Neopentyl Glycol Research Articles

Fabrication of Cu-based catalysts for the synthesis of neopentyl glycol from hydroxypivalaldehyde hydrogenation: studies on the role of Zr promoter

Fabrication of Cu-based catalysts for the synthesis of neopentyl glycol from hydroxypivalaldehyde hydrogenation: studies on the role of Zr promoter

Non‐Isocyanate Carbamate Acrylates: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in UV 3D Printing

ABSTRACTIn this paper, two synthetic routes for non‐isocyanate carbamate acrylates (CAs) were explored. Four amino alcohols reacted with ethylene carbonate respectively forming carbamate alcohols. Additionally, carbamate amines were synthesized through the reaction of diethylene glycol with dimethyl carbonate, followed by the reaction of 4‐methylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diamine. Five kinds of CAs were synthesized via oxa‐Michael addition of carbamate alcohols and aza‐Michael reactions of carbamate amines with neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA), respectively. The resulting intermediates and final CAs were characterized by electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry (ESI‐HRMS), 1H NMR, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The photopolymerization kinetics of the CAs were investigated using FT‐IR spectroscopy. Under UV irradiation and initiation by 1 wt% 2‐isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) for 30 s, the double bond conversion of the CAs synthesized by oxa‐Michael addition were over 95%. The resulting CAs can be UV cured to form a transparent film with a gel content of 90%–95%, a hardness of 4–5 H, and a flexibility of 1 mm. A formulation consisting of 79 wt% CA2, 20 wt% NPGDA, and 1 wt% ITX was applied for 3D printing to produce various models with smooth surfaces, high precision, and excellent flexibility.

Biodegradation of commercial polyester polyurethane by a soil-borne bacterium Bacillus velezensis MB01B: Efficiency, degradation pathway, and in-situ remediation in landfill soil

Polyurethane (PU), a widely used and durable plastic, persists in the environment, resulting in significant waste management challenges. Therefore, developing eco-friendly degradation technologies, such as screening for efficient biodegrading microorganism strains, is urgently needed to address this issue. Bacillus velezensis MB01B, an efficient polyester PU-degrading bacterium, was isolated from landfill soil and demonstrated the ability to degrade 91.4% of 0.75% Impranil DLN within 24 h under the optimal conditions (30.5 °C and initial pH 6.5). To assess the degradation capability of MB01B, three PU substrates of increasing complexity—Impranil DLN film, polyester thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, and commercial PU desk mat—were tested; after 30 days, weight losses of 24.8%, 18.3%, and 5.4% were observed, respectively. In addition, SEM images showed significant morphological changes on the surface of these PU materials after treatment with MB01B. FTIR analysis of Impranil DLN films following degradation showed reductions in key functional groups (ester and urethane); and the identification of neopentyl glycol and 1,6-hexanediol as degradation intermediates suggested MB01B possesses the capability to hydrolyze ester and urethane bonds. Concurrently, genome sequencing combined with RT-qPCR identified several enzymes, including urethanases and esterases/lipases, involved in PU degradation. Based on these results, the pathway for MB01B to degrade Impranil DLN was inferred. Finally, MB01B was successfully formulated into a solid microbial inoculum with favorable storage properties and used for in-situ degradation of the commercial PU materials (Impranil DLN films, TPU films and PU desk mat) in landfill soil, underscoring its potential for the in-situ biological treatment of PU plastic wastes.

Catalytic Biolubricant Production from Canola Oil Through Double Transesterification with Methanol and Neopentyl Glycol

In the current environmental scenario, the proposal of alternatives for petroleum-based products has considerably increased, with the aim of looking for bioproducts with interesting properties such as biodegradability, sustainability and efficiency, among others. In this sense, the role of biolubricants is promising, offering a wide range of possibilities through different methods and operating conditions. Specifically, double transesterification could be a suitable process in a biorefinery context. The aim of this work was to produce a biolubricant through double transesterification with methanol and neopentyl glycol (NPG) under different reaction conditions by using homogeneous catalysis (sodium methoxide). Different catalyst concentrations, among other changes in reaction conditions (temperature ranging between 100 and 140 °C and NPG/FAME ratios between 0.5 and 2), were used, obtaining high conversion values (96%) and a final product with a high viscosity (20.7 cSt), which allows for its use as engine oil (SAE 5W). In conclusion, biodiesel and biolubricant production was feasible through homogeneous catalysis, proving the feasibility of this process at the laboratory scale. Further studies, including the use of different heterogeneous catalysts, as well as the implementation of this process at a semi-industrial scale, are recommended.

