Thermogravimetric and FTIR studies of chitosan blends

Results of spectrophotometric and thermogravimetric studies of chitosan (CH) blends with polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), starch (S) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) obtained by casting from solutions in the form of transparent films containing 0–1.0 weight fraction of CH were discussed. Blends containing S are homogeneous only in the case of low-weight fraction of S (to 0.3).On the basis of results of thermodegradation in dynamic and isothermal conditions, thermal stability of the tested systems was estimated. Thermogravimetric measurements in dynamic conditions were carried out in the temperature range of 100–450 °C at constant heating rate 15 °C/min. From thermogravimetry (TG) and DTG curves the activation energy and characteristic parameters of degradation of the tested blends were determined. The observed growth of activation energy and T_p—temperature of initial weight loss, T_max—temperature of maximal rate and C_e—degree of conversion at the end of the measurement (at temperature 450 °C) along with the increase of polymer fraction (HPC and S) in the CH blend provides an evidence of improved thermal stability of the systems tested.Investigations in isothermal conditions in air at temperature from 100 to 200 °C confirmed appreciable improvement of CH thermal stability in the blends being tested.Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the blends showed a distinct stabilization of the process of chain scission. In the band at 1080 cm⁻¹ associated with absorption in –C–O–C– group during degradation of the blends at temperature 200 °C much smaller decrease due to molecular scission were observed than in the case of pure CH.     

Dynamic viscosity versus probe-reported microviscosity of aqueous mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol)

Correlation between the dynamic viscosity (η) and the microviscosity of a hybrid green medium constituted of water and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of average molar mass (200, 400, and 600) g · mol^?1, respectively, is explored over the temperatures range (10 to 90) °C across the complete composition regime. The microviscosity is obtained using a fluorescence probe 1,3-bis-(1-pyrenyl)propane (BPP), which is manifested through the ratio of the monomer-to-intramolecular excimer intensities (I_M/I_E). Aqueous PEG mixtures are observed to behave similar to Newtonian fluids as the temperature dependence of dynamic viscosity follows Arrhenius-type behavior. Surprisingly, a simple and convenient linear dependence of ln η with wt% PEG of the mixture is established. The BPP I_M/I_E is observed, in general, to increase with the bulk dynamic viscosity of the mixture having >10 wt% PEG suggesting a good correlation between the bulk dynamic viscosity and BPP-reported microviscosity when the viscosity of the aqueous PEG mixture is relatively high.     

Reactions of the HO2 radical with OH,H, Fe2+ and Cu2+ at elevated temperatures

The temperature dependence of the rate constant for the reactions of HO₂ with OH, H, Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺ has been determined using pulse radiolysis technique. The following rate constants, k (dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) at 20°C and activation energies, E_a (kJ mol⁻¹) have been found. The reaction with OH was studied in the temperature range 20–296°C (k=7.0×10⁹, E_a=7.4) and the reaction with H in the temperature range 5–149°C (k=8.5×10⁹, E_a=17.5). The reaction with Fe²⁺ was studied in the temperature range 16–118°C (k=7.9×10⁵, E_a=36.8) and the reaction with Cu²⁺ in the temperature range 17–211°C (k=1.1×10⁸, E_a=14.9).     

Bioelectrocatalytic formate oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction at high current density and low overpotential with tungsten-containing formate dehydrogenase and mediators

We show a great possibility of mediated enzymatic bioelectrocatalysis in the formate oxidation and the carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction at high current densities and low overpotentials. Tungsten-containing formate dehydrogenase (FoDH1) from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 was used as a catalyst and immobilized on a Ketjen Black-modified electrode. For the formate oxidation, a high limiting current density (j_lim) of ca. 24 mA cm^− 2 was realized with a half wave potential (E_1/2) of only 0.12 V more positive than the formal potential of the formate/CO₂ couple (E°′_CO2) at 30 °C in the presence of methyl viologen (MV^2 +) as a mediator, and j_lim reached ca. 145 mA cm^− 2 at 60 °C. Even when a viologen-functionalized polymer was co-immobilized with FoDH1 on the porous electrode, j_lim of ca. 30 mA cm^− 2 was attained at 60 °C with E_1/2 = E°′_CO2 + 0.13 V. On the other hand, the CO₂ reduction was also realized with j_lim ≈ 15 mA cm^− 2 and E_1/2 = E°′_CO2 − 0.04 V at pH 6.6 and 60 °C in the presence of MV^2 +.     

