In Situ Synthesis and Characterization of Nano ZnO on Wool: Influence of Nano Photo Reactor on Wool Properties

This study has been carried out to synthesize nano ZnO on wool fabric and also to investigate influences of nano photo reactors on wool fabric characteristics. Zinc acetate has been used as a precursor and the synthesis process has been done in water and water/ethanol media. The treated wool fabrics were heated at 80°C for 10 h to dehydrate Zn(OH)₂ obtaining ZnO. The fabric samples were then subjected to daylight for 7 days to examine the influence of nano ZnO photo reactor on the fabric properties. SEM images revealed the embedding of ZnO nanoparticles on the fabrics and X‐ray diffraction verified the nanoparticles composition. The Yellowness Index (YI) of the fabrics was measured with Color Eye XTH that has been reduced with increasing pH, Zn(CH₃COO)₂ concentration, ethanol and heating. The lower water contact angle and time of water absorption confirmed higher hydrophilic properties of the treated fabrics. Interestingly, a higher tensile strength obtained on the wool fabrics proved the interaction of ZnO with protein chains of wool, which was verified through lower alkali solubility of treated fabric with nano ZnO and confirmed more benefits of the in situ synthesis process.     

Fluorescence and photochemical properties of crystalline boron difluorides β-diketonato

The fluorescence and photochemical properties of crystalline β-diketonatoboron difluorides (DBD) RCOCHCOR¹BF₂ were studied. These compounds are characterized by relatively high photochemical stability. The introduction of electron-donating groups into the aromatic α-substituent of the chelate ring increases and the introduction of electron-withdrawing groups decreases the fluorescence intensity of DBD. Anisoylbenzoylmethanotoboron difluoride was found to exhibit the highest fluorescence intensity. The substituents were shown to influence the relative arrangement of singlet and triplet ηπ^* and ππ^* levels and luminescence properties of compounds. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1030–1033, June, 2000.     

Decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R by a Purified Laccase of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyporus brumalis</Emphasis>

A white rot basidiomycete Polyporus brumalis has been reported to induce two laccase genes under degradation conditions of dibutylphthalate. When this fungus was grown in a minimal medium, one laccase enzyme was detected by the native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A laccase was purified through ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography, and the estimated molecular weight was 70 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified laccase was pH 4.0 and 20 °C, respectively. The K _m value of the enzyme was 685.0 μM, and the V _max was 0.147 ODmin⁻¹ unit⁻¹ for o-tolidine. Purified laccase showed effective decolorization of a dye, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), without any laccase mediator. However, this effect was reduced by a laccase inhibitor, kojic acid, which confirmed that the laccase was directly involved in the decolorization of RBBR.     

A Laccase of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomes durissimus</Emphasis> MTCC-1173 and Its Role in the Conversion of Methylbenzene to Benzaldehyde

A laccase has been purified from the liquid culture growth medium containing bagasse particles of Fomes durissimus. The method involved concentration of the culture filtrate by ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on diethyl aminoethyl cellulose. The sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both gave single protein band indicating that the enzyme preparation was pure. The molecular mass of the purified laccase determined from SDS-PAGE analysis was 75 kDa. Using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as the substrate, the determined K _m and k _cat values of the laccase are 182 μM and 0.35 s⁻¹, respectively, giving a k _cat/K _m value of 1.92 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The pH and temperature optimum were 4.0 and 35 °C, respectively. The purified laccase has yellow colour and does not show absorption band around 610 nm found in blue laccases. Moreover, it transformed methylbenzene to benzaldehyde in the absence of mediator molecules, property exhibited by yellow laccases.     

Synthesis of some 4-arylazo-3-hydroxythiophene disperse dyes for dyeing polyester fabrics

A series of novel 4-arylazo-3-hydroxythiophene disperse dyes was synthesized by heterocyclization of ethyl 2-arylhydrazono-2-phenylthiocarbamoyl acetates with a variety of α-halogenated reagents. The structures of the synthesized dyes were confirmed by UV-Vis, IR, ¹H NMR, and MS spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. The dyes were applied to conventional polyester fabric by high temperature exhaust dyeing. These dyes were found to give orange to reddish-violet shades with very good depth, levelness, and brightness on polyester fabric. The dyed fabric showed moderate to good light fastness and very good fastness to washing and perspiration. Also the position of color in CIELAB coordinates (L^*, a^*, b^*, H^*, and C^*) was assessed.     

