Curing and thermal behaviour of diamide–diimide–diamines based on l-phenylalanine with epoxy blends containing phosphorus/silicon

A series of diamide?Cdiimide?Cdiamines (DADIDAs) were synthesized by reacting diacid N,N??-(3,3??,4,4??-benzophenone tetracarboxylic)-3,3??4,4?? diimido-bis-l-phenylalanine (I) with different aromatic diamines viz. 1,4-phenylene diamine (PD), 1,5-diamino naphthalene (N), 4,4??-(9-fluorenyllidene)-dianiline (F), 4,4??-diaminodiphenyl sulphide (DS) and 3,4??-oxydianiline (O). The diacid (I) was synthesized by the condensation of 3,3??,4,4??-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) with l-phenylalanine (PA) in a solution of glacial acetic acid and pyridine (3:2 v/v) at refluxing temperature. The resulting DADIDAs so synthesized were characterized with the help of elemental analysis (EA) and spectroscopic techniques, and were used as epoxy curing agents. Two epoxy blends (EP and ES) were prepared, each by mixing in an equivalent ratio of 2:3 of tris(glycidyloxy)phosphine oxide (TGPO) with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) and 1,3-bis(3-glycidyloxypropyl)tetramethyl disiloxane (BGPTMSO) with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA), respectively. A series of new epoxy thermosets with good thermal stability were prepared by reacting EP/ES with synthesized DADIDAs stoichiometrically. Thermal properties of these epoxy resins were observed using the techniques viz. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) for curing behaviour and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to study the thermal stability and mass loss behaviour. All the samples showed good thermal stabilities in terms of char yield (24.8?C52.7) and calculated LOI (27.4?C38.6), thereby demonstrate their effective use as flame retardant systems.     

The reactions of α-alkoxyallylphosphine oxide ylides with silicon,sulphur, and phosphorus electrophiles

Anions (2), derived from α-methoxyallylphosphine oxides (1), react with silicon, sulphur and phosphorus electrophiles in a highly regioselective fashion to give the products of γ-attack.     

Study on the effects of flame retardants on the thermal decomposition of wood by TG–MS

The effect of three flame retardants, K₂CO₃, Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O, and Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O on the process and composition of volatile products of the thermal degradation of wood has been investigated by the thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and the synchronous thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry (TG–MS) analysis methods. The results showed that the ion current intensity and ion peak area of m/z = 18 and 44 MS signals were increased by the flame retardants but the ion peak area of m/z = 28 MS signal was decreased (except K₂CO₃) at the meantime. What’s more, the ion current intensity and ion peak area of m/z = 60 and 68 MS signals were also decreased (except K₂CO₃), which mean that Na₂B₄O₇ can significantly enhances the dehydration and inhibits the depolymerization of wood. Although K₂CO₃ accelerates the dehydration reaction, it cannot inhibit the depolymerization reaction effectively, so the flame retardant efficiency of K₂CO₃ is decreased with the higher concentration. The catalysis of dehydration reaction of Na₂SiO₃ is the worst one.     

Thermoplasticity of sol–gel-derived titanoxanes chemically modified with benzoylacetone

Titanium tetra-n-butoxide was hydrolyzed in the presence of benzoylacetone (BzAc), and the solution obtained was concentrated and served for spin-coating or dropping on substrates, followed by successive drying at 120, 200 and 250 °C. The dried products were transparent and amorphous, and the infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopic studies showed that BzAc forms chelate rings. Thermomechanical analysis showed that the 120 and 200 °C-dried products showed steep, thermoplastic shrinkage at around 30 and 70–85 °C, respectively, whereas the 250 °C-dried product did not show thermoplasticity. Thus as the drying temperature was increased, the thermoplasticity appeared at a higher temperature and finally disappeared. These changes in thermoplasticity with drying temperature were concluded to result from the progress of condensation between titanoxane polymers and/or clusters, which was evidenced in gel permeation chromatographic analysis.     

