Preparation, thermal, spectral and microscopic studies of calcium silicate hydrate–poly(acrylic acid) nanocomposite materials

A series of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H)-polymer nanocomposite (C–S–HPN) materials were prepared by incorporating poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) into the inorganic layers of C–S–H during precipitation of quasicrystalline C–S–H from aqueous solution. The as-synthesized C–S–HPN materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The XRD analysis of C–S–HPN materials suggest the intermediate organizations presenting intercalation of PAA within C–S–H and exfoliation of C–S–H. The SEM micrographs of C–S–H, PAA and C–S–HPN materials with different PAA contents exhibit the significant differences in their morphologies. The effect of the material’s composition on the thermal stability of a series of C–S–HPN materials along with PAA and C–S–H were studied by TG, DTA and DSC. Three significant decomposition temperature ranges were observed on the TG curves of all C–S–HPN materials.     

Electrochemical discharge performance of Mg-Li based alloys in NaCl solution

Mg–Li–Al–Sn and Mg–Li–Al–Sn–Ce alloys were prepared using a vacuum induction melting method. Their electrochemical oxidation behavior in NaCl solution was investigated by means of potentiodynamic and chronoamperometric measurements. The surface morphology after discharge was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Utilization efficiency was estimated with a mass-loss method. The results indicated that Mg–Li–Al–Sn has a higher discharge current density but lower utilization efficiency than Mg–Li–Al–Sn–Ce. The typical utilization efficiency after continuous discharging at constant potential of −1.0 for 2 h is 65% and 70% for Mg–Li–Al–Sn and Mg–Li–Al–Sn–Ce, respectively. The utilization efficiency decreased with the increase of anodic potential. Both alloys have similar self-discharge rate in NaCl solution at open-circuit potential.     

A comparison of three solvent-free techniques coupled with gas chromatography for determining trihalomethanes in urine samples

The analysis of volatile organic compounds in samples of biological fluids characterized by complex matrices is highly challenging. This paper presents a comparison of the results obtained in this field using three solvent-free techniques: thin-layer headspace with autogenous generation of liquid sorbent (TLHS) and membrane separation of the trace substances (pervaporation, PV), both of which are coupled to direct aqueous injection gas chromatography–electron capture detection (TLHS–DAI–GC–ECD and PV–DAI–GC–ECD), as well as conventional static headspace analysis followed by GC analysis with ECD detection (HS–GC–ECD). Basic validation parameters of the HS–GC–ECD, TLHS–DAI–GC–ECD and PV–DAI–GC–ECD procedures were calculated for water and urine samples. The calibration curves for all procedures were linear within the concentration range examined. The intermediate precisions of the procedures were good and reached about 10% (for all analytes) for HS–GC–ECD and TLHS–DAI–GC–ECD. The poorest results were obtained for PV–DAI–GC–ECD: about 20% for all analytes. The lowest method detection limits were obtained for the TLHS–DAI–GC–ECD procedure: below 0.0022 μg/L for all analytes. The enrichment factors did not differ significantly between water and urine samples, indicating little or no matrix effect in all procedures.     

Thermal, spectral and AFM studies of calcium silicate hydrate-polymer nanocomposite material

A non-ionic polymer (poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)) has been incorporated into the inorganic layers of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) during precipitation of quasicrystalline C–S–H from aqueous solution. C–S–H and a C–S–H-polymer nanocomposite (C–S–HPN) material were synthesized and characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), ²⁹Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁹Si MAS NMR) and ¹³C cross-polarization nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CP NMR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermal conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Thermal conductivity of PVA, C–S–H and C–S–HPN material was studied in the temperature range 25–50°C. C–S–HPN materials exhibited the highest thermal conductivity at 25 and 50°C. The thermal conductivity increases from 25 to 50°C are 7.03, 17.46 and 14.85% for PVA, C–S–H and C–S–HPN material, respectively. Three significant decomposition temperature ranges were observed on the TG curve of C–S–HPN material.     

