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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Experimental and computational study of polystyrene sulfonate breakdown by a Fenton reaction

Experimental studies and ab initio quantum chemistry calculations were combined to investigate the process by which a Fenton reaction breaks down polystyrene sulfonate. The experimental results show that both molecular weight reduction and loss of aromaticity occur nearly simultaneously, a finding that is supported by the calculations. The results show that more than half of the material is broken down to low molecular weight compounds (< 500 g/mol) with two molar equivalents of H 2 O 2 per styrene monomer. The calculations provide insights into the reaction pathways and indicate that at least two hydroxyl radicals are required to cleave backbone Csingle bondC bonds or to eliminate aromaticity. The calculations also show that, of the aromatic carbons, hydroxyl radical is most likely to add to the carbon bonded to sulfur. This finding explains the loss of hydrogen sulfite anion early in the process and also the efficient reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) through semiquinone formation. Taken together the experimental and computational results indicate that the reaction is very efficient and that very little H 2 O 2 is lost to unproductive reactions. In conclusion, this high efficiency is attributed to the close association of Fe atoms with the sulfonate group such that hydroxyl radicals are generated near the polymer chains.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Integrated Polymer Dissolution and Solution Blow Spinning Coupled with Solvent Recovery for Expanded Polystyrene Recycling

With increasing buoyant plastic wastes entering into oceans and food chains, the disposal and recycling of waste expanded polystyrene (WPS) has become an imminent environmental problem. In this work, a recycling scheme for waste WPS is proposed that combines the polymer dissolution recycling approach with the solution blow spinning (SBS) technique that facilitates the high-volume bulk WPS transportation and the value-addition of WPS to nanofibers. Solvent selection is critical for an economical and environmentally favorable implementation of this recycling scheme at large scale. Here, the effect of three solvents with distinct volatility, viz. ethyl acetate, toluene, and N, N- dimethylformamide (DMF) have been studied on the fiber formation and the ease of the solvent recovery, in order to ascertain the practicability of using these solvents for the recycling process. The fiber formation is experimentally demonstrated for the WPS-solvent systems using the SBS process. It is found that the fiber morphology varies for the different WPS-solvent systems. A solvent recovery scheme to recover the solvent from the air-solvent mixture (leaving SBS) is evaluated using ASPEN Plus simulation. The % solvent recovery is determined as a function of the required energy input for different process parameters including compressor pressure and air to polymer solution feed ratio. The simulation studies show that a lower feed air to polymer solution ratio and higher compressor pressure are required to obtain > 70% solvent recovery for high volatility solvents (ethyl acetate and toluene) with lower energy input and optimal operating condenser temperature (~ 0 °C). Conversely, significant solvent losses occur in the SBS process with a lower volatility solvent (DMF), leading to a lower solvent recovery for the whole process. The % DMF recovery can be improved upon by using higher feed air to polymer solution ratio although at a higher energy penalty.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Efficiency of low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight alkoxyamines in the synthesis of polystyrene

The influence of the structure of high-molecular-weight alkoxyamines (obtained in situ from C-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone and 2-(benzylideneamino)-2-methyl-1-phenylpropanol-1-N-oxide) and their low-molecular-weight analogs on styrene polymerization in the temperature range 70—110 ° was analyzed. The controlled synthesis of polystyrene in the presence of low-molecular-weight alkoxyamines was revealed to occur most efficiently at 110 °. The use of high-molecular-weight alkoxyamines makes it possible to perform the controlled process under lower-temperature conditions (70—90 °), when the constant polymerization rate and linear increase in the molecular weight with conversion are observed, and the synthesis of polymers with fairly low polydispersity (M{sub w}/M{sub n} ~ 1.26) is also possible. The quantum chemical calculations showed that the energy of the C-ON bond in alkoxyamines is determined by the length of the chains at the nitroxide fragment rather than the structure of the substituents. It is found that the equilibrium dissociation constants of high-molecular-weight alkoxyamines are caused by both the structure of the nitroxide fragment and molecular weights.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Structure of polystyrene latex particles determined by electron microscopy

The structures of individual polystyrene microspheres obtained in the presence of organosilicon surfactants were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The density of the macro-molecule distribution over the cross section of particles was determined. The synthesized latex particles have a core—shell structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Lipopolysaccharide-induced multinuclear cells: Increased internalization of polystyrene beads and possible signals for cell fusion

