Effect of zinc oxide on flame retardant finishing of plasma pre-treated cotton fabric

An organic phosphorus compound (flame retardant agent, FR) in combination with a melamine resin (crosslinking agent, CL), phosphoric acid (catalyst, PA) and zinc oxide (co-catalyst, ZnO/nano-ZnO) imparted effective and durable flame retardant properties. Also, atmospheric pressure plasma jet was applied as pre-treatment to improve post-finishing (flame retardant finishing) on cotton fabrics. In the present paper, surface morphology, chemical structure analysis, combustibility and mechanical properties of plasma pre-treated cotton fabrics subjected to flame-retardant treatment were investigated. Surface morphology of treated cotton specimens showed roughened and wrinkled fabric surface with high deposition of the flame retardant finishing agent, which was caused by the plasma etching effect and attack of acidic FR. The FTIR-ATR spectra for the treated cotton specimens showed some new characteristic peaks in chemical structure, interpreted as carbonyl bands, OH stretching vibration, COO⁻ stretching vibration, CH₂ rocking band and CH₃ asymmetric and CH₂ symmetric stretching. Moreover, FR-CL-PA-treated specimens showed remarkable flame-retardant property, which was further improved by the plasma pre-treatment and ZnO/nano-ZnO co-catalyst. However, flame-retardant-treated cotton specimens had poor mechanical strength when compared with control sample, resulting from side effects of the crosslinking agent used, while plasma pre-treatment and ZnO/nano-ZnO co-catalyst may compensate for the reduction in tensile and tearing strength caused by flame-retardant agents.     

Mechanism of poly(vinyl chloride) stabilization by mixtures of zinc and calcium carboxylates with various complexing agents

Investigations were made on the effects of zinc and calcium carboxylates, polyols and other oxygen-containing compounds, nitrogen- and sulphur-containing compounds and of mixtures of zinc calcium carboxylates, zinc carboxylates-complexing agent, calcium carboxylate-complexing agent and of zinc carboxylate-calcium carboxylate-complexing agent upon the rate of dehydrochlorination and crosslinking and on the absorption spectrum of PVC during degradation in vacuum at 180°. The interaction of the stabilizers with 2-chlorobutane (a model for normal units of PVC) was studied at 180°. It was shown that, in the thermal degradation of PVC, zinc carboxylates give synergistic mixtures with compounds having -OH, -SH or -NH groups. In the thermal degradation of PVC in the presence of mixtures of zinc carboxylates with polyols, there are exchanges between chloro-containing groups of PVC and carboxylic groups of salt and alcohol residue. Zinc salts also catalyze the interaction of polyols with double (particularly conjugated double) bonds of degraded PVC. The investigated compounds do not form synergistic mixtures with calcium carboxylates. The triple mixtures of zinc and calcium carboxylates with complexing agents are more effective stabilizers of PVC than the binary mixtures zinc carboxylate-calcium carboxylate and zinc carboxylate-complexing agent. The mechanism of synergistic interaction in PVC stabilization by these mixtures are discussed.     

Syntheses and characterizations of bis(trialkoxysilyl)oligoimides. II. Syntheses and characterizations of fluorinated crosslinkable oligoimides with low refractive indices

Novel crosslinkable fluorinated oligoimides were prepared in two steps. The first involved the synthesis of oligoimides terminated with nadic or allylic double bonds, and the second step was materialized either by a radical addition of mercaptotrialkoxysilane derivatives onto nadic double bonds or a hydrosilylation reaction of hydrogenotrialkoxysilane derivative onto allylic double bonds. Three kinds of crosslinking of the trialkoxysilane end groups were studied. The first kind entailed a thermal self‐crosslinking of trialkoxysilane groups. The second process of crosslinking incorporated a bicomponent system—the crosslinked agent was 1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane (TRIOH). The trialkoxysilane groups reacted with the hydroxyl–phenol groups of TRIOH to give thermally stable phenoxysilane bonds as well as a crosslinking network. The last method was also a bicomponent system; the oxalic acid was added into an oligoimide solution where by thermal treatment water was created. The water molecules hydrolyzed the trialkoxysilane groups into silanol groups that polycondensed into a crosslinked network following a sol–gel process. The mechanism of the different crosslinking reactions was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid‐state ²⁹Si NMR. The self‐crosslinked material prepared from precursor α,ω‐trimethoxysilyl fluorinated oligomer (M_n = 5500 g · mol^?1) exhibited a 10 wt % loss temperature under air higher than 420 °C and a low birefringence (Δn = 0.008) at 1.300 μm. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2602–2619, 2001     

New insights into the adsorption of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate on hydroxylated ZnO nanopowders