Subsolidus phase relations,crystal chemistry and cation-transport properties of sodium iron antimony oxides

Subsolidus phase relations in Na₂O–Fe₂O₃–Sb₂O_x system (excluding Na-rich and Sb-rich corners) were studied using powder X-ray diffraction. Samples were prepared by conventional solid-state reactions at 980–1030 °C followed by quenching. Sb substitution for Fe stabilizes the low-temperature rhombohedral α form of NaFeO₂ and enhances ionic conductivity: σ(300 °C) = 0.5 S/m, E_a = 0.38(3) eV, t_e < 0.01 for Na_0.8Fe_0.9Sb_0.1O₂ ceramics. Besides known orthorhombic Na₂Fe₃SbO₈, three new compounds have been identified: trigonal Na₄FeSbO₆, a superlattice of α-NaFeO₂ type, a = 5.4217(7) Å, c = 16.2715(1) Å, possible space group P3₁12; orthorhombic Na₂FeSbO₅, possibly related to brownmillerite, Pbcn, a = 10.8965(13) Å, b = 15.7178(13) Å, c = 5.3253(4) Å, and one more phase with empirical formula Na₄Fe₃SbO₉, whose pattern could not be indexed. Ion-exchange reactions lead to a delafossite-type superlattice Ag₃(NaFeSb)O₆ (a = 5.4503(12) Å, c = 18.7747(20) Å, possible space group P3₁12).     

Thermophysical properties of aqueous solutions of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ionic liquid

Thermophysical behavior of the binary system [water + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ionic liquid (IL)] was thoroughly characterized through systematic measurements of (vapor + liquid) equilibria (water activity a_w), mixing enthalpy, density, viscosity, and refractive index. The measurements were performed in the entire composition range and/or specifically in the highly dilute IL region, at T = 298.15 K or as a function of temperature in the range from (288.15 to 318.15) K. Effective experimental methods minimizing IL sample consumption, using flow arrangements, instrument couplings and high degree of automation were preferably employed. In particular, the a_w determination based on the chilled-mirror dew point technique and implemented by an AquaLab 4TE instrument was identified as a generally superior approach to study VLE of (water + IL) systems. Excess thermodynamic properties (Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, heat capacity, and volume) and property deviations from the linear mixing rule (viscosity, refractive index) were evaluated, Padé approximants being used to correlate adequately their complex composition dependences. The extensive a_w data were processed by a two-step procedure fitting first the temperature dependence at each isopleth and subsequently the composition dependence at each isotherm. Good estimates could be thus obtained for derivative thermal properties (enthalpy, heat capacity). Alternatively, the water activity and excess enthalpy data were correlated simultaneously by a NRTL-type model, providing their compact, thermodynamically consistent and adequate representation. Despite small absolute values of excess Gibbs free energy (G^E), the system is revealed to be highly nonideal, the small G^E resulting from close compensation of its large enthalpy and entropy contributions. Large endothermic effects and an enhanced increase of entropy upon mixing found for this system indicate relative weakness of interactions between unlike molecules and a massive structure breakage in the solution. Positive values of excess volume and negative values of viscosity and refractive index deviations found in the major part of the composition range corroborate this general energetic and structural pattern, although the situation appears to be more complicated in the highly dilute IL region, where these properties congruently exhibit a sign inversion.     

Study of densities,viscosities, and speeds of sound of binary liquid mixtures of butan-1-ol with n-alkanes (C6, C8, and C10) at T = (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K

The densities (ρ) and speeds of sound (u) have been measured over the whole composition range for (butan-1-ol with hexane, or octane, or decane) at T = (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K and atmospheric pressure along with the properties of the pure components. Viscosities (η) of these binary mixtures have also been measured over the entire composition range at T = 298.15 K. Experimental values of density, viscosity and speed of sound have been used to evaluate excess properties viz. excess molar volumes (V^E), deviation in viscosity (Δη), deviation in speeds of sound (Δu), deviation in isentropic compressibility (Δκ_s) and excess Gibbs free energy of activation of viscous flow (ΔG^1E). The excess properties have been correlated using the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. The sign and magnitude of these excess properties have been used to interpret the results in terms of intermolecular interactions and structural effects. The viscosity data have also been correlated by Grunberg and Nissan, Tamura–Kurata, and Hind correlation equations.     

