Rheology and thermal stability of polylactide/clay nanocomposites

Polylactide/clay nanocomposites (PLACNs) were prepared by melt intercalation. The intercalated structure of PLACNs was investigated using XRD and TEM. Both the linear and nonlinear rheological properties of PLACNs were measured by parallel plate rheometer. The results reveal that percolation threshold of the PLACNs is about 4 wt%, and the network structure is very sensitive to both the quiescent and the large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) deformation. The stress overshoots in the reverse flow experiments were strongly dependent on the rest time and shear rate but shows a strain-scaling response to the startup of steady shear flow, indicating that the formation of the long-range structure in PLACNs may be the major driving force for the reorganization of the clay network. The thermal behavior of PLACNs was also characterized. However, the results show that with the addition of clay, the thermal stability of PLACNs decreases in contrast to that of pure PLA.     

Studies of ABS-graft-maleic anhydride/clay nanocomposites: Morphologies, thermal stability and flammability properties

ABS-g-MAH (maleic anhydride) with different grafting degree, ABS/OMT (organo montmorillonite) and ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending. The grafting reaction, phase morphology, clay dispersion, thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties and flammability properties were investigated. FTIR spectra results indicate that maleic anhydride was successfully grafted onto butadiene chains of the ABS backbone in the molten state using dicumyl peroxide as the initiator and styrene as the comonomer and the relative grafting degree increased with increasing loading of MAH. TEM images show the size of the dispersed rubber domains of ABS-g-MAH increased and the dispersion is more uniform than that of neat ABS resin. XRD and TEM results show that intercalated/exfoliated structure formed in ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites and the rubber phase intercalated into clay layers distributed in both SAN phase and rubber phase. TGA results reveal the intercalated/exfoliated structure of ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites has better barrier properties and thermal stability than intercalated ones of ABS/OMT nanocomposites. The T_g of ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites was also higher than that of neat ABS/OMT nanocomposites. The results of cone measurements show that ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites exhibit significantly reduced flammability when compared to ABS/OMT nanocomposites even at the same clay content. The chars of ABS-g-MAH/OMT nanocomposites were tighter, denser, more integrated and fewer surface microcracks than ABS/OMT residues.     

Factors that affect the tautomeric equilibrium of hydroxyazopyridine derivatives

The ratio of azo and quinonehydrazone forms of 3-hydroxy-6-phenylazopyridine derivatives was determined by IR and electronic spectroscopy. The formation of two crystalline modifications of 2-methoxy-3-hydroxy-6-phenylazopyridine is explained by crystallization of the molecules either in the form of dimers of predominantly the quinonehydrazone form or in the form of polyassociates of the azo form, which are formed by a strong hydrogen bond.Communication VII from the series Structures and Properties of Dyes, See [1] for communication VI.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1364–1370, October, 1974.     

Study of thermal properties of endellite clay compound

The temperature dependence of the thermal properties (specific heat,C _p, thermal diffusivity,a, and thermal conductivity,K) of endellite clay has been investigated over the temperature rangeR·TT/280 °C using the plane temperature wave technique. The experimental results showed that in the initial stage of temperature rise botha andK diminish exponentially with increasing temperature up to 100 °C. Above 100 °C, the thermal parameters are found to reach stable values, namely,C _p=0.22±0.008 cal g^–1 deg^–1,a=(5.0±0.18)–10^–4 cm² sec^{– 1} andK=(2.2±0.16) · 10^–4 cal cm^–1 sec^–1 deg^–1. The explanation of the results was supported by using DTA and TG analysis.

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Zusammenfassung In einem Temperaturbereich zwischen Raumtemperatur und 280 °C wurde die Temperaturabhängigkeit der thermischen Eigenschaften (spezifische WärmeC _p, Temperaturleitfähigkeita, WärmeleitfähigkeitK) von Endellittonerde untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß sowohla als suchK im ersten Abschnitt der Temperaturzunahme mit steigender Temperatur bis 100 °C exponentiell abnehmen. Oberhalb 100 °C erreichen die Parameter stabile Werte:C _p=0,22 ±0,008 cal g^–1 deg^–1,a=(5,0±0,18)·10^–4 cm² sec^–1 undK=(2,2±0,16)·10^–4 cal cm^–1 sec^–1 deg^–1. Die Erklärung der Ergebnisse wurde unter Zuhilfenahme von DTA und TG durchgeführt.

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( _p, ) T280°. , 100° K . 100° _n=,22 ±0,008 · ^–1· ^–1, =5,0±0,18·10^{–4 2}· ^–1 K=2,2±0,16· 10^–4 · ^–1· ^–1· ^–1. .

