Polymer Journal
Vol. 39, No. 6 (June, 2007)

[Award Accounts: SPSJ Award (2005)] Web Release Date: May 9, 2007

489-499 Novel Cross-Linking Concept of Polymer Network: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Slide-Ring Gels with Freely Movable Junctions  K. Ito [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

We have recently developed a novel kind of crosslinked polymeric materials with freely movable junctions, slide-ring gels, based on supramolecular architecture with topological characteristics. Figure-of-eight crosslinks in the slide-ring network can pass the polymer chains freely to equalize the ‘tension′ of the threading chains just like pulleys.

[Short Communication] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

500-501 Living Radical Polymerization of Sodium 4-Styrenesulfonate Mediated by New Water-Soluble Nitroxides  Md. A. Mannan, K. Fukuda, and Y. Miura [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

New two water-soluble nitroxides were prepared and the abilities of the nitroxides to control the radical polymerization of NaSS in D2O were evaluated. The polymerizations were initiated with water-soluble azo compounds at 120 °C, and one nitroxide showed an excellent ability to control the radical polymerization to give poly(NaSS)s with narrow polydispersities in high yields after short times.

[Short Communication] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

502-503 Characterization of Molecular Orientation of Stretched Natural Rubber by Solid-State 13C NMR  H. Dohi, H. Kimura, M. Kotani, T. Matsunaga, K. Yamauchi, H. Kaji, and T. Asakura [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The molecular orientations of vulcanized natural rubber (NR) under stretching have been characterized by 13C static NMR. From the static NMR experiments of the uniaxially stretched NR at the extension ratio of α=2 with several stretching direction against the NMR magnetic field, it was found that rubber polymer chains were oriented by stretching even at α=2 although the degree of orientation was not so large.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

504-508 The Magnetic and Configurational Properties of Tail-Like Polymer Chain with Ferromagnetic Ising Interaction  Z. H. Wang, Y. C. Chen, C. Wang, and M. B. Luo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The flat surface plays minimal effect on the magnetization ‹ M2› of Ising chain, but plays role on the mean square end-to-end distance ‹ R2›.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

509-513 Fluctuation Effects on Viscoelastic Properties of Diblock Copolymer Solutions in Disordered State  Y. Takahashi, Y. Ojika, Y. Akazawa, A. Takano, and Y. Matsushita [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Viscoelastic properties of poly(styrene-d8-block-isoprene)s in dioctyl phthalete are measured under oscillatory and steady shear flows in the disordered state, to examine the fluctuation effects on zero shear viscosity η0 and steady state compliance Je. Enhancement of η0 and Je are observed in oscillatory flow while suppression of them are observed in steady shear flow. Comparing these results with those for poly(styrene-block-2-vinylpyridine)s, it is concluded that the viscosity enhancement slightly depend on components′ viscosity ratio, while enhancement of Je is insensitive to them.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

514-523 Influence of Filler Types and Contents on Foaming Structures in ABS Microcellular Foams  A. Tsuchiya, H. Tateyama, T. Kikuchi, T. Takahashi, and K. Koyama [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A trace amount of carbon fiber (diameter = 8 μm) or calcium carbonate (diameter = 50 μm) was compounded to transparent ABS resin as model experiment to examine the initial foaming stage. Optical microscope of transparent ABS demonstrated that foaming cells were generated at the both ends of fiber for fiber type filler. For the particle type filler, cells were generated from several points on the surface. Based on these evidences, the effects of filler types and its concentration on foaming structure were discussed.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

524-530 Catalytic Oxidative Cross-Coupling Polymerization of Unsymmetric Binaphthol Derivatives Using Cu(I)-Bisoxazoline Complexes  T. Temma, Y. Takahashi, Y. Yoshii, and S. Habaue [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The oxidative coupling polymerization of various 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-binaphthalene derivatives with the CuCl-(S)-2,2′-isopropylidenebis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline) catalyst proceeded in a highly cross-coupling selective manner up to 99%. The polymer containing the cross-coupling unit showed significantly different fluorescence spectra from their model compounds.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

