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At least 91 records · Page 5

Development of polyphenylquinoxaline graphite composites

This exploratory program was divided into four basic tasks. The initial phase was devoted toward investigating processing variables associated with previously developed PPO resins. These polymers were derived from p-bis(phenyl glyoxalyl)benzene reacted with 3,3'-diamino benzidine and/or 3,3',4,4'-tetramino benzophenone. Four new phenyl quinoxaline polymers were synthesized and characterized in Tasks 2 and 3. These consisted of a hydroxyl group containing PPQ synthesized from 3,3'-diamino benzidine (DAB), m-bis(phenyl glyoxal)benzene and m-bis(p'-hydroxy phenyl glyoxalyl) benzene; a cyano group containing PPQ from the reaction of DAB and p-bis(p'-cyano phenoxy phenyl glyoxalyl)benzene; an end-capped block copolymer; and a polymer from the reaction of 3,3',4,4'-tetraamino benzo phenone and m-bis(phenyl glyoxalyl)benzene. The latter two polymers were chosen for composite studies in the latter two tasks of the program. Mechanical properties of the graphite reinforced PPQ composites were determined over the temperature range of +21 C to 316 C. Flexural strengths of the HMS graphite fiber composites were in excess of 8.97 X 10 to the 8th power N/sq m (130,000 psi) at +21 C (70 F) with over 50% strength retention at +316 C.

Hoggatt, J. T.↗

Intermediates in the Formation of Aromatics in Hydrocarbon Combustion

The formation of the first benzene ring is believed to be the rate limiting step in soot formation. Two different mechanisms have been proposed for formation of cyclic C6 species. The first involves the reaction of two acetylenes to give CH2CHCCH (vinyl acetylene), the loss of a H to give CHCHCCH (n-C41-13) or CH2CCCH (iso-C4H3), and addition of another acetylene to n-C4H3, followed by ring closure to give phenyl radical. Miller and Melius argue that only n-C4H3 leads to phenyl radical and since iso-C4H3 is more stable than n-C4H3 this mechanism is unlikely. An alternative mechanism proposed by them is formation of benzene from the dimerization of two CH2CCH (propargyl) radicals (formed by the reaction of singlet methylene with C2H2). We report reaction pathways and accurate energetics (from CASSCF/internally contracted CI calculations) for the reactions of CH(pi-2) and CH2-1 with acetylene, the reaction of vinylidene with acetylene, and the reaction of n-C4H3 and iso-C4H3 with acetylene. These calculations identify two new reactive intermediates CHCHCH ( a A"-2 ground state in Cs symmetry; spin coupling is a doublet from three singly occupied orbitals) and CHCCH (B-3 ground state in C2 symmetry) from the reaction of CH with acetylene. These species dimerize with no barrier to form benzene and para-benzyne, respectively. CHCCH is proposed as a reactive intermediate which can add to benzene to give higher polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons or fullerenes. The addition of a C3H2 unit releases two C-C bond energies and thus the resulting addition product contains sufficient energy to break several CH bonds leading to a reduction in the H to C ratio as the cluster size increases. It is found that iso-C4H3 adds to acetylene to initially give a fulvene radical but that this species rearranges to phenyl radical. Thus, the reaction of acetylene with iso-C4H3 does lead to phenyl radical and the cyclization pathway may also contribute to formation of the initial benzene ring.

Walch, Stephen P.↗

Potential Precursor Compounds for Chlorohydrocarbons Detected in Gale Crater, Mars, by the SAM Instrument Suite on the Curiosity Rover

The detection of chlorinated organic compounds in near-surface sedimentary rocks by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite aboard the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover represents an important step toward characterizing habitable environments on Mars. However, this discovery also raises questions about the identity and source of their precursor compounds and the processes by which they become chlorinated. Here we present the results of analog experiments, conducted under conditions similar to SAM gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, in which we pyrolyzed potential precursor compounds in the presence of various Cl salts and Fe oxides that have been identified in Martian sediments. While chloromethanes could not be unambiguously identified, 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), which is one of the chlorinated compounds identified in SAM data, is formed from the chlorination of aliphatic precursors. Additionally, propanol produced more 1,2-DCP than nonfunctionalized aliphatics such as propane or hexanes. Chlorinated benzenes ranging from chlorobenzene to hexachlorobenzene were identified in experiments with benzene carboxylic acids but not with benzene or toluene. Lastly, the distribution of chlorinated benzenes depended on both the substrate species and the nature and concentration of the Cl salt. Ca and Mg perchlorate, both of which release O2 in addition to Cl2 and HCl upon pyrolysis, formed less chlorobenzene relative to the sum of all chlorinated benzenes than in experiments with ferric chloride. FeCl3, a Lewis acid, catalyzes chlorination but does not aid combustion. Accordingly, both the precursor chemistry and sample mineralogy exert important controls on the distribution of chlorinated organics.