Preparation and characterization of wool fiber reinforced nonwoven alginate hydrogel for wound dressing

Wound healing is a complex process which requires an appropriate environment for quick healing. Recently, biodegradable hydrogel-based wound dressings have been seen to have high potential owing to their biodegradability and hydrated molecular structure. In this work, a novel biodegradable composite of sodium alginate hydrogel with wool needle-punched nonwoven fabric was produced for wound dressing by sol–gel technique. The wool nonwoven was dipped in the sodium alginate-water solution and then soaked in calcium chloride solution which resulted in hydrogel formation. FTIR analysis and SEM images confirm the presence of alginate hydrogel inside the needle-punched wool nonwoven fabric. The wound exudate absorbing capacity of hydrogel based wool nonwoven was increased 30 times as compared to pure wool nonwoven. Moreover, the tensile strength and moisture management properties of hydrogel based nonwoven were also enhanced. The unique combination of alginate hydrogel with biocompatible wool nonwoven fabric provides moist environment and can help in cell proliferation during wound healing process.

     

Synthesis of some 4-arylazo-3-hydroxythiophene disperse dyes for dyeing polyester fabrics

A series of novel 4-arylazo-3-hydroxythiophene disperse dyes was synthesized by heterocyclization of ethyl 2-arylhydrazono-2-phenylthiocarbamoyl acetates with a variety of α-halogenated reagents. The structures of the synthesized dyes were confirmed by UV-Vis, IR, ¹H NMR, and MS spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. The dyes were applied to conventional polyester fabric by high temperature exhaust dyeing. These dyes were found to give orange to reddish-violet shades with very good depth, levelness, and brightness on polyester fabric. The dyed fabric showed moderate to good light fastness and very good fastness to washing and perspiration. Also the position of color in CIELAB coordinates (L^*, a^*, b^*, H^*, and C^*) was assessed. Correspondence: Ehab Abdel-Latif, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt     

Eco-friendly and protective natural dye from red prickly pear (Opuntia Lasiacantha Pfeiffer) plant

New natural dye extracted from red prickly pear was used for dyeing wool with different types of mordents. The effect of mordant concentration on the color strength was discussed; the results obtained indicated that the color strength decreases with the increase of mordant concentration. The effect of the dye bath pH, salt concentration, dyeing temperature and dyeing time was also studied. The color strength and the dye uptake have exhibited high values. Good fastness properties of the dyed fabric were achieved.Antimicrobial activity of wool fabric dyed with this dye was tested according to diffusion agent. Test organisms as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subitilus, Pseudomons aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used and the results indicated that the samples exhibited a high inhibition zone.According to the available literature, this is the first report concerning a natural dye for fabric from fruits of red prickly pear plants.     

Synthesis and characterization of some <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>′-dihydroxyazo dyes and their metal complexes

The synthesis and characterization of azo dyes containing o,o′-dihydroxy groups and their azo-metal(II) [Cu, Co, Ni, Zn] chelates by ¹H N.M.R., IR, AAS, UV–VIS, magnetic susceptibility and thin-layer chromatography techniques are reported. The stochiometry of the azo-metal chelates was determined by the spectroscopic titration method to be 1:2 (ML₂). The synthesized azo dyes and azo-metal chelate dyes were applied on wool fabric. Fastness to light and washing were measured.     

A study on multifunctional protein fibre with UV protection,moth repellency and antibacterial properties using ESIPT core containing benzimidazole and benzothiazole based functional acid azo dyes

Water soluble fluorescent acid azo dyes with benzimidazole and benzothiazole component having excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) core were synthesised by diazo coupling. The structure of the dyes were analysed and confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared – spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR analysis. Absorption and emission characteristics of the dyes were studied in different polarity solvents shown bathochromic (red) shift as solvent polarity increases. Wool and silk fabric dyed with synthesised dyes displayed high exhaustion, uniform dyeing and good wet fastness properties. The dyed substrate showed green and purple fluorescence under UV light (366 ​nm) along with UV protection. Dyed wool fabric was also assessed for antibacterial activity by calculation of bacterial reduction Staphylococcus Auerus (Gram positive), Klebsiella Pneumonia (Gram negative) bacteria. The dyed wool were also examined for the resistivity against insect pests Anthrenus Flavipies (Le Conte) by calculation of the fabric weight loss, Mortality of moth and visible assessment of fabric attacked by moth after 14 days in given conditions. Consequently, it was demonstrated that wool fabric dyed with Benzimidazole and benzothiazole based acid dyes had various functionalities, such as UV protection, antibacterial activity and mild moth repellency.     