Development of polyols analogous to neopentyl glycol and trimethylolpropane for the production of oleic acid-based biolubricants

Vegetable oils and animal fats have been known and used as lubricants and fuels since ancient times. However, the chain structure of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) generate limitations that discourage the use of these raw materials as lubricants. As an alternative to improve the physicochemical and thermo-oxidative characteristics of natural oils, the use of polyols without the β-hydrogens in the triacylglycerols structure is an efficient solution for the production of biolubricants. In this context, a series of polyols, analogous to trimethylolpropane (TMP) and neopentyl glycol (NPG) was synthesised and applied in the synthesis of polyol esters based on oleic acid. These esters were prepared by homogeneous catalysis using p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) and are intended for use as biolubricants. The synthesised polyols were characterized by one and two-dimensional NMR. The derived polyol esters were purified and had their structure confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The polyol esters showed high viscosity index (189 – 222), thermo-oxidative stability (Tonset between 258 and 285 °C), and low melting points (between –19.4 and –47.6 °C). Furthermore, polyol esters showed reduced friction coefficients (0.021 – 0.041) and scar wear diameter on the metallic surface (0.274 – 0.448 mm). In addition to the satisfactory results of thermal stability and lubricity, which suggest the potential of these molecules as lubricants, all molecules were considered environmentally safe when evaluated through the Zebrafish toxicity model.

Food Preservation in the Industrial Revolution Epoch: Innovative High Pressure Processing (HPP, HPT) for the 21st-Century Sustainable Society.

The paper presents the 'progressive review' for high pressure preservation/processing (HPP) (cold pasteurization) of foods and the next-generation high-pressure and high temperature (HPHT, HPT) food sterilization technologies. It recalls the basics of HPP and HPT, showing their key features and advantages. It does not repeat detailed results regarding HPP and HPT implementations for specific foods, available in numerous excellent review papers. This report focuses on HPP and HPT-related issues that remain challenging and can hinder further progress. For HPP implementations, the reliable modeling of microorganisms' number decay after different times of high pressure treatment or product storage is essential. This report indicates significant problems with model equations standard nonlinear fitting paradigm and introduces the distortion-sensitive routine enabling the ultimate validation. An innovative concept based on the barocaloric effect is proposed for the new generation of HPT technology. The required high temperature appears only for a strictly defined short time period controlled by the maximal pressure value. Results of the feasibility test using neopentyl glycol as the barocaloric medium are presented. Attention is also paid to feedback interactions between socioeconomic and technological issues in the ongoing Industrial Revolution epoch. It indicates economic constraints for HPP and HPT developments and emerging business possibilities. The discussion recalls the inherent feedback interactions between technological and socioeconomic innovations as the driving force for the Industrial Revolution epoch.

Experimental and numerical investigation on the performance of binary solid-solid phase change materials with integrated heat pipe and aluminium foam based heat sink for thermal management of electronic systems

Phase change material (PCM) is widely utilised in thermal management systems (TMS), however its low thermal conductivity inhibits performance. Heat pipe and porous materials are incorporated into PCM due to their high thermal conductivities to form a hybrid system that substantially enhances PCM's heat transfer capability. This study investigates experimentally and numerically, the cooling performance of heat sink by integrating aluminium foam and heat pipe (HP) with binary Neopentyl glycol (NPG)/Trihydroxy methyl-aminomethane (TAM) solid-solid phase change material (SS_PCM) obtained at 90/10 wt% (N9T1), 70/30 wt% (N7T3) and 50/50 wt% (N5T5). Compared to pure NPG thermal conductivity, N9T1, N7T3, and N5T5 samples demonstrated relative enhancement ratios of 0.017, 2.46, and 2.84. Different heat sink configurations are examined at three constant power levels 15, 17 and 19 W for the same charging period of 10000 s to determine the optimal cooling arrangement. During the charging period, hybrid cooling (PCM-Foam-HP) system with fan in contrast to an empty sink achieved the highest temperature reduction of 58.31 %, 58.99 % and 59.89 % at power levels of 15, 17 and 19 W, respectively. N9T1, N7T3 and N5T5 combinations lowered temperature by 4.6 %, 5.9 % and 10.8 %, respectively, when compared to NPG. Furthermore, all configurations performed better at lower heat generation rates by extending the safe operational period (SOP).The investigation concluded that N5T5 SS_PCM-aided heat sinks with integrated aluminium foam and heat pipe with fan reduced temperatures the most and performed best in all aspects. Finally, the experimental results for TMS were numerically validated using COMSOL software.

