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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Styrene Thermal Decomposition and Its Reaction with Acetylene under Shock Tube Pyrolysis Conditions: an Experimental and Kinetic Modeling Study

Styrene is an important compound for polymer production and a key intermediate in gas-phase kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). For the first time, the pyrolysis of styrene with and without the presence of acetylene is investigated in a single-pulse shock tube coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. For each reaction system, quantitative speciation profiles are probed within the temperature range of 1100-1730 K, nominal pressure of 20 bar, and reaction duration of similar to 4 ms. A kinetic model is built to simulate the results. The model explains how styrene is consumed under high-pressure pyrolytic conditions, how the secondary chemistry of intermediate products affect subsequent PAH formation, and how acetylene addition alters the reaction pathways. Throughout the temperature range, styrene breakdown is dominated by the bimolecular interaction between styrene and hydrogen atom, which produces benzene+vinyl or phenyl and ethylene through the stabilization of 2-phenylethyl and its subsequent dissociation. As a result, large amounts of phenyl accumulate, which react with styrene to form C14H12 species while simultaneously releasing H atoms through addition/elimination reactions. The reactivity of fuel consumption is preserved by the regeneration of H atoms as chain carriers. Several C14H10 compounds are formed as a result of the following breakdown of the C14H12 isomers, particularly stilbene, 1,1-diphenyl ethylene, and 9-methyl-9H-fluorene. The presence of acetylene as a co-reactant with styrene allows the Hydrogen-Abstraction-Acetylene-Addition (HACA) pathway to proceed from phenyl radical to enhance the production of phenylacetylene at very low temperatures and acenaphthylene. This hinders the formation of C14H12 isomers, exclusive products from pure styrene dissociation by competing with the styrene+phenyl routes.

Kinetic Modeling↗
DOE OSTI2017

Oxidative Hydrophenylation of Ethylene Using a Cationic Ru(II) Catalyst: Styrene Production with Ethylene as the Oxidant

The complex [(MeOTTM)Ru(P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt)(NCMe)Ph][BAr' 4 ] (MeOTMM = 4,4',4"-(methoxymethanetriyl)-tris(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole), BAr' 4 = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) is used to catalyze the hydrophenylation of ethylene to produce styrene and ethylbenzene. The selectivity of styrene versus ethylbenzene varies as a function of ethylene pressure, and replacing the MeOTTM ligand with tris(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanol reduces the selectivity toward styrene. For styrene production ethylene serves as the oxidant to produce ethane, as determined by both 1 H NMR spectroscopy and GC-MS. The Ru(III/II) potentials of [(MeOTTM)Ru[P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr' 4 ] (0.86 V) and [(HC(pz 5 ) 3 )Ru[P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr' 4 ] (0.82 V) (HC(pz 5 ) 3 = tris(5-methyl-pyrazolyl)methane) are nearly identical. Since catalytic conversion of ethylene and benzene by [(HC(pz 5 ) 3 )Ru[P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr' 4] is known to selectively produce ethylbenzene, the formation of styrene using [(MeOTTM)Ru[P(OCH 2 ) 3 CEt](NCMe)Ph][BAr' 4 ] is attributed to the substituents on the triazole rings of the MeOTTM ligand.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Ordered, microphase-separated, noncharged-charged diblock copolymers via the sequential ATRP of styrene and styrenic imidazolium monomers

A series of imidazolium-based noncharged-charged diblock copolymers (1) was synthesized by the direct, sequential ATRP of styrene and styrenic imidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonamide monomers with methyl, n-butyl, and n-decyl side-chains. Small-angle X-ray scattering studies on initial examples of 1 with a total of 50 repeat units and styrene:imidazolium-styrene repeat unit ratios of 25:25, 20:30, and 15:35 showed that their ability to form ordered nanostructures (i.e., sphere and cylinder phases) in their neat states depends on both the block ratio and the length of the alkyl side-chain on the imidazolium monomer. To our knowledge, the synthesis of imidazolium-based BCPs that form ordered, phase-separated nanostructures via direct ATRP of immiscible co-monomers is unprecedented. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Shi, ZX↗
DOE OSTI2026

Chemically Recyclable Analogs of Styrene–Butadiene Copolymers Enabling Perfectly Linear Ethylene–Styrene Materials with Random Phenyl Distribution