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We wish to thank Dr. N. Afify, Phys. Dept. Assiut University, for his assistance during DTA and TGA analysis.     

Preparation and thermal stability of boron-containing phenolic resin/clay nanocomposites

In order to further improve thermal stability of the phenolic resins, we combined boron and clay with phenolic resins to prepare nanocomposites (BH-B, BP-B, and BE-B series). Boron-containing phenolic resin/clay (montmorillonite) nanocomposites were prepared using in situ polymerization of resol-type phenolic resins. Montmorillonite (MMT) was modified by benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BH), benzyldimethyphenylammonium chloride (BP), and benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BE). X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations showed that clay platelets were partially exfoliated after complete curing of the phenolic resins. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal decomposition temperatures (T_d) and residual weight at 790 °C of cured boron-containing nanocomposites were much higher than the corresponding nanocomposites without boron. For example, the rise in decomposition temperature of BE-B10% is about 42 °C (from 520 to 566 °C), whereas the increase in char yields is 6.4% (from 66.2% to 72.6%). However, the boron-containing composites were more prone to absorb moisture (ca. 9-14%) than boron-free ones (ca. 3-4%), which was attributed to unreacted or partially reacted boric acid during preparation process.     

Factors that affect the biosynthesis of xylitol by xylose-fermenting yeasts

Xylitol is a sweetener with important technological properties like anticariogenicity, low caloric value, and negative dissolution heat. Because it can be used successfully in food formulations and pharmaceutical industries, its production is in great demand. Xylitol can be obtained by microbiological process, since many yeasts and filamentous fungi synthesize the xylose reductase enzyme, which catalyses the xylose reduction into xylitol as the first step in the xylose metabolism. The xylitol production by biotechnological means has several economic advantages in comparison with the conventional process based on the chemical reduction of xylose. The efficiency and the productivity of this fermentation chiefly depends upon the microorganism and the process conditions employed. In this mini-review, the most significant upstream parameters on xylitol production by biotechnological process are described.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of attapulgite clay reinforced polymethylmethacrylate nanocomposites

To investigate the dispersion and nanofillers' interaction of rod‐like silicates (attapulgite, ATT) in the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix, a novel in situ modification of ATT by toluene‐2,4‐di‐isocyanate (TDI) using mechanical mixing was exploited, which resulted in homogeneous dispersion and rod‐like texture of ATT nanorods. As a consequence, organo‐modified ATT/PMMA nanocomposites were prepared, which provided prominent improvements in strength, toughness, and thermal stability. High grafting efficiency of TDI on ATT surface was confirmed by FTIR spectra and SEM observations. The uniform dispersion of in situ TDI modified ATT nanorods in the PMMA which was clearly visible in the TEM micrographs, influenced the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The fibrous nanoparticles significantly confined the segmental motion, causing a 13.20°C increase in the glass transition temperature of 2 wt% in situ TDI modified ATT/PMMA nanocomposites. But at higher loadings little or no differences were observed for the reinforcement benefits provided by the in situ TDI modified ATT clay. By comparison, pre‐treated ATT clay severely fractured during mechanical mixing and showed little reinforcement benefits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors influencing the thermal stability of azo and bisazo compounds

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The present study investigates the effects of substituents, structural rigidity, tautomerism, hydrogen bonding interaction, and spatial hindrance on...     

Surface modification of montmorillonite on surface Acid-base characteristics of clay and thermal stability of epoxy/clay nanocomposites

In this work, the effect of surface treatments on smectitic clay was investigated in surface energetics and thermal behaviors of epoxy/clay nanocomposites. The pH values, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to analyze the effect of cation exchange on clay surface and the exfoliation phenomenon of clay interlayer. The surface energetics of clay and thermal properties of epoxy/clay nanocomposites were investigated in contact angles and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. From the experimental results, the surface modification of clay by dodecylammonium chloride led to the increases in both distance between silicate layers of about 8 A and surface acid values, as well as in the electron acceptor component (gamma(+)(s)) of surface free energy, resulting in improved interfacial adhesion between basic (or electron donor) epoxy resins and acidic (electron acceptor) clay interlayers. Also, the thermal stability of nanocomposites was highly superior to pure epoxy resin due to the presence of the well-dispersed clay nanolayer, which has a barrier property in a composite system.     