Critical Model Insight into Broadband Dielectric Properties of Neopentyl Glycol (NPG).

This report presents the low-frequency (LF), static, and dynamic dielectric properties of neopentyl glycol (NPG), an orientationally disordered crystal (ODIC)-forming material important for the barocaloric effect applications. High-resolution tests were carried out for 173K<T<440K, in liquid, ODIC, and solid crystal phases. The support of the innovative distortion-sensitive analysis revealed a set of novel characterizations important for NPG and any ODIC-forming material. First, the dielectric constant in the liquid and ODIC phase follows the Mossotti Catastrophe-like pattern, linked to the Clausius-Mossotti local field. It challenges the heuristic paradigm forbidding such behavior for dipolar liquid dielectrics. For DC electric conductivity, the prevalence of the 'critical and activated' scaling relation is evidenced. It indicates that commonly applied VFT scaling might have only an effective parameterization meaning. The discussion of dielectric behavior in the low-frequency (LF) domain is worth stressing. It is significant for applications but hardly discussed due to the cognitive gap, making an analysis puzzling. For the contribution to the real part of dielectric permittivity in the LF domain, associated with translational processes, exponential changes in the liquid phase and hyperbolic changes in the ODIC phase are evidenced. The novelty also constitutes tgδ temperature dependence, related to energy dissipation. The results presented also reveal the strong postfreezing/pre-melting-type effects on the solid crystal side of the strongly discontinuous ODIC-solid crystal transition. So far, such a phenomenon has been observed only for the liquid-solid crystal melting transition. The discussion of a possible universal picture of the behavior in the liquid phase of liquid crystalline materials and in the liquid and ODIC phases of NPG is particularly worth stressing.

Non-isocyanate polyurethane-co-polyglycolic acid electrospun nanofiber membrane wound dressing with high biocompatibility, hemostasis, and prevention of chronic wound formation

The prevention of chronic wound formation has already been a primary subject in wound management, particularly for deep wounds. The electrospun nanofiber membranes hold tremendous potential in the prevention of chronic wounds due to their micro/nano pore structures. Currently, many natural and synthetic materials have been utilized in the fabrication of nanofiber membranes. However, striking a balance between the structural stability and the biocompatibility remains challenging. It is necessary not only to ensure the long-term durability of nanofiber membranes but also to enhance their biocompatibility for alleviating patients' suffering. In this study, we reported a nanofiber membrane dressing with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, which is potential for the treatment of deep wounds. The basal material chosen for the preparation of the nanofiber membrane was a co-polyester (NI-LPGD5) synthesized by non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) and polyglycolic acid with a dihydroxy structure (LPGD—synthesized from glycolic acid and neopentyl glycol). Moreover, curcumin was also added as a bioactive substance to enhance the pro-healing effect of dressings. The physicochemical properties of the prepared nanofiber membranes were characterized through various physicochemical tools. Our results demonstrated that the NI-LPGD5 co-polymer can be electrospun into smooth fibers. Meanwhile, curcumin-loaded nanofiber membranes (Cur/NI-LPGD5) also exhibited a favorable microscopic morphology. The fabricated membranes exhibited suitable mechanical properties, outstanding hygroscopic-swelling rate and water vapor transmittance. Besides, in vitro cell culturing, the cells on the NI-LPGD5 membrane maintained their maximum viability. The potential of in vivo wound healing was further demonstrated through animal experiments. The experimental results showed that the nanofiber membranes effectively prevented chronic wounds from forming and promoted granulation tissue growth without replacing the dressing throughout the healing process. We also found that these nanofiber membranes could effectively promote the expression of related biomarkers to accelerate wound healing, particularly the Cur/NI-LPGD5 membrane. In conclusion, the fabricated membranes possess suitable physicochemical properties and promising bioactivity. As a result, it effectively prevented the formation of chronic wounds and demonstrated significant potential in reducing the frequency of dressing changes.

