The effect of surface modification with silane coupling agent on suppressing the photo-catalytic activity of fine TiO2 particles as inorganic UV filter

The effect of surface modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and n-propyltriethoxysilane (PTES) on photo-catalytic activity and UV-shielding ability of fine TiO₂ particles were investigated. The number of surface groups (N_R) [nm⁻²] which shows the density of modifier on TiO₂ surface was calculated from the results of elemental analysis and BET measurement. The modified samples of which N_R are different were obtained by changing the concentration of modifier. When the photo-catalytic activity and UV-shielding ability of modified samples were evaluated, it was found that APTES was more effective modifier than PTES to obtained samples with low photo-catalytic activity and high UV-shielding ability. This is probably because the adsorption mechanisms on TiO₂ surface between modifiers were different and N_R is a key factor to control the performances of fine TiO₂ particles. The result of zeta potential showed that surface character of modified samples was varied by changing N_R. It suggested from these results that N_R affected the photo-catalytic activity and UV-shielding ability because N_R changed surface character of modified samples.     

XPS和FTIR分析仿生呼吸法对硅酸盐改性杉木浸渍效果的影响

杉木进行硅酸盐浸渍改性处理后,木材内部的改性剂相关元素含量与分布是衡量浸渍效果的重要指标,对改性杉木的各项物理力学性能有着至关重要的作用。以硅酸盐为浸渍改性剂,采用仿生呼吸法对杉木进行浸渍改性。研究了仿生呼吸法对硅酸盐改性杉木的密度、抗弯强度、抗压强度、三切面硬度和24 h吸水率影响,利用XPS和FTIR分析了杉木素材与改性材的化学成份与化学结构,并对硅酸盐改性剂在改性杉木中的分布深度与分布规律进行了探讨。结果表明：经过硅酸盐浸渍改性后,改性杉木平均密度大于0.721 g·cm-3,抗弯强度和抗压强度分别增大了170.19%和286.64%。改性杉木横切面、径切面和弦切面的硬度均有不同程度的提高。硅酸盐改性使杉木的24 h吸水率从91.17%±2.51%降至39.23%±1.62%,表明杉木的尺寸稳定性大幅度提高。相比于杉木素材,改性杉木木材的XPS全谱扫描中出现了Na元素和Si元素的吸收峰,窄扫谱图中出现了Si-O-C和Na-O化学结构。同时,改性杉木木材的FTIR谱图中出现了Si-O-Si的吸收峰,并且游离羟基含量减少,缔合羟基增多。XPS和FTIR分析都表明硅酸盐浸注到了杉木木材的孔隙中,且硅酸钠与杉木木材中羟基形成了化学键结合和氢键结合。这也是改性杉木的力学性能和耐水性能提高的重要原因。另外,通过XPS测试发现改性杉木木材沿横向从表面到30 mm处都出现了C,O,Na和Si元素,并且沿横向从表面到30 mm处,Si-O-C结合结构的吸收峰强度基本相同,说明从表面到中间部位,硅酸钠与杉木木材中的羟基都较均匀地形成了化学键。对各元素进行定量分析发现,改性杉木木材中C,O,Na和Si元素的相对含量从表面到中间部位（30 mm）差异较小,进一步表明改性剂能较好浸入杉木木材中间,并且均匀性较好。研究结果将为杉木浸渍改性效果提供数据支撑,并为优化改性工艺与方法、进一步提高改性杉木的物理力学性能提供依据。     

Intumescent Flame Retardancy and Thermal Degradation of Epoxy Resin Filled with Ammonium Polyphosphate Using Thermogravimetric Analysis–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric Analysis–Mass Spectrometry

The flammability of epoxy resin (EP) and its composite with ammonium polyphosphate (EPAPP) was investigated with limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, and cone calorimeter tests. A systematic and comparative evaluation of the thermal degradation of EP and EPAPP has been investigated using thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TG–MS). The results showed that the flame retardant of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) can constitute an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system with EP, and APP can effectively improve the LOI of EP; with 6 wt% addition level of APP, EPAPP can pass UL 94 V 0 test. The cone calorimeter test results showed that the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of EP were significantly improved by APP, and toxic gas products such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide obviously decreased. Thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and TG–MS results showed that the degradation process of EP produces large amounts of gas products and mainly containing of water, carbon dioxide, methane, benzene and its derivatives, as well as phenol and its derivatives. Compared to EP, the kinds of decomposition products of EPAPP sample were not changed significantly, except that more ammonia gas was generated. For the EPAPP sample, the products of water, benzene, and phenol increased, whereas the carbon dioxide and the flammable hydrocarbon fragments C_xH_y decreased significantly during the decomposition.     

