An efficient halogen-free flame retardant for glass-fibre-reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate)

Compared with poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), glass-fibre-reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate) (GF-PBT) is difficult to flame retard with halogen-free flame retardants. In the present study, the aluminium salt of hypophosphorous acid (AP) was used as a flame retardant for GF-PBT. A series of flame-retardant GF-PBT composites was prepared via melt compounding. The flame retardance and combustion behaviour of the composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94) and cone calorimetric test. Thermal behaviours and thermal decomposition kinetics were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under N₂ atmosphere. The addition of AP to the composites could result in an increased LOI value, a UL-94 V-0 (1.6 mm) classification and a better fire performance in cone calorimetric tests. The char morphology observation after flame-retardant tests, calculation of decomposition kinetics, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infra-red spectral analysis of the char residue confirmed the condensed-phase flame-retardant mechanism. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the flame-retardant composites were not deteriorated, retaining an acceptable level.     

Role of the Acidic-basic Characters of Some Metal Oxides in the Pyrolysis of Ammonium Perchlorate

Six metal oxide samples were prepared by calcination of the corresponding precursors at 500°C for 5 h in air and were characterized by IR and XRD analyses. Their surface areas were calculated by means of the BET method. The acidities and basicities of these metal oxides were estimated thermogravimetrically by the method of adsorption of pyridine and formic acid as probe molecules. The pyrolyses of pure ammonium perchlorate (AP) and of AP mixed with (10% w/w) metal oxide were studied, in a dynamic atmosphere of N₂, by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric analysis. A correlation was found between the catalytic activities of the metal oxides during the pyrolysis of AP, and their acidic-basic characters. The activation energies of the non-catalyzed and catalyzed pyrolysis of AP were calculated from the TG results via the Coats-Redfern equation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flame-retarded hydrophobic cellulose through impregnation with aqueous solutions and supercritical CO2

We have developed flame-retarded hydrophobic cellulose-based materials by producing in situ water-soluble and insoluble inorganic microparticles on various surfaces of native cellulose (filter paper and pure cotton textile). The nanoparticles were produced by simple impregnation of cellulose with two different aqueous solutions followed by a third impregnation with supercritical CO₂. Finally, the composite cellulose materials were covered by a silicon-based polymer thin film, to turn it into hydrophobic and prevent the water-soluble particles from absorbing humidity. The obtained flame-retardant behaviour is due to a combination of mechanisms. The total treatment of cellulose has an impact on, both its surface morphology and its hydrophilicity. Thus, the hydrophobic nature of the silicon-based polymer film along with the roughness caused by the presence of the inorganic particles and the inherent roughness of native cellulose resulted in superhydrophobic behaviour. The same process-concept was also applied to regenerated (from newspaper) cellulose with ionic liquids. The produced materials were characterised by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle measurements.     

Effect of silica content on thermal stability of fumed silica/epoxy composites

Composites of a fumed silica industrial residue and an epoxy resin were prepared and their thermal stability and thermal degradation behaviour were studied by TGA in air. Classical thermal stability parameters, based on the initial decomposition temperature (IDT), temperature of maximum rate of mass loss (T_max) and integral procedure decomposition temperature (IPDT) were calculated before and after subtraction of the filler mass from the TGA curves. Without filler mass subtraction, the thermal stability of the epoxy resin seems to be improved and the mass loss rate was reduced by the addition of fumed silica. Nevertheless, after subtraction of the filler mass, the thermal degradation behaviour of the resin was only slightly affected by the silica content. A possible negative effect of the silica content on the cure was also found.     

Thermodynamic study of alkanes,alkylbenzenes and chloroalkanes retention on alkyl- and cyanoalkyl-bonded stationary phases in supercritical fluid chromatography

Summary The SFC retention behaviour of alkanes, alkylbenzenes and chloroalkane was investigated by studying solute/mobile phase/stationary phase interaction enthalpies. The methylene group and functional group contributions to solute retention were calculated in pure CO₂. It was shown that hydrophobic interactions mainly control retention in pure CO₂. Interaction between the polar extremity of C₁₀CN ligands and residual OH groups on the silica surface was suggested as an explanation of the retention obtained on such ligands. This was confirmed by experiments carried out with modified CO₂.     

