Crystallization behaviors and optical properties of isotactic polypropylene: comparative study of a trisamide and a rosin-type nucleating agent

The effects of concentrations of N, N’, N”-tris- tert. butyl- 1,3,5- benzene- tricarboxamide (NA) and a hemiacid of dehydroabietic acid (1:1 K) on the optical properties of iPP were compared with each other. It revealed that the NA was an effective transparent nucleating agent for iPP. The NA had advantage at very concentration (0.02 wt%), while the 1:1 K had some advantage at high concentrations (0.3 wt%～0.5 wt%), The optimal concentration range of the NA was 0.1 wt% to 0.4 wt%, while the value for 1:1 K was 0.3 wt% to 0.5 wt%. The absence of detectable spherulites in nucleated iPP was confirmed by SEM and POM. This was an important reason why the nucleated iPPP showed improved optical properties. The results of WAXD showed that preferential growth along the b-axis during crystallization and more disordered structures were formed in the nucleated samples. The results of DSC disclosed increased crystallization peak temperature and melting temperature in the nucleated samples.     

Investigation of the electrical properties of XLPE/SiC nanocomposites

The interface between nanoparticles and the polymer matrix, which dominates the electrical properties of nanocomposites, can effectively improve the DC breakdown and suppress space charge accumulation in nanocomposites. To research the interface characteristics, XLPE/SiC nanocomposites with concentrations of 1 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt% were prepared. The DC breakdown, dielectric properties and space charge behavior were examined using pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) equipment and a dielectric analyzer. The test results show that the nanocomposites with concentrations of 1 wt% and 3 wt% have higher DC breakdown field strength than neat XLPE. In contrast, there is a lower DC breakdown strength at a concentration of 5 wt%, possibly due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Nanoparticle doping increases the real and imaginary permittivities over those of neat XLPE. Furthermore, with increasing concentration, a larger increase in the permittivity amplitude was observed. Based on the space charge behavior, all nanocomposites could suppress space charge accumulation, but the nanocomposite with a concentration of 1 wt% exhibited the best effect. Meanwhile, heterocharge accumulation near electrodes was observed in neat XLPE and the nanocomposite with a concentration of 5 wt%. In contrast, homocharge accumulation near electrodes was observed in the nanocomposite with a concentration of 3 wt%. This phenomenon may be due to different amounts of shallow traps in nanocomposites with different concentrations, which might lead to differing electron or hole mobility.     

Hybrid silica-organic material with immobilized amino groups: surface probing and use for electrochemical determination of nitrite ions

A sol–gel based hybrid process was developed by manipulating different techniques in sol–gel process to synthesize γ-alumina and (CuO, CuO + ZnO) doped γ-alumina spherical particles. Catalysts having spherical geometry have an important advantage over powders or pellets which are impervious to fluids, when packed in a reactor. Boehmite sol was used as alumina precursor for synthesizing porous γ-alumina and doped materials. γ-alumina particles having 5 wt% CuO, 4 wt% CuO + 1 wt% ZnO, 3 wt% CuO + 2 wt% ZnO and 2 wt% CuO + 3 wt% ZnO were prepared by adding required amounts of Cu(NO₃)₂ and Zn(NO₃)₂ solutions prior to gelation of the sol. Methanol dehydration studies were carried out by employing these synthesized catalysts. Hundred percent conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether was observed with (4 wt% CuO + 1 wt% ZnO)-γ-alumina and (5 wt% CuO)-γ-alumina microspheres at 325 and 350 °C, respectively.     

SYNERGETIC EFFECT OF SUCROSE AND ETHANOL ON FORMATION OF TRIGLYCERIDE MICROEMULSIONS

The phase behavior of soybean oil, a nonionic surfactant (ethoxylated monodiglycerides) and an aqueous phase of water containing ethanol, and sucrose was investigated at 35 and 40°C. A minimum concentration of 20 wt% ethanol was required for the formation of isotropic solutions. Addition of sucrose to the aqueous phase decreased the amount of ethanol required to form these solutions. The solubilization mechanism of the oil was investigated by small angle x-ray diffraction and polarized light microscopy. A stable lamellar liquid crystalline phase was formed for a mixture of 75/25 surfactant/sucrose solution (2.5 wt% sucrose). This phase was destabilized with increased concentrations of sucrose and liquid crystalline phases having hexagonal structures were favored at 8.75 wt% sucrose. At a ratio of 55/45 wt% of surfactant/sucrose solution (9 wt% sucrose) hexagonal structures were formed and could be destabilized or destroyed by addition of ethanol. The concept of stabilization and destabilization of liquid crystalline mesophases was applied to the solubilization of triglycerides in aqueous solutions. Two microemulsion regions were identified; oil-in-water (L₁) and water-in-oil (L₂) in systems containing soybean oil, ethoxylated monodiglycerides, and 20 wt% ethanol solution. At 55/45 wt% surfactant/20 wt% ethanol solution,7.5 wt% of soybean oil was solubilized. Addition of 10, 20, and 30 wt% sucrose, at the same ratio of surfactant to ethanol solution, increased the solubility of the oil to 9, 13.5, and 18 wt% respectively. In addition, the size of the L₁ phase increased and moved to the aqueous corner of the phase diagram and the size of the L₂ phase decreased.     

