Guangsu Huang

Large-scale orientation in a vulcanized stretched natural rubber network: proved by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction characterization.

In situ studies of strain-induced crystallization in unfilled and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-filled natural rubber (NR) were carried out by using synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Synchrotron WAXD results indicate that more nuclei appear in the MWCNT-filled NR sample, leading to higher crystallinity, lower onset strain of crystallization, and remarkable enhancement in tensile strength. During deformation, despite the amorphous chains remaining in isotropic orientation, the domains of larger scale (10-100 nm) with high network chain density in the NR matrix are oriented. The MWCNTs induce significant variation of this orientational process, and it is monitored by the stearic acid (SA) crystallites, which are effective nanoprobes of the amorphous phase. The results indicate that a small amount of MWCNTs and SA crystallites can be used as new tools to analyze the microstructural orientation of NR during deformation. The results also yield new insight into the strain-induced crystallization mechanism.

Using Two-Dimensional Correlation Dynamic Mechanical Spectroscopy to Detect Different Modes of Molecular Motions in the Glass-Rubber Transition Region in Polyisobutylene

In this Article, we report the first study of the molecular dynamics in the glass-rubber transition region in polyisobutylene by 2D correlation dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (2DC-DMS). With the help of the high resolution and high sensitivity of the technique, the sub-Rouse modes are independently separated from the Rouse modes and local segmental motion (LSM). According to the positions and widths of autopeaks of three modes of molecular motions, the loss tangent peak is resolved into three peaks by nonlinear fitting method. Moreover, the glass-rubber transition region is divided into three regions. 2DC-DMS has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for studying the molecular motions with different time/length scales.

Molecular motions in glass-rubber transition region in polyisobutylene investigated by two-dimensional correlation dielectric relaxation spectroscopy

In this letter, we report the first study of the molecular relaxation dynamics in the glass-rubber transition region in polyisobutylene by 2D correlation dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (2DC-DRS). With the help of the high resolution and high sensitivity of 2DC-DRS, it is also the first time to observe and locate the positions of the Rouse modes and sub-Rouse modes in type-B polymers in the dielectric spectrum. 2DC-DRS was also applied to compare the temperature dependences of different molecular motions. Moreover, 2DC-DRS has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for studying the molecular motions with different time/length scales.

Study on liquid-liquid transition of chlorinated butyl rubber by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

The existence of liquid-liquid transition (Tll) above the glass transition (Tg) in amorphous polymers remains a controversial topic. In this letter, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was used to detect Tll in cured and uncured chlorinated butyl rubber. It is found that the temperature spectra of orthopositronium lifetime and free-volume fraction of both samples clearly demonstrate two inflection points around −70 and −10°C, corresponding to Tg and Tll, respectively, while the orthopositronium intensity decreases at the transition regions, which may imply molecular cooperativity. Moreover, two equations should be adopted to describe the development of free-volume fraction after Tg.

Synthesis and Aqueous Solution Properties of a Novel NonIonic, Amphiphilic Comb-Type Polyacrylamide

Nowadays comb-type polyacrylamides are deemed to be the most promising oil-displacing agent in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). We describe the synthesis of a nonionic, amphiphilic macromer (OPAE) with acrylic acid (AA) and t-octylphenoxypolyoxyehylene (OP) by an esterification reaction. The macromer was then copolymerized with acrylamide (AM) under a free radical initiator system and a comb-type modified polyacrylamide (MPAM) was obtained. The structures of OPAE and the MPAM were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and dynamic laser light scattering. In order to compare with partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), the aqueous solution of the MPAM had a higher apparent viscosity, especially in brine. We suggest that the reason was that the branched chains enhanced the rigidity of the MPAM, and made the molecules have a larger hydrodynamic radius, especially in brine, endowing the copolymer with excellent salt tolerance.

Effect of Alkyl Side Chain Length on Relaxation Behaviors in Poly(n-alkyl Acrylates) and Poly(n-alkyl Methacrylates)

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is used to investigate the effect of alkyl side chain length on the relaxation behavior of poly(n-alkyl acrylates) (PnAA) and poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) (PnAMA) above the glass transition temperature (Tg). Master curves and shift factors (log aT) were obtained using the time–temperature superposition (TTS) principle. The log aT curves of PnAA and PnAMA exhibit a dynamic crossover from one Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann–Hesse (VFTH) equation to another above Tg. The corresponding temperature was designated as the dynamic crossover temperature (Tc). It is found that Tc/Tg and the apparent activation energy (Eg) increases, e whereas the fragility index (m) decreases with increasing alkyl side chain length. Further analysis shows that m ∝ Tg, Eg∝ , and Eg∝ m2 for both PnAA and PnAMA.

Rheological Properties of Template Polymerization Polyacrylamide Aqueous Solutions

In this work, the aqueous solution rheology properties of both partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and the template copolymer (TPAM) synthesized from acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) were investigated using an advanced rheometer and viscometer. The results were correlated with the corresponding molecular structures of HPAM and TPAM, which were characterized by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance. It was found that the thickening ability of TPAM is much stronger than that of HPAM due to its unique microblocky structure, while the viscosity of TPAM was more sensitive to shear rate. Furthermore, the effect of polymer concentration was also tested in an oscillation shear mode. It showed that the characteristic relaxation time of TPAM was much higher than that of HPAM at the high concentrations. The research on salt-resistance properties showed that the viscosity retention of TPAM was similar to HPAM at the same NaCl concentration. But, unexpectedly, at the same CaCl2 concentration the viscosity retention of TPAM was much lower than that of HPAM, indicating a poor divalent salt-resistance property.

The dynamic characteristics of silicone rubber isolator

The dynamic stiffness and the specific damping energy, as well as the vibration response characteristics of a silicone rubber isolator were researched. The results of the vibration test showed that the silicone rubber isolator was excellent in the performance of vibration control. The dynamic stiffness and the damping characteristics were non-linear. From the comparison between experimental results and simulation analysis, the displacement transmissibility characteristics of the isolator were obtained. As a result, the dynamic characteristics of the isolator could be accurately described by the quadratic type non-linear terms at small amplitude.

Design and Dynamics Investigation for a Silicone Rubber Shock Absorber

A new kind of coupling-type silicone rubber shock absorber was prepared. Vibration and static stiffness tests were carried out to investigate the characteristics of vibration control. A mechanical model of the shock absorber was established, and the working principle of the shock absorber was studied by comparing the vibration test with simulation results. The dynamic results show the shock absorber has excellent vibration control performance. The coupling characteristics originate from the contact of inner and outer silicone rubber. It is shown that the stiffness and damping coefficients in the coupling process are critical for vibration control of the shock absorber.