A Markov Chain Monte Carlo comparison of variance estimators for the sampling of particulate mixtures

During the sampling of particulate mixtures, samples taken are analyzed for their mass concentration, which generally has non‐zero sample‐to‐sample variance. Bias, variance, and mean squared error (MSE) of a number of variance estimators, derived by Geelhoed, were studied in this article. The Monte Carlo simulation was applied using an observable first‐order Markov Chain with transition probabilities that served as a model for the sample drawing process. Because the bias and variance of a variance estimator could depend on the specific circumstances under which it is applied, Monte Carlo simulation was performed for a wide range of practically relevant scenarios. Using the ‘smallest mean squared error’ as a criterion, an adaptation of an estimator based on a first‐order Taylor linearization of the sample concentration is the best. An estimator based on the Horvitz–Thompson estimator is not practically applicable because of the potentially high MSE for the cases studied. The results indicate that the Poisson estimator leads to a biased estimator for the variance of fundamental sampling error (up to 428% absolute value of relative bias) in case of low levels of grouping and segregation. The uncertainty of the results obtained by the simulations was also addressed and it was found that the results were not significantly affected. The potentials of a recently described other approach are discussed for extending the first‐order Markov Chain described here to account also for higher levels of grouping and segregation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Comparative Study on the Reinforcing Effect of Aramide and PET Short Fibers in a Natural Rubber-Based Composite

Four types of chopped fibers have been studied as reinforcement additives in a standard natural rubber based, carbon black filled formulation. The fibers studied were aramide (2 types) and polyester (2 types). The chopped fibers were added on top of the carbon black filled rubber compound at 2, 4, and 8 phr levels. The extra reinforcing effect in the modulus, especially at low elongation, the increase in hardness, the anisotropic properties, and the stiffening effects have been studied together with the evaluation of the mechanical hysteresis in strain and in compression. The permanent set of the resulting rubber compounds have been evaluated as well. The best compromise in performances and price was found for a certain type of polyester fiber.     

The formation of ultrafine polyamide 6 nanofiber membranes with needleless electrospinning for air filtration

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant, which has a significant impact on public health. Filtration of PM through filters is a common method to protect the environment. However, the effective removal of PM with conventional filters still remains a challenge because of its small sizes. Here, we reported the formation of ultrafine polyamide 6 (PA‐6) nanofiber membranes formed with needleless electrospinning, in which both relative humidity condition and electrode type were included in the discussion. The PA‐6S nanofibers formed by using spiral electrode as a spinneret at 60% RH had the diameter of 33 nm, while the PA‐6C nanofibers formed by using cylindrical electrode had the diameter of 120 nm. With the integration of fine diameter, small pore size, and high porosity, the resultant PA‐6S nanofiber membrane exhibits high filtration efficiency of 99.42% and low pressure drop of 85.5 Pa under a face velocity of 85 L/min. Besides, it took only 10 minutes to reduce the concentration of PM_2.5 from 999 to 34.1 μg/m³ when used to filter real PM particles.     

Identification and classification of organic and inorganic components of particulate matter via Raman spectroscopy and chemometric approaches

In this paper, a novel method for developing a tree‐like classifier which differentiates between organic and inorganic particulate matter by means of Raman spectroscopy is introduced. The algorithm is fully automatic and optimises itself without any human interaction. This method uses a tree‐like structure to classify Raman spectra as a decision tree. On every knot of this tree, the optimal classifier is automatically obtained, tested and trained. The optimal classifier is an artificial neural network, linear discriminant analysis or a support vector machine, where different kernels are possible. The support vector machine is optimised by the simulated annealing method to achieve the best possible classifier. After the training, a hold‐out experiment with two completely independent sets of Raman spectra was tried to show the abilities of this method for real‐world application. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recyclable carbon fiber‐reinforced plastics (CFRP) containing degradable acetal linkages: Synthesis,properties, and chemical recycling

