Dihydromyricetin

A study on the efficiency of bio-based compound as stabilizer for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is reported. A water extract from Ampelopsis grossedentata (Dihydromyricetin) is used. Its stabilizing activity is compared with two commercial phenolic antioxidants: methyl gallate (MG) and Irganox 1010. Based on the measurement of the oxidation onset temperature (OOT) of LLDPE/antioxidant samples, it is found that the antioxidant ability of the three kinds of antioxidants is in the following order: DMY > 1010 > MG. The antioxidant ability and thermal decomposition activation energy (E _a) of antioxidants are further examined by thermal gravimetric analysis. The effects of water extraction on the migration resistance of LLDPE/antioxidants are also evaluated by monitoring the OOT change, demonstrating that DMY retained high stability against migration.     

Polyethylene stabilization against thermal oxidation by a trimethylquinoleine oligomer

The thermal oxidation at 110 and 120 °C of polyethylene (PE) films stabilized by 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5% of a trimethylquinoleine (TMQ) oligomer has been studied by IR spectroscopy (carbonyl build-up) and by DSC (measurement of the oxidation induction time at 200 °C). The induction period increases almost proportionally to the TMQ concentration and the TMQ efficiency (as estimated by the ratio t_ind/[TMQ]₀) increases when lowering the temperature. Some features of stabilizer consumption kinetics and the dependence of maximum oxidation rate with initial stabilizer concentration were compared to experimental results obtained for stabilization by hindered phenols (Irganox 1010) and to literature data for sacrificial (e.g. hindered phenols) and regenerative (Hindered Amine Stabilizers) antioxidants. These comparisons led to classify TMQ in the category of Hindered Amine Stabilizers (HAS), which was confirmed by a kinetic analysis. Only the scheme taking into account the specific features of HAS (role of NO radicals, regeneration from alkoxyamines) was able to correctly simulate the oxidation behaviour of TMQ stabilized PE.     

Identification of degradation products of antioxidants in polyolefins by liquid chromatography combined with atmospheric pressure photoionisation mass spectrometry

Round robin tests have revealed the trend that the concentration of stabilizers in polyolefins is usually underestimated. However, it is still unclear whether this underestimation is due to systematic errors of the analysis procedures or to degradation of the stabilizers during the production of the round robin sample itself. Within the present work, the degradation pathways of six common antioxidants (ADK Stab AO-60, Everfos 168, Kinox 30, Irganox 3114, Irganox 1076, and Cyanox 1790) were investigated. Methods based on high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection or hyphenated with mass spectrometry (employing either an ion trap or a quadrupole/time-of-flight instrument) were developed, whereby the suitability of atmospheric pressure photoionisation was studied and compared with the performance of more established ionisation techniques like electrospray ionisation and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation. While ADK Stab, Kinox 30, Everfos 168, and Irganox 1076 turned out to be thermally stable at 115 °C, Irganox 3114 and Cyanox 1790 were partly degraded by oxidation. In the presence of talcum, which is a widely used inorganic filler for polyolefins, additional degradation reactions such as the cleavage of ester bonds and the loss of tert-butyl groups were observed at elevated temperature.     

Modelling light stabilizers as thermal antioxidants

Light stabilizers often display some degree of antioxidant activity against thermal degradation of polymers both in the solid state and the melt. Although this capacity to date has been documented in some instances such features have not been kinetically modelled for many light stabilizers. An understanding of the mechanisms of this activity is crucial in polymer materials due to the close link between prior thermal behaviour and post stabilisation.This paper considers the potential antioxidant activity of three representative UV stabilizers using a model system initiated (2,2′-azo-bisisobutyronitrile, AIBN) cumene oxidation. Kinetic measurements of oxidation rates in the presence of the stabilizers showed that the antioxidant activity as well as the mechanism and mode of inhibition was different for each of the stabilizers. Thus, whilst a triazine UV absorber (Cyasorb UV 1164) did not display any antioxidant activity, a hindered phenol (Cyasorb UV 2908) operated as a peroxy radical acceptor, and a hindered amine (Cyasorb 3529) retarded the model reaction without an induction period like many HAS stabilizers.The Cyasorb 2908 revealed weak antioxidant activity with a rate constant for the addition of cumylperoxy RO₂ radicals to the functional group of the stabilizer k₇ = 10^6.2±0.1 e^{−(3900±600)/RT}, however, the inhibition index f (80 °C) is significantly higher than that of the commercial phenolic antioxidant Irganox 1076. Oxidation rate profiles in the presence of Cyasorb 3529 displayed a strong retarding activity by the stabilizer under conditions of the model experiments. The rates were found to depend linearly on the reciprocal square root of the concentration of the stabilizer over a sufficiently wide range thereby fitting the mechanism for the addition of cumylalkyl R radicals to the Cyasorb molecules. The rate constants for the addition of cumyl R radicals to the Cyasorb were determined to be k_(333-353 K) = (2.0 ± 0.8) × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. This value surpasses even the rate constants for other related HAS Chimassorb [Zeynalov EB, Allen NS. Effect of micron and nano-grade titanium dioxides on the efficiency of hindered piperidine stabilizers in a model oxidative reaction. Polym Degrad Stab 2006;91(4):931-9.] stabilizers and it follows that Cyasorb 3529 is a powerful retarder of thermal oxidation.     

