Thermal behavior of cashew gum by simultaneous TG/DTG/DSC-FT-IR and EDXRF

Cashew gum, an exudate polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L., was purified by alcohol precipitation. Thermal behavior of this polysaccharide was investigated by simultaneous TG/DTG/DSC-FT-IR analysis performed under nitrogen and air atmospheres and heating rate of 10 K min^?1. TG/DTG curves under oxidative atmosphere were similar to the curves under N₂ atmosphere until 340 °C, however, it was observed a profile difference due to the presence of two DTG peaks at 430 and 460 °C. DSC results showed endothermic and exothermic events corroborating with TG/DTG curves. The Simultaneous TG/DSC-FTIR analysis revealed that evolved gases from the decomposition of cashew gum sample were CO₂, CO, and groups: O–H, C–H, C=O, C–C, and C–O, in nitrogen and air atmospheres. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis from the ash showed that the elements in larger amounts are CaO, MgO, and K₂O.     

Commiphora pedunculata gum as a green inhibitor for the corrosion of aluminium alloy in 0.1 M HCl

The effect of Commiphora pedunculata (CP) gum on the inhibition of the corrosion of aluminum alloy AA 3001) in solutions of HCl was investigated using gravimetric and thermometric methods of monitoring corrosion. The results obtained indicated that CP gum is a good adsorption inhibitor for the corrosion of aluminum in solutions of HCl. The inhibition efficiency of CP gum was found to increase with an increase in concentration but to decrease with increasing temperature. The adsorption of CP gum on the surface of aluminum was found to be endothermic, spontaneous and to support the mechanism of physical adsorption. The Langmuir adsorption model has been used to describe the adsorption characteristics of CP gum on aluminum surface.     

Isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)s of different molecular weights

The isothermal crystallization kinetics and morphology of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymers of different molecular weights have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry and transmission microscopy (TM). The kinetic parameters of Avrami exponent n, the rate constant k, half time t _1/2, rate at 50 % crystallinity, τ _1/2 for crystallization of different PETs were evaluated from double logarithmic plots of log {?ln[1 ? X(t)]} versus log t, where X(t) is extent of crystallinity at a given crystallization temperature. The crystallization rate of polymers with high molecular weight found to be lower than that of polymers with low molecular weight, at the same crystallization temperature. It was found that the nucleation mechanism and growth dimension of polymers with low molecular weight are different from those of polymers with high molecular weight. The results of TM and isothermal crystallization kinetics showed a consistent trend for the crystallization of all PET polymers studied, comprising a primary stage and a secondary stage. The activation energy in the PET polymers of low molecular weight was found to be lower than that of polymers with high molecular weight.     

Emulsifying,Flocculating, and Physicochemical Properties of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme

The emulsifying, flocculating, and physicochemical properties of purified exopolysaccharide (EPS) of terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme cultured in liquid media were investigated. The EPS was defined as heteropolysaccharide composed by 41.2 % glucose, 21.1 % galactose, 21.0 % mannose, 2.5 % fructose, 3.6 % ribose, 1.7 % xylose, 0.6 % arabinose, 3.0 % rhamnose, 0.9 % fucose, and 4.3 % glucuronic acid. The EPS possessed higher intrinsic viscosity than other cyanobacterial strains as reported and displayed pseudoplastic behavior in aqueous solution. The EPS produced more stable emulsions with tested hydrocarbons and oils than xanthan gum, and the emulsification indexes with n-hexadecane, liquid paraffin, and peanut oil were higher than 50 %, indicating the strong emulsion-stabilizing capacity. The EPS showed peak flocculating rates of 93.5 and 86.1 % in kaolin and MgO suspension, respectively, and exhibited a better flocculation performance than Al₂(SO₄)₃ and xanthan gum. These results demonstrated that the EPS of N. flagelliforme was a very promising candidate for numerous industrial applications, as it had higher intrinsic viscosity, good emulsification activity, and excellent flocculation capability.     

