Papers by Author: L. James Lee

Abstract: We have employed positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy to measure the free volumes in nanocomposites of polystyrene with addition of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and carbon dioxide as a function of composition and of temperature. We found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) increases as a function of CNF compositions but significantly decreases as the exposure of CO2. We also investigate the combination effect of CNF and CO2 and found that the CO2 significantly weakens the bonding between PS and CNF interfaces. The Tg changes are compared with DSC.

Abstract: Positron and Positronium chemistry has been pursued and advanced by many scientists and engineers in both fundamental understanding of Positronium atom and its applications to chemical and polymeric systems during the last decade. This paper presents our recent results from collaborative investigations of positron annihilation in polymeric membranes. Future perspectives of applying Positronium chemistry to membrane science and technology and other related disciplines of nanotechnology, chemical engineering, materials science, energy research, molecules with positrons, biological and medical sciences appear to be promising.