Kinetics of hematite chlorination with Cl2 and Cl2 + O2: Part I. Chlorination with Cl2

Preliminary tests of the chlorination of two iron oxides (wüstite and hematite) in various chlorinating gas mixtures were performed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under non-isothermal conditions. Wüstite started to react with chlorine from about 200 °C generating ferric chloride and hematite as the final reaction products. The presence of a reducing and oxidizing agent in the chlorinating gas mixtures influenced the chlorination reactions of both iron oxides, during non-isothermal treatment, only at temperatures higher than 500 °C.The chlorination kinetics of hematite with Cl₂ have been studied in details between 600 and 1025 °C under isothermal chlorination. The values of the apparent activation energy (E_a) were about 180 and 75 kJ/mol in the temperature ranges of 600–875 and 875–1025 °C, respectively. The apparent reaction order with respect to Cl₂ was found to be 0.67 at 750 °C. Mathematical model fitting of the kinetics data was carried out to determine the most probable reaction mechanisms.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and luminescent properties of pyrovanadates A2CaV2O7 (A = Rb,Cs)

The novel vanadium oxides Rb₂CaV₂O₇ and Cs₂CaV₂O₇ have been prepared by solid-state reaction and their crystal structures determined and refined using X-ray, neutron powder and electron diffraction data. Rb₂CaV₂O₇ and Cs₂CaV₂O₇ are isostructural, crystallizing in space group P2₁/n with unit cell parameters: a = 13.8780(1), b = 5.96394(5), c = 10.3376(1) Å, β = 104.960(1)° and a = 14.0713(2), b = 6.0934(1), c = 10.5944(1) Å, β = 104.608(1)°, respectively. Their crystal structures can be described as a framework of CaO₆ octahedra and V₂O₇ pyrogroups with alkaline metals found in the tunnels formed. Photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation spectra of the considered pyrovanadates have been studied in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to visible light (Vis) range as well as their pulse cathode luminescence (PCL) spectra and the kinetic parameters of PCL. In the PL and the PCL spectra of both pyrovanadates recorded at T = 300 K a broad band with maxima at 2.2, 2.4 eV and two shoulders (bands) at 2.0 and 2.58 eV have been observed. At T = 10 K the band at 2.0 eV becomes the main band in the spectra. Two types of luminescence centers for each pyrovanadate, with very similar excitation bands at 3.75, 4.84, 6.2, 7.3 and 9.1 eV, have been found. The nature of the luminescence centers connected with the bands at 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 and 2.58 eV is discussed.     

Correlation of alkylamine nucleophilicities with their basicities

The relationship of the nucleophilicity of alkylamines to their basicity is explored with emphasis on steric hindrance to solvation. The equation n = 1.43(?Σσ¹ + δE_s) + 6.35, where n is the Swain-Scott nucleophilic value, σ¹ is the Taft polarity value, and δE_s is the Taft steric value, correlates the nucleophilic constants of 17 common alkylamines and ammonia over two powers of 10 with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The equation n ? 1.42 δE_s = 0.44(pK_a + S) + 0.17, where S is the solvation constant, correlates the nucleophilicities of these amines and ammonia with their pK_a values over 3 powers of 10 with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Excessive steric hindrance and nearby functional groups cause deviations from these equations.     

The effect of gamma irradiation and particle size of CaCO3 on the properties of HDPE/EPDM blends

Mechanical blends formed of 50 wt% of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 50 wt% of ethylene–propylene–diene-monomer (EPDM) elastomer have been loaded with 50 wt% of three different particle size of CaCO₃, namely CaCO₃ 300, CaCO₃ 700, and CaCO₃ 2000 whereby the latter has the smallest particle size of ～311, 82 μm. Mechanical, physico-chemical and thermal properties were followed up as a function of irradiation dose for loaded and unloaded blends. The results obtained indicated that the values of tensile strength, tensile modulus at 50% elongation, gel fraction and decomposition temperature increase with increasing irradiation dose. On the other hand elongation at break, permanent set and swelling number were found to decrease with increasing irradiation dose. Moreover, the effect of particle size of CaCO₃ was observed in a limited but apparent upgrading of mechanical, physico-chemical, and thermal properties. The order of semi-reinforcing capacity of three different types of CaCO₃ is as follow: CaCO₃ 2000 > CaCO₃ 700 > CaCO₃ 300 > unloaded blend. Whereby CaCO₃ 2000 has the smallest particle size.     

