Solubility of alcohols in ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers by inverse gas chromatography

Sorption isotherms of alcohols in EVOH copolymers were determined by inverse gas chromatography below and above the glass transition temperature. The sorbates studied were: methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, n-butanol, i-butanol, s-butanol, and t-butanol. From the sorption isotherms, Henry's law solubility coefficients (S) were evaluated and correlated to size, condensability, and (SINGLE BOND)OH position in the molecule as well as on temperature. Molecular dimension was an important factor, affecting the solubility via two contrary effects: molecular size and condensability. When comparing alcohols of the same size, primary alcohols were sorbed more than secondary alcohols and these more than tertiary alcohols at every temperature in the study. At low temperatures, the larger the size the greater the solubility, contrary to what was observed at high temperatures. Temperature effect on solubility was also tested applying Van't Hoff's equation. Since S behaved differently below and above T_g for every sorbate two values of the enthalpy of solution were obtained, positive above T_g and negative below T_g. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sorption of the Pesticide Endosulphan on Two Indian Soils

Adsorption of endosulphan on uncontaminated sandy loam and silt clay loam soils in acetone-water and methanol-water mixtures at different f(s) values has been studied by the batch technique. Higher adsorption of endosulphan was observed on sandy loam soil than on silt clay loam soil, as was predicted from Freundlich constant K values and partition coefficient K(D) values. The K and K(D) values also confirm that adsorption of endosulphan was higher in acetone-water mixtures than in methanol-water mixtures and decreases with increases in the volume fraction of solvents (acetone, methanol), the f(s) values. The data were used to evaluate the cosolvent theory for describing adsorption of endosulphan in acetone-water and methanol-water mixtures. The aqueous phase partition coefficient K(DW) (mol/g) normalized on f(OC) (fraction of soil organic carbon) for endosulphan was evaluated by extrapolating to f(s)=0. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Water absorption in EVOH films and its influence on glass transition temperature

Moisture sorption kinetics of nonoriented ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) film (EF‐E15) were studied at 25, 35, and 45°C. Anomalous diffusion was observed for the polymeric film at high relative humidities (RH) and higher temperatures. Diffusion and solubility coefficients of water were found to be concentration dependent. The moisture sorption isotherms of three types of EVOH films (EF‐E15, EF‐F15, and EF‐XL15) determined at 25, 35, and 45°C, were well described using the GAB equation. Glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the EVOH films, as influenced by RH, were measured using differential scanning calorimetry. T_g values decreased with increasing RH due to the plasticization effect of water, and were found to be dependent on ethylene content and orientation of the EVOH films. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 691–699, 1999     

Characterization of extruded ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer based barrier blends with interest in food packaging applications

Based on previous work a number of optimum extruded blends with high contents of a high barrier ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer were selected and characterized in terms of phase morphology, water sorption and barrier properties. Blend components were an ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymer (EVOH with 32 mol% ethylene), an amorphous polyamide (aPA) and a nylon-containing ionomer. A fine two phase structure was found for these blends in all cases. However, Raman spectroscopy results indicated a poor interface interaction between the blend components in the case of the EVOH/aPA blends. Higher interface interaction had been previously found in the dry EVOH/ionomer blends. Equilibrium moisture solubility and diffusion were found to be higher than expected from simple additivity. However, the oxygen transmission rate was found to be clearly lower than expected from the rule of mixtures, particularly under dry conditions, fitting closely a simple Maxwell model.     

热塑性淀粉/乙烯-乙烯醇共聚物复合材料的制备与性能

利用熔融共混的方法,制备得到热塑性淀粉/乙烯-乙烯醇共聚物（TPS/EVOH）复合材料,并对该复合体系的加工性能、机械性能、动态力学性能、流变性能以及吸水性进行了研究.结果表明：随着EVOH含量增加,复合材料中分子间作用力加强;复合体系的机械性能得到改善;当EVOH含量到达30%后,复合材料的吸水性明显降低.     

Effects of addition of short-chain alcohol solvents on micellization and thermodynamic properties of anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfonate in aqueous solutions

Micellar and thermodynamic properties of anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDSn) in aqueous solutions of 5 wt% short-chain alcohols methanol, ethanol, and 1-butanol were investigated by experimental electrical conductivities, densities and sound velocities at 298.15 K. It was found that methanol behaves like a cosolvent and increases the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of both surfactants in aqueous solutions. However, the other investigated alkanols act as a cosurfactant and decrease the CMC by their presence. The values of the degree of counterion association on the micelles of both surfactants in aqueous methanol solution are same as those in pure water, and they decrease with increasing the alkyl chain length of alcohol. Furthermore, the values of the apparent molar volume and isentropic compressibility of the monomeric and micellar forms of the investigated surfactants were obtained from the experimental density and sound velocity data. It was found that the values of the apparent molar properties of both micellar and monomeric forms of the studied surfactants increase by increasing the alkyl chain of the alcohols.     