Optimization of enzymatic production of biodiesel from castor oil in organic solvent medium

We studied the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from castor oil using n-hexane as solvent and two commercial lipases, Novozym 435 and Lipozyme IM, as catalysts. For this purpose, a Taguchi experimental design was adopted considering the following variables: temperature (35–65°C), water (0–10 wt/wt%), and enzyme (5–20 wt/wt%) concentrations and oil-to-ethanol molar ratio (1∶3 to 1∶10). An empirical model was then built so as to assess the main and cross-variable effects on the reaction conversion and also to maximize biodiesel production for each enzyme. For the system containing Novozym 435 as tatalyst the maximum conversion obtained was 81.4% at 65°C, enzyme concentration of 20 wt/wt%, water concentration of 0 wt/wt%, and oil-to-ethanol molar ratio of 1∶10. When the catalyst was Lipozyme IM, a conversion as high as 98% was obtained at 65°C, enzyme concentration of 20 wt/wt%, water concentration of 0 wt/wt%, and oil-to-ethanol molar ratio of 1∶3.     

Photocatalytic effect of nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> loaded cement on dye decolorization and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> inactivation under UV irradiation

In the present study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nano-particles were synthesized by sol–gel technique and then used to provide nano-TiO₂ loaded cement samples at 1, 5, and 10 wt% for investigation of Malachite green pigment decomposition and Escherichia coli inactivation under UV irradiation. Surveys conducted on the synthesized TiO₂ nano-particles showed a 100 % anatase phase with a mean particle size of 66.5 nm, surface area of 64.352 m² g^?1, and a porosity volume of 0.1278 cm³ g^?1. Cement samples containing this catalyst exhibited stronger photocatalytic properties as compared to the same amount of pure catalyst. Considering both photocatalytic performance and cost of catalyst, 5 wt% titanium dioxide was suggested to be added to cement. By addition of 1 wt% polycarboxylic copolymer as super-plasticizer to the cement paste, the photocatalytic sample activities were reinforced so that a similar performance could be obtained at 1 wt% catalyst as compared to 5 wt% catalyst without super-plasticizer.     

Electrical conductivities of carbon nanotube-filled polycarbonate/polyester blends

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-filled polycarbonate (PC)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and polycarbonate (PC)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) blends containing 1 wt% CNTs over a wide range of blend compositions were prepared by melt mixing in a torque rheometer to investigate the structure-electrical conductivity relationship. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the blend morphology and the distribution of CNTs. The latter was compared with the thermodynamic predictions through the calculation of wetting coefficients. It was found that CNTs are selectively localized in the polyester phase and conductive blends can be obtained over the whole composition range (20 wt%, 50 wt% and 80 wt% PBT) for CNT-filled PC/PBT blends, while conductive CNT-filled PC/PET blends can only be obtained when PET is the continuous phase (50 wt%, 80 wt% PET). The dramatic difference in the electrical conductivity between the two types of CNT-filled PC/polyester blends at a low polyester content (20 wt%) was explained by the size difference of the dispersed phases on the basis of the transmission electron microscope micrographs.     

