Swelling Properties and Environmental Responsiveness of Superabsorbent Composite Based on Starch-G-Poly Acrylic Acid/Organo-Zeolite

Star-g-poly (acrylic acid)/organo-zeolite 4A (S-g-PAA/OZ) superabsorbent composite was prepared by grafting partially neutralized acrylic acid onto starch in the presence of organo-zeolite 4A (OZ) as an inorganic component. The morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis revealed the fine distribution of OZ in superabsorbent composite. The swelling kinetics of the composites were characterized by means of a Schott's second-order model. The effect of OZ concentration in the composite on the water absorbency and swelling behavior were tested. The swelling properties of the composites were evaluated in various environments; pH, salinity, temperature, urea solution, and solvent-water mixtures. The activation energy (ΔE) for water during the swelling process was also determined through Arrhenius plots. The results showed that the proper amount of OZ was beneficial for improvement of the water absorbent capacity and the initial swelling rate in distilled water. The optimum prepared composite with 10 wt % OZ, possessed the maximum water absorption (511g/g) in distilled water and (521 g/g) in 0.1 wt % urea solution. The results inferred that S-g-PAA/OZ superabsorbent composite can be exploited for agriculture and medical applications.     

Preparation of nanocomposite superabsorbents based on hydrotalcite and poly(acrylic-co-acrylamide) by inverse suspension polymerization

Firstly, hydrotalcite (HT) was synthesized by the urea method. Then, sodium methyl allyl sulfonate (SMAS) was used as intercalation agent to prepare intercalated HT (SMAS–HT). Finally, a novel poly(acrylic-co-acrylamide)/HT nanocomposite superabsorbent was prepared by inverse suspension polymerization, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) as a cross-linking agent and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. The morphology of the superabsorbents was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TEM. The influences of the amount of SMAS–HT on the water (salt) absorbency were investigated. Results showed that the intercalation was successful and the intercalated SMAS–HT incorporated into the superabsorbent was completely exfoliated. The superabsorbent particles approach a spherical shape and the average size is 200–300 nm. The particle sizes of the superabsorbents decrease with increasing the content of SMAS–HT. In addition, the superabsorbent acquired its highest water (salt) absorbency when the content of SMAS–HT is 3 wt%. The highest absorbencies of the superabsorbent for deionized water and 0.9% NaCl_(aq) were 900 g/g and 140 g/g, respectively.     

Nonisothermal Crystallization Behavior of Polypropylene Grafted Silane and Styrene Using γ-Ray Irradiation

Polypropylene grafted silane and styrene (named PP-g-Si/St in this article) was successfully prepared by radical graft polymerization initiated by γ-ray irradiation. The influence of total absorbed dose on the graft ratio of vinyltrimethoxysilane onto PP and the melt flow rate (MFR) of the PP-g-Si/St product were studied. The effect of graft ratios of vinyltrimethoxysilane on the melting point and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PP-g-Si/St was investigated by the method of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). With increasing vinyltrimethoxysilane and styrene (used as viscosity modifier and free radical source) grafted on PP, the melting point of PP-g-Si/St became lower. Several different analysis methods, including those of Avrami, Jeziorny, and Mo and colleagues, were employed to describe the nonisothermal crystallization process of the grafted samples. The results indicate that the peak temperature of crystallization of PP-g-Si/St sample was lower than that of virgin PP. Crystallization kinetics revealed that the rates of nucleation and growth were affected differently by the graft ratio of vinyltrimethoxysilane onto PP. The activation energy was calculated on the basis of the method of Kissinger, and the values were 253.6 and 215.7 kJ/mol for virgin PP and PP-g-Si/St, respectively.     

