Preparation and characterization of modified telechelic natural rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive

Telechelic natural rubber (TNR) was prepared by the use of potassium persulfate and propanal at 70 °C and various degradation times from 0 to 30 h. These samples were then grafted by maleic anhydride (MA) in toluene solution before modification with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) to produce modified TNRs (AMTNRs). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to identify the chemical compositions. Carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of TNRs were clearly observed, due to chain scission, oxidation, and modified chain ends. The viscosities of TNRs were dropped greatly after 5 h and then decreased slowly as a function of degradation time. ATR-FTIR spectra of AMTNRs showed amide bonds between ATA and MA groups, and then the multiple hydrogen bonding arrays were formed. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of AMTNRs were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The T_g of AMTNR_0 moved to a higher temperature of –55 °C after modification by ATA, confirming the formation of multiple hydrogen bonding arrays. However, the T_g of AMTNR_5 to AMTNR_30 decreased slightly due to chain scission in the degradation process. The adhesive properties of AMTNR-based pressure-sensitive adhesive were evaluated by a Lloyd adhesion tester. The tack of AMTNRs depended on wettability whereas peel and shear strengths were responded by a combination between wettability and multiple hydrogen bonding arrays.     

Ionic Iridium(III) Complexes with Bulky Side Groups for Use in Light Emitting Cells: Reduction of Concentration Quenching

Here, the photophysics and performance of single‐layer light emitting cells (LECs) based on a series of ionic cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes of formulae and where ppy, bpy, and phen are 2‐phenylpyridine, substituted bipyridine and substituted phenanthroline ligands, respectively, are reported. Substitution at the N?N ligand has little effect on the emitting metal‐ligand to ligand charge‐transfer (MLLCT) states and functionalization at this site of the complex leads to only modest changes in emission color. For the more bulky complexes the increase in intermolecular separation leads to reduced exciton migration, which in turn, by suppressing concentration quenching, significantly increases the lifetime of the excited state. On the other hand, the larger intermolecular separation induced by bulky ligands reduces the charge carrier mobility of the materials, which means that higher bias fields are needed to drive the diodes. A brightness of ca. 1000 cd m^?2 at 3 V is obtained for complex 5, which demonstrates a beneficial effect of bulky substituents.     

Atomic force microscopy investigation of phase morphology correlated with adhesive properties for modified telechelic natural rubber based-pressure sensitive adhesive

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique to determine phase morphology and surface mechanical properties of materials. In this research natural rubber was degraded and grafted by malelic anhydride before modification with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole to obtain modified telechelic natural rubber or modified TNR. It was then blended with cumarone-indene resin at 10, 30, and 50 phr, acting as tackifier. Phase morphology and surface topography were investigated by intermitted AFM. The results showed that tackifier enriched domains were clearly observed in modified TNR matrix after added 30 and 50 phr and the domain sizes were approximately to be the order of micrometer (5–10 µm) which it increased with increasing tackifier content. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between tackifier and modified TNR was observed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adhesive properties (loop tack, peel, and shear strength) were governed by the size of tackifier enriched domains, surface mean roughness and compatibility or interaction between modified TNR rubber and cumarone-indene tackifier resin.