Measurement of thermo-oxidative stability of isotactic polypropylene by isothermal long-term differential thermal analysis

The thermo-oxidative stability of isotactic polypropylene with different antioxidant concentrations between 0% and 0·1% has been studied using isothermal long-term differential thermal analysis (ILDTA). In the temperature range from 90°C to 210°C the oxidation maximum times were measured up to 2000 h. The Arrhenius plot of the reaction maxima showed straight lines over the whole temperature range, which were not affected by the crystallite melting range. Thus, extrapolations from short-term experiments at elevated temperatures to long-term behaviour at lower temperatures are possible.Ageing tests in a circulating-air oven at 140°C showed that the loss of thermo-oxidative stability with increasing ageing time was nearly linear. So the state of thermo-oxidative deterioration of isotactic polypropylene can be estimated by measurement of residual life time in an ILDTA experiment.The end of the oven life of polypropylene coincided with the loss of mechanical properties which was confirmed by a long-term tensile test at 100°C and 120°C.     

Synthesis and thermal stability of the resins prepared from the reactions of 1,4-bis(2,2-dicyanovinyl)benzene with aromatic diamines and electrical conductivity of the resulting materials following pyrolysis

New thermosetting resins were prepared from the reaction of 1,4-bis(2,2-dicyanovinyl)benzene with aromatic diamines in varying molar ratios. The thermal stability of these resins was correlated with their composition and the curing conditions. They were stable in N₂ up to 370–448°C and afforded anaerobic char yields of 73–84% at 800°C after curing at 300°C for 20–60 h. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of all resins pyrolyzed at 700°C for 15 h was studied in the temperature range from ?173–327°C (100–600 K). The results showed that at room temperature the unpyrolyzed polymers have insulating properties, whereas a dramatic decrease in the electrical resistivity is observed following pyrolysis. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity suggests that all of the materials studied have semiconducting properties. The observed electrical conductivity is thermally activated with activation energies ranging from 0.03–0.06 eV. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Some Observations on the Stability of Uric Acid in Alkaline Solutions

Abstract

The stability of uric acid in alkaline solutions has been studied by spectrophotometric, enzymic and chemical methods. Aqueous triethanolamine was shown to maintain stability of uric acid for a range of concentrations at around 2O°C and to considerably reduce the degradation loss at the higher temperature of 37°C.     

The possibility of using beef tallow biodiesel as a viscosity reference material

This study analyses the possibility of using beef tallow biodiesel transesterified with ethanol, provided by Universidade Federal Fluminense, as a viscosity reference material for biodiesels. The quantity viscosity was measured with capillary viscometers, according to Brazilian standards, in a temperature range between 20 °C and 40 °C for characterisation, and at 40 °C for homogeneity, in short-term stability (90 days) and long-term stability (450 days). Thirty-nine samples were stored, 9 at 45 °C, 6 at 4 °C and 24 at 20 °C. The behaviour of viscosity is analysed considering the estimated uncertainty of measurements for characterisation, homogeneity and stability. The reason to study a transesterified biofuel with ethanol lies in the fact that it is easy to produce this fluid from sugarcane in Brazil.     

Synthesis and properties of semi-interpenetrating network based on styrene-acrylonitrile-vinyl acetate terpolymer and zinc acrylate

Semi-Interpenetrating polymer network materials (semi IPNs) have been synthesized from styrene-acrylonitrile-vinyl acetate terpolymer as polymer I and zinc acrylate as polymer II, using divinyl benzene as crosslinking agent for polymer II. The terpolymer was pre-synthesized by a radical polymerization method using AIBN as the radical initiator. The terpolymer has been characterized by IR and elemental analysis. The composition (Sty: AN:VAc) = (0.25:0.50:0.25), the intrinsic viscosity (0.16 dl/g), the softening temperature range (180–185 °C), the glass transition temperature (23 °C) and the thermal stability (up to 300 °C) of the terpolymer were determined. The IPN was characterized by determining its density (1.12 g/cc at 30 °C), molecular weight between crosslinks (M_c = 1469), thermal stability (~ 400 °C), glass transition temperature (41 °C, 78 °C) and two-phase morphology.     

