Ingenieurwissenschaften und zugeordnete Tätigkeiten
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- 6 Materialchemie (229) (entfernen)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (95)
Mg is a very promising material for lightweight construction and biomedical applications. However, the applicability of Mg and its alloys is hindered by its high corrosion susceptibility. Moreover, due to the toxicity of most inorganic conversion coating systems, the development of novel pre-treatment strategies for technical alloys are of vital importance. The aim of this study is to develop polymeric bilayer thin films for corrosion protection of Mg-alloys. As polymer matrix, poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) was selected due to its semiconducting properties and protonic conductivity. In contrast to ICPs with electronic conductivity, the pH-dependant, reversible protonation/de-protonation capability of the P4VP has been utilized to synthesize environment-responsive coatings. Polyacrylicacid (PAA) was tested as crosslinking layers to improve interfacial interactions between the polymeric layers. The macroscopic corrosion properties of the bilayer coatings were investigated by means of electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in corrosive media simulating technical and biomedical applications. The presentation summarizes our recent results on the synthesis and characterization of this novel coating system with a special focus on their interfacial stability and corrosion protection properties.
Mg is a very promising material for lightweight construction and biomedical applications. However, the applicability of Mg and its alloys is hindered by its high corrosion susceptibility. Moreover, due to the toxicity of most inorganic conversion coating systems, the development of novel pre-treatment strategies for technical alloys are of vital importance. Recently, the application of intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) have been introduced as an alternative approach for corrosion protection of Mg alloys. ICPs with electronic conductivity are known to be able to passivate small defects, however they fail in the presence of large defects due to fast coating reduction and increased cation transport if macroscopically extended percolation networks exist.
The aim of this study is to develop graphene-polymer nanocomposite thin films for corrosion protection of Mg-alloys. As polymer matrix, poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) was selected due to its semiconducting properties and protonic conductivity. In contrast to ICPs with electronic conductivity, the pH-dependant, reversible protonation/de-protonation capability of the P4VP has been utilized to synthesize environment-responsive coatings. The presentation summarizes our recent results on the synthesis and characterization of this novel coating system with a special focus on their interfacial stability and corrosion protection properties.
Large-pore ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) COK-12, analogous to the well-known SBA-15, but synthesized in a more environmentally friendly way and exhibiting a shorter plate-like structure, was grafted with different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) for the first time in an inexpensive and rapid process, that was successfully upscaled. Samples were examined with nitrogen sorption analysis, SAXS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and zeta potential analysis. Adsorption experiments with the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) were conducted on the grafted materials and on pure COK-12, taking into account the influence of initial dye concentration (30–600 mg L-1), adsorbent dosage (0.2–14 g L-1), contact time (0.3–300 min), solution pH (4 10), and influence of salts and temperature (0–1 M NaCl, 80 C) to simulate industrial dye effluent. The adsorption process was found to be represented best by the Langmuir isotherm model, i.e., adsorption is a monolayer process. The calculated maximum Adsorption capacities were found to be 20.2 and 197.5 mg g-1 at dosages of 5 and 0.5 g L-1 for pure COK-12 and COK-12 grafted with 50 wt% GO, respectively, at pH 5.65 and MB concentration of 100 mg L-1.
Adsorption kinetics were found to follow the pseudo-second order model, i.e., chemisorption is the rate controlling step. The adsorption performances could be well preserved at simulated dye effluent.
Desorption was found to be most effective with hydrochloric acid. The COK-12 grafted with GO presented in this work shows superior adsorption properties in comparison to other grafted OMS materials. In addition, grafting with GO remarkably improved the stability of COK-12 in aqueous solution.
Polymers at interfaces play a major role in a broad variety of applications ranging from engineering purposes (for instance polymer based nanocomposites) to high tech implications (for instance light emitting diodes). Here the glass transition and glassy dynamics is considered for epoxy-based nanocomposite with Layered Double Hydroxide nanofiller and for thin films of a misicble polymer blend of PVME/PS with thicknesses down to 7 nm. The materials are investigated by spectroscopic techniques (broadband and specific heat spectroscopy), as well as by fast scanning calorimetry and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering.
As resistance to traditional drugs emerges for treatment of Virus infections, the need for new methods for virus inhibition increases. Graphene derivatives with large surface areas have shown strong activity against different viruses. However, the inability of current synthetic protocols to accurately manipulate the structure of graphene sheets in order to control their antiviral activity remains a major challenge. In this work, a series of graphene derivatives with defined polyglycerol sulfate and fatty amine functionalities have been synthesized and their interactions with herpes simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) are investigated. While electrostatic interactions between polyglycerol sulfate and virus particles trigger the binding of graphene to virus, alkyl chains induce a high antiviral activity by secondary hydrophobic interactions. Among graphene sheets with a broad range of alkyl chains, (C3–C18), the C12-functionalized sheets showed the highest antiviral activity, indicating the optimum synergistic effect between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, but this derivative was toxic against the Vero cell line.
In contrast, sheets functionalized with C6- and C9-alkyl chains showed low toxicity against Vero cells and a synergistic Inhibition of HSV-1. This study shows that antiviral agents against HSV-1 can be obtained by controlled and stepwise functionalization of graphene sheets and may be developed into antiviral agents for future biomedical applications.
Polymeric core-shell particles were synthesized in a semi-batch emulsion polymerization process. The shell of the particles consist of PVDF with a high amount of beta-phase. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to quantify the size of the cores of the particles and the thickness of the shell.
It was found for inorganic/polymer nanocomposites that a so-called Rigid Amorphous Phase (RAF) is formed in the interfacial region by adsorption of polymer segments onto the nanoparticles. The segmental dynamics of RAF is expected to be altered, as compared to the pure matrix, which might percolate into the entire system, affecting the overall nanocomposite properties. Here, the structure and molecular mobility of epoxy-based PNCs with different nanofillers (layered double hydroxide and boehmite) was studied by a combination of calorimetric and X-Ray scattering techniques. Temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) showed that depending on the nanofiller, RAF can reach up to 40 wt % of the system or, on the contrary, the overall mobility of the matrix might increase due to the presence of particles. Such contrasting results, including the high amount of RAF, which was never shown before for epoxy-based PNCs, emphasize the importance of interfaces. Additionally, glass transition and glassy dynamics were investigated by a novel technique, Flash DSC (heating rates up to 10 kK/s) employed for the first time to a thermosetting system and electrospun fibers, which did not result in their degradation. It was used to study both the vitrification kinetics and glassy dynamics of the PNCs, for instance further confirming the presence of RAF and its impact on the overall material properties.
The in-situ monitoring of electrochemical deposition (ECD) processes is still a challenge regarding the measurement of the effective temperature of the substrate and the formation of mechanical stress in the layer under given plating conditions. Monitoring problems can be solved by applying a pre-coated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to the electrolytic process as the shift of the Bragg wavelength is affected by both the temperature of the electrolyte near the substrate and the stress formation in the growing layer. The experimental FBG set-up and the quantitative determination of temperature- and stress-related strain is described for a nickel-iron electrolyte.
Femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures: from light localization to applications
(2019)
This presentation reviews the current state in the field of Laser-induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS). These surface nanostructures are a universal phenomenon and can be generated on almost any material by irradiation with intense linearly polarized laser radiation. LIPSS are formed in a “self-ordered” way and are often accompanying material processing applications. They can be produced following a single-step process and enable surface functionalization through the adaption of optical, mechanical and chemical surface properties. Their structural sizes typically range from several micrometers down to less than 100 nanometers exhibiting a clear correlation with the polarization direction of the laser radiation. Various types of surface structures are classified, relevant control parameters are identified, and their material specific formation mechanisms are analyzed for different types of inorganic solids, i.e., metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics, through time-resolved optical experiments and theoretical simulations. Finally, technological applications featuring surface functionalization in the fields of optics, fluidics, medicine, and tribology are discussed.
Experimenting on MAUS
(2019)
Everything SAXS
(2019)
Some critical discussion of the state of the art of uncertainty evaluationin Instrumented Indentation Testing IIT
Nowadays the Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT), in the nano range often named as nano indention, is one of the most commonly used methods to determine the mechanical properties of materials in the micro and nano range. This method is already extensive standardized in ISO 14577 part 1-4. In the past, the application of this standard in testing praxis shows that the established values have an excellent precision.If an uncertainty is calculated, the range of values within which the true value is asserted to lie with some level of confidencewill be known. In part 1 of ISO 14577 [1] two methods for evaluation of the uncertainty in IIT are mentioned:
Method 1 for determining uncertainty considers only those uncertainties associated with the overall measurement performance of the testing machine with respect to the reference blocks.
