Study on the morphology, crystalline structure and thermal properties of yam starch acetates with different degrees of substitution

This study was carried out to understand and establish the changes in physicochemical properties of starch extracted from Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) after acetylation. Yam starch acetates with different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared by the reaction of yam starch with glacial acetic acid/acetic anhydride using sulfuric acid as the catalyst. Their formation was confirmed by the presence of the carbonyl signal around 1750 cm-1 in the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The thermal behavior of the native starch and starch acetate were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results reveal that the starch acetates are more thermally stable than the native starch. The starch esters showed 50% weight loss at tem- peratures from 328℃ to 372 ℃ , while the native starch underwent 50% weight loss at 325℃ . The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the starch decreased from 273℃ to 226℃. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns could be classified as typical of the C-type for yam starch. X-ray diffraction also showed the loss of the ordered C-type starch crystalline structure and the degree of crystallinity of starch de- creased from 36.10% to 10.96% with the increasing DS. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sug- gested that the most of the starch granules disintegrated with many visible fragments with the in- creasing DS.     

Development and characterization of amphiphilic hydroxyethyl starch derivatives

Novel amphiphilic hydroxyethyl starch derivatives 2,4-bistertbutylphenoxy-[1,3,5] -triazine-6-yl)-hydroxyethyl starch with different degrees of substitution of hydrophilic triazine group and hydrophobic hydroxyethyl were prepared by reacting corn starch with chlorohydrin and 2,4-Ditertbutyl phenoxyl-6-chloro-[1,3,5]-triazine, successively. Their structure was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and SEM. It exhibits ideal surfacial abilities and compressive strength. The surface tension of the amphiphilic hydroxyethyl starch derivatives (MS = 1.1, DS = 0.026) reached 33.35 mN · m^?1 at the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) at 25°C. The compressive strength of foam concrete was 0.97 MPa when the amount of added starch derivatives (MS = 1.1, DS = 0.026) reached 0.1 wt% of the total weight.     

1‐allyloxy‐2‐hydroxy‐propyl‐starch: Synthesis and characterization

New reactive unsaturated starch derivatives, 1‐allyloxy‐2‐hydroxy‐propyl‐starches (AHP‐starches), were synthesized by the reaction of waxy maize starch (WMS) and amylose‐enriched maize starch (AEMS) with allyl glycidyl ether in a heterogeneous alkaline suspension containing NaOH and Na₂SO₄. The degree of substitution (DS) was determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and a DS of 0.20 ± 0.01 was found for both AHP‐WMS and AHP‐AEMS, respectively. The AHP derivatives of WMS and AEMS were further characterized with ¹H and ¹³C NMR. It was shown that the AHP substitution was located on the C‐6 hydroxyl group of the glucose residues in the starch. The substitution pattern of the AHP groups along the polymer chain was randomly clustered, as determined by enzymatic digestion using pullulanase, α‐amylase, and amyloglucosidase, followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis of the digestion products. With X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, no changes in the granular morphology and crystallinity between the unmodified starches and AHP‐starches were detected. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2734–2744, 2007     

Incomplete decomposition of alkali metal azides

The thermal decomposition of sodium azide has been studied in the temperature range 240–360°C in vacuum and under pressure of an inert gas, argon. The results show that the decomposition is partial 360°C. From the observations made in the present work, namely: (i) the decomposition is incomplete both under vacuum and inert gas; (ii) mass spectrometric studies do not reveal any decrease in the intensity of the background species, CO⁺₂, CO⁺, H₂O⁺, and (iii) sodium metal remains in the ‘free state’ as seen by the formation of a metallic mirror at temperatures above 300°C, it has been argued that the partial nature of decompostion is due to the confinement of the decomposition to intermosaic regions within the lattice.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene

Commercial polystyrene has been chemically modified with 4,4-dinitro valeryl chloride by use of Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and nitrobenzene. The modified polystyrene containing –COCH₂CH₂C(NO₂)₂CH₃ fragments in side phenyl rings, named gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene (GDN-PS), was characterized by an Ubbelohde’s viscometer, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been used to study thermal behavior of the polymer. The results of TG analysis revealed that the main thermal degradation for the GDN-PS occurs during two temperature ranges of 200–300 and 300–430 °C. The DTA curve of GDN-PS is showing a visible exothermic peak at 253.8 °C corresponding to the decomposition of gem-dinitro valeryl groups. The decomposition kinetic of the gem-dinitro groups for GDN-PS with degree of substitution (DS) 11 % was studied by non-isothermal DSC under various heating rates. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor for thermal decomposition of GDN-PS with DS 11 % were evaluated via the ASTM E698 and two isoconversional methods.     