Mechanism analysis of Eucommia ulmoides gum reducing the rolling resistance and the application study in green tires

Eucommia ulmoides (EU) gum is a natural polymer material extracted from Eucommia ulmoides (EU) oliver, which can be applied in the tire industry to reduce the rolling resistance of the tread compound and save the energy. However, the mechanism is not explicit, which limits EU gum to be applied widely. Therefore, the crystallization characteristics and mechanical properties of EU gum with different cross-linking densities are studied systematically to reveal the mechanism. It is found that the “forced crystallization”, namely the crystallization of EU gum is hindered by the internal stress caused by numerous cross-linking points, is the main reason to reduce the rolling resistance. When the temperature reaches the melting point (about 60 °C), the EU gum converts into the random elastic network state immediately under the internal stress without the viscous sliding existed in the traditional molten polymer material, which greatly decreases the tanδ value at 60 °C, an index can evaluate the rolling resistance of tread material. Compared with the pure EU gum, the tanδ value at 60 °C decreases with a maximum drop of 45.2% under the forced crystallization caused by vulcanizing. However, EU gum cannot be made into tire directly for its crystallization at ambient temperature, which damages the high elastic property of tire. So EU gum is blended into natural rubber (NR) and reinforced by the carbon black. As a result, the comprehensive properties are improved when the content of EU gum is controlled lower than 30phr. Compared with NR nanocomposite, the NR/EU gum nanocomposite with 10phr EU gum can reduce the rolling resistance by 25.6% and improve the abrasion resistance by 9.5%.     

A comparative study of interaction of ibuprofen with biocompatible polymers

In this paper we are reporting the interaction of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBF) with various biocompatible polymers. Being amphiphilic, the drug interacts with the polymers similar to the interaction of surfactants and polymers. Therefore, we have considered the polymer-amphiphile interaction approach using conductimetry. The polymers of different charges (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) have been taken for the study. It was found that the critical aggregation concentration (cac) decreases on increasing the polymer concentrations of cationic as well as nonionic polymers whereas it increases for anionic polymers. The results imply that anionic IBF interacts with cationic and nonionic polymers more strongly as compared to the anionic polymers. A possible anionic-anionic repulsion is responsible for the weak interaction of IBF with anionic polymers. On the other side, the critical micelle concentration (cmc) increases for all polymers which is a usual indication of the interaction between amphiphiles and polymers. Free energies of aggregation (ΔG_agg) and micellization (ΔG_mic) were also computed with the help of degrees of micelle ionization obtained from the specific conductivity - [IBF] isotherms.     

An investigation on solid-state pyrolytic decomposition of barium trihemiaquatris(oxalato)lanthanate(III)decahydrate using TG–DTA in air and DSC in nitrogen

A heterobimetallic oxalate coordination compound, barium(II)trihemiaquatris(oxalato)lanthanate(III)decahydrate, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectral studies. Crystalline nature of the compound with orthorhombic symmetry is corroborated from powder X-ray diffraction studies. The solid-state pyrolytic decomposition studies (TG, DTG and DTA) in air showed that the compound decomposed mainly to BaO, La₂O₃ and BaLa₂O₄ along with carbides of both the metal at ca. 1,000 °C through a number of intermediate steps. The DSC studies in nitrogen up to 670 °C found that the compound crumbled through several endothermic and one exothermic processes. The kinetic parameters, E*, lnk _o, ΔH ^# and ΔS ^# of dehydration and decomposition steps in nitrogen are evaluated from DSC peaks and discussed.     

Molecular origin for rheological characteristics of native gellan gum

The ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum showed that the l-rhamnosyl residues of native gellan gum were coinvolved in both a small number of ⁴C₁-pyranose conformations and a large number of ¹C₄-pyranose conformations, whereas for deacylated polymer, almost of the residues were involved in ⁴C₁-pyranose conformation. The flow curves of native gellan gum showed plastic behavior above 0.2%. The elastic modulus stayed at a constant value with increase in temperature up to 40 °C, then decreased rapidly. The elastic modulus increased with addition of CaCl₂ (6.8 mM) and stayed constant value with increase in temperature up to 65 °C, then decreased rapidly. The stronger elastic modulus was observed in deacylated gellan gum with addition of CaCl₂. The elastic modulus of native gellan gum showed larger value than that in aqueous solution in the presence of urea (4.0 M). Intra- and intermolecular associations of native gellan gum molecules in the presence of Ca⁺² were proposed.     

