were studied using methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium colorimetric assay and 50% of the cytotoxic dose of each copolymer and terpolymer were calculated. Hydrolyzed P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) and P(MA‐alt‐AA) copolymers have sufficiently high antitumor activity, which depends on the amount of hydrogen‐bonding carboxylic groups and their regular distribution in the side chain of functional macromolecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3425–3432, 2006     

Adsorption of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions onto phenolated wood resin

In this study, phenolated wood resin was used an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions by adsorption from aqueous solution. The adsorption of metal ions from solution was carried at different contact times, concentrations and pHs at room temperature (25°C). For individual metal ion, the amount of metal ions adsorbed per unit weight of phenolated wood resin at equilibrium time increased with increasing concentration and pH. Also, when the amounts of metal ions adsorbed are compared to each other, it was seen that this increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II). This increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed the intraparticle diffusion model. It was also determined that adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir and Freundlich models. Adsorption isotherm obtained for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin was consistent with Freundlich model well. Adsorption capacities from Langmuir isotherm for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin were higher than those of phenolated wood resin, in the case of individual metal ions. Original adsorption isotherm demonstrated the monolayer coverage of the surface of phenolated wood resin. Adsorption kinetic followed the intraparticle diffusion model. The positive values of ΔG° determined using the equilibrium constants showed that the adsorption was not of spontaneous nature. It was seen that values of distribution coefficient (K_D) decreasing with metal ion concentration in solution at equilibrium (C_e) indicated that the occupation of active surface sites of adsorbent increased with metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2838–2846, 2006     

Characterization and preparation of new multiwall carbon nanotube/conducting polymer composites by in situ polymerization

Composites based on poly(diphenyl amine) (PDPA) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization through two different approaches: in situ polymerization and intimate mixing. In in situ polymerization, DPA was polymerized in the presence of dispersed MWNTs in sulfuric acid medium for different molar composition ratios of MWNT and DPA. Intimate mixing of synthesized PDPA with MWNT was also used for the preparation of PDPA/MWNT composites. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the diameter of the tubular structure for the composite was 10–20 nm higher than the diameter of pure MWNT. Scanning electron microscopy provided evidence for the differences in the morphology between the MWNTs and the composites. Raman and Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and UV–visible spectroscopy were used to characterize the composites and reveal the differences in the molecular level interactions between the components in the composites. The Raman and FTIR spectral results revealed doping‐type molecular interactions and coordinate covalent‐type interactions between MWNT and PDPA in the composite prepared by in situ polymerization and intimate mixing, respectively. The backbone structure of PDPA in the composite decomposed at a higher temperature (>340°C) than the pristine PDPA (～300°C). This behavior also favored the molecular level interactions between MWNT and PDPA in the composite. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3721–3729, 2006     

PROBING HIDDEN POLYMERIC INTERFACES USINGIR-VISIBLE SUM-FREQUENCY GENERATION SPECTROSCOPY

Understanding the molecular-level processes underlying interfacial phenomena is important in the area of adhesion. We briefly introduce IR-visible sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG) using a total-internal-reflection geometry for the study of polymer-air, polymer-solid, and polymer-polymer interfaces. The following examples, predominantly of work done in our lab, illustrating differences in molecular structure and dynamic properties at interfaces are presented: the air- and solid-interface structure of an amorphous polystyrene (PS) and a semicrystalline polymer with side-chain crystallinity, poly(octadecyl acrylate) (PA-18); structure of a polymer-polymer interface between thin films of a semicrystalline polymer with side-chain crystallinity, poly(vinyl-N-octadecylcarbamate- co-vinyl acetate), and an amorphous PS; thermal order-to-disorder transitions of the air and solid interface of PA-18, and the interface of this polymer with PS; and dynamic surface-relaxation studies of a rubbed PS film.     

Corrosion protection of magnesium ZM 21 alloy with polyaniline–TiO2 composite containing coatings

A polyaniline–TiO₂ composite (PTC) was prepared by oxidative polymerization of aniline in phosphoric acid with ammonium persulphate, in the presence of TiO₂. The composite was characterized by spectroscopic methods. An acrylic paint containing the PTC was prepared and the coating formed on magnesium alloy was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy after exposure to salt spray test for a period of 250 h. The coating containing the PTC was found to protect the magnesium alloy more efficiently than the coating containing polyaniline.     

3，4-二氢吡咯[2，1-c][1，4]噘嗪-1-酮及其7-芳酰基衍生物的设计与合成

以2-吡咯基三氯乙酮为主要原料,经过乙二醇单酯化、羟基氯取代、环合三步反应制得了3,4-二氢吡咯[2,1-c][1,4]噁嗪-1-酮;又经过Friedel—Crafts酰基化和环合反应制得了未见文献报道的7-芳酰基-3,4-二氢吡咯[2,1-c][1,4]噁嗪-1-酮它们及其某些重要中间体的结构分别采用红外光谱、质谱、核磁共振氢谱、核磁共振碳谱以及高分辨率质谱进行了表征．     

Magnetic Behavior of Trinuclear Vanadium(II)–Diamine Complexes. Part 2. Large Intramolecular Antiferromagnetic Exchange Interactions in a Triangular Unit

This study reports the magnetic structures of newly reported trinuclear vanadium(II)–diamine complexes. Using the isotropic Heisenberg exchange Hamiltonian, it is suggested that there are strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions among the vanadium(II) ions. It is also suggested that these complexes are good candidates to the geometrically frustrated systems. For part 1 see A. Bayri, J. Inorg. Organomet. Polym. Mater., (in press) An erratum to this article can be found at