IR and electronic spectra of complex Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> groups in chloride-fluoride and carbonate-chloride melts

The IR and electronic absorption spectra of molten mixtures in the NaCl-CsCl-NaF-CoCl₂, NaCl-KCl-NaF-CoCl₂, and NaCl-KCl-NaKCO₃-CoCl₂ systems have been studied. The spectral data show that, for all molten mixtures, the composition ranges exist in which chloro fluoro Co(Cl _n F _m )(n + m = 4–6) and carbonato chloro CoCl(CO₃)_{4 − n} (n = 1–3) complex groups are formed at δ₁ < δ₁^* and δ₂ < δ₂^* (δ₁^* = F/Co and δ₂^* = CO₃/Co). At δ₁ ≥ δ₁^* and δ₂ ≥ δ₂^*, the mixtures contain complexes homoligand Co and CoF₆⁴⁻ and Co(CO₃)₄⁶⁻.     

Evaluation of kinetic parameters of uranyl acetate complexes in ethanolic solution by cyclic voltammetry

The complexation of uranyl ion with acetate ions was investigated in 20% ethanolic solution by using cyclic voltammetry. The uranium formed 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with acetate ions. The values of log β₁ and log β₂ for uranyl acetate complexes were 2.05 ± 0.08 and 5.25 ± 0.06 respectively. The diffusion coefficient and heterogeneous rate constants for the reduction of uranyl ion at hanging mercury drop electrode in 20% ethanolic solution of acetate ions were 0.43 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ and 2.26 × 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated by finding the effect of temperature on the heterogeneous rate constants. The values of ΔH ^*, ΔS ^* and \Updelta G₂₉₈^* \Updelta G_{298}^{*} were 2.52 kJ mol⁻¹, −43.8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and 15.57 kJ mol⁻¹. The positive values of ΔH ^* and \Updelta G₂₉₈^* \Updelta G_{298}^{*} indicated that electrochemical reduction of uranyl ions in ethanolic solution of acetate ions is an endothermic and non-spontaneous process.     

Tensile properties of ligno-cellulosic fabrics coated with styrenated polyester resin

Ligno-cellulosic fabrics from the tree Hildegardia populifolia were coated with styrenated polyester resin, and their tensile strength, elastic modulus, and the percent elongation at break were determined. The effects of sodium hydroxide and a silane-coupling agent on the tensile properties of the fabric were also studied. It was observed that the tensile strength and the modulus decreased whereas the percent elongation at break increased with coating. The coupling agent improved the properties of the untreated and polyester-coated fabric, but a reverse trend was observed when the fabric was treated with sodium hydroxide. The possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.     

Modified model of electrical double layer for mixed solutions of constant ionic strength

A model is suggested, which generalized the Alekseev-Popov-Kolotyrkin model for the case of mixed solutions of constant ionic strength of the type mc KA_*⁻ + (1 − m)c KA, where A_*⁻ is the surface-active anion that lowers the electrical double layer capacitance as compared with that observed in the presence of surface-inactive anion A⁻. Calculations made for a real system mc NaNO₃ + (1 − m)c NaF showed that at 0.2 ≤ m ≤ 1 a transition occurred from quadratic to linear dependence of adsorption energy on the electrode potential (or charge). The conclusions are in agreement with experimental data obtained for the studied system.     

Tensile strength of highly oriented polyethylene. II. Effect of molecular weight distribution

The tensile strength of oriented polyethylene filaments is discussed in relation to molecular weight. Short-term tensile properties at room temperature were obtained in our laboratory and from the literature for polymer samples covering the molecular weight (M _w) range from 54 × 10³ to 4 × 10⁶, and polydispersities ranging from 1.1 to 15.6, oriented by solid-state extrusion, melt spinning/drawing, solution spinning/drawing, and “surface growth.” It was found that both the molecular weight and its distribution markedly affected tensile strength. The breaking stress σ of highly oriented fibers varied with molecular weight roughly as σ ∝, M^0.4, at constant M _w/M _n over the entire range studied. Reduction of polydispersity from 8 to 1.1 by an increase of M _n with M _w approximately constant at 10⁵ increased tensile strength of oriented polyethylene filaments by a factor of nearly 2.     

The effect of swelling on the stress-strain isotherms and ultimate properties of polydimethylsiloxane networks in elongation

Summary Gamma radiation was used to prepare three cross-linked, unfilled samples of highly elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane. Portions of each sample were studied in elongation to their rupture points, at 30 °C, in both the unswollen state and swollen with low molecular weight dimethylsiloxane fluid. Values of the volume fraction ν₂ of polymer in the networks ranged from 1.00 to 0.40. None of the stress-strain isotherms obtained showed any upturn in the reduced force or modulus [f ^*] at high elongation, an observation in agreement with the conclusion that such increases in [f ^*], when observed, are due to strain-induced crystallization. All of the isotherms were well represented by the semi-empirical equation [f ^*]=2C ₁+2C ₂ α ⁻¹, whereα is the elongation, and 2C ₁ and 2C ₂ are the Mooney-Rivlin constants. Values of 2C ₂, which serves as a measure of the extent to which [f ^*] varies with elongation, showed a decrease with decrease in ν₂, and generally also with decrease in degree of cross-linking. The ultimate properties reported were the valuesλ _r and [f ^*], of the total elongation and the reduced force, respectively, at the rupture point. Decrease in degree of cross-linking causes a significant increase inλ _r and a significant decrease in [f ^*] _r ; decrease in ν₂, however, has only a relatively small effect onλ _r and [f ^*] _r . With 3 figures and 1 table     

