Abstract:
The present invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of carbon based structured materials with controlled topology, morphology and functionality. The nanostructured materials are prepared by controlled carbonization, or pyrolysis, of precursors comprising phase separated copolymers. The precursor materials are selected to phase separate and self organize in bulk, in solution, in the presence of phase selective solvents, at surfaces, interfaces or during fabrication, into articles, fibers or films exhibiting well-defined, self-organized morphology or precursors of well-defined, self-organized, bi- or tri-phasic morphology. Compositional control over the (co)polymers provides control over the structure of the phase separated precursor whose organization therein dictates the nanostructure of the material obtained after carbonization or pyrolysis, wherein each dimension of the formed structure can be predetermined. When the precursor morphology is selected to comprise cylindrical domains this procedure additionally allows for the direct formation of two dimensional nanowire grids or arrays of oriented nanostructures on surfaces. When these nanowire grids or arrays are perpendicularly oriented to the surface applications include field emitters, high surface area electrodes, electronic devices such as diodes and transistors, tools for AMF tips and elements of molecular electronics. When the first nanostructured morphology is selected to form cylinders parallel to the surface then nanowire arrays are formed after pyrolysis. When the composition of the first nanostructured morphology is selected to comprise a continuous precursor matrix then a continuous carbon based nanostructured material is formed. The internal structure of the carbon based material can be selected to comprise perpendicular pores or an interconnected array of pores. The carbon based structures can additionally find application in photovoltaics, supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, computer memory, carbon electrodes, carbon foams, actuators and hydrogen storage.
Abstract:
This invention provides a process for purifying the crude aromatic dicarboxylic acids produced by oxidation of dialkyl aromatic hydrocarbons and for using the purified acids in the preparation of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and other polyesters. The invention simplifies the manufacturing process by converting the crude aromatic acids into bis-glycol esters in an esterification reactor 4, from which the esterified partial oxidation impurities present in the oxidation product are removed by distillation in distillation tower 5. After removal of the volatile impurities, the dicarboxylic acid esters can separated by distillation in distillation tower 6 or by crystallization and converted to polyesters by polycondensation. The volatile impurities removed as overhead from tower 5 can be recycled as stream 16 to the oxidation reactor where they act as oxidation promoters thereby optionally allowing for a bromine-free oxidation process for dialkyl aromatic hydrocarbons.
Abstract:
Aryl arylate esters substituted with an acyl moiety on both the aryl and arylate groups of said esters which can be produced by the oxidation of alkyl substituted aryl arylate esters using a heavy metal/bromine catalyst.