Copolymerization of cyclopentene (CP) and 4-phenylcyclopentene (4PCP) at a full range of comonomer feed ratios is reported using Ru-based ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) yielding homogeneous copolymers analogous to poly(styrene-ran-1,4-butadiene) and poly(ethylene-ran-styrene) copolymers following hydrogenation under mild conditions. In all cases, total monomer conversions of 86%–92% yielded copolymers with compositions within 4% of monomer feeds. Analysis of equilibrium copolymerization thermodynamics, rarely performed on two cycloolefin monomers with low ring strain energies, provides rational design strategies for negotiating two monomers with different equilibrium monomer concentrations. Inverse-gated decoupled 13 C NMR analysis of dyad sequences on the resulting copolymer microstructures concludes a near-random distribution of comonomer units. The copolymers produced from ROMP have number-average molar masses up to 60 kg mol –1 , moderate dispersities (1.5 ± 0.1), and high trans olefin content (86% ± 2%) while glass-transitions temperatures follow the Fox equation and span the full range between homopolymer extremities of PCP (−96 °C) and P4PCP (17 °C). Unlike most prevulcanized elastomers, these materials undergo facile chemical recycling to monomer, producing complete ring-closing metathesis depolymerization (RCMD) of the polymer back to the CP comonomers. Quantitative olefin hydrogenation produced perfectly linear polyethylene with 4%–16% of the backbone carbons containing a phenyl pendant, analogous to ES copolymers with up to 71.5% w/w styrene units but with random distribution of the aromatic pendants. Thermal properties of these materials are discussed, which span from semicrystalline to amorphous, and with T g values notably less than the reported ES copolymer analogs at similar compositions.

animal feed↗
DOE OSTI2025

Material Extrusion Printing of Poly(Acrylonitrile‐Styrene‐Acrylate) and Poly(Acrylonitrile‐Butadiene‐Styrene) Structures Reinforced with Poly(Phenylene Oxide) Additives for Improved Thermomechanical Properties and their Surface Analysis by Time‐of‐Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Fused filament fabrication offers the ability to 3D print complex geometries made from plastic filament materials; however, these parts are mechanically outperformed by parts created by traditional fabrication methods. To overcome this challenge, a high-performance polymer poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is incorporated as an additive into two common engineering thermoplastics, poly(acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate) (ASA) and poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS). Structures printed from these polymer blends are more mechanically robust compared to those prepared from the parent polymers, with low loading levels (1–5 wt%) of PPO improving the elastic strength by up to ≈30% relative to the parent terpolymers. Even at higher loading levels (10 and 20 wt% PPO), there is no evidence of additive aggregation in the model thin films, which is supported by compositional analysis of the copolymers and chemical analysis via time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The enhancements in mechanical properties of ASA and ABS blends appear to be a consequence of homogeneous incorporation of the PPO additive. In conclusion, this work explores expanding materials-property space using miscible blends of engineering thermoplastics to improve mechanical performance as a general approach to overcoming challenges with parts created by melt-based material extrusion printing.

additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2022

Effects of Surface Hydrophobicity on Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Styrene with Formic Acid in a Biphasic Mixture

Transfer hydrogenation (TH) of unsaturated hydrocarbons with formic acid (FA) is an attractive processing pathway for the reduction of lignocellulosic pyrolysis oils. The low solubility of hydrophobic bio-oil species in water and FA in oil necessitates the use of a biphasic system as the reaction environment. Here, we report the effects of Pd/silica catalyst surface wettability on the TH reaction rate. Modification of the surface with short chain (C1–C4) alkyl silanes resulted in an increase in the reaction rate as compared to the unmodified catalyst. In contrast, modification of the surface with sulfonate (hydrophilic) and C18 alkyl silanes (hydrophobic) resulted in a decrease in the reaction rate as compared to the unmodified catalyst. Here, the results are discussed in terms of the catalyst interfacial activity and relative affinity of the reagents to the Pd active sites. An observed change in the apparent reaction order in styrene for a hydrophilic catalyst suggests that changing catalyst surface wettability from hydrophilic to hydrophobic resulted in a switch from a transport-limited to a kinetic-limited reaction regime.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Mechanistic Studies of Single-Step Styrene Production Using a Rhodium(I) Catalyst

