Polymer Journal
Vol. 41, No. 12 (December, 2009)

[Review Article] Web Release Date: October 21, 2009

1019-1026 Electrically Induced Microstructures in Micro- and Nano-Suspensions and Related Physical Properties  K. Tanaka and R. Akiyama [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Progress in electrorheology was reviewed for micro- and nano-suspensions. Characteristics required for the suspensions and related materials were shown. Some proposed models were discussed. Electrically induced microstructures, yielding, and related physical properties were also discussed in terms of theory and experiment.

[Short Communication] Web Release Date: September 28, 2009

1028-1029 Highly Conductive and Transparent Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/Poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) Thin Films  H. Yan, T. Jo, and H. Okuzaki [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

We have successfully prepared highly conductive (443 S/cm) and transparent (89%) PEDOT/PSS thin films with thickness of 93 nm by the combination of three approaches, i.e., centrifuge, spin-coating and solvent-treatment. The solvent effect for the enhancement of the conductivity and transmittance is shown in the figure.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 9, 2009

1030-1035 Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Biguanidine Hydrochloride under Microwave Irradiation  X. Zhao, J. He, and Y. Zhan [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride was synthesized by reacting chitosan with dicyandiamide under microwave irradiation. Antibacterial activity tests indicated that chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride showed better antibacterial activity than chitosan and the antibacterial activity of guanidinylated chitosan enhanced with increasing substitution degrees.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: September 28, 2009

1036-1040 Thickness Anomalies in Supported Polystyrene Films with Thicknesses Comparable to the Radius of Gyration  C. Yang, A. Kitahara, and I. Takahashi [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

X-Ray reflectivity of ultrathin polystyrene films with thickness h, which is comparable to the radius of gyration Rg is reported. Tiny jumps in thickness are reproductively observed at two characteristic temperatures (80 °C and 92 °C) only with increasing temperature for films with thickness less than 2Rg. The jump in thickness has revealed a thickness dependence (0.5Rg (at 80 °C), 1Rg (at 80 °C and 92 °C), 2Rg (at 92 °C)), which is discussed as the surface and confined effects.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: September 28, 2009

1041-1048 Excess X-ray Scattering Observed at Low Angles during Melting of Crystalline-Amorphous Diblock Copolymers  K. Tonami, S. Nojima, T. Honda, and Y. Tsunogae [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The heating process of a series of crystalline-amorphous diblock copolymers, hydrogenated polynorbornene-block-hydrogenated poly(1,4-methano-1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydrofluorene) (hPNB-b-hPMTF), has been investigated using time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering with synchrotron radiation. The excess upturn scattering at low angles was transiently observed during the melting of hPNB blocks. The crystallized lamellar morphology, which had been gradually transformed from the molten microdomain structure by the crystallization of hPNB blocks, was responsible for the emergence of this scattering.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: September 28, 2009

1049-1054 Prediction of Solvent Diffusivities in Amorphous Polymers by Free-Volume Theory: Group Contribution and PALS Methods  H. Lv, B. Wang, and Y. Kong [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A modified free-volume model was proposed to predict solvent diffusivities in amorphous polymers. All the parameters with respect to polymer can be determined by group contribution method based on the van der Waals volume of polymer structural units. Predictions of infinite dilution diffusion coefficients in polymer were consistent with experimental results over a considerable temperature range. Hole size distribution from positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) results was investigated to prove the reliability of this model.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 9, 2009

1055-1066 Influence of Polymer Morphology on the Capacity of Molecularly Imprinted Resins to Release or to Retain their Template  R. Vendamme, W. Eevers, M. Kaneto, and Y. Minamizaki [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the template caffeine have been prepared with different polymer:porogen volume ratios by a non-covalent approach. The morphology of the resulting porous polymers has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, density measurements, swelling studies and nitrogen adsorption. Subsequently, the releasing and retaining behaviours of the polymers have been investigated, and the role of polymer morphology on the release profile has been highlighted.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 2, 2009