DMFCs用磺化聚醚醚酮/功能化二氧化硅复合质子交换膜

在磺化度(DS)为55.1%的磺化聚醚醚酮(SPEEK)中掺杂功能化二氧化硅(吸湿性SiO2溶胶及带有磺酸基团的二氧化硅(SiOx-S)粒子)制备SPEEK/SiO2和SPEEK/SiOx-S复合质子交换膜.SiO2和SiOx-S的掺杂能有效提高复合膜的抗溶胀、阻醇性能及高温低湿情况下的电导率.纯SPEEK膜在80℃溶胀为52.6%,而SiO2和SiOx-S掺杂量为15%的复合膜在此温度下分别仅有26.2%和27.3%的溶胀.在室温至80℃范围内,SPEEK/SiO2(20 wt%)和SPEEK/SiOx-S(20 wt%)复合膜的甲醇透过系数比Nafion115膜小近2个数量级.在120℃、相对湿度(RH)为40%情况下,SPEEK纯膜的电导率仅为2.6×10-4S.cm-1,SPEEK/SiO2(20 wt%)复合膜约为2.0×10-3S.cm-1,而SPEEK/SiOx-S(20 wt%)复合膜高达1.0×10-2S.cm-1,与Nafion115相当.SPEEK/SiO2(20 wt%)和SPEEK/SiOx-S(20 wt%)2种复合膜的尺寸稳定性较高,膜电极无催化剂与膜分离现象,其DMFCs单电池性能好于SPEEK膜.     

聚丙烯/石墨导电纳米复合材料的制备与性能

用溶液插层及其与熔体混合相结合的母料熔体混合 (MMM)方法制备了聚丙烯 (PP) 马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯 (gPP) 膨胀石墨 (EG) (gPP EG =3 2wt)导电纳米复合材料 ,其室温逾渗阀值 (c)分别为 6wt%和 8wt % ,明显低于直接熔体混合制得复合材料和PP EG对照材料的c=11wt%和 12wt% .增加gPP含量 (Cg)能提高复合材料的电导率 (σ) ,例如对于MMM法制备的复合材料 ,固定PP gPP =1 1wt时 ,c 降为 7wt% ;保持EG含量 =9wt%时 ,σ在Cg>30wt %后跃升 7个数量级以上 .通过TEM、SEM和OM观察 ,从制备方法、EG和gPP含量影响复合材料形态和微结构的角度 ,分析说明了出现上述差异和现象的原因 .     

Facile Microfluidic Fabrication of Biocompatible Hydrogel Microspheres in a Novel Microfluidic Device

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) microgels with tuneable size and porosity find applications as extracellular matrix mimics for tissue-engineering scaffolds, biosensors, and drug carriers. Monodispersed PEGDA microgels were produced by modular droplet microfluidics using the dispersed phase with 49–99 wt% PEGDA, 1 wt% Darocur 2959, and 0–50 wt% water, while the continuous phase was 3.5 wt% silicone-based surfactant dissolved in silicone oil. Pure PEGDA droplets were fully cured within 60 s at the UV light intensity of 75 mW/cm². The droplets with higher water content required more time for curing. Due to oxygen inhibition, the polymerisation started in the droplet centre and advanced towards the edge, leading to a temporary solid core/liquid shell morphology, confirmed by tracking the Brownian motion of fluorescent latex nanoparticles within a droplet. A volumetric shrinkage during polymerisation was 1–4% for pure PEGDA droplets and 20–32% for the droplets containing 10–40 wt% water. The particle volume increased by 36–50% after swelling in deionised water. The surface smoothness and sphericity of the particles decreased with increasing water content in the dispersed phase. The porosity of swollen particles was controlled from 29.7% to 41.6% by changing the water content in the dispersed phase from 10 wt% to 40 wt%.     

Synergistic effects of functionalized graphene and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the electrical and mechanical properties of poly(ether sulfone) composites

Mixed fillers composed of functionalized graphene (f-G) and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) (f-G-f-CNTs) were prepared and their synergistic effects in terms of enhancing the electrical conductivity and tensile modulus of poly(ether sulfone) (PES) composites were investigated. The results indicate that the electrical conductivity of the 5 wt% f-G-f-CNTs(W_f-G/W_f-CNTs = 1:1)/PES composite was 2.2 times higher than that of the 5 wt% f-G/PES composite and 8.9 times higher than that of the 5 wt% f-CNTs/PES composite. Moreover, the tensile modulus of the 5 wt% f-G-f-CNTs(W_f-G/W_f-CNTs = 1:1)/PES composite relative to that of the 5 wt% f-G/PES composite and 5 wt% f-CNTs/PES composite increased by 16.5% and 50.6%, respectively. Additionally, enhancements in the electrical conductivity and tensile modulus of the PES composite depended on the weight ratio of f-G and f-CNTs in the mixed fillers. The electrical conductivity and tensile modulus exhibited maximum values when the weight ratios of f-G and f-CNTs were 1:3 and 1:1, respectively. When the weight ratio of f-G and f-CNTs was fixed at 1:1, the f-G-f-CNTs(W_f-G/W_f-CNTs = 1:1)/PES composite showed a percolation threshold of 0.22 vol%, much lower than that of the f-G/PES composite.     