In vivo stable 211At-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted tracer using a neopentyl glycol structure

BackgroundProstate cancer is a common cancer among men worldwide that has a very poor prognosis, especially when it progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Therefore, novel therapeutic agents for mCRPC are urgently required. Because prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in mCRPC, targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for PSMA is a promising treatment for mCRPC. Astatine-211 (211At) is a versatile α-emitting radionuclide that can be produced using a cyclotron. Therefore, 211At-labeled PSMA compounds could be useful for TAT; however, 211At-labeled compounds are unstable against deastatination in vivo. In this study, to develop in vivo stable 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives, we designed and synthesized 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives using a neopentyl glycol (NpG) structure that can stably retain 211At in vivo. We also evaluated their biodistribution in normal and tumor-bearing mice.ResultsWe designed and synthesized 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives containing two glutamic acid (Glu) linkers between the NpG structure and asymmetric urea (NpG-L-PSMA ((L-Glu)2 linker used) and NpG-D-PSMA ((D-Glu)2 linker used)). First, we evaluated the characteristics of 125I-labeled NpG derivatives because 125I was readily available. [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA and [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA showed low accumulation in the stomach and thyroid, indicating their high in vivo stability against deiodination. [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA was excreted in urine as hydrophilic radiometabolites in addition to the intact form. Meanwhile, [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA was excreted in urine in an intact form. In both cases, no radioactivity was observed in the free iodine fraction. [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA showed higher tumor accumulation than [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA. We then developed 211At-labeled PSMA using the NpG-D-PSMA structure. [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed low accumulation in the stomach and thyroid in normal mice, indicating its high stability against deastatination in vivo. Moreover, [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed high accumulation in tumor similar to that of [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA.Conclusions[211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed high in vivo stability against deastatination and high tumor accumulation. [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA should be considered as a potential new TAT for mCRPC.

Oligoester Identification in the Inner Coatings of Metallic Cans by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with Cone Voltage-Induced Fragmentation.

The application of polyesters as food contact materials is an alternative to epoxy resin coatings, which can be a source of endocrine migrants. By using high-pressure liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) with cone voltage-induced fragmentation in-source, a number of polyester-derived migrants were detected in the extracts of inner coatings of metallic cans. The polyester-derived migrants were detected in each inner coating of fish product-containing cans (5/5) and in one inner coating of meat product-containing can (1/5). They were not detected in the inner coatings of vegetable/fruit product-containing cans (10 samples). The respective detected parent and product ions enabled differentiation between cyclic and linear compounds, as well as unambiguous identification of diol and diacid units. Most of the detected compounds, cyclic and linear, were composed of neopentyl glycol as diol and two diacid comonomers, namely isophthalic acid and hexahydrophthalic acid. The other detected oligoesters were composed of neopentyl glycol or propylene glycol and adipic acid/isophthalic acid as comonomers. The compounds containing propylene glycol as diol were found to be exclusively linear cooligoesters. On the basis of abundances of [M+Na]+ ions, the relative contents of cyclic and linear oligoesters were evaluated.

Non-Isocyanate Urethane Acrylate Derived from Isophorone Diamine: Synthesis, Characterization and Its Application in 3D Printing.

In this paper, urethane-based acrylates (UA) were prepared via an environmentally friendly non-isocyanate route. Isophorone diamine (IPDA) reacted with ethylene carbonate (EC), producing carbamate containing amine and hydroxyl groups, which further reacted with neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) by aza Michael addition, forming UA. The structures of the obtained intermediates and UA were characterized by 1H NMR and electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS). The photopolymerization kinetics of UA were investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The composite with obtained UA can be UV cured quickly to form a transparent film with a tensile strength of 21 MPa and elongation at break of 16%. After UV curing, the mono-functional urethane acrylate was copolymerized into the cross-linked network in the form of side chains. The hydroxyl and carbamate bonds on the side chains have high mobility, which make them easy to form stronger dynamic hydrogen bonds during the tensile process, giving the material a higher tensile strength and elongation at break. Therefore, the hydrogen bonding model of a cross-linked network is proposed. The composite with UA can be 3D printed into models.