Miller, Kristen E.↗

Foaming of mixtures of pure hydrocarbons

Mixtures of pure liquid hydrocarbons are capable of foaming. Nine hydrocarbons were mixed in pairs, in all possible combinations, and four proportions of each combination. These mixtures were sealed in glass tubes, and the foaming was tested by shaking. Mixtures of aliphatic with other aliphatic hydrocarbons, or of alkyl benzenes with other alkyl benzenes, did not foam. Mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons with alkyl benzenes did foam. The proportions of the mixtures greatly affected the foaming, the maximum foaming of 12 of 20 pairs being at the composition 20 percent aliphatic hydrocarbon, 80 percent alkyl benzene. Six seconds was the maximum foam lifetime of any of these mixtures. Aeroshell 120 lubricating oil was fractionated into 52 fractions and a residue by extraction with acetone in a fractionating extractor. The index of refraction, foam lifetime, color, and viscosity of these fractions were measured. Low viscosity and high index fractions were extracted first. The viscosity of the fractions extracted rose and the index decreased as fractionation proceeded. Foam lifetimes and color were lowest in the middle fractions. Significance is attached to the observation that none of the foam lifetimes of the fractions or residue is as high as the foam lifetime of the original Aeroshell, indicating that the foaming is not due to a particular foaming constituent, but rather to the entire mixture.

LUBRICATING OILS - DISTILLATION↗

Friction of iron lubricated with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated analogs

The influence of oxygen and various organic molecules on the reduction of the friction of an iron (011) single crystal surface was investigated. A comparison was made between aliphatic and aromatic structures, all of which contained six carbon atoms, and among various halogen atoms. Results of the investigation indicate that hexane and benzene give similar friction coefficients over a range of loads except at very light loads. At light loads, the friction decreased with an increase in the load where the halogens fluorine and chlorine are incorporated into the benzene molecular structure; however, over the same load range when bromine and iodine were present, the friction was relatively unchanged. The aliphatic compound chlorohexane exhibited lower friction coefficients than the aromatic structure chlorobenzene at very light loads. With the brominated benzene structures, however, friction was essentially the same. Oxygen was more effective in reducing friction than were the simple hydrocarbons.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Fire and heat resistant laminating resins based on malemeido and citraconimido substituted 1 -2,4- and -2,6- diaminobenzenes

A novel class of fire and heat resistant bisimide resins prepared by thermal polymerization of maleimido or citraconimido substituted 1-(dialkox phosphonyl) methyl-2-4 and -2,6-diamino benzenes was presented. The polymer precursors are prepared by reacting 1-(diorgano oxyphosphonyl) methyl-2-4- and -2,6-diamino benzenes with maliec anhydride or citraconic anhydride in a mole ratio 1:2. Chain extension of the monomers is achieved by reacting the mono-N-maleimido derivaties of 1 (diorgano oxyphosphonyl) methyl -2,4- and -2,6-diamino benzenes with aryl tetracarboxylic dianhydrides, such as benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, or aryl diisocyanates, such as methylene bis(4-phenyl isocyanate), in a mole ratio 2:1. The polymerization of the monomers is studied by diferential scanning calorimetry and the thermal stability of the polymers is ascertained by thermogravimetric analysis.

Mikroyannidis, John A.↗

Measurements of soot formation and hydroxyl concentration in near critical equivalence ratio premixed ethylene flame

The testing and development of existing global and detailed chemical kinetic models for soot formation requires measurements of soot and radical concentrations in flames. A clearer understanding of soot particle inception relies upon the evaluation and refinement of these models in comparison with such measurements. We present measurements of soot formation and hydroxyl (OH) concentration in sequences of flat premixed atmospheric-pressure C2H4/O2/N2 flames and 80-torr C2H4/O2 flames for a unique range of equivalence ratios bracketting the critical equivalence ratio (phi(sub c)) and extending to more heavily sooting conditions. Soot volume fraction and number density profiles are measured using a laser scattering-extinction apparatus capable of resolving a 0.1 percent absorption. Hydroxyl number density profiles are measured using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with broadband detection. Temperature profiles are obtained from Rayleigh scattering measurements. The relative volume fraction and number density profiles of the richer sooting flames exhibit the expected trends in soot formation. In near-phi(sub c) visibility sooting flames, particle scattering and extinction are not detected, but an LIF signal due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) can be detected upon excitation with an argon-ion laser. A linear correlation between the argon-ion LIF and the soot volume fraction implies a common mechanistic source for the growth of PAH's and soot particles. The peak OH number density in both the atmospheric and 80-torr flames declines with increasing equivalence ratio, but the profile shape remains unchanged in the transition to sooting, implying that the primary reaction pathways for OH remain unchanged over this transition. Chemical kinetic modeling is demonstrated by comparing predictions using two current reaction mechanisms with the atmospheric flame data. The measured and predicted OH number density profiles show good agreement. The predicted benzene number density profiles correlate with the measured trends in soot formation, although anomalies in the benzene profiles for the richer and cooler sooting flames suggest a need for the inclusion of benzene oxidation reactions.

