A procedure for precise determination of thermal stabilization reactions in carbon fiber precursors

Thermal stabilization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers is an important step in production of carbon fibers. Understanding the onset and temperature range of the stabilization reactions is a key for adjusting processing parameters such as tension, stretching, etc. However, stabilization reactions are very complex and overlap. In order to separate the stabilization reactions, we combined the results of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), TGA (Thermogravimetry analysis), TMA (Thermomechanical analysis), and densitometry. It was shown that combination of DSC and TGA allowed separation of reactions regardless of the composition of initial PAN fibers. FTIR, TMA and densitometry results verified the validity of proposed method. Accordingly, three special and commercial grade PAN fibers with different chemical composition were studied. FTIR results indicated that during thermal stabilization of PAN fibers chemical reactions including cyclization, oxidation and dehydrogenation occurred in the fibers and a ladder polymer was formed. According to DSC and TGA curves, initiation temperature, temperature range and order of occurrence of these reactions were a function of chemical composition of initial fibers. In fibers containing itaconic acid plus methyl acrylate comonomers, oxidation reactions already started at 175 °C. Cyclization started above 210 °C, and reactions occurring above 250 °C were mainly dehydrogenation. In fibers containing only itaconic acid cyclization initiated above 210 °C, dehydrogenation started after 242 °C and oxidation occurred only after 284 °C. In fibers containing vinyl acetate comonomers, the initial reactions above 240 °C were attributed to cyclization. Oxidation occurred below 290 °C and dehydrogenation started above 290 °C.     

One-way and two-way pulsed electromembrane extraction for trace analysis of amino acids in foods and biological samples

In the present work, pulsed electromembrane extraction (PEME) was performed for the first time, as a new concept of electrically enhanced microextraction method, for extraction and quantification of histidine, phenylalanine and tryptophan in different matrices. PEME offers an alternative to conventional electromembrane extraction (EME), which faces problems such as serious instabilities in the analysis of real samples with high concentration levels of ions. In these samples, increasing of the ion transportation across the liquid membrane results in Joule heating during the extraction process which may follow by punctuation of the organic membrane, increasing of the current level and bubble formation due to electrolysis reactions. A mixture of 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (DEHP) and tris-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) was immobilized in the pores of hollow fiber as the organic liquid membrane. Other effective parameters such as extraction time, ion balance and pulse frequency were optimized using the experimental design. Extraction recoveries in the range of 7.1–21.6% and satisfactory repeatability (2.1 < CV% < 4.5) were obtained. Limits of detection were 5, 10 and 30 ng mL⁻¹ for tryptophan, phenylalanine and histidine, respectively. The method offers acceptable linearity with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9979. Furthermore, the figures of merit of PEME are compared with the results from conventional electromembrane extraction (EME), which proves the advantages of the proposed technique. The method was applied to the determination and quantification of amino acids in foods and biological samples. Also, two-way PEME was employed as a novel approach for highly selective extraction of tryptophan as a model analyte to introduce an interesting ability of the proposed technique.     

A new category of thermally stable poly(ether amide ether imide)s with increased solubility

Two new poly(ether amide ether imide)s (PEAEIs) were prepared from a new diamine (DA) containing ether, aliphatic, amide, naphthyl and pyridine functional groups that resulted flexible and thermally stable ultimate polymers. The DA was synthesized via two steps, starting from nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,8‐diamino‐3,6‐dioxaoctane with 6‐chloronicotinoyl chloride in the presence of propylene oxide which, afforded dichloro‐diamide (DCDA) compound. In the second step for the preparation of DA, reaction of DCDA compound with 5‐amino‐1‐naphthol in the presence of K₂CO₃ was achieved. The new DA was then polycondensed with 2,2'‐bis‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride and pyromellitic dianhydride to produce PEAEIs. The precursor, monomer and obtained polymers were entirely characterized by FT‐IR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis techniques. The physical properties of the polymers including solubility, thermal behavior, thermal stability, inherent viscosity, morphology and mechanical properties were studied. The new PEAEIs exhibited favorable balance of physical and thermal properties, and their solubility was improved without sacrificing their thermal stability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective oxidation of alkenes using [bmim]5[PW11ZnO39]·3H2O hybrid catalyst

