Dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) by microwave irradiation I: A simple examination using a commercial microwave oven

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was decomposed by microwave (MW) irradiation (2.45 GHz) using a commercial MW oven. The efficiency of dielectric absorption was evaluated quantitatively from the rate of temperature increase on MW irradiation. The efficiency of dielectric heating increased at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (T_g). The decomposition on MW irradiation, monitored using the weight, depended on the initial (preheating) temperature of the sample before irradiation. The degradation time profile with various initial temperatures was shifted along the time axis and was successfully superimposed on a single curve. A pure PVC film was subjected to heating at a constant temperature from 230 °C to 310 °C, and the rate of weight decrease on heating was measured. The apparent activation energy was 84.4 kJ/mol for a single monomer unit.     

Preparation of silica-PS composite particles and their application in PET

To investigate how the superfine particles disperse in the polymers, the paper presented the preparation of monodisperse silica particles by Stöber method, and then grafted by γ-methacrylic propyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) as a coupling agent. Using these modified particles, the more stable silica-PS superfine composite particles with higher monodispersity than these of previous reports are prepared and reported through dispersion polymerization (DP) method, whose morphology is investigated with transmission electron microscope (TEM). Their high stability is provided from the bonding of CC groups of MPS to the silanol groups on the surface of silica particles from FTIR.Using this DP process, the influence of different size grafted silica particles on the morphology, polystyrene (PS) encapsulation behavior and the distribution in these composite particles have been investigated. When the grafted silica size is in nanoscale or less than 54 nm, the spherical shape of neither silica particles nor their composite particles is regular, but they can homogeneously disperse in polystyrene. As the size (d_n) of grafted silica particles increase to submicrometer (or 100 nm < d_n < 1000 nm), their coefficient variance of size distribution (C_v) ranges from only 9.0% to 1.5%. These obtained particles are completely encapsulated by PS with more regular shape, and have their C_v below 7%. When the size of silica particles reaches 380 nm, their C_v obviously reduces to 2.5%, and specially, the number of grafted silica particles approaches to one in each of the composite particles. But, when the silica size reaches 602 nm, PS can hardly encapsulate grafted silica particles and free silica particles appear in reactive system.Furthermore, using the silica particles of 380 nm, a series of core-shell structured superfine composite particles of 640-1100 nm with C_v lower than 11% are obtained. Under the set conditions, the preparing factors on these composite particles using 380 nm grafted silica particles is discussed, and the best reaction condition for the well-dispersed and regular periphery silica-PS composite particles is optimized as, the additions amounts of PVP, styrene, AIBN, grafted SiO₂ and H₂O are 0.23 mmol L⁻¹, 0.60 mol L⁻¹, 6.10 mmol L⁻¹, 0.10 mol L⁻¹ and 5.50 mL, respectively. Under this case, the composite particles can be prepared with C_v below 8%.At last, these composite particles are mixed with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to investigate their nucleation effect. Results show that all different size particles can promote PET’s crystallization and enhance the crystallization rate, and PET’s crystallization temperature (T_mc) is obviously enhanced from 193 to 205 °C through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It is strongly suggested that different silica size level all play nucleation role in PET, and thus explain the nucleation effect of multiscale inorganic particles.     

An NMR study of the species produced by the reactions of dialkyl magnesium and HCl with calcined silica and the polymerisation performance of Ziegler-Natta catalysts produced from this support material

The effect of calcinations on the silica surface groups and thereby on the activity of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in ethylene homopolymerisation has been studied. Silica was calcined at different temperatures and treated with MgR₂ and HCl. Silica surface groups were identified by using ¹H MAS NMR and ¹³C and ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR techniques. Magnesium, titanium and chlorine were measured by elemental analysis. Ziegler-Natta catalysts were prepared from these supports and subsequently used in ethylene homopolymerisation. Maximum activity was obtained with the catalyst based on 590 °C calcined silica. The results indicate that MgR₂ reacts with siloxane-groups (Si-O-Si) in the 300 °C calcined silica, leaving the hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl-groups unreacted. Low activity Si-O-Ti(Cl)₂-O-Si species are formed after reacting with TiCl₄. The higher activity in the catalyst based on 590 °C calcined silica can be explained by the formation of -Si(R)-O-Si-O-TiCl₃ groups, originating from the siloxane bridges which cannot form in 300 °C calcined silica. Other explanations for the higher activity are a higher Mg/Ti ratio or small amounts of crystal water formed in the 590 °C calcined silica.     

