Mechanical and physico-chemical characterization of cyclodextrin finished polyamide fibers

We present the study of the cyclodextrin (CDs) finishing of polyamide fibers (PA) by means of citric acid (CTR) as crosslinking agent. We observed that the mode of grafting happened by the formation of a crosslinked polymer formed between CTR and CDs. This polymer physically adhered to the fibers network and was resistant to hot water washings. Modified fibers were characterized by evaluating the contact angle with a polar liquid and by studying the hysteresis of damping of PA fibers (Cahn balance) with various grafting rates and by studying the absorptivity of grafted fabrics via the technique of the posed drop (Digidrop^® instrument). Then a mechanical characterization of the PA fabrics grafted with various proportions of CDs was accomplished, by traction and tear tests by using a tensile-test bench Lohmergy. Finally a topographic study of PA grafted surfaces was approached by atomic force microscopy (AFM and LFM; contact and non-contact mode) which permitted to evaluate the roughness and the chemical heterogeneity of the grafted surfaces.     

Giant persistent antimicrobial and biocompatible polyester fabrics for anti-mold food packaging

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers have been the most popular fabrics owing to their superior performances. However, PET fabrics generally wear uncomfortably because of their poor sweat absorbing ability, electrostatic charge accumulation, and unfavorable microorganisms. To endow PET fabrics with perdurable antimicrobial and antistatic properties by conventional methods is unachievable owing to the absence of reactive groups. Herein, we developed a one-step facile strategy for preparing antimicrobial PET fabrics via photochemical reaction using benzophenone terminated Gemini quaternary ammonium salt (GQAS) and Gemini betaine as the antimicrobial finishing reagents. The antimicrobial rate of GQAS finished PET fabrics and GQAS/Gemini betaine finished PET fabrics were greater than 91% against both the gram-negative Escherichia coli and the gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus after 50 laundering cycles, which were significantly better than usual antimicrobial fabrics. In addition, the antimicrobial PET fabrics showed prominently enhanced hydrophilic, antistatic and long-lasting antimicrobial properties, as well as negligible toxicity. Most importantly, this work proposes a universal and efficient strategy for the development of permanent antimicrobial and antistatic synthetic polymers without compromising their superiority those have great potential for industrial and healthcare applications, including but not limited to food packaging, clothes and medical appliances to prevent infectious diseases and mildew.     

Permanent flame retardant finishing of textile materials by a photochemical immobilization of vinyl phosphonic acid

A new photochemical method for a permanent flame retardant finishing of textiles made of cotton (CO), polyamide (PA) and polyester (PET) is described. Using a mercury vapour UV lamp vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) can be fixed durable to different fabrics made of CO, PA and PET in the presence of a cross-linking agent and a photo-initiator. After a home laundering cycle up to 50 wt% of the reaction mixture is retained on the fabrics and the absolute phosphorus content was found to be more than 2.0% in all investigated cases. The photochemically modified textiles showed high levels of flame retardant performance and passed a vertical flammability test for protective clothing.     

FT-IR Determination of degree of esterification in polycarboxylic acid cross-link finishing of cotton

Cross-linking of cotton with polycarboxylic acids, applied with catalysts based on phosphorus-containing inorganic acids, produces fabrics with excellent smooth-drying properties and which release no formaldehyde at any stage of preparation or on storage. The reaction produces cellulose ester linkages and unreacted carboxylic acid groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the degree of esterification of polycarboxylic acids that occurred on cross-linking of cotton. The height of the carbonyl peak at 1730 cm ^–1 was determined on the same treated fabrics after soaking in dilute acid to convert ionized groups to free acid and then in dilute base to convert free acid to carboxylate ion. The carbonyl peak for the base rinsed fabric (ester only) was ratioed against the same peak for the acid-rinsed fabric (total carbonyl, ester plus acid) to obtain a measure of the degree of esterification. This ratio minimizes the problems of different molar extinction coefficients that are encountered when peaks from different functional groups are used.     

