Major fundamental and applied research results

Polymers based on viologen-substituted anilines

For the first time polymers based on viologen-substituted anilines have been synthesized. Jointly with colleagues of MSU Faculty of Chemistry it has been shown that these polymers can fulfil a function of hydrogenase mediators in hydrogen oxygenation bioelectrocatalysis providing coupling of fermentative and electrode reactions. Positive viologen groups provide the required ferment orientation on the electrode, and polycoupling system – efficient charge transportation.
Modification of the traditional graphite electrode with polymers based on viologen-substituted anilines leads to the 2.5 times increase in hydrogen oxidation current which offers the opportunity of developing highly-sensitive hydrogen sensor system.

Professor G.P. Karpacheva
(495) 955-42-55

Nanostructures of quantum dots in the liquid-crystal matrix

The idea of controlled quantum dots organization (nanostructures) in the polymer matrix has been realized by the example of thermotropic liquid-crystal comb-like polymers. The fact of cadmium selenide quantum dots localization and organization in smectic layers by the x-ray diffraction method. The threshold effect has been found for the first time during the research of nanocomposites photoluminescence concentration dependence: photoluminescence band connected with individual quantum dots appears at nanoparticles content > 5 wt%.
Combination of photoluminescence properties of semiconducting quantum dots with the ability of their address placement in the polymeric liquid-crystal matrix offers an opportunity of producing a novel materials type for photoelectronics.

Professor R.V. Talroze

Unusual morphological and rheological effects in polymer melts filled with nanoparticles

An unusual effect in polymer melts behavior was found during the injection of denotating diamond nanoparticles. Viscosity decreases 44% down at the 0.5% content of diamond nanoparticles in the styrene copolymer. One of the causes of such “non-Einsteinian” viscosity dependence on nanoparticles concentration may be unusual flow morphology, particularly formation of regular concentric rings by the particles. As can be seen from the continuous flow stages, filler particles grading to the rings can lead to a decrease in hydrodynamic resistance of the system due to slide of the whole layers instead of movement of single macromolecules.

RAS corr.memb. V.G. Kulichikhin
(495) 955-42-35

TIPS RAS developments prepared or assigned for the implementation

Technology of titanium-magnesium nanocatalysts production

TIPS RAS developed an original production technology of high-efficient new-generation catalysts: universal titanium-magnesium nanosized catalytic systems (TMNC) for olefins and dienes polymerization. The TMNC synthesis process has been realized on the two TIPS RAS pilot units with the capacity of 3000 liters of catalyst per year.
Catalytic activity of the developed systems is 10-20 times higher than activity of traditional catalysts currently used by the leading companies «Dunlop Co» (Great Britain), «Polysar Co» (Canada), «Kuraray Co» (Japan).

Professor E.M. Antipov
(495) 955-41-69
Candidate of Chemistry E.A. Mushina
(495) 955-41-76

Technology of slurry isoprene polymerization over a titanium-magnesium nanocatalyst

The technology of slurry isoprene polymerization with TMNC has been developed for production of high-quality high-crystalline 1,4-transpolyizoprene polymer or synthetic gutta-percha (SGP) in the form of white granulated powder. The process has been successfully tested at the synthetic rubber plant “Toliattikauchuk” (SIBUR Holding ltd.) on the 3 m3 pilot plant with TMNC synthesized in TIPS RAS. The unit has been brought to operating mode with the capacity of 250 kg of polymer per shift or 50 tons of SGP per year.
The major advantages of the developed technology in comparison to the well-known processes of foreign companies (at the present time SGP is not produced in Russia) are:

• Energy saving (pressure and temperature are close to the standard conditions) and environmental safety (lack of heavy metal wastes since the produced polymer does not require additional purification from catalyst; substitution of aromatic solvents for aliphatic ones);
• Low SGP net cost;
• Polymer production in the form of white granular-like particles of 1-5 mm in diameter suitable for immediate practical use;
• Chemical purity, high molecular weight (6×105-106), regular structure of macromolecules and high polymer crystallinity provide high physical and mechanical characteristics.

SGP is a perspective material for production of nanocomposites widely used in tire, cable, footwear industry, different medicine branches: traumatology, orthopedics, restorative surgery.

Professor E.M. Antipov
(495) 955-41-69
Candidate of Chemistry O.V. Smetannikov
(495) 955-41-76

Method of biological fluids steroid profile determination

An original chemical chromatographic method of biological fluids (urine, blood, saliva) analysis has been developed which allows high-resolution determination of the steroid profile required for reliable noninvasive diagnostics of a number of endocrine, gynaecological and oncological diseases. The method allows to carry out analysis reliably and quickly (one day). Well-known and widely used in other countries methods of steroid profile determination take several days and cost 10 times higher. This method has been successfully tested in 30 Moscow and Moscow region clinics. The work is prepared for commercialization.

Professor E.M. Antipov
(495) 955-41-69
Candidate of Chemistry E.N. Orlov
(495) 955-43-02

Solid capillary columns for gas chromatography

Capillary columns have been for the first time used in gas chromatography. Their specific activity is close to specific column activity in liquid chromatography. Capillary columns are filled with solid block of porous inorganic (silica gel) or organic (divinylbenzene) polymer. Solid polymer block synthesis is carried out in situ, and produced polymer fills all the interior space of the capillary. Polymer pore size is determined by the synthesis conditions. Use of filled new-type capillary columns in gas chromatography allows to conduct high-efficient separation and 2-3 times cuts analysis time in comparison with use of traditional packed capillary columns.