Determination of the thermal modification degree of beech wood using thermogravimetry

Thermal modification is one of the environmental friendly wood preservation technologies. During this process, changes of the main woody cell wall components occur, which lead to improved dimensional stability, lower hygroscopicity and improvement in biological durability. Several chemical reactions which occur during thermal treatment of wood caused changes in wood properties. During TG measurements, thermal decomposition reactions, which was not completed during previous thermal modification process, continued in wood samples, meaning that more thermally treated samples exhibited lower mass losses in a certain or whole temperature range up to 600 °C. Therefore, mass loss, obtained within selected temperature range, could be used as a marker of previous thermal treatment. The aim of the present work is to evaluate suitability of a thermogravimetric method (TG) for determination of a degree of thermal treatment of beech wood. On the basis of thermally untreated sample and those which were thermally modified at 180, 190, 200, 210, 215 and 220 °C in the absence of oxygen, respectively, and with known values of mass loss during the modification processes, several calibration curves were constructed. They represent mass loss in a certain temperature range during TG measurement versus mass loss during previous thermal modification. In a temperature range from 130 to 300 °C and from 130 to 320 °C under nitrogen atmosphere, a linear dependence was observed; correlation coefficients R ² were 0.87 and 0.91, respectively. In wider temperature range and under air atmosphere, lower correlation coefficients were obtained. High correlation coefficient, higher than 0.95, was observed in a temperature range from 25 to 130 °C under both atmospheres. In this region, dehydration due to rehydration of thermally modified samples occurs. The results of this work were compared with those obtained for Norway spruce.     

Effects of temperature during irradiation and spectrophotometry analysis on the dose response of aqueous dichromate dosimeters

The irradiation temperature dependence of the ⁶⁰Co gamma-ray dose response of a silver-dichromate dosimeter was studied to verify temperature coefficients over 5–60°C, using both low and high range standard-type dosimeters. The temperature coefficients in the temperature range 25–60°C are estimated to be −0.20 and −0.26%/°C respectively at doses 2–10 kGy and 10–50 kGy, although there is a slight tendency of dose dependence. The coefficients covering temperatures of 25–50°C estimated to low and high dose ranges are respectively −0.20 and −0.23%/°C which lead us to confirm the previous data including the ASTM Standards E1401-96, 1997. The effect of temperature during spectrophotometry analysis on molar extinction coefficients was not appreciably observed in the temperature range 5–50°C.     

Effect of carbon nanostructures on the carbonization of polyacrylonitrile

Composite materials based on polyacrylonitrile with carbon nanofillers (technical-grade carbon, thermally expanded graphite, carbon nanotubes) were synthesized. A carbonization of film and fiber composite samples in the temperature range 20–1000°C provided a noticeable increase in the thermal stability of fibers and a rise in the electrical conductivity of the composite material. Dependences of the degree of carbonization on the concentration of nanostructures, type of material, and nature of modifier were determined. Differential-thermal and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the formation of oriented nucleus structures of turbostratic carbon in the temperature range 450–550°C.     

The influence of storage conditions on the polymorphic stability of zolpidem tartrate hydrate

The polymorphic stability of a drug substance is a very important topic in the pharmaceutical industry. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis with the support of X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used as screening techniques for testing structural changes of zolpidem tartrate hydrate stored under different conditions. Obtained data suggested that first structural changes occurred at the temperature of 25°C after 2 months of storage. DSC analysis showed that there was a two-step process of water elimination and lack of a phase transition in the temperature range from 130 to 170°C in comparison with an initial sample.     

Thermal stability of the ‘cave’ mineral ardealite Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>(HPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral ardealite and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. The mineral ardealite Ca₂(HPO₄)(SO₄)·4H₂O is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. The mineral shows disorder, and the composition varies depending on the origin of the mineral. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose over the temperature range of 100–150 °C with some loss of water. The critical temperature for water loss is around 215 °C, and above this temperature, the mineral structure is altered. It is concluded that the mineral starts to decompose at 125 °C, with all waters of hydration being lost after 226 °C. Some loss of sulphate occurs over a broad temperature range centred upon 565 °C. The final decomposition temperature is 823 °C with loss of the sulphate and phosphate anions.     

Molecular Origin for the Thermal Stability of Rice Amylopectin 1

Abstract

The non-Newtonian behavior and dynamic viscoelasticity of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin solutions were measured with a rheogoniometer. The Takanari and Reimei amylopectin showed plastic behavior at a concentration above 2.0% at 25 °C. The viscosity of Takanari amylopectin decreased a little with increasing temperature at 2.0%. However, a little increase in the viscosity was observed with increasing temperature from 0 to 15 °C, then it stayed at a constant value with further increase in the temperature up to 80 °C at a concentration above 4.0%. An increase in the viscosity was also observed in Reimei amylopectin solution at various concentrations. The dynamic viscoelasticity of Takanari amylopectin increased with increasing concentration at low temperature (0 °C) and it stayed at a constant value with increasing temperature up to 80 °C. On the other hand, dynamic viscoelasticity for Reimei amylopectin showed a weak sigmoid curve. The tan δ of both amylopectins showed low values, 0.32-0.38, at low temperature range and kept constant with increasing temperature up to 80 °C. A little decrease of dynamic modulus of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin was observed upon addition of urea (4.0 M). The dynamic modulus of Takanari and Reimei amylopectin solution decreased rapidly when the temperature reached 45 and 60 °C, which was estimated to be a transition temperature, in 0.10 N NaOH solution. The molecular origin for the thermal stability of rice amylopectin (Takanari and Reimei) was essentially attributed to intramolecular associations in aqueous solution. Possible mode of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces of attraction of amylopectin molecules are proposed.