Preparation, characterization of carboxylated bamboo fibers and their adsorption for lead(II) ions in aqueous solution

The present study was conducted to develop a simple and versatile method to prepare carboxylated bamboo fibers which can be applied as potential bio-adsorbent for metal ions removal due to the high content of carboxyl groups. The chemical modification of bamboo fibers with citric acid (CA) was carried out by friendly semi-dry oven method. The resulting products with carboxyl group content between 1.99 and 4.13 mmol/g were accessible by changing ultrasonic pretreatment time, reaction temperature, reaction time and the amounts of catalyst and citric acid in order to minimize cross-linking reaction and thereby maximize carboxyl groups content. The characterization of the resulting products confirmed that carboxyl groups were successfully grafted onto surface of bamboo fibers. Moreover, the carboxylated bamboo fibers could be applied as bio-adsorbent for the removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solution. Results showed that the adsorption capacity of Pd²⁺ could reach 127.1 mg/g for carboxylated bamboo fibers with 4.13 mmol/g carboxyl group content prepared under the ultrasonic pretreatment for 20 min at the CA/bamboo fibers weight ratio of 4.0 in the catalyst amount of 30 wt% at 120 °C for 90 min and the carboxylated bamboo fibers exhibited highly efficient regeneration with no significant loss of adsorption capacity of lead ion after five repeated adsorption/desorption cycles.     

Environmentally benign preparation of bifunctional cation exchange fibers

A bifunctional cation exchange fiber was prepared by an efficient and environmentally benign method. In this method, sodium p‐styrene sulfonate (SSS) was cografted directly onto the polypropylene (PP) fiber along with acrylic acid (AA), which eliminated the sulfonation process of grafting fiber with concentrated sulfuric acid or chlorosulfonic acid in the conventional method. Effects of the grafting conditions such as reaction temperature, reaction time, pH value, and the influence of acrylic acid and metallic salt on the graft copolymer reaction were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the cation exchange fibers were characterized with diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), TG‐IR analysis, and monofilament tensile properties test. The experimental results indicate that the optimal conditions of pre‐irradiation grafting are 80°C for 5 hr, and the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the product are better than those of commercial materials (Fiban.K‐1). The total static ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the cationic exchange fiber is up to 5.33 mmol/g. The maximal IEC contribution from the strong acid part is 2.47 mmol/g. This synthetic method provides a clean industrial way for the preparation of bifunctional cation exchange fibers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from Kumquat (Fortunella margarita) for detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution

In this study, kumquat was first time used for synthesizing carbon dot structures (CDs) with the hydrothermal method. These newly synthesized CDs was characterized structurally and optically. The ion sensor application of the new CDs was carried out using 20 different metal ions. It was observed that CDs have high selectivity only for Fe³⁺ ions among the metal ions studied. Detection limit for Fe³⁺ ions was calculated as 0.70 µM. The results showed that these new CDs are highly selective against Fe³⁺ ions and have a very short response time such as 0.5 min. The Fe³⁺ ions selectivity of CDs was tested on real (tap water) samples. The results exhibited that this new CDs, obtained with green synthesis from Kumquat fruit without using chemical agents in one-pot simple and economical process, can be used as fluorometric sensor for detection of Fe³⁺ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity, low detection limit and rapid response time.

     

Ion transport properties of mechanically stable symmetric ABCBA pentablock copolymers with quaternary ammonium functionalized midblock

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are a promising class of materials for applications that require selective ion transport, such as fuel cells, water purification, and electrolysis devices. Studies of structure–morphology–property relationships of ion‐exchange membranes revealed that block copolymers exhibit improved ion conductivity and mechanical properties due to their microphase‐separated morphologies with well‐defined ionic domains. While most studies focused on symmetric diblock or triblock copolymers, here, the first example of a midblock quaternized pentablock AEM is presented. A symmetric ABCBA pentablock copolymer was functionalized to obtain a midblock brominated polymer. Solution cast films were then quaternized to obtain AEMs with resulting ion exchange capacities (IEC) ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 mmol/g. Despite the relatively low IEC, the polymers were highly conductive (up to 60 mS/cm Br^? at 90 °C and 95%RH) with low water absorption (<25 wt %) and maintained adequate mechanical properties in both dry and hydrated conditions. X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed formation of cylindrical non‐ionic domains in a connected ionic phase. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55 , 612–622     

Synthesis of ionic polybenzimidazoles with broad ion exchange capacity range for anion exchange membrane fuel cell application