Method 2calculates a combined uncertainty from individual contributions. These may be grouped into random and systematic uncertainties.
Both methods will be described in detail using examples from the dailyexperimental praxis. The comparabilityof both methods will be critically discussed. Finally, it will be showedhow the calculated uncertaintiescan be used for performancetests and product specifications.
Acknowledgement
This work was performed under the support of the EMPIR project 17NRM05Advancing measurement uncertainty̶ comprehensiveexamples for key international standards
References
[1] ISO 14577 part 1 (2017)
Knowledge of the compressional and thermal behaviour of metals and alloys is of a high fundamental and applied value. In this work, we studied the behaviour of Ir, Rh, and their fcc-structured alloys, Ir0.42Rh0.58 and Ir0.26Os0.05Pt0.31Rh0.23Ru0.15, up to 70 GPa using the diamond anvil cell technique with synchrotron X-ray diffraction. We found that all these materials are structurally stable upon room-temperature hydrostatic compression in the whole pressure interval, as well as upon heating to 2273 K both at ambient and high pressure. Rh, Ir0.42Rh0.58 and Ir0.26Os0.05Pt0.31Rh0.23Ru0.15 were investigated under static compression for the first time. According to our data, the compressibility of Ir, Rh, fcc–Ir0.42Rh0.58, and fcc Ir0.26Os0.05Pt0.31Rh0.23Ru0.15, can be described with the 3rd order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with the following parameters: V0 = 14.14(6) Å3·atom−1, B0 = 341(10) GPa, and B0' = 4.7(3); V0 = 13.73(7) Å3·atom−1, B0 = 301(9) GPa, and B0' = 3.1(2); V0 = 13.90(8) Å3·atom−1, B0 = 317(17) GPa, and B0' = 6.0(5); V0 = 14.16(9) Å3·atom−1, B0 = 300(22) GPa, B0' = 6(1), where V0 is the unit cell volume, B0 and B0' – are the bulk modulus and its pressure derivative.
Das EMPIR-Förderprogramm wird kurz erläutert und laufende Projekte aus der Nanotechnologie werden vorgestellt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf Standardisierungsprojekten, die gemeinsam mit ISO/TC 229 'Nanotechnologies' und CEN/TC 352 'Nanotechnologies' zu neuen Normen führen sollten. Als Beispiel für laufende Nanotechnologie-Projekte mit Koordination aus Deutschland werden MagNaStand (PTB) und nPSize (BAM) gegeben.
Eleventh canSAS Meeting: International Cooperation and Collaboration in Small-Angle Scattering
(2019)
The eleventh canSAS workshop was held in Freising, Germany, July 8–10, 2019.
These international meetings, promoting collective action for nomadic small-angle scatterers, have been taking place since 1998 and act as forums to catalyze cooperation amongst the SAS community in order to provide better facilities and equipment, combined with reliable data interpretation and analysis. The meeting attracted over 60 participants from major neutron and X-ray laboratories, as well as manufacturers of SAXS equipment, and users from academia and industry. There was also a wide geographical spread with participants from Australia, Asia, and North America joining European colleagues.
High resolution analysis of corrosion processes on stainless steels is a challenging task. The application of local electrochemical techniques such as scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has opened new possibilities for the detection of corrosion products and activity on metallic surfaces. However, due to its stochastic nature, the analysis of pitting corrosion requires being at the right place at the right time. Scanning over large areas at a high resolution not only leads to long scan durations but also leaves many short-lived processes undetected. In this paper we present the combined automated operation of SECM and wire multi-electrodes connected to a multi-electrode analyzer (MMA). The inter-electrode currents between 25 wire electrodes connected via zero resistance ammeters (ZRA) are measured by the MMA at open circuit potential (OCP) and the electrodes reporting anodic currents are detected automatically to be analyzed by means of SECM. The results demonstrate the successful application of this methodology for the detection of unstable and stable pitting processes on 304 stainless steel in a corrosive aqueous environment.
Microbiologically induced corrosion due to bacterial biofilms causes several problems in industrial systems, technical applications and in medicine. Prior to the formation of a biofilm on a substrate, planktonic cells attach on the surface. Hence, the properties of the surface play a key role in biofilm formation and are of great importance for the development of strategies to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.
This project aims at clarifying to which extent surface micro-/nanostructuring and chemical functionalization affects bacterial attachment and whether a synergistic combination of the two can be used to control bacterial adhesion. To answer these questions, model surfaces with regular patterns of 5-10 micrometers in size have been prepared, which provide distinct zones differing in terms of their chemistry or nano-roughness. This was achieved by micro contact printing of self-assembled monolayers with different functional groups and deposition of patterned ZnO nanorod arrays for studying the effect of surface chemistry and morphology, respectively. Typical contrasts studied were combinations of positively/negatively charged, hydrophobic/hydrophilic or flat/rough.
The attachment behavior of bacteria on tailored surfaces were studied in a flow chamber as a function of time. The strain Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 was chosen as a model organism. DNA-intercalating dyes such as Syto9 have a high affinity to adsorb on ZnO nanorods. To overcome this limitation a genetic modification was performed by introducing a gene which expresses a green fluorescent protein in P. fluorescens SBW25 enabling the quantitative evaluation of the flow chamber studies by means of fluorescence microscopy. Further analysis of the attachment behavior was performed by means of scanning electron microscopy.
The presentation will summarize the results of our systematic study on the role of individual parameters on bacterial attachment and highlight synergistic combinations, showing an inhibition or enhancing effect. As the investigations with model substrates enable a precise control of the surface parameters, this approach can be applied to different microorganisms and material systems to achieve a correlative description of bacterial adhesion on solid surfaces.
The authors describe and interpret curvature-related changes to the ellipsometric readout. As model system for a concave curvature, a set of three spherical microscopic indents in silicon (100) of different sizes was prepared by instrumented indentation testing using a spherical indenter. For reference, these samples were characterized by AFM to reveal the topography of each structure. The concavelike indents were analyzed by Mueller-Matrix imaging ellipsometry to extract lateral intensity images of 12 elements of the Mueller-Matrix. As a result of the detailed analysis of the image elements m22, m23, and m14, it was possible to correlate intensity changes and symmetry properties to depolarization and cross polarization induced by the edge threshold and the curved surface of the indent.
Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) of high performance have developed as materials with a wide application range in gas separation and other energy-related fields. Further optimization and long-term behavior of devices with PIMs require an understanding of the structure-property relationships including physical aging. In this context the glass transi-tion plays a central role, but with conventional thermal analysis a glass transition is usually not detectable for PIMs be-fore their thermal decomposition. Fast scanning calorimetry provides evidence of the glass transition for a series of PIMs, as the time scales responsible for thermal degradation and for the glass transition are decoupled by employing ultrafast heating rates of tens of thousands K s-1. The investigated PIMs were chosen considering the chain rigidity. The estimated glass transition temperatures follow the order of the rigidity of the backbone of the PIMs.