Hydrophilic modification of polyethersulfone porous membranes via a thermal-induced surface crosslinking approach

A thermal-induced surface crosslinking process was employed to perform a hydrophilic surface modification of PES porous membranes. Difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was used as the main crosslinking modifier. The addition of trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate (TMPTMA) into the reaction solutions accelerated the crosslinking progress of PEGDA on PES membranes. The membrane surface morphology and chemical composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The mass gains (MG) of the modified membranes could be conveniently modulated by varying the PEGDA concentration and crosslinking time. The measurements of water contact angle showed that the hydrophilicity of PES membranes was remarkably enhanced by the coating of crosslinked PEGDA layer. When a moderate mass gain of about 150 μg/cm² was reached, both the permeability and anti-fouling ability of PES membranes could be significantly improved. Excessive mass gain not only contributed little to the anti-fouling ability, but also brought a deteriorated permeability to PES membranes.     

The Flame Retardancy,Thermal Properties,and Degradation Mechanism of Zinc Alginate Films

The coordination structure, flame retardancy, thermal stabilities, and degradation mechanism of zinc alginate films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL-94), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. The FTIR results showed that the structure of zinc alginate was correlated to its bidentate bridging coordination. The LOI (49.3) and UL-94 (V-0 rating) results indicated that zinc alginate was an inherent flame retardant material. The TG results showed that zinc alginate had better thermal stabilities than sodium alginate in the lower temperature zones; however, the thermal stabilities of zinc alginate were worse than those of sodium alginate at higher temperatures because of the decomposition of zinc oxalate formed in the degradation process of zinc alginate. Based on the TG results and FTIR of the residues at different temperatures, the effect of zinc ions on the degradation process of alginate was different from that of sodium ions. The zinc ions can catalyze alginate to form the residues and increase the amount of the residues, finally forming zinc oxide. Further, it could decrease the release of flammable gases and increase the flame retardancy of alginate.     

Effect of Polyborosiloxane on the Flame Retardancy and Thermal Degradation of Intumescent Flame Retardant Polypropylene

A novel synergistic flame retardant agent containing boron and silicon, namely polyborosiloxane (PBSil), was prepared via the condensation reaction of boric acid (BA), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS). The obtained PBSil was then combined with an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to flame retard polypropylene (PP), and the effects of PBSil on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation of the PP/IFR composite were investigated. It was found that PBSil could improve the compatibility between the IFR and the PP matrix, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the composite. Compared with zinc borate, zeolite, and nano-silica, PBSil showed much better flame retardancy and smoke suppression in the PP/IFR composite. When the content of PBSil was 3.0 wt%, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the flame retardant PP was increased from 29.0% to 35.0%, and the UL-94 rating was improved from V-1 to V-0 rating. Simultaneously, the heat release rate (HRR) and smoke production rate (SPR) of the composite were decreased dramatically. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TG-FTIR) results showed that, PBSil could enhance the thermostability of the IFR, and promote the char formation. Furthermore, the compactness and thermostability of the intumescent char were significantly improved, contributing to the improvement of the flame retardancy of the composite.     

An experimental study on flame geometry and radiation flux of line-source fire over inclined surface