1067-1075 A Novel Method for Synthesis of Chiral Polymer Useful for Membrane Application  S. Hazarika, S. Borthakur, P. G. Rao, and N. N. Dutta [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A Chiral polymer from 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-triethylsiloxy-1-propenyloxy)ethane and dialdehyde from adipoyl chloride and 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde has been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, TGA, DSC, optical rotation and Circular dichrosm (CD) study. The same was used for preparation of enantioselective membrane by phase inversion technique and the membrane was characterized for pore size and surface morphology through SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis. The enantioselective property of the membrane was studied using aqueous solution of Atenolol, Captopril, Propranolol hydrochloride and Salbutamol as feed solution.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: September 28, 2009

1076-1079 White Light Emission from Blue InGaN LED with Fluorescent Conjugated Polymer Blends  H. J. Yu, K. Park, W. Chung, J. Kim, B. Chun, and S. H. Kim [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

White LEDs were fabricated by precoating blue InGaN LEDs with blends of a green emitting polymer (PFPV) and a red emitting polymer (MEH-PPV), which acted as the phosphor.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 2, 2009

1080-1084 Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA)/Silica Hybrid Using in situ Polymerization Method  Y. Kajiwara, A. Nagai, and Y. Chujo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

A facile and fast synthesis of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)/silica hybrid was achieved using in situ polymerization method under microwave irradiation, in which the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out together with the sol-gel reaction of methyltrimethoxysilane (MeTMOS). The preparation rate of the hybrid under microwave irradiation was accelerated rapidly relative to that under conventional heating due to the activation of hydroxyl groups of HEMA and silanol groups of alkoxysilanes by microwave irradiation.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 2, 2009

1085-1091 Kinetics of Photo-Induced Chemiluminescence Decay from Polymers  K. R. Millington and G. Maurdev [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Previous studies showed that the decay of photo-induced chemiluminescence (PICL) in polymers does not obey classical first or second order kinetics. This study demonstrates that plotting PICL second-order decay from three diverse fibrous polymers in a modified form gives excellent linear plots. The existence of a significantly less reactive fraction of macroperoxy radicals in heterogeneous polymers can explain the deviation from classical behaviour and this fraction can be quantified from the gradient of the modified plots.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 2, 2009

1092-1097 Studies on the Preparation and Properties of Sol–Gel Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Based on Tetramethoxysilane and Methyltrimethoxysilane for Recognized Sulfonamides  S.-C. Lee, C.-L. Peng, and H. Chen [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Molecular imprinting of synthetic polymers with a target molecule can be done if the target presents as a template or imprint molecule during the polymerization. In this study, the sol–gel molecularly imprinted polymers based on tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) for recognized sulfonamides. The MIP′s preparation conditions, the H2O/Si molar ratios (R), pH value of competition solution, calcination temperature, and the TMOS and MTMOS molar fractions are discussed.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 9, 2009

1098-1104 Effect of Copolymerization Time on the Microstructure and Properties of Polypropylene/Poly(ethylene-co-propylene) In-Reactor Alloys  Y. Fan, C. Zhang, Y. Xue, W. Nie, X. Zhang, X. Ji, and S. Bo [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Three PP/EPR in-reactor alloys produced by a two-stage slurry/gas polymerization, with different ethylene content and properties by controlling the copolymerization time, were fractionated via temperature rising dissolution fractionation. The results indicates that the increased copolymerization time caused increased content of EPR, EP segmented and block copolymer. Increasing the ethylene content in EPR and EP segmented and block copolymer, as well as the suitable EPR content, is believed to be the key factors resulting in the excellent toughness-stiffness balance.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 2, 2009

1105-1110 Syntheses and Characterization of the Alternating Polymers Based on Cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene Backbone with Spiro Group  S. Song, Y. Jin, S. H. Park, S. H. Kim, I. Kim, K. Lee, and H. Suh [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

New electroluminescent of spiro-PCPP-alt-PCPP and spiro-PCPPP have been synthesized by the Suzuki-Miyaura polymerization. Both of the PL emission spectra of the polymers in chloroform show the maximum peaks at 397 nm. The maximum peaks of the PL emission spectra of the polymers in solid thin films appeared at around 448 and 441 nm caused by the increased inter-chain interaction in solid state.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 9, 2009

