Preparation of branched polyacrylonitrile through self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization

Branched polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was prepared through a self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization of acrylonitrile and 2‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy)ethyl acrylate (BPEA). The branched architecture of the product was confirmed by NMR spectra and the average degree of branching (DB ) was estimated. Through a comparison of the intrinsic viscosity of the product with that of its linear analogue, the contraction factor g′ was calculated. It was found that the viscosity of the branched PAN was obviously lower that that of linear PAN. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Water and salt permeability of reinforcement polymer‐gel composite membrane

The charged mosaic polymer membrane (CMM) without reinforcement and the composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement were investigated in terms of salt and water transport (permeability). The composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement showed a unique transport behavior such as preferential material transport L_p and ω. Water permeability coefficient, L_p and salt permeability coefficient, ω were estimated by taking account of active layer thickness of composite polymer gel. The L_p and ω values of CCMM with reinforcement were larger than those of CMM without reinforcement. On the other hand, the reflection coefficient of CCMM, σ, showed negative value, which suggested preferential material transport to solvent transport. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

pH and salt responsive poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) cylindrical brushes and their quaternized derivatives

We present the synthesis and characterization of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) cylindrical brushes, their pH responsiveness, and the corresponding quaternized analog, poly{[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium iodide} (PMETAI) brushes. PDMAEMA brushes were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using the grafting-from strategy. Initiating efficiencies of the ATRP processes were determined by cleaving the side-chains and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis. Due to the slow initiation and steric hindrance, the initiating efficiency is only around 50%. The PDMAEMA brushes show worm-like structures and pH responsiveness, as proven by dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) measurements. Strong cationic polyelectrolyte PMETAI brushes were produced by quaternization of the PDMAEMA brushes. AFM and cryo-TEM images showed similar worm-like morphologies for the PMETAI brushes. The PMETAI brushes collapsed in solution with high concentration of monovalent salt, as proven by DLS and AFM results.     

Viscoelastic properties of polyarylene ether nitriles/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blend

Polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN)/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) blend was prepared via melt mixing. The immiscible phase morphologies, linear and nonlinear, as well as transient viscoelastic properties of the blend were studied using SEM, rheometer, and DMA. The linear dynamic viscoelastic behavior of the blend shows temperature dependence due to further evolution of the immiscible morphology and, as a result, the principle of time‐temperature superposition (TTS) is invalid. In the steady shear flow, the discrete TLCP phase is difficult to be broken up because of the high viscosity ratio of the blend systems, while is easy to be coarsened and followed by elongation, and finally, to form fibrous morphology at high TLCP content and high shear level. During this morphological evolution process, the transient stress response presents step increase and nonzero residual relaxation behavior, leading to increase of the dynamic viscoelastic responses after steady preshear. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Investigation of the thermal, mechanical, and fracture properties of alumina-epoxy composites

A combination of dynamic shear rheology, thermomechanical analysis (TMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS), and fracture toughness testing was utilized to characterize the thermal, mechanical, chemical, and fracture properties of alumina (α-Al₂O₃)-filled epoxy resins as a function of average filler size, size distribution, particle shape, loading, and epoxy crosslink density. In general the cured properties of the filled composites were robust. Small changes in particle size, shape, and size distribution had little impact on the final properties. Resin crosslink density and filler loading were the most critical variables, causing changes in all properties. However, most applications could likely tolerate small changes in these variables also. SEM and NEXAFS characterization of the fracture surfaces revealed that the fracture occurs at the filler interface and the interfacial epoxy composition is similar to the bulk resin, indicating a weak epoxy-alumina interaction. These results are critical for implementation of particulate-filled polymer composites in practical applications because relaxed material specifications and handling procedures can be incorporated in production environments to improve efficiency.     

Concomitant Crystallization of Copper(II) Sachharinato Complexes with 2-methylpyrazine as a Monomer and an One-dimensional Polymer: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,Spectroscopic and Thermal Properties

The reaction of [Cu(sac)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O with 2-methylpyrazine (mpyz) leads two complexes, concomitant crystallization of a mononuclear complex [Cu(sac)₂(mpyz)(H₂O)₂] (1) and a polymeric complex [Cu(sac)₂(μ-mpyz)]_n (2). Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, FT-IR and ESR, TG-DTA and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that complex 1 consists of discrete molecules in which the copper(II) ions exhibits a square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The individual molecules of 1 are connected into a hydrogen-bonded chain structure, which is further assembled to form a three-dimensional network by π–π stacking interactions. Complex 2 is an 1D coordination polymer in which copper(II) centers are bridged by the mpyz ligand. The chains are further assembled to form two-dimensional frameworks by π–π and C–H···π stacking interactions.     

Synthesis of poly(4-methylstyrene)- graft-poly(ethylene oxide)s and application as polymeric dispersant in coal-water mixture

Poly(4-methylstyrene)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide)s were prepared via polymerisation of ethylene oxide on to poly(4-methylstyrene)s functionalised with hydroxyl groups. In this way, many ‘comb-like’ polymers having different hydrophobic backbone length, hydrophilic branch length and frequency of branches were synthesised. These polymers were tested as dispersants in coal-water mixtures in order to correlate the dispersing properties of this class of polymers with the investigated parameters.     

Study on phase behavior–impact strength relationship of unsaturated polyester/polyurethane hybrid polymer network

The phase behavior of a hybrid polymer network (HPN) composed of poly[(propylene glycol maleate)-co-(propylene glycol phthalate)] crosslinked with styrene and polyester–urethane crosslinked with methylene-bis-ortho-chloroaniline was examined. The correlation between phase separation and impact strength of the HPNs is discussed. The composition of HPNs has an effect on their properties.     

Sidechain liquid crystal polymers

Research has continued in the field sidechain liquid crystal polymers over recent years, but it is becoming clearer that this research is being directed away from the traditional technology areas of electro-optic devices and researchers are developing new and exciting applications for this novel state of matter.     

Electrochemical,FTIR and morphological study of polypyrrole—Polystyrenesulphonate conducting films

The electrochemical behaviour, FTIR spectrum and the morphology of polypyrrole-polystyrenesulphonate (PPy-PSS) films obtained potentiostatically at 0.6 V in a 0.05m Py + 1.7 × 10^?2m NaPSS medium have been analysed. Different electrochemical parameters have been modified in order to establish the first polaron formation, the reversibility of the redox process and the doping mechanism. The FTIR spectrum confirms the existence of C?O groups in the film structure and two possible explanations are suggested. SEM reveals a higher homogeneity in these films than in PPy films doped with smaller counterions.