In this study, new anion exchange membranes (AEM) based on crosslinked polybenzimidazole (m-PBI) with quaternary ammonium groups, crosslinkable allyl groups, and hydrophobic ethyl groups as side chains are synthesized and characterized. The AEMs are crosslinked by thermal thiol-ene reaction using a dithiol crosslinker. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) values and crosslinking density were controlled by the number of quaternary ammonium groups and allyl groups, respectively. The introduction of ethyl groups improved the solubility of ionic PBIs even at very low IEC values by eliminating the hydrogen bonding interaction of imidazole rings. This method allows ionic PBIs with broad IEC values, from 0.75 to 2.55 mmol/g, to be prepared. The broad IEC values were achieved by independently controlling the numbers of quaternary ammonium groups, allyl groups, and hydrophobic ethyl groups during preparation. The crosslinked ionic PBIs revealed hydroxide conductivity from 16 to 86 mS/cm at 80°C. The wet membranes also showed excellent mechanical strength with tensile strength of 12.2 to 20.1 MPa and Young's Modulus of 0.67 to 1.45 GPa. The hydroxide conductivity of a crosslinked membrane (0.40Q0.60Et1.00Pr, IEC = 0.95 mmol/g) decreased only 7.9% after the membranes was immersed in a 1.0 M sodium hydroxide solution at 80°C for 720 h. A single fuel cell based on this membrane showed a maximum peak power density of 136 mW/cm² with a current density of 377 mA /cm² at 60°C.     

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES BASED ON POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE

 A new ion exchange membrane based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and sulfonated poly(styrene- divinylbenzene) was prepared by in-situ polymerization. The incorporation of sulfonic groups into the polyvinylidene fluoride composite membrane was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (IR), ion exchange capacity (IEC) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Area resistance, IEC and water uptake of the treated membrane were evaluated. When 20% of the crosslinked membrane was sulfonated at 80°C for 22 h, the PVDF ion exchange membrane can attain 0.8 Ω·cm²area resistance in NaCl aqueous solution at 25℃, IEC is as high as 2.43 millimoles per gram of the wet membrane. The hydrophilicity of PVDF membrane is also significantly improved after treatment. When 60% of crosslinked membrane was sulfonated at 80 ℃ for 6 h, water uptake of the treated membrane can attain 64.7%.     

Electro-electrodialysis of hydriodic acid using the cation exchange membrane cross-linked by accelerated electron radiation

Electro-electrodialysis (EED) of hydriodic acid with HI molality of ca. 9.5 mol/kg was examined in the presence of iodine using a commercial cation exchange membrane (CMB) as a separator. For the increase of the selectivity of proton permeation, the membrane was cross-linked by accelerated electron radiation. The membrane properties (area resistance, ion exchange capacity (IEC), water content) of the cross-linked membranes were measured. The area resistance in 2 mol/dm³ KCl solution of the cross-linked membranes decreased as compared with that of the non-cross-linked membrane (original of CMB membrane). The IEC and water content of cross-linked membranes at each dose rate had almost the same value as that of non-cross-linked membrane. Electro-electrodialysis of hydriodic acid with HI molality of ca. 9.5 mol/kg was examined at 75 °C with 9.6 A/dm². The cross-linked cation exchange membrane by accelerated electron radiation had higher selectivity of the proton permeation by cross-linking structure of polymer than that of the non-cross-linked membrane.     

Radiotracers in kinetics of ion-isotopic exchange reactions using anion exchange resins indion-103 and indion-870

The kinetics of iodide and bromide ion-isotopic exchange reactions was studied by radio analytical technique using ¹³¹I and ⁸²Br as tracer isotopes. The parameters like specific reaction rate (min^?1), amount of ions exchanged (mmol), initial rate of ion exchange (mmol/min) and logK _d were studied to evaluate the performance of nuclear and non-nuclear grade anion exchange resins Indion-103 and Indion-870. For iodide ion-isotopic exchange reactions under experimental conditions of 35.0°C, 1.000 g of ion exchange resins and 0.002 M labeled iodide ion solution, the parameters were 0.223 min^?1, 0.300 mmol, 0.067 mmol/min and 18.7, respectively, for Indion-103, and those of 0.165 min^?1, 0.251 mmol, 0.041 /min and 16.2, respectively, for Indion-870. The similar tendency was observed during bromide ion-isotopic exchange reactions. The results suggest that Indion-103 shows greater performance than Indion-870 resin under similar experimental conditions.     