Highlights: •LPS induces multinuclear cells from murine macrophage-derived RAW264.7 cells. •Large beads are internalized by cells actively fusing to become multinuclear. •The multinuclear cell formation is inhibited by anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL10. •Signal transduction for cell fusion is different from that for inflammation. -- Abstract: A murine macrophage-derived line, RAW264.7, becomes multinuclear on stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an outer membrane component of Gram-negative bacteria. These multinuclear cells internalized more polystyrene beads than mononuclear cells or osteoclasts (Nakanishi-Matsui, M., Yano, S., Matsumoto, N., and Futai, M., 2012). In this study, we analyzed the time courses of cell fusion in the presence of large beads. They were internalized into cells actively fusing to become multinuclear. However, the multinuclear cells once formed showed only low phagocytosis activity. These results suggest that formation of the multinuclear cells and bead internalization took place simultaneously. The formation of multinuclear cells was blocked by inhibitors for phosphoinositide 3-kinase, phospholipase C, calcineurin, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In addition, interleukin 6 and 10 also exhibited inhibitory effects. These signaling molecules and cytokines may play a crucial role in the LPS-induced multinuclear cell formation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Interactions of cationic polystyrene nanoparticles with marine bivalve hemocytes in a physiological environment: Role of soluble hemolymph proteins

The bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis has proven as a suitable model invertebrate for evaluating the potential impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the marine environment. In particular, in mussels, the immune system represents a sensitive target for different types of NPs. In environmental conditions, both NP intrinsic properties and those of the receiving medium will affect particle behavior and consequent bioavailability/uptake/toxicity. However, the evaluation of the biological effects of NPs requires additional understanding of how, once within the organism, NPs interact at the molecular level with cells in a physiological environment. In mammalian systems, different NPs associate with serum soluble components, organized into a “protein corona”, which affects particle interactions with target cells. However, no information is available so far on the interactions of NPs with biological fluids of aquatic organisms. In this work, the influence of hemolymph serum (HS) on the in vitro effects of amino modified polystyrene NPs (PS-NH{sub 2}) on Mytilus hemocytes was investigated. Hemocytes were incubated with PS-NH{sub 2} suspensions in HS (1, 5 and 50 µg/mL) and the results were compared with those obtained in ASW medium. Cell functional parameters (lysosomal membrane stability, oxyradical production, phagocytosis) were evaluated, and morphological changes were investigated by TEM. The activation state of the signalling components involved in Mytilus immune response (p38 MAPK and PKC) was determined. The results show that in the presence of HS, PS-NH{sub 2} increased cellular damage and ROS production with respect to ASW medium. The effects were apparently mediated by disregulation of p38 MAPK signalling. The formation of a PS-NH{sub 2}-protein corona in HS was investigated by centrifugation, and 1D- gel electrophoresis and nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The results identified the Putative C1q domain containing protein (MgC1q6) as the only component of the PS-NH{sub 2} hard protein corona in Mytilus hemolymph. These data represent the first evidence for the formation of a NP bio-corona in aquatic organisms and underline the importance of the recognizable biological identity of NPs in physiological exposure medium when testing their potential impact environmental model organisms. Although the results obtained in vitro do not entirely reflect a realistic exposure scenario and the more complex formation of a bio-corona that is likely to occur in vivo, these data will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of NPs in marine invertebrates. - Highlights: • The effects of PS-NH2 NPs on Mytilus hemocytes were compared in serum-HS and ASW. • HS increased cellular/lysosomal damage, ROS production and p-p38MAPK levels. • NP-corona proteins in HS were isolated and identified by MS. • NP-protein coronas in biological fluids can affect NP impact in marine species.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

UV resistance of polystyrene co-butyl acrylate (PSBA) encapsulated lignin–saponite nanohybrid composite film

Protecting biological systems and organic materials from high ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant issue for engineering materials in both terrestrial and space applications. In this study, the synthesized composites of polystyrene butyl acrylate (PSBA) encapsulated lignin based nanohybrid were evaluated as UV resistant cladding materials for both applications. The UV transmittance of the composite films and their physical, thermal, and chemical degradation after prolonged exposure to high UV radiation (10 Earth days and 30 Mars equivalent days) at low temperatures of 3.4 °C were examined. Here, the results showed that the composite films blocked the UV radiation and there was no significant effect of UV radiation on film integrity, mechanical and thermal properties of the composite films when they were exposed to high intensity UV radiation (132 W/m 2 ) within 24 h. Further, FTIR spectra of the composite films before and after UV radiation demonstrated that the films did not have notable oxidation degradation, although the glass transition temperature was slightly decreased with in- creased exposure time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The influence of α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids on the improved thermal stability and smoke suppression properties in polystyrene