Polymerization behavior of propene with [t-BuNSiMe2Flu]TiMe2: effects of solvents and cocatalysts

The titanum complex [η¹:η³tert-butyldimethylfluorenylsilyl]-amido)dimethyltitanum ([t-BuNSiMe₂Flu]TiMe₂, Cat.A) was synthesized by an alternatively quicker one pot procedure. Polymerization of propene in the presence of [t-BuNSiMe₂Flu]TiMe₂/dried pure methylaluminoxane (d-PMAO) system at 0 °C was investigated in toluene and heptane. A strong enhancement of productivity was observed in toluene compared to heptane. Polymerization of propene was also investigated with Cat.A in heptane, with different cocatalysts, d-PMAO and dried pure modified methylaluminoxane (d-MMAO), which was prepared from the mixture of trimethylaluminum (TMA) and triisobutylaluminum (TIBA). A 10-fold higher number average molecular weight (M_n) and broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) was obtained with d-PMAO in heptane, even though kinetic features and other parameters signified the living nature of the polymerization process. However, the broadening of MWD was attributed to the poor insolubility of d-PMAO in heptane.     

Novel synthetic approach in microwave-assisted solid-supported oxidations using ‘in situ’ generated molecular oxygen

Three different types of oxidation reactions were carried out under microwave (MW) conditions in dry media, with nearly quantitative yield, using ‘in situ’, yet separately generated molecular oxygen as the reactive gas. The latter is formed by a controlled decomposition of potassium chlorate (220-306 °C) adsorbed on zeolite support, and is used as a reactive oxidizing agent for the solid-supported oxidations. The MW-assisted oxidations include an oxidative decomplexation of (η⁶-arene)Cr(CO)₃ complexes to the corresponding arenes using silica as solid support (100 °C), an oxidation of fluorene to fluorenone induced by KF-alumina support (150 °C), and oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using a supported ruthenium catalyst (150 °C). This synthetic approach allows to carry out in synchronized manner two different solid-supported reactions (oxygen generation and oxidation) at different temperatures and on different solid supports together in the same sealed system. It was made possible by tuning the absorption efficiency of MWs through accurate selection of the solid supports employed in the reactions. The high feasibility of this novel synthetic approach resulted from a preliminary study of the interaction between MWs and mineral oxides such as alumina, silica, clay, and zeolite particularly when mixed with additives such as water, ionic liquids or graphite (5% w/w). The use of these MW absorber additives allows the MW transparent or poorly absorbing mineral oxides to be efficiently heated to very high temperatures in few minutes.     

Radical polymerization behavior of 3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate in water

The homogeneous polymerization of 3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate (MDAPS) with potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) was kinetically in situ investigated in water by means of FT-near IR spectroscopy. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was calculated to be 16.0 kcal/mol. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 40 °C was expressed by R_p=k[KPS]^0.65[MDAPS]^1.0. The presence of alkaline metal salts was observed to accelerate the polymerization. The order of acceleration at 40 °C was CsCl > KCl > NaCl > LiCl when the chloride salts were used. NaCl showed higher acceleration effect than NaF. NaBr and NaI exhibited retardation and inhibition effect, respectively, because of reduction of KPS and its primary radical with bromide and iodide ions. The polymerization of MDAPS with KPS in water in the presence of NaCl at 2.0 mol/l gave R_p=k[KPS]^0.70[MDAPS]^1.4 at 40 °C. The overall activation energy of the polymerization in the presence of NaCl was estimated to be 11.6 kcal/mol being considerably lower value compared with that in its absence. The syndiotacticity of poly(MDAPS) tended to increase with rising temperature and decrease in the presence of NaCl.     

Reversible intercalation of ammonia molecules into a layered double hydroxide structure without exchanging nitrate counter-ions

A zinc/aluminum LDH was precipitated with recycled ammonia from a chemical vapor deposition reaction. The LDH presented a crystalline phase with basal distance of 8.9 Å, typical for nitrate-containing LDHs, and another phase with a basal distance of 13.9 Å. Thermal treatment at 150 °C eliminated the phase with the bigger basal distance leaving only the anhydrous nitrate-intercalated LDH structure with 8.9 Å. Intense N-H stretching modes in the FTIR spectra suggested that the expansion was due to intercalation of ammonia in the form of [NH₄(NH₃)_n]⁺ species. When additional samples were precipitated with pure ammonia, the conventional LDH nitrate structure was obtained (8.9 Å basal distance) at pH=7, as well as a pure crystalline phase with 13.9 Å basal distance at pH=10 due to ammonia intercalation that can be removed by heating at 150 °C or by stirring in acetone, confirming a unusual sensu stricto intercalation process into a LDH without exchanging nitrate ions.     

