Reactivity of cement mixtures containing waste glass using thermal analysis

A laboratory study was undertaken to compare the performance of waste glass as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to traditional SCMs at the same particle size and level of replacement in both high and low alkali cement paste. The consumption of Ca(OH)₂ as measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) is used as an indicator of reactivity. The DTA results of the pastes aged to 150 days are presented, and indicate that glass reactivity is similar to ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and lower than silica fume (SF) at comparable particle sizes. Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is not present for particle sizes below 100 μm, but is induced by agglomeration of the glass particles and is observed by fluorescence in optical microscopy images. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are used to compare the microstructural properties of the SCMs and measure the chemical composition of the reaction products. The alkalinity of the cement was found to influence the nature of composition as observed by thermal analysis, and the temperatures at which their reactions occurred.     

Paradigms and Paradoxes: Resonance Stabilization in Diazophenoxides (Quinone Diazides)

Diazophenoxides (quinone diazides) constitute an interesting class of compounds that are seemingly high-energy species on the nonaromatic/aromatic interface. With appropriate substitution and/or annelation, they have found use in the fields of explosives, medicine, and photolithography. Thermochemical information about them is sparse. To aid further understanding of these important chemical species, the current paper discusses a few extant enthalpies of formation from which we tentatively derive a resonance energy of ca. 15 kJ-mol^–1 for the parent, p-species, 4-diazo-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-one. Interestingly, this value is nearly identical to that recently found for the likewise conjugated diazo compound, ethyl diazoacetate.     

Conditioning of industrial waste in cement matrix

Results are presented of a series of experimental tests performed to determine the influence of matrix characteristics on the leaching mechanism of copper aluminium oxychloride immobilized into cement matrices. The objective of this research was to investigate the leaching mechanism of copper as a constituent of copper aluminium oxychloride (CAOX).     

Construction of recombinant Escherichia coli strains for polyhydroxybutyrate production using soy waste as nutrient

Construction and comparison of recombinant Escherichia coli strains harboring the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) operon from Ralstonia entropha using vectors possessing different promotors, as well as the production of PHB from soy waste by the recombinant strain, are reported. The lac promotor was the most efficient on expression of the phb operon among the three promotors studied: i.e., lac promotor, T7 promotor and the normal σ⁷⁰ promotor. The pKS/PHB was the most efficient plasmid for phboperon expression among the three plasmids used: i.e., pKS⁻, pAED4, and pJM9131. It was observed that isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside was not required for the induction of the expression of phb operon. The cell dry wt and polyhydroxyalkan cote content by E. coli XL-1 Blue (pKS/PHB) were 3.025 g/L and 27.83%, respectively.     

Production of lactic acid from pulp mill solid waste and xylose using Lactobacillus delbrueckii (NRRL B445)

Using the simultaneoussaccharification and fermentation (SSF) technique, pulp mill solid waste cellulose was converted into glucose using cellulase enzyme and glucose into lacticacid using NRRL B445. SSF experiments were conducted at various pH levels, temperatures, and nutrient concentrations, and the lactic acid yield ranged from 86 to 97%. The depletion of xylose in SSF was further investigated by inoculating NRRL B445 into a xylose-only medium. On prolonged incubation, depletion of xylose with lactic acid production was observed. An experimental procedure with a nonglucose medium was developed to eliminate the lag phase. From xylose fermentation, Lactobacillus delbrueckii yielded 88–92% lactic acid and 2–12% acetic acid.     

Stabilization of gamma alumina slurry for chemical-mechanical polishing of copper

