Thermal oxidation and molding feasibility of cycloolefin copolymers (COCs) with high glass transition temperature

Cycloolefin copolymers (COCs) with high glass transition temperature (T_g = 203 °C) have been synthesized and pelletized by extrusion molding. However, their colors change from transparent to yellow during extrusion molding because of thermal oxidation and generation of alkene groups. We have successfully blended several antioxidants (Irganox 1010, Irgafos 168, Irganox HP2225 and Irganox HP2921) into lab-made COCs to avoid the discoloration. The experimental results show that Irganox HP2921 is the best antioxidant among the antioxidants used and can effectively not only suppress thermal oxidation but also eliminate the color stain.     

Effect of the antioxidants on the stability of poly(vinyl butyral) and kinetic analysis

The effect of several kinds of antioxidants on the stability of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) under air atmosphere is studied by thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry method and kinetic analysis. After mixed with antioxidants, the thermal oxidative stability of PVB increases significantly, because the antioxidants could inhibit the oxidation of copolymer (stage I). The thermal oxidative stability increases in the following order: PVB < PVB/1010 < PVB/B215 < PVB/1098. However, the thermal oxidative degradation rate of PVB increases markedly after 320 °C, due to the loss of chemical activity for antioxidants gradually. The thermal stability of antioxidants increases in the following order: B215 < 1010 < 1098.     

Quantification of hindered phenols in polyamide 11 during thermal aging

Polyamide 11 films stabilized by Irganox^® 1098, Irganox^® 1010 or Irganox^® 245 were subjected to thermal oxidation at 110 °C. The residual phenol content was assessed by comparing three analytical methods: high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), determination of the Oxidation Induction Time (OIT) and Onset Oxidation Temperature (OOT) by thermal analyses. Both OIT and OOT are reliable for virgin PA11 after a relevant calibration by HPLC measurement. In the case of oxidized samples, OOT measurements have the benefits of being more easily interpretable than OIT and less time-consuming than HPLC measurements.     

BTATz–HNIW–CMDB propellants

The high nitrogen compound 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and the high energy density material hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW), were used as substitute of hexogen (RDX) in the composite modified double base (CMDB) propellant formulations, the propellant samples were prepared, the thermal behaviors, nonisothermal reaction kinetics, and thermal safety were carried out, and the eight important parameters were calculated and obtained as the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (T _SADT), thermal ignition temperature (T _TIT), critical temperatures of thermal explosion (T _b), critical temperature of hot-spot initiation (T _cr,hot-spot), characteristic drop height of impact sensitivity (H ₅₀), critical thermal explosion ambient temperature (T _acr), safety degree (S _d), and thermal explosion probability (P _TE). It shows that the content of HNIW has a large effect on the decomposition reaction mechanism of the CMDB propellant, when the content of HNIW is 10 %, the decomposition reaction are controlled by the random nucleation and subsequent growth (n = l), and the reaction mechanism obeys Mampel law; but when the content of HNIW is 20 %, the decomposition reaction are controlled by the chemical reaction (n = 1/4). The mechanism can not be changed by the catalysts, and they just make the apparent activation energy change slightly. For the sample, from BC01 to BC04, the values of T _SADT and T _TIT making an upward tendency, show the resistivity to heat: BC04 > BC03 > BC02 > BC01; the values of T _acr and S _d, BC01 are the maximum and BC02 are the minimum, show the heat sensitivity: BC01 > BC03 > BC04 > BC02. For the same radius, the thermal safety of the sphere sample is greater than that of the infinite cylinder one.     