Enhanced properties of poly(lactic acid) with silica nanoparticles

The objective of this article is to fabricate poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and nano silica (SiO₂) composites and investigate effect of SiO₂ on the properties of PLA composites. Surface‐grafting modification was used in this study by grafting 3‐Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH‐560) onto the surface of silica nanoparticles. The surface‐grafting reaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Then the hydrophilic silica nanoparticles became hydrophobic and dispersed homogeneously in PLA matrix. Scanning electron microscope and Dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) results revealed that the compatibility between PLA and SiO₂ was improved. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscope tests showed that nano‐silica had a good effect on crystallization of PLA. The transparency analysis showed an increase in transparency of PLA, which had great benefit for the application of PLA. The thermal stability, fire resistance, and mechanical properties were also enhanced because of the addition of nano silica particles. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The preparation of sol-gel materials doped with ionic liquids and trialkyl phosphine oxides for yttrium(III) uptake

A new material (IL923SGs) composed of ionic liquids and trialkyl phosphine oxides (Cyanex 923) for Y(III) uptake was prepared via a sol-gel method. The hydrophobic ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C₈mim⁺PF₆⁻) was used as solvent medium and pore templating material. The extraction of Y(III) by IL923SGs was mainly due to the complexation of metal ions with Cyanex 923 doped in the solid silica. Ionic liquid was stably doped into the silica gel matrix providing a diffusion medium for Cyanex 923, and this will result in higher removal efficiencies and excellent stability for metal ions separation. IL923SGs were also easily regenerated and reused in the subsequent removal of Y(III) in four cycles.     

Fire reaction properties of polystyrene-based nanocomposites using nanosilica and nanoclay as additives in cone calorimeter test

Using nanofiller additives in the polymer matrix to form nanocomposites is a potential way of reducing the flame spread and enhancing flame retardancy of polymeric materials during fire. To understand the fire reaction properties and the relative performance of flame-retardant additives in polymer during well-developed fire, neat polystyrene, polystyrene–silica and polystyrene–nanoclay (MMT) have been tested in a cone calorimeter. The neat polystyrene and the polystyrene nanocomposites have been prepared via an in situ polymerization method. An external heat flux of 50 kW m^?2 was applied in the test, and parameters such as heat release rate, peak heat release rate, time to ignition, smoke toxicity, CO and CO₂ yield have been investigated. Both neat polystyrene and polystyrene nanocomposites have shown the trend of a thermally thick charring polymer in the heat release rate over time data. The nanocomposites had an overall better flame retardancy than the neat polystyrene in terms of lower peak heat release rate, lower average mass loss rate and enhanced char formation. The nanocomposites had also reduced smoke emission with lower CO and CO₂ yield compared to the neat polystyrene. The overall flame retardancy was enhanced as the nanofiller loading was increased for both the nanosilica and MMT nanocomposites.

     

Development and characterisation of flame-retardant fibres from isotactic polypropylene melt-compounded with melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules

Intumescent flame-retardant textiles have been developed from flame-retardant microcapsules. The work is based on the synthesis of different melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules containing di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and/or poly(1,6-hexamethylene adipate) by in-situ polymerisation. Two types of shell have been produced, composed of melamine formaldehyde or melamine formaldehyde-poly(hexamethylene adipate glycol). The microcapsules obtained were melt-compounded at 5%-wt with an isotactic polypropylene matrix using a twin-screw extruder, and multi-filaments have afterwards been spun from the various extrudates. The manufactured fibres were mechanically characterized by measuring their tensile properties, and their thermal properties were investigated by DSC and TGA. Finally, knitted fabrics were processed from the multi-filaments: their flame-retardant properties were evaluated by performing a fire test with a cone calorimeter, and their thermal conductivity measured with a Hot Disk. The different thermal behaviours are discussed in terms of the influence of system formulation on the overall thermal degradation, due to interactions between the different components of the flame-retardant microcapsules. The results showed that for one of the structures, an intrinsic intumescent flame-retardant system has been achieved.     

Melamine,silica, and ionic liquid as a novel flame retardant for rigid polyurethane foams with enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical properties

Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were successfully filled with different weight ratios of melamine (1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%), silica (0.1 wt%) and ionic liquid, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [EMIM]Cl (0.3 wt%). The aim of this study was to improve the flame retardancy of PU foams and to develop the synergistic effect between melamine, silica and ionic liquid on the flame-retardant PU foams. The influence of different loadings of the fillers was examined. The results showed that in comparison with unfilled foam, all modified compositions are characterized by higher density (41–46 kg m⁻³), greater compression strength (134–148 kPa), and comparable thermal conductivity (0.023–0.026 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹). Moreover, the reaction to fire of the PU composites has been investigated by the cone calorimeter test. The results showed that the fire resistance of PU foams containing as little as 1 wt% of melamine is significantly improved. For example, the results from the cone calorimeter test showed that the incorporation of the melamine, silica and ionic liquid significantly reduced the peak of heat release rate (pHRR) by ca. 84% compared with that of unmodified PU foam. SEM results showed that incorporated fillers can form an intumescent char layer during combustion which improves the reaction to fire of the composite foams.     