Synthesis of polyol esters of estolide and evaluation of their tribological properties

Polyol esters of oleic acid estolides with propylene glycol (PG), neopentyl glycol (NPG), trimethylolpropane (TMP), and pentaerythritol (PE) were synthesized. A qualitative analysis of the role of the structure of various physicochemical and tribological properties was carried out. The synthesized esters were evaluated based on physicochemical properties like pour point (PP), kinematic viscosity (KV), viscosity index (VI), surface tension, and thermo-oxidative stability with commercial and reported data of esters. To gauge the potential of the esters as a lubricity additive, the esters were blended with SN 500 base oil. The tribological assessment showed the ability of the esters to reduce wear & friction and increase the load-carrying capacity.

Insights on the G protein-coupled receptor helix 8 solution structure and orientation using a neurotensin receptor 1 peptide.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of membrane proteins encoded in the human genome with high pharmaceutical relevance and implications to human health. These receptors share a prevalent architecture of seven transmembrane helices followed by an intracellular, amphipathic helix 8 (H8) and a disordered C-terminal tail (Ctail). Technological advancements have led to over 1000 receptor structures in the last two decades, yet frequently H8 and the Ctail are conformationally heterogeneous or altogether absent. Here we synthesize a peptide comprising the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) H8 and Ctail (H8-Ctail) to investigate its structural stability, conformational dynamics, and orientation in the presence of detergent and phospholipid micelles, which mimic the membrane. Circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements confirm that zwitterionic 1,2-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine is a potent stabilizer of H8 structure, whereas the commonly-used branched detergent lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG) is unable to completely stabilize the helix - even at amounts four orders of magnitude greater than its critical micellar concentration. We then used NMR spectroscopy to assign the backbone chemical shifts. A series of temperature and lipid titrations were used to define the H8 boundaries as F376-R392 from chemical shift perturbations, changes in resonance intensity, and chemical-shift-derived phi/psi angles. Finally, the H8 azimuthal and tilt angles, defining the helix orientation relative of the membrane normal were measured using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR. Taken together, our studies reveal the H8-Ctail region is sensitive to membrane physicochemical properties and is capable of more adaptive behavior than previously suggested by static structural techniques.

High-Resolution Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structure Determination of Haemophilus influenzae Tellurite-Resistance Protein A via 200 kV Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Membrane proteins constitute about 20% of the human proteome and play crucial roles in cellular functions. However, a complete understanding of their structure and function is limited by their hydrophobic nature, which poses significant challenges in purification and stabilization. Detergents, essential in the isolation process, risk destabilizing or altering the proteins' native conformations, thus affecting stability and functionality. This study leverages single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structural nuances of membrane proteins, focusing on the SLAC1 bacterial homolog from Haemophilus influenzae (HiTehA) purified with diverse detergents, including n-dodecyl β-D-maltopyranoside (DDM), glycodiosgenin (GDN), β-D-octyl-glucoside (OG), and lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG). This research not only contributes to the understanding of membrane protein structures but also addresses detergent effects on protein purification. By showcasing that the overall structural integrity of the channel is preserved, our study underscores the intricate interplay between proteins and detergents, offering insightful implications for drug design and membrane biology.

Numerical investigation and optimisation of solid–solid phase change material composite-based plate-fin heat sink for thermal management of electronic package

Phase Change Material based Thermal Management Systems show promise in electronic packaging systems for safe operation, acting as a thermal storage element to prevent sudden temperature surges, enhancing operational time and mitigating electronic system failures. Therefore, the meticulous design of a solid–solid phase change material (SSPCM) based heat sink with fins is imperative for effective electronic thermal management by improving its safe operational time. This study performs a numerical analysis of two-dimensional transient heat transfer for the SSPCM-based plate-fin heat sink using the modified enthalpy porosity method, where the plate fins serve as Thermal Conductivity Enhancers (TCEs). Neopentyl glycol with 6% (w/w) Copper oxide nanoparticle is used as the SSPCM composite. Enhancement ratio based on safe operational time at different power levels (2–6 W) with different percentages of TCE and fin count recorded variation from 1.32 to 13.7. The TCE integration is more effective at higher power levels. The optimisation of SSPCM-based heat sink design for maximum safe operational time is accomplished through Response Surface Methodology. The significance of the TCE fraction, number of fins, heat generation rate, and interaction effects over the safe operational time are observed. The correlation for safe operational time as a function of TCE volume fraction, fin count and heat generation rate is developed. TCE volume fraction possesses the highest influencing factor over safe operational time at lower and higher power levels compared to fin count. At 2 W and 6 W, a maximum change in safe operational time is observed from 72.7% at 2 W to 83.45% at 6 W. The heat sink with 0.262 volume fraction of TCE and 11 fins is the optimised design that can provide the desirable safe operational time for the tested range of power levels.