An experimental study was performed on line-source fire over an inclined surface (ground) to simulate downhill fire spread behavior. The flame geometry and the thermal radiation to both far-field surroundings and near-field inclined surface were investigated. As a basic configuration for wildland fire over a slope, the buoyancy induced natural convection flow along the inclined surface and the constraint of air entrainment by the inclined surface change the flame geometry as well as its radiation emission. Various surface (ground) inclination angles (from 0°-80°), fire source heat release rates and fuels were considered comprehensively with a total of 126 test conditions. Results showed that the flame perpendicular height decreased, while both the flame parallel length and base drag length along the inclined surface increased, with the increased inclination angle. A dimensional analysis was then performed based on the controlling mechanisms, with the dimensionless heat release rate, the density ratio of fuel vapor to air, along with sinα and cosα involved to represent the components in the parallel and perpendicular directions. The flame geometry parameters were well represented by the proposed dimensional analysis. Both the radiation fluxes to far-field surroundings and to near-field inclined surface decreased with the increased inclination angle. The far-field radiation was found to be well characterized by a model based on the soot volume fraction analysis according to single point source model. Concerning the near-field radiation to inclined surface, an inclined cuboid radiative modeling was developed. The predicting results by the proposed model and the experimental values showed good agreement. The present study has explained the controlling physics and proposed non-dimensional functions for flame geometry and modeling the downslope radiation of the line-source fire over the inclined surface, which facilitates the understanding of the wildland fire spread behavior over a slopping ground in the downhill direction.     

基于激光诱导偏振光谱与激光诱导荧光技术的CH4/AIR火焰参数测量

建立了激光诱导偏振光谱（LIPS）和激光诱导荧光（LIF）联合的燃烧流场诊断系统,测量了CH4/AIR预混火焰中心不同高度处的OH荧光光谱和激光诱导偏振光谱,计算了OH的浓度及燃烧场温度分布。分析了燃烧炉表面对荧光收集效率的影响,并对两种技术的测量数据进行了分析比对,获得了火焰中心OH密度的分布规律。实验结果表明,联合LIPS和LIF两种技术测量CH4/AIR预混火焰参数是可行的,两种技术测量结果的一致性较好,OH浓度的相对偏差小于5%,温度的相对偏差小于8%。     

An EDC-based turbulent premixed combustion model

In the present study, a new turbulent premixed combustion model is proposed by integrating the Coherent Flame Model with the modified eddy dissipation concept, and relating the fine structure mass fraction to the flame surface density. First, experimental results of turbulent flame speed available from literature are compared with the predicted results at different turbulence intensities to validate the flame surface density model. It is observed that the model is able to predict the turbulent burning speeds accurately. Then, a comprehensive validation is carried out utilizing data on a turbulent lifted methane flame issuing into a vitiated co-flow. Detailed comparison of temperature and species concentrations between experiment and simulation is performed at different heights of the flame. Overall, the model is found to predict both the spatial variation and peak values of the scalars at various heights satisfactorily.     

Surface modification and characterization of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate nanowhiskers

In order to enhance the compatibility with plastic polymers, magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH) nanowhiskers were modified through grafting methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the surface of the nanowhiskers by emulsion polymerization. The influences of the reaction time, MMA monomer content, adding speed of monomer and the reaction temperature on the grafting ratio were investigated. Thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and surface contact angle measurement were used to characterize the effect of surface modification. The results showed that the MHSH nanowhiskers were uniformly coated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and a well-defined core-shell hybrid structure of MHSH/PMMA was obtained. The surface contact angle of the hybrid whiskers increased to 87.32° from 12.71° and the whiskers surface was changed from hydrophilic to lipophilic.     

奇异强子物质中的Δ自由度的影响

用相对论平均场方法研究了西自由度对奇异强子物质的影响,结果发现考虑上自由度后奇异强子物质在较高密度区出现第二个稳定态,同时通过反应AA–ΞN促进Ξ超子的产生.     

Adsorption of surface functionalized silica nanoparticles onto mineral surfaces and decane/water interface

