The dissipative processes occurring in rosin of rosin–copper and rosin–cellulose composite systems have been studied by dynamic relaxation spectroscopy at temperatures from –150 to +250°C. Internal friction spectra and temperature-frequency dependences were obtained for pine and tall oil rosin. Regions of inelasticity caused by local dissipative processes were determined in rosin and used to substantiate increased wear resistance of rosin-containing composite materials.

The effect of a cleaning discharge plasma on the KU-1 optical quartz surface topography and transmission in visible and near IR ranges (400-1000 nm) was studied. For the study, we used crossed DC and RF discharges in D2 and D2/N2 mixture, where the N2 fraction was ~25 mol %. The addition of nitrogen increased sputtering rate from 250 to 1200 nm / h while maintaining stoichiometry of the surface layers. The rms surface roughness decreased after the plasma exposure from 1.3 to 0.6 nm, while the quartz transmittance has not changed. The surface roughness analysis and calculation of diffusion scattered light at 400 nm transmitted through the quartz were performed using the power spectral density function of AFM.

— Synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of the transition metals Rh and Pd in H 2 O/AOT/isooctane (where AOT is dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate) reverse-micelle solutions (RMSs) in the presence of molecular oxygen and quercetin, a flavonoid, is described. The methods for NP synthesis used here enable us to prepare alloyed-type Rh−Pd NPs and core/shell Pd/Rh and Rh/Pd NPs with the metal molar ratio of 1 : 1. With both Rh 3+ and Pd 2+ ions present in an RMS simultaneously, palladium ions are reduced first, and the formed Pd NPs have an inhibitive effect on reduction of rhodium ions. The stability of a mixture of Rh and Pd NPs in RMSs is investigated, and the mixture of NPs with a mean diameter of ~2.7 nm is found to be stable for at least 25 days. Pd and Rh NP-based catalysts are prepared by absorption of the synthesized NPs on γ-Al 2 O 3 , and their catalytic activity is tested in the monomolecular hydrogen isotope exchange reaction. A synergetic effect, manifested as an enhanced catalytic activity, is observed for the catalyst prepared by adsorption of the mixture of Rh and Pd NPs on γ-Al 2 O 3 .

Fe2+ ions were immobilized for the first time onto the films of model carboxyl-containing styrene copolymers supported on ozone-treated glass and fiberglass. All studied materials were proved to be polymer film components of Fenton catalyst initiating various radical reactions. The topography and chemical composition of initial surfaces and corresponding polymer surfaces with immobilized Fe2+ ions were studied by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Treated FeSO4 samples contain Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions being at equal concentrations.

The effect of ionizing irradiation on dissipative processes of α-, β-, and μ- relaxation in a polymer either filled or unfilled with highly dispersive iron powder considering the polymer structure has been investigated via the method of dynamic mechanical relaxation spectroscopy. The polymer structure has been analyzed on the basis of surface topography data obtained via atomic force microscopy. A correlation between the effect of irradiation on the temperature position of the maxima and the intensity of dissipative processes on the internal friction spectra, as well as on the temperature-frequency dependence with structural changes that have developed in cross linking and compaction of the polymer, have been demonstrated.

Alkyl (meth)acrylate polymers are synthesized by dispersion polymerization in aqueous media and modified by filling them with highly dispersed iron powder in order to investigate the possibility of enhancing physicomechanical properties of composite materials. The structure of prepared filled polymer materials is investigated and related to their highly elastic properties.

The application of atomic-force microscopy for nanoindentation of the surface layer of films of acrylate polymers filled and unfilled with highly dispersed iron powder is examined. The effect of the elasticity of the polymer and of introducing a nanofiller on the nanohardness of the surface layer of the polymer is analyzed. It is shown that the nanohardness of the surface layer of both unfilled and filled polymer films increases as the elasticity of the polymer is reduced. A correlation is observed between an increase in hardness and a reduction in the elasticity of filled polymers.

A complex analysis of the crumbed rubber produced by the explosive circulation method has been performed by the methods of AFM, X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). The results of the small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction study have revealed an amorphous structure of the samples without supramolecular ordering at a distance scale of ~1–40 nm. Globular formations of a size of 5–20 nm on the crumb surface combined into clusters of various shapes and sizes in the range 100–1000 nm have been found by means of the AFM method. Individual nanoglobules and small and large clusters of these nanoglobules appeared to be randomly covering the surface of the examined samples. It has been established that the nanoglobules partially consist of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons of low-molecular weight, which belonging to classes of linear, cyclic, and aromatic compounds. Most of the nanoglobules are represented by oligomeric products having 3–5 units, as well as compounds of higher molecular weight. All of the above compounds provide better adhesion of the regenerate to different matrices than that produced by other methods. The composition of the nanoscaled globules includes secondary products of reactions of low-molecular hydrocarbons formed from rubber tires at their explosive circulation grinding.

Internal friction spectra in a chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol) system have been recorded and analyzed in a wide temperature range using the method of free damped torsional vibrations. A modulus defect characterizing the mechanical parameters of the system has been determined. It has been shown that the composite material in the form of film differing in the ratio of components represents a heterogeneous (disperse) system, with poly(vinyl alcohol) acting as a dispersion medium at the specific ratio of components. The presence of two glass transition peaks on the temperature dependence λ = f(Т) due to dissipative processes of individual components of the mixed film has been demonstrated.