• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.157-172
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• 2013

This paper presented an investigation of macromolecular suspension in a grooved channel by using the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) with finitely extensible non-linear elastic (FENE) bead spring chains model. Before studying the movement and evolution of macromolecules, the DPD method was first validated by modeling the simple fluid flow in the grooved channel. For both simple fluid flow and macromolecular suspension, the flow fields were analyzed in detail. It is found that the structure of the grooved channel with sudden contraction and expansion strongly affects the velocity distribution. As the width of the channel reduces, the horizontal velocity increases simultaneously. Vortices can also be found at the top and bottom corners behind the contraction section. For macromolecular suspension, the macromolecular chains influence velocity and density distribution rather than the temperature and pressure. Macromolecules tend to drag simple fluid particles, reducing the velocity with density and velocity fluctuations. Particle trajectories and evolution of macromolecular conformation were investigated. The structure of the grooved channel with sudden contraction and expansion significantly influence the evolution of macromolecular conformation, while macromolecules display adaptivity to adjust their own conformation and angle to suit the structure so as to pass the channel smoothly.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.247-252
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• 2000

Suspension polymerizations of styrene were conducted in the aqueous phase with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as a stabilizer and $\alpha$, $\alpha$'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. Various amounts of initiator and stabilizer were selected and the reaction was carried out at a selected temperature between 60 to 80 $\^{C}$. It was found that the combination of 5 wt% stabilizer and 2.427$\times$10$\^$-3/ mol/L of costabilizer is the minimum amount for suspension polymerization reaction to produce particles in the aqueous phase. Particles were found to be polydisperse in diameter, regardless of reaction conditions. Class transitions were observed to be around 95$\^{C}$, nearly independent of reaction temperature and initiator. Homogenizer was found to be essential in forming particles in the proximity of tens of micrometers in diameter in suspension polymerization with TCP as stabilizer.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2004

When water is evaporated quickly from a water-based colloidal suspension, colloidal particles protrude from the water surface, distorting it and generating lateral capillary forces between the colloidal particles. The protruded colloidal particles are then assembled into ordered colloidal crystalline domains that float on the water surface on account of their having a lower effective density than water. These colloidal crystal domains then assemble together by lateral capillary force and convective flow; the generated colloidal crystal has grain boundaries. The single domain size of the colloidal crystal could be controlled, to some extent, by changing the rate of water evaporation, but it seems very difficult to fabricate a single crystal over a large area of the water's surface without reorienting each colloidal crystal domain. To reorient such colloidal crystal domains, a glass plate was dipped into the colloidal suspension at a tilted angle because the meniscus (airwaterglass plate interface) is pinned and thinned by further water evaporation. The thinning meniscus generated a shear force and reoriented the colloidal crystalline domains into a single domain.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.418-423
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• 2007

A methacrylate copolymer based on isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was synthesized in an aqueous suspension via free-radical polymerization. The potential of this copolymer as a heat-resistant optical polymer is also discussed. 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxy-2-ethyl hexanoate and n-octyl mercaptan were used as the initiator and chain transfer agents, respectively. The effect of IBMA on the properties of the copolymer was investigated. The composition of the copolymer was analyzed using $^1H-NMR$, and the heat resistance by measuring the glass transition temperature, which exhibited a linear dependency on the IBMA content in the copolymer. Variation of the chain transfer content used in the synthesis step was effective for the optimization of the copolymer for practical use.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.518-522
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• 2003

We fabricated polymeric hollow spheres having macropores, which combine the advantageous properties of porous materials and hollow spheres. To fabricate such spheres, a polystyrene/methylmethacrylate solution was dispersed in water by vigorously stirring and then the suspension was quenched using liquid nitrogen. Water and methyl methacrylate present in the quenched suspension were readily sublimated by freeze-drying. Conclusively, the hollow-sphere structure and the macropores of its shell were created by the processes of liquid nitrogen-quenching and sublimation of methyl methacrylate domains within the shell, respectively.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 2003

When using the dipping method for crystal formation, mono-layered colloidal crystal structures depend upon the lift-up rate of a glass substrate. The mono-layered colloidal crystals showed the highest quality when the glass substrate was raised at a rate of 3 mm/min at 25 $^{\circ}C$ in a 1 wt% polystyrene colloidal suspension (ethanol medium). In addition, in order to obtain multiple-layered colloidal crystals, an external electric Held was introduced. Multiple-layered colloidal crystals were successfully obtained via this method. The colloidal particles were well ordered over large areas and assembled into a homogeneous structure.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2007

Polyimide/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite films, for potential use in high performance microelectronics and aerospace applications, were prepared by mixing a polyisoimide (PII) solution and a CNT suspension in NMP, followed by casting, evaporation and thermal imidization. The CNTs were modified by a nitric acid treatment to improve the thermal and electrical properties, as well as to provide good dispersion of the CNTs in a polymer matrix. The formation of functional groups on the modified CNT was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the modified CNTs to be well dispersed in the polyimide matrix, with a uniform diameter of ca. 50 nm. The thermal stability of the films containing the CNTs was improved due to the enhanced interfacial interaction and good dispersion between the polyimide matrix and modified CNTs. In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient of the composites films was slightly decreased, but the dielectric constants increased linearly with increasing CNT content.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.215-220
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• 2002

The electrorheological (ER) and dielectric behaviors of the polypyrrole(PPy)-coated poly(ethyl methacrylate)(PEMA) suspensions in mineral oil were investigated. PPy was coated on PEMA particles to enhance the particle polarization, which would lead to the enhanced ER response. Various PPy-coated PEMA particles were synthesized by controlling the oxidant amount during the pyrrole polymerization, and the ER responses of their suspensions were investigated. The ER response initially increases with the oxidant amount, passes through a maximum, and then decreases with the oxidant amount. The initial increase in the ER response with oxidant amounts is due to the enhanced particle polarization with the increased particle surface conductivity. The dielectric properties of the corresponding suspensions support that the ER enhancement arises from the enhanced particle polarization. The decrease in the ER response at large oxidant amounts seems to arise from the increased conduction between the PPy-coated PEMA particles.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.682-685
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• 2008

The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) for topical delivery. SLN composed of coconut oil and curdlan improved the suspension instability of ATRA in aqueous solution. The photodegradation of ATRA by light was reduced by incorporation in SLN. The loading efficiency of ATRA in SLN was higher than 95% (w/w). The amounts of ATRA released from SLN at $4^{\circ}C$ and at $37^{\circ}C$ were less than 15% and more than 60% (w/w) for 96 h, respectively. The ATRA-loaded SLN can be used as a potential carrier for topical delivery.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.2041-2043
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• 2013

A layered perovskite of Dion-Jacobson phase, $RbLaTa_2O_7$, was successfully exfoliated into colloidal suspension via successive ion-exchange and intercalation reaction. The pristine perovskite $RbLaTa_2O_7$ was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction, and then, it was ion-exchanged with hydrochloric acid to obtain a protonic form of perovskite. The resulting proton-exchanged perovskite was reacted with ethylamine to increase interlayer spaces for further intercalation reaction. Finally, the ethylamine-intercalated form was exfoliated into nanosheets via an intercalation of bulky organic cations (tetrabutylammonium). According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the TBA-intercalated form showed remarkably increased interlayer spacing (${\Delta}d$ = 1.67 nm) in comparison with that of the pristine material. Transmission electron microscopic image of exfoliated perovskite clearly revealed that the present exfoliated perovskite were composed of very thin layers. This exfoliated perovskite nanosheets could be applicable as building blocks for fabricating functional nanocomposites.