Nanocomposites based on MgAL layered double hydroxides (LDH) and an epoxy resin were prepared and investigated by a combination of complementary methods. As epoxy resin Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) was used with Diethylenetriamine as curing agent. The LDH was modified with taurine, which acts as an additional crosslinking agent due to its amine groups. The epoxy resin was cured in a presence of the nanofiller, which was added to the system in various concentrations. X-ray scattering, by combination of SAXS and WAXS was used to characterize the morphology of the obtained nanocomposites. These investigations show that the filler is distributed in the matrix as small stacks of ca. 10 layers. The molecular dynamics of the system, as probe for structure, was investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. In addition to the - and -relaxation (dynamic glass transition), characteristic for the unfilled materials, a further process was found which was assigned to localized fluctuations of segments physically adsorbed or chemically bonded to the nanoparticles. The dielectric -relaxation is shifted to higher temperatures for the nanocomposites in comparison to the pure material but depends weakly on the content of nanoparticles. Further, for the first time Flash DSC was employed to a thermosetting system to investigate the glass transition behavior of the nanocomposites. The heating rates were converted in to relaxation rates. For low concentrations of the nanofiller the thermal data overlap more or less with that of the pure epoxy. For higher concentrations the thermal data are shifted significantly to higher temperatures. This is discussed in terms the cooperativity approach to the glass transition.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, long and flexible, and granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes persist in the lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus according. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be checked and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of MWCNTs have been classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Degradation of polyurethanes in various environments – Effects on molecular mass and crosslinking
(2019)
The increasing application of polyurethanes (PU) in safety relevant sectors (fire protection, insulation, medicine technique) requires detailed knowledge of the stability and reliability of these materials. Different climate factors are supposed to induce diverse and overlapping degradation reactions. The knowledge of these degradation mechanisms is necessary for an estimation of the period of application depending on usage of the material. An essential property of a polymeric system is represented by the molecular weight. Since a change of the molecular weight is a measure for the chemical stability of a polymer, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to monitor changes of the molecular weight of thermoplastic polyether- and polyester urethane (TPU) exposed to thermal, hydrolytic and photo-oxidative (UV) degradation conditions for several days. Thermal treatments were performed at elevated temperatures (100 - 200 °C) under oxidative (air) as well as non-oxidative (nitrogen) conditions to evaluate the specific influence of oxygen on the degradation. At higher temperatures (≥ 175 °C) a fast decrease of the molecular masses of both PU accompanied by a high degree of crosslinking was found. At lower temperatures (≤ 150 °C) the polymers remained widely unaffected by thermal degradation within the investigated degradation interval of up to two weeks, which was already known from FTIR spectroscopy[1]. In contrast to that, UV treatment at 25 °C at less than 10 % rel. humidity (RH) resulted in a fast crosslinking, whereas the molecular masses of both PU decreased slower than during the thermal treatments. The depth of penetration of the UV radiation was determined using 3D printed PU samples with different thicknesses. Hydrolysis based degradation effects were less significant. Only slight molecular mass changes were detected at temperatures ≤ 80 °C within a time span of 14 days, while no crosslinking could be measured. Considering the degradation results at the investigated exposure parameters, it could be shown that ester-based PU in general exhibits a significant higher stability compared to ether-based materials.
Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to monitor changes of the molecular masses of thermoplastic polyether – and polyester urethane (TPU) exposed to thermal, hydrolytic, and photo-oxidative (UV) Degradation conditions for several days. The thermal treatment was performed at elevated temperatures (100–200 °C) under oxidative (air) as well as non-oxidative (nitrogen) conditions to evaluate the specific influence of oxygen on the degradation. At higher temperatures (≥175 °C) a fast decrease of the molecular masses of both PU accompanied by a high degree of crosslinking was found. At lower temperatures (≤150 °C) the polymers remained widely unaffected by thermal degradation within the investigated degradation interval of up to two weeks. Surprisingly, the influence of oxygen (air) was found to be less distinct. In contrast to that, UV treatment at 25 °C at less than 10% rel. humidity (RH) resulted in a fast crosslinking, whereas the molecular masses of both PU decreased slower than for thermal treatments. The depth of penetration of the UV radiation was estimated using 3D printed PU samples with different thicknesses. Hydrolysis based degradation effects were less significant. Only slight molecular mass changes were detected at temperatures ≤80 °C within a time span of 14 days, while no crosslinking could be measured. Considering the degradation results at the investigated exposure parameters, it could be shown that esterbased PU in general exhibits a significant higher stability compared to ether-based materials.
Polyolefins as polypropylene are widely used in packaging, automotive, consumer goods, construction, infrastructure, agricultural film and other film and sheet applications. Due to their molecular structure, polyolefins inherently burn well. The wide and growing usage implements that fire retardancy of polyolefin products is necessary and gains more attention. Sulfurous additives with synergistic flame retarding effects were shown in polymers like polystyrene and polyolefins by Bellin et al. and Fuchs et al. earlier. For polystyrene compounds, Braun et al. revealed that thermal degradation in the presence of phosphorus and sulfurous additives changes massively. The total release, the composition, and the onset temperature of evolved decomposition products changes.
For polypropylene, mixtures containing triphenyl phosphate (TPP), sulfur (S8) and poly(tertbutylphenol) disulphide (PBDS) (Table 1) were prepared and investigated via thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR).
A comparison of tributyltin chloride, dibutyltin dichloride,and butyltin trichloride as catalysts of ring-opening polymerizations(ROPs) of l-lactides at 160°C in bulk reveals increasing reactivity in the above order, but only the least reactive catalysts, Bu3SnCl, yield a uniform reaction product, namely cyclic poly(L-lactide)s with weight average molecular weights (Mw ́s) in the range of 40,000–80,000. A comparison of dimethyltin , dibutyltin , and diphenyltin dichlorides resulted in the following order of reactivity: Me2SnCl2<Bu2SnCl2<<Ph2SnCl2. In this series also, the most reactive catalyst yields cyclic polylactides, but the extent of cyclization varies with the molecular weight. The formation of cyclic polylactides is explained by ROP combined with simultaneous polycondensation involving end-to-end cyclization (ROPPOC method). ROP of meso-lactide at 80 or 60°C yields even-numbered linear chains as main products, a result supporting the ROPPOC mechanism.
Outline
- maging ellipsometry: oncept and setup
- Basic theory: ellipsometry on tilted/curved surfaces
- Geometric considerations
- Tilt-induced cross-polarization
- Application: coating analysis on microlensarray
- Mueller-Matrix Imaging
- Conversion to Delta-Psi Image
- Layer-thickness of ITO coating
Copper has a strong bactericidal effect against multi-drug resistant pathogens and polyethers are known for their resistance to biofilm formation. Herein, we combined Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and a polyether Plasma polymer in the form of nanocomposite thin films and studied whether both effects can be coupled. Cu NPs were produced by magnetron sputtering via the aggregation in a cool buffer gas whereasolyether layers were synthesized by Plasma-Assisted Vapor Phase Deposition with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) used as a precursor. In situ specific heat spectroscopy and XPS analysis revealed the formation of a modified polymer layer around the NPs which propagates on the scale of a few nanometers from the Cu NP/polymer interface and then transforms into a bulk polymer phase. The chemical composition of the modified layer is found to be ether-deficient due to the catalytic influence of copper whereas the bulk polymer Phase exhibits the chemical composition close to the original PEO. Two cooperative glass transition phenomena are revealed that belong to the modified polymer layer and the bulk phase. The former is characterized by constrained mobility of polymer segments which manifests itself via a 30 K increase of dynamic glass transition temperature. Furthermore, the modified layer is characterized by the heterogeneous structure which results in higher fragility of this layer as compared to the bulk phase. The Cu NPs/polyether thin films exhibit reduced Protein adsorption; however, the constrained segmental dynamics leads to the Deterioration of the non-fouling properties for ultra-thin polyether coatings. The films are found to have a bactericidal effect against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Considerations for nanomaterial identification of powders using volume-specific surface area method
(2019)
The EC’s recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) should allow the identification of a particulate nanomaterial based on the number-based metric criterion according to which at least 50% of the constituent particles have the smallest dimension between 1 and 100 nm. However, it has been recently demonstrated that the implementation of this definition for regulatory purposes is conditioned by the large deviations between the results obtained by different sizing methods or due to practical reasons such as high costs and time-consuming.
For most measurement methods for particle size determination it is necessary to initially disperse the particles in a suitable liquid. However, as the particle size decreases, the adhesion forces increase strongly, making it more difficult to deagglomerate the particles and to assess accurately the result of this process. Therefore, the success of the deagglomeration process substantially determines the measurement uncertainty and hence, the comparability between different methods.
Many common methods such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS) or ultrasound attenuation spectroscopy (US) can give good comparable results for the size of nanoparticles, if they are properly separated and stabilized (e.g. in reference suspensions).
In order to avoid the use of hardly available and expensive methods such as SEM / TEM for all powders, an agglomeration-tolerant screening method is useful.
One of the measurement methods well suited to probe the size of particulate powder is the determination of the volume-specific surface area (VSSA) by means of gas adsorption as well as skeletal density. The value of 60 m2/cm3 corresponding to spherical, monodisperse particles with a diameter of 100 nm constitutes the threshold for decisioning if the material is a nano- or non-nanomaterial. The identification of a nanomaterial by VSSA method is accepted by the EU recommendation.