Ion-isotopic exchange reaction kinetics using organic base anion exchange resins Indion-102 and Indion GS-400

The present study deals with the kinetic study of iodide and bromide ion-isotopic exchange reactions in organic based anion exchange resins Indion-102 (nuclear grade) and Indion GS-400 (non-nuclear grade) using radiotracer isotopes. The resins in iodide and bromide form were equilibrated respectively with iodide and bromide ion solutions which were previously spiked with ¹³¹I and ⁸²Br radiotracer isotopes. For both bromide and iodide ion-isotopic exchange reactions, it was observed that the values of specific reaction rate increase with increase in ion concentration from 0.001 to 0.004 M at a constant temperature of 40.0°C. However, at constant ion concentration of 0.003 M, the specific reaction rate was observed to decrease with rise in temperature from 30.0 to 45.0°C. Also it was observed that for iodide ion-isotopic exchange reaction by using Indion-102 resin, the values of specific reaction rate, amount of iodide ion exchanged, initial rate of iodide ion exchange and logK _d were 0.258 min^?1, 0.492 mmol, 0.127 mmol/min and 19.2, respectively, which were higher than 0.208 min^?1, 0.416 mmol, 0.087 mmol/min and 17.6, respectively, obtained by using Indion GS-400 resin under identical experimental conditions of 40.0°C, 1.000 g of ion exchange resin and 0.003M labeled iodide ion solution. The same trend was observed for the two resins during bromide ion-isotopic exchange reaction. The overall results indicate that, under identical experimental conditions, Indion-102 resin shows higher performance than Indion GS-400 resin.     

Synthesis,characteristics and adsorption properties of polyphenylene sulfide based strong acid ion exchange fiber

A novel strong acid ion exchange fiber (HO₃S‐BC‐XDC‐PPS) was prepared via crosslinking and grafting copolymerization of 1,4‐bischloromenthyl benzene (XDC), benzyl chloride (BC) on polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix, as well as following sulfonation reaction. The physicochemical structures and properties of the fibrous ion exchanger were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elementary analysis and chemical titration, respectively. Compared with the preparation of traditional polypropylene–styrene–divinylbenzene‐based ion exchange fibers, the synthesis strategy of PPS‐based strong acid ion exchange fiber avoided the complicated irradiation grafting process with ⁶⁰Co or other radiation facilities. Owing to the existing of thioether (Ar―S―Ar) and sulfoxide (―SO―) unit in fibrous matrix, a super‐equivalent adsorption phenomenon for Cu(II) ion was observed. The HO₃S‐BC‐XDC‐PPS fiber possessed high exchange capacity (≥3.0 mmol/g) and excellent thermostabilities, and the exchange capacity and desorption rate were not decreased after six adsorption desorption cycles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finishing of Polyester Fabrics with Cyclodextrins and Polycarboxylic Acids as Crosslinking Agents

CDs were grafted onto PET fibers by the intermediate of polycarboxylic acids thatplayed the role of crosslinking agents. We evidenced that grafting occurred despitethat no reaction could happen between the polycarboxylic acids and PET. It wasconcluded that the mode of grafting occurred through the formation of a crosslinkedcopolymer between PCA and CDs. This copolymer was not covalently fixed to thefibers, but physically adhered or was entangled into the fibrous network so that grafting was resistant to washings and was permanent. We report that the grafting rate depended on (i) temperature of curing; (ii) time of curing; (iii) the ratio PCA/CD. In the most drastic conditions, the weight increase of the fabrics due to the graft reaction could reach 25–30%-wt. , , -CDs and HP--CD successfully reacted but not RAMEB because of its reduced number of free hydroxyl groups available for the esterification reaction.     

Zinc Porphyrin Metal‐Center Exchange at the Solid–Liquid Interface

Demetalation of zinc 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) under acidic conditions and ion exchange with Cu²⁺ ions at neutral pH are both rapid reactions in the liquid medium. However, for ZnTPP monolayers adsorbed on a Au(111) surface exposed to aqueous solution, we find that, although ion exchange takes place rapidly as expected, demetalation does not occur, even at pH values as low as 0. Based on this, we conclude that metal center exchange on the surface does not proceed through a free‐base porphyrin as an intermediate. Furthermore, once formed, CuTPP is stable on the surface and the reverse exchange from CuTPP to ZnTPP in the presence of Zn²⁺ ions could not be achieved. The preference for copper is so strong that even an attempt to exchange adsorbed ZnTPP with Ni²⁺ ions in the presence of traces of Cu²⁺ yielded CuTPP rather than NiTPP.     