Water state diagram and thermal properties of fructans powders

The thermal analyses and the water state diagrams of agavin and inulin were investigated. The thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to know the difference between fructans. Linear inulin (220.0 °C) showed a higher thermal stability than the branched agavins (206.7 °C). The samples displayed different physical states and lightness depending on the water activity of storage (a _w). The agavin showed different physical states: powder (a _w < 0.33), soft lump (a _w ≈ 0.43), sticky (0.55 < a _w < 0.77), and liquid (a _w > 0.85), while inulin showed two physical states: an amorphous powder at a _w < 0.55 and a semicrystalline solid at a _w > 0.69. These physical states decreased the lightness of fructans. The GAB equation and the Gordon–Taylor equation showed a good fit to the experimental data (R ² > 0.95). The K constant of GAB equation predicted a lower water affinity of inulin powder, while the agavin powder presented a higher water affinity. The DSC showed a glass transition temperature of 118.1 and 135.3 °C for agavin and inulin anhydrous powders, respectively. An increase in water content in agavin showed a higher depression in the glass transition temperature than in inulin. Also, the inulin exhibited a melting point while agavin not. The water state diagrams showed the critical water activity at which the agavin (0.50) and inulin (0.59) powders were stable to physical changes. This knowledge is used to understand the physical and structural behaviors of agavin and inulin at the different water activities.     

Coordination and inclusion compounds formed by addition of quinoline (Q) or isoquinoline (Iq) to a metal(II) dibenzoylmethanate (Co, Ni, Zn, Cd)

Three isomorphous series of new compounds are reported: complexes [M(DBM)₂Q₂] and [M(DBM)₂Iq₂] (M = M(II) = Co, Ni, Zn, Cd; DBM is C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅ ^?) and inclusion compounds [M(DBM)₂Q₂]*Q (M = Co, Zn, Cd). All the compounds comprise a trans configured octahedral complex molecule. Inclusion compounds of modified Zn and Cd DBM complexes are reported for the first time and their inclusion ability is attributed to the trans isomeric state induced by the bulky Q or Iq ligand. The TG measurements indicate the following order of thermal stability of the complexes defined by the strength of the metal–ligand bonds: Ni > Co > Cd > Zn. The inclusion compounds do not follow this trend.     

Synergistic Effect of Phosphite with FuUerene C60 and Fullerenol C60（OH）24 as Antioxidants in Polypropylene

Polypropylene samples with fullerene C60, fullerenol C60（OH）24, 1010, C60/168, C60-OH/168 and 1010/168 as antioxidants were prepared by extrusions. MFR, YI, TGA and OIT of all the samples were tested. According to the results of MFR, during the melt extrusion, fullerene showed excellent stability effect on PP. The antioxidative ability of fullerene was comparable to the traditional antioxidant 1010. The antioxidative ability of fullerenol was not significant in the first extrusion and it accelerated the degradation of PP in the second and the third extrusions. TGA and OIT tests showed that the stability effects of fullerene and fullerenol were slightly lower than antioxidant 1010. In the first time, antioxidant 168 was reported to show great synergistic effects with fullerene and fullerenol as antioxidants, which sussested a simple way to enhance the antioxidative abilities of fullerene and fullerenol.     

Characterization of inclusion complex of vitamin E compound with 2,6-di-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin as the solubility enhancer and its kinetic determination for radical scavenging ability

The structure of the inclusion complex of α-tocopherol (vitamin E compound) with 2,6-di-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) was characterized by 2D ROESY NMR measurements, suggesting that DM-β-CD includes the side-chain moiety of α-tocopherol. The inclusion complexation of DM-β-CD showed the usefulness of water solubilizer for the radical scavenging assay of vitamin E compounds in aqueous solution. Using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) competitive spin trapping method, we determined the oxygen radical (RO^?) scavenging abilities of seven vitamin E compounds (tocopherols and tocotrienols), which were solubilized by DM-β-CD in water. The order of the RO^? radical scavenging abilities for vitamin E compounds solubilized by DM-β-CD are α- > β- ≈ γ- > δ-, which is in agreement with the oxidation potential values of antioxidants. It is noted that the RO^? radical scavenging abilities of tocotrienols are comparable to those of tocopherols. Based on the results, the mechanism of the antioxidant reaction of vitamin E compounds with the RO^? radical is discussed.     