Influence of temperature on the charging/discharging process of IrO2 coating deposited on p-Si substrate

The influence of temperature on the charging/discharging process of the IrO₂ coating deposited on p-Si has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The measured apparent activation energy (E_a) depends strongly on the used scan rate in the cyclic voltammetry measurements. In fact at low scan rates (5 mV/s), E_a for the charging/discharging process has a value of about 2.4 kJ/mol; this is related to a slow process due to diffusion of protons within the IrO₂ coating. At high scan rates (500 mV/s), E_a reaches a value close to zero. This has been attributed to the double layer capacitance, which is an instantaneous electrostatic process.     

New iodate materials as potential laser matrices. Preparation and characterisation of α-M(IO3)3 (M = Y,Dy) and β-M(IO3)3 (M = Y,Ce, Pr,Nd, Eu,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er). Structural evolution as a function of the Ln3+ cationic radius

Anhydrous yttrium iodate presents polymorphism; two crystalline phases are obtained under hydrothermal conditions. α-Y(IO₃)₃ crystallises in the monoclinic space-group P2₁/c with a three-dimensional structure, whereas β-Y(IO₃)₃ crystallises in the monoclinic space-group P2₁/n with a two-dimensional structure. The lattice parameters are a = 7.038(1) Å, b = 8.466(1) Å, c = 13.317(1) Å, β = 99.65(1)°, V = 782.3(2) Å³, Z = 4 for α-Y(IO₃)₃ and a = 8.685(1) Å, b = 5.964(1) Å, c = 14.958(1) Å, β = 96.99(2)°, V = 769.0(2) Å³, Z = 4 for β-Y(IO₃)₃. The α-form is isostructural with α-Dy(IO₃)₃ studied in this work and α-Ln(IO₃)₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) already studied. The β-form is isostructural with β-Ln(IO₃)₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) studied in this work. The structural evolutions as a function of the Ln³⁺ cationic radius are studied. α-Y(IO₃)₃ and β-Y(IO₃)₃ present good thermal stability since they decompose at 600 °C. They are transparent up to 11.5 μm and they have good optical damage thresholds on powder.     

Synthesis,structure, and characterization of a new two-dimensional lead(II) vanadate,Ba3PbV4O14

A new two-dimensional lead(II) vanadate, Ba₃PbV₄O₁₄ has been synthesized by standard solid state techniques using BaCO₃, PbO, and V₂O₅ as reagents. The structure of Ba₃PbV₄O₁₄ was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ba₃PbV₄O₁₄ crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 (no. 2), with a = 7.2997(15) (Å), b = 7.2932(15) (Å), c = 13.379(3) (Å), α = 93.68(3)°, β = 99.68(3)°, γ = 91.49(3)°, V = 700.2(2) (ų) and Z = 2. Ba₃PbV₄O₁₄ exhibits a novel two-dimensional layered structure consisting of corner shared VO₄ tetrahedra that are linked by edge shared PbO₇ polyhedra, in which the Ba²⁺ cations occupy the interlayer region. The Pb²⁺ cations are in asymmetric coordination environments attributable to its lone pair. Infrared, Raman, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and dipole moment calculations are also presented.     

Volumetric and viscometric behaviour of binary systems: (1-hexanol + hydrocarbons)

Densities and viscosities of binary liquid mixtures of (1-hexanol  + n -hexane, or cyclohexane, or benzene) have been measured at a number of mole fractions at T =  (303, 313, and 323) K. The excess molar volume V_m^Eand apparent molar volume V_φhave been calculated from the density data. TheV_m^E anddV_m^E / dT for the system, (1-hexanol  + n -hexane) have been found negative, while those for the systems, (1-hexanol  +  cyclohexane) and (1-hexanol  +  benzene), were found to be positive. Excess viscosities η^Ecalculated from viscosity data, have been found to be negative over the whole composition range at the temperatures studied for all the three systems. Volumetric and viscometric behaviours indicate that dispersion is the major force of interaction between the components in (1-hexanol  +  cyclohexane, or benzene), while inclusion of hydrocarbon chains into the interstices of polymolecular ring structures of alcohol formed by hydrogen bonding has been assumed to play a significant role apart from dispersion in the system (1-hexanol  + n -hexane). Thermodynamic parameters of activation for viscous flow have been calculated from the viscosity data at different temperatures and a possible explanation suggested.     