The direct and single-step conversion of benzene, ethylene, and a Cu(II) oxidant to styrene using the Rh(I) catalyst ( Fl DAB)Rh(TFA)(η 2 -C 2 H 4 ) [ Fl DAB = N,N '-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene; TFA = trifluoroacetate] has been reported to give quantitative yields (with Cu(II) as the limiting reagent) and selectivity combined with turnover numbers >800. Our report details mechanistic studies of this catalytic process using a combined experimental and computational approach. Examining catalysis with the complex ( Fl DAB)Rh(OAc)(η 2 -C 2 H 4 ) shows that the reaction rate has a dependence on catalyst concentration between first- and half-order that varies with both temperature and ethylene concentration, a first-order dependence on ethylene concentration with saturation at higher concentrations of ethylene, and a zero-order dependence on the concentration of Cu(II) oxidant. The kinetic isotope effect was found to vary linearly with the order in ( Fl DAB)Rh(OAc)(η 2 -C 2 H 4 ), exhibiting no KIE when [Rh] was in the half-order regime, and a k H / k D value of 6.7(6) when [Rh] was in the first-order regime. From these combined experimental and computational studies, competing pathways, which involve all monomeric Rh intermediates and a binuclear Rh intermediate in the other case, are presented.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Morphology of poly-3-hexyl-thiophene blends with styrene–isoprene–styrene block-copolymer elastomers from X-ray and neutron scattering

The nano- and micron scale morphology of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (PS–PI–PS) elastomeric blends is investigated through the use of ultra-small and small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (USAXS, SAXS, SANS). It is demonstrated that loading P3HT into elastomer matrices is possible with little distortion of the elastomeric structure up to a loading of ~5 wt%. Increased loadings of conjugated polymer is found to significantly distort the matrix structure. Changes in processing conditions are also found to affect the blend morphology with especially strong dependence on processing temperature. Processing temperatures above the glass transition temperature (T g ) of polystyrene and the melting temperature (T m ) of the conjugated polymer additive (P3HT) creates significantly more organized mesophase domains. P3HT blends with PS–PI–PS can also be flow-aligned through processing, which results in an anisotropic structure that could be useful for the generation of anisotropic properties (e.g. conductivity). Moreover, the extent of flow alignment is significantly affected by the P3HT loading in the PS–PI–PS matrix. The work adds insight to the morphological understanding of a complex P3HT and PS–PI–PS polymer blend as conjugated polymer is added to the system. Here, we also provide studies isolating the effect of processing changes aiding in the understanding of the structural changes in this elastomeric conjugated polymer blend.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis of cobalt-containing mesoporous catalysts using the ultrasonic-assisted “pH-adjusting” method: Importance of cobalt species in styrene oxidation

Cobalt-containing SBA-15 and MCM-41 (Co-SBA-15 and Co-MCM-41) mesoporous catalysts were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted “pH-adjusting” technique in this study. Their physiochemical structures were comprehensively characterized and correlated with catalytic activity in oxidation of styrene. The nature of cobalt species depended on the type of mesoporous silica as well as pH values. The different catalytic performance between Co-SBA-15 and Co-MCM-41 catalysts originated from cobalt species. Cobalt species were homogenously incorporated into the siliceous framework of Co-SBA-15 in single-site Co(II) state, while Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} particles were loaded on Co-MCM-41 catalysts. The styrene oxidation tests showed that the single-site Co(II) state was more beneficial to the catalytic oxidation of styrene. The higher styrene conversion and benzaldehyde selectivity over Co-SBA-15 catalysts were mainly attributed to single-site Co(II) state incorporated into the framework of SBA-15. The highest conversion of styrene (34.7%) with benzaldehyde selectivity of 88.2% was obtained over Co-SBA-15 catalyst prepared at pH of 7.5, at the mole ratio of 1:1 (styrene to H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) at 70 °C. - Graphical abstract: Cobalt-containing mesoporous silica catalysts were developed via ultrasonic-assisted “pH-adjusting” technique. Compared with Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} in Co-MCM-41, the single-site Co(II) state in Co-SBA-15 was more efficient for the styrene oxidation. - Highlights: • Fast and cost-effective ultrasonic technique for preparing mesoporous materials. • Incorporation of Co via ultrasonic irradiation and “pH-adjusting”. • Physicochemical comparison between Co-SBA-15 and Co-MCM-41. • Correlation of styrene oxidation activity and catalyst structural property.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Genome engineering of E. coli for improved styrene production and polymerization

