Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Molecular-Weight Blends—Correlation with Local Chain Order in the Melt?

Multicomponent Network Formation in Selective Layer of Composite Membrane for CO2 Separation

As a promising material for CO₂/N₂ separation, PolyActive^TM can be used as a separation layer in thin-film composite membranes (TFCM). Prior studies focused on the modification of PolyActive^TM using low-molecular-weight additives. In this study, the effect of chemical crosslinking of reactive end-groups containing additives, forming networks within selective layers of the TFCM, has been studied. In order to understand the influence of a network embedded into a polymer matrix on the properties of the resulting materials, various characterization methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas transport measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were used. The characterization of the resulting membrane regarding individual gas permeances by an in-house built “pressure increase” facility revealed a twofold increase in CO₂ permeance, with insignificant losses in CO₂/N₂ selectivity.

Disentangling and Lamellar Thickening of Linear Polymers during Crystallization: Simulation of Bimodal and Unimodal Molecular Weight Distribution Systems

We have performed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the isothermal crystallization of bimodal and unimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD) polymers with equivalent average molecular weight (M_w). By using primitive path analysis, we can monitor the entanglement evolution during the process of crystallization. We have discovered a quantitative correlation between the degree of disentanglement and crystallinity, indicating that chain disentanglement permits the process of crystallization. In addition, the crystalline stem length also displays a linear relation with the degree of disentanglement at different temperatures. Based on the observation in our simulations, we can build a scenario of the whole process of chain disentangling and lamellar thickening on the basis of chain sliding diffusion. Furthermore, we have enough evidence to infer that the temperature dependence of crystalline stem length is basically a result of temperature dependence of chain sliding diffusion. Our observations are also in agreement with Hikosaka's sliding diffusion theory. Compared to the unimodal system, the disentanglement degree of the bimodal system is more delayed than its crystallinity due to the slower chain sliding of the long-chain component; the bimodal system reaches a larger crystalline stem length at all temperatures due to the promotion of higher chain sliding mobility of the short-chain component.

Influence of Surface Modified Nanodiamonds on Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Silicone Composites

Detonation nanodiamonds, also known as ultradispersed diamonds, possess versatile chemically active surfaces, which can be adjusted to improve their interaction with elastomers. Such improvements can result in decreased dielectric and viscous losses of the composites without compromising other in-rubber properties, thus making the composites suitable for new demanding applications, such as energy harvesting. However, in most cases, surface modification of nanodiamonds requires the use of strong chemicals and high temperatures. The present study offers a less time-consuming functionalization method at 40 °C via reaction between the epoxy-rings of the modifier and carboxylic groups at the nanodiamond surface. This allows decorating the nanodiamond surface with chemical groups that are able to participate in the crosslinking reaction, thus creating strong interaction between filler and elastomer. Addition of 0.1 phr (parts per hundred rubber) of modified nanodiamonds into the silicone matrix results in about fivefold decreased electric losses at 1 Hz due to a reduced conductivity. Moreover, the mechanical hysteresis loss is reduced more than 50% and dynamic loss tangent at ambient temperature is lowered. Therefore, such materials are recommended for the dielectric energy harvesting application, and they are expected to increase its efficiency.

Hyphenated low-field NMR techniques: combining NMR with NIR, GPC/SEC and rheometry

Hyphenated low-field NMR techniques are promising characterization methods for online process analytics and comprehensive offline studies of soft materials. By combining different analytical methods with low-field NMR, information on chemical and physical properties can be correlated with molecular dynamics and complementary chemical information. In this review, we present three hyphenated low-field NMR techniques: a combination of near-infrared spectroscopy and time-domain NMR (TD-NMR) relaxometry, online (1) H-NMR spectroscopy measured directly after size exclusion chromatographic (SEC, also known as GPC) separation and a combination of rheometry and TD-NMR relaxometry for highly viscous materials. Case studies are reviewed that underline the possibilities and challenges of the different hyphenated low-field NMR methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High residue contents indebted by platinum and silica synergistic action during the pyrolysis of silicone formulations

The synergistic role of platinum and silica as a way to increase the final residue of pyrolized silicone was investigated and explained, giving new interpretations. Conditions were first set to study the thermal degradation of silicones in the presence of platinum based on the simplest silicone/silica/platinum formulation. Numerous parameters, e.g., platinum and silica content or silica surface modifications, were varied to track their influences on the final residues. A thorough DSC study, together with SEM/EDX and Pyrolysis/GC-MS analyses, led us to propose a three-stage process. The key parameter governing thermal stability and final content of the residue is the conjugated actions of immobilizing/cross-linking PDMS chains. Silica particles tether silicone chains through physical interactions, i.e., hydrogen bonding, facilitating a platinum radically catalyzed cross-linking reaction. Practical implications and possible improvements on LSR formulations are finally given.