Hybrid inorganic–organic frameworks containing magnesium: Synthesis and structures of magnesium squarate,diglycolate, and glutarate,and potassium magnesium cyclobutanetetracarboxylate

Four new magnesium containing metal–organic hybrid compounds have been synthesized in an effort to prepare low-density materials for hydrogen storage. The compounds were prepared hydrothermally and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Three of these compounds are analogs of known transition metal structures with squarate (I, Pn-3n, a = 16.276(5) Å), diglycolate (II, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 6.860(1) Å, b = 9.993(1) Å, c = 10.884(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0341), and glutarate (III, R-3, a = 10.744(2) Å, c = 28.677(5) Å, R₁ = 0.0554) ligands; the fourth is a novel structure using cyclobutanetetracarboxylate (IV, Pccn, a = 9.382(1) Å, b = 14.410(2) Å, c = 8.725(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0465) which contains potassium as well as magnesium cations.     

Thermodynamic properties of (tetradecane + benzene, + toluene, + chlorobenzene, + bromobenzene, + anisole) binary mixtures at T = (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K

Density ρ, viscosity η, and refractive index n_D, values for (tetradecane + benzene, + toluene, + chlorobenzene, + bromobenzene, + anisole) binary mixtures over the entire range of mole fraction have been measured at temperatures (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K at atmospheric pressure. The speed of sound u has been measured at T = 298.15 K only. Using these data, excess molar volume V^E, deviations in viscosity Δη, Lorentz–Lorenz molar refraction ΔR, speed of sound Δu, and isentropic compressibility Δk_s have been calculated. These results have been fitted to the Redlich and Kister polynomial equation to estimate the binary interaction parameters and standard deviations. Excess molar volumes have exhibited both positive and negative trends in many mixtures, depending upon the nature of the second component of the mixture. For the (tetradecane + chlorobenzene) binary mixture, an incipient inversion has been observed. Calculated thermodynamic quantities have been discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions between mixing components.     

Two coordination polymers of manganese(II) isophthalate and their preparation,structures, and magnetic properties

Two manganese coordination polymers, [Mn₂(ip)₂(dmf)]·dmf (1) and [Mn₄(ip)₄(dmf)₆]·2dmf (2) (ip=isophthalate; dmf=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structural data reveal that compound 1 crystallizes in triclinic space group P?1, a=9.716(3) Å, b=12.193(3) Å, c=12.576(3) Å, α=62.19(2)°, β=66.423(17)°, γ=72.72(2)°, Z=2, while compound 2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group Cc, a=19.80(3) Å, b=20.20(2) Å, c=18.01(3) Å, β=108.40(4)°, Z=4. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit overall weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent Mn(II) ions.     

Volumetric and viscometric behaviour of the binary systems of N-methyldiethanolamine and diethanolamine with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate at various temperatures

In the present work, density and viscosity of two binary mixtures of N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim][acetate]) are measured. The experiments were carried out at atmospheric pressure and at T = (293.15 to 343.15) K for density and from 293.15 K to 353.15 K for viscosity over the whole range of mole fraction. Using the density and viscosity results, several physical and thermodynamic properties such as excess molar volumes (V^E), coefficients of thermal expansions (α), viscosity deviation (Δη),molar activation entropy (ΔS), molar activation enthalpy (ΔH) and molar activation Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for these binary mixtures are calculated.The experimental results of the density and viscosity for the pure systems as well as the binary systems show a decrease with increasing temperature as expected. The results of density measurements show that over all ranges of temperatures investigated the density of the pure components show the following trend: DEA > [bmim][acetate] > MDEA. Therefore, in the binary mixtures of the (MDEA + [bmim][acetate]), the density of the mixture reduces with decreasing concentration of the ionic liquid and for the (DEA + [bmim][acetate]) mixture the density of the blend enhances to reduce the concentration of the ionic liquid. Moreover, the calculated excess molar volumes show a positive deviation from ideality for the two binary mixtures. The behaviour of change of viscosity against concentration for the (MDEA + [bmim][acetate]) system is different from the (DEA + [bmim][acetate]) mixture so that for the first system the value of the viscosity rises with increasing [bmim][acetate] mole fraction, but in the second system there is a minimum viscosity point in the DEA-rich region.