A novel strategy for SO(2) capture through multiple-site absorption in the anion of several azole-based ionic liquids is reported. An extremely high capacity of SO(2) (>3.5 mol/mol) and excellent reversibility (28 recycles) were achieved by tuning the interaction between the basic anion and acidic SO(2). Spectroscopic investigations and quantum-mechanical calculations showed that such high SO(2) capacity originates from the multiple sites of interaction between the anion and SO(2). These tunable azole-based ionic liquids with multiple sites offer significant improvements over commonly used absorbents, indicating the promise for industrial applications in acid gas separation.

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs), which can harvest energy from environmental sources, have gained considerable research attention over the past few decades. However, the current dielectric elastomers exhibit low electric energy density and conversion efficiency, which limit their practical application. Herein, the electric energy density and conversion efficiency of natural rubber (NR) composites have been enhanced by adding of barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer in NR matrix. Due to the synergistic effect of BT and DOP, a high dielectric constant and a low elastic modulus are exhibited by NR composites, which can be attributed to the adjusting of filler network and polymeric intermolecular attractions. The as-prepared BT/DOP/NR composites have exhibited an enhanced harvested electric energy density of 0.71 mJ/cm3 and energy conversion efficiency of 3.8%, which are ∼3.8 and 4.7 times higher than pure NR, respectively. In addition, the as-prepared NR composites exhibit excellent actuation properties, which indicate that these composites have great potential in a wide range of applications, such as energy harvesters and soft sensors.

A novel rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate (ASA) copolymer blend with good ultraviolet (UV) irradiation resistance and toughness was reported. ASA with good weatherability and toughness was mixed with PVC by conical twin‐screw extruder to improve the UV irradiation resistance and toughness of PVC. The blends were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscope. Notch Charpy impact test was used to characterize the UV radiation induced changes in toughness. The results showed that ASA was able to toughen PVC with simultaneously improving heat resistance, thermal stabilization, and protecting PVC from irradiation photochemical degradation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2143–2151, 2013

We demonstrate the synthesis of a novel core–satellite-structured BaTiO 3 –poly(dopamine)–silver (BT–PDA–Ag) nanoparticle for improving dielectric properties of nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) nanocomposites. The BT–PDA–Ag nanoparticles are synthesized by dopamine oxidative polymerization and electroless plating of silver. The Ag nanoparticles decorated on the BT nanoparticles enhanced the dielectric constant of NBR nanocomposites due to the increased conductivity of the filler/matrix interlayer and nanocapacitor structure. In addition, the incorporation of the BT nanoparticles prevented the continuous connection of Ag nanoparticles and suppressed the formation of a conductive path in the NBR matrix. Moreover, the ultrasmall Ag nanoparticles trapped the carriers by Coulomb blockade and quantum confinement effects, which results in low dielectric loss and electrical conductivity of nanocomposites. The proposed method with simplicity and scalability can be adapted to process high-dielectric polymer nanocomposites.

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