Oxidative condensation and chemiluminescence of 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione

The oxidative condensation of (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione) luminol was carried out under their oxidation by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ in the mixed water-organic (namely dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (MPD)) solvent under the volume ratio 1:9. The structure of the products was studied by IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and the derivatographic method. It was determined that oxidation by KIO₃ (E = 1.085 V) occurs on the amide nitrogen atoms, while in the case of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ (E = 2.05 V) it occurs on the amino-group. The structure and thermal stability of the obtained products is determined by the nature of the oxidant. The active decomposition of luminol begins at t_d = 334.5 °C, while for the specimens of the polyluminols, which were synthesized in the water-DMSO and water-MPD mixtures, t_d equals 356.7 and 409.1 °C respectively. The worst thermal stability has products of luminol oxidation by KIO₃ (t_d = 282.5 °C). The mechanism of the luminol oxidative polymerization by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ has been proposed.     

Influence of hydrophobe content on the solution rheology of hydrophobically modified terpolymer of SO2, N,N-diallyl-N-carboethoxymethylammonium chloride

Rheological properties of hydrophobically modified copolymer of SO₂, N,N-diallyl-N-carboethoxymethylammonium chloride and the hydrophobic monomer N,N-diallyl-N-octadecylammonium chloride were studied. The influence of hydrophobe content (HP) and polymer concentration was investigated. Polymers with HP content in the range 1.5-5% were examined and the concentration was varied in the range 2-5 wt%. Both dynamic and steady-shear experiments were performed in ARES rheometer. Copolymers were observed to exhibit typical viscoelastic behavior even with low HP content. Both the dynamic viscosity, η′ and storage modulus, G′, increase with the increase of both the polymer concentration and the HP content of the system. The viscosity of the high HP content polymer showed a strong shear dependency, while G′ was a weak function of frequency and gel-like behavior was observed. The zero-shear viscosity, η₀, showed a strong concentration dependency (η₀ ∼ ?^α; 1.1 < α < 5.9). The concentration dependency of η₀ suggests that intermolecular association is dominant in the high HP content polymer. Control of the HP content and polymer concentration of this class of polymers can lead to a wide range of interesting rheological properties.     

Modified cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay for measuring the antioxidant capacities of thiol-containing proteins in admixture with polyphenols

Proteins are not considered as true antioxidants but are known to protect antioxidants from oxidation in various antioxidant activity assays. This study aims to investigate the contribution of proteins, especially thiol-containing proteins, to the observed overall antioxidant capacity measured by known methods. To determine the antioxidant properties of thiol-containing proteins, the CUPRAC method of antioxidant assay using the oxidizing reagent Cu(II)-neocuproine previously used for simultaneous analysis of cystine and cysteine was adopted. While the CUPRAC method is capable of determining all antioxidant compounds including thiols in complex sample matrices, the Ellman method of thiol quantitation basically does not respond to other antioxidants. The antioxidant quantities in the selected samples were assayed with the ABTS and FRAP methods as well as with the CUPRAC method. In all applied methods, the dilutions were made with a standard pH 8 buffer used in the Ellman method by substituting the Na₂EDTA component of the buffer with sodium citrate. On the other hand, the standard CUPRAC protocol was modified by substituting the pH 7 ammonium acetate buffer (at 1 M concentration) with 8 M urea buffer adjusted to pH 7 by neutralizing with 6 M HCl. Urea helps to partly solubilize and denaturate proteins so that their buried thiols be oxidized more easily. All methods used in the estimation of antioxidant properties of proteins (i.e., CUPRAC, Ellman, ABTS, and FRAP) were first standardized with a simple thiol compound, cysteine, by constructing the calibration curves. The molar absorptivities of these methods for cysteine were: ?_CUPRAC = 7.71 × 10³, ?_Ellman = 1.37 × 10⁴, ?_ABTS = 2.06 × 10⁴, and ?_FRAP = 2.98 × 10³ L mol⁻¹cm⁻¹. Then these methods were applied to various samples containing thiols, such as glutathione (reduced form:GSH), egg white, whey proteins, and gelatin. Additionally, known quantities of selected antioxidants were added to these samples to show the additivity of responses.     