Highlights: • In this paper, α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids had been prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. • The addition of the α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids showed a significant effect on the thermal stability and smoke suppression properties of PS composites. • Graphene can be employed to improve the smoke suppression properties of polymer and further extended the application of graphene. - Abstract: In this work, α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids were firstly prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results indicated that α-FeOOH nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly on the surface of graphene nanosheets. Subsequently, the α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids were incorporated into polystyrene (PS) matrix for the improvement of the thermal stability and smoke suppression properties. It was found that the thermal stability of PS nanocomposite was obviously enhanced upon the introduction of 2.0 wt% α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids. Furthermore, the addition of α-FeOOH/rGO hybrids could improve the smoke suppression properties of PS nanocomposites, as evidenced by the dramatical reduction of carbon monoxide production rate, total smoke release and total smoke production. The total flammable gaseous products from the PS nanocomposites were decreased which further led to the inhibition of smoke. Such a significant improvement in thermal stability and smoke suppression properties was mainly attributed to the physical barrier effect of graphene nanosheets and the catalytic carbonization function of α-FeOOH nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Optical property investigations of polystyrene capped Ca{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Dy{sup 3+} persistent phosphor

Highlights: • Synthesis of polymer capped pyrophosphate phosphors by citrate gel method. • Radiative lifetime is calculated from parameters of Judd-Ofelt theory and ICP-AES. • Reaction mechanism is discussed leading to high photoluminescence efficiency. • PL emission spectrum reveals broad band emission suitable for solid state lighting. - Abstract: By virtue of enhanced photosensivity, good optical response and better thermal stability, organic–inorganic hybrid materials are contemplated as one of the alternatives for designing advanced optoelectronic devices and innovative photonic applications. A novel inorganic organic hybrid Ca{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Dy{sup 3+} phosphor has been fabricated by Pechini method. The optical property of synthesized phosphor is successfully altered by the in corporation of polystyrene sulfonic acid as capping agent in the colloidal solution. The phase purity and the average particle size of the prepared phosphor were calculated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) employing Debye Scherrer method. The morphological and chemical investigations were carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The radiative transitions are explained on the basis of Judd-Ofelt theory and on the basis of derived parameters, the radiative lifetime of persistent hybrid Ca{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Dy{sup 3+} phosphor is calculated as 5.33 ms. This paper explores the mechanism leading to high photoluminescence efficiency using organic capping additives. The photoluminescence (PL) graphs reveal broad band emission at 482 nm (blue) and 573 nm (yellow) corresponding to {sup 4}F{sub 9/2}-{sup 6}H{sub 15/2} and {sup 4}F{sub 9/2}-{sup 6}H{sub 13/2} transitions of Dy{sup 3+}, respectively. The Commission International De I-Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity co-ordinates were calculated from emission spectra and the values (x, y) were approaching to standard value of white emission. The synthesized pyrophosphate phosphors can thereby account in multiple potential applications including white light emitting diodes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Composite plasma polymerized sulfonated polystyrene membrane for PEMFC

Highlights: • Methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) is used as the sulfonating agent. • The proton conductivity of the membrane is found to be 0.141 S cm{sup −1}. • Power density of fuel cell with styrene/MMS membrane is 0.5 W cm{sup −2}. • The membrane exhibits thermal stability up to 140 °C. - Abstract: This work presents the introduction of an organic compound methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) for the first time in fabrication of polystyrene based proton exchange membrane (PEM) by plasma polymerization process. The membrane is fabricated by co-polymerizing styrene and MMS in capacitively coupled continuous RF plasma. The chemical composition of the plasma polymerized polymer membrane is investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy which reveals the formation of composite structure of styrene and MMS. The surface morphology studied using AFM and SEM depicts the effect of higher partial pressure of MMS on surface topography of the membrane. The proton transport property of the membrane studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows the achievement of maximum proton conductivity of 0.141 S cm{sup −1} which is comparable to Nafion 117 membrane. Fuel cell performance test of the synthesized membrane shows a maximum power density of 500 mW cm{sup −2} and current density of 0.62 A cm{sup −2} at 0.6 V.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