     

Synthesis of 1,1,9,9-tetrafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane and its polymerization by vapor deposition method

1,1,9,9-Tetrafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane ( 1 ) was prepared successfully as white crystals in 72% yield via two-step reactions from 1,9-diketo[2.2]-paracyclophane. The polymerization of 1 by the vapor deposition method was carried out at pyrolysis temperature range of 400 to 800°C and deposition temperature range of ?20 to 20°C, and a tough, transparent poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene) film was obtained in 72% yield at the pyrolysis temperature of 750°C and the deposition temperature of ?20°C. It was found that the pyrolysis of 1 gave a reactive α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene, which polymerized on the head-to-tail addition to give poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene). Some properties such as solubility, thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and density for poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene) were studied. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Enhancement of thermal stability and photoluminescent performance of blue light emitting material by incorporating adamantane moieties into carbazole system

A facile route to improve photoluminescent performance and service lifetime of a promising blue light emitting material is reported and demonstrated here using a copolymer system of N-(2-ethylhexyl)-2,7-carbazole (Cz) and 1,3,5,7-tetrakis- (4-bromophenyl) adamantane (TBA). The copolymers were successfully synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reactions. Structure and molecular weight of the materials were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis and gel permeation chromatography. The influence of adamantane content on the thermal stability and photoluminescent performance of the synthesized copolymers was investigated in detail. DSC results showed that glass transition temperature increased dramatically, from 68°C for neat carbazole, to 88°C, 120°C and 152°C, after the addition of 10%, 20%, and 30% TBA, respectively. The same trend was found when thermal decomposition temperature at 5% weight loss was evaluated from TGA data. Importantly, this increased stability can be extended to thermo-optical performance, with the Cz-TBA system showing higher color purity and stronger emission intensity within blue light wavelength than carbazole alone. Nevertheless, measurements of emitting spectral stability at a broader temperature range (100–200°C) and photoluminescence quantum yield suggested that there is a delicate trade-off between the performance and adamantane content.     

Aromatic Polyamides Containing Pendent Acetoxybenzamide Groups

Polycondensation reaction of 5-(4-acetoxy-benzamide) isophthaloylchloride with different aromatic diamines gave a series of polyisophthalamides with good solubility in organic solvents. These polymers showed good thermal stability with initial decomposition temperature above 300 °C and glass transition temperature in the range of 220–335 °C. Thin, flexible, transparent films were cast from solutions, having good electroinsulating properties.     

Robust and Wide Temperature-Range Zinc Metal Batteries with Unique Electrolyte and Substrate Design

Rechargeable zinc metal batteries are promising for large-scale energy storage. However, their practical application is limited by harsh issues such as uncontrollable dendrite growth, low Coulombic efficiency, and poor temperature tolerance. Herein, a unique design strategy using γ-valerolactone-based electrolyte and nanocarbon-coated aluminum substrate was reported to solve the above problems. The electrolyte with extremely low freezing point and high thermal stability enables the symmetric cells with long cycle life over a wide temperature range (−50 °C to 80 °C) due to its ability to regulate zinc nucleation and preferential epitaxial growth. Besides, the nanocarbon-coated aluminum substrate can also promote a higher Coulombic efficiency over a wide temperature range in contrast to the low Coulombic efficiency of copper substrates with significant irreversible alloying reactions because this unique substrate with excellent chemical stabilization can homogenize the interfacial electron/ion distribution. The optimized zinc metal capacitors can operate stably under various temperature conditions (2000 cycles at 30 °C with 66 % depth of discharge and 1200 cycles at 80 °C with 50 % depth of discharge). This unique electrolyte and substrate design strategy achieves a robust zinc metal battery over a wide temperature range.     

Wide-line <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR study of 4′-(pentyloxy)-4-biphenylcarbonitrile in different phase states

A sample of 4′-(pentyloxy)-4-biphenylcarbonitrile was studied in the temperature range 20–70°C by wide-line ¹H NMR. The line shapes, half-widths, and second moments were determined. At 20°C, the spectrum is a broad structureless line, which was split into three components at temperatures above 47°C. This pattern persisted up to 65°C, with the components becoming narrower. Above 68°C, the spectrum rapidly collapses to give a structureless narrow line with a width δH < 0.01 G. Analysis of the spectra and comparison with theoretical calculations made it possible to elucidate the transition of the sample from the crystalline to the nematic and isotropic phases, as well as to determine the temperature range of the stability of the liquid-crystalline phase and the role of rotational mobility of protons of different functional groups and sometimes of these groups as a whole in the mechanisms of phase transitions.     