Functionalization of zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-objects by silane grafting is an attractive method to provide nanostructured materials with a variety of surface properties. Active hydroxyl groups on the oxide surface are one of the causes governing the interfacial bond strength in nanohybrid particles. Here, "as-prepared" and commercially available zinc oxide nanopowders with a wide range of surface hydroxyl density were functionalized by a well-known polymerizable silane coupling agent, i.e., 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (MPS). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and solid-state (13)C and (29)Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic investigations demonstrated that the silane coupling agent was fully hydrolyzed and linked to the hydroxyl groups already present on the particle surface through covalent and hydrogen bonds. Due to a basic catalyzed condensation of MPS with water, a siloxane layer was shown to be anchored to the nanoparticles through mono- and tridentate structures. Quantitative investigations were performed by thermogravimetric (TGA) and elemental analyses. The amount of silane linked to ZnO particles was shown to be affected by the amount of isolated hydroxyl groups available to react on the particle surface. For as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles, the number of isolated and available hydroxyl groups per square nanometer was up to 3 times higher than the one found on commercially available ZnO nanoparticles, leading to higher amounts of polymerizable silane agent linked to the surface. The MPS molecules were shown to be mainly oriented perpendicular to the oxide surface for all the as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles, whereas a parallel orientation was found for the preheated commercially ZnO nanopowders. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles were shown to be hydrophobized by the MPS treatment with water contact angles higher than 60°.     

Ultraviolet‐induced crosslinking of poly(butylene succinate) and its thermal property,dynamic mechanical property,and biodegradability

Crosslinking is an effective way to improve polymer properties. This paper focuses on ultraviolet‐induced crosslinking of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) in the presence of a photoinitiator and a crosslinking agent at ambient temperature. The effects of the concentration of photoinitiator, the crosslinking agent content, and the irradiation time on the crosslink behavior were investigated. To obtain an appropriate gel fraction in different irradiation times, 3.0 wt% of photoinitiator and 10.0 wt% of crosslinking agent were proved to be the optimum choice. Furthermore, properties such as thermal properties, dynamic mechanical property, and enzymatic degradation of PBS before and after crosslinking were examined. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that glass transition temperature (T_g) increased with increase in gel fraction, while melting temperature (T_m) and the degree of crystallinity decreased. This may be caused by the reduced molecular chain mobility and inhibited molecular motion for crystallization in crosslinked samples. The crosslinked polymer also showed improved thermal stability and dynamic mechanical property. In addition, the introduction of crosslinking retarded the enzymatic degradation rate of PBS, but it was still biodegradable. The improved properties of crosslinked PBS will extend the application of PBS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Room-Temperature Verwey-type Transition in Iron Oxide,Fe5O6

Functional oxides whose physicochemical properties may be reversibly changed at standard conditions are potential candidates for the use in next-generation nanoelectronic devices. To date, vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is the only known simple transition-metal oxide that demonstrates a near-room-temperature metal–insulator transition that may be used in such appliances. In this work, we synthesized and investigated the crystals of a novel mixed-valent iron oxide with an unconventional Fe₅O₆ stoichiometry. Near 275 K, Fe₅O₆ undergoes a Verwey-type charge-ordering transition that is concurrent with a dimerization in the iron chains and a following formation of new Fe−Fe chemical bonds. This unique feature highlights Fe₅O₆ as a promising candidate for the use in innovative applications. We established that the minimal Fe−Fe distance in the octahedral chains is a key parameter that determines the type and temperature of charge ordering. This model provides new insights into charge-ordering phenomena in transition-metal oxides in general.     

甲基丙烯酸镁增强氢化丁腈橡胶的结构与形态和性能

用不同份量的甲基丙烯酸镁(MgMA)作增强剂,过氧化二异丙苯(DCP)作硫化剂,通过混炼和硫化过程的原位聚合制备了氢化丁腈橡胶/聚甲基丙烯酸镁(HNBR/PMgMA)纳米复合材料,用XRD、FTIR1、3C-NMR、SEM、TEM、DMA和交联密度分析等方法研究了其结构、形态和性能,并阐述了MgMA改性HNBR的相关机理.结果表明,MgMA在混炼过程中粒径明显变小,部分达到纳米级.硫化过程中发生原位自由基聚合,并部分接枝到HNBR分子链上,HNBR硫化胶和PMgMA有可能形成接枝互穿聚合物网络(接枝IPN).随着MgMA用量的增加,纳米复合材料硫化胶的定伸应力、拉伸强度、扯断伸长率、撕裂强度和热氧老化性能逐渐提高.当MgMA含量为30份时,体系的拉伸强度和扯断伸长率分别为38.5MPa和545%,并具有优异的热空气老化性能.MgMA能明显增加HNBR复合材料的储能模量,并降低其损耗因子.随着MgMA用量的增加,纳米复合材料硫化胶的总交联密度(Ve)和离子键交联密度(Ve2)增加,而共价键交联密度(Ve1)下降,表明离子键对HNBR/PMgMA纳米复合材料的力学性能起重要作用.     