Study on the Dynamic Rheometry and Swelling Properties of the Polyacrylamide/Laponite Nanocomposite Hydrogels in Electrolyte Media

Polyacrylamide/laponite/chromium triacetate nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels were prepared by incorporation of the laponite nanoparticles in partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide followed by cross-linking of their aqueous solutions with chromium triacetate. Influence of nanoparticle, cross-linker, polymer concentrations, and gelation media (water) temperature, salinity, and rheometer frequency on the viscoelastic behavior of the NC hydrogels were studied by probing the network properties. In addition, swelling behaviors of these NC gels in tap and oil reservoir water were evaluated. According to dynamic rheometry of the gelation process, the limiting storage modulus of the NC gels increased with increasing laponite content. The addition of laponite into the polyacrylamide gelling system increased their viscous properties more strongly than the elastic properties. The ultimate elastic modulus of the NC gels increased with increasing water salinity and temperature. Increasing rheometer frequency during gelation retarded the sol–gel transition and decreased the ultimate elastic modulus. The equilibrium swelling ratio of the NC hydrogels in tap water decreased with increasing laponite content. The salt sensitivity of the NC gels in oil reservoir water slightly decreased with increasing laponite content. These results suggest the superiority of the hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM)/chromium acetate/laponite NC hydrogels for water shut-off applications in oil reservoirs as compared with unfilled HPAM gels.     

Preparation and Swelling Behavior of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide Nanocomposite Hydrogels in Electrolyte Solutions

In this research, nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by cross‐linking of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/sodium montmorillonite aqueous solutions with chromium triacetate. The gelation process and influence of nanoclay content and salt concentration on swelling behavior were investigated. Study of gelation behavior using dynamic rheometry method showed that increasing the nanoclay content decreases the storage modulus, due to the partial adsorption of polymer chains onto the clay surface and ionic interaction between negative layers of sodium montmorillonite and Cr.³⁺ By increasing the cross‐linker concentration of the gelation system, the viscous energy dissipation properties of the nanocomposite gel decreases. Swelling ratio of the nanocomposite gels in distilled water decreased as the concentration of the nanoclay increased. However, nanocomposite gels showed lower salt sensitivity in electrolyte media compared with unfilled gels.     

Enhanced transport of zerovalent iron nanoparticles in saturated porous media by guar gum

In order to ensure adequate mobility of zerovalent iron nanoparticles in natural aquifers, the use of a stabilizing agent is necessary. Polymers adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface will give rise to electrosteric stabilization and will decrease attachment to the surface soil grains. Water saturated sand-packed columns were used in this study to investigate the transport of iron nanoparticle suspensions, bare or modified with the green polymer guar gum. The suspensions were prepared at 154 mg/L particle concentration and 0.5 g/L polymer concentration. Transport experiments were conducted by varying the ionic strength, ionic composition, and approach velocity of the fluid. Nanoparticle deposition rates, attachment efficiencies, and travel distances were subsequently calculated based on the classical particle filtration theory. It was found that bare iron nanoparticles are basically immobile in sandy porous media. In contrast, guar gum is able to ensure significant nanoparticle transport at the tested conditions, regardless of the chemistry of the solution. Attachment efficiency values for guar gum-coated nanoparticles under the various conditions tested were smaller than 0.066. Although the calculated travel distances may not prove satisfactory for field application, the investigation attested the promising role of guar gum to ensure mobility of iron nanoparticles in the subsurface environment.     

Mechanical,Thermal, and Rheological Properties of EPDM-graft-methyl Methacrylate and Styrene (EPDM-g-MS)/Methyl Methacrylate-Styrene Copolymer (MS Resin) Blends

EPDM-graft-methyl methacrylate and styrene (EPDM-g-MS) were synthesized by solution graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) onto ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM). EPDM-g-MS/MS resin blends (MES) tht were prepared by melt blending EPDM-g-MS and methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer (MS resin). The mechanical properties, compatibility, thermal stabilities and rheological properties of MES were studied by the pendulum impact tester and the tension tester, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and the capillary rheometry, respectively. The results showed that EPDM-g-MS had an excellent toughening effect on MS resin; the notched Izod impact strength of MES reached 20.7 kJ/m² when EPDM content in MES was 25 wt%, about 14 times that of MS resin. EPDM-g-MS and MS resin were partially compatible, and the compatibility increased with an increasing MMA/St ratio of EPDM-g-MS. MES had excellent heat-resistance, which increased as the EPDM content in MES and MMA/St ratio of EPDM-g-MS rose. MES melt flow confirmed pseudoplastic flow characteristics. The apparent viscosity (η _a ) of MES decreased with an increasing shearing rate (γ) and temperature, but increased with an increasing EPDM content in MES and MMA/St ratio of EPDM-g-MS. The flow activation energy of MES was lower than that of MS resin.     

