• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.757-762
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• 2009

The micro domain structures and crystallization behavior of the binary blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(pentafluorostyrene)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-PPFS-PMMA) triblock copolymer with a low molecular weight poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle light scattering (SALS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A symmetric, PMMA-PPFS-PMMA triblock copolymer with a PPFS weight fraction of 33% was blended with PVDF in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). In the wide range of PVDF concentration between 10.0 and 30.0 wt%, PVDF was completely incorporated within the PMMA micro domains of PMMA-PPFS-PMMA without further phase separation on a micrometer scale. The addition of PVDF altered the phase morphology of PMMA-PPFS-PMMA from well-defined lamellar to disordered. The crystallization of PVDF significantly disturbed the domain structure of PMMA-PPFS-PMMA in the blends, resulting in a poorly-ordered morphology. PVDF displayed unique crystallization behavior as a result of the space constraints imposed by the domain structure of PMMA-PPFS-PMMA. The pre-existing microdomain structures restricted the lamellar orientation and favored a random arrangement of lamellar crystallites.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2018

In this study, we propose a multichannel interdigitated capacitor (IDC) sensor for detecting the bitterness of coffee. The operating principle of the device is based on the variation in capacitance of a sensing membrane in contact with a bitter solution. Four solvatochromic dyes, namely, Nile red, Reichardt's dye, auramine-O, and rhodamine-B, were mixed with polyvinylchloride (PVC) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC), to create four different types of bitter-sensitive solutions. These solutions were then individually inserted into four interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) using a spin coater, to prepare four distinct IDC sensors. The sensors are capable of detecting bitterness-inducing chemical compounds in any solution, at concentrations of approximately $1{\mu}M$ to 1 M. The sensitivity of the IDC bitterness sensor containing the Reichardt's dye sensing-membrane was approximately 1.58 nF/decade. The multichannel sensor has a response time of approximately 6 s, and an approximate recovery time of 5 s. The proposed sensor offers a stable sensing response and linear sensing performance over a wide measurement range, with a correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of approximately 0.972.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.377-401
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• 2016

To study the effect of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) nanoparticles on membrane performance and structure and to explore possible improvement of using mixed solvents in the casting solution, composite polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes were prepared via immersion precipitation method using a mixture of two solvents triethyl phosphate (TEP) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and addition of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. Properties of the neat and composite membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle and membrane porosity measurements. The neat and composite membranes were further investigated in terms of BSA rejection and flux decline in cross flow filtration experiments. Following hydrophilicity improvement of the PVDF membrane by addition of 0.25 wt.% $TiO_2$, (from $70.53^{\circ}$ to $60.5^{\circ}$) degree of flux decline due to irreversible fouling resistance of the composite membrane reduced significantly and the flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 96.85% was obtained. The results showed that using mixed solvents (DMAc/TEP) with lower content of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (0.25 wt.%) affected the sedimentation rate of nanoparticles and consequently the distribution of nanoparticles in the casting solution and membrane formation which influenced the properties of the ultimate composite membranes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.2311-2316
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• 2010

Three series of copolyterephthalamides having biphenyl-2,2'-diyl structure in the main chain, were synthesized from p-phenylene-containing diamines such as p-phenylene diamine, 4,4'-oxydianiline or 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, with mixed diacids of terephthalic acid and 2,2'-bibenzoic acid by the direct polycondensation method. The resulting copolymers had inherent viscosities ranging from 0.46 to 0.93dL/g, and most of them could be readily dissolved in polar aprotic solvents including N,N-dimethyl acetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. These copolymers had glass transition temperatures between 239 and $326^{\circ}C$, and their 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of $410{\sim}485^{\circ}C$ in nitrogen atmosphere.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.3219-3223
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• 2014

Ochnaflavone, a naturally occurring biflavonoid composed of two units of apigenin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone) joined via a C-O-C linkage, was first synthesized and evaluated its inhibitory activity on $PGE_2$ production. Total synthesis was accomplished through modified Ullmann diaryl ether formation as a key step. Coupling reactions of 4'-halogenoflavones and 3'-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone were explored in diverse reaction conditions. The reaction of 4'-fluoro-5,7-dimethoxyflavone (2c) and 3'-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (2d) in N,N-dimethylacetamide gave the coupled compound 3 in 58% yield. Synthetic ochnaflavone strongly inhibited PGE2 production ($IC_{50}=1.08{\mu}M$) from LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells, which was due to reduced expression of COX-2. On the contrary, the inhibition mechanism of wogonin was somewhat different from that of ochnaflavone although wogonin, a natural occurring anti-inflammatory flavonoid, showed strong inhibitory activity of $PGE_2$ production ($IC_{50}=0.52{\mu}M$), and seems to be COX-2 enzyme inhibition. Our concise total synthesis of ochnaflavone enable us to provide sufficient quantities of material for advanced biological studies as well as to efficiently prepare derivatives for structure-activity relationship study.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2020