A Room‐Temperature Verwey‐type Transition in Iron Oxide,Fe5O6

Functional oxides whose physicochemical properties may be reversibly changed at standard conditions are potential candidates for the use in next‐generation nanoelectronic devices. To date, vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is the only known simple transition‐metal oxide that demonstrates a near‐room‐temperature metal–insulator transition that may be used in such appliances. In this work, we synthesized and investigated the crystals of a novel mixed‐valent iron oxide with an unconventional Fe₅O₆ stoichiometry. Near 275 K, Fe₅O₆ undergoes a Verwey‐type charge‐ordering transition that is concurrent with a dimerization in the iron chains and a following formation of new Fe?Fe chemical bonds. This unique feature highlights Fe₅O₆ as a promising candidate for the use in innovative applications. We established that the minimal Fe?Fe distance in the octahedral chains is a key parameter that determines the type and temperature of charge ordering. This model provides new insights into charge‐ordering phenomena in transition‐metal oxides in general.     

Electrophilic aromatic substitution in the curing of brominated poly(isobutylene-co-4-methylstyrene): A mechanistic model study with zinc salts

The crosslinking chemistry of a new elastomer based on brominated poly(isobutylene-co-4-methylstyrene) has been investigated using model compounds. In order to mimic the conditions that prevail within the highly allphatic rubber, the study was carried out in mineral oil using catalysts that are compatible with such low polarity media. Electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions occur in a system consisting of p-isopropylbenzyl bromide and p-isopropyl toluene in the presence of zinc oxide and zinc stearate. The reaction proceeds after a significant induction period while no induction period is seen for a similar reaction with zinc bromide as the catalyst. The in situ formation of reactive species containing Zn? Br bonds appears to be an important step in the overall process. The stoichiometric ratio of zinc salt to benzylic bromide is important. High ratios lead to the accumulation of benzylic stearate or benzylic alcohol in the system which retards the alkylation reaction. The model study emphasizes the importance of stoichiometry of reagents in this reaction and provides insight into the crosslinking mechanism. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Antibacterial study of Eucalyptus grandis fabricated zinc oxide and magnesium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles and its characterization

Mg-doped zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using methanolic seed extract from the Eucalyptus grandis plant via a green approach. Phytoconstituents present in seed extract act as capping and stabilizing agents for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Doping of Mg to zinc oxide nanoparticles increases the bandgap energy, thus enhancing its chemical, physical and optical properties. Further, it was characterized by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy giving morphological information about the wurtzite hexagonal structure of bio-synthesized nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction technique tells about the crystalline nature of particles and the average crystallite size for zinc oxide and doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. Mg as a dopant enhances the properties of nanoparticles, thus making it more efficiently applicable as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli, gram-negative bacteria.     

Effects of crosslinking agent,cure temperature,and UV flux on the electro‐optical properties of polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal cells

We present results for the effects of a crosslinking agent, cure temperature, and UV flux on the electro‐optical properties of polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cells. These cells were fabricated using a mixture of a liquid crystal (E8) and an acrylic monomer (CN135). The maximum in the first derivative of the transmission vs. applied, sinusoidal voltage (inflection voltage, V_inf), varies systematically with PDLC formulation and cure‐process conditions. For PDLC cells fabricated with a crosslinking agent (SR295), V_inf increases with increasing the concentration of SR295. However, for cells fabricated without the use of a crosslinking agent, V_inf decreases with increasing the UV flux and decreasing temperature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 404–410, 2004     

Preparation and properties of polyimide/graphene oxide nanocomposite films with Mg ion crosslinker

Polyimide(PI)/graphene oxide(GO) nanocomposite films were prepared by chemical cross-linking using small amounts of divalent Mg ions. The PI/GO nanocomposites showed enhanced tensile properties compared to pristine PI due to the presence of exfoliated GO in the PI matrix as well as crosslinking between poly(amic acid) (PAA), which is a precursor of PI, and GO by Mg ions. The hydrogen bonds between PAA and GO suppressed the phase separation between PI and GO, and small amounts of Mg ions can bond between the oxygen functional groups and carboxylate groups of GO and PAA.     

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks toward sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes for high concentration direct methanol fuel cell

Semi-IPNs were constructed by forming the crosslinking networks via the reaction between BPPO and diamine cross-linkers to overcome the dimensional swelling and methanol-permeation issues of SPEEK.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline zinc manganese oxide by thermal decomposition of new dinuclear manganese(III) precursors

Nanocrystalline manganese-doped zinc oxide was synthesized by thermal decomposition of a zinc oxide sol with two new dinuclear manganese(III) complexes as precursor. Thermal analysis results indicated that the decomposition of manganese precursors occurred at 269 and 314 °C. X-ray structural analysis shows the presence of dimanganese core in the complexes and the binding of the ligands to the manganese(III) is through N₂O₂. The manganese-doped zinc oxide composite was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Structural properties of the composites elucidated that the manganese ions have substituted the zinc ions without changing the wurtzite structure of zinc oxide.     