However, the application of the VSSA method was associated also with some limitations. The threshold of 60 m2/cm3 is dependent on the particle shape, so that it changes considerably with the number of nano-dimensions, but also with the degree of sphericity of the particles. For particles containing micro-pores or having a microporous coating, false positive results are induced. Furthermore, broad particle size distributions made necessary to additionally correct the threshold. Based on examples of commercially available ceramic powders, the applicability of the VSSA approach was tested in relation with SEM and TEM measurements. The introduction of a correction term for deviations from sphericity and further additions improved the applicability of VSSA as a screening method.
Thin films (200-7nm) of the asymmetric polymer blend poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME)/polystyrene (PS) (25/75wt%) were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Thicker samples ([Formula: see text]37 nm) were measured by crossed electrode capacitors (CEC), where the film is capped between Al-electrodes. For thinner films ([Formula: see text]37 nm) nanostructured capacitors (NSC) were employed, allowing one free surface in the film. The dielectric spectra of the thick films showed three relaxation processes ( [Formula: see text] -, [Formula: see text] - and [Formula: see text] -relaxation), like the bulk, related to PVME fluctuations in local spatial regions with different PS concentrations. The thickness dependence of the [Formula: see text] -process for films measured by CECs proved a spatially heterogeneous structure across the film with a PS-adsorption at the Al-electrodes. On the contrary, for the films measured by NSCs a PVME segregation at the free surface was found, resulting in faster dynamics, compared to the CECs. Moreover, for the thinnest films ([Formula: see text]26 nm) an additional relaxation process was detected. It was assigned to restricted fluctuations of PVME segments within the loosely bounded part of the adsorbed layer, proving that for NSCs a PVME enrichment takes place also at the polymer/substrate interface.
The damaging impact of hydrogen on the austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 L was analysed.
To this aim, samples were charged electrochemically with the hydrogen isotope deuterium (2H, D) and examined with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The fusion of the obtained chemical and structural information revealed local enrichment of deuterium in austenite, transformation into martensite, crack formation and severe roughening of the specimen surface. The results indicated that martensite was not only formed during charging but also during Desorption and ToF-SIMS examinations. Furthermore, cross-sections of deuterium-charged samples revealed that in preferred deformation bands a g/ε/a 0 evolution is taking place.
By means of microscopic analyses and carrier gas hot extraction (CGHE), it was found that the use of NaAsO2 as recombination poison decreased the uptake of hydrogen significantly and resulted in severe precipitation on the specimen surfaces. This is in contrast to the popular presumption that NaAsO2 enhances the uptake of hydrogen (and
deuterium) during electrochemical charging by hampering its recombination from Atoms to molecules.
Two epoxy-based nanocomposites with different nanofillers (layered double hydroxide and boehmite) were investigated employing temperature modulated DSC, flash DSC and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Detailed investigation on the molecular mobility of the two systems showed the effect of the fillers on the structure of the bulk epoxy matrix and the interface formed at the polymer/particle interface
Formation of interphases between inorganic nanofillers and thermoplastic matrices are usually correlated to short-range interactions which does not exceed more than tens of nanometers away from the surface of the filler. Nevertheless, in nanocomposites with thermosetting matrices, the effect of nanofillers on the properties of the matrix is not limited to the immediate vicinities, but a long-range property alteration of the bulk polymer may be observed. The interaction between nanofillers and the polymer can disturb the curing reaction and alters the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the polymer network in the matrix phase. In our studies, we aim to investigate short and long-range interphases of a nanocomposite system consisting of a thermosetting matrix (DGEBA) filled with an inorganic nanoparticle (boehmite). For this purpose, a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approaches is implemented. Scanning kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) was used to map the compositional contrast and the interphase with different electrical properties than the bulk. The mechanical properties of the interphase were probed by high resolution intermodulation AFM. (ImAFM). Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy AFM (AFM-IR) is used to investigate the chemical structure of the matrix at different distances from the nanoparticle. SKPM and (AFM-IR) measurements both show a long-range (to 10 µm) effect of boehmite on the chemical structure and surface potential of the bulk epoxy, respectively, whereas ImAFM force measurements reveals a short-range mechanical interphase between the filler and the matrix. The AFM-IR demonstrated the existence of unreacted anhydride hardener at the interphase. This indicates the preferential absorption of anhydride on the surface of boehmite. The consequence of such a selective interaction between the inorganic filler and the epoxy components is disturbance of the epoxy-hardener stoichiometric ratio, the curing mechanism. and the alteration of bulk properties of the matrix.
The phase behavior and molecular ordering of hexakishexyloxy triphenylene (HAT6) DLC under cylindrical nanoconfinement is studied utilizing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS), where cylindrical nanoconfinement is established through embedding HAT6 into the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAO), and a silica membrane with pore diameters ranging from 161 nm down to 12 nm. Both unmodified and modified pore walls were considered, and in the latter case the pore walls of AAO membranes were chemical treated with n octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) resulting in the formation of a 2.2 nm thick layer of grafted alkyl chains. Phase transition enthalpies decrease with decreasing pore size, indicating that a large proportion of the HAT6 molecules within the pores has a disordered structure, which increases with decreasing pore size for both pore walls. In the case of the ODPA modification the amount of ordered HAT6 is increased compared to the unmodified case. The pore size dependencies of the phase transition temperatures were approximated using the Gibbs Thomson equation, where the estimated surface tension is dependent on the molecular ordering of HAT6 molecules within the pores and upon their surface. DS was employed to investigate the molecular ordering of HAT6 within the nanopores. These investigations revealed that with a pore size of around 38 nm, for the samples with the unmodified pore walls, the molecular ordering changes from planar axial to homeotropic radial. However, the planar axial configuration, which is suitable for electronic applications, can be successfully preserved through ODPA modification for most of the pore sizes.
Chemical effects during the formation of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures
(2019)
The processing of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) on metals and semiconductors in ambient air is usually accompanied by superficial oxidation effects – a fact that is widely neglected in the current literature. In this contribution, chemical, structural, and mechanical alterations in the formation of femtosecond LIPSS are characterized by a variety of surface analytical techniques, including energy dispersive X-ray analyses (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro Raman spectroscopy (µ-RS), and depth-profiling Auger electron microscopy (AEM). Alternative routes of electrochemical and thermal oxidation allow to qualify the relevance of superficial oxidation effects on the tribological performance in oil lubricated reciprocating sliding tribological tests (RSTT). It is revealed that the fs-laser processing of near-wavelength sized LIPSS on metals leads to the formation of a few hundreds of nanometers thick graded oxide layers, consisting mainly of amorphous oxides. Regardless of reduced hardness and limited thickness, this nanostructured surface layer efficiently prevents a direct metal-to-metal contact in the RSTT and may also act as an anchor layer for specific wear-reducing additives contained in the used engine oil.
In recent years superglassy polymers exhibiting intrinsic microporosity established a new perspective for a number of applications, especially for gas separation membranes as These polymers Combine extremely high permeabilities with attractive selectivities. The essential factor governing the structure Formation in the solid film or layer is either a contorted rigid Backbone (polymers of intrinsic microporosity - PIMs) or extremely bulky side groups (polynorbornenes and polytricyclonenenes).
For a deeper understanding of both types of such high-Performance polymers for gas separation membranes and their further development broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) can provide a substantial contribution.
BDS addresses molecular relaxations characterizing the dynamics of the solid polymer as a major factor determining the gas transport properties but also the physical aging behavior which is an essential issue for such polymers.
BDS is applied on PIMs where fluctuations of molecular dipoles connected to the backbone can be directly monitored. Furthermore, also polynorbornenes were investigated which carry no dipole moment in their repeat unit - the high resolution of modern equipment allows for the detailed analysis also for very small dielectric losses originating from partially oxidized moieties or marginal catalyst residues.
Additionally, from interfacial polarization phenomena, such as Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization due to blocking of charge carriers at internal interfacial boundaries on a mesoscopic length scale, valuable information on the intrinsic microporosity and its changes induced by physical aging can be obtained.
Finally, also conductivity can be characterized in detail in such polymeric systems revealing contributions of interactions of aromatic moieties (π-π-stacking) or the drift motion of charge carriers. These features also determine the structure formation in the solid state.