Study of flame-retardant finishing of cellulose fibres: Organic–inorganic hybrid versus conventional organophosphonate

The aim of this study was to introduce a non-formaldehyde inorganic–organic hybrid sol–gel flame-retardant precursor (SiOP) containing phosphorous, nitrogen, and silicon and to compare its functional properties with those of the conventional formaldehyde-containing organic flame-retardant agent, organophosphonate (OP). SiOP was used at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 8%, and OP was used at a concentration of 200 g/dm³. Both agents were applied to 100% cotton (CO) woven fabric by the pad-dry-cure method under the appropriate conditions. The presence of the SiOP and OP coatings on the CO fabric was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of the vertical tests of flammability and the thermogravimetric analyses showed that the presence of the SiOP coating changed the thermal degradation pathway of the CO fabric and resulted in an increase in the thermo-oxidative stability of the cellulose fibres. The thermo-oxidative stability was enhanced by the addition of higher amount of dry solids. At comparable dry solids contents, OP preserved significantly greater flame retardancy and thermo-oxidative stability than did SiOP. These results indicated that the SiOP precursor could not act as an effective alternative to the OP agent in the flame-retardant protection of CO fabric.     

Study of photoelectrocatalytic degradation behavior of p-nitrophenol with nano-TiO2 modified film at a rotating ring–disk electrode

The photoelectrocatalytic degradation behavior of p-nitrophenol (pNP) was investigated by using hydrodynamic differential pulse voltammetry (HDPV) technique. The method was applied on a nano-TiO₂ modified platinum rotating ring–disk electrode (RRDE) as versatile working electrode. The voltammetric response of the intermediate product was recorded instantly at the rotating platinum-ring electrode under hydrodynamic conditions via compulsive transport during the photoelectrocatalytic degradation process of pNP. A distinct anodic peak at about 0.55 V is mainly attributed to the result of the formation of electroactive intermediate product, namely hydroquinone (HQ), through the direct reaction between photo-generated powerful oxidant (hydroxyl radicals, OH) and pNP. The present work has demonstrated that HDPV can be effectively used to in situ monitor the formation of intermediate product at nano-TiO₂ modified RRDE, providing a promising approach to investigate the photoelectrocatalytic degradation mechanism of organic pollutants like toxic nitrophenols.     

Quantum-chemical modeling of lithiation of a silicon–silicon carbide composite

With the aim of searching for promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, quantum-chemical modeling of the introduction of lithium into a silicon layer supported by nitrogen-doped silicon carbide at Li: Si ratios of 1: 1, 2: 1, and 3: 1 has been performed by the density functional theory method with inclusion of gradient correction and periodic boundary conditions. It has been demonstrated that the absorption of lithium by silicon is energetically more favorable than the formation of a metal layer on the silicon surface. As the lithium concentration increases, the energy difference decreases; i.e., the introduction of lithium into silicon becomes increasingly less favorable, the network of silicon atoms is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces, while the layer thickness increases threefold.     