A Study on the Adsorption Characteristics of Orthophosphates on Rutile-Type Titanium Dioxide in Aqueous Solutions

Rutile-type titanium dioxide is widely used as a pigment for paint, coating ink, paper, plastic products, and cards because of its very whiteness and outstanding hiding property. It has two weak properties to be improved, however, one being its coagulation in compounding and the other its decreasing whiteness owing to poor heat resistance. To solve these problems, a study on the treatment of titanium dioxide surfaces by adsorption technology has been performed. Experiments have been carried out to establish the adsorption isotherms of orthophosphates on titanium dioxide and to investigate the effect of organic solvents on adsorption. It is shown that the adsorption isotherms vary with pH. A Freundlich adsorption isotherm is suitable for the acidic and basic regions, while a Langmuir adsorption isotherm is suitable for the region of pH 5-8 where a maximum adsorption has been achieved. In aqueous solutions containing organic solvents, the adsorption was strongest with aqueous solutions containing 1 wt% toluene and weakest with those containing 1 wt% ethanol. Among the alcohols used, the adsorption was strongest with the aqueous solution containing 1 wt% butanol and weakest with that containing 1 wt% ethanol, thus showing a correlation with the molecular weight of the alcohol. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Effect of polyborazine additive on thermolysis of polyphenylsilane and polyvinylsilane

To improve the ceramic residue yields and processabilities of polyphenylsilane (PPS) and polyvinylsilane (PVS), polyborazine (PBN) was employed as an additive. The ceramic residue yield of PPS increased from an original 39wt% to 65wt%, and of PVS from an original 26wt% to 64wt% by simply heating with 1wt% PBN at 70 °C. Furthermore, low viscous PPS and PVS were transformed into highly viscous polymers, which were found to be suitable for hand drawing into green fibers. The enhanced properties were attributed to an increased molecular weight, as analyzed by GPC. ¹H-NMR and ²⁹Si-NMR spectra suggested that dehydrocoupling of SiH₃ in PVS and SiH in PPS by PBN was responsible for the improved ceramic yields.     

Electrosynthesis of gadolinium hexaboride nanotubes

To throw the light on a possibility of gadolinium boride electrochemical synthesis in chloride–fluoride melt, the NaCl–KCl (1:1)–NaF (10 wt%)–GdF₃ (0.5–2.5 wt%)–KBF₄ (0.5–3.0 wt%) molten system was investigated in the temperature range 973–1023 K. The nature of the separate and joint electrodeposition of the boride components was studied by means of linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and steady-state voltammetry. For the first time in world scientific practice the gadolinium hexaboride nanotubes were synthesized.     

Hydrogen sorption characteristics of magnesium-based composites with addition of Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.3</Subscript> and graphite

Magnesium-based composites of 75 wt% Mg — (10, 15, 20) wt% Mg2Ni0.7Co0.3 — (15, 10, 5) wt% C mechanically activated for 30 min under argon in a planetary mill, were obtained. Their absorption-desorption characteristics were investigated under a pressure P = 1 MPa and temperatures of 623, 573, 473, 423 and 373 K. Desorption was carried out at 623 K and 573 K and a pressure of 0.15 MPa. All the three composites showed improved hydriding kinetics as compared to pure magnesium. However, the desorption temperature was somewhat higher than needed for practical application.      

Thermal,mechanical and water barrier properties of graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol/polyol composite films

The novel polymer composite of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyol(PO) and graphene oxide (GO) was used to prepare the PVA/PO and GO/PVA/PO with different weight percents of GO (0.5 and 1% denoted as (0.5 wt%)GO/PVA/PO and (1 wt%)GO/PVA/PO, respectively) through solution casting blend technique. The structure–properties of all used films were confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical properties. The SEM results exhibited the uniform and homogeneous dispersion of GO in the PVA/PO blend matrix. The TEM and XRD analysis confirmed the structure and exfoliation of GO nanosheets, respectively. Thermal stability suggested that (0.5 wt%)GO/PVA/PO and (1 wt%) GO/PVA/PO films are more stable than PVA/PO. The tensile strength of (0.5 wt%)GO/PVA/PO and (1 wt%)GO/PVA/PO films reached 270.5% and 1349.6%, respectively, which are higher than that of the PVA/PO film. The decrease in the water absorption (WA) of GO/PVA/PO was found from 110.5 to 38.4%. The physico-mechanical properties of used films suggested that the prepared GO/PVA/PO blend composite films can be applied in food packaging areas.     