Challenges in Traceable Size Measurement of Non-Spherical, Non-Monodisperse Nanoparticles - nPSize
(2019)
Size measurement of nanoparticles (NP) becomes a challenging analytical problem when non-spherical shapes must be traceably measured. However, most industrial NPs have irregular shapes and broad size distribution making it often more complex to follow European regulatory to identify a material as a nanomaterial according to which accurate measurement of the smallest dimension and its size Distribution is necessary.
The European research project nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements aims to fill this gap by developing potential non-spherical reference nanoparticles, measurement procedures and physical modelling to improve the traceability chain, comparability and compatibility for NP size measurements between different methods. Therefore, new model NP with well-controlled shape has been synthesized and are supposed to be systematically characterized using the traceable methods scanning/transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering.
Following NP candidates are under investigation with respect to their homogeneity and stability: (i) titania nanoplatelets (10-15 nm thickness x 50-100 nm lateral), (ii) titania bipyramides (~60 nm length x 40 nm width), (iii) titania acicular particles (100 nm length x 15-20 nm width; aspect ratio 5.5/6), (iv) gold nanorods (~10 nm width x 30 nm length), and (v) gold nanocubes (~55 nm x 55 nm x 55 nm). In addition, sample preparation procedures as well as measurement analysis procedures with evaluation of appropriate measurands and descriptors for each material class and method are being developed to support standardization. To underpin the traceability of the size measurement of nonspherical NP, physical modelling of the signals in e.g. electron microscopy techniques will be used and in combination, the implementation of machine learning is aimed to facilitate measurement Analysis procedures, especially regarding the accurate thresholding/segmentation of the NPs.zeige mehr
Up until several years ago, tensile and compressive tests have been exclusively carried out as single-sample tests within a tensile, hardness or universal testing machine. The availability of centrifuge technology changed this situation in 2013 in several ways because centrifugal force is used as testing force within a rotational reference frame.
Firstly, multiple-sample strength testing became feasible for both tensile load condi-tions, e.g. determination of composite, bonding or adhesive strength, and compressive load conditions, e.g. hardness, compressibility and compactibility. Secondly, there is no need for a two-sided sample clamping and double-cardanic suspensions as samples are simply inserted using a one-sided sample support. Thirdly, shear forces can be avoided by means of guiding sleeves which steer test stamps acting as mass bodies for either tensile or compressive testing. Fourthly, up to eight samples can be tested under identical conditions within a very short period of time, typically within 15 minutes including sample loading and unloading. Hence, either a reliable statistics (of identical samples) or a ranking (of different samples) can be derived from one test run.
The bench-top test system is described in detail and demonstrated that centrifugal force acts as testing force in an appropriate way because Euler and Coriolis force do not affect the testing results. Examples for both tensile strength testing, i.e. bonding strength of adhesives-bonded joints and adhesive strength of coatings, and compres-sive strength testing, i.e. Vickers-, Brinell- and ball indentation hardness and deter-mination of spring constants, are presented, discussed and compared with conven-tional tests within tensile, hardness or universal testing machines.
At present, a maximum testing force of 6.5 kN can be realized which results at test stamp diameters of 5 mm, 7 mm, and 10 mm in tensile or compressive stress values of 80 MPa, 160 MPa, and 320 MPa. For tensile strength, this is already beyond bonding strength of cold- and warm-curing adhesives. Moreover, centrifuge technology is compliant to standards such as EN 15870, EN ISO 4624, EN ISO 6506/6507 and VDI/VDE 2616. Programmable test cycles allow both short-term stress and log-term fatigue tests. Based on a variety of examples of surface and bonding technology, applications in both fields R&D and QC are presented. Meanwhile, centrifuge technology is also accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.
Der Vortrag widmet sich der „ CAT-TECHNOLOGIE ZUR BESTIMMUNG DER KLEBFESTIGKEIT“ und beschreibt die Punkte „Motivation –CAT-Technologie (Centrifugal Adhesion Testing), Klebfestigkeit ( Materialscreening verschiedener Werkstoffklassen, Klebstoffscreening fürV2A gegenV2A als Referenz, Klebstoffscreening für Niedrigenergie-Polymere und Oberfächenmodifizierung von Niedrigenergie-Polymeren) und Verbundfestigkeit (“Stirnabzug vs. Zug-Scher-Prüfung an CFK) im Einzelnen.
Der Vortrag widmet sich der „CAT-TECHNOLOGIE ZUR BESTIMMUNG DER HAFTFESTIGKEIT DÜNNER SCHICHTEN“ und beschreibt die Punkte „Motivation –CAT-Technologie“ (CAT: Centrifugal Adhesion Testing) und die „Haftfestigkeit von Schichten“, (Ag-Schichten auf N-BK7 Glas, Cr- und Al-Schichten auf Borofloat 33 Glas, Au-Schichten auf N-BK7 Glas und SiO2-Schichten auf CR39 Polymer) im Einzelnen.
Ca-, Sr-, and Ba-Based coordination polymers (CPs) were prepared mechanochemically by milling metal-hydroxide samples with anthranilic acid (oABAH). {[Ca(oABA)2(H2O)3]}n consists of one-dimensional polymeric chains that are further connected by a hydrogen-bonding network. {[Sr(oABA)2(H2O)2]·H2O}n is a one-dimensional CP in which water molecules bridge Sr2+ ions and increase the dimensionality by building an extended network. {[Ba(oABA)2(H2O)]}n crystallizes as a two-dimensional CP comprising one bridging water molecule. The cation radii influence the inorganic connectivity and dimensionality of the resulting crystal structures. The crystal structures were refined from powder X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The local coordination environments were studied via extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. The compounds were further characterized using comprehensive analytical methods such as elemental analysis, thermal analysis, MAS NMR, imaging, and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) measurements. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibit small surface areas which decrease further after thermal annealing experiments. All compounds exhibit a phase transformation upon heating, which is only reversible in 3.
Broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10-1 to 109 Hz is employed to revisit the segmental dynamics of the miscible blend system poly(vinyl methyl ether)/polystyrene (PVME/PS) in dependence on the composition firstly in the bulk state. Here especially the case of high polystyrene concentrations is considered. It is important to note that only the molecular dynamics of PVME segments as affected by PS is observed because the dipole moment of polystyrene is negligible. Three relaxation processes are found which are due to fluctuations of differently constrained or confined PVME segments. The degree of the confinement of PVME segments due to PS is discussed in dependence on the composition.
Further a spatial confinement is considered by investigating thin films of the PVME/PS blend where the film thickness was varied from 100 nm down to 5 nm. Two concentrations of PVME/PS (50/50 wt% and 25/75 wt%) are investigated. To measure nanometer thick films a novel electrode system based on nanostructured electrodes was employed. Nanostructured electrodes can be considered as a cut-edge technology in dielectric spectroscopy. The relaxation spectra of the films showed multiple processes which are discussed in dependence on the film thickness.
In this work, a novel boehmite (BA)-embedded organic/inorganic nanocomposite coating based on cycloaliphatic epoxy oligosiloxane (CEOS) resin was fabricated applying UV-induced cationic polymerization. The main changes of the material behavior caused by the nanofiller were investigated with regard to its photocuring kinetics, thermal stability, and glass transition. The role of the particle surface was of particular interest, thus, unmodified nanoparticles (HP14) and particles modified with p-toluenesulfonic acid (OS1) were incorporated into a CEOS matrix in the concentration range of 1–10 wt.%. Resulting nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal properties, with the glass transition temperature (Tg) being shifted from 30 °C for unfilled CEOS to 54 °C (2 wt.% HP14) and 73 °C (2 wt.% OS1) for filled CEOS. Additionally, TGA analysis showed increased thermal stability of samples filled with nanoparticles. An attractive interaction between boehmite and CEOS matrix influenced the curing. Real-time infrared spectroscopy (RT-IR) experiments demonstrated that the epoxide conversion rate of nanocomposites was slightly increased compared to neat resin. The beneficial role of the BA can be explained by the participation of hydroxyl groups at the particle surface in photopolymerization processes and by the complementary contribution of p-toluenesulfonic acid surface modifier and water molecules introduced into the system with nanoparticles.