The adsorption of silica nanoparticles onto representative mineral surfaces and at the decane/water interface was studied. The effects of particle size (the mean diameters from 5 to 75?nm), concentration and surface type on the adsorption were studied in detail. Silica nanoparticles with four different surfaces [unmodified, surface modified with anionic (sulfonate), cationic (quaternary ammonium (quat)) or nonionic (polyethylene glycol (PEG)) surfactant] were used. The zeta potential of these silica nanoparticles ranges from ?79.8 to 15.3?mV. The shape of silica particles examined by a Hitachi-S5500 scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is quite spherical. The adsorption of all the nanoparticles (unmodified or surface modified) on quartz and calcite surfaces was found to be insignificant. We used interfacial tension (IFT) measurements to investigate the adsorption of silica nanoparticles at the decane/water interface. Unmodified nanoparticles or surface modified ones with sulfonate or quat do not significantly affect the IFT of the decane/water interface. It also does not appear that the particle size or concentration influences the IFT. However, the presence of PEG as a surface modifying material significantly reduces the IFT. The PEG surface modifier alone in an aqueous solution, without the nanoparticles, yields the same IFT reduction for an equivalent PEG concentration as that used for modifying the surface of nanoparticles. Contact angle measurements of a decane droplet on quartz or calcite plate immersed in water (or aqueous nanoparticle dispersion) showed a slight change in the contact angle in the presence of the studied nanoparticles. The results of contact angle measurements are in good agreement with experiments of adsorption of nanoparticles on mineral surfaces or decane/water interface. This study brings new insights into the understanding and modeling of the adsorption of surface-modified silica nanoparticles onto mineral surfaces and water/decane interface.     

Finite Volume Effect of Baryons in Strange Hadronic Matter

The finite volume effect of baryons in strange hadronic matter (SHM) is studied within the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. As this effect is concerned, the saturation density of SHM turns lower, and the binding energy per baryon decreases. Its influence to the compression modulus of SHM is also discussed.     

Preparation and Flammability of a Flame-Retardant Poly(Butyl Acrylate-Vinyl Acetate) System Based on Gemin-Surfactant Modified Montmorillonite and Ammonium Polyphosphate

Gemin-surfactant modified montmorillonite (G-MMT) was successfully prepared by an ion exchange reaction and characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The P(BA-VAc)/G-MMT emulsion was prepared via an in-situ polymerization method using potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈, KPS) as an initiator. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was introduced for obtaining P(BA-VAc)/APP/G-MMT flame-retardant latex with a constant total content of 15 wt% of APP and G-MMT in P(BA-VAc). The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of the latex films were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TG/DTA). Compared with the P(BA-VAc)/APP composite, the LOI value of P(BA-VAc)/APP/G-MMT containing 0.5 wt% G-MMT at the same total additive loading increased to 29.1 from 20.0 and its UL-94 increased from no rating to V-0. Thermal gravimetric (TG) data showed that the amount of residues increased significantly with the loading of G-MMT. In addition, the LOI values increased with the increase in char residues. The morphology and microstructure of the residues generated during LOI testing were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The outer surfaces of P(BA-VAc)/APP/G-MMT charred layers were more continuous and compact than those of P(BA-VAc)/APP.     

Properties and Preparation of Chitosan/Silanol Quaternary Ammonium Modified Silica Hybrids Using Sol–Gel Process

Chitosan/modified silica nanocomposites, with a sol–gel process being used to prepare a silanol quaternary ammonium modified silica possessing antimicrobial activity, were investigated, as well as the thermal properties, morphology, optical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and adsorption properties of this type of nanocomposite. Grafting of the modifier onto nanosilica was confirmed through the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the chitosan structure was not disrupted from the incorporation of the modified silica. Fracture surfaces with no clear micro-phase separation were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated the good interaction of chitosan and the modified silica. The organic modifier tended to cause the aggregation of the modified silica at higher content on a submicron scale based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, which might be due to a decrease of the stability factor originating from the negative charges on silica. With the introduction of modified silica, the optical transmittance decreased at higher organic modifier content in agreement with TEM analysis. The elongation at break remained largely unchanged, but tensile strength and Young's moduli deteriorated in modified silica filled systems in comparison with pure silica filled systems. The introduction of the organic modified silica gave a higher antibacterial activity. All nanocomposites were capable of chelating Cu (II) as well as Fe (III) at a different degree. Thus, the prepared chitosan/modified silica nanocomposites exhibited both antimicrobial and chelating properties.     

Surface treatment of magnesium hydroxide to improve its dispersion in organic phase by the ultrasonic technique

Micron magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] was modified by means of ultrasonic method with stearic acid (SA) as modifier in water. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and element analysis showed all SA was bonded upon the surface of the Mg(OH)₂ forming a coating layer and no free SA was detected after the modifying process. The thickness of coating SA on the Mg(OH)₂ was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Compared with the unmodified Mg(OH)₂, the modified Mg(OH)₂ had better dispersion property in xylene, slower sedimentation velocity of dilute suspension in xylene and lower viscosity of suspension in paraffin liquid. The results showed that the modified Mg(OH)₂ could be dispersed much better than the unmodified Mg(OH)₂ in organic phase.     