Gelation Rheology and Water Absorption Behavior of Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Polyacrylamide and Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Gelation rheology and swelling behavior of novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on polyacrylamide are described. These hydrogels were prepared by solution cross-linking of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), using chromium triacetate. Effects of CMC content on the gelation process and swelling behavior in tap water and different electrolyte solutions were investigated. Study of the gelation behavior using dynamic rheometery showed that the limiting storage modulus of the semi-IPN gels increased with increasing CMC content. Enhancement of storage modulus was more than two times for the semi-IPN gels containing 50 wt% CMC. It was also found that increasing the CMC content decreased the loss factor, indicating that the elastic properties of this gelling system increase more strongly than the viscous properties. The swelling ratio of the semi-IPN gels in tap water, NaCl and CaCl₂ solutions, and synthetic oil reservoir water slightly decreased as the concentration of the CMC increased. The improved storage modulus and slightly decreased swelling capacity in oil reservoir water make these semi-IPN hydrogels potentially good candidates for excess water treatment in oil recovery applications.     

Preparation of cross-linked copolymer microspheres 4VP/St and cobalt tetraphenylporphyrins supported on it

The cross-linked microspheres 4VP/St made of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and styrene(St) were prepared with suspension copolymerization method using ethyl glycol dimethacylate (EGDMA) as cross-linker and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as disperser. The cobalt tetraphenylporphyrins (CoPs) were immobilized on 4VP/St microspheres via the axial coordination reaction between CoPs and the pyridine groups of 4VP/St microspheres, resulting in the functional microspheres CoP-4VP/St. The chemical structure of 4VP/St and CoP-4VP/St were characterized with infrared spectrum and their morphologies were observed with the scanning electron microscope. The experimental results show that via controlling the various reaction conditions of the suspension copolymerization, the 4VP/St microspheres with excellent sphericity and narrow particle diameter distribution can be gained. In addition, CoPs are successfully immobilized on 4VP/St microspheres by means of Co-N bonds, on which the immobilized content of CoPs goes up to 10.7-17.5 μmol/g.     

腐植酸/凹土分离富集-FAAS测定水中的痕量镉

用腐植酸/凹土固相萃取富集水中痕量镉,然后用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定。实验研究了溶液pH值、分离柱上样速度、洗脱剂的类型、用量、浓度、洗脱速度等因素对镉回收率的影响。在最优条件下,材料对镉的最大吸附量为46.56m g/g,回收率为97.8%—102.2%。该方法抗干扰能力强,可用于环境水样中痕量镉的检测。     

Preparation and characteristics of acrylic acid/styrene composite plasma polymerized membranes

Plasma polymerization has gained increasing interest for the deposition of functional plasma-polymerized membranes suitable for a wide range of applications on account of its advantageous features. In this work, acrylic acid/styrene composite plasma polymerized membranes were synthesized by plasma polymerization of a mixture of acrylic acid and styrene monomers in a low-frequency after-glow capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) discharge process. The structure and composition of the plasma polymerized membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the partial pressure ratio between acrylic acid (AA) and styrene (St), applied discharge power and the energy of the extracted particles have considerable effects on the structure and the content of functional groups of the deposited membranes.     

红外光谱原位跟踪活性自由基聚合反应过程研究

使用新型可插入式红外光谱仪原位检测在4－羟基2，2，6，6－四甲基氧化哌啶醇（HTEMPO）存在下苯乙烯稳定自由基活性均聚合反应和苯乙烯／甲基丙烯酸羟丙酯的共聚合反应以及苯乙烯原子转移活性自由基聚合（ATRP）反应三个过程，分别考虑了它们的反应动力学，并给出了可能的聚合反应机理。研究结果表明，对于均相的苯乙烯（St)均聚合反应和苯乙烯（St)/甲基丙烯酸羟丙酯（HPMA）的自由基共聚合反应体系，聚合反应显示一定的诱导期，与反应体系中存在的HTEMPO捕捉自由基有关，而对于St／HPMA共聚合体系，诱导期更长，这是因为HPMA易和HTEMPO自由基发生氢转移反应，导致游离的HTEMPO浓度升高。最后用红外光谱实时跟踪苯乙烯非均相ATRP过程，发现苯乙烯聚合反应动力学接近于表现零级。因为单体分子在由增长自由基、卤化铜和联二吡啶形成的络合物的界面增长，与单体相内St浓度无关。     