The catalytic activity of [bmim]₅[PW₁₁ZnO₃₉]·3H₂O as a hybrid catalyst was studied in the oxidation of various alkenes in acetonitrile, using hydrogen peroxide as oxygen source. The effect of reaction parameters such as type of solvent and oxidant, amount of catalyst and oxidant, and temperature was also investigated. From our results, [bmim]₅[PW₁₁ZnO₃₉]·3H₂O hybrid catalyst gave higher yields and selectivity in the oxidation of alkenes and was reused four times without loss of its catalytic activity.     

Preparation and properties of enhanced nanocomposites based on PLA/PC blends reinforced with silica nanoparticles

In order to lower brittleness of biobased polylactic acid (PLA), its blending with polycarbonate and nanosilica is aimed. In this line, to increase compatibility of the ingredients, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and Cobalt (II) acetylacetonate (Co) were used as grafting and transesterification catalysts, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra demonstrated high compatibility of the ingredients by broadening of the PLA characteristic peaks and, also, good dispersion of nanosilica particles, especially in PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample. The EDX maps confirmed good nanosilica dispersion, too. The silica nanoparticle size was ranged from 20 to 100 nm in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures. All nanocomposites showed improved thermal stability in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated lower T_g, T_m, and crystallinity values for the fabricated nanocomposites. Notably, the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) curves confirmed the T_g, T_m, and T_cc trend obtained in DSC; moreover, much higher surface under tan δ peak for PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample was obtained, which implies its higher toughness. The precise tensile study of the samples confirmed significantly higher elongation at break of the nanocomposites, more considerably in PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample, with nearly negligible defect on tensile strength and modulus. In a concise, the obtained results confirmed the higher efficiency of Co catalyst, which leads to the sample with improved characteristics compared with DCP.     

Multi-wall carbon nanotube supported manganese(III) porphyrin: an efficient and reusable catalyst for oxidation of 2-imidazolines with sodium periodate

The oxidation of 2-substituted imidazolines with sodium periodate catalyzed by tetrakis(p-aminophenyl)-porphyrinatomanganese(III) chloride, [Mn(TNH₂PP)Cl], supported on functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes is reported. A wide variety of 2-imidazolines were efficiently converted to their corresponding imidazoles by this catalytic system. When the same reaction was subjected to ultrasonic irradiation, the reaction times were reduced significantly and the product yields were increased. This catalyst could be reused several times without significant loss of activity. The effects of reaction parameters such catalyst amount, choice of solvent, and the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the catalytic activity have been investigated.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of novel polyamides containing ferrocene unit and flexible spacers

Synthesis and characterization of ferrocene‐containing main‐chain polyamides are reported in this article. A new, interesting type of organometallic monomer (FDADO) based on ferrocene was prepared by interfacial condensation of 1,1′‐dichlorocarbonyl ferrocene with 2 mol 1,8‐diamino‐3,6‐dioxaoctane (DADO). A series of ferrocene‐based polyamides was prepared via polycondensation of the ferrocenyl diamine (FDADO) with different diacid chlorides using two different methods. The monomer and polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability and behavior of the synthesized polymers were evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallinity of polymers was examined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Inherent viscosity, solubility and flame‐retardancy of the polymers were also studied. The obtained polymers showed good heat‐resistance and flame‐retardancy, and improved solubility vs generally reported polyamides in some common organic solvents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic Acetylation of Alcohols and Phenols with Potassium Dodecatungstocobaltate Trihydrate

Summary.  Alcohols and phenols are converted to esters in a mild, clean, and efficient reaction with acetic anhydride in the presence of a catalytic amount of potassium dodecatungstocobaltate trihydrate (K₅CoW₁₂O₄₀ · 3H₂O). Received August 27, 2001. Accepted (revised) October 29, 2001