We have studied the aggregation behavior of polyethylene−poly(ethylenepropylene) (PE−PEP) diblock copolymers dissolved in decane. For this purpose PE−PEP diblock copolymers of various molecular weights, compositions, and degrees of deuteration were synthesized via an anionic route. The structure and morphology of the aggregates was studied by small angle neutron scattering varying both the contrast as well as the polymer labeling. We found a hierarchy of structures:  The PE component crystallizes in lamellar sheets (thickness 40−80 Å) surrounded on both sides by a PEP brush which exhibits a close to parabolic density profile. Different aggregates form macroaggregates of needlelike shape with the PE lamellar planes in the long direction. This macroaggregation is well described by a paracrystalline structure factor. The structural parameters depending on composition and molecular weights can be well understood in terms of a free energy of formation based on a scaling model. A quantitative evaluation of the different contributions to the free energy reveals an important role of defect structures resulting from the ethylene side branches in the polyethylene component. Finally, we show in a semiquantitative approach that the van der Waals energy between the brushes is large enough to facilitate macroaggregation.

The quality of life partially depends on the ability to maintain the transportation of goods and people in an efficient and reliable fashion, even under difficult climatic conditions. A well-known problem at low temperatures is the filter blockage of diesel fuel. Fuel oils contain alkanes that precipitate at low temperature as large crystals or spherulites of wax in such a way as to form gels. Thereupon the fuel loses its ability to flow and the transportation system falters or is stopped. The lowest temperature at which the fuel will still flow is known as the pour point. As the temperature approaches that of the pour point, difficulties emerge in transporting the fuel through lines and pump. Furthermore, wax crystals can plug screens and filters at temperatures above the pour point; the so-called cold filter plugging point. To combat this behavior various additives have been developed to depress the pour point or to decrease the size and alter the shape of the wax crystals; e.g., smaller sized crystals are less likely to clog either screens or filters. This paper reports on the use of a crystalline-amorphous diblock copolymer that performs, in its selfassembled state, as an efficient nucleator for the wax in middle distillate fuels.

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The high-spin structures and isomers of the N = 81 isotones 135 Xe and 137 Ba are investigated after multinucleon-transfer (MNT) and fusion-evaporation reactions. Both nuclei are populated (i) in 136 Xe+ 238 U and (ii) 136 Xe+ 208 Pb MNT reactions employing the high-resolution Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) coupled to the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, (iii), in the 136 Xe+ 198 Pt MNT reaction employing the γ-ray array GAMMASPHERE in combination with the gas-detector array CHICO, and (iv) via a 11 B+ 130 Te fusion-evaporation reaction with the HORUS γ-ray array at the University of Cologne. The high-spin level schemes of 135 Xe and 137 Ba are considerably extended to higher energies. The 2058-keV (19/2 − ) state in 135 Xe is identified as an isomer, closing a gap in the systematics along the N = 81 isotones. Its half-life is measured to be 9.0(9) ns, corresponding to a reduced transition probability of B(E2, 19/2 − → 15/2 − ) = 0.52(6) W.u. The experimentally-deduced reduced transition probabilities of the isomeric states are compared to shell-model predictions. Latest shell-model calculations reproduce the experimental findings generally well and provide guidance to the interpretation of the new levels.

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