Toughening Immiscible Polymer Blends: The Role of Interface-Crystallization-Induced Compatibilization Explored Through Nanoscale Visualization.

This study explores the novel approach of interface-crystallization-induced compatibilization (ICIC) via stereocomplexation as a promising method to improve the interfacial strength in thermodynamically immiscible polymers. Herein, two distinct reactive interfacial compatibilizers, poly(styrene--glycidyl methacrylate)--poly(l-lactic acid) (SAL) and poly(styrene--glycidyl methacrylate)--poly(d-lactic acid) (SAD) are synthesized via reactive melt blending in an integrated grafting and blending process. This approach is demonstrated to enhance the interfacial strength of immiscible polyvinylidene fluoride/poly l-lactic acid (PVDF/PLLA) 50/50 blends via ICIC.

Infrared spectroscopy across scales in length and time at BESSY II.

The infrared beamline at BESSY II storage ring was upgraded recently to extend the capabilities of infrared microscopy. The endstations available at the beamline are now facilitating improved characterization of molecules and materials at different length scales and time resolutions. Here, the current outline of the beamline is reported and an overview of the endstations available is given.

infrared imaging of the local orientation of cellulose fibrils in plant secondary cell walls.

The mechanical and chemical properties of plant cell walls greatly rely on the supramolecular assembly of cellulose fibrils. To study the local orientation of cellulose in secondary plant cell walls, diffraction limited infrared (IR) micro-spectroscopic mapping experiments were conducted at different orientation of transverse leaf section of the grass with respect to the polarization direction of the IR radiation. Two-dimensional maps, based on polarization-sensitive absorption bands of cellulose were obtained for different polarization angles.

Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, microplastics and biofilms in Alqueva surface water at touristic spots.

Freshwater pollution is a huge concern. A study aiming to evaluate physico-chemical characteristics, microbiota, occurrence of two groups of persistent environmental pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons- PAHs and microplastics - MPs) in Alqueva's surface water was performed during 2021. Water samples were collected at three spots related to touristic activities (two beaches and one marina) during the Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons.

Coupling Raman, Brillouin and Nd Photo Luminescence Spectroscopy to Distinguish the Effect of Uniaxial Stress from Cooling Rate on Soda-Lime Silicate Glass.

Evolution of spectroscopic properties of a soda-lime silicate glass with different thermal history and under applied uniaxial stress was investigated using Raman and Brillouin spectroscopies as well as Nd photoluminescence techniques. Samples of soda-lime silicate with a cooling rate from 6 × 10 to 650 K/min were prepared either by controlled cooling from the melt using a differential scanning calorimeter or by a conventional annealing procedure. Uniaxial stress effects in a range from 0 to -1.

Radiation-Induced Defects and Effects in Germanate and Tellurite Glasses.

This review focuses on the radiation-induced changes in germanate and tellurite glasses. These glasses have been of great interest due to their remarkable potential for photonics, in terms of extended transmission window in the mid-infrared, ability of rare-earth loading suitable with a laser, and amplification in the near- and mid-infrared or high nonlinear optical properties. Here, we summarize information about possible radiation-induced defects, mechanisms of their formation, and the influence of the glass composition on this process.

Impact of ZnO Addition on Er Near-Infrared Emission, the Formation of Ag Nanoparticles, and the Crystallization of Sodium Fluorophosphate Glass.

The impact of the progressive addition of ZnO up to 5 mol% on the thermal, structural, and optical properties of Er-doped phosphate glasses within the system NaPO-NaF-ZnO-AgO is discussed. The glass network was found to depolymerize upon the addition of ZnO. This promotes a slight increase in the intensity of the emission at 1.

On the origin of near-IR luminescence in Bi-doped materials (II). Subvalent monocation Bi⁺ and cluster Bi₅³⁺ luminescence in AlCl₃/ZnCl₂/BiCl₃ chloride glass.

Broadband NIR photoluminescence (from 1000 to 2500 nm) was observed from partially reduced AlCl₃/ZnCl₂/BiCl₃ glass, containing subvalent bismuth species. The luminescence consists of three bands, assigned to Bi⁺ , Bi₂⁴⁺, and Bi₅³⁺ ions. The physical and optical characteristics of these centers and possible contribution to NIR luminescence from bismuth-doped oxide glasses are discussed.