The performance of hybrid monolithic silica capillary columns prepared by changing feed ratios of tetramethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane

The effect of a feed ratio of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) to tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) was studied to improve the performance of a hybrid monolithic silica capillary column with 100-μm i.d. in HPLC in a range MTMS/TMOS (v/v) = 10/90–25/75. The domain size was also varied by adjusting the amount of PEG to control permeability (K = 2.8 × 10⁻¹⁴–6.9 × 10⁻¹⁴ m²). Evaluation of the performance for those capillary columns following octadecylsilylation proved an increase in retention factor (k) and a decrease in steric selectivity α(triphenylene/ortho-terphenyl) with the increase in MTMS content in the feed. The effect of the feed ratio was also observed in porosity and hydrophobic property of the C18 stationary phase from the results of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and reversed phase characterization. The monolithic silica capillary columns prepared under new preparation conditions were able to produce a plate height of 4.6–6.0 μm for hexylbenzene in a mobile phase acetonitrile/water = 80/20 at a linear velocity of 2 mm/s. Consequently, it was possible to prepare hybrid monolithic silica capillary columns with higher performance than those reported previously while maintaining the retention factors in a similar range by reducing the MTMS/TMOS ratio and increasing the total silane concentration in feed.     

Direct hydroxylation of substituted benzenes to phenols with air and CO using molybdovanadophosphates as a key catalyst

A direct synthetic method of cresols from toluene by hydroxylation with air using CO as a reducing agent was developed. The reaction of toluene with air (15 atm) and CO (5 atm) in the presence of catalytic amounts of H₄PMo₁₁VO₄₀·31H₂O and Pd/C in aqueous acetic acid at 120 °C for 2 h afforded a mixture of o-, m-, and p-cresols in 9.9% yield at 83% selectivity. Cresols were obtained in 19% yield by recharging air and CO under these conditions. A variety of substituted benzenes were hydroxylated by this method to give the corresponding phenol derivatives in higher selectivity.     

Accessing DNA by low voltage alternating current Joule effect heating

A DNA release sample preparation method based on the use of low voltage alternating currents (LVACs) to generate Joule effect heating (JEH) is reported. This is a simple cell disruption strategy that offers internal, homogenous, rapid and low power consumption heating for the access of analytical grade DNA in seconds.A 100 μL JEH microreactor with a parallel and symmetric two electrode arrangement for uniform field generation was fabricated by machining and used to characterise JEH and DNA release from human epithelia, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecium) cell types. A 1 kHz sinusoidal low voltage (e.g. 10 Vrms) alternating current was used to reduce electrode:sample interactions. Following 96 °C JEH treatment, effective DNA release was identified by PicoGreen^® quantification for all three cell types. The JEH treated sample material was further successfully used, without purification, as a PCR template. Exposure to JEH-mediated 96 °C temperatures for a 1 s duration was used to provide PCR-grade DNA template material from S. cerevisiae and E. faecium cells, and a 10 s duration was used for human epithelia cells. However, prolonged (>1 min) exposure to 96 °C JEH-mediated temperatures resulted in diminished DNA returns and the production of components that interfered with the PCR reaction.Further miniaturisation of the LVAC JEH cell by microfabrication was considered, and a JEH microreactor designs were evaluated by FLOTHERM v3.2 thermal modelling. Thermal isolation, using a free-standing cavity structure was identified as an excellent means to enable rapid heating (220 °C s⁻¹) with low power consumption (0.2 W).     

Molecularly imprinted layer-coated silica nanoparticles for selective solid-phase extraction of bisphenol A from chemical cleansing and cosmetics samples

Highly selective molecularly imprinted layer-coated silica nanoparticles for bisphenol A (BPA) were synthesized by molecular imprinting technique with a sol-gel process on the supporter of silica nanoparticles. The BPA-imprinted silica nanoparticles were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscope, dynamic adsorption and static adsorption tests. The equilibrium association constant, K_a, and the apparent maximum number of binding sites, Q_max, were estimated to be 1.25 × 10⁵ mL μmol⁻¹ and 16.4 μmol g⁻¹, respectively. The BPA-imprinted silica nanoparticles solid-phase extraction (SPE) column had higher selectivity for BPA than the commercial C18-SPE column. The results of the study indicated that the prepared BPA-imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited high adsorption capacity and selectivity, and offered a fast kinetics for the rebinding of BPA. The BPA-imprinted silica nanoparticles were successfully used in SPE to selectively enrich and determine BPA from shampoo, bath lotion and cosmetic cream samples.     