Doctor of Chemistry A.A. Kurganov
(495) 955-42-91

Catalytic cracking of vacuum distillate

TIPS RAS jointly with GrozNII, VNII refinery and VNIPINeft developed and introduced into production the first Russian technology of vacuum gasoil catalytic cracking (boiling range300-500°С) over zeolite catalysts which is highly competitive with the best foreign analogues. The purpose of the process is deepening of petroleum refining in order to produce high-quality gasoline components. The process allows to reach the target product (gasoline fraction) yield of 48-50 %wt. under processing of high-sulfur straight-run feed, and 54-56 %wt. – under processing of hydrotreated feed.
The developed technology can be applied for the processing of heavier petroleum feed including vacuum distillates boiling out at 540-560°С. In some cases it is economic to apply catalytic cracking of high-sulfur straight-run feed without preliminary hydrotreating under condition of subsequent hydroforming of the produced motor fuel components. Such situation exists in TAIF-NK (Nizhnekamsk city, Tatarstan) where sulfurous poor-cracking oils are refined. In 2006 the developed technology was successfully introduced in TAIF-NK on the base of existing equipment of 880 thousand tons/year. Motor gasoline after desulfurization is characterized with octane number 90 (according to the motor method – 80), sulfur content is 30-40 ppm. On its basis TAIF-NK organized large-scale production of federal-standard motor gasolines: normal-80, regular-92, premium-95, which meet modern European standards. Accepted technological solutions can be taken as a development basis for other Russian refineries which allows to supply the country’s expanding car park with high-quality home-produced gasoline.

Academician S.N. Khadzhiev
(495) 952-59-27

Antifriction lube oil additives based on molybdenum trisulfide nanoparticles

Following the research on production of novel high-efficient antifriction lube oil additives based on molybdenum trisulfide nanoparticles it has been determined that use of such additives in motor fuels allows to produce compositions meeting the highest international environment standards including Euro-4 of 2008.
The required component of lube oil additives is zinc dithiophosphate providing high antiwear and antioxidant properties. Phosphorus atoms containing in this additive deactivate exhaust gas afterburning catalysts and therefore search for methods of phosphorus content decrease in additives is particularly urgent.
Resulting from the TIPS RAS research it has been determined that injection of 500 ppm molybdenum trisulfide nanoparticles into oils provides 10 times decrease of zinc dithiophosphates content with preservation of required antiwear oil properties. Moreover, new compositions also have higher antifriction properties which provides fuel economy up to 5%.

Professor O.P. Parenago
(495) 955-42-36

Scientific-organizational and publishing activities

In 2006 the Institute organized the following scientific conferences:

• 23rd symposium on rheology, July 2006, Valdai.
• Conference of young scientists on petroleum chemistry to the Plate 100th anniversary
• XXXIII Zvenigorod conference on plasma and controlled thermonuclear fusion physics, February 2006.
• VI International Workshop on Microwave Discharges: Fundamentals and Applications, Zvenigorod, February and September 2006.
• Russian-French seminar for young scientists “Smart membrane progress and advanced membrane materials”, Mposcow, October 2006.

In 2007 researchers of the Institute published the following monographs:

• Material Science of Membranes for Gas and Vapor Separation. Ed. by Yu. Yampolskii, I. Pinnau, B. Freeman.  John Willey, England, 2006, 435 p.
• N.A. Sivov “Biocide Guanidine containing Polymers: Synthesis, Structure and Properties”, 2006, Brill Academic Publishers and VSP, Leiden Boston, 152 p.
• M.M. Feldstein, C. Creton, Pressure-Sensitive Adhesion as a Material Property and as a Process, in I. Benedek (Ed.) "Pressure-Sensitive Design, Theoretical Aspects", vol. 1, VSP, Leiden, Boston, 2006, Chapter 2, pp. 27 – 62.
• M.M. Feldstein, G.W. Cleary, P. Singh, Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives of Controlled Water-Absorbing Capacity, in I. Benedek (Ed.) "Pressure-Sensitive Design and Formulation, Application", vol. 2, VSP, Leiden, Boston, 2006, Chapter 3, pp. 181 – 230.
• M.M. Feldstein, Molecular fundamentals of pressure-sensitive adhesion, in I. Benedek "Developments in Pressure-Sensitive Products", 2nd Edition, CRC Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, London, N.Y., 2006, Chapter 4, p. 119-143.
• M.M. Feldstein, G.W. Cleary, N.A. Platé, Molecular Design of Hydrophilic Pressure- Sensitive Adhesives for Medical Applications, in I. Benedek "Developments in Pressure-Sensitive Products", 2nd Edition, CRC Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, London, N.Y., 2006, Chapter 9, p. 473-503.
• V. Kulichikhin, S. Antonov, V. Makarova, A. Semakov, A. Tereshin, P. Singh. Novel hydrocolloid formulations based on nanocomposite concept, in Pressure-Sensitive Design, Theoretical Aspects. Ed. I. Benedek. Chapt. 7, VSP, Leiden - Boston. 2006. P.351-401.
• Microwave Discharges: Fundamentals and Applications.  Ed. by Yu.A. Lebedev. Yanus-К, 2006, 350p.