Stabilization of gamma-alumina suspension for chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) of copper was investigated. Citric acid and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (M(w)=5000) were used as dispersant. The stability of suspension was evaluated from the changes in viscosity, particle size and zeta potential. It appears that metastable gamma-alumina mainly due to its high specific surface area and to the presence of aluminol groups on its surface is progressively transformed to bayerite (beta-Al(OH)(3)) by hydration procedure. Citric acid molecules were adsorbed onto gamma-alumina surface effectively and exhibited the excellent hydration inhibition effect. Although citrate-alumina surface complexes give barrier to the flocculation, the repulsion potential is based mainly on the electrostatic repulsion, thereby steric hindrance caused by the adsorption of these small molecules is very weak. The electrosteric repulsion, which provides more effective dispersion stability than electrostatic repulsion force, can be expected by using polyelectrolyte such as PAA; however, adsorbed layers of PAA onto solid/liquid interface are loosely formed. Therefore, a large amount of PAA was required to inhibit the surface hydration of gamma-alumina suspension, thereby the excess addition of PAA decreased the electrosteric repulsion and re-bridging of the dispersant between particles caused an increase in suspension viscosity. Therefore, synergistic effect can be expected in mixed dispersant system of citric acid and PAA, since small citric acid molecules are adsorbed faster than PAA, inhibiting the progress of surface hydration, and then adsorbed PAA layers exhibit the effective electrosteric repulsion interaction between particles with a small amount compared with PAA alone. It was revealed that the gamma-alumina slurry dispersed by mixed dispersant exhibited the improved removal rate of Cu layer by CMP polishing test.     

Complexation ofp-xylene withp-isopropylcalix[4]arene: Crystal structures and thermal analysis of the empty form and the (1 : 1) and (2 : 1) complexes

This paper concerns inclusion complexes of thep-isopropylcalix[4]arene host withp-xylene as guest. It is shown that from a saturated solution inp-xylene, the macrocycle gives a 1 : 1 complex; on heating, the 1 : 1 complex is transformed into a 2: 1 complex, and then into the empty macrocycle. The compounds are studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and X-ray powder diffraction; the three crystal structures are reported showing the arrangements of the macrocycles with and without their guests.Supplementary data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82143 (59 pages).     

Dehydrogenation studies of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) with methylene blue in the presence of the copper hexcyanoferrate(II) complex and light

The effects of copper ferrocyanide and light on the dehydrogenation rate of NADH by methylene blue is studied. The results suggest that the dehydrogenation rate of NADH with methylene blue is enhanced by copper ferrocyanide. Light also affects the reaction rate.     

Effect oftrans-polyoctenamer on thermal stability of rubbers determined by thermal analysis

An effect of a cyclic low molecular-weight polymertrans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR) on the thermal stability of diene rubbers and their vulcanizates was investigated. The investigation was carried out in the air and nitrogen atmospheres using thermogravimetry, DSC and simultaneous thermoanalytical methods. The thermal stability indexes:T ₅,T _max and activation energy of degradation (E), as well asT _g andT _m values, have been determined.It was found thattrans-polyoctenamer (TOR) increases of the thermal stability indices of raw diene rubbers and their vulcanizates. The results show that the thermal degradation of diene rubbers occurred at higher temperature if they were blended with TOR. In our opinion, intermolecular structures formed between the cyclic low-molecular weight polymer and some linear rubber molecules may be the reason for the higher thermal stability of these rubber blends.The work was supported by State Committee for Research, Poland. Grant No. 7.T08 E 032-08.     

Arylation of aliphatic alcohols with tri-p-tolylbismuth and tri-p-tolylbismuth diacetate in the presence of a copper salt

Tri-p-tolylbismuth diacetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of a copper(II) salt (10.02, mol/mol) and tri-p-tolylbismuth in the presence of copper diacetate (1 2) replace the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl groups of methanol and butanol with a tolyl group at 80 °C in up to 90 % yields.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 156–158, January, 1995.     

Characterization and sorption properties of Aspergillus niger waste biomass

The structure and the biosorption properties of fungal biomass of Aspergillus niger originated from citric acid fermentation industry was investigated. This waste biomass, produced in high quantity in carefully controlled industrial processes, has certain favourable characteristics that may be improved for its usefulness. In environmental chemistry, it is known for the removal of heavy metals cations. In this work, different alkaline treatments (1M NaOH/20°C/24 h and 10M NaOH/107°C/6 h) were used to evaluate the dependence of sorption properties of biomass on the cell wall composition. The biosorption was studied by the batch method, with the biomass concentration of 1 g/l, at pH 6. The adsorption of lead was more effective than that of cadmium. The biosorption capacity was evaluated using the biosorption isotherm derived from the equilibrium data. At pH 6, the maximmum lead biosorption capacity estimated with the Langmuir model was 93 mg/g dry biomass.     