Spectra-structure relationships in the near ultraviolet optical activity of chiral barbituric acid derivatives

The chiroptical properties associated with then-π^* (singlet-singlet) transitions in dissymmetric barbituric acid derivatives are examined on the basis of two theoretical models. The lower singlet excited states of unsubstituted and alkyl substituted barbituric acids are calculated on the semi-empirical CNDO/S-CI molecular orbital model, and the spectroscopic properties associated with transitions to these states are computed. In the structures we examined, threen-π^* transitions are found at λ>220 nm, two of which are nearly degenerate. Each of these transitions is computed to be strongly magnetic dipole allowed and to be forbidden or very weak (depending upon the exact symmetry and geometry of the trioxopyrimidine moiety) in electric dipole radiation. Contributions from chiral distortions within the trioxopyrimidine chromophoric system to the rotatory strengths of the three lowest energyn-π^* transitions are calculated directly from wave functions obtained by the CNDO/S-CI method. Contributions to then-π^* rotatory strengths arising from “vicinal” interactions between the trioxopyrimidine chromophore and asymmetric substituent groups are calculated by a perturbation method based on an independent systems representation of the optically active compounds. Various spectra-structure relationships are considered and correlations between experimental data and theoretically calculated results are examined.     

Synthesis,characterization, and quantum chemical calculational studies on 3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-methylphenyl-4-amino- 1, 2, 4-triazole-5-thione

The title compound of 3-p-methylphenyl-4-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole-5-thione was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectra, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Quantum chemical calculations of the structure, natural bond orbital, and thermodynamic functions of the title compound were performed by using B3LYP/6-311G** and HF-6-311G** methods. Both the methods can well simulate the molecular structure. Vibrational frequencies were predicted, assigned and compared with the experimental values, and B3LYP/6-311G** method is superior to HF/6-311G** method to predict the vibrational frequencies. Electronic absorption spectra calculated by B3LYP/6-311G** method have some red shifts compared with the experimental ones and natural bond orbitals analyses indicate that the two absorption bands are mainly derived from the contribution of n → π^* and π → π^* transitions. On the basis of vibrational analyses, the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been calculated, revealing the correlations between C ⁰ _p,m , S ⁰ _m , H ⁰ _m , and temperatures.     

Banana Peel: A Potential Substrate for Laccase Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus fumigatus</Emphasis> VkJ2.4.5 in Solid-State Fermentation

In solid-state fermentation, among various solid supports evaluated, banana peel was found to be an ideal support and resulted into higher levels of laccase (6281.4 ± 63.60 U l⁻¹) along with notable levels of manganese peroxidase production (1339.0 ± 131.23 U l⁻¹) by Aspergillus fumigatus VkJ2.4.5. Maximum levels of laccase was achieved under derived conditions consisting of 80% of moisture level, 6 days of incubation period, 6% inoculum level, and an aeration level of 2.5 l min⁻¹. A column-tray bioreactor was designed to scale up and economize the enzyme production in three successive cycles of fermentation using the same fungal biomass. Thermal and pH stability profiles revealed that enzyme was stable up to 50°C and at varying pH range from 5–9 for up to 2 h. The apparent molecular weight of laccase was found to be 34 ± 1 kDa. MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis of the protein showed significant homology with maximum identity of 67% to other laccases reported in database.     

Compatibility of Polymer Blends Evaluated by Crystallization Dynamics. Simultaneous DSC-FTIR method

The mixing state of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and two amorphous polymers,poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(isopropyl methacrylate) (PiPMA) were investigated from the viewpoint of crystallization dynamics using simultaneous DSC-FTIR method. The crystallization rate (R ^*) and the growth rate of trans-gauche-trans-gauche’ (TGTG’) conformation (Rc ^*) depended on both the blend content (φ) and the crystallization temperature for PVDF/PMMA. The temperature and φ dependency of R ^* and Rc ^* were almost the same for PVDF/PMMA. However, R ^* and Rc ^* depended scarcely on f for PVDF/PiPMA, and the temperature dependency of R ^* differed from that of Rc ^* for PVDF/PiPMA. These results showed that PVDF and PMMA were miscible on molecular level, and that PVDF/PiPMA was immiscible and the concentration fluctuation existed in the PVDF-rich phase. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.