Dual entropic and enthalpic processes in the lower critical solution temperature phase separation of poly(vinyl methyl ether) aqueous solutions

In the lower critical solution temperature phase separation of poly(vinyl methyl ether) aqueous solutions, the process corresponding to the weakening of the hydrogen bond interaction with increasing temperature is dominant and occurs over the entire concentration region of solutions and over a broad temperature range from 30 to 41°C, giving rise to the energetic enthalpic effect during phase separation, while the conformational change, that is, collapse of the swollen polymer coils, occurs only in the swelling polymer solution when the water concentration is above 38.3 wt %, giving rise to the entropic effect during phase separation. In addition, the entropic process corresponding to the collapse of the polymer coils occurs in a much narrow theta temperature range from 35.5 to 37°C. If the solution is held at a constant temperature for a sufficiently long time, 90% collapse of the polymer coils occurs in only the 0.5 °C temperature region between 35.5 and 36°C. Accordingly, in the enthalpic process, the most dramatic blueshift of the νC‐O bond peak occurs in the temperature range between 35 and 41°C, while this blueshift is only approximately 2 cm^?1 in the temperature range from 30 to 35°C, prior to the collapse of the polymer coils due to the entropic effect. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 323–330     

The effect of the melting of the collagen-like gelatin aggregates on the stability against aggregation of the bovine casein micelles

The effect of the melting of the collagen-like acid and alkaline gelatin aggregates on the stability against aggregation of bovine casein micelles was investigated by turbidimetry, DSC and circular dichroism in the wide range of biopolymers concentrations, gelatin/casein ratio (R) in initial mixture (R=0.03–20), pH (4.9–6.7), ionic strength (I=10⁻³ to 1.0/NaCl/), and temperature (10°–70 °C), using glucono-δ-lactone (GL) as acidifier. At low ionic strength (10⁻³/milk salts/) and neutral pH interaction between gelatin molecules and casein micelles is suppressed significantly above 36 °C. The melting of the collagen-like acidic gelatin above this temperature shifts the pH at which the complex formation is maximal to the acidic range. The cause may be that some of the functional ionized groups of gelatin molecules are inaccessible due to the conformational changes. The presence of gelatin B molecules had no effect on the aggregation stability of micellar casein in the range 0.03<R<20. At very high total protein concentration (above 10%) depletion flocculation of casein micelles was observed. The reason for the very high stability of casein micelles in this case cannot be explained by volume exclusion. Received: 28 March 2000 Accepted: 5 October 2000     

Characterization of a Neutral and Thermostable Glucoamylase from the Thermophilic Mold Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae: Activity, Stability, and Structural Correlation

Glucoamylase from the thermophilic mold Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae was purified by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatographic techniques using a fast protein liquid chromatographic system. The structure and thermal stability of this unique ‘thermostable and neutral glucoamylase’ were analyzed by circular dichroism (CD). T. indicae-seudaticae glucoamylase (TGA) contained typical aromatic amino acid (tryptophan/tyrosine) fingerprints in its tertiary structure. Analysis of the far-UV CD spectrum at pH 7.0 and 25 °C revealed the presence of 45% α-helix, 43% β-sheet, and 12% remaining structures. The α-helix content was highest at pH 7.0, where glucoamylase is optimally active. This observation points towards the possible (α/α)₆ barrel catalytic domain in TGA, as reported in microbial glucoamylases. Thermal denaturation curves of the pure protein at different pH values revealed maximum stability at pH 7.0, where no change in the secondary structure was observed upon heating in the temperature range between 20 °C and 60 °C. The observed midpoint of thermal denaturation (T _m) of glucoamylase at pH 7.0 was 67.1 °C, which decreased on either sides of this pH. Thermostability of TGA enhanced in the presence of starch (0.1%) as no transition curve was obtained in the temperature range between 20 °C and 85 °C. The only product of TGA action on starch was glucose, and it did not exhibit transglycosylation activity even at 40% glucose that can also be considered as an advantage during starch saccharification.     

Monte Carlo simulation study of melittin: Protein folding and temperature dependence

The tetramerization of melittin, a 26-amino-acid peptide, is considered as a model for protein folding. The Monte Carlo simulation was used to study the folding arrangement of melittin, and the results are compared with the experiment. An acceptance rate of 50% for new configurations is achieved by using ranges of ±0.001 Å for the translations and ±15°C for the rotations. Around 311 K, the folded structure of the protein has the greatest stability; the range from −40 to −80 shows the best ϕ angles for melittin. The final optimized structure of melittin strongly depends on the temperature. The melittin tetramer is found to have a temperature of maximum stability ranging from 35.5 to 43°C.