Thermal analysis techniques for characterization of polymer materials

Routine DSC and TGA techniques, used to characterise polymer thermal stability, have been further used for assessment of comparative thermal stability of various polymer materials and for prediction of material lifetimes. The following materials were investigated: (1) commercial and experimental polymer materials - results for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) are presented; (2) a polydimethylsiloxane-polytetrafluoroethylene (SIL-PTFE) coating system; and (3) commercially available linear low density polyethylene (PE-LLD), unmodified and modified chemically and physically. The plot of reciprocal temperature of initial decomposition 1/T_di vs log heating rate β has been recommended for assessment of comparative thermal stability. The lifetime of polymer materials was calculated from the plots of log time-to-failure, log t_f, vs reciprocal temperature 1/T, where t_f values were obtained using T_di from TGA measurements or directly from the oxidation induction time (OIT) data as criteria for initial deterioration of polymer thermal stability. The following sequences of increasing thermal stability were found for investigated materials:

(1)

PVC ? PC;

(2)

SIL < SIL-PTFE 20% < SIL-PTFE 50% ? PTFE;

(3)

(B) PE-LLD, grafted < (A) PE-LLD, unmodified < (C) PE-LLD, filled.

The lifetime of polymer materials predicted from the plots of log t_f vs 1/T are in reasonable agreement with experimental data and users' observations, e.g. approximately 1 year for PC and unmodified PE-LLD both at 373 K (100 °C) and for PVC at temperature of outdoor conditions about 298 K (25 °C).     

Increasing the antioxidant capability via the synergistic effect of coupling diphenylamine with sterically hindered phenol

A series of novel diphenylamine-phenol antioxidants were synthesised that combined the two antioxidant types into a single molecule. These antioxidants were then functionalised with alkyl chains to aid their solubility in hydrocarbon media. As part of a structure-activity study, diphenylamine derivatives were also generated bearing carboxylic acid functionalities in either the ortho, meta or para position with respect to the secondary amine. Methyl or ethyl spacers were also incorporated between the carboxylic acid and the aromatic ring. The antioxidant ability of the diphenylamine-phenols was evaluated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and compared to commercially available antioxidants Irganox L135 and Irganox L57 both as individual components and when blended together. The diphenylamine-phenol antioxidant with an ethyl spacer between the diphenylamine and carboxylic acid in the meta position with respect to the secondary amine functionality showed an impressive oxidation induction time of ca. 24 min in direct comparison with the blend of Irganox L135 and Irganox L57 (ca. 16 min).     

On-line selective detection of antioxidants free-radical scavenging activity based on Co(II)/EDTA-induced luminol chemiluminescence by flow injection analysis

This study establishes a new method to analyze the radical scavenging activity of antioxidants based on the luminol-H₂O₂-Co(II)/EDTA chemiluminescence and flow injection analysis. The method is based on the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by Co(II)/EDTA complex, forming a free radical flux that can produce a stable chemiluminescence signal which is attenuated in the presence of antioxidants. A properly designed FIA manifold and the appropriate regulation of the chemiluminescence-reagent mixture enabled the establishment of a reaction-sensitive analytical procedure that minimizes oxidant-antioxidant interactions while favors the inhibition effect of antioxidants on the free radicals flux. In that manner, the uncontrolled experimental variability induced by side-reactions occurring antagonistically is reduced. The method was examined in-vitro for the continuous monitoring of the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and antioxidants, which is closer to in-vivo conditions, with three common antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione and uric acid). All three antioxidants were found to inhibit the luminescent signal with strict logarithmic linear mode, yielding calibration curves rectilinear in the range of 5 × 10⁻⁸-5 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and detection limits at the 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ levels. The F-statistic was employed to assess the ability of the method to detect differences in the activity of the examined antioxidants. The results suggest that the proposed method can be used efficiently for the detection of free radical activity in real samples.     

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenes and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Seven different ferrocene derivatives have been tested in vitro against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Neither ferrocene nor the monosubstituted derivative N,N-dimethylaminomethylferrocene showed cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ > 1000 μM for 3 h treatments). Better results were obtained with 1,2-disubstituted derivatives. The IC₅₀ values ranged from 376.6 μM for 1,2-diformylferrocene to 71.2 μM for racemic 2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenecarboxamide. The latter derivative was also encapsulated in native β-cyclodextrin (CD), heptakis-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-CD (TRIMEB) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD) to give 1:1 (host:guest) inclusion compounds. The existence of true inclusion complexes in the solid state was confirmed by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. The IC₅₀ value for the β-CD inclusion compound was identical to that obtained for the nonincluded ferrocene derivative. By contrast, the inclusion compounds comprising TRIMEB and HPβCD yielded IC₅₀ values of 25.2 and 20.0 μM, respectively. No obvious relationship could be established between the redox behavior of the compounds determined by cyclic voltammetry and the biochemical data.     