The effects of the mixed two solvents, Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and Dimethylformamide (DMF), and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as additives on performance of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were studied. Initially, PEG200 was used as a primary additive at fixed percentage of 5% wt. PVP was then blended with PEG200 in different concentrations. PVDF and DMAc were used as polymer and solvent in the casting solutions, respectively. To control the diffusion rate of PVP in the presence of PEG200 and PVP blend, mixtures of DMAc and DMF were used as the mixed solvent in the casting solutions. Asymmetric PVDF membranes were prepared via phase inversion process in a water bath and the effects of two additives and two solvents on the membrane morphology, pure water flux (PWF), hydrophilicity and rejection (R) were investigated. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (ATR-FTIR) analysis was used to show the residual PVP on the surface of the membranes. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was utilized to determine roughness of membrane surface. The use of mixed solvents in the casting solution resulted in reduction of PVP diffusion rate and increment of PEG diffusion rate. Eventually, PWF and R values reduced, while porosity and hydrophilicity increased.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2000

The synthesis of poly(2-ethynylpyridine) having glycidyl functionality was performed by the direct polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine and epibromohydrin under mild reaction conditions without any initiator and catalysts. The polymerization proceeded well to give the resulting poly(2-ethynylpyridinium bromide) with a glycidyl functionality having relativity high molecular weight in high yields. The polymer structure was characterized by various instrumental methods to have the conjugated polymer backbone structure having glycidyl functionality. This ionic polymer was completely soluble in water, methanol, DMF, DMSO, and N,N-dimethylacetamide, but insoluble in THF, toluene, acetone, nitrobenzene, and n-hexane. This polymer system exhibited the UV-visible absorption around 300 and 520 nm and red photoluminescence spectrum around 725 nm.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.624-629
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• 2006

The cellulose-based, Electroactive Paper (EAPap) has recently been reported as a smart material with the advantages of lightweight, dry condition, biodegradability, sustainability, large displacement output and low actuation voltage. However, it requires high humidity.. This paper introduces an EAPap made with a cellulose solution and lithium chloride (LiCl), which can be actuated in room humidity condition. The fabrication process, performance test and effect of LiCl content of the EAPap actuator are illustrated. The bending displacement of the EAPap actuators was evaluated with actuation voltage, frequency, humidity and LiCl content changes. At a LiCl/ cellulose content of 3:10, the displacement output was maximized at a room humidity condition. Even though the displacement output was less than that of a high humidity EAPap actuator, the mechanical power output was not reduced due to the increased resonance frequency, which is promising for developing EAPap actuators that are less sensitive to humidity.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.438-442
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• 2006

Novel sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketones) containing benzoxazole were directly synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic polycondensation using various ratios of 2,2'-bi[2-( 4-flurophenyl)benzoxazol-6-yl]hexafluoropropane to sodium 5,5'-carbonylbis(2-fluorobenzenesulfonate). The copolymers were soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide at a relatively high solid composition (>15 wt%) and formed tough, flexible and transparent membranes. The membranes exhibited a degradation temperature of above $290^{\circ}C$. The exact dissolution times of these membranes at $80^{\circ}C$ in Fenton's reagent (3 wt% $H_2O_2$ containing 2 ppm $FeSO_4$) were undetectable, confirming their excellent chemical stability in fuel cell application. The membranes showed a moderate increase in water uptake with respect to increasing temperature. The proton conductivities of the membranes were dependent on the composition and ranged from $1.10{\times}10^{-2}$ to $5.50{\times}10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$ at $80^{\circ}C$ and 95% relative humidity (RH). At $120^{\circ}C$ without externally humidified conditions, the conductivities increased above $10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$ with respect to increasing benzoxazole content, which suggested that the benzoxazole moieties contributed to the proton conduction.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

A series of noble poly(amide-imide)s and copoly(amide-imide)s bearing 1,2-bis(4-phenoxy)benzene units were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of 1,2-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)benzene[1,2-PTPB] with a combination of commercially available aromatic diamines and diacids such as m-phenylene diamine, p-phenylene diamine(PPD), isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid(TA) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as a condensing agent in the presence of dehydrating agent ($CaCl_2$). The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.37~0.78 dL/g and most of them were soluble m common organic solvents including NMP, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and m-cresol. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that the copoly(amide-imide) derived from PPD with mixed acids of 1,2-BTPB and TA, showed crystalline nature, whereas all of the other polymers were found to be amorphous. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers occurred over the temperature range of $270{\sim}323^{\circ}C$ in their differential scanning calorimetry curves and their 10% weight loss temperature, determined by thermogravimetric analysis in air and nitrogen atmosphere, were in the range $465{\sim}535^{\circ}C$, $500{\sim}550^{\circ}C$, respectively, indicating their good thermal stability.