High-Resolution Comonomer Sequencing of Blocky Brominated Syndiotactic Polystyrene Copolymers Using 13C NMR Spectroscopy and Computer Simulations

This work demonstrates the first high-resolution comonomer sequencing of Blocky brominated syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS-co-sPS-Br) copolymers based on pentad assign- ments of the quaternary carbon region of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. Copolymers containing p-bromostyrene (Br-Sty) units were prepared in matched sets using postpolymerization bromination methods carried out in the heterogeneous gel state (Blocky) and homogeneous solution state (Random). Quantitative information from the quaternary carbon spectra, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation spectroscopy, electronic structure calculations, and simulated statistically random copolymers was correlated to confirm the carbon resonance assignments for all 20 possible pentad comonomer sequences. Using the experimental pentad sequence prevalences, a computer code was developed to simulate chains with microstructures typical of each sample as a means to visually represent the copolymer blockiness with quantitative precision. Based on the microstructure and distribution of run lengths in these chains, the simulations revealed that the Blocky copolymers contain a high degree of blockiness. By comparing the run lengths in the simulated chains to the average number of styrene units in a crystalline segment of sPS (found by small-angle X-ray scattering), copolymer crystallizability was predicted. For the simulated Blocky B-21% (21 mol % Br-Sty) chain, the probability of randomly selecting a styrene unit in a crystallizable block was 25.8%, while that in the simulated Random R-18% was zero, in excellent agreement with the experimental crystallization behavior measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Additionally, these predictions confirmed that the simulated chains accurately represent the ensemble of chains in their respective copolymer samples. Furthermore, each simulated Blocky chain contained one or more long sPS blocks that paralleled the measured 38-40 styrene units spanning a crystalline segment within the sPS/CCl4 gel. This finding affirmed that the long sPS segments originated from the precise lamellar structure within the heterogeneous gel morphology (i.e., block length is correlated with lamellar thickness). Overall, the ability to tailor the copolymer microstructure through control of the semicrystalline gel morphology opens the door to synthesizing ordered copolymers by postpolymerization functionalization processes with unprecedented levels of compositional control.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Upcycling of Polystyrene Waste to Poly(ionic liquid) Materials

The C–H functionalization of commodity polymers could be a promising approach for upcycling plastic waste into advanced materials, which can alter the properties of the original materials through the introduction of different functionalities onto the existing backbone structures. In this study, waste polystyrene (PS) was modified by Friedel–Crafts acylation using 4-chlorobutyryl chloride (4-CBC) followed by reaction with N-alkylimidazoles to form cationic polyelectrolytes. These methods provide access to what are essentially poly(ionic liquid) (poly(IL)) materials with properties that are distinctly different from those of the PS from which they were formed. In one notable example, the glass transition temperature (T g ) of imidazolium-functionalized PS was ∼16 °C, which is a nearly 90 °C reduction from PS. This is also evidenced by macroscopic mechanical properties where the poly(IL) product is highly elastic in stark contrast to brittle PS. Moreover, the resulting ionomers showed self-healing behaviors in the presence of a “free” IL further contributing to the utility of the materials. Here, the methods in this work can open opportunities to utilize waste PS to obtain a vast array of poly(IL) materials with highly tailored structures and properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

High performance unipolar inverters by utilizing organic field-effect transistors with ultraviolet/ozone treated polystyrene dielectric

High performance unipolar inverters based on a significant variation of threshold voltage (V{sub th}) of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), which was realized by introducing UV/ozone (UVO) treatment to polystyrene (PS) dielectric, were fabricated. A controllable V{sub th} shift of more than 10 V was obtained in the OFETs by adjusting the UVO treating time, and the unipolar inverters exhibited inverting voltage near 1/2 driving voltage and a noise margin of more than 70% of ideal value. From the analysis of scanning electron microscopy, atom force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the dramatic controllable V{sub th} of OFETs, which played a key role in high performance unipolar inverters, was attributed to the newly generated oxygen functional groups in the PS dielectric induced by UVO treatment.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Manipulation of polystyrene nanoparticles on a silicon wafer in the peak force tapping mode in water: pH-dependent friction and adhesion force