Investigation of antioxidant and electron beam radiation effects on the thermal oxidation stability of low-density polyethylene

Effect of various antioxidants on the thermal oxidation stability of LDPE and X-LDPE has been investigated. To achieve this purpose, miscellaneous commercial grade antioxidants such as Irganox 1010, Irganox1076, Irgafos168, Irganox B225, and Chimassorb 944 were selected. Then, formulations based on different content of antioxidant were prepared. The samples were crosslinked by exposure to electron beam irradiation. To assess the thermal oxidation stability of samples, oxidation induction time (OIT) test was accomplished on both the irradiated and unirradiated specimens. Ageing tests were carried out in order to evaluate the thermal oxidation stability of irradiated X-LDPE. The results indicate that Irganox 1010 is the most effective antioxidant amongst the selected ones, concerning thermal oxidation stability of LDPE, before and after aging test.     

The decomposition kinetics of [Et4N]2[M(dmit)2] (M = Ni, Pd) in a nitrogen atmosphere using thermogravimetry

Thermal properties and thermal decompositions of [NEt₄]₂[M(dmit)₂] (M = Ni(II), Pd(II), dmit = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate) have been studied by thermogravimetry (TG). The TG analysis has shown that the complexes are thermally stable up to 460 K and the decomposition of the complexes occurs in three consecutive stages up to 873 K. A thermal stability scale for [M(dmit)₂]ⁿ⁻ anions was based on the thermal properties. Kinetics parameters, such as activation energy, E_a, and kinetic apparent pre-exponential factor, ln A_app, have been calculated from the thermogravimetric data at heating rates of 10, 15, 20 and 25 K/min involving differential (Friedman's equation) and integral (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's equation) methods.     

Electrosyntheses of free-standing poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate on stainless steel electrode

High-quality free-standing poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) (PDBC) films with a conductivity of 4.1 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ and good thermal stability were synthesized electrochemically on stainless steel electrode by direct anodic oxidation of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DBC) in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). In this medium, the oxidation potential onset of DBC was measured to be only 0.98 V vs. SCE, which was much lower than that in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L⁻¹ Bu₄NBF₄ (1.45 V vs. SCE). PDBC films obtained from this medium showed good redox activity and stability in BFEE. The structural characterization of PDBC was performed using UV-vis, FTIR spectroscopy. The results of quantum chemistry calculations of DBC monomer and FTIR spectroscopy of PDBC films indicated that the polymerization mainly occurred at C₍₄₎ and C₍₅₎ positions). Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PDBC was a blue light emitter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrodeposition of free-standing PDBC films.     

Preparation and thermal properties of diglycidylether sulfone epoxy

A diglycidylether sulfone monomer (sulfone type epoxy monomer, SEP) was prepared from bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone (SDOL) and epichlorohydrin without any NaOH or KOH as basic catalyst. FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopic instruments were utilized to determine the structure of the SEP monomer. The cured SEP epoxy material exhibited not only a higher T_g (163.81 °C) but also a higher T_g than pristine DGEBA (from 111.25 °C to 139.17 °C) when the SEP monomer moiety had been introduced into the DGEBA system. The thermal stability of cured epoxy herein was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results demonstrated that the sulfone group of the cured SEP material decomposed at lower temperatures and formed thermally stable sulfate compounds, improving char yield and enhancing resistance against thermal oxidation. Additionally, the IPDT and char yield of the cured SEP epoxy (IPDT = 1455.75, char yield = 39.67%) exceeded those of conventional DGEBA epoxy (IPDT = 667.27, char yield = 16.25%).     

Synthesis of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid from 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene using NHPI as a key catalyst

A new strategy to 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNPA) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid from 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene and p-cymene, respectively, was developed using the NHPI-catalyzed aerobic oxidation as a principal reaction. 2,6-Diisopropylnaphthalene was oxidized by the oxidation with O₂ (1 atm) by NHPI (10 mol %) combined with Co(OAc)₂ (0.5 mol %) to give 6-acetyl-2-isopropylnaphthalene, which then was converted to 6-isopropyl-2-naphthoic acid under O₂ (1 atm) in the presence of Co(OAc)₂ (0.5 mol %) and Mn(OAc)₂ (0.5 mol %). Esterification of the resulting acid followed by the aerobic oxidation produced methyl 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoate whose hydrolysis led to the desired HNPA. An alternative route involves the oxidation of 6-acetyl-2-isopropylnaphthalene to 6-acetyl-2-naphthol on which subsequent oxidation and deacetylation gave HNPA. This method was successfully extended to the synthesis of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid from p-cymene.     