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Vegetables by Headspace SPME-GC

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution is a powerful technique to characterize the superficial and interfacial properties of solid substrates as oxides, polymers or polymers adsorbed on oxides. It can also be used to determine the physicochemical properties and the transition phenomena of polymers. In this paper, IGC was used to determine the changes, as a function of temperature, of the specific free enthalpy ??G _a ^SP and deduce the specific entropy ??S _a ^SP of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) adsorbed on alumina or on silica for different tacticities of PMMA. The study of the surface properties of PMMA/SiO₂ and PMMA/Al₂O₃, revealed an important difference in the physicochemical behaviour of oxides covered by various concentrations of PMMA. This study also highlighted an important effect of the tacticity of the polymer on the specific entropy of PMMA adsorbed on oxides.     

The Behaviour of Some Phenolic Acids and Aldehydes on Thin Layers of Silica Gel Impregnated with Fe(III)

Abstract

The behaviour of phenolic aldehydes and acids commonly found in lacustrine sediments as degradation products of lignine was tested by thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates plain and impregnated with Fe(III) in different solvent systems. The differences expressed as R_i values can be used as one of the parameters in the identification of some phenolic aldehydes or acids.     

Preparation and characterization of (Pebax 1657 + silica nanoparticle)/PVC mixed matrix composite membrane for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> separation

In this work, the films of poly(ether-block-amide) (Pebax 1657) and hydrophilic/hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (0–10 wt%) were coated on a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) ultrafiltration membrane to form new mixed matrix composite membranes (MMCMs) for CO₂/N₂ separation. The membranes were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD. Successful formation of a non-porous defect-free dense top layer with ~4 μm of thickness and also uniform dispersion of silica nanoparticles up to 8 wt% loading in Pebax matrix were confirmed by SEM images. The gas permeation results showed an increase in the permeance of all gases and an increase in ideal CO₂/N₂ selectivity with the increase in silica nanoparticle contents. Comparison between the incorporation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica nanoparticle into Pebax matrix revealed that the great enhancement of CO₂ solubility is the key factor for the performance improvement of Pebax + silica nanoparticle membranes. The best separation performance of the hydrophilic silica nanoparticle-incorporated Pebax/PVC membrane for pure gases (at 1 bar and 25 °C) was obtained with a CO₂ permeability of 124 barrer and an ideal CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 76, i.e., 63 and 35% higher than those of neat Pebax membrane, respectively. The corresponding values for hydrophobic silica nanoparticle-incorporated Pebax/PVC membrane were 107 barrer for CO₂ permeability and 61 for ideal CO₂/N₂ selectivity. Also the performances of MMCMs improved upon pressure increase (1–10 bar) owing to the shift in plasticizing effect of CO₂ towards the higher pressures. In addition, an increase in permeabilities with a decrease in ideal selectivity was observed upon temperature increase (25–50 °C) due to the intensification of chain mobility.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol using bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts: metal support interaction

Hydrogen was produced by Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) of 10% (w/w) sorbitol using mono- and bi-metallic catalysts of Ni and Pt supported on alumina nano-fibre (Alnf), mesoporous ZrO₂ and mixed oxides of ceria–zirconia–silica (CZxS) with varying concentration of silica (where x is silica concentration). X-ray diffraction, TEM/EDS and temperature programmed reduction were also carried on these catalysts to study the surface properties. It was observed that co-impregnation of Pt and Ni in atomic ratio 1:12 increased the reducibility of Ni by forming an alloy. However, sequential impregnation of Ni followed by Pt does not form the bi-metallic particles to increase the Ni reducibility. Reduction peak of co-impregnated Ni–Pt/Alnf was found to be 270 °C lower than the sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni/Alnf. The presence of silica at high concentration in CZxS support decreased the reducibility of ceria by forming an amorphous layer on Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ crystals, which also decreased Ni reducibility. The rate of H₂ formation from aqueous phase sorbitol reforming was found to be highest for co-impregnated Ni–Pt catalysts followed by sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni and monometallic Ni catalyst. The H₂ activity decreased in the following order of the supports: Alnf > ZrO₂ > CZ3S > CZ7S.     

Understanding the Synthesis of Supported Vanadium Oxide Catalysts Using Chemical Grafting

The complexity of variables during incipient wetness impregnation synthesis of supported metal oxides precludes an in-depth understanding of the chemical reactions governing the formation of the dispersed oxide sites. This contribution describes the use of vapor phase deposition chemistry (also known as grafting) as a tool to systematically investigate the influence of isopropanol solvent on VO(OⁱPr)₃ anchoring during synthesis of vanadium oxide on silica. The availability of anchoring sites on silica was found to depend not only on the pretreatment of the silica but also on the solvent present. H-bond donors can reduce the reactivity of isolated silanols whereas disruption of silanol nests by H-bond acceptors can turn unreactive H-bonded silanols into reactive anchoring sites. The model suggested here can inform improved syntheses with increased dispersion of metal oxides on silica.     