Inbody, Michael Andrew↗

Coarse-Grained and Atomistic Modeling of Polyimides

A coarse-grained model for a set of three polyimide isomers is developed. Each polyimide is comprised of BPDA (3,3,4,4' - biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride) and one of three APB isomers: 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene or 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene. The coarse-grained model is constructed as a series of linked vectors following the contour of the polymer backbone. Beads located at the midpoint of each vector define centers for long range interaction energy between monomer subunits. A bulk simulation of each coarse-grained polyimide model is performed with a dynamic Monte Carlo procedure. These coarsegrained models are then reverse-mapped to fully atomistic models. The coarse-grained models show the expected trends in decreasing chain dimensions with increasing meta linkage in the APB section of the repeat unit, although these differences were minor due to the relatively short chains simulated here. Considerable differences are seen among the dynamic Monte Carlo properties of the three polyimide isomers. Decreasing relaxation times are seen with increasing meta linkage in the APB section of the repeat unit.

Clancy, Thomas C.↗

Origin of organic matter in early solar system. V - Further studies of meteoritic hydrocarbons and a discussion of their origin.

The Murchison meteorite contains aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons similar to those made in static Fischer-Tropsch-type syntheses. Principal compound classes above C8 are n-alkanes, mono- and dimethylalkanes, alkenes, alkylbenzenes and -naphthalenes. Below C8, n-alkanes are virtually absent; instead, benzene, toluene, branched alkanes dominate. The CH4/C2H6 ratio is greater than 30, possibly greater than 700. Isoprenoids from C17 to C20 occur in a surface rinse but not in subsequent extracts and appear to be terrestrial contaminants. Thiophenes, porphyrin-like pigments, and chlorobenzenes were also found; the latter appear to be contaminants. In the Allende meteorite, only methane, benzene, toluene and an aromatic polymer seem to be indigeneous. A comprehensive review of current evidence shows that Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions can account for most principal features of meteorite organic matter.

Studier, M. H.↗

Transient permeation of organic vapors through elastomeric membranes

The permeation of benzene and acetone vapors through sulfur-cured natural rubber was studied by the time-lag method. The zero concentration diffusion coefficient, was obtained by the early-time method. The Frisch time lag equation was utilized to estimate both the solubility coefficient and the additional parameter required to define the concentration-dependence of the diffusion coefficient. This form of concentration dependence was manifested by the corresponding permeability coefficient values. At low entering penetrant pressure where the transport coefficients are constant, indirect evidence was obtained that zero diffusion coefficient is the mechanically correct diffusion coefficient. The solubility coefficient values calculated for benzene vapor in natural rubber are in reasonable agreement with published equilibrium sorption data for a similar rubber compound. At higher entering penetrant pressures, average diffusion coefficients obtained at steady state tended to be larger than the corresponding average diffusion coefficients derived from the time-lags.

Curry, J. E.↗

Biogeochemistry and biogeology research projects

Summaries of work initiated or completed during the year in the areas of biochemistry and biology are reported. Topics include: studying humic substances through geologic time; analyzing the benzene and hexane soluble portions of the benzene-methanol extracts from the same standard suite for hydrocarbons; finding a pyrolytic technique and applying it to single taxa of fossil microorganisms and individual microorganisms; and discovering to what extent humic substances become converted to kerogen and retained in sediments. A list of publications is included.

Cloud, P.↗

Phenylquinoxaline copolymers

The preparation of a series of homopolymers and block and random type phenylquinoxaline copolymers is described together with their important characteristics and preliminary measurements of composite properties. Phenylquinoxaline homopolymers consisting of low, intermediate, and high molecular weight versions were prepared from the reaction of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminobenzophenone (TAB), each with p-bis(phenylglyoxalyl)benzene as solutions (18% solids content) in a 1:1 mixture of m-cresol and xylene. Three random and three block copolymers were prepared from the reaction of various amounts of DAB and TAB with p-bis(phenylglyoxalyl)benzene. The copolymers were prepared with DAB to TAB distribution ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3. The work was performed primarily to determine if phenylquinoxaline copolymers exhibit any advantage over the homopolymers for use as functional or structural resins, especially as a matrix material in combination with a high-modulus graphite fiber reinforcement.

