For understanding the correlation chain from the polymer structure to the final application properties of propylene-ethylene random copolymers, four commercial grades with different ethylene content (0 -8 mol %) but identical molecular weight distributions were investigated. Structural investigations concerning the comonomer distribution, using two different techniques (temperature rising elution fractionation and stepwise isothermal segregation), showed an increase of inhomogeneity with the total comonomer content, which was reflected for temperature rising elution fractionation in a widening of the elution temperature range. Crystallinity and crystallization speed studies confirmed the reduced overall crystallinity and increase of ␥-modification content as reported previously, but they also showed the reason for these effects in the distinctive decrease of the spherulitic growth speed. Good correlations of all these parameters to the mechanical performance of the four materials were obtained.

The detection of silica-rich dust particles, as an indication for ongoing hydrothermal activity, and the presence of water and organic molecules in the plume of Enceladus, have made Saturn’s icy moon a hot spot in the search for potential extraterrestrial life. Methanogenic archaea are among the organisms that could potentially thrive under the predicted conditions on Enceladus, considering that both molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) have been detected in the plume. Here we show that a methanogenic archaeon, Methanothermococcus okinawensis, can produce CH4 under physicochemical conditions extrapolated for Enceladus. Up to 72% carbon dioxide to CH4 conversion is reached at 50 bar in the presence of potential inhibitors. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic computations of low-temperature serpentinization indicate that there may be sufficient H2 gas production to serve as a substrate for CH4 production on Enceladus. We conclude that some of the CH4 detected in the plume of Enceladus might, in principle, be produced by methanogens.

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A facile approach to obtaining cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polystyrene with greatly improved mechanical performance compared to unreinforced polystyrene is presented. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by mechanical fibrillation of partially delignified wood (MFLC) and compared to nanofibers obtained from bleached pulp. Residual hemicellulose and lignin imparted amphiphilic surface chemical character to MFLC, which enabled the stabilization of emulsions of styrene in water. Upon suspension polymerization of styrene from the emulsion, polystyrene microspheres coated in MFLC were obtained. When processed into polymer sheets by hot-pressing, improved bending strength and superior impact toughness was observed for the polystyrene-MFLC composite compared to the un-reinforced polystyrene.

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