Enzyme-based online monitoring and measurement of antioxidant activity using an optical oxygen sensor coupled to an HPLC system

It is estimated that up to 50 % of the adult population take antioxidant products on a daily basis to promote their health status. Strangely, despite the well-recognized importance of antioxidants, currently there is no international standard index for labeling owing to the lack of standardized methods for antioxidant measurement in complex products. Here, an online high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method to detect and measure the total antioxidant capacity of antioxidant samples is presented. In this approach, complex samples containing antioxidants are separated by the HPLC system, which is further coupled to an antioxidant measuring system consisting of an optical oxygen sensor, laccase, and tetramethoxy azobismethylene quinone (TMAMQ). The antioxidants, separated via HPLC, reduce TMAMQ to syringaldazine, which is then reoxidized by laccase while simultaneously consuming O₂. The amount of consumed oxygen is directly proportional to the concentration of antioxidants and is measured by the optical oxygen sensor. The sensor is fabricated by coating a glass capillary with an oxygen-sensitive thin layer made of platinum(II) meso-tetra(4-fluorophenyl)tetrabenzoporphyrin and polystyrene, which makes real-time analysis possible (t ₉₀?=?1.1 s in solution). Four selected antioxidants (3 mM), namely, catechin, ferulic acid, naringenin (used as a control), and Trolox, representing flavonol, hydrocinnamic acid, flavanone, and vitamin E, respectively, were injected into the online antioxidant monitoring system, separated, and then mixed with the TMAMQ/laccase solution, which resulted in oxygen consumption. This study shows that, with the use of such a system, the antioxidant activity of individual antioxidant molecules in a sample and their contribution to the total antioxidant activity of the sample can be correctly assigned.     

Thermochemistry of piperidine adducts of some bivalent transition metal bromides

The adducts [MBr₂(pipd) _n ] (where M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), or Zn(II); pipd = piperidine; n = 1/2, 1, or 3/4) were synthesized and characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, thermal studies, and IR and electronic spectroscopy. From calorimetric studies in solution, the standard enthalpies of formation and several other thermochemical parameters of them were determined. The mean standard enthalpies of the metal–nitrogen bonds were calculated, as well as the enthalpies of the adduct formation in the gaseous phase. Using the values obtained for the enthalpies of reaction, the acidity order of the salts is obtained: FeBr₂ > MnBr₂ and CoBr₂ > NiBr₂. Comparing with pyridine adducts, the ligand piperidine is more basic than the ligand pyridine: pipd > py.     

A modified lead–matrix separation procedure shown for lead isotope analysis in Trojan silver artefacts as an example

A modified Pb–matrix separation procedure using NH₄HCO₃ solution as eluent has been developed and validated for determination of Pb isotope amount ratios by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The procedure is based on chromatographic separation using the Pb·Spec resin and an in-house-prepared NH₄HCO₃ solution serving as eluent. The advantages of this eluent are low Pb blanks (<40 pg?mL^?1) and the property that NH₄HCO₃ can be easily removed by use of a heating step (>60 °C). Pb recovery is >95 % for water samples. For archaeological silver samples, however, the Pb recovery is reduced to approximately 50 %, but causes no bias in the determination of Pb isotope amount ratios. The validated procedure was used to determine lead isotope amount ratios in Trojan silver artefacts with expanded uncertainties (k?=?2) <0.09 %.     

Theoretical studies of the structures and properties of (Br<Subscript>2</Subscript>InN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–6) clusters

In an attempt to find single-source precursors, a series of small clusters of inorganic azides of indium (Br₂InN₃) _n (n = 1–6) were studied using the dispersion correction density functional theory (wB97XD). The obtained (Br₂InN₃) _n (n = 2–6) clusters have the core structures of 2n-membered ring with alternating indium and α-nitrogen atoms. The influences of cluster size (oligomerization degree n) on the structures, energies, IR spectra, and thermodynamic properties of clusters were discussed. The computed binding energies indicate the stability: 3A > 3B, 4B > 4C > 4A > 4D, 5E > 5D > 5B = 5C > 5A and 6I > 6C > 6D > 6G ≥ 6H > 6F > 6E > 6B > 6A. It is also found that (Br₂InN₃)₂ and (Br₂InN₃)₄ clusters possess higher stability than their neighbor sizes judged by the calculated second-order difference of energies (Δ₂ E). Meanwhile, thermodynamic properties for (Br₂InN₃) _n (n = 1–6) clusters increase with the increasing temperature and oligomerization degree n, and the oligomerizations are thermodynamically favorable at temperatures up to 800 K.     