Oxidation behaviour and kinetic properties of shape memory CuAlxNi4 (x=13.0 and 13.5) alloys

Although the copper-based shape memory alloys (SMA) have some important problems such as controlling of the kinetic properties in the shape memory ability, they have relatively more advantages when compared to nitinol, such as lower price and simpler production technology. In order to determine the kinetic properties and oxidation rates of shape memory CuAl_xNi₄ (x=13 and 13.5) alloys with polycrystalline forms, the alloys have been homogenized in β-phase field at 930 °C for 30 min and immediately quenched in iced-brine water at −3 °C. The transformation temperatures in a period of three thermal cycles which include heating and cooling processes have been determined through Shimadzu DSC-50 differential scanning calorimeter. Activation energies of forward and reverse martensitic transformations have been calculated by using the Kissenger method. Thermogravimetric analysis with Shimadzu TGA-50 have been carried out for the determination of mass changes of alloys during heating and cooling cycles with two temperature rates selected as 10 and 30 °C/min up to 900 °C. It has been shown that increasing aluminium content reduces the oxidation rates of the alloys. It has also been established that CuAlNi shape memory alloys have a good stabilization in martensitic phase.     

Electrosynthesis of highly conducting poly(1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene) in BF3·Et2O

Direct anodic oxidation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN), an important derivative of naphthalene, led to the formation of high-quality semiconducting poly(1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene) (PDHN) on stainless steel sheets in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The onset oxidation potential of DHN in this medium was measured to be only 0.78 V vs. SCE, which was lower than that determined in traditional acetonitrile containing 0.1 mol/L tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (0.98 V vs. SCE). As-formed PDHN films showed good redox activity and stability, together with interesting electrochromic property from brown (doped) to yellow-green (dedoped). Structural characterization, including FTIR, ¹H NMR, and quantum chemistry calculations, indicated that the polymerization of DHN probably occurred at C₄ and C₈ positions. Moreover, thermal analysis revealed that PDHN displayed better thermal stability than that synthesized by chemical method. The fluorescence spectral studies, together with the electrical tests, showed that PDHN was a good blue light-emitter (fluorescence quantum yield higher than 0.1) with an electrical conductivity of as high as 0.46 S/cm.     

Mechanism of degradation induced embrittlement in polyethylene

The thermal oxidation of polyethylene films in air at 80 °C and 90 °C has been studied by tensile testing, IR spectrophotometry and molar mass determination from rheometric measurements. In the conditions under study, the polymer predominantly undergoes chain scission and embrittles suddenly when the weight average molar mass reaches a critical value (90 kg mol⁻¹), far before significant damage of the entanglement network (M_e = 1.9 kg mol⁻¹) in the amorphous phase.The following embrittlement mechanism is proposed: chain scission in the amorphous phase induces chemicrystallization. The thickness of the interlamellar amorphous layer (l_a) decreases until a critical value of the order of 6-7 nm, below which plasticity cannot be activated and the polymer behaves in a brittle manner, as previously shown for virgin polyethylene. Using (l_a, M_W) maps, it is possible to explain the differences observed in the embrittlement behaviour of semi-crystalline polymers predominantly undergoing chain scission.     

Thermal properties of the pyrochlore, Y2Ti2O7

The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of high-purity single crystals of yttrium titanate, Y₂Ti₂O_7, have been determined over the temperature range 2 K?T?300 K. The experimental heat capacity is in very good agreement with an analysis based on three acoustic modes per unit cell (with the Debye characteristic temperature, θ_D, of ca. 970 K) and an assignment of the remaining 63 optic modes, as well as a correction for C_p−C_v. From the integrated heat capacity data, the enthalpy and entropy relative to absolute zero, are, respectively, H(T=298.15 K)−H₀=34.69 kJ mol⁻¹ and S(T=298.15 K)−S₀=211.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The thermal conductivity shows a peak at ca. θ_D/50, characteristic of a highly purified crystal in which the phonon mean free path is about 10 μm in the defect/boundary low-temperature limit. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of Y₂Ti₂O₇ is 2.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, close to the calculated theoretical thermal conductivity, κ_min, for fully coupled phonons at high temperatures.