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.     

DSC and Raman study on the effect of lysozyme and bovine serum albumin on phospholipids liposomes

In this paper, the effect of increasing amounts of lysozyme (Lyso) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the behaviour of lecithin (DMPC) and cephalin (DMPE) liposomes was investigated by means of Raman and DSC techniques. The results showed that both proteins affected, but in a different way, both lecithin and cephalin liposomes. In the samples with lower Lyso concentrations (up to 2 % w/w), a small decrease on the main transition temperature (T _m) was observed, whereas T _m increased by further addition of Lyso (up to 15.0 % w/w). At the same time, an increase of about 20 % in the ΔH of the transition was observed. Pre-transition was also affected in a greater extent by protein presence. When BSA interacted with liposomes, a smaller increase in the T _m values was observed with a contemporary increase of about 8 % in the associated ΔH. The data suggested that the BSA–liposomes interaction involves only the external surface of the bilayer, excluding thus any penetration into the liposomal hydrophobic core. On the contrary, a partial penetration into the bilayer is suggested when Lyso is added to liposomes. Both considered proteins strengthened the overall bilayer structure of DMPC liposomes, suggesting a decrease in the membrane permeability. Moreover, Lyso secondary structure changed by interaction with liposomes, as demonstrated by the Raman spectra behaviour, in particular in the case of DMPE.     

Synthesis and thermal characterization of phosphorus containing siliconized epoxy resins

Siliconized epoxy matrix resin was developed by reacting diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin with hydroxyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) modifier, using γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane crosslinker and dibutyltindilaurate catalyst. The siliconized epoxy resin was cured with 4, 4-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM), 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA), and bis (4-aminophenyl) phenylphosphate (BAPP). The BAPP cured epoxy and siliconized epoxy resins exhibit better flame-retardant behaviour than DDM and HDA cured resins. The thermal stability and flame-retardant property of the cured epoxy resins were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and limiting oxygen index (LOI). The glass transition temperatures (T_g) were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The heat deflection temperature (HDT) and moisture absorption studies were carried out as per standard testing procedure. The thermal stability and flame-retardant properties of the cured epoxy resins were improved by the incorporation of both silicone and phosphorus moieties. The synergistic effect of silicone and phosphorus enhanced the limiting oxygen index values, which was observed for siliconized epoxy resins cured with phosphorus containing diamine compound.     

Effect of halogenless flame retardants on the thermal properties, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR rubber blends

This paper presents the results of investigating the thermal stability, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR blends unfilled and filled with halogenless flame-retardant compounds such as melamine cyanurate or magnesium hydroxide. The thermal analysis of the blends was carried out in the atmosphere of air. The activation energy of the composite destruction was determined by two non-isothermal methods: Flynn–Wall–Ozawa’s and Kissinger’s methods. The flammability of the composites obtained was determined by the method of oxygen index and on the basis of their combustion in air. The fire hazard of the vulcanizates investigated was determined with the use of a cone calorimeter and on the basis of toxicometric parameters W _LC50SM. The test results have shown that the flame retardants used increase the thermal stability of the cross-linked blends and decrease their flammability, and thereby allow one to obtain self-extinguishing or non-flammable polymeric materials. The cross-linked EVM/NBR blends filled with these flame-retardant compounds are characterized by good mechanical properties and reduced fire hazard.     

Surface properties and enzymatic degradation of end-capped poly(l-lactide)

Surface properties and enzymatic degradation of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) end-capped with hydrophobic dodecyl and dodecanoyl groups were investigated by means of advancing contact angle (θ_a) measurement, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The θ_a values of end-capped PLLA films were larger than those of non-end-capped PLLA films, suggesting that the hydrophobic dodecyl and dodecanoyl groups were segregated on the film surface. The weight changes of end-capped PLLA thin films during enzymatic degradation in the presence of proteinase K were monitored by using a QCM technique. The relatively fast weight loss of PLLA film occurred during first few hours of degradation, followed by a decrease in the erosion rate. The erosion rate of PLLA films at the initial stage of degradation was dependent on the chain-end structure of PLLA molecules, and the value decreased with an increase in the amount of hydrophobic functional groups. The surface morphologies of PLLA thin films before and after degradation were characterized by AFM. After the enzymatic degradation, the surface of non-end-capped PLLA films was blemished homogeneously. In contrast, the end-capped PLLA thin films were degraded heterogeneously by the enzyme, and many hollows were formed on the film surface. From these results, it has been concluded that the introduction of hydrophobic functional groups at the chain-ends of PLLA molecules depressed the erosion rate at the initial stage of enzymatic degradation.