Sol–gel coating of cellulose fibres with antimicrobial and repellent properties

Multifunctional, water and oil repellent and antimicrobial finishes for cotton fibres were prepared from a commercially available fluoroalkylfunctional water-born siloxane (FAS) (Degussa), nanosized silver (Ag) (CHT) and a reactive organic–inorganic binder (RB) (CHT). Two different application procedures were used: firstly, one stage treatment of cotton fabric samples by FAS sol (i), as well as by a sol mixture constituted from all three precursors (Ag–RB–FAS, procedure 1S) (ii), and secondly, two stage treatment of cotton by Ag–RB sol and than by FAS sol (Ag–RB + FAS, procedure 2S) (iii). The hydrophobic and oleophobic properties of cotton fabrics treated by procedures (i)–(iii) before and after consecutive (up to 10) washings were established from contact angle measurements (water, diiodomethane and n-hexadecane) and correlated with infrared and XPS spectroscopic measurements. The results revealed that even after 10 washing cycles cotton treated with Ag–RB + FAS (2S) retained an oleophobicity similar to that of the FAS treated cotton, while the Ag–RB–FAS (1S) cotton fibres exhibited a loss of oleophobicity already after the second washing, even though fluorine and C–F vibrational bands were detected in the corresponding XPS and IR spectra. The antibacterial activity of cotton treated by procedures (i)–(iii) was tested by its reduction of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the AATCC 100-1999 standard method and EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The reduction in growth of both bacteria was nearly complete for the unwashed Ag–RB and Ag–RB–FAS (S1), but for the unwashed Ag–RB + FAS (S2) treated cotton no reduction of S. aureus and 43.5 ± 6.9% reduction of E. coli was noted. After the first washing, the latter two finishes exhibited nearly a complete reduction of E. coli but for the Ag–RB treated cotton the reduction dropped to 88.9 ± 3.4. None of the finishes retained antibacterial properties after 10 repetitive washings. The beneficial and long-lasting low surface energy effect of FAS finishes in the absence of Ag nanoparticles, which led to the “passive” antibacterial properties of FAS treated cotton fabrics, was established by applying the EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The results revealed a reduction in bacteria of about 21.9 ± 5.7% (FAS), 13.1 ± 4.8% (Ag–RB–FAS (S1)) and 41.5 ± 3.7% (Ag–Rb + FAS (S2)), while no reduction of the growth of bacteria was observed for cotton treated with Ag nanoparticles after 10 repetitive washings. The physical properties (bending rigidity, breaking strength, air permeability) of finished cotton samples were determined, and showed increased fabric softness and flexibility as compared to the Ag–RB treated cotton, but a slight decrease of breaking strength in the warp and weft directions, while air permeability decreased for all type of finishes.     

Quantum-chemical modeling of lithium removal from lithium–silicon–silicon carbide composite

The quantum-chemical modeling of the delithiation-induced reorganization of a Li _m Si _n layer applied to the surface of nitrogen-doped silicon carbide is performed by means of non-empirical molecular dynamics in the frame of the gradient-corrected density functional method with the goal for finding promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The ratios Li/Si are considered from 8/3 to 1/4. Partial removal of lithium atoms from the surface of the Li _m Si _n layer and annealing at a moderate temperature (400 K) is found to recover rapidly (as soon as within 10 ps) the uniform metal distribution over the layer when the ratio Li/Si is at least 3/4. At lower values of this ratio, the equalization slows down dramatically.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of iron–sulfur complexes with hydrophilic nitrogen–phosphorus ligands

Reaction of the parent complex (μ-PDT)Fe₂-(CO)₆ (A) (PDT = 1,3-SCH₂CH₂CH₂S^2?) with the bidentate N/P ligand [(Ph₂P)₂N(C₆H₄Cl-p)] in the presence of Me₃NO as decarbonylating agent produced an unexpected iron–sulfur complex [(μ-PDT)Fe₂(CO)₅{PPh₂(NHC₆H₄Cl-1,4)}] (1). Extending this chemistry further, two similar complexes [(μ-PDT)Fe₂(CO)₅{PPh₂(NHC₆H₄NO₂-1,4)}] (2) and [(μ-PDT)Fe₂(CO)₅{PPh₂(NHC₆H₄CO₂Et-1,4)}] (3) could be prepared from the simple substitution reactions of the precursor A with the monodentate N/P ligands Ph₂P(NHC₆H₄NO₂-1,4) and Ph₂P(NHC₆H₄CO₂Et-1,4), respectively. These new complexes, which can be considered as active site models of [FeFe] hydrogenases, have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) spectroscopies, as well as by X-ray crystallography for complex 1.     