Novel silylphenol antioxidants by density functional theory

We have scrutinized five novel silylphenol antioxidants, including 2-silylphenol ( 1 ), 4-silylphenol ( 2 ), 2,6-disilylphenol ( 3 ), 2,4-disilylphenol ( 4 ), and 2,4,6-trisilylphenol ( 5 ), at M06/6–311++G** level of theory. To evaluate the antioxidant efficiency, the electronic effects on O─H bond dissociation energy (BDE) and vertical ionization potential (IP_v) of 1 – 5 are investigated, which are mainly governed by electronic effects. The conductor-like polarized continuum model (CPCM) is applied to measure the antioxidant capacity in the solution phase. The results show that antioxidants with the lowest BDE and IP_v values can efficiently act via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and single electron transfer (SET) mechanisms, respectively. The stability of resulting radicals is measured by nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) index, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, and nucleophilicity (N) index. The BDE shows lower values in the gas phase with respect to water, while water exhibits lower IP_v values than gas. Structure 5 turns out as the most efficient antioxidant. The overall order of antioxidant efficiency in both gas and water phases is 5 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 1 .     

A new method for assessing the efficiency of stabilizers in polyolefins exposed to chlorinated water media

The chlorine used as disinfectant in tap water degrades most materials, including polyethylene. The most adequate (functional) test method, the pressure test, is complicated and expensive because the chlorinated aqueous media (Cl₂ or ClO₂ in water) are unstable and they undergo reactions that are dependent on the pH. A new method which assesses the protection efficiency of phenolic antioxidants in polyolefins was developed. The method uses a liquid hydrocarbon analogue, squalane, in which antioxidants are dissolved. The organic phase was dispersed in the aqueous chlorinated phase (containing 10 ppm of either Cl₂ or ClO₂; pH = 6.8) at 70 °C by intense stirring. The depletion of antioxidant (Irganox 1010) was monitored by standard DSC determination of the oxidation induction time. It was shown that 300 min of exposure was sufficient to obtain useful data.     

Thermal analysis, decomposition kinetics, and molecular modeling of transition metal (Fe, Co) surfactant complexes

A detailed thermal analysis of iron and cobalt surfactant complexes of the type [M(CH₃COO)₄]^2?[C₁₂H₂₅NH₃ ⁺]₂ has been carried out using Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at different heating rates (i.e., 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1). It has been observed that iron complex decomposes by a different mechanism compared to other transition metal complexes. Metal is the final product instead of metal oxide. Combining the results from our previous study, first row transition metal complexes exhibit an order of stability in agreement with the famous Irving Williams series, i.e., the apparent activation energy, E for thermal decomposition varies as: E _Fe > E _Co < E _Ni < E _Cu > E _Zn (exception being iron because of different decomposition mechanism). Thermal decomposition parameters have been measured and compared using the multiple heating rate method of Flynn–Wall–Ozawa. Further, molecular modeling calculations have been carried out to compare the experimental TG data with theoretical computations for the synthesized metal surfactant complexes. Minimum energy optimized structures for the complexes have been obtained using Gaussian software.     

Thermal studies and decomposition kinetics of alkaline earth metal trichloroacetates

Alkaline earth metal trichloroacetates M(O₂CCCl₃)₂·nH₂O, where M = Be (1), n = 4; M = Mg (2), n = 6; M = Ca (3) or Sr (4) or Ba (5), n = 4, were synthesized and their thermal behavior analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG/DSC). A critical examination was made for the apparent activation energy by means of non-isothermal kinetic methods employing multiple heating rates. A systematic and comparative study of thermal decomposition was carried out at different heating rates i.e., 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1 for various trichloroacetates synthesized. It was observed that the Ca, Sr, and Ba trichloroacetates decompose preferentially to respective metal halides while Be and Mg compounds decompose to metal and metal oxide, respectively. The composition of the final residues was also confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy. The activation energy follows the order: Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba, Be being the exception. Results reveal that each metal trichloroacetate decomposes through its unique thermolysis mechanism.     

