Moisture absorption measurement and modelling of a cellulose acetate

Cellulose - With a view toward the application of highly hygroscopic polymers as a humidity responsive self-actuator, the evaluation of the real time moisture concentration in the material becomes...     

Picosecond time-resolved kinetic studies on the formation of short-lived pseudoisocyanine iodide photoisomers in methanol and ethylene glycol

Upon exciting pseudoisocyanine iodide with 20 ps pulses at wavelengths between 490 and 530 nm within the absorption band, formation of a new transient absorption with a maximum at 545 nm was observed. It is attributed to an unstable photoisomer of pseudoisocyanine iodide. The quantum yield of the photoisomer is 31% in methanol and 6% in ethylene glycol     

Polarization studies by the TSC technique on a blend of cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate

The thermally stimulated current (TSC) technique has been used to study solvent-cast blends of a cellulose derivative with a vinyl polymer. TSC peaks are observed at 56, 80, and 120°C. Their origin is investigated because the TSC spectra of the blends differ from the spectra of the individual components. Data on blends with components in the weight ratios 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 indicate that the 50:50 blend shows the greatest polarization. The enhancement of depolarization currents observed on blending is explained on the basis of a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization due to increased heterogeneity in the structure. Effects of forming conditions (time, temperature, field) on polarization have been investigated. Activation energies and relaxation times are calculated; there is good agreement between the values obtained from the initial-rise and the full-curve methods.     

Amperometric glucose biosensor based on a gold nanorods/cellulose acetate composite film as immobilization matrix

We report on the utilization of gold nanorods to create a highly responsive glucose biosensor. The feasibility of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) in gold nanorod is investigated. GOx is simply mixed with gold nanorods and cross-linked with a cellulose acetate (CA) medium by glutaraldehyde. The adsorption of GOx on the gold nanorods is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Circular dichroism (CD) and UV-spectrum results show that the activity of GOx was preserved after conjugating with gold nanorods. The current response of modified electrode is 10 times higher than that of without gold nanorods. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor shows high sensitivity (8.4 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹), low detection limit (2 × 10⁻⁵ M), good storage stability and high affinity to glucose (). A linear calibration plot is obtained in the wide concentration range from 3 × 10⁻⁵ to 2.2 × 10⁻³ M.     

The transparency and mechanical properties of cellulose acetate nanocomposites using cellulose nanowhiskers as fillers

Cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) were chemically modified by acetylating to obtain acetylated cellulose nanowhiskers (ACNWs) which could be well dispersed in acetone. The chemical modification was limited only on the surface of CNWs which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surface substitution degree of ACNWs was evaluated to be 0.45 through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Fully bioresource-based nanocomposite films were manufactured by incorporation of ACNWs into cellulose acetate (CA) using a casting/evaporation technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrated that ACNWs dispersed well in the CA matrix, which resulted in high transparency of all CA nanocomposites. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus and strain at break of all CA nanocomposites exhibited simultaneous increase in comparison with neat CA matrix. At the content of 4.5 wt% ACNWs, the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and strain at break of the CA nanocomposite film were increased by 9, 39, and 44 % respectively.     

Interplay of colloidal stability of cellulose nanocrystals and their dispersibility in cellulose acetate butyrate matrix

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) prepared from eucalyptus cellulose CNCs were modified by the reaction with methyl adipoyl chloride, CNCm, or with a mixture of acetic and sulfuric acid, CNCa. The CNC were either dispersed at 0.1 wt% in the pure solvents ethyl acetate (EA), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethylformamide (DMF) or in cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) solutions prepared in these solvents at 0.9 wt%. The colloidal behavior of these dispersions was systematically investigated using a phase separation analyzer LUMiReader^®. The mechanical properties and morphological features of the films resulting from the mixtures of CAB and CNC were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis, optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Regardless the functional group attached to the surface of CNC, the best colloidal stability was observed for dispersions prepared in CAB/DMF solution. Higher degree of substitution of modified CNCs favored the colloidal stability in EA and THF. Composite films prepared from CAB/DMF solutions were more homogeneous and presented better mechanical performance than those prepared in CAB/EA or CAB/THF. The mechanical performance of composites and neat CAB prepared from DMF was CAB/CNCs > CAB/CNCm > CAB/CNCa > CAB, indicating that the modification weakens the percolation process, which is mediated by H bonding.     