p-Aminobenzoate ion determination in pharmaceutical formulations by using a potentiometric sensor immobilized in a graphite matrix

The characteristics, performance, and application of an electrode, namely, Pt|Hg|Hg₂(PABzt)₂| graphite, where PABzt stands for p-aminobenzoate ion, are described. This electrode responds to PABzt with sensivity of (58.1±1.0) mV per decade over the range 1.0×10⁻⁴ to 1.0×10⁻¹ mol l⁻¹ at pH 6.5-8.0 and a detection limit of 3.2×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. The electrode shows easy construction, fast response time (within 10-30 s), low-cost, and excellent response stability (lifetime greater than 6 months, in continuous use). The proposed sensor displayed good selectivity for p-aminobenzoate in the presence of several substances, especially, concerning carboxylate and inorganic anions. It was used to determine p-aminobenzoate in pharmaceutical formulations by means of the standard additions method. The results obtained by using this electrode compared very favorably with those given by an HPLC procedure.     

An ab initio study of the ground and excited states of p-benzoquinone

The results of anab initio SCF calculation for the ground state and CI calculations for the excited states of p-benzoquinone are presented and discussed. A minimum basis set of Slater type orbitals was employed and the CI calculations were performed by considering single excitations from valence to virtual SCF molecular orbitals. The convergence of the calculated excitation energies is studied as a function of the number of orbitals used in the CI calculations. These calculations explain quite well the experimental results.     

Magnetic susceptibilities of acetylene and ethylene using frost-model wavefunctions withp-type Gaussians

There are degeneracy problems involved in the calculation of magnetic susceptibilities from Frost model wavefunctions built up from mixeds- andp-type Gaussians. Various methods are suggested to alleviate the difficulties and they are used to compute the susceptibilities of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄.     

Synthesis, XRD structure and properties of diaqua(p-toluidine-N,N-di-3-propionato)copper(II) dihydrate [Cu(p-Tdp)(H2O)2]·2H2O

The copper(II) complex [Cu(p-Tdp)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, where p-Tdp is the anion of p-toluidine-N,N-di-3-propionic acid (or N,N-di(2-carboxyethyl)-p-toluidine), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Three crystallographically independent [Cu(p-Tdp)(H₂O)₂] molecules have a similar structure. The Cu atoms have a square pyramidal environment (4+1) with a small trigonal bipyramidal distortion. The ortho-H atom of the benzene ring blocks up the sixth coordination position of the Cu polyhedron. The basal plane is formed by the donor atoms of the tridentate ligand and by the water molecule (average bond length Cu---N 2.03, Cu---O 1.93, Cu---O_w 2.00 Å), the apex is occupied by another water molecule (Cu---O_w 2.27 Å). The Cu atoms are located 0.20–0.30 Å out of the mean planes of the four basal atoms towards the apical O_w atom. The IR and electronic absorption spectra of p-Tdp and the title compound have been described. UV–Vis reflectance spectra shows that the complex has the same square pyramidal geometry in the crystal state and in solution. The protonation constants of the ligand log K₁=6.87(2), log K₂=3.75(2), log K₃=2.57(2) and stability constants log K_CuH(p-Tdp)=2.13(5), log K_Cu(p-Tdp)=6.38(3) were determined by pH-titration at 25.0 °C and I=0.1 M KNO₃.     

Effect of copper and manganese ions on activities of laccase and peroxidases in three Pleurotus species grown on agricultural wastes

Copper (Cu²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) ions influenced laccase (Lac) and peroxidase production in Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus pulmonarius. In P. eryngii, the optimum Cu²⁺ concentration for Lac production was 1 mM and for peroxidases 10mM, and Mn²⁺ concentration of 5mM led to peaks of Lac and peroxidase activity. In P. ostreatus HAI 493, the highest level of Lac activity was at Cu²⁺ concentrations of 1 and 10 mM and Mn²⁺ concentration of 1mM, respectively. The absence of Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ caused the highest levels of peroxidase production. In P. ostreatus HAI 494, the highest level of Lac activity was at a Cu²⁺ concentration of 5 mM and at Mn²⁺ concentration of 1 mM, respectively. High levels of peroxidase activity were found in the medium without and with 1mM Cu²⁺, and at 1 and 5 mM Mn²⁺, respectively. In P. pulmonarius, the highest Lac activity was found in the presence of 5 mM Cu²⁺ and 5 mM Mn²⁺, respectively. The absence of Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ as well as their presence at a concentration of 1 mM led to the peaks of peroxidase activities.     