1111-1116 Fusible, Elastic, and Biodegradable Polyesters of 2-Pyrone-4,6-Dicarboxylic Acid (PDC)  T. Michinobu, M. Bito, Y. Yamada, M. Tanimura, Y. Katayama, E. Masai, M. Nakamura, Y. Otsuka, S. Ohara, and K. Shigehara [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The fusible polyesters of 2-pyrone-4,6-carboxylic acid (PDC) were for the first time prepared by copolymerization with 1,4-butanediol and succinic anhydride. The copolymers showed the improved elasticity when they were blended with poly(L-lactic acid). Furthermore, the excellent degradation behavior was demonstrated by the biodegradability test and the accelerated hydrolysis tests.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 9, 2009

1117-1123 Palladium-Mediated Polymerization of Bifunctional Diazocarbonyl Compounds: Preparation of Crosslinked Polymers by Copolymerization of Bi- and Monofunctional Diazocarbonyl Compounds  E. Ihara, Y. Goto, T. Itoh, and K. Inoue [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Pd-mediated copolymerization of bis(diazoketone)s, 4,4′-bis(diazoacetyl)biphenyl 5, and bis(4-diazoacetylphenyl)dimethylsilane 6, with monofunctional diazoketones, 3 and 4, and ethyl diazoacetate 7 proceeded efficiently to afford a new type of crosslinked polymers bearing poly(substituted methylene) backbones.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 21, 2009

1124-1128 Phenolic Resin-Based Carbon Thin Fibers Prepared by Electrospinning: Additive Effects of Poly(vinyl butyral) and Electrolytes  S. Imaizumi, H. Matsumoto, K. Suzuki, M. Minagawa, M. Kimura, and A. Tanioka [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

We accomplished a good formation of the thin carbon fiber through electrospinning by the combined use of a high-molecular-weight polymer and two kinds of electrolytes, followed by successive carbonization. The carbonized fabrics with a thinner diameter showed a higher conductivity, a higher specific surface area, and flexibility. The prepared carbon fabrics with a diameter of 110 nm had the highest electrical conductivity of 5.29 Scm−1, and BET specific surface area of 792.7 m2 g−1.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: October 21, 2009

1129-1135 Microwave-Assisted Simultaneous Synthesis of Conducting and Non-Conducting Polymers from Potassium 2,4,6-Tribromophenolate  G. B. Çelik and D. Kısakürek [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

The syntesis of different types of polymers from potassium 2,4,6-tribromophenolate and their characterization by means of elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, DSC, TGA-FT-IR, ESR, SEM conductivity measurement and Light Scattering. Thermal polymerizations were carried out with a new technique, microwave-assisted polymerization. For the first time, synthesis of highly conducting polymer was achieved with microwave energy without doping process. SEM micrographs shows that, surface morpholgy of conducting polymer was different, sponge like structure.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: December 15, 2009

1136-1143 Oxidative Coupling Copolycondensation of 2,6-Dimethylphenol with 2,5-Dimethylphenol: Highly Thermostable Poly(phenylene ether)  Y. Shibasaki, K. Hoshi, E. Suzuki, Y. Shiraishi, Y. Norisue, and Y. Oishi [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

2,5-Dimethylphenol was copolymerized with 2,6-dimethylphenol using the copper chloride-tetramethylethylenediamine (CuCl-TMEDA) catalyst in toluene at 20 °C for 7 h under oxygen. The resulting copolymer shows higher thermal stability about 70 °C along with improved mechanical properties than the conventional poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE). The higher thermal stability of the copolymer could be attributable to the 2,5-dimethylphenol unit, which is likely to be located at the end of the copolymer.

[Regular Article] Web Release Date: December 15, 2009

1144-1151 Liquid Chromatography under Limiting Conditions of Desorption IV. Separation of Macromolecules According to Their Stereoregularity  D. Berek, T. Kitayama, K. Hatada, H. Ihara, I. Capek, and E. Borsig [Full Text PDF(J-STAGE)]

Novel method of liquid chromatography under limiting conditions of desorption has been applied for separation of selected poly(methacrylate)s according to their stereoregularity. It is demonstrated that even small divergences in the adsorption of macromolecules that differ in their molecular architecture can give rise to distinctions in retention volumes and thus form a basis for their separations.