531-536 Preparation of Polyglycidol/SiO2 Hybrid Films with Triethoxysilyl-Capped Poly(ethylene glycol)  B.-S. Kim, J.-S. Im, S.-T. Baek, J.-O. Lee, T. Kawashima, and K. Yoshinaga [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Preparation and properties of polyglycidol (PGLD)/silica hybrid gels were investigated. Gels were synthesized by reacting hyperbranched PGLD with triethoxysilyl-capped poly(ethylene oxide) in the presence of colloidal silica and TEOS under acidic circumstances. The swelling degree of gels from colloidal silica and TEOS decreased with SiO2 content, while the stiffness of gels increased with SiO2 content. The swelling ratio and stiffness of the gel formed from TEOS was exhibited relatively higher than gels formed from colloidal silica; this is probably due to high crosslinking.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

537-542 Crystallization and Morphology Development of Binary Crystalline Poly(ethylene succinate)/Poly(ethylene oxide) (PES/PEO) Blend with Non-Isothermal Crystallization  S. He and J. Liu [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The spherulitic morphology of PES/PEO = 20/80 blend with temperature at cooling rate of 1.25 °C was investigated by polarizing optical microscope. It is found that the PEO and PES can not only nucleate seperately but nucleate with the same nucleus in which the growth faces of PES and PEO lamellae grow simultaneously with different growth rate in the same spherulite.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

543-550 Synthesis and Characterization of High Refractive Index Polyimides Derived from 4,4′-(p-Phenylenedisulfanyl)dianiline and Various Aromatic Tetracarboxylic Dianhydrides  J. Liu, Y. Nakamura, Y. Shibasaki, S. Ando, and M. Ueda [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A series of sulfur-containing polyimides with high refractive indices have been synthesized from an aromatic sulfur-containing diamine, 4,4′-(p-phenylenedisulfanyl)dianiline (2SPDA) and various aromatic dianhydrides via a two-step polycondensation procedure. The flexible and tough polyimide films exhibited good thermal stability and good transparency in the visible light region. The average refractive indices (nAV) of polyimide films at 632.8 nm were in the range of 1.7117–1.7356.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 23, 2007

551-557 Synthesis and Characterization of Hyperbranched Poly(siloxysilane) Possessing Rhodamine B as Terminal Group  L. Ding, T. Hayakawa, and M. Kakimoto [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane) possessing rhodamine B (HBPS-RB) group on the terminal position was synthesized by esterification of hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane) with hydroxyl terminal group and RB in the presence of DCC and DMAP. Fluorescence spectrum indicated that aggregation of RB is depressed in the polymer because RB molecules were separated by branch of polymer molecules.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

558-567 Optimization of Atom Transfer Radical Copolymerization of Allyl Butyl Ether with Acrylonitrile  A. S. Brar and T. Saini [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The optimization of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conditions for the copolymerization of allyl butyl ether with acrylonitrile has been carried out with the aim of achieving control over molecular parameters. The influence of solvents, initiator concentration and in-feed molar compositions on the rate of copolymerization was also investigated. The molecular weight data as well as kinetic studies suggested conventional ATRP behavior of the copolymerization of acrylonitrile and allyl butyl ether. These analysis in conjunction with NMR studies indicated that allyl butyl ether acted as a comonomer instead of a chain-transfer agent under the employed reaction conditions.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 23, 2007

568-578 Structural Changes of Polyacrylonitrile Film by Catalytic Effects of Nickel Particles under Carbonization Process  Q. Chen, X. Jiang, Y. Bin, and M. Matsuo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Polyacrylonitrile(PAN) films containing nickel particles were carbonized under argon atmosphere. The carbonized PAN at 800 °C showed thread-like structures extended from nickel particles. At 1000 °C, the thread-like structures changed to rod-like structures whose one end side was closed by a nickel particle. The disruption of rod-like structures occurred at 1200 °C, and the carbonization at 1400 °C provided new growth of carbon layers on the surface of spherulitic nickel particles. At 1600 °C, fibrous textures were observed as residual traces of disrupted carbon layers by the overflow of melted nickel.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 23, 2007