Synthesis of complex Si–O–N–H derivatives by molecular bombardment of silicon and silicon dioxide

Bombardment of a silicon target in a high vacuum with a molecular beam (mixture of high energy H₂+N₂, obtained by charge exchange) and a thermal beam of O₂ produces on the target a variety of compounds. The target is then bombarded by the same molecular beams which produce, extracted by an electrostatic field at an energy of about 10 keV, molecular ions due to the compounds thus formed. These ions are analysed (electromagnet) to give a primary spectrum of ions according to their mass, which are individually selected and dissociated in a collision cell (same H₂+N₂ mixture). Mass analysis of the dissociation fragments leads to the identification of silicon clusters (Si)_n and of Si–O–N–H derivatives, the fragmentations of which permit a definitive determination of their molecular complexity. Dissociation spectra have thus been obtained for some of the most intense peaks of the primary spectrum, on the one hand, and on the other hand for some peaks of lower intensity but of special interest to us (see below). The composition of the fragments is confirmed by the study of the satellite ions derived from the natural 28, 29 and 30 isotopes of silicon, and by the use of deuterium instead of hydrogen. None of the Si–O–N–H derivatives obtained was apparently known earlier. It is shown that some of these molecules (those ‘of special interest to us’) may be identical with sila-analogues of standard amino acids and of nucleic bases: the fact that their fragmentations are identical with those of the corresponding carbon analogues speaks in favour of a structural identity. However, one cannot yet distinguish between the various possible isomeric arrangements, as none of them has been independently prepared, which excludes a direct comparison with reference samples, and as these isomers might give identical fragments; we hope to be able to resolve this ambiguity later. Anyhow, the substances formed are the most complex molecular silicon derivatives so far produced: e.g. Si₂O₂NH₅, Si₃O₂NH₇, Si₄O₃NH₉, Si₄O₂N₂H₄, Si₄ON₃H₅, Si₅O₃N₂H₁₀, Si₅O₂NH₁₁, corresponding to sila-glycine, sila-alanine, sila-threonine, sila-uracile, sila-cytosine, sila-valine, sila-glutamine, – or isomers. Similar results have been obtained using a silicon dioxide target and high energy molecular beams of hydrogen and of nitrogen, without thermal oxygen, or with a carborundum target. © 2000 Académie des sciences / Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SASmolecular impact / silicon derivatives / amino-acid silicon analogues     

Hydrophobic modification of cellulose fibres by cationic-modified polyacrylate latex with core–shell structure

In cellulose fibre-based green packaging, the poor resistance or barrier against water or water vapour has remained as one of the key challenges. In this work, cationic polymer latex, butyl acrylate-co-styrene/2-ethylhexylacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate (BA-co-St/EHA-co-MMA), with core–shell structure was especially synthesized and used as a wet-end additive to render the fibre or paper hydrophobic. TEM observation confirmed that the latex particles obtained indeed possessed desired characteristic of core–shell structure. The experimental results showed that the cationic polymer was especially suitable for use in papermaking processes due to its high retention with cellulose fibres. The surface modification of the natural fibre by the adsorption of cationic latex on the fibre surfaces potentially created the thin films of polymers on fibre surfaces. The resulting paper is highly hydrophobic with improved barrier property, as demonstrated by the high contact angles and relatively low WVTR value. Moreover, the mechanical properties of paper were maintained or even improved in the presence of an appropriate level of the latex.     

A study of the viscosity of phenol–formaldehyde resin modified with furfural–acetone monomer FA

The results of an evaluation of the relative and dynamic viscosities of phenol–formaldehyde resin modified with furfural–acetone monomer FA monomer are presented. That there is increasing viscosity of the modified adhesive composition is established due to the formation of polycomplexes, these being new supramolecular structures with increased dimensions of macromolecules of higher molecular mass.     