苯乙烯的三维荧光特性及水污染应急处理

苯乙烯对人体健康和自然环境具有极大的危害,是国际卫生组织确认的致癌物。历年来,苯乙烯泄漏事故频繁发生,对饮用水安全造成了极大的隐患。对水中苯乙烯污染进行快速监测并采取切实有效的应急处理措施有助于保障饮用水的卫生安全。利用三维荧光光谱技术对苯乙烯的水溶液进行分析,发现在Ex255/Em305处有一个明显的荧光峰,荧光峰值与苯乙烯溶液浓度呈现良好的线性相关,相关系数r达到了0.995 7,其颜色随浓度增加而变深。苯乙烯中共有4个共轭π键,其中苯环具有大的共轭π键结构,乙烯基上同样具有一个共轭π键。同时,苯乙烯的分子结构中,碳原子处于同一个平面上,属于平面构型且具有一定的刚性,符合强荧光物质所具有的特征。因此通过三维荧光扫描结合苯乙烯的荧光特性,能快速测定水体中苯乙烯浓度及判断水体的污染程度。粉末活性炭可以有效地吸附去除水中的苯乙烯。当苯乙烯在源水中的浓度达到《生活饮用水卫生标准》规定的限值0.02 mg·L-1时,采用180目的粉末活性炭,投加量为15 mg·L-1时,苯乙烯浓度可降至0.001 mg·L-1,去除率达95.5%。     

Study of Morphology and Mechanical Properties of In Situ PP/PS Alloy

The in situ polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) alloy was prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Purified styrene (St) and pre‐polymerized styrene (PSt), forming a dispersed PS phase in the PP matrix would react with PP matrix to form PP‐g‐PS graft co‐polymers acting as a compatibilizer in these alloys, leading to the formation of in situ PP/PS alloys with in situ compatibilizer during reactive blending in a mixer. The morphology development of the alloy was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was described using the characteristic length L and the average characteristic length L_m. The shape of the dispersed PS phase was regular and the distribution of PS particles was uniform. Tensile properties of the alloy were improved with mixing time and fluctuated in a certain composition range.     

A Kinetic Study on the Thermal Degradation of Polypropylene/Attapulgite Nanocomposites

In this work, a polypropylene (PP)/attapulgite nanocomposite was prepared via melt blending using a novel organically modified attapulgite (OATP). The thermal stability of PP/clay nanocomposites compared to pure PP was examined in nitrogen using a kinetic analysis. The kinetic parameters, including reaction order and activation energy (A and E _a) of the degradation process were determined by applying the Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa method using derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves. At the same time, the effect of organic attapulgite on thermal decomposition of polypropylene matrix was analyzed. As a result, PP/OATP nanocomposites have slightly higher degradation temperature than that of the pure PP. The values of the reaction order of PP and PP/OATP nanocomposites are close to 1 in the nonisothermal degradation process. The activation energies of PP/OATP nanocomposites also increase slightly compared to the pure PP, thus it is suggested that the org‐attapulgite has little effect on the thermal stability of the pure PP.     

Development of high performance nano-porous polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes with hydrophilic surface and superior antifouling properties

Hydrophilic nano-porous polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes were developed for milk concentration. The membranes were prepared from new dope solution containing polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP)/polyethyleneglycole (PEG)/cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)/acrylic acid/Triton X-100 using phase inversion induced by immersion precipitation technique. This casting solution leads to formation of new hydrophilic membranes. The morphological studies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, the hydrophilicity and performance of membranes were examined by contact angel measurements and cross-flow filtration (pure water flux, milk water permeation, protein rejection and antifouling measurements). The contact angle measurements indicate that a surface with superior hydrophilicity was obtained for PES membranes. Two concentrations of PES (16 and 14.4 wt.%) and two different non-solvents (pure water and mixtures of water and IPA) were used for preparation of membranes. The morphological studies showed that the higher concentration of PES and the presence of IPA in the gelation media results in formation of a membrane with a dense top and sub-layer with small pores on the surface. The pure water flux of membranes was decreased when higher polymer concentration and mixtures of water and IPA were employed for membrane formation. On the other hand, the milk water permeation and protein rejection were increased using mixtures of water and IPA as non-solvent. Furthermore, the fouling analysis of the membranes demonstrated that the membrane surface with fewer tendencies for fouling was obtained.     