Determination of hydroxyls density in the silica-mesostructured cellular foams by thermogravimetry

Thermogravimetry was applied to determine the surface hydroxyls coverage in the mesostructured cellular foams (MCFs) calcined at different temperatures and then rehydroxylated by contacting with water vapor or liquid. The TG measurements were performed by heating MCFs in air stream using a three-step temperature program: (i) at rate of 5 °C min⁻¹ from 25 to 200 °C; (ii) held at 200 °C for 30 min; and (iii) heating at rate of 10 °C min⁻¹ up to 1100 °C. The hydroxyls content was calculated from weight loss during third step. The hydroxyls density appeared to depend strongly on the calcination temperature and the subsequent contact with water vapor. When MCFs were exposed for a short period (ca. 1 min) to moist air the hydroxyls content increased rapidly, more in the samples calcined at 300 °C than 500 °C, to attain surface densities of 4.75 and 1.6 OH nm⁻², respectively. The 2-h contact with water vapor resulted in slower further increase of hydroxyls densities, to values of 5.45 and 2.9 OH nm⁻², for samples calcined at 300 and 500 °C, but longer contacts had no significant effect. A similar trend was also observed when sample was treated with liquid water.     

Dimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silyldiethylamine—A new silylating agent for the derivatization of β-blockers and β-agonists in environmental samples

Research into alternative derivatizing agents remains a major task in the trace analysis of polar compounds using GC. DIMETRIS (dimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silyldiethylamine) is a new and interesting proposition in this field. This agent possesses strong nucleophilic properties and reacts selectively with hydroxyl groups. The derivatization reaction takes place in the absence of any catalysts. The derivatives possess good chromatographic properties and are easily detected by mass spectrometry. By introducing fluorine atoms into the structure of the derivatives, we were able to use an electron-capture detector for their GC determination. No degradation of new derivatives was observed after seven days of storage in a refrigerator or during the GC analyses. Unlike a number of acylation agents, DIMETRIS does not corrode the analytical equipment. In this work β-blockers and β-agonists were used for testing the derivatizing properties of DIMETRIS. Derivatization of these drugs was optimal at 30 °C for 30 min. The method quantification limits of the target compounds determined in tap water samples by SPE-GC–MS(SIM) ranged from 3 to 40 ng L⁻¹ and resembled those obtained with samples derivatized using a mixture of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and 1% chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS) (hitherto regarded as optimal). This work confirmed that DIMETRIS is suitable for the trace analysis of pharmaceuticals in natural samples and provides an interesting alternative to silylating and acylating agents.     

Isothermal vapor-liquid equilibrium at T = 333.15 K and excess volumes and molar refractivity deviation at T = 298.15 K for the ternary mixtures {di-methyl carbonate (DMC) + ethanol + benzene} and {DMC + ethanol + toluene}

Isothermal vapor-liquid equilibrium data at 333.15 K are reported for the ternary systems {di-methyl carbonate (DMC) + ethanol + benzene} and {DMC + ethanol + toluene} as determined with headspace gas chromatography. The experimental ternary vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were correlated with different activity coefficient models. The excess volume (V^E) and deviations in molar refractivity (ΔR) data are reported for the binary systems {DMC + benzene} and {DMC + toluene} and also for the ternary systems {DMC + ethanol + benzene} and {DMC + ethanol + toluene} at 298.15 K. These V^E and ΔR data were correlated with the Redlich-Kister equation for binary systems and the Cibulka equation for ternary systems.     

New Stationary Phase Prepared by Immobilization of a Copper-Amine Complex on Silica and Its Use for High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Chromatographic silica (10 μm) was chemically modified with the silylating agent: [3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl]trimethoxysilane (AEAPTS). The reaction product was characterized by elemental analysis and infrared and ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectra. The chemically modified silica was treated with Cu(II) in methanol medium. This cation was strongly adsorbed through complexation by the pendant ethylenediamine groups attached to the silica surface. The complex formed on the silica surface was shown to be stable in both aqueous and non-aqueous media. The aim of Cu(II) immobilization is to use this new material as a stationary phase in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Separations of synthetic mixtures of aromatic amines and of polyaromatic hydrocarbons were undertaken using 150×3.9 mm HPLC columns packed with the modified silica, with and without copper ions, to follow the influence of the cation on the chromatographic separation and to verify the efficiency of the new stationary phase for HPLC.     