Surface tension and density of mixtures of 1,3-dioxolane+alkanols at 298.15 K: analysis under the extended Langmuir model

Surface tensions (sigma) for [1,3-dioxolane+methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and 1-pentanol] and excess molar volumes (v(E)) for [1,3-dioxolane+methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 2-butanol] at the temperature 298.15 K and normal atmospheric pressure have been determined as a function of mole fractions. The magnitude of these experimental quantities is discussed in terms of the nature and type of intermolecular interactions in binary mixtures. In order to analyze the surface tension behavior, the extended Langmuir (EL) model was used and the results obtained for the systems containing 1,3-dioxolane were compared with those of other formerly published series: [1,4-dioxane+alkanes] and [1,4-dioxane+alcohols].     

Determination of the adsorption model of alkenes and alcohols on sulfonic copolymer by inverse gas chromatography

The determination of a number of adsorption sites on sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer for alkenes (propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, isobutene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2-methyl-2-pentene and 2-methyl-2-hexene) and alcohols (methanol, ethanol and n-propanol, n-butanol, 2-butanol and tert-butanol) was performed by the saturation copolymer with vapors of adsorbate, by removing the excess of adsorbate from copolymer by blowing the inert gas through copolymer bed and by the desorption of adsorbed alcohol in the programmed increase of temperature. The adsorption measurements were performed on sulfonated ion-exchange resin (Amberlyst 15) with different concentrations of the acid group, which means with a varying number of adsorption sites. The following adsorption models for alkenes were suggested: the first in which one molecule of alkene is adsorbed by two sulfonic groups, for linear alcohols, the second in which one sulfonic group can adsorb one molecule of alcohol and for non-linear alcohols the third where one molecule of alcohol is adsorbed by two or more sulfonic groups.     

Sorption of methanol/MTBE and diffusion of methanol in 6FDA–ODA polyimide

This article discusses the diffusion and solubility behavior of methanol/methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) in glassy 6FDA–ODA polyimide prepared from hexafluoroisopropylidene 2,2‐bis(phthalic anhydride) (6FDA) and oxydianiline (ODA). The diffusion coefficients and sorption isotherm of methanol vapor in 6FDA–ODA polyimide at various pressures and film thicknesses were obtained with a McBain‐type vapor sorption apparatus. Methanol/MTBE mixed‐liquid sorption isotherms were obtained by head‐space chromatography and compared with a pure methanol sorption isotherm obtained with a quartz spring balance. Methanol sorption isotherms obtained with the two methods were almost identical. Both methanol sorption isotherms obeyed the dual‐mode model at a lower activity, which is typical for glassy polymer behavior. The MTBE was readily sorbed into the polymer in the presence of methanol, but the MTBE sorption isotherm exhibited a highly nonideal behavior. The MTBE sorption levels were a strong function of the methanol sorption level. Methanol diffusion in the polymer was analyzed in terms of the partial immobilization model with model parameters obtained from average diffusion coefficients and the dual‐mode sorption parameters. Simple average diffusion coefficients were obtained from sorption kinetics experiments, whereas the dual‐mode sorption parameters were obtained from equilibrium methanol sorption experiments. An analysis of the mobility and solubility data for methanol indicated that methanol tends to form clusters at higher sorption levels. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2254–2267, 2000     

Temperature and concentration dependence of diffusion coefficients in ethylene–propylene-diene copolymers

Self-diffusion and partition coefficients were measured for two commercial ethylene–propylene-diene copolymers (EPDM) and five solvents at infinite dilution using inverse gas chromatography. Mutual diffusion coefficients for solvents in EPDM also were measured for finite concentration using gravimetric sorption for three of the solvents. From the inverse gas chromatography experimental values for self-diffusion coefficients were obtained. Free-volume parameters were obtained through regression of the self-diffusion coefficient as a function of temperature. Mutual diffusion coefficients as a function of concentration were predicted using free volume theory and compared with experimental data obtained using gravimetric sorption. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1713–1719, 1998     

Sorption rate and thermal barriers in a gas-zeolite system: investigation of n-hexane sorption in MFI-type zeolite

The nonequilibrium gravimetric sorption method was used to determine diffusion coefficient values for n-hexane in MFI-type materials. Improvements in the measurement device and experimental conditions resulted in high values of the corrected diffusion coefficient, which are comparable to the literature data obtained by the methods of pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR) and frequency response (FR). The results indicate that thermal effects of sorption affect practically neither the rate of the sorption nor the diffusion coefficient.     