Comparison of performances of bioanodes modified with graphene oxide and graphene–platinum hybrid nanoparticles

The performances of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene–platinum hybrid nanoparticles (Gr-Pt hybrid NPs) were compared for biofuel cell (BFC) systems. This is the first study that constitutes these nanomaterials in BFC systems. For this purpose, fabricated bioanodes were combined with laccase modified biocathode in a single cell membraneless BFC. Power and current densities of these systems were calculated as 2.40 μW cm^− 2 and 211.90 μA cm^− 2 for GO based BFC and 4.88 μW cm^− 2 and 246.82 μA cm^− 2, for Gr-Pt hybrid NPs based BFC. As a result, a pioneer study which demonstrates the effective performances of combination of graphene with Pt was conducted.     

Thermal study of phenol–formaldehyde resin modified with cashew nut shell liquid

In this study, an experimental phenol–formaldehyde resin with 20% phenol replacement by cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was studied and compared with a conventional phenol–formaldehyde resin synthesized totally from petrochemical raw materials. The resins were characterized with standard lab analysis for their physicochemical specifications, while their thermal properties were studied with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For comparison reasons pure CNSL and wood were also included in the TGA study. A DSC study conducted both for the neat resins and the system wood–resin as to examine the effect of wood on the curing performance of the resins in the real time conditions of their usage at the wood-based panels industry.The adhesion strength of these resins was investigated by their application in plywood production. The plywood panels were tested for their shear strength and wood failure performance while their free formaldehyde emissions were determined with the desiccator method. It was proved that although the neat CNSL modified PF resin (PCF) cures at longer time and higher temperature than a conventional PF resin, wood affects it more significantly, resulting in the evening of their curing performance. This is a novel finding that manifests the possibility of replacing a convention PF resin by a CNSL modified one in the plywood production, without changing any of their production conditions and with improvement to their overall properties.     

Quantum Chemical Study of Addition–Elimination Reactions of Dimethyl Carbonate with Methylamine

The mechanisms of noncatalytic and autocatalytic addition–elimination reactions of dimethyl carbonate with methylamine have been studied in terms of wB97XD/6-311++G(df,p), M06/6-311++G(df,p), and PBE0/6-311++G(df,p) quantum chemical methods, and thermodynamic and activation parameters of these reactions have been calculated. The rate-determining stage is the formation of tetrahedral carbon intermediate. The addition–elimination mechanism is preferred over the autocatalytic S_N2 mechanism determined by enhanced donor–acceptor and acid–base properties of amine complexes with alcohol associates in comparison to amines.     

Reaction of 4,5-dimethyl-2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with hexafluoroacetone: formation of isomeric caged phosphoranes with phosphorus–carbon and phosphorus–oxygen bonds

Russian Chemical Bulletin - 4,5-Dimethyl-2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane bearing the carbonyl group at the γ-position to the phosphorus atom reacted with hexafluoroacetone...     

Sol–gel synthesis and enhanced properties of a novel transparent PMMA based organic–inorganic hybrid containing phosphorus,nitrogen and silicon

A novel flame-retardant silane containing phosphorus and nitrogen, tetramethyl(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylazanediyl) bis(methylene) diphosphonate (TMSAP), is firstly synthesized and then incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix through sol–gel method to produce organic–inorganic hybrids. The chemical structure of TMSAP was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ³¹P NMR spectra. The hybrids obtained maintain relatively high transparency, and exhibit a significant improvement in thermal properties, mechanical performance and flame retardancy when compared to pure PMMA, including increased glass transition temperature (T _g ) by 11.4 °C, increased onset thermal degradation temperature (T_0.1) by 82.6 °C, increased half thermal degradation temperature (T_0.5) by 42.0 °C, increased hardness, increased limited oxygen index and decreased heat release rate. Morphological studies of hybrids by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ²⁹Si MAS NMR suggest that cross-linked silica network is formed in the hybrids and the inorganic silica particles are distributed well in the polymer matrix. Thermal degradation behaviors investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and char structure analysis studied by SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrate the catalytic charring function of TMSAP, and synergistic effect between phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon element. The formation of network structure, homogeneous distribution of silica and the char formation during degradation play key roles in these property enhancements. Detailed mechanisms for these enhancements are proposed.