Synthesis, thermal and structural characterization of nanocomposites for potential applications in construction

Several calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H)-polymer nanocomposite (C–S–HPN) materials have been prepared by incorporating poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) into the inorganic layers of C–S–H during precipitation of quasicrystalline C-S-H from aqueous solution. The synthetic C–S–HPN materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The XRD peaks of C–S–HPN materials suggest the intermediate organizations presenting both intercalation of PAA and exfoliation of C–S–H. The SEM images of C–S–H and C–S–HPN materials with different PAA contents exhibit the significant differences in their morphologies. Effects of the material compositions on the thermal stability of series of C–S–HPN materials along with PAA and C–S–H has been studied by TG, DTG and DSC. Three significant decomposition temperature ranges were observed on the TG curves of all C–S–HPN materials.     

Thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid) measured by thermogravimetry coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal degradation kinetics, FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of synthesized glycine–montmorillonite (Gly–MMT) and montmorillonite bound dipeptide (Gly–Gly–MMT) along with pure Na–MMT samples have been performed. TG analysis at the temperature range 25–250 °C showed a mass loss for pure Na–MMT, Gly–MMT and Gly–Gly–MMT of about 8.0%, 4.0% and 2.0%, respectively. DTA curves show the endothermic reaction at 136, 211 and 678 °C in pure Na–MMT whereas Gly–MMT shows the exothermic reaction at 322 and 404 °C and that of Gly–Gly–MMT at 371 °C. The activation energies of the first order thermal degradation reaction were found to be 1.64 and 9.78 kJ mol⁻¹ for Gly–MMT and Gly–Gly–MMT, respectively. FTIR analyses indicate that the intercalated compounds decomposed at the temperature more than 250 °C in Gly–MMT and at 250 °C in Gly–Gly–MMT.     

Simultaneous GC-MS quantitation of acids and sugars in the hydrolyzates of immunostimulant, water-soluble polysaccharides of basidiomycetes

Summary The simultaneous quantitation of acids and sugars as their trimethyl silyl (TMS) derivatives has been extended in order to identify and quantitate the simple acid and sugar constituents in the hydrolyzates of various immunostimulant, water-soluble polysaccharides obtained from various Basidiomycetes, such as Armillariella mellea, Auricularia auricula-judae, Coriolus versicolor, Flammulina velutipes, Fomes fomentarius, Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune, Trametes hirsuta. Optimum hydrolysis conditions, performed with 2 M trifluoroacetic acid (TFAA) for five hrs, proved the presence of several sugars and acids with maximum recovery. (i) the total sugar/sugar alcohol content of polysaccharides varied between 20- and 65% and consisted of arabitol (0.01–10.2%), arabinose (0.09–1.3%), ribose (0.2–1.8%), fucose (0.3–1.2%), mannitol (0.01–5.3%), sorbitol (0.01–0.05%), galactiol (0.04%), fructose (0.08–0.8%), galactose (0.9–29%), glucose (10–53%), uronic acids (0.14–3.7%), sucrose (0.03–2%), trehalose (0.2–1%), cellobiose (0.01–0.6%), maltose (0.2–1.9%), other disaccharides (0.2–8%). (ii) The total of acids varied from 1.5 to 30% including o-phosphoric (1.3–19%), malic (0.08–4.7%), citric (0.08–4.7%), isocitric; (3%) and C₁₆−C₁₈ fatty acids (1–6%).     

XRF Analysis of Microsamples of Semiconductor Type Multielement Materials by the Thin Layer Method. Determination of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Sb, Yb

 A simple and quick method of durable samples preparation by the thin layer method through direct digesting of the analysed material on the substrate has been presented. Four- and three-component mono- and polycrystals have been analysed. Standards have been used in calibration containing: Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Sb, Yb. To improve the correlation between the concentration and the fluorescent radiation models of mathematical corrections have additionally been used: multiple linear regression, Lucas-Tooth-Pyne model (L. T. P.) and de Jongh model (d. J.). Statistical parameters: detection limits for 0.5 mg samples: Cr–0.041%, Co–0.034%, Ni–0.042%, Cu–0.053%, Zn–0.054%, Ga–0.057%, Se–0.057%, Sb–0.113%, Yb–0.077%. Correlation coefficients: simple regression 0.9946–0.9997, multiple regression 0.9974–1.0000, L. T. P. 0.9993–1.0000, d. J. 0.9995–1.0000. Received August, 1, 1998. Revision March 25, 1999.     