Wet effluent diffusion denuder technique and determination of volatile organic compounds in air. I. Oxo compounds (alcohols and ketones)

The wet effluent diffusion denuder (WEDD) preconcentration technique for the determination of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone and methyl n-propyl ketone in air is discussed. The compounds are continuously collected into a thin film of deionized water flowing down the inner wall of the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder. The concentrate is analysed by gas chromatography. Detection limits of alcohols and ketones are as low as 1 microg/l (GC-flame ionization detection) and/or 1 ng/l (GC-MS). This technique could be applicable for the continuous monitoring of ppb (v/v) levels of both alcohols and ketones in the air.     

New process of low-temperature methanol synthesis from CO/CO_2/H_2 based on dual-catalysis

A new process of low-temperature methanol synthesis from CO/CO2/H2 based on dual-catalysis has been developed. Some alcohols, especially 2-alcohol, were found to have high catalytic promoting effect on the synthesis of methanol from CO hydrogenation. At 443 K and 5 MPa, the synthesis of methanol could process high effectively, resulting from the synergic catalysis of Cu/ZnO solid catalyst and 2-alcohol solvent catalyst. The primary results showed that when 2-butanol was used as reaction solvent, the one-pass average yield and the selectivity of methanol, in 40 h continuous reaction at temperature as low as 443 K and 5 MPa, were high up to 46.51% and 98.94% respectively. The catalytic activity was stable and the reaction temperature was 80 K or so lower than that in current industry synthesis process. This new process hopefully will become a practical method for methanol synthesis at low temperature.     

New process of low-temperature methanol synthesis from CO/CO2/H2 based on dual-catalysis

A new process of low-temperature methanol synthesis from CO/CO₂/H₂ based on dual-catalysis has been developed. Some alcohols, especially 2-alcohol, were found to have high catalytic promoting effect on the synthesis of methanol from CO hydrogenation. At 443 K and 5 MPa, the synthesis of methanol could process high effectively, resulting from the synergic catalysis of Cu/ZnO solid catalyst and 2-alcohol solvent catalyst. The primary results showed that when 2-butanol was used as reaction solvent, the one-pass average yield and the selectivity of methanol, in 40 h continuous reaction at temperature as low as 443 K and 5 MPa, were high up to 46.51% and 98.94% respectively. The catalytic activity was stable and the reaction temperature was 80 K or so lower than that in current industry synthesis process. This new process hopefully will become a practical method for methanol synthesis at low temperature.     

Sorption isotherms of acrylonitrile on an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer

Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) was used to construct sorption isotherms of acrylonitrile (ACN) on an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer. The absolute value of the isosteric heat of adsorption (at constant uptake) increased with decrease in the amount of ACN adsorbed, indicating a stronger monomer-polymer interaction at the lower monomer concentrations. The Gibbs free energy obtained from the partition coefficients, as calculated from the ratio of monomer concentrations in the stationary and moving phases, was of the same order of magnitude as the values obtained from the specific retention volumes. The absolute value of this energy increased with decrease in monomer concentration and temperature, indicating a more favourable monomer-polymer interaction at the low temperatures and monomer concentrations.     

Excess enthalpies of binary solvent mixtures of N-methylacetamide with aliphatic alcohols

The molar excess enthalpies H _m ^E of binary solvent mixtures of N-methylacetamide with methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and t-butanol have been measured with a flow microcalorimeter at 40°C. The excess enthalpies are negative for methanol and positive for the other alcohols over the whole composition range, except for t-butanol which exhibits a sigmoid curve with a deep minimum at low mole fractions of the amide. The values for the primary alcohols increase in the order methanol < ethanol < 1-propanol < 1-butanol. The partial molar excess enthalpies have also been evaluated. Intermolecular interactions in these mixtures are discussed through comparison of the results with those for the corresponding binary mixtures of N,N-dimethylacetamide.     

Synthesis of alkyl glycosides from cyclodextrin using cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Paenibacillus sp. RB01

Alkyl glycosides have potential use as biodegradable detergents due to their high surface activity with low toxicity. Recent progress in the application of enzymes to the preparation of these surface-active compounds demonstrates the advantages to the chemical synthesis. In this work, alkyl glycosides were, for the first time, synthesized from cyclodextrin (CD) and various soluble alcohols by transglycosylation reaction using cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Paenibacillus sp. RB01. Several alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol) as glycosyl-acceptor substrates were evaluated. It was found that the reaction products which were analyzed by TLC were maximum for 30% methanol, 20?C30% ethanol, 10?C20% 1-propanol, 10% 2-propanol, 8% 1-butanol and 5?C10% 2-butanol. In addition, the increase in the yield of alkyl glycoside formation was achieved by using methanol as an acceptor. Optimal reaction conditions for methyl glycoside synthesis from CD were to incubate 1.2% (w/v) ??-CD and 240 U/mL of CGTase in a water/methanol system containing 30% (v/v) methanol, pH 6.0 and a temperature of 40???C. At least three main methyl glycoside products were formed having 1?C3 monosaccharide units attached to methanol which were in accordance with the results of MS analysis.     