The influence of sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) on surface nano-morphology and performance of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane

In this research, firstly sulfonation of polyethersulfone (PES) was carried out and then polyethersulfone (PES)/sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) blend membranes were prepared with phase inversion induced by immersion precipitation technique. polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 2 wt% concentration) was added in the casting solution as pore former. SPES was characterized by FT-IR and UV-visible spectra, ion exchange capacity and swelling ratio. The characterization of SPES polymer indicates that the sulfonic acid groups were produced on PES polymer. Also, the prepared PES/SPES blend membranes were characterized by contact angle, AFM, SEM and cross-flow filtration for milk concentration. The contact angle measurements indicate that the hydrophilicity of PES membrane is enhanced by increasing the SPES content in the casting solution. The SEM and AFM images show that the addition of SPES in the casting solution results in a membrane with larger surface pore size and higher sub-layer porosity. The mean pore size of the membrane increased from 98 nm for PES membrane to 240 and 910 nm for 50/50 and 0/100 PES/SPES blend membranes, respectively. The pure water flux and milk water permeation through the prepared membranes are increased by blending PES with SPES. Moreover, the protein rejection of PES/SPES blend membranes was lower than PES membrane.     

P(NIPAM-co-AA)/Clay nanocomposite hydrogels exhibiting high swelling ratio accompanied by excellent mechanical strength

In this paper, a series of P(NIPAM-co-AA)/Clay composite hydrogels (abbreviated as NAC gels) with high swelling ratio and excellent mechanical strength were synthesized and characterized by DMA, SEM, and IR. In NAC gels composed of a unique organic P(NIPAM-co-AA)/inorganic (clay) network, the inorganic clay acts as a multifunctional cross-linker in place of an organic cross-linker as used in the conventional chemically cross-linked hydrogels (abbreviated as OR gels). The NAC gels exhibit excellent swelling ratio, and there was no detectable change in properties on altering the concentration of clay, while the swelling ratio tends to decrease slightly when C _clay increases up to 25 wt%, which was revealed in swelling measurements. IR spectra show that clay has been intercalated by copolymers. Furthermore, results of DMA reveal that the composite hydrogel has an excellent mechanical strength by using a wide range of clay concentration, while the moduli improve with increasing C _clay.     

铜离子存在下凹凸棒对锌离子的吸附特性

研究了铜离子存在的竞争体系下凹凸棒对锌离子的吸附特性,分析了吸附时间、吸附质浓度对吸附的影响.吸附动力学研究表明,与单一体系相比,凹凸棒对锌离子的吸附速率受铜离子竞争吸附能影响而大大减慢.准二级动力学方程和Langniuir吸附模型可以很好地描述竞争体系下锌离子在凹凸棒上的吸附过程.与单一体系相比,在竞争体系下凹凸棒对...     

Swelling and Gelation Time Behavior of Sulfonated Polyacrylamide/Chromium Triacetate Hydrogels

A hydrogel was prepared by crosslinking of aqueous solutions of sulfonated polyacrylamide/chromium triacetate for use in water shut-off operations in oil reservoirs. The effects of pH, salinity, retarder and temperature, as well as co-polymer and crosslinker concentration, on the gelation time were investigated. The results indicated that as temperature increased, gelation occurred more rapidly. The activation energy was measured as about 86 kJ/mol. The effects of initial pH and retarder on the gelation time were also examined. The results showed that addition of retarder and increasing of pH increased and decreased the gelation time, respectively. The increase of co-polymer concentration in solution increased the gel swelling. However, the increase of crosslinker concentration decreased the gel swelling. In the presence of electrolytes, the gel swelling decreased by about 80%. Finally, some usable practical recommendations are offered for the gelling systems in reservoirs.