Interactions underpinning the plasticization of a polymer matrix: a dynamic and structural analysis of DMP-plasticized cellulose acetate

This work establishes that the plasticization effect of a classical petrochemical plasticizer, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), on a polymer matrix, cellulose acetate (CA), is due to the development of intermolecular interactions of dipolar type. Plasticized cellulose acetate films are studied with regard to the interactions between the polymer and plasticizer at the macroscopic scale by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. At the molecular level, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy are used to elucidate the nature of interactions that are responsible for the plasticizing effects. These static and dynamic complementary analyses evidenced that DMP does not establish H-bonding interactions with the polymer chains of cellulose acetate but rather weaker interactions of dipolar type. These dipole–dipole interactions that develop between acetyl side groups of CA and the ester phthalate moieties of DMP increase the overall mobility of CA chains and also locally influence the molecular mobility and the water uptake tendency.     

Some studies of the diffusion of steroids across a cellulose acetate membrane

Summary The diffusion of four steroids across a cellulose acetate membrane has been examined and from the variation of diffusion rate with temperature the energies of activation have been estimated. The energies of activation are compared with solubility and partition data and it suggested the relative hydrogen bonding ability of the four steroids is of considerable importance in governing the diffusion rate.     

Miscibility studies on blends of cellulose acetate and nylon 6

Miscibility studies on cellulose secondary acetate(CA)/Nylon 6(N6) blends have been carried out in this work. Dilute solution viscometry for the blend solutions using formic acid as the common solvent shows the existence of miscibility window.     

Emerging mixed matrix membranes based on zeolite nanoparticles and cellulose acetate for water desalination

Cellulose - Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for reverse osmosis (RO) have become a significant target in various research. Herein, cellulose acetate membranes (CA) with Linde Type A (LTA) Zeolite...     

Extraction of bismuth as iodide with isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol

The optimum iodide concentration (excess) for the extraction of bismuth as Bil₃ into isoamyl acetate from 1—5 N sulfuric acid solution is approximately 5.10^-3M. At this iodine concentration the extraction coefficient [Bi] isoamyl acetate/[Bi]H₂O is approximately 130 (25-30°) when the ratio of isoamyl acetate to aqueous phase is 1 : 4. Mixturcs of isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol in the proper ratios extract Bil₃ to a greater extent than either solvent alone.     

Transport studies of multielectrolyte solutions across a sintered disc impregnated with cellulose acetate

Experimental results for the measurement of electroosmotic pressure, electroosmotic velocity and streaming potential for different aqueous solutions of ammonium chloride—ammonium nitrate through a sintered disc impregnated with cellulose acetate at 30°C are reported. The data have been analysed in the light of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The Onsager reciprocity relation has been found to hold good for all the systems. The efficiencies of electrokinetic energy conversion have also been determined. The maximum values of conversion efficiencies for both the modes of conversion, i.e., electroosmotic flow and streaming potential, have been found to be equal to each other and independent of the applied input forces.     

Electrospinning of ultrafine cellulose acetate fibers: Studies of a new solvent system and deacetylation of ultrafine cellulose acetate fibers

Electrospinning of cellulose acetate (CA) in a new solvent system and the deacetylation of the resulting ultrafine CA fibers were investigated. Ultrafine CA fibers (∼2.3 μm) were successfully prepared via electrospinning of CA in a mixed solvent of acetone/water at water contents of 10–15 wt %, and more ultrafine CA fibers (0.46 μm) were produced under basic pH conditions. Ultrafine cellulose fibers were regenerated from the homogeneous deacetylation of ultrafine CA fibers in KOH/ethanol. It was very rapid and completed within 20 min. The crystal structure, thermal properties, and morphology of ultrafine CA fibers were changed according to the degree of deacetylation, finally to those of pure cellulose, but the nonwoven fibrous mat structure was maintained. The activation energy for the deacetylation of ultrafine CA fibers was 10.3 kcal/mol. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 5–11, 2004     