Photo-Oxidative Degradation of Poly(vinyl Chloride) Based Nanocomposites Under Ultraviolet Irradiation

The poly(vinyl chloride) based nanocomposites with 3.0% weight content of the photo-active zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles or the photo-inert calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles was prepared by the solution mixing method, respectively. Their photo-oxidative degradation under ultraviolet irradiation (365 nm) at room temperature were compared with the pure poly(vinyl chloride) via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The results showed that the photo-inert calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles hampered the photo-degradation of poly(vinyl chloride), whereas the photoactive zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles accelerated the photodegradation of poly(vinyl chloride). Furthermore, the ZnO nanoparticles also favored the crosslinking reaction of the dehydrochlorinated poly(vinyl chloride).     

纳米ZnO对天然橡胶交联反应和热稳定性的影响

纳米氧化锌;纳米ZnO对天然橡胶交联反应和热稳定性的影响     

Foaming of trans‐polyisoprene using N2 as the blowing agent

Foaming of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene (TPI) polymer was carried out through a batch process using nitrogen (N₂) as the blowing agent. TPI vulcanizates having varying crosslink densities were prepared by varying crosslinking agent content and curing time. The vulcanizates were then saturated with N₂ inside a pressure vessel at a pressure of 14 MPa and varying temperatures for 5 hours before effecting the foaming by rapidly quenching the pressure. The effects of varying the crosslinking agent content, silica filler content, and precuring time of the vulcanizates and the effects of varying the gas saturation temperature of foaming on the cell characteristics and physical properties of the foam prepared were investigated. The cells of the TPI foams had a spherical, closed structure. The density, expansion ratio, cell size, cell density, and tensile properties of the foams varied with varying crosslink density of the TPI vulcanizates as well as the saturation temperature of foaming. The important effects of crosslink density and saturation temperature on the N₂ solubility in the TPI matrix and thus on the foam expansion were discussed. The silica filler was found to be acting as a cell nucleating agent and reinforcing filler for the TPI foams.     

Development of novel phosphorus‐containing epoxy resins from renewable resources

Novel biobased epoxy resins were prepared from two fatty acid derivatives; epoxidized 10‐undecenoyl triglyceride and epoxidized methyl 3,4,5‐tris(10‐undecenoyloxy)benzoate, with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane as a crosslinking agent. The flame retardancy of these epoxy resins was improved by the addition of 10‐[2′, 5′‐bis(9‐oxiranyl‐nonayloxy)phenyl]‐9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide and by crosslinking with a phosphorus‐containing curing agent, bis(m‐aminophenyl)methylphosphine oxide. The thermal, thermomechanical, and flame‐retardant properties of the cured materials were measured with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and the limiting oxygen index. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6717–6727, 2006     

Influence of mechanical properties,toughness, and barrier properties of PMMA‐EVA‐organoclay nanocomposites with and without in situ crosslinking

Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)‐organoclay nanocomposites were prepared with and without in situ crosslinking using tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS) as a crosslinking agent and dibutyl tin oxide (DBTO) as a catalyst. Brabender Plasticorder experimental results suggest that in situ crosslinking transforms the EVA from a liquid to a viscoelastic solid. Transmission electron micrographs analysis indicates that most of the organoclay was clustered in the crosslinked EVA phase. X‐ray diffraction and morphology indicate that the PMMA‐EVA‐organoclay nanocomposites were intercalated and incompatible. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results indicate some interaction between PMMA‐EVA‐clay nanocomposites. The in situ crosslinked of EVA and the addition of organoclay increased the modulus properties of PMMA. However, in situ crosslinking slightly reduced the barrier properties of PMMA‐EVA‐organoclay nanocomposites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrophilic magnetic polymer latexes. 2. Encapsulation of adsorbed iron oxide nanoparticles

The encapsulation of seed polymer particles coated by anionic iron oxide nanoparticles has been investigated using N-isopropylacrylamide as a main monomer, N,N-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent, itaconic acid as a functional monomer and potassium persulfate as an anionic initiator. The magnetic latexes obtained have been characterized with regard to particle size, iron oxide content and electrophoretic mobility. All these properties have been examined by varying several polymerization parameters: reaction medium, monomer(s) and crosslinking agent concentrations, nature of seed latexes and type of polymerization (batch versus shot process). The magnetic content in the polymer microspheres strongly depends on the polymerization procedure (i.e., encapsulation process) and varies between 6 and 23 wt%, and monodisperse magnetic polymer particles were obtained. Received: 28 December 1999 Accepted in revised form: 15 June 1999