Hergenrother, P. M.↗

Isomer effects on polyimide properties

Polyimide polymers which are thermally stable and processable are developed. The addition of alkyl substituents to an aromatic ring in the polymer backbone is examined along with polyimide precursor amines containing functional groups that allow for post-cure crosslinking. The synthesis of key monomers is reported, including 2,4,6-tris (m-aminobenzyl) 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene and 2,4,6-tris (p-aminobenzyl) 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene. The preparation of a key monomer, 2,5,3-triamino benzophenone, is reported.

Stump, B. L.↗

Friction differences between aliphatic and aromatic structures in lubrication of titanium

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with a titanium (0001) single crystal surface with various adsorbed aliphatic and aromatic compounds containing the same number of carbon atoms. An Auger emission spectroscopy analysis was used to monitor the presence of the organic lubricating compounds. Results of the investigation indicate that hexane and benzene give the same friction coefficients over a range of loads. At light loads the friction decreased with an increase in the halogen atom size where the halogens chlorine, bromine, and iodine are incorporated into the benzene molecular structure. The aliphatic compounds chlorohexane and bromohexane exhibited lower friction coefficients than the aromatic structures chlorobenzene and bromobenzene.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Development of polyphenylquinoxaline graphite composites

Six polyphenylquinoxalines (PPQ) containing pendant cyano (CN) groups were synthesized. The polymers were characterized in terms of inherent viscosity, glass transition temperature, softening temperature and weight loss due to aging in air at 316 C (600 F). The potential for crosslinking PPQs by trimerization of pendant CN groups was investigated. A polymer derived from 1 mole 3,3,4,4 -tetraaminobenzophenone, .2 mole p-bis(p -cyanophenoxyphenylglyoxalyl)benzene and .8 mole p-bis(phenylglyoxalyl)benzene was selected for more extensive characterization in HM-S graphite fiber-reinforced composites. Mechanical properties were determined using composites made from HM-S fiber and polymer and composites made from HM-S fiber, polymer and a potential CN group trimerization catalyst. Composite mechanical properties, inter-laminar shear strength and flexure properties, were determined over the temperature range of +21 C to 316 C.

Shdo, J. D.↗

Effect of deoxygenation and prestressing on hydrocarbon fuel thermal stability

A jet fuel thermal oxidation tester was used to study the effect of deoxygenation and deoxygenated prestressing on deposit formation when hydrocarbon fuels are thermally stressed. Four pure hydrocarbons (n-decane, cyclohexane, benzene and 1-hexene) and two mixtures (10 percent tetralin in n-dodecane and commercial Jet A) were used at temperatures of 250 C to 400 C. Deoxygenation decreased deposit formation for cycloheaxane but increased it for benzene. Deoxygenation decreased deposit formation for the two fuel mixtures at 250 C but had no effect at 350 C. Deoxygenated prestressing either increased or decreased deposit formation depending on the fuel used and the temperature.

Bittker, D. A.↗

Tests of blending and correlation of distillate fuel properties

The development of a fuel test matrix, results from tests of several blends of distillate aircraft fuels, and the use of correlations in formulation determination during a NASA-sponsored program to identify new aircraft fuels are described. The program was initiated in order to characterize fuel blends which are appropriate for different types of combustors in use and under development. The fuels were required to feature a specified range of properties. Attention is given to fuel volatility, hydrogen content, aromatic content, freezing point, kinematic viscosity, and naphthalene content. Paraffinic and naphtenic base stocks were employed, using alkyl benzene, naphthene benzenes, and naphthalenes to adjust the blend properties. Categories for the test fuels comprised source-controlled and composition controlled fuels. Test results and compositions of various fuels are provided.

Erwin, J.↗

Catalytic autothermal reforming increases fuel cell flexibility

Experimental results are presented for the autothermal reforming (ATR) of n-hexane, n-tetradecane, benzene and benzene solutions of naphthalene. The tests were run at atmospheric pressure and at moderately high reactant preheat temperatures in the 800-900 K range. Carbon formation lines were determined for paraffinic and aromatic liquids. Profiles were determined for axial bed temperature and composition. Space velocity efforts were assessed, and the locations and types of carbon were recorded. Significant reactive differences between hydrocarbons were identified. Carbon formation characteristics were hydrocarbon specific. The differing behavior of paraffinic and aromatic fuels with respect to their carbon formation may be important in explaining the narrow range of carbon-free operating conditions found in the ATR of number two fuel oil.

Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, M.↗