Advanced X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy: in situ catalytic studies

Knowledge of the structure of catalysts is essential to understand their behavior, which further facilitates development of an active, selective, and stable catalyst. Determining the structure of a functioning catalyst is essential in this regard. The structure of a catalyst is prone to change during the catalytic process and needs to be determined in its working conditions. In this tutorial review, we have summarized studies done at synchrotron radiation facilities that illustrate the capability to determine catalyst structure using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). These studies aim at facilitating the determination of the dynamic structure-performance relationships during a catalytic process.     

Utilising tetraphenylethene as a dual activator for intramolecular charge transfer and aggregation induced emission

We report a simple design and synthesis of a donor-acceptor tetraphenylethene-naphthalimide (TPE-NI) dyad, in which TPE acts both as an electron-donor for intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and activator for aggregation induced emission (AIE). Strong solvent-dependent photoluminescence covering almost the whole visible spectrum and AIE in its nanoparticle state compared to its solution state are demonstrated.     

Line absorption of matrix elements as a background correction error in atomic absorption spectrometry

Accurate measurement of weak atomic absorption signals is only possible after exact background correction. If the accompanying elements in excess have their own resonance lines in the immediate vicinity of the resonance line of the element to be determined,and these fall within the spectral band transmitted by the monochromator, then the value the measured apparent background absorbance is higher than the true one. The error may usually be diminished by choosing an appropriate spectral bandwidth. Tables of such bandwidths for a large number of pairs of elements are given.     

The role of metallic matrix modifiers in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The role of metallic matrix modifiers in AAS is considered; for elements reduced, together with modifier elements, during ashing and the beginning of the atomization process, the thermodynamic activity and melting points of the alloys formed are important. For Mg²⁺, prevention of the effects of halide ions is considered, as is also the behaviour of buffer and/or carrier in emission spectrometric analysis of the other alkali and alkaline earths.     

2. The raw materials of CA 2.1 Wood as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production

The molecular arrangement of wood cell wall is described in relation to the physical and mechanical properties of wood. The chemical composition of wood is also summarized to illustrate the heterogeneity in distribution of cell wall constituents to use wood plup fibers judiciously as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production.     

Transport studies of water and aqueous—dioxane through a pyrex sintered disc impregnated with cellulose acetate

Experimental results for the measurements of hydrodynamic permeability, electroosmotic velocity and streaming potential of water and dioxane—water (DH₂O) mixtures (10, 20, 30 and 40% by mass of dioxane) using a pyrex sintered disc (G₂) impregnated with cellulose acetate at 30°C and at voltages up to 40 V are reported. The data have been analysed in the light of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Onsager's reciprocity relation for all compositions of aqueous—dioxane has been found to hold true. It has been found that the concentration dependence of the phenomenological coefficients conform to the Spiegler's frictional model. Efficiencies of electrokinetic energy conversion, i.e. electroosmosis and streaming potential, have been determined and the results are in accordance with the theory of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The maximum value of the efficiency of energy conversion for both the modes has been found to be independent of the input force. Membrane characteristics such as pore radius and number of pores have been determined, whereas the membrane—permeant interface is characterised in term of the zeta potential.     

The role of formamide in the preparation of cellulose acetate membranes by the phase inversion process

Summary By varying the concentration of formamide within the acetone solutions from which cellulose acetate membranes were fabricated, a series of membranes exhibiting a wide range of performance characteristics was prepared. The morphological, optical, swelling and water transport properties of these membrane gels have been interpreted with reference to a phase inversion in their sol precursors.

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Zusammenfassung Aus Acetonl?sung mit unterschiedlichem Gehalt an Formamid wurden Zellulosemembranen dargestellt. Die Eigenschaften der Membranen sind je nach den Konzentrationen des Formamids verschieden. Die Unterschiede werden durch Phasen?nderungen w?hrend des übergangs Sol-Gel erkl?rt.