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In this paper, we establish a nonlinear complementarity model and algorithm for supply chain equilibrium management problem consisting of manufacturers, retailers and consumer markets. This work focus on the price of the goods of retailer sell to consumer market in which is a function of the amount of products that are transacted between the retailer and the consumer. Based on this, we investigate the optimizing behavior of the various decision-makers, derive the equilibrium conditions of the manufacturers, the retailers and the consumer markets respectively, and establish a nonlinear complementarity model of this problem. To obtain optimal decision for the problem, we propose a new type of algorithm based on established model, and its global convergence is presented without the assumption of global Lipschitz continuous in detail. The efficiency of given algorithm is also illustrated through some numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Functional organosilanes are powerful interface-active agents that find applications as adhesion promoters as well as optical, dielectric and protective coatings. Bis-silanes are of particular interest because they are highly crosslinked leading to very robust films. In almost all applications, the water resistance of the films is a critical performance measure. Here we use neutron reflectivity to address the effect of bridging group on the hydrothermal response of bis-silane films prepared using bis[3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl]tetrasulfide and bis-[trimethoxysilylpropyl]amine. Neat and mixed films are examined as-prepared, after exposure to water vapor and then in the re-dried state. The bridging group is the key factor that controls the morphology and water resistance of silane films. Although bis-sulfur silane is not as condensed as bis-amino silane, bis-sulfur swells less in water because of the hydrophobic nature of bridging group. The reflectivity of bis-sulfur silane film is reversible after room-temperature water conditioning but not at 80 °C, indicating chemical alternation of the film at 80 °C. The water resistance of mixed silane is roughly that of both components weighted by their volume fraction. But based on the enhanced shrinkage that occurs following water-vapor conditioning of the mixed film, condensation is accelerated in the mixed silane. Regarding the precursor solution, bis-amino silane may act as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of bis-sulfur silane leading to more silanols in the solution and further condensation in the film. Variation in the structure normal to the substrate is also examined by swelling the film with d-nitrobenzene, a non-reacting swelling agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The morphology of silane films and the response of these films to water vapor are studied by neutron reflectivity, X-ray reflectivity, ellipsometry, and contact angle. The systems studied include bis-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (bis-sulfur) and bis-[trimethoxysilylpropyl]amine (bis-amino), as well as mixtures of these two silanes. The effect of curing temperature on water-barrier properties is determined by comparing data for films cured at 180 °C with existing data for films cured at 80 °C. Higher curing temperature leads to an increase of the crosslink density as well as chemical modification for the sulfur-containing films. For bis-amino silane films, on the other hand, the effect on the water-barrier ability is negligible. Bis-amino silane is fully hydrolyzed and condensed at the curing temperature of 80 °C, so further increasing cure temperature does not affect the bulk structure of the film. For bis-sulfur and mixed films, however, higher curing temperature accelerates the hydrolysis and condensation, leading to denser films with better water-barrier performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The goal of this study is to understand the effect of the substrate on the morphology and water-barrier properties of bis-silane films. Silane films are deposited on both Si and Al. Neutron reflectivity is used to assess the effect of hydrothermal conditioning on the films. Aluminum on silicon (no silane) was characterized first to facilitate understanding of the more complicated silane on Al-coated Si. A 200-Å Al layer with 55-Å oxide covers the surface of the silicon wafer. The reflectivity data show that water penetrates into the oxide layer. Silane films deposited on either Al or Si substrates have similar bulk and top-surface morphology. Studies of silanes on Si wafers, therefore, can be generalized to include Al. The substrate–silane interface, however, does depend on both the substrate and the silane. Because pH of the bis-sulfur silane solution is outside of the stability range for Al2O3, dissolution of the thin oxide film occurs during solution deposition. A water-depletion area is formed at the interface region due to this reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neutron reflectivity is used to elucidate the morphology of silane films deposited on silicon wafers, and the response of these films to vapors of swelling solvents. Bis-silyl functional silanes studied here have six hydrolyzable groups and are believed to be more crosslinked than tri- and tetra-functional analogs. The enhanced crosslinking leads to better barrier properties in anti-corrosion applications. In this study, solvent swelling is used to assess the degree of condensation and the crosslink density in bis-[trimethoxysilylpropyl]amine (bis-amino) films. Nitrobenzene swells the films but does not react chemically with the films. The results show that bis-amino silane films are highly condensed, with a nitrobenzene-depleted layer near the silicon substrate. D[sub 2]O both swells (at 25°C and 80°C) and chemically alters the films (at 80°C). The reflectivity data upon exposure to D[sub 2]O vapors at 80°C are consistent with exchange of the amino proton ([sup 1]H) with deuterium (D). A hydrophilic layer is postulated at both the air and substrate interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]