Two epoxy resins containing degradable acetal linkages were synthesized by the reaction of cresol novolak‐type phenolic resin (CN) with vinyl ethers containing a glycidyl group [cyclohexane dimethanol vinyl glycidyl ether (CHDMVG) and 4‐vinyloxybutyl glycidyl ether (VBGE). Carbon fiber‐reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were prepared by heating laminated prepreg sheets with CN‐CHDMVG resin (derived from CN and CHDMVG) and CN‐VBGE resin (derived from CN and VBGE), in which carbon fibers are impregnated with epoxy resins containing curing agents [dicyandiamide (DICY)] and curing accelerator [3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU)]. CN‐CHDMVG‐based CFRPs and CN‐VBGE‐based CFRPs exhibited almost the same tensile strength as the conventional bisphenol‐A‐based CFRPs. CN‐CHDMVG‐based CFRPs and CN‐VBGE‐based CFRPs underwent smooth breakdown with the treatment of hydrochloric acid in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for 24 h to regenerate strands of carbon fibers. The surface conditions of the recovered carbon fibers had little changes during degradation and recovery processes on the basis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The recovered carbon fibers exhibited almost the same tensile strength as virgin carbon fibers and hence would be reused for the production of CFRPs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1052–1059     

The Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene Injection-Molded Samples with the Presence of β-Nucleation Agent and Periodical Shear Field

The pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) method was used to prepare β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene samples (PVIM β-iPP samples); a relatively low, periodical shear was imposed on the polymer melt in the mold at the filling and packing stages. The crystal structures and crystal orientation of the PVIM β-iPP samples were investigated by polarizing light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and synchrotron two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction (2D-WAXD). The PLM observations indicated that a cylindrite layer, rather than the transition layer, was found in PVIM β-iPP samples, which is different from the conventional injection-molded (CIM) samples. In addition, the thickness of the oriented layer of the PVIM samples was obviously greater than that of the CIM samples. The SEM observations demonstrated that a large amount of shish-kebab structures appeared in the shear layer of the PVIM β-iPP samples; at the same time, numerous β-spherulites were formed in the core layer. The 2D-WAXD data indicated that orientation homogeneity, to some degree, could be obtained by the periodical shear during PVIM. As a result, the above-mentioned morphology of the PVIM β-iPP samples leads to potentially useful prominent reinforcement and toughening of the material.     

Determination of various inorganic anions and organic acids in the atmospheric particulate matter using capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

Capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection was developed for the simultaneous analysis of inorganic anions and organic acids using a mixed solution of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide as the background electrolyte (BGE). The parameters which influence the separation, such as indirect UV detection wavelength, BGE conditions, applied voltage and extraction conditions were investigated. Thirteen inorganic anions and organic acids were detected within 20 min. The calibration curves of each analyte were linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.991. The relative standard deviations (n = 10) of the peak areas ranged from 0.6% to 3.3%. The detection limits for these species ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 mg/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The recovery rate of each analyte was more than 80% under optimised extraction conditions, except for nitrite. The proposed method was applied towards the analysis of inorganic anions and organic acids in the atmospheric particulate matter using an Andersen sampler. The particle size of the particulate matter was determined, but not the size of the anions.     

Preparation and characterization of glass fiber–reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/linear low density polyethylene (GF‐PET/LLDPE) composites

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was melt blended with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and subsequently compounded with glass fibers (GF) as reinforcements at percentages ranging from 15 to 45 wt% of LLDPE and 5 to 30 wt% of GF. Thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of the prepared composites were investigated. It was found that compounding PET/LLDPE blends with GF would be beneficial in producing composites that are thermally stable with good mechanical properties. For example, the impact strength of the composites containing 85/15 wt% (PET/LLDPE) at relatively high loading of GF, ie, from 15 to 30 wt%, was higher than that of the GF‐reinforced neat PET. When increasing the percentage of LLDPE in the composites, the impact strength increased with increasing GF content, and this was also better than that of GF‐reinforced PET whose impact strength drastically decreased upon increasing the GF%. The improvement in mechanical properties of the composite, we suggest, should be correlated with the morphologies of the composites where the visualized interface adhesion tended to be better at higher loadings of both LLDPE and GF.     

Simultaneously reinforce and toughen polypropylene by in‐situ introducing polylactic acid microfibrils

A petroleum‐based polymer, isotactic polypropylene (iPP), and a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), were compounded and molded into parts through the micro‐injection technique. A systematic structural investigation indicated that the microfibrillation of PLA minor phase depended on the operation parameter of inter‐mixer, ie, rotor speed. The higher rotor speed, the lower viscosity ratio of the PLA/iPP pair was favorable for microfibrillation occurred during micro‐injection process. The PLA microfibrils with high aspect ratio was successfully introduced into iPP matrix, and the tensile strength and strain at break of iPP/PLA blends were simultaneously improved. This study suggests a promising method for designing special microfibrillar morphology in polymer blend by using conventional melt processing techniques.