Crystallization behavior and thermal stability of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by the solution intercalation method. Two different kinds of clay were organomodified with an intercalation agent of cetyltrimetylammonium chloride (CMC). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the layers of MMT were intercalated by CMC, and interlayer spacing was a function of the cationic exchange capacity of clay. The XRD studies demonstrated that the interlayer spacing of organoclay in the nanocomposites depends on the amount of organoclay. From the results of differential scanning calorimetric analysis, it was found that clay behaves as a nucleating agent and enhances the crystallization rate of PTT. The maximum enhancement of the crystallization rate for the nanocomposites was observed in nanocomposites containing about 1 wt % organoclay with a range of 1–15 wt %. From thermogravimetric analysis, we found that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was enhanced by the addition of 1–10 wt % organoclay. According to transmission electron microscopy, the organoclay particle was highly dispersed in the PTT matrix without a large agglomeration of particles for a low organoclay content (5 wt %). However, an agglomerated structure did form in the PTT matrix at a 15 wt % organoclay content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2902–2910, 2003     

Thermodynamic properties and thermal stability of the synthetic zinc formate dihydrate

Zinc formate dihydrate has been synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, FTIR spectra and thermal analysis. The molar heat capacity of the coordination compound was measured by a temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) over the temperature range from 200 to 330 K for the first time. The thermodynamic parameters such as entropy and enthalpy vs. 298.15 K based on the above molar heat capacity were calculated. The thermal decomposition characteristics of this compound were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TG curve showed that the thermal decomposition occurred in two stages. The first step was the dehydration process of the coordination compound, and the second step corresponded to the decomposition of the anhydrous zinc formate. The apparent activation energy of the dehydration step of the compound was calculated by the Kissinger method using experimental data of TG analysis. There are three sharply endothermic peaks in the temperature range from 300 to 650 K in DSC curve.     

Thermo-rheological properties and storage stability of SEBS/kaolinite clay compound modified asphalts

Styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) modified asphalts with improved high-temperature storage stability are prepared by incorporating kaolinite clay (KC) into the SEBS compounds. The effect of KC on the high-temperature storage properties, dynamic rheological and mechanical properties and morphologies of the modified asphalts are studied. It is found that the SEBS/KC ratio in the compound has a great effect on the high-temperature storage behavior. The modified asphalts are stable when the ratio of SEBS/KC is around 2. However, KC decreases the dynamic rheological and mechanical properties of the modified asphalts to some extent. The high-temperature storage property can be increased by improving the compatibility and decreasing the density difference between SEBS and asphalt.     

Factors that affect ion trap data-dependent MS/MS in proteomics

Quadrupole ion trap scanning parameters for performing bottom-up proteomics in a data-dependent fashion were evaluated on a Finnigan LCQ Deca mass spectrometer. Evaluation of parameters such as the number of averaged full scans, the number of averaged MS/MS scans, and ion injection times were necessary for acquiring high quality MS/MS spectra that yield favorable b and y ion coverage and high correlation to proteins using database searching algorithms. In this study, we demonstrated how the duty cycle of the mass spectrometer affects the number of peptides that can be successfully identified by SEQUEST using a model system of tryptic BSA peptides to mimic a typical complex mixture associated with bottom-up proteomics. The number of averaged scans and the duration of ion accumulation in the trap had a significant effect on the quality of acquired MS/MS spectra. For example, by increasing the ion injection time from 500 ms to 600 ms, peptide HLVDEPQNLIK improved from being improperly identified to being correctly identified with a SEQUEST cross-correlation score of 3.60. As a result of these experiments, we have devised the following set of ion trap parameters for performing bottom-up proteomics analysis in our laboratory: Three averaged full scans, five averaged MS/MS scans, and a maximum ion injection time of 600 ms.     

Effect of laponite clay particles on thermal and rheological properties of Pluronic triblock copolymer

The high concentration 17 wt% triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)₁₀₀–poly(propylene oxide)₆₅–poly(ethylene oxide)₁₀₀ Pluronic F127 aqueous solutions with the addition of laponite is investigated as a novel temperature-sensitive hydrogel system. The critical micelle temperature (cmt) and the sol-to-gel transition were characterized by rheological experiments and differential scanning calorimetry. Experimental results showed that laponite particles have no significant influence on the cmt. On the other hand, viscoelastic measurements have highlighted an increase of the sol-to-gel transition temperature for mixtures with 2 and 3 wt% of laponite particles. This additive can be used to adjust the gelation temperature close to physiological temperature in medical applications.     