Blue electroluminescence of a novel Zn~(2+)–β-diketone complex with a carbazole moiety

In this letter, a novel zinc complex of Zn(ECTFBD)2 was synthesized by an environment-friendly grinding technique in high yield. Its structure was confirmed by1H NMR, MS and EA. HECTFBD is 1-(9-ethyl-9Hcarbazol-3-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione. Zn(ECTFBD)2-based light-emitting devices were fabricated. The architecture of the devices was ITO/PEDOT(40 nm)/100 wt% PVK: 40 wt% OXD-7: x wt% Zn(ECTFBD)2(85 nm)/CsF(1.5 nm)/Al(100 nm), where x = 1, 5, and 10(relative to the mass of PVK and OXD-7). The three devices displayed blue emissions with peaks at 450, 458, and 460 nm, respectively. A maximum luminous efficiency of 0.86 cd/A and a luminance of 228 cd/m2were achieved by the 1 wt% doped device. So, we demonstrated further that Zn2+–b-diketone complexes can be effectively severed as a class of new electroluminescent materials. In addition, the thermal stability of Zn(ECTFBD)2 was tested and the UV–vis and photoluminescent behaviors of Zn(ECTFBD)2 in CH2 Cl2 were investigated.     

Nondestructive Monitoring of Sucrose Diffusion in Oil-in-Water Emulsions by Ultrasonic Velocity Profiling

The diffusion of sucrose through an optically opaque oil-in-water emulsion was monitored nondestructively by measuring the ultrasonic velocity as a function of height. Initially, a corn oil-in-water emulsion (0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 wt% oil) stabilized by Tween 20 (1 wt%) and xanthan (1 wt%) was placed in a measurement cell at 30°C. A 20 wt% sucrose solution containing the same concentration of Tween 20 and xanthan as the aqueous phase in the emulsion was placed on top of the emulsion. The ultrasonic velocity of this two-layer system was measured as a function of sample height and time and then converted into sucrose and oil concentration–distance profiles using empirical calibration curves. The translational diffusion coefficient of the sucrose in the upper and lower layers was determined by fitting the experimental data to a Fickian diffusion model. The measured diffusion coefficients of the sucrose molecules decreased as the droplet concentration in the emulsion increased, indicating retardation of the sugar molecule movement. Ultrasonic profiling was also used to monitor the compression of the emulsion due to movement of water molecules into the upper layer.     

Preparation and properties of new flame retardant unsaturated polyester nanocomposites based on layered double hydroxides

The preparation of new layered double hydroxides/unsaturated polyester (LDH/UP) nanocomposites was performed and the effect of LDH on the resin properties was studied. Two different organo-LDHs have been prepared, adipate-LDH (A-LDH) and 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonate-LDH (S-LDH); in order to evaluate the influence of these nanofillers, samples with two different concentrations were dispersed in the matrix. The physical, thermal, mechanical and fire reaction properties of nanocomposites were studied. Intercalated layered structures were observed for the different organo-LDH loadings (1 and 5 wt%). Mechanical properties studied under flexural tests show that incorporation of organo-LDH in the resin reduces the flexural strength of polyester resin while the flexural modulus is unchanged for the S-LDH/UP composites and increased with 1 wt% of A-LDH. Adding 1 wt% of A-LDH to the resin produces an important reduction on the flexural strength, but an increase of the flexural modulus. The study of fire reaction properties, using cone calorimeter, suggested a significant reduction in the UP flammability, by 46 and 32%, by incorporating 1 wt% of A-LDH and 5 wt% S-LDH, respectively. Mass loss curves show enhanced char formation with the different loads tested while the amount of evolved smoke remains quite unchanged.     

Effect of carbon nanotubes addition on electrochemical performance and thermal stability of Li4Ti5O12 anode in commercial LiMn2O4/Li4Ti5O12 full-cell

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite material is synthesized based on a solid-state method by sand-milling, spray-drying and calcining at 850 ℃ under N₂ flow. The LTO/CNTs samples with 1 wt% and 3 wt% weight ratio of CNTs addition and the pristine LTO sample are prepared. The rate performance and the thermal stability of these samples are investigated based on LiMn₂O₄ (LMO)/LTO full-cell. The results show that theweight ratio of CNTs addition has distinct effect on LTO performances. The composite materials of LTO composited CNTs have better performance at high-rate due to the intercalation enhancement by conductive network of CNTs. At second, the overcharging temperature response of the cell's surface with 1 wt% CNTs addition is the lowest. The particle size distribution is measured and the most uniform particles are obtained with 1 wt% CNTs addition. This trend could explain that the mediumquantity of CNTs is optimal to improve the heat and mass transfer and prevent the problems of crystallite growing interference and aggregation during the calcination process.