Degradation of polycaprolactone in supercritical fluids

The degradation of polycaprolactone (PCL) was studied in subcritical and supercritical toluene from 250 to 375 °C at 50 bar. The degradation was also investigated in various solvents like ethylbenzene, o-xylene and benzene at 325 °C and 50 bar. The effect of pressure on degradation was also evaluated at 325 °C at various pressures (35, 50 and 80 bar). The variation of molecular weight with time was analyzed using gel permeation chromatography and modeled using continuous distribution kinetics to evaluate the degradation rate coefficients. PCL degrades by random chain scission in subcritical conditions (250-300 °C) and by chain end scission (325-375 °C) in supercritical conditions in toluene. The degradation of PCL in other solvents at 325 °C was by chain end scission under both subcritical and supercritical conditions indicating that the mode of scission depends on the temperature and not on the supercriticality of the solvent. The thermogravimetric analysis of PCL was investigated at various heating rates (2-24 °C/min) and the activation energy was determined using Friedman, Ozawa and Kissinger methods. It was shown that PCL degrades by random scission at lower temperatures and by chain end scission at higher temperatures again indicating that the mode of scission is dependent on the temperature.     

Headspace-mass spectrometry determination of benzene, toluene and the mixture of ethylbenzene and xylene isomers in soil samples using chemometrics

A simple and fast method has been developed for the determination of benzene, toluene and the mixture of ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) in soils. Samples were introduced in 10 mL standard glass vials of a headspace (HS) autosampler together with 150 μL of 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane, heated at 90 °C for 10 min and introduced in the mass spectrometer by using a transfer line heated at 250 °C as interface. The volatile fraction of samples was directly introduced into the source of the mass spectrometer which was scanned from m/z 75 to 110. A partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration approach based on a classical 3³ calibration model was build with mixtures of benzene, toluene and o-xylene in 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane for BTEX determination. Results obtained for BTEX analysis by HS-MS in different types of soil samples were comparables to those obtained by the reference HS-GC-MS procedure. So, the developed procedure allowed a fast identification and prediction of BTEX present in the samples without a prior chromatographic separation.     

Mesoporous silica SBA-15, a new adsorbent for bioactive polyphenols from red wine

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the ability of the mesoporous silica SBA-15 to adsorb polyphenols from red wine. The mesoporous molecular sieve silica SBA-15 was hydrothermally synthesized in acidic media and characterized by SAXRD, BET, EDX and SEM. The adsorption behavior of mesoporous silica SBA-15 was investigated at 5 °C for 24 h using an adsorbent dose of 8 g SBA-15 L⁻¹ red wine. The total polyphenols content expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE L⁻¹) was estimated from the standard curve of gallic acid (absorbance at 280 nm). HPLC chromatograms of methanolic extract from mesoporous SBA-15 at 256, 280, 324, and 365 nm exhibits the strong retention of quercetin and cis-resveratrol and a reasonable retention of trans-resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and phenolic acids (meta- and para-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, caffeic, syringic, salicylic and para-coumaric acids).     

Thermodynamic study of heptane + secondary, tertiary and cyclic amines mixtures. Part IV. Excess and solvation enthalpies at 298.15 K

Partial molar enthalpies and excess enthalpies H^E of binary mixtures of heptane + secondary and tertiary n-alkyl, primary cycloalkyl, and secondary (hetero)cyclic amines have been determined at 298.15 K by isothermal titration calorimetry in the whole composition range. All mixtures showed positive H^E values which decrease with increasing amine size in each category, and decrease in the order cyclic primary > cyclic secondary > linear primary [1] > secondary > tertiary when comparing amines of similar size in different categories. From partial molar enthalpies at infinite dilution and known enthalpies of vaporization, the solvation enthalpies have been calculated either for heptane in amines and for amines in heptane. These quantities, together with their cavitational and interactional terms obtained applying the scaled particle theory, are discussed to get insight into the types and relative strength of solute-solvent interactions and into their effects on molecular structure features such as branching and cyclization.     

Preparation and characterization of microporous SiO2-ZrO2 pillared montmorillonite

SiO₂-ZrO₂ pillared montmorillonite (SZM) was prepared by the reaction of Na-montmorillonite with colloidal silica-zirconia particles which were prepared by depositing zirconium hydroxy cations on silica particles. By pillaring with the colloidal particles, the basal spacing of montmorillonite was expanded to ca. 45 Å and the calcined SZM samples showed large specific surface areas up to 320 m²/g at 400 °C. In spite of large interlayer separation, adsorption results indicated the presence of micropores generated between the colloidal particles. The microporous structure was maintained at least up to 600 °C and exhibited specific shape selectivity for the adsorption of large organic molecules, especially between toluene and mesitylene. According to the temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) spectra of ammonia, the calcined SZM showed weakly acidic sites.