Microbial production of exogenous organic compounds is challenging as biosynthetic pathways are often complex and produce metabolites that are toxic to the hosts. Biogenic styrene is an example of this problem, which if addressed could result in a more sustainable supply of this important component of the plastics industry. In this study, we engineered Escherichia coli for the production of styrene. We systematically optimized the production capability by first screening different pathway expression levels in E. coli strains. We then further designed and constructed a transcription regulator library targeting 54 genes with 85,420 mutations, and tested this library for increased styrene resistance and production. A series of tolerant mutants not only exhibited improved styrene tolerance but also produced higher styrene concentrations compared to the parent strain. The best producing mutant, ST05 LexA_E45I, produced a 3.45-fold increase in styrene compared to the parent strain. The produced styrene was extracted via gas stripping into dodecane and used in a direct free radical synthesis of polystyrene.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cell-free styrene biosynthesis at high titers

Styrene is an important petroleum-derived molecule that is polymerized to make versatile plastics, including disposable silverware and foamed packaging materials. Finding more sustainable methods, such as biosynthesis, for producing styrene is essential due to the increasing severity of climate change as well as the limited supply of fossil fuels. Recent metabolic engineering efforts have enabled the biological production of styrene in Escherichia coli, but styrene toxicity and volatility limit biosynthesis in cells. To address these limitations, we have developed a cell-free styrene biosynthesis platform. The cell-free system provides an open reaction environment without cell viability constraints, which allows exquisite control over reaction conditions and greater carbon flux toward product formation rather than cell growth. The two biosynthetic enzymes required for styrene production were generated via cell-free protein synthesis and mixed in defined ratios with supplemented L-phenylalanine and buffer. By altering the time, temperature, pH, and enzyme concentrations in the reaction, this approach increased the cell-free titer of styrene from 5.36 ± 0.63 mM to 40.33 ± 1.03 mM, the highest amount achieved using biosynthesis without process modifications and product removal strategies. Finally, cell-free systems offer a complimentary approach to cellular synthesis of small molecules, which can provide particular benefits for producing toxic molecules.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Quantum chemical analysis of mechanisms of phenylacetylene and styrene hydrogenation to ethylbenzene on the Pd{111} surface

The mechanisms of the hydrogenation of phenylacetylene and styrene to ethylbenzene on the Pd{111} surface, which are secondary reactions of the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene, were studied by the DFT-PBE method. The position of the Ph group of the styrene molecule with respect to the Pd surface is shown to exert a noticeable effect on the mechanism of the process. If the Ph group is adsorbed on the Pd surface, then the addition of the first H atom to the terminal C atom of the styrene molecule is most probable. If Ph does not contact the surface, then the most substituted C atom of the styrene molecule is first hydrogenated. On the whole, the interaction of the Ph group with the Pd{111} surface results in stable adsorption structures, the hydrogenation of which on the Pd{111} surface is strongly hindered. The Gibbs activation energy (ΔG{sup ≠}{sub 298}) is 22.9 and 27.1 kcal mol{sup –1} in the most probable reaction routes of styrene hydrogenation to ethylbenzene and direct hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to ethylbenzene, respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Improvement of catalytic activity in selective oxidation of styrene with H{sub 2}O{sub 2} over spinel Mg–Cu ferrite hollow spheres in water

Graphical abstract: Uniform spinel Mg–Cu ferrite hollow spheres were prepared using carbon spheres as templates. Solid spinel Mg{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite nanocrystals were also prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion, hydrothermal and coprecipitation methods for comparison. The samples were found to be efficient catalysts for oxidation of styrene using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Especially, in the case of Mg{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} hollow spheres, obvious improvement on catalytic activity was observed and 21.2% of styrene conversion and 75.2% of selectivity for benzaldehyde were obtained at 80 °C for 6 h reaction in water. The catalyst can be magnetically separated easily for reuse and no obvious loss of activity was observed when reused in six consecutive runs. - Highlights: • Uniform spinel ferrite hollow spheres were prepared by a simple method. • The catalyst has been proved much more efficient for styrene oxidation than the reported analogues. • The catalyst can be easily separated by external magnetic field and has exhibited excellent reusability. • The catalytic system is environmentally friendly. - Abstract: Uniform spinel Mg–Cu ferrite hollow spheres were prepared using carbon spheres as templates. For comparison, solid Mg–Cu ferrite nanocrystals were also prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion, hydrothermal and coprecipitation methods. All the samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N{sub 2} physisorption. The samples were found to be efficient catalysts for oxidation of styrene using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Especially, in the case of Mg{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} hollow spheres, obvious improvement on catalytic activity was observed, and 21.2% of styrene conversion and 75.2% of selectivity for benzaldehyde were obtained at 80 °C for 6 h reaction in water. The catalyst can be magnetically separated easily for reuse and no obvious loss of activity was observed when reused in six consecutive runs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