In der DIN EN ISO 14577 Metallische Werkstoffe – Instrumentierte Eindringprüfung zur Bestimmung der Härte und anderer Werkstoffparameter sind die Durchführung und Auswertung des Verfahrens, sowie die Kalibrierung der zu verwendenden Prüfmaschine genormt. In dieser Norm werden auch grundsätzliche Aussagen zur Bestimmung der Messunsicherheit gemacht.
An Beispielen aus der täglichen Prüfpraxis werden verschiedene Möglichkeiten, aber auch die Grenzen der Bestimmung der Messunsicherheitbei der Instrumentierten Eindringprüfung beschrieben und kritisch diskutiert.
Ball mass is an important parameter that is known to have an influence on the outcome of a mechanochemical reaction induced by ball-milling. A standard way of modifying the ball mass is to change the size of the ball made of the same material. In this case, however, a change in mass is accompanied by a simulatneous change in the ball size. It is therefore not possible to disentangle the effects of mass and Surface area in these cases. In the present work we report the results of experiments with specially designed and manufactured balls in which (1) milling ball mass is held constant, but their size differs, and (2) the ball mass is altered, with the diameter of the milling ball being held constant. Using the cocrystallisation of theophylline + nicotinamide as a case study it was found that both diameter and ball mass play crucial roles in determining the rate of a mechanochemical reaction. For comparison, we have also used milling balls with the same size (different mass), and others with the same mass (different size) made of different materials, as would be “traditional”. It was found that, despite having the same size, the lightest milling ball (nylon) was the most efficient in initiating the co-crystallisation, presumably due to the sorption of EtOH. Hence, the results of this manuscript also demonstrate how milling ball material can in fact be the most influential parameter, and potentially counterintuitive to classical mechanics.
In this study, femtosecond laser-induced sub-micrometer structures are generated to modify polyethylene (PE) surface topographies. These surfaces were subjected to bacterial colonization studies with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as test strains. The results reveal that the nanostructures do not influence S. aureus coverage, while the adhesion of E. coli is reduced.
The TED-GC-MS analysis is a two-step method. A sample is first decomposed in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and the gaseous decomposition products are then trapped on a solid-phase adsorber. Subsequently, the solid-phase adsorber is analyzed with thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TDU-GC-MS). This method is ideally suited for the analysis of polymers and their degradation processes. Here, a new entirely automated System is introduced which enables high sample throughput and reproducible automated fractioned collection of decomposition products. Strengths and limitations of the system configuration are elaborated via three examples focused on practical challenges in materials analysis and identification: i) separate analysis of the components of a wood-plastic-composite material, ii) quantitative determination of weight concentration of the constituents of a polymer blend and iii) quantitative analysis of model samples of microplastics in suspended particulate matter.
Auf dem Weg zu Industrie 4.0: Bestimmung von Messunsicherheitsbudgets in der Oberflächentechnik
(2019)
Vorgestellt wurde die Bestimmung von Messunsicherheitsbudgets für sehr unterschiedliche physikalische Größen, die in der Oberflächentechnik von hoher Relevanz sind: Stufenhöhe h, Schichtdicke d, Eindringhärte HIT und Haftfestigkeit. Die Unterschiede betreffen die Art der Prüfmethodik (optisch zerstörungsfrei vs. mechanisch invasiv/zer-störend), die laterale Größe des Integrationsgebietes der Messung (lokal:nano bis sub-mikro vs. global: mikro bis makro) und die Art der Bestimmung von Messunsicherheitsbudgets (physikalische Größen: direkt rückführbar; Werkstoffkenngröße: genormt; Systemkenngröße: genormt).
Im Rahmen von Industrie 4.0 werden ausgehend der geforderten Spezifikation des beschichteten Produkts (Mittelwert mit Vertrauensbereich oder Mindestwert) durchgehende Toleranzbänder zur Oberflächenmodifizierung/Beschichtung des Substrats, einhergehend mit Prozessfenstern, die diese Toleranzbänder garantieren, erforderlich, die zuverlässig erfasst werden müssen. Die Frage der anzuwendenden Mess- und Prüftechnik und die damit notwendige Betrachtung von Messunsicherheitsbudgets ist für die Digitalisierung von Konditionierungs-, Zustands-, Regel- und Steuergrößen unverzichtbar. Mit Blick auf die Einhaltung von Prozessfenstern und die dafür notwendige Prozessführung wird technologisches Kern-Know-how digitalisiert, das es unbedingt zu schützen gilt. Nur lokale Netze können diese Sicherheit garantieren, in globalen Netzen ist die Datensicherheit bestenfalls maximierbar.
Heating oil storage tanks made of polyethylene grades have been on the market in Germany since the early 1970s. To ensure safety, their replacement is recommended by tank manufacturers after a period of 30 years. Polyethylene is subject to ageing by alteration of the properties during its life cycle. The degree of degradation and the nature of the process mainly depend on the chemical alteration of the polyethylene, the wall thickness of the tank and the environmental conditions. There are no data available on the long-term behaviour of the polyethylene grades, especially after a service life of more than 30 years.
The aim of this investigation was to find a suitable test method to determine the factual degree of damage in comparison to the uncontaminated polyethylene grades. Material data of the used polyethylene grades are available because the BAM was the competent authority for the tests and expert reports for the approval of these tanks until the middle of the 1990s. Therefore, tank sections from the bottom, the shell and the roof of 22 individual storage tanks produced of polyethylene grades A and B have been examined by Melt Flow Rate (MFR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR). Their service life was in the range between 20 and 41 years.
The MFR measurements of the tank sections showed differences in the values depending on the weight which was used (5 kg or 21.6 kg). An increase of the MFR was determined for the samples of polyethylene grade A, whereas a reduction of the MFR values was measured for most samples of polyethylene grade B. This grade is mainly subject to the internal ageing by cross-linkages, increased degree of branched molecules and loss of the plasticizer.
ATR analysis exhibits an absorption band at 909 cm‒1 predominantly in samples of polyethylene grade A indicating chain scission and concomitantly formed terminal vinyl groups. This absorption band can be used for the characterization of the ageing of the polyethylene grades.
Applications on Surface Functionalization by Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS)
(2019)
In recent years, the understanding on the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has led to an emerging variety of applications that modify the optical, mechanical and chemical properties of many materials. Such structures strongly depend on the used polarization and are formed usually after irradiation with ultrashort linearly polarized laser pulses. Some specific formation mechanisms to explain every situation are still to be uncovered, but the most accepted explanation relies on the interference of the incident laser beam with electromagnetic surface waves that propagate or scatter at the surface of the irradiated materials. This leads to an intensity modulation that is finally responsible for the selective ablation in the form of parallel structures with periodicities ranging from hundreds of nanometers up to some micrometers. The versatility when forming such structures is based on the high reproducibility with different wavelength, pulse duration and repetition rate laser sources, customized micro- and nanometric spatial resolutions and compatibility with industrially relevant processing speeds when combined with fast scanning devices. In this contribution, we review the latest applications in the rapidly emerging field of surface functionalization through LIPSS, including biomimetic functionalities on fluid transport, control of the wetting properties, specific optical responses in technical materials, improvement of tribological performance on metallic surfaces and bacterial and cell growth for medical devices among many others.
The performance of functional coatings and adhesively joined hybrid components relies strongly on the stability of the polymer-metal interface. With the increasing utilization of multi-material structures in the automotive and aerospace industry, it is of great scientific and technical interest to understand the processes leading to interface degradation and to develop novel strategies to increase corrosion and delamination resistance.
The aim of this project is to develop thin epoxy-based films and their carbon nanofiller loaded composites on aluminium alloy AA2024-T3 as a model system and to investigate their interfacial stability under corrosive and coupled corrosive-mechanical load. Spin coating was used for the layer-by-layer deposition of poly[(o-cresyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] and poly-(ethylenimine) bi-layers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results indicate a very homogeneous and dense film with low surface roughness. Carbon nanofillers were introduced either by mixing into the coating components or in between individual layers to control the separation between the carbon nanofillers and alloy surface. The film chemistry and barrier properties were characterized by means of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, respectively. The degradation and delamination behavior of the epoxy-based films was characterized by means of in situ AFM corrosion experiments. The quantitative imaging (QI) mode allowed the observation of hydrogen-generation induced blister formation during exposure to corrosive electrolyte and how the local corrosion processes evolved with exposure time. Complementary energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was performed to correlate the corrosion behavior with the different intermetallic particle chemistries and distributions. The presentation will summarize our results on the effect of interface chemistry and carbon nanofiller – alloy separation on the initiation of local corrosion processes on thin film covered AA2024-T3 aluminium alloys.