Relationships among the transition elements

As part of a series of contributions on patterns in the periodic table, the relationships among the transition metals are examined here in a systematic manner. It is concluded that the traditional method of categorizing transition elements by group or by period is not as valid as by using combinations thereof. From chemical similarities, it is proposed that the transition metals be considered as the [V–Cr–Mn] triad; the [Fe–Co–Ni–Cu] tetrad; the [Ti–Zr–Hf–Nb–Ta] pentad; the [Mo–W–Tc–Re] tetrad; and the [Ru–Os–Rh–Ir–Pd–Pt–Au] heptad. Silver does not fit neatly in anywhere and is better linked with thallium.     

Thermal degradation and smoke suspension of cotton cellulose modified with THPC and its lanthanide metal complexes

Complexes of cell–THPC–urea–ADP with transition metal ion Co²⁺ and lanthanide metal ions such as La³⁺, Ce⁴⁺, Nd³⁺ and Sm³⁺ have been prepared. The thermal behavior and smoke suspension of the samples are determined by TG, DTA, DTG and cone calorimetry. The activation energies for the second stage of thermal degradation have been obtained by following Broido equation. Experimental data show that for the complexes of cell–THPC–urea–ADP with the metal ions, the activation energies and thermal decomposition temperatures are higher than those of cell–THPC–urea–ADP, which shows these metal ions can increase the thermal stability of cell–THPC–urea–ADP. Moreover, these lanthanide metal ions can more increase thermal stability of samples than do the transition metal ion Co²⁺. The cone calorimetry data indicate that the lanthanide metal ions, similar to transition metal Co²⁺, greatly decrease the smoke, CO and CO₂ generation of cell–THPC–urea–ADP, which can be used as smoke suppressants.     

Thermal decomposition properties of 1,2,4-triazole-3-one and guanidine nitrate mixtures

1,2,4-triazole-3-one (TO) and guanidine nitrate (GN) have the potential to be used as alternative gas-generating agents. To obtain a better understanding of thermal decomposition properties of TO/GN mixtures, sealed cell differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis–infrared spectroscopy (TG–DTA–IR), and thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis–mass spectrometry (TG–DTA–MS) were carried out. The endothermic peak and onset temperatures of TO/GN mixtures were lower than those of individual TO and GN. TG–DTA–IR and TG–DTA–MS showed that the mass of TO/GN mixtures decreased with heat generation and N₂ evolved as the major gas during thermal decomposition. The interaction between TO and nitric acid from the dissociation of GN is proposed for the thermal decomposition of TO/GN mixtures.     

Synthesis of Amido- and Diamidophosphites with Polyfluoroalkyl Substituents

Bis(polyfluoroalkyl) chlorophosphites and polyfluoroalkyl dichlorophosphites react easily with secondary amines (from –40 to –22°C, 1–3 h, CH2Cl2) in the presence or absence of triethylamine to form the corresponding bis(polyfluoroalkyl) diorganylamidophosphites or bis(diorganylamido) polyfluoroalkyl phosphites in the yield of up to 74%. Bis(polyfluoroalkyl) diorganylamidophosphites were also synthesized from diorganylamidodichlorophosphites and polyfluoroalkanols (–25 to –22°C, 2 h, Et3N–CH2Cl2) with a yield of 56–60%.     

Chemical deposition and characterization of thin polypyrrole films on glass plates: role of organosilane treatment

 Thin chloride-doped polypyrrole films (PPyCl) were deposited chemically onto untreated and silane-treated planar glass plates from aqueous solutions. The organosilanes used to treat the glass substrates were methyltriethoxysilane (Cl), propyltrimethoxysilane (C3), octyltrimethoxysilane (C8) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The decreasing order of hydrophobic character of silane-treated glass slides, as measured by water contact angle measurements, was glass–APS ≅ glass–C8 > glass–C3 > glass–C1 > glass. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the surface chemical composition of the glass plates before and following coating with the silane coupling agents and/or the PPy thin layer, respectively. The attenuation in intensity of the glass Na_{1 s} peak enabled the average thickness of the various organosilane overlayers to be estimated. Atomic force microscopy showed that the morphology of the organosilane overlayers was islandlike. The domains have a structure which depends upon the nature of the organosilane in question. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the morphology of the PPyCl thin films was homogeneous when coated onto glass–APS and glass–C8, but wrinkled at the surface of glass, glass–C1 and glass–C3 plates. Qualitative peel tests using 3M adhesive tape showed very good adhesion of PPyCl to the glass–APS substrate, whereas adhesion was fairly poor in the case of glass–PPy and PPy–alkylsilane–glass interfaces. The results of this multitechnique study suggest that hydrophobic interactions are important to obtain homogeneous and continuous thin PPy films, but Lewis acid–base interactions are the driving forces for strong and durable PPy–glass adhesion. Received: 3 January 2000/Accepted: 19 May 2000     