The Syntheses and Characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Controlled Release of Bromhexine

Imprinted polymers are now being increasingly considered for active biomedical uses such as drug delivery. In this work, the use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in designing new drug delivery devices was studied. Imprinted polymers were prepared from methacrylic acid (functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (cross-linker), and bromhexine (as a drug template) using bulk polymerization method. The influence of the template/functional monomer proportion and pH on the achievement of MIPs with pore cavities with a high enough affinity for the drug was investigated. The polymeric devices were further characterized by FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and binding experiments. The imprinted polymers showed a higher affinity for bromhexine and a slower release rate than the non-imprinted polymers. The controlled release of bromhexine from the prepared imprinted polymers was investigated through in vitro dissolution tests by measuring absorbance at λ _max of 310 nm by HPLC-UV. The dissolution media employed were hydrochloric acid at the pH level of 3.0 and phosphate buffers, at pH levels of 6.0 and 8.0, maintained at 37.0 and 25.0 ± 0.5 °C. Results from the analyses showed the ability of MIP polymers to control the release of bromhexine In all cases The imprinted polymers showed a higher affinity for bromhexine and a slower release rate than the non-imprinted polymers. At the pH level of 3.0 and at the temperature of 25 °C, slower release of bromhexine imprinted polymer occurred.     

A thermal study of Cu(II) compounds formed with piperazine derivatives

The thermal behaviour of some Cu(II) compounds formed with 1,4-disubstituted piperazine derivatives has been studied. The investigations were performed on a MOM 1500 derivatograph. The endothermic effects observed at 170–180°C are associated with the processes of dehydration and dehalogenation of the compounds, with general formula LH₂·CuCl₄·H₂O, whereL is the piperazine derivative. The residue at 600°C remains relatively constant.     

Xanthan Gum Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris</Emphasis> IBSBF 1866 and 1867 from Lignocellulosic Agroindustrial Wastes

This study aimed to evaluate the properties of xanthan gum produced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 1866 and 1867 from lignocellulosic agroindustrial wastes. XG was produced using an orbital shaker in a culture medium containing coconut shell (CS), cocoa husks (CH), or sucrose (S) minimally supplemented with urea and potassium. The XG production results varied between the CS, CH, and S means, and it was higher with the CH in strains 1866 (4.48 g L^?1) and 1867 (3.89 g L^?1). However, there was more apparent viscosity in the S gum (181.88 mPas) and the CS gum (112.06 mPas) for both 1866 and 1867, respectively. The ability of XG_CS and XG_CH to emulsify different vegetable oils was similar to the ability of XG_S. All gums exhibited good thermal stability and marked groups in the elucidation of compounds and particles with rough surfaces.     

Thermal decomposition and biological activity studies of some transition metal complexes derived from mixed ligands sparfloxacin and glycine

The synthetic method of novel ternary M(II)/(III)/(IV) complexes, with fluoroquinolone drug sparfloxacin (HSFX) and glycine (HGly) containing nitrogen and oxygen donor ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The prepared complexes fall into stoichiometric formulae of [M(SFX)(Gly)(H₂O)₂]Cl (M = Cr(III) and Fe(III), [M(SFX)(Gly)(H₂O)₂] (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and UO₂(II) and [Th(SFX)(Gly)(H₂O)₂]Cl₂. The chelate rings are six-membered and six coordinate with 1:1:1 [M]:[SFX]:[Gly]. The important bands in the IR Spectra and main ¹H NMR signals are tentatively assigned and discussed in relation to the predicted molecular structure. The IR data of the HSFX and HGly ligands suggested the existing of a bidentate binding involving carboxylate O and carbonyl O for HSFX ligand and amino N and carboxylate O atoms for HGly ligand. The coordination geometries and electronic structures are determined from the diffused reflectance spectra and magnetic moment measurements. The complexes exist in octahedral form. The complexes decomposed in four to six steps within the temperature range 30–1,000 °C with metal oxides as residues of decomposition. The decomposition steps are accompanied by endothermic or exothermic peaks in the DTA. The HSFX drug, HGly and metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans by MIC method. The metal complexes were found to have higher antimicrobial activity than the HSFX drug and HGly ligand and their activity are comparable with the antibacterial and antifungal standards.     