The antibacterial features of natural pine/spruce rosin are well established, yet the functionality in various thermoplastics has not been surveyed. This work focuses on the processing of industrial grade purified rosin mixed with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA) and corn starch based biopolymer (CS). Homopolymer masterbatches were extrusion-compounded and melt-spun to form fibres for a wide range of products, such as filters, reinforcements, clothing and medical textiles. Due to the versatile chemical structure of rosin, it was observed compatible with all the selected polymers. In general, the rosin-blended systems were shear-thinning in a molten condition. The doped fibres spun of PE and PP indicated adequate melt-spinning capability and proper mechanical properties in terms of ultimate strength and Young's modulus. The antibacterial response was found dependent on the selected polymer. Especially PE with a 10 wt% rosin content showed significant antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598 when analysed in the Ringer's solution for 24 h.
Die zunehmenden Nachweise von Kunststoffen in verschiedenen Umweltmedien erfahren in den letzten Jahren weltweit ein zunehmendes wissenschaftliches, gesellschaftliches und politisches Interesse. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit erfahren Kunststoffpartikel von 1-1.000 µm sogenanntes Mikroplastik. Es wurde mittlerweile in Wasser, Böden, Luft und Biota nachgewiesen. Obwohl die Wirkungen auf die natürlichen Umweltfunktionen noch unklar sind und kontrovers diskutiert werden, ist allein durch die ubiquitäre Präsenz eine systematische Erfassung von Eintragsquellen und Verbleib der Partikel über alle Umweltmedien notwendig, um Maßnahmen zur Reduktion der Einträge zu veranlassen.
Für eine zuverlässige Erfassung sind medienübergreifende Verfahren zu entwickeln, welche die drei analytischen Schritte, Probennahme, Probenaufbereitung und Detektion beinhalten. Die Verfahren adressieren unterschiedliche Zielgruppen, welche verschiedene analytische Informationen fordern. Für die akademische Bewertung werden Verfahren mit hohem analytischen Aufwand favorisiert, welche möglichst detaillierte Information über Partikelsorte, -größe, -zahl und -oberflächenbeschaffenheit geben. Im Gegensatz dazu, fordern Anwender aus der Praxis schnelle und einfache Monitoring Verfahren, welche die Bestimmung eines Massengehaltes, bzw. eines Grenzwertes zulassen. Allen ist gemeinsam, dass ein hoher interdisziplinärer Anspruch besteht, der sowohl technische Voraussetzungen zur repräsentativen Probennahme und die Limitationen von Detektionsverfahren berücksichtigt, als auch die Fachkompetenz von Biologen, Umweltwissenschaften, Analytiker und Polymerwissenschaftler einschließt.
Verfahren zum Mikroplastiknachweis müssen auch verschieden Proben mit sehr unterschiedlichen Gehalten an natürlicher Matrix gerecht werden. So müssen allein für Wasser Verfahren entwickelt werden, die Mikroplastik verschiedener Form (sphärische Partikel, komplexe Bruchstücke, Fasern) aus Medien mit sehr variablen Partikelanteil (u.a. Trinkwasser, Oberflächenwasser, Abwasser) repräsentativ erfassen sowie schnell und kostengünstig sind – einschließlich der notwendigen Probenaufbereitung. Die jeweiligen Detektionsverfahren müssen z.B. einzelne Partikel oder integrale Gehalte über drei Dekadenklassen für thermoplastische und insbesondere auch elastomere Partikelsorten erfassen können.
Polyether and -ester urethanes (PU) were exposed to artificial weathering at 40 °C and artificial UV radiation in a weathering chamber. In 3 parallel exposures, humidity was varied between dry, humid, and wet conditions. Material alteration was investigated by various analytical techniques like size exclusion chromatography
(SEC), liquid chromatography-infrared spectroscopy (LC-FTIR), thermal-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), fluorescence mapping and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Our results show that depending on the weathering conditions, different degradation effects can be observed. By means of SEC an initial strong decrease of the molar masses and a broadening of the mass distributions was found. After a material dependent time span this was followed by a plateau where molar mass changes were less significant. A minor moisture-dependent degradation effect was only found for polyester PU. Fluorescence measurements on two materials revealed an increase in the luminescence intensity upon weathering process reaching a saturation level after about 500 h. The changes in the optical properties observed after different exposure conditions and times were very similar. The TD-GC-MS data showed the fate of the stabilizers and antioxidant in the course of weathering. LC-FTIR measurements revealed a change in peak intensities and the ratio of urethane and carbonyl bands.
Due to the favorable properties of polymers, their production and thus their input into the environment has increased significantly in recent decades. Currently, FTIR or Raman spectroscopy are mainly applied for the analysis of microplastic particles (MP) in environmental samples. However, these methods have great difficulties in determining metrologically traceable MP values, especially with regard to the limiting values, as preferred in regulation. Therefore, we developed a systematic and fast thermoanalytical method called TED-GC-MS (thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry), which determines mass contents. Now the current goal is the determination of its process parameters.
This poster illustrates the theoretical requirements for MP analysis (left side) and contrast them with the current state of research (right side).Unexpected practical problems are presented and the relatively new method is discussed concerning the quality requirements of well-established methods such as LC-or GC-MS.
Analysis of elemental composition of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy thin films by EPMA and µ-XRF
(2019)
The present study reports on measurements on thin Fe-Ni films on silicon and first-time results of analysis on Si-Ge thin films deposited on a non-conductive aluminium oxide Substrate by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Standard-based and standardless EPMA (with EDS) results were used in combination with the thin film analysis software Stratagem for the quantification.
Further, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) can be used for the determination of elemental composition and thickness of such films as well. In this case, XRF with a μ-focus X-ray source (μ-XRF) attached to a SEM was applied. For quantification, a fundamental parameter (FP) approach has been used to calculate standard-based and standardless results.
Both thin film systems have been chosen as samples of an international round robin test (RRT) organised in the frame of standardisation technical committee ISO/TC 201 ‘Surface chemical analysis’, under the lead of KRISS. The main objective of the RRT is to compare the results of atomic fractions of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy films obtained by different surface Analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) applied in the depth-profiling operation mode.
Five samples of different atomic fractions of each thin film system, i.e., Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex, have been grown by ion beam sputter deposition on silicon and Al2O3 wafers, respectively. Reference FeNi and SiGe films with well-known elemental composition and thickness have been also supplied for standard-based analysis. An excellent agreement has been obtained between the atomic fractions determined by EPMA and µ-XRF with the KRISS certified values.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we characterize thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we characterize thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we characterize thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
3D microstructures with sub-micron resolution can be manufactured in additive manner applying multi-photon laser structuring technique. This paper is focused on the incorporation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into the photoresist in order to manufacture micrometer-sized devices featuring a magnetic moment. The aim of the project is to achieve untethered actuation of the presented objects through externally applied magnetic fields. Future medical application scenarios such as drug delivery and tissue engineering are targeted by this research.