Organic high ionic strength aqueous two-phase solvent system series for separation of ultra-polar compounds by spiral high-speed counter-current chromatography

Existing two-phase solvent systems for high-speed countercurrent chromatography cover the separation of hydrophobic to moderately polar compounds, but often fail to provide suitable partition coefficient values for highly polar compounds, such as sulfonic acids, catecholamines and zwitter ions. The present paper introduces a new solvent series which can be applied for the separation of these polar compounds. It is composed of 1-butanol, ethanol, saturated ammonium sulfate and water at various volume ratios and consists of a series of 10 steps which are arranged according to the polarity of the solvent system so that the two-phase solvent system with suitable K values for the target compound(s) can be found in a few steps. Each solvent system gives proper volume ratio and high density difference between the two phases to provide a satisfactory level of retention of the stationary phase in the spiral column assembly. The method is validated by partition coefficient measurement of four typical polar compounds including methyl green (basic dye), tartrazine (sulfonic acid), tyrosine (zwitter ion) and epinephrine (a catecholamine), all of which show low partition coefficient values in the polar 1-butanol-water system. The capability of the method is demonstrated by separation of three catecholamines.     

Influence of the PVOH molar mass on the morphology and functional properties of EVOH/PVOH films prepared by melt blending

The influences of the molar mass (low, medium, and high) and content of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) dispersed by melt-blending in an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer on the morphology, microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties were investigated. Multilayer films with external low-density polyethylene layers and inner EVOH/PVOH blend layer and respective monolayer films were elaborated and characterized. EVOH/PVOH blends exhibited a good compatibility because of the initial presence of PVOH segments in EVOH. The detailed quantitative analysis of the morphology performed for all blends showed that the finest dispersion was obtained with the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. The properties of the films as a function of the PVOH content and its molar mass were determined herein. Significant improvement of barrier properties was obtained at moderated water activities (up to a_w = 0.6) by using the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. Compared to the neat EVOH material, the oxygen permeability coefficients decreased by a factor 2 by adding 15 vol% PVOH while the thermal and mechanical properties remained similar.     

Characterization of water vapor transport in glassy polyacrylonitrile by combined permeation and sorption techniques

Diffusion time lags, steady state permeabilities and sorption/desorption kinetics are reported for water vapor in biaxially oriented, solvent cast polyacrylonitrile (PAN) films. A wide range of vapor activities was studied at 15°C, 30°C, and 45°C. The transient and steady state permeation behavior at low and intermediate upstream vapor activities suggests that Fickian transport occurs under most of the conditions studied. Specifically, time lags predicted by Fick's law using the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient derived from steady state permeation measurements agree reasonably well with experimentally measured values in most cases. p]Integral sorption/desorption kinetics at low and intermediate vapor activities also appear to be Fickian with a concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient. The form of the concentration dependency, evaluated from the “long time” solution of the diffusion equation for sorption experiments, is consistent with the form established for the diffusion coefficient from the steady-state permeation data. The diffusion coefficient exhibits a maximum near the concentration at which clustering is initiated. Presumably, the effective diffusion coefficient of water increases initially due to plasticizing or dual mode sorption effects associated with gap filling in the glassy matrix. As clustering becomes significant, the effective mobility of water is substantially reduced; therefore, the diffusion coefficient decreases at higher activities as clustering becomes the dominant mode of sorption. p]A tendency of the “early time” sorption/desorption kinetic data to exhibit concavity to the square root time axis at high activities suggests that time-dependent reductions in the diffusion coefficient may be occurring. Such reductions could be related to the kinetics of cluster formation at the higher vapor activities during sorption and to slow polymer consolidation during desorption. Any such non-Fickian effects, related to chain segment relaxations occurring over time scales similar to those of a diffusional jump, appear to be of importance only at short times. The short time nature of any such processes is suggested by the fact that diffusion coefficients evaluated from the “long time” solution to the diffusion equation for sorption are consistent with coefficients evaluated from steady state permeation data, in which case all time-dependent relaxation phenomena should be absent.