Synthesis and properties of novel heat-resistant fluorescent conjugated polymers with bisindolylmaleimide

Novel conjugated polymers with bisindolymaleimide were synthesized via simple metal-free condensation polymerization. The polymers exhibited high glass transition temperatures and decomposition temperatures with considerable luminescent properties.     

Thermotropic homopolyesters—VI. A study of polymers based on 4′-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

Polyesters were synthesized from 4′-acetoxyphenyl-4-acetoxybenzoate and dibasic acids having 6–12 methylene units using the transesterification procedure described by van Luyen and Strzelecki. These polymers are designated S_n, where n is the number of methylene units in the diacid. The transition temperatures of our polymers stand in reasonable agreement with those reported by Strzelecki and Liébert. The nematic phase extends over a broad temperature range (70–100°), and the biphasic region spans an additional 50°. The texture of the nematic phase is normal for S7-1 having η_inh = 0.30 dl/g, but the other polymers show bright nematic droplets on a darker background. The density of droplets decreases with increasing η_inh in the S7 series, and as η is increased for the other polymer homologues. Only S7-1 exhibits Williams domains on application of an electric field. Quite different properties are found for the polyester having η_inh = 0.80 dl/g prepared from 4′-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate and the diacid chloride. It melted sharply 24° higher, and its nematic phase showed a normal texture. Moreover, its nematic-isotropic transition appears in the DSC as a sharp peak, and the biphasic region spans only 9°. We believe the transesterification reaction occasionally involves the internal ester linkage in the monomer unit, producing a polymer with no definite repeating unit structure and a distribution of hard segment lengths.     

Characterization of Interactions Between Fluoroquinolones and Human Serum Albumin by CE–Frontal Analysis

The binding of fluoroquinolones to the transport protein, human serum albumin (HSA), under simulated physiological conditions has been studied by capillary electrophoresis–frontal analysis (CE–FA). The binding of these drugs to human plasma was evaluated by using ultrafiltration and capillary electrophoresis. The free drug concentration [D]_f at each HSA concentration was determined by the plateau height in the electropherograms and the calibration lines. The binding constants of fluoroquinolones and HSA were estimated using nonlinear regression with origin 7.5 software. The fluoroquinolones were found to show low affinity toward HSA, with binding constants ranging from 1.73 × 10² to 5.40 × 10² M^?1. The percentages of protein binding (PB) for fluoroquinolones to HSA were between 8.6 and 22.2%, while the PB percentages for fluoroquinolones to human plasma were between 10.2 and 33.1%. It can be found that the PB percentages for fluoroquinolones to HSA are mostly lower than those for fluoroquinolones to human plasma. It suggests that HSA is the primary protein responsible for the binding of fluoroquinolones in human plasma. The thermodynamic parameters were obtained by CE–FA. The positive ?H and ?S values obtained by CE–FA showed that the binding reaction was an endothermic process, and the entropy drive the binding and hydrophobic interaction played major roles in the binding of fluoroquinolones to HSA.     

Thermal decomposition of Cu(II) complexes with salicylaldehyde S-methyl thiosemicarbazone

The thermal decomposition of copper(II) complexes with salicylaldehyde S-methylthiosemicarbazone of general formula Cu(HL)X·nH₂O (X=Py+NO₃, NCS, 0.5SO₄) and [Cu(L)NH₃]·H₂O was investigated in air atmosphere in the interval from room temperature to 1000°C. Decomposition of the complexes occurred in several successive endothermic and exothermic processes, and the residue was in all cases CuO.     