Modification and re-validation of the ethyl acetate-based multi-residue method for pesticides in produce

The ethyl acetate-based multi-residue method for determination of pesticide residues in produce has been modified for gas chromatographic (GC) analysis by implementation of dispersive solid-phase extraction (using primary–secondary amine and graphitized carbon black) and large-volume (20 μL) injection. The same extract, before clean-up and after a change of solvent, was also analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS). All aspects related to sample preparation were re-assessed with regard to ease and speed of the analysis. The principle of the extraction procedure (solvent, salt) was not changed, to avoid the possibility invalidating data acquired over past decades. The modifications were made with techniques currently commonly applied in routine laboratories, GC–MS and LC–MS–MS, in mind. The modified method enables processing (from homogenization until final extracts for both GC and LC) of 30 samples per eight hours per person. Limits of quantification (LOQs) of 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ were achieved with both GC–MS (full-scan acquisition, 10 mg matrix equivalent injected) and LC–MS–MS (2 mg injected) for most of the pesticides. Validation data for 341 pesticides and degradation products are presented. A compilation of analytical quality-control data for pesticides routinely analyzed by GC–MS (135 compounds) and LC–MS–MS (136 compounds) in over 100 different matrices, obtained over a period of 15 months, are also presented and discussed. At the 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ level acceptable recoveries were obtained for 93% (GC–MS) and 92% (LC–MS–MS) of pesticide–matrix combinations.     

An Enhanced Adsorption in Puerarin Retention on Oligo-β-Cyclodextrin Grafted Poly(Glycidyl Methacrylate) Media

The poly(glycidyl methacrylate) adsorbents P(GMA–EDMA) and P(GMA–DVB) were synthesized by the radical suspension–polymerization method and farther coupled by oligo-β-cyclodextrin (CDP) to obtain P(GMA–EDMA)–CDP and P(GMA–DVB)–CDP. The synthesized polymeric media were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, and BET surface area. The adsorption of puerarin from aqueous solution onto the four media, i.e., P(GMA–EDMA), P(GMA–DVB), P(GMA–EDMA)–CDP, and P(GMA–DVB)–CDP, was studied. An enhanced adsorption of puerarin apparently presented on grafted media. The interaction between the polymeric media and the puerarin was researched by FTIR. The result shows that the adsorption efficiency on P(GMA–DVB)–CDP driven by multiple weak interactions is much higher than that on P(GMA–EDMA) driven by hydrogen bonding interaction only and on P(GMA–DVB) or P(GMA–EDMA)–CDP driven by two interactions.     

Effect of the Preparation Methodof Al–Mg–O Catalysts on the Selective Decomposition of Ethanol

Summary.  Selective decomposition of ethanol was used as a test reaction at 350°C to evaluate the catalytic activity of two Al–Mg–O mixed oxides prepared by two different methods (wet impregnation and coprecipitation). The catalyst precursors were examined by TG and DTA and were calcined between 500–900°C for 5 h in air. The surface area of all catalysts was measured by N₂ sorption using the BET method. The total acidity and basicity were determined by TPD using pyridine and formic acid. The catalysts were characterized by XRD analysis. It was found that the preparation method of Al–Mg–O catalyst has a great effect on the selective decomposition of ethanol. Al–Mg–O (I) catalysts, prepared by wet impregnation, were more selective towards ethene formation during dehydration of ethanol. This is ascribed to their high total surface acidity. On the other hand, Al–Mg–O (II) catalysts, prepared by coprecipitation, were highly selective in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol to yield acetaldehyde. This could be attributed to their high concentration of basic sites. In addition, the production of traces of diethyl ether was also observed (three times more for Al–Mg–O (II) than for Al–Mg–O (I)). Corresponding author. E-mail: shalawy99@yahoo.com Received October 12, 2001. Accepted (revised) January 7, 2002     

Slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in plastics

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS–ETV–DRC–ICP–MS) for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in several plastic samples, using NH₄NO₃ as the modifier, is described. The influences of the instrumental operating conditions and the slurry preparation technique on the ion signals are investigated. A reduction in the intensity of the background at signals corresponding to chromium masses (arising from matrix elements) was achieved by using NH₃ as the reaction cell gas in the DRC. The method was applied to determine Cr, Cd and Pb in two polystyrene (PS) samples and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sample using two different calibration methods, namely standard addition and isotope dilution. The results were in good agreement with those for digested samples analyzed by ultrasonic nebulization DRC–ICP–MS. The precision between sample replicates was better than 17% with the USS–ETV–DRC–ICP–MS method. The method detection limits, estimated from standard addition curves, were about 6–9, 1–2 and 8–11 ng g⁻¹ for Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively, in the original plastic samples.     

Molecular structure of basic oligomeric building units of heparan-sulfate glycosaminoglycans

This study reports in detail the results of systematic large-scale theoretical investigations of the acidic dimeric structural units (D–E, E–F, F–G, and G–H) and pentamer D–E–F–G–H (fondaparinux) of the glycosaminoglycan heparin, and their anionic forms. The geometries and energies of these oligomers have been computed using HF/6–31G(d), Becke3LYP/6–31G(d), and Becke3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) methods. The optimized geometries indicate that the most stable structure of these units in the neutral state is stabilized via a system of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The equilibrium structure of these species changed appreciably upon dissociation. Water has a remarkable effect on the geometry of the anions studied. Because of high negative charge, the solvent effect also resulted in an appreciable energetic stabilization of biologically active anionic forms of these glycosaminoglycans. The stable energy conformations around glycosidic bonds found for dimers and pentamer investigated are compared and discussed with the available experimental X-ray structural data for the structurally related heparin-derived pentasaccharides in cocrystals with proteins.     

Selective extraction of sulfonamides from food by use of silica-coated molecularly imprinted polymer nanospheres

We report the use of nanospheres prepared by coating silica with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for sulfamethoxazole (SMO). The resulting SiO₂–SMO–MIP nanoparticles have highly improved imprinting and adsorption capacity, and can be used for separation and determination of sulfonamides in eggs and milk. In the synthesis, monodispersed SiO₂ nanoparticles (Si–NP) of diameter 80 nm were amino-modified by reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxylsilane. The acryloyl monolayer was then grafted onto the amine-modified Si–NP. Finally, the MIP films were coated on to the surface of Si–NP by the copolymerization of the vinyl end groups with functional monomer (acrylamide), cross-linking agent (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), initiator (azo-bis-isobutyronitrile), and template molecule (sulfamethoxazole). The resulting SiO₂–SMO–MIP–NP were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The adsorption properties were demonstrated by equilibrium rebinding experiments and Scatchard analysis. The results showed that the binding sites of the SiO₂–SMO–MIP were highly accessible, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the SiO₂–SMO–MIP for SMO was 20.21 mg g⁻¹. The selectivity of the SiO₂–SMO–MIP–NP obtained was elucidated by using SMO and structurally related sulfonamides. The results indicated that the SiO₂–SMO–MIP had significant selectivity for SMO. The feasibility of removing SMO and sulfadiazine (SDZ) from food samples was proved by use of spiked milk and eggs. A method for the separation and determination of trace SMO and SDZ in milk and egg samples was developed, with recoveries ranging from 69.8% to 89.1%.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior of Some 1H-3-Methyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-(benzylidenehydrazino)pyrazoles

1H-3-Methyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-(benzylidenehydrazino)pyrazoles are key intermediates in obtaining various heterocyclic systems including pyrazolotriazoles. We present the voltammetric behavior of these compounds in nonaqueous media, with the following para substituents grafted on the benzene ring: –N(CH₃)₂, –OH, –OCH₃, –F, –Cl, –CF₃, –NO₂, as well as of the novel compounds with –Br, –I, and –SCH₃ in the para position, in order to elucidate the influence of the various substituents on the mechanism of anodic oxidation.