579-588 Copolymers of Glycidyl Methacrylate with 3-Methylthienyl Methacrylate: Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity Ratios  O. Gunaydin and F. Yilmaz [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Copolymers of Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 3-methylthienyl methacrylate (MTM) in various compositions were prepared by free radical polymerization at 60 °C using α, α ′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiatior. The copolymers, poly(GMA-co-MTM), were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal behavior of the copolymers was also investigated by thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Monomer reactivity ratios were determined for low conversion using Fineman Ross (FR) and Kelen Tüdós graphical methods.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 23, 2007

589-592 Alignment and Micropatterning of Carbon Nanotubes in Polymer Composites Using Modulated Magnetic Field  G. Piao, F. Kimura, T. Takahashi, Y. Moritani, H. Awano, S. Nimori, K. Tsuda, K. Yonetake, and T. Kimura [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Trapping of MWCNTs perpendicular to the matrix PVA film prepared under a 5-T vertical magnetic field. SEM image of the alignment parallel to the applied magnetic field and perpendicular to the film surface. A spot indicate the direction of the magnetic field.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

593-597 Preparation of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Epoxy/Polydimethylsiloxane in a Common Solvent of the Precursors  L.-Y. Jia, C. Zhang, Z.-J. Du, C.-J. Li, and H.-Q. Li [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Epoxy/PDMS IPNs were prepared via simultaneous approach in toluene, which was a common solvent of the epoxy and PDMS. Broadened and displaced glass transitions for the segments of epoxy resin revealed a three-dimensional interlock structure of the two components. The morphology of the IPNs was examined using SEM and AFM, which confirmed that the domains of both components were at a nanometer level. The transparent appearance of the products also suggested the generation of the expected IPNs structure.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: May 9, 2007

598-609 Morphological, Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene and Multi-wall Carbon Nanotube Composites Prepared in Decalin and Paraffin  Y. Bin, A. Yamanaka, Q. Chen, Y. Xi, X. Jiang, and M. Matsuo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites were prepared using either decalin or paraffin as solvent. The drastic increase in the conductivity occurred at low MWNT content for the composite prepared in paraffin, while the conductivity of the composite prepared in decalin increased slightly up to 10%. SEM observations revealed that the MWNTs within the composite prepared in decalin were covered by UHMWPE, and their average diameters were much greater than those of the original MWNTs, while the average diameter of the MWNTs within the composite prepared in paraffin was similar to the diameter of the original MWNTs. Such different morphology was found to be due to the different crystallization.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

610-621 Low-CTE Polyimides Derived from 2,3,6,7-Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride  M. Hasegawa and S. Horii [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Comparison of mesogenic unit lengths in the extended chains as calculated on a molecular modeling program (Chem Draw 3D and MM2 for oligomeric models of DP=5): (a) PMDA/4,4′-ODA and (b) 2,3,6,7-NTDA/4,4′-ODA systems. The longer mesogenic unit in the 2,3,6,7-NTDA systems acts more favorably for imidization-induced in-plane orientation as a trigger of lower CTE generation.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: April 27, 2007

622-631 Electrospun Gelatin Fibers: Effect of Solvent System on Morphology and Fiber Diameters  N. Choktaweesap, K. Arayanarakul, D. Aht-ong, C. Meechaisue, and P. Supaphol [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Selected scanning electron micrograph (magnification = 5000x; scale bar = 1μm) of as-electrospun fibers from 29% w/v gelatin solution in glacial acetic acid under the applied electrical potential of 7.5 kV over a collection distance of 7.5 cm.

[Note] Web Release Date: April 17, 2007

632-635 Hysteresis Behavior in Shear Rate Dependence of First Normal Stress Difference of Diblock Copolymers in Ordered State near Order-Disorder Transition  Y. Takahashi, K. Imaichi, M. Noda, A. Takano, and Y. Matsushita [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Shear rate dependence of first normal stress difference N1 for lamellae-forming diblocks in the ordered states are measured with successive increase and decrease of shear rate γ. N1 was proportional to γ and γ2 at low and high γ regimes, respectively, in the former measurements, but both data became almost the same for a solution very close to order-disorder transition due to the stability of aligned lamellae.