Thermokinetic Comparison of Trypan Blue Decolorization by Free Laccase and Fungal Biomass

Free laccase and fungal biomass from white-rot fungi were compared in the thermokinetics study of the laccase-catalyzed decolorization of an azo dye, i.e., Trypan Blue. The decolorization in both systems followed a first-order kinetics. The apparent first-order rate constant, k ₁′, value increases with temperature. Apparent activation energy of decolorization was similar for both systems at ～22 kJ mol^?1, while energy for laccase inactivation was 18 kJ mol^?1. Although both systems were endothermic, fungal biomass showed higher enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy changes for the decolorization compared to free laccase. On the other hand, free laccase showed reaction spontaneity over a wider range of temperature (ΔT?=?40 K) as opposed to fungal biomass (ΔT?=?15 K). Comparison of entropy change (ΔS) values indicated metabolism of the dye by the biomass.     

Preparation of phosphorus-containing polymers—XV. Preparation of phosphorus-containing polyamide-imides from N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)-3,3′-diphenylalkylphosphine oxide and aromatic diacetamides

Phosphorus-containing polyamide-imides were prepared from N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)-3,3′-diphenylalkylphosphine oxide and aromatic diacetamido derivatives by acidolysis; the reaction conditions are discussed. The resulting polymers were fairly soluble in DMA, DMF and conc. H₂SO₄; the reduced viscosities of polymers in DMA or cone. H₂SO₄ (0.2 g/dl) at 30° were 0.19–0.32. The phosphorus-containing polymers have good thermal stability, and are self-extinguished immediately after the flame is removed. Most of the i.r. absorption bands of polymers vanished on heating at above 600°.     

Effect of anisotropic deformation on the differential scanning calorimetry response of polymer glasses

Large anisotropic deformation affects the physical state of a polymer glass, where the changes in the state of material are revealed by performing a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiment. Previously, the deformation was applied to polymers well below their glass transition temperatures, and it was found that uniaxial compressive loading–unloading resulted in a broad exothermic peak on the DSC trace. Here we report on the effect on the subsequent DSC response of a deformation experiment performed in uniaxial extension on a ductile 50:50 co-polymer poly(BMA-co-MMA) (PBMA/MMA). The deformation of up to 80% strain was applied at T_g − 30°C and T_g − 40°C, that is, closer to T_g than in the previous work. Unlike in the well below T_g deformation case, the DSC trace contains an endothermic peak followed by an exothermic peak. The magnitude of the endothermic peak as well as the asymptotic glassy heat capacity increase with the amount of mechanical work performed during the deformation cycle.     

Some properties of networks produced by the Diels-Alder reaction between poly(styrene-co-furfuryl methacrylate) and bismaleimide

Poly (styrene-co-furfuryl methacrylate) networks were prepared by the Diels-Alder (D-A) reaction in solution at 25 °C between the linear copolymer and bismaleimide (BM). The resultant crosslinked polymers were swollen to equilibrium in toluene at 25 °C and swelling properties were studied by gravimetric and dimensional measurements. The swelling behaviour of these organogels depended on the composition of the copolymer and the concentration of BM used. Shear and Young’s moduli and the effective crosslinking densities (ν_e) were determined by compression (stress)-strain measurements. The theoretical crosslinking density was higher than the ν_e for all the crosslinked copolymers. An endothermic peak without T_g was observed on the DSC curve on heating the dry crosslinked polymer. On reheating a T_g at ≈98 °C was found, which is attributed to presence of linear copolymer produced by the retro D-A reaction in the first heating. The thermal stability of a crosslinked copolymer under nitrogen and air showed differences with the stability of the linear copolymer. The increase in viscosity of the solution during the D-A reaction was followed with time, for initial linear copolymers of different molecular weights. It was found that onset of gelation increased to longer reaction times the lower the molecular weight of copolymer.