3D Flame surface density measurements via orthogonal cross-planar mie scattering in a low-turbulence bunsen flame

Quasi-instantaneous Mie scattering measurements were conducted to determine the flame surface location using two orthogonal planes to obtain the 3D orientation and measurement of 3D flame surface density (FSD) on a stabilised piloted Bunsen burner with turbulence levels of 1 to 2.5 times the laminar flame speed. A double-pulsed 527 nm high-frequency laser (part of a high-frequency particle image velocimetry dual-head setup) was split into two separated laser beams through a polarizer to generate laser sheets at 3 kHz on a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. The vertical plane across the centerline of the Bunsen-stabilized flame was kept constant, whilst the height of the horizontal plane was adjusted from the base of the flame for different heights. The flame edge was defined as the location where droplet tracers disappear, and calculated based on the local change in the number density of the flame edge. Projections of the flame normal vector onto two measurement planes were used to calculate directing angles on each plane, and the 3D FSD was estimated based on the measured angles at the intersecting lines of two planes. A comparison of the 2D to 3D FSD magnitudes was made, for cases with and without mean angle corrections. The results show that the 2D FSD approximations are lower than the 3D measurements by a factor of 20–30% if uncorrected, and up to 28% after corrections.     

Synergistic Effect Between Organically Modified Montmorillonite and Ammonium Polyphosphate on Thermal and Flame-Retardant Properties of Poly(Butyl Acrylate/Vinyl Acetate) Copolymer Latex

Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified montmorillonite (1631-MMT) was successfully synthesized via an ion exchange reaction and characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Various poly(butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate) P(BA-VAc) copolymer P(BA-VAc)/1631-MMT emulsions were prepared via in-situ polymerization method using potassium persulphate (K₂S₂O₈, KPS) as an initiator. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was introduced for obtaining P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT flame-retardant latex. The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of the latex films were investigated through limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL-94) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA [differential thermal analysis]) analysis. Compared with the P(BA-VAc)/APP composite, the LOI value of P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT sample was increased from 27.7 to 30.3 with a concentration of 1631-MMT 0.5 wt% in composition, and its UL-94 was raised to V-0 from no rating. TG date showed that the amount of residues increased significantly when 1631-MMT was added. The morphology and microstructure of the residues generated during LOI testing were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The outer surface of the P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT charred layer was more continuous and compact than that of P(BA-VAc)/APP.     

GUW-based structural damage detection using WPT statistical features and multiclass SVM

Recently, guided ultrasonic waves (GUW) are widely used for damage detection in structural health monitoring (SHM) of different engineering structures. In this study, an intelligent damage detection method is proposed to be used in SHM applications. At first, GUW signal is de-noised by discrete wavelet transform (DWT). After that, wavelet packet transform (WPT) is employed to decompose the de-noised signal and the statistical features of decomposed packets are extracted as damage-sensitive features. Finally, a multiclass support vector machine (SVM) classifier is used to detect the damage and estimate its severity. The proposed method is employed for GUW-based structural damage detection of a thick steel beam. The effects of different parameters on the sensitivity of the method are surveyed. Furthermore, by comparing with some other similar algorithms, the performance of the proposed method is verified. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can appropriately detect a structural damage and estimate its severity.     

Simulation of flame lift-off on a diesel jet using a generalized flame surface density modeling approach

A generalized flame surface density modelling approach is presented to simulate the transient ignition and flame stabilization of a diesel jet flame, for which experimental data are available. The approach consists of four submodels: a mixing model, a generalized flame surface density model, a generalized progress variable model, and a chemistry model. A database containing the laminar model reaction rates per unit generalized flame surface density is generated by solving the unsteady flamelet equations. The RANS-CFD code solves for the mean flame surface density and mean progress variable. The coupling of the models is done via the progress variable and the scalar dissipation rate. The proposed approach is found to be adapted to simulate such a lifted flame and yields good trend agreement for ignition delay and flame lift-off vs. liquid penetration. These first promising results are encouraging to further explore and to apply this method to a more industrial configuration such as a diesel engine.