Sorptive and thermal properties of red clay in relation to Cr(VI)

The results of Cr(VI) adsorption on the red clay modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide are given. The adsorption isotherm of Cr(VI) is determined based on the Langmuir–Freundlich model and exhibits the adsorption capacity of 0.0005 mol/g in relation to Cr(VI). The study of the pH effect showed that the optimal pH range corresponding to the Cr(VI) adsorption maximum on this clay is 2–6.5. Thermal analysis of the modified adsorbent, i.e., Na/HDTMA-clay, shows two DTG peaks at 58–61 and 241 °C. The first one is a consequence of dehydration of the modified clay sample. The other DTG peak results from evaporation and pyrolysis of HDTMA adsorbed on the clay. In the case of Na/HDTMA-Cr-clay three peaks appear at: 64, 232, and 340 °C. The third DTG peak is related to the oxidation of surfactant. Moreover, the raw mineral shows the peak at 543 °C attributed to the clay dehydroxylation.     

Crystallization properties and thermal stability of polypropylene composites filled with wollastonite

The influence of wollastonite (CaSiO₃) content on the crystallization properties and thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) composites was investigated. The results showed that the crystallization temperature, crystallization end temperature and crystallization temperature interval, as well as the degree of crystallinity of the composites, were higher than those of the unfilled PP resin, while the crystallization onset temperature was little changed from that of the unfilled PP resin. The increase of degree of crystallinity for the composites could be attributed to the heterogeneous nucleation of the CaSiO₃ in the PP matrix. The thermal stability increased with increasing filler weight fraction (ϕ_f); the thermal decomposition rate decreased nonlinearly with increasingϕ_f. Finally, the dispersion of the filler particles in the matrix was observed, and the mechanisms of thermal stability and crystallizing behavior were discussed.     

Molecular properties of adsorbates that affect the growth kinetics of archerite (KDP)

We explore the molecular properties of adsorbates that dramatically affect growth kinetics and morphology of the [100] face of archerite, also known as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH(2)PO(4) or KDP). Aqueous complexes of Al(III), Fe(III), and Cr(III) are known to affect KDP growth, albeit the actual step-pinning complex(es) is unknown. Using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), we measured changes in the growth rates of the [100] face of KDP with supersaturation in the presence of trace amounts of [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+), [Fe(CN)(6)](3-), eta(1)-[Co(NH(3))(5)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)P(2)O(7)H(2)](+), and [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+). Unlike in experiments using trivalent-metals, these complexes do not change stoichiometry or structure on the timescale of step motion, so that the actual molecular interactions that affect growth can be studied. Step velocity and morphology on the [100] face are unaffected by outer-sphere coordination complexes of either charge. Surprisingly, inner-sphere phosphatoammine complexes do not affect growth rates regardless of how the phosphate group is coordinated to the metal. However, doping the growth solution with [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+) results in profound step pinning, matching the behavior of KDP surfaces grown in the presence of Rh(III) after an equilibration period. Not only is an inner-sphere phosphate group needed to dock a trivalent metal to the step edge, but compatible hydrogen bonding of the remainder of the inner-sphere ligands with the bulk lattice is also essential.     

PA66/PA12/clay based nanocomposites: structure and thermal properties

In a previous paper the structure and the physical properties of melt mixed polyamide 66 (PA66)/polyamide 12 (PA12) blends characterized by different compositions have been investigated by means of morphological and physical analyses. A low amount of organically‐modified layered silicate (OMLS, 4 wt%) was introduced in order to evaluate its effect on blends structure and components miscibility. This paper completes the characterization of these materials investigating their thermal properties by means of standard and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC, MDSC), dynamic‐mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The partial miscibility of PA66 and PA12, with phase separation depending on blend composition, has been confirmed by analyzing the glass transition temperature (T_g) dependence on composition as well as the existence of strong segmental interactions between polymer components. A compatibilizing action of OMLS has been observed because of a lowering of interfacial tension avoiding coalescence phenomena between particles during melt mixing process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical, thermal, and fire properties of polylactide/starch blend/clay composites

Polylactide (PLA)/starch blend/clay and PLA/clay composites are prepared by melt blending. Structural and thermal characterizations are performed by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The fire properties are assessed on a dual cone calorimeter. Combustion residue and char formation is characterized by optical microscopy and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. Although the clay is not fully intercalated/exfoliated, the composites exhibit a higher thermal stability and much reduced peak heat release rate, and the PLA/starch blend composite retains its mechanical properties. For the PLA/starch blend composite, smoke release is also considerably reduced. Catalyzed, oxidative decomposition is shown to occur early in the thermal decomposition of the composites, prior to increased thermal stability. The inclusion of clay promotes char formation and increases the quantity of carbonaceous char in the combustion residue. There is minimal migration of the clay to the surface prior to ignition and char is formed mainly after ignition and during burning. During the later stages of burning some of the char formed is converted to CO₂.