The friction force between nanoparticles and a silicon wafer is a crucial parameter for cleaning processes in the semiconductor industry. However, little is known about the pH-dependency of the friction forces and the shear strength at the interface. Here, we push polystyrene nanoparticles, 100 nm in diameter, with the tip of an atomic force microscope and measure the pH-dependency of the friction, adhesion, and normal forces on a silicon substrate covered with a native silicon dioxide layer. The peak force tapping mode was applied to control the vertical force on these particles. We successively increased the applied load until the particles started to move. The main advantage of this technique over single manipulation processes is the achievement of a large number of manipulation events in short time and in a straightforward manner. Geometrical considerations of the interaction forces at the tip-particle interface allowed us to calculate the friction force and shear strength from the applied normal force depending on the pH of an aqueous solution. The results clearly demonstrated that particle removal should be performed with a basic solution at pH 9 because of the low interaction forces between particle and substrate.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Studies on the effect of acid treated TiO{sub 2} on the electrical and tensile properties of hexanoyl chitosan-polystyrene-LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3} composite polymer electrolytes

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) comprised of hexanoyl chitosan:polystyrene (90:10) blend, lithium triflouromethanesulfonate (LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3}) salt and titanium oxide (TiO{sub 2}) filler were prepared by solution casting technique. The TiO{sub 2} fillers were treated with 2% sulphuric acid (H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}) aqueous solution. The effect of acid treated TiO{sub 2} on the electrical and tensile properties of the electrolytes were investigated. Acid treated TiO{sub 2} decreased the electrolyte conductivity. Both the dielectric constant and dielectric loss decrease with increasing frequency and increases with increasing temperature. Relaxation times for ionic carriers were extracted from the loss tangent maximum peak at various temperatures. A distribution of relaxation time implied the non-Debye response. At all frequencies, ac conductivity increases with increasing temperature. An enhancement in the Young’s modulus was observed with the addition of TiO{sub 2}. The Young’s modulus increases with increasing TiO{sub 2} content. This is discussed using the percolation concept.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis and characterization of sulfonate polystyrene-lignosulfonate-alumina (SPS-LS-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) polyblends as electrolyte membranes for fuel cell

The new type of electrolyte membrane materials has been prepared by blend sulfonated polystyrene (SPS), lignosulfonate (LS), and alumina (SPS-LS-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) by casting polymer solution. The resulting polymer electrolyte membranes were then characterized by functional groups analysis, mechanical properties, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, and proton conductivity. SPS-LS-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} membranes with alumina composition various have been proven qualitatively by analysis of functional groups. Increasing the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ratio resulted in higher ion exchange capacity (IEC), mechanical strength and proton conductivity, but water uptake decreased. The SPS-LS-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} blend showed higher proton conductivity than Nafion 117.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Preparation and characterization of chitosan - polystyrene polymer blends

To enhance the physical and mechanical properties of Chitosan (CS) and to improve the functionality of CS towards some specific applications, we have blended CS with polystyrene (PS) to form blended films. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) has been performed on the prepared films to confirm functional groups and formation of the blends. Thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) is carried out to study thermal stability of the blended films. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, the material reveals amorphous nature and hence it may be used for adsorption process. The versatility of the blends, such as film-forming ability, hydrophilicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility are comparable with the existing blends.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Probing effect of solvent concentration on glass transition and sub-T{sub g} structural relaxation in polymer solvent mixtures: The case of polystyrene-toluene system

A novel experimental method for the analysis of volume relaxation induced by solvents in glassy polymers is presented. A gravimetric technique is used to evaluate the isothermal solvent mass uptake at controlled increasing/decreasing solvent pressure at constant rate. Fundamental properties of the solvent/polymer system can be obtained directly, and models can be applied, combining both nonequilibrium thermodynamics and mechanics of volume relaxation contribution. The fundamental case of polystyrene and toluene mixtures are thus accounted for, and various experimental conditions have been explored, varying the temperature, and spanning over different pressure increase/decrease rates. The results obtained allowed to evaluate the isothermal second order transition induced by solvent sorption, as well as the determination of the effect of the pressure rate. Therefore, this work proposes a new standard for the characterization and the understanding of the relaxational behavior of glassy polymers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