Kinetics of the plastic crystal transition in neopentyl glycol

The thermal hysteresis exhibited in plastic crystal compounds greatly reduces their cyclic efficiency, limiting their potential for replacing current environmentally harmful refrigerants. A mechanistic understanding of the origins of this hysteresis has yet to be established. Here, we systematically investigate the transformation kinetics of the model plastic crystal, neopentyl glycol (NPG), through microscopic and calorimetric techniques. We reveal an asymmetry between the forward (heating) and reverse (cooling) transitions. We also demonstrate that the forward transformation is rate-limited by the rate of growth of rotationally disordered domains. In contrast, the reverse transformation is rate-limited by the nucleation of the ordered crystal domain, demonstrated by the sharp exothermic peaks in calorimetry and rapid self-nucleation phenomena observed optically. This nucleation limitation is largely responsible for the large thermal hysteresis in NPG, which we observe to be as large as 16.7 °C for an approximately 10 mg sample cooled at 0.5 °C min−1. These findings demonstrate the underlying origin of the thermal hysteresis and introduce a direction to mitigate hysteresis in plastic crystal transformations.

Understanding variations of thermal hysteresis in barocaloric plastic crystal neopentyl glycol using correlative microscopy and calorimetry

Plastic crystals (PCs) exhibit solid–solid order-disorder first-order phase transitions that are accompanied by large correlated thermal and volume changes. These characteristics make PCs promising barocaloric solid-state working bodies for heating and cooling applications. However, understanding the variation of transition temperatures and thermal hysteresis in PCs with cycling is critical if these materials are to replace traditional gaseous refrigerants. Here, for the archetypal barocaloric PC neopentyl glycol (NPG), we correlate microstructure obtained from scanning electron microscopy with local and total thermal changes at the phase transition from infra-red imaging and calorimetry, respectively. We outline an evolution in microstructure as NPG recrystallises during repeated thermal cycling through its solid–solid phase transition. The observed microstructural changes are correlated with spatially inhomogeneous heat transfer, yielding direct insight into the kinetics of the phase transition. Our results suggest that the interplay of these processes affects the undesirable thermal hysteresis and the nature of the kinetic steady-state microstructures that are stabilised during cycling between the ordered and disordered phases. These observations have implications for using NPG and other PCs as technologically relevant barocaloric materials and suggest ways in which the hysteresis in these types of materials may be modified.

Evaluation of 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid as Building Block for Unsaturated Polyester Resins

AbstractThis article presents partially bio‐based unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) based on 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Three different FDCA‐based resins are prepared, which are potentially suited as i) general purpose resin (composed of 1,2‐propylene glycol), ii) resin for pultrusion (composed of diethylene glycol and 1,2‐propylene glycol), and iii) resin for pipe liners (composed of neopentyl glycol and 1,2‐propylene glycol). The mechanical and thermal properties of the bio‐based UPR are systematically investigated and compared with analogous fossil‐based UPR composed of phthalic and isophthalic acid, signaling comparable or even better properties for the bio‐based resins depending on the application targeted.

An in-situ cross-linked network PMMA-based gel polymer electrolyte with excellent lithium storage performance

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) effectively combine the advantages of high ionic conductivity and reduce the risk of leakage associated with liquid. In this study, a chemically cross-linked gel polymer electrolyte was prepared by in-situ polymerization using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a matrix and neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) as cross-linking agent. The cross-linked structure of the GPE was preliminarily investigated, as well as the influence of the degree of cross-linking on its physical properties. The GPE exhibited a superior conductivity of 1.391 mS cm−1 at 25 °C. Herein, the Li|GPE|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cell has an excellent capacity retention rate of 80.7% after 150 cycles at 0.5 C in addition to a high discharge specific capacity of 203 mAh g−1. The structure of the cathode material is shielded from the production of byproducts during the charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries by the cross-linked PMMA GPE.