Im Fokus des Vorhabens steht das mit dem Innovationspreis Berlin-Brandenburg 2012 ausgezeichnete Mehr-Proben-Prüfverfahren zur Festigkeitsprüfung unter Verwendung einer analytischen Zentrifuge mit dem Ziel des Einsatzes in der Qualitätssicherung. Nachdem im MNPQ-Projekt QUO VADIS die grundsätzliche Anwendbarkeit der Zentrifugentechnologie auf Beanspruchungen auf Zug (Kleb-, Haft- und Verbundfestigkeit) nachgewiesen worden war, wurden im Vorhaben QUO VADIS PLUS folgende erweiterte Prüfszenarien und technische Weiterentwicklungen etabliert: 1. Beanspruchung auf Druck (Härte von Materialien, Kompressibilität von Schäumen, Kompaktierbarkeit von Pulvern), 2. Erweiterung der Beanspruchung auf Zug (Kombination von Normal- und Lateralkräften), 3. Erweiterung auf die Bewertung plasto-elastischenn Materialverhaltens, 4. Vermeidung von Schockwellen im Hochlastbereich
L-Lactide was polymerized in bulk with tin(II)2-ethylhexanoate SnOct2) as catalyst and salicylic acid as cocatalyst. The Lac/Cat ratio, Cocat/Cat ratio, temperature and time were varied. Increasing Cocat/Cat ratios reduced both,polymerization rate and molecular weight. However,under optimized conditions high molar mass (Mw up to 178,000), colorless, cyclic polylactides were formed in a short time. A few polymerizations performed at 160 and 180°C with the combination of SnOct2 and silylated salicylic acid gave similar results. Neat tin II) salicylate was prepared from SnOct2 and used for REPs of L-lactide in bulk, but the results were not better than those obtained from combinations of SnOct2 and salicylic acid. Furthermore, dibutyltin salicylate was synthesized and used as catalyst for polymerizations of L-lactide in bulk at temperatures varying from 102 to 160°C. Cyclic polylactides with Mw’s up to 40,000 were the main reaction products. At 100–102°C a predominance of odd-numbered cycles was found proving a REP mechanism.
Structural modularity of polymer frameworks is a key advantage of covalent organic polymers, however, only C, N, O, Si and S have found their way into their building blocks so far. Here, we expand the toolbox available to polymer and materials chemists by one additional nonmetal, phosphorus. Starting with a building block that contains a λ⁵‐phosphinine (C₅P) moiety, we evaluate a number of polymerisation protocols, finally obtaining a π‐conjugated, covalent phosphinine‐based framework (CPF‐1) via Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling. CPF‐1 is a weakly porous polymer glass (72.4 m2 g‐1 N2 BET at 77 K) with green fluorescence (λmax 546 nm) and extremely high thermal stability. The polymer catalyzes hydrogen evolution from water under UV and visible light irradiation without the need for additional co‐catalyst at a rate of 33.3 μmol h‐¹ g‐¹. Our results demonstrate for the first time the incorporation of the phosphinine motif into a complex polymer framework. Phosphinine‐based frameworks show promising electronic and optical properties that might spark future interest in their applications in light‐emitting devices and heterogeneous catalysis.
The precise analysis of cation diffusion profiles through corrosion scales is an important aspect to evaluate corrosion phenomena under multicomponent chemical load, as during high‐temperature corrosion under deposits and salts. The present study shows a comprehensive analysis of cation diffusion profiles by electron microprobe analysis and microbeam X‐ray absorption near edge structure (µ‐XANES) spectroscopy in mixed oxide/sulfide scales grown on Fe–Cr model alloys after exposing them to 0.5% SO2. The results presented here correspond to depth‐dependent phase identification of oxides and sulfides in the corrosion scales by µ‐XANES and the description of oxidation‐state‐dependent diffusion profiles. Scales grown on low‐ and high‐alloyed materials show both a well‐pronounced diffusion profile with a high concentration of Fe3+ at the gas and a high concentration of Fe2+ at the alloy interface. The distribution of the cations within a close‐packed oxide lattice is strongly influencing the lattice diffusion phenomena due to their different oxidation states and therefore different crystal‐field preference energies. This issue is discussed based on the results obtained by µ‐XANES analysis.
Mesoporous phosphates are a group of nanostructured materials with promising applications, particularly in biomedicine and catalysis. However, their controlled synthesis via conventional template-based routes presents a number of challenges and limitations. Here, we show how to synthesize a mesoporous Magnesium phosphate with a high surface area and a well-defined pore structure through thermal decomposition of a crystalline struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) precursor. In a first step, struvite crystals with various morphologies and sizes, ranging from a few micrometers to several millimeters, had been synthesized from supersaturated aqueous solutions (saturation index (SI) between 0.5 and 4) at ambient pressure and temperature conditions. Afterwards, the crystals were thermally treated at 70–250 °C leading to the release of structurally bound water (H2O) and ammonia (NH3). By combining thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), N2 sorption analyses and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) we show that this decomposition process results in a pseudomorphic transformation of the original struvite into an amorphous Mg-phosphate. Of particular importance is the fact that the final material is characterized by a very uniform mesoporous structure with 2–5 nm wide pore channels, a large specific surface area of up to 300 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of up to 0.28 cm3 g−1. Our struvite decomposition method is well controllable and reproducible and can be easily extended to the synthesis of other mesoporous phosphates. In addition, the so produced mesoporous material is a prime candidate for use in biomedical applications considering that Magnesium phosphate is a widely used, non-toxic substance that has already shown excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) are a universal phenomenon that can be observed on almost any material after the irradiation by linearly polarized laser beams, particularly when using ultrashort laser pulses with durations in the femtosecond to picosecond range.
During the past few years significantly increasing research activities have been reported in the field of LIPSS, since their generation in a single-step process provides a simple way of nanostructuring and surface functionalization towards the control of optical, mechanical, biological, or chemical surface properties. In this contribution the mechanisms of formation and current applications of LIPSS are reviewed, including the colorization of technical surfaces, the control of surface wetting properties, the mimicry of the natural texture of animal integuments, the tailoring of surface colonization by bacterial biofilms, the advancement of medical pacemakers, and the improvement of the tribological performance of nanostructured metal surfaces.
A look inside nanoparticles
(2019)
Small-angle scattering is the method of choice when it comes to obtaining information about the interior of nanoparticles. The aim is to make nanotechnology safer. While the use of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is limited to a few instruments in the world, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is widely accessible, with an upward trend. The example of core-shell particles shows how simple their analysis is with data from an Anton Paar laboratory system. Here, SAXS is a central tool for the development of new reference materials based on poly(methyl) acrylate-PVDF core-shell particles. The dimensions of the cores and shells can be precisely determined. A detailed analysis makes it possible to show that the cores contain fluorinated and nonfluorinated polymers, whereas the shell consist only of PVDF. This core-shell particles with a diameter around 40 nm show a significantly higher PVDF beta phase content than the PVDF homopolymer when using an emulsion polymerization technique. This finding is of importance with respect to applications in electroactive devices.
The mechanochemical formation of the ionic cocrystals of glucose (Glc) and sodium salts Glc2NaCl·H2O (1) and Glc2NaX (X = Br (2), I (3)) is presented. Products are formed by co-milling Glc with three sodium salts (NaCl, NaBr, NaI). The ionic cocrystals were obtained under both neat grinding and liquid-assisted grinding conditions, the later found to accelerate the reaction kinetics. The crystal structures of the ionic cocrystals (2) and (3) were solved from powder X-ray diffraction data. The structure solution contrasts with the structure of Glc2NaCl·H2O (1) where the electron density at three halide crystallographic sites is modeled as of being the intermediate between water molecule and a chloride ion. The reaction pathways of the three ionic cocrystals were investigated in real time using our tandem approach comprising a combination of in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate the rapid formation of each cocrystal directly from their respective starting materials without any intermediate moiety formation. The products were further characterized by DTA-TG and elemental analysis.
A novel cop olyme r based on supramolecular motif2,6-diaminopyridin e and water-soluble acrylamide, poly[N-(6-ace tamidopyridin-2-yl) acrylamide-co-acrylamide], was synthe-size d via rev ersible addi tion–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)polymerization with various monomer compositions. The thermo-respon sive behavior of the copolymers was studied by turbidime-try and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained copolymersshowed an upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-typ e phasetransition behavior in water and electrolyte solution. The phasetransition temperature was found to increase with decreasingam ount of acrylamide in the copolymer and increasing concentra-tion of the solution. Furth ermore, the phase transition temperatureva ried in aqueous solutions of electrolytes according to the naturean d concentration of the electrolyte in accordance with theHoffmeister series. A dramatic solvent isotope effect on thetransition temperature was o bserved in this study, as the transitiontemperature was almost 10–12C higher in D2OthaninH2Oatthesame concentration and acrylamide co mposition. The size of theaggregates below the transition temperature was larger in D2Ocompared to that in H2O that can be explained by deuterium iso-tope effect. The thermoresponsive behavior of the copolymers wasalso investigated in different cell medium and found to be exhibitedUCST-type phase transition behavior in different cell medium.Such behavior of the copo lyme rs can be useful in many a pplica-tions including biomedical, microfluidics, optical materials, and indrug delivery.