Stoichiometric and free radical-scavenging kinetic studies of extractable polyphenols from pomegranate husk and pistachio hull

In this work, the antiradical activity of fresh and aged skins of two Iranian varieties of pomegranate husk and pistachio hull was measured in order to assess their concentration in antioxidant potential usable in various fields. The radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of pomegranate husks and pistachio hulls samples were studied using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^.) assay. To determine the RSC and stoichiometric factor of the samplers, the second-order rate constants (k ₂) and total H-atom-donating capacities (n) for the oxidation of polyphenol extracts by DPPH^. were evaluated. The resulting k ₂ values were also compared with those of the natural and synthetic antioxidants. The order of relative second-order rate constants in methanol at 25 °C found to be pomegranate husk > gallic acid > tannic acid > pistachio hull. Furthermore, the RSCs based on the calculation of area under kinetic curve (AUC), total stoichiometric factor of natural phenolics and commercial antioxidants were also compared.     

Effect of acid and alkali treatments of a forest waste,Pinus brutia cones,on adsorption efficiency of methyl green

The removal of methyl green (MG) dye from aqueous solutions using acid- or alkali-treated Pinus brutia cones (PBH and PBN) waste was investigated in this work. Adsorption removal of MG was conducted at natural pH, namely, 4.5 ± 0.10 for PBH and near 4.8 ± 0.10 for PBN. The pseudo-second-order model appeared to be the most appropriate to describe the adsorption process of MG on both PBN and PBH with a correlation coefficient R² > 0.999. Among the tested isotherm models, the Langmuir isotherm was found to be the most relevant to describe MG sorption onto modified P. brutia cones with a correlation factor R² > 0.999. The ionic strength (presence of other ions: Cl^?, Na⁺, and SO₄^2?) also influences the adsorption due to the change in the surface properties; it had a negative impact on the adsorption of MG on these two supports. A reduction of 68.5% of the adsorption capacity for an equilibrium dye concentration Ce of 30 mg/L was found for the PBH; while with PBN no significant influence of the ionic strength on adsorption was observed, especially in the presence of NaCl for dye concentrations superior to 120 mg L^?1.     

Synthesis of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene semitubes and their binding studies with C60

The synthesis of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene semitubes in one step reaction with fairly good yields is described. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³CNMR and mass spectrometry. The complexation ability of these compounds with C₆₀ was investigated and found that they are able to form 1:1 complexes. The stability constants of these complexes were determined and found to be 15, 203 and 525 dm³ mol^?1 for the semitubes 3a, 3b, 3c respectively. The binding energies of each of C₆₀, the semitubes and the complexes are calculated using PM6 (Semiempirical quantum chemical) and DFT (Density Functional Theory) methods and found in the order m > p > o. On the other hand, the calculated binding energies using DFT method showed that the stabilities of both centered and side complexes are in the order p > m > o.     

Isolation and Purification of Highly Polar Antioxidants from Chirita longgangensis by Combination of Macroporous Resin and HSCCC

An efficient and simple method to isolate and purify highly polar antioxidants from the antioxidant active site of Chirita longgangensishas been established. Firstly, the antioxidant active site was enriched with D101 macroporous resin, and then high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used with the two-phase solvent system ethyl acetate–n-butanol–methanol–water (5:0.1:0.5:4.5, v/v) to obtain four antioxidants in one step. They were identified as plantainoside D (28.4 mg), plantainoside B (9.5 mg), calcedarioside B (18.1 mg) and calcedarioside A (16.7 mg) by analysis of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The purities were all above 97 % as determined by HPLC. The inhibiting effects of the crude extracts, enriched fraction and the obtained compounds on superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide were determined by different chemiluminescence (CL) systems. The result shows that all of them have good antioxidant activity. However, the sequence of antioxidant abilities among compounds I–IV was different when assayed by different CL systems (superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide). This is the first report on preparative isolation and purification of antioxidants from C. longgangensis by HSCCC combined with macroporous resin and their inhibition of free radical-induced luminol chemiluminescence.