Tin in the world of today

An ion exchanger on the basis of cellulose containing 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulphonic acid (Tiron) as a functional group was synthesized applying the principle of the reactive dye stuffs “Remazol” (TM of Hoechst AG). The capacity was 0.2 mmol/g, the exchange equilibrium with Fe³⁺-ions was reached within 3 min. The distribution coefficients K _d for Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and the alcaline earth ions were determined for the region pH 0–3. Tiron contains two kinds of functional groups, phenolic groups in orthoposition and sulphonic acid groups in meta-position. Fe³⁺ ions are bound relatively strongly by chelate formation, whereas alkaline earth ions are bound only by the sulphonic acid groups, in the sequence Ba²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Mg²⁺.     

UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of allyl acetate onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films for fuel cell membranes

Ultraviolet（UV）-induced graft copolymerization of allyl acetate（AA） monomer onto polyethylene terephthalate) （PET） films and the subsequent sulfonation on the monomer units in the grafting chain using chlorosulfonic acid（ClSO₃H） were carried out to prepare proton exchange membranes（PEMs） for fuel cells.A maximum grafting value of 12.8%was found for 35 vol%allyl acetate after 3 h radiation time.Optimum concentration of C1SO₃H was selected for the sulfonation reaction to be 0.05 mol/L based on the degree of sulfonation and the tensile strength studies of the membrane.The degree of sulfonation increased as the sulfonation reaction temperature and sulfonation time were increasing.The radiation grafting and the sulfonation have been confirmed by titrimetric and gravimetric analyses as well as FTIR spectroscopy.The maximum ion exchange capacity（IEC） of 0.04125 mmol g^-1 was found at 12.1%degree of sulfonation and the maximum proton conductivity was found to be 0.035 S cm^-1 at 30℃and a relative humidity of 60%.The various physical and chemical properties of the PEMs such as water uptake,mechanical strength,thermal durability and oxidative stability were also studied.To investigate the suitability of the prepared membrane for fuel cell applications,its properties were compared with those of Nafion 117.     

铜转运蛋白C端金属结合域与Ag+及Hg2+的相互作用

铜转运蛋白(CTR1)不仅参与铜的细胞摄取,而且在其它重金属离子的摄取过程中也发挥重要作用. 本文采用紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱,核磁共振(NMR)和质谱(MS)的方法,研究了人源CTR1 (hCTR1)的C端金属结合域(C8)与Ag⁺和Hg²⁺的相互作用. 研究表明,Ag⁺和Hg²⁺都能与C8结合,但二者与C8的结合机制明显不同. 每个C8分子可以结合两个Ag⁺离子,但一个Hg²⁺却可以与两个C8形成桥联. 此外,Ag⁺离子与C8的配位是一个中等速度的交换过程,而Hg²⁺离子则为快速交换过程. C8的半胱氨酸残基是两种离子的重要结合位点,同时组氨酸残基也参与两种金属离子的配位,其中Ag⁺优先结合组氨酸,而Hg²⁺则对半胱氨酸的结合具有显著的优势. 虽然HCH基序对C8 与金属配位至关重要,一些远端的其它氨基酸也可以参与C8 与银离子的配位,这可能与CTR1 在摄取Ag⁺过程中的金属转移机制相关. 这些结果为理解hCTR1 蛋白摄取重金属离子的作用机制提供了必要的信息.     

Influence of surface activation by plasma and nanoparticle adsorption on the morphology, thermal stability and combustion behavior of PET fabrics

Plasma surface activation at different process parameters (namely, power and etching time) has been combined with nanoparticle adsorption (i.e., a natural montmorillonite) in order to improve the thermal stability and flame retardancy of PET fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy coupled to elemental analysis has put in evidence a direct relationship between the distribution of nanoparticles on fibers and process parameters. The presence of the above nanoparticles affects the thermal stability of fabrics in air, as assessed by thermogravimetric analysis: a delay of the mass loss process has been observed for the treated samples.Combustion behavior has been investigated by cone calorimetry: plasma activated fabrics have shown a remarkable improvement in terms of time to ignition (up to 104%) and a slight reduction of the heat release rate (ca. 10%) as compared to neat PET.