Stabilization of the trivalent oxidation state of copper by tridentate imine–oxime–amine ligands

Two tridentate imine–oxime–amine ligands have been synthesized and their corresponding copper(II) complexes have been isolated. These copper(II) complexes are readily oxidized both chemically and electrochemically to give relatively stable copper(III) complexes. In the pH range 1.5–3.0 the electron transfer process is electrochemically reversible with ΔE_p = 60 mV and i_pa/i_pc ∼ 1. Plots of E_1/2 versus pH are linear with a slope = −60 indicating the involvement of one proton in the electron transfer process. Aqueous solutions of copper(III) complexes have high molar absorption at λ_max with ε > 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. Solid samples of the complexes are diamagnetic consistent with a d⁸ square planar geometry. It seems that only imine–oxime nitrogens are coordinated to copper(II) with the NH₂ group being free as indicated by i.r. spectra. Substitution of a –CH₃ group on the carbon atom adjacent to the oxime group by the more electron donating group –CH(CH₃)₂ lowers electrode potential by more than 90 mV. This is consistent with an earlier observation that electron-donating substituents on the carbon atom adjacent to the oxime group lower the potential of Cu^III/Cu^II couples and stabilize the higher oxidation state.     

Differentiation between o- and p-quinol/quinone functionality with a simple test using cyclic voltammetry

Complexation with boric acid combined with cyclic voltammetry serves to prove theo-quinol/quinone functionality in emmotin H (1) and I (2). Supported by similar investigation of four reference compounds the method is suggested as a quick and reliable test ofo-quinol/quinone functionality and for differentiation fromp-quinol/quinone functionality. Voluminous groups such as 2-isopropanolyl ino-position do not interfere with the complex formation. The test requires quantities of materials in the order of 10 to 100g.     

Zur Synthese und Struktur derp-Indazolchinone und ihrer Methylierungsprodukte Untersuchungen über Chinone, 8. Mitt.

Summary Thep-benzoquinones5e-j react with diazomethane (after dehydrogenation) to 6-anilino-2e, dimethylamino-2h, phenylthio-2i, and methylthioindazolquinone2j. Methylation with dimethylsulfate of these as well as of the already known indazolquinones 6-toluidino-2f, 6-methylanilino-2g, 5-tert.butyl-2m, 5,6-methyl- (isomer mixture)2l,n, and benz-indazolquinone2o yield the 1-and 2-N-methyl derivatives3 and4. The structure of the 2-methyl derivatives is established by reaction of the corresponding benzoquinones with 3-methylsydnon in the case of4e,4g. UV/VIS-, IR- and¹H-NMR-spectroscopy (in CDCl₃ andDMSO) were used for structure determination. Comparison of the UV/VIS-spectra of2–4 shows that the indazolquinones are existing as 2 H-4,7-diones. For the structure elucidation of the 1- rs. 2-methylderivatives (whichh can be attributed to the methylation products) NMR-spectroscopy is well suited even without knowing the second isomer (solvent-effect). The course of the reaction of quinones with diazomethane and of the methylation reactions of the indazolquinones is discussed.

Herrn Univ.-Prof. Dr. G. Zigeuner zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Comparison of antibacterial ability of copper and stainless steel

In this paper, the electro-analysis and spectrophotometric analysis methods were used to study the antibacterial ability of copper and stainless steel materials. When Escherichia coli (E. coli) and photo-bacteria were used as samples, the antibacterial effect of stainless steel was very weak, while the percentage of bacteria dying from exposure to metallic copper for 30 min was over 90%. The antibacterial ability of copper has a potential application in the field of disinfection, food packaging and piping of drinking water. Translated form Huaxue Tongbao, 2006, 69(10): 772–776 (in Chinese)