Removal of uranyl ions from wastewaters using cellulose and modified cellulose materials</p> </p>

Summary Three silylcellulosic derivatives with different substitution degree were examined as sorbents for uranyl ions. The adsorption rate and capacity of cellulose and modified cellulose were investigated in aqueous media, at various pH and temperature values. The polymer - metal complexes of UO₂²⁺ were characterized by infrared and electronic spectra, and thermogravimetry. The thermal behavior of cellulose (C), trimethylsilyl - cellulose (tmsc, SD= 2.85) and triphenylsilyl - cellulose (TPSC1, SD=2.89 and TPSC2, SD =2.70) and their complexes with uranyl ions in atmospheric air has been studied between room temperature and 600 °C. The Coats-Redfern method was applied to estimate the kinetic parameters. The results revealed that the complexation of C and TMSC with UO₂²⁺ increases the thermal stability.</p> </p>     

Interactions between the iron and the aluminum minerals during the heating of Venezuelan lateritic bauxites. II. X-ray diffraction study

Four samples of Venezuelan lateritic bauxites were heated to 300, 600 and 1000°C and the thermal reactions were studied by X-ray diffraction (XED) and by chemical extractability of silica and alumina. Gibbsite was converted to boehmite at 300°C, to an amorphous phase at 600°C and partly to corundum at 1000°C, with isomorphic substitution of Fe for some of the Al in the corundum structure. Goethite was converted to protohematite at 600°C and the hematite at 1000°C, with isomorphic substitution for Al for some of the Fe in both α-Fe₂O₃ varieties. Ti contributed by ilmenite is also occluded by the hematites. The occlusion of Ti takes place at 1000°C during the decomposition of the ilmenite and concomitant recrystallization of α-Fe₂O₃.     

Solid lithium electrolytes based on Fe3+-modified lithium orthogermanate

Solid lithium electrolytes in the Li_4-3x Fe _x GeO₄ system were synthesized. Their phase composition, thermal behavior, and electrical conductivity were studied in the temperature interval 300–750°C. Introduction of Fe³⁺ ions into lithium orthogermanate leads to the formation of a γ-Li₃PO₄-type structure and to a sharp increase in the conductivity, with a maximum reached at x = 0.075–0.15: about 10^?1 S cm^?1 at 300°C and more than 1 S cm^?1 at 700°C. The main current carriers are interstitial Li⁺ cations weakly bound with the rigid framework. Owing to high conductivity, the electrolytes studied are of interest for use in high-temperature electrochemical devices.     

Structural effects of Zn+2/Mg+2 ratios on crystallization characteristics and microstructure of fluorophlogopite mica-containing glass-ceramics

We report the effect of Mg⁺² substitution (by Zn⁺²) on crystallization kinetics, microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of boroaluminosilicate glass. Zn²⁺ was selected for Mg²⁺ on the basis of similar ionic radius in six coordination system (Mg²⁺∼0.72 Å, Zn²⁺∼0.75 Å). The melt-quenched glasses with SiO₂–(1 − x) MgO–Al₂O₃–K₂O–B₂O₃–MgF₂ (BPAS)/x ZnO system, have been investigated to establish the effect of Zn⁺²/Mg⁺² ratios. It is found that the density of BPAS glass without zinc content is 2.52 g/cm³ and increased linearly on substitution of Mg²⁺ by 5–32 mol% ZnO. T_g and T_d of BPAS glass initially increased on adding 5 mol% ZnO and then decreased on further addition. From DSC study, it is found that the crystallization exotherm changes significantly in the temperature range 750–1000 °C, where different crystalline phases are formed, and the activation energy of crystallization (E_C) varies in the range of 254–388 kJ/mol. The crystalline phases formed in opaque BPAS glass-ceramic, derived by controlled heat treatment at 800 and 1050 °C (4 h), are identified as fluorophlogopite [KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)F₂] mica and willemite (Zn₂SiO₄) by XRD technique, and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The change of crystallization phenomena varying Zn⁺²/Mg⁺² ratios correspond to significant microstructural change. A wide range of thermal expansion (CTE) values are obtained for the BPAS glasses and corresponding glass-ceramics. CTE (50–500 °C) of BPAS glass without zinc content is 7.76 × 10⁻⁶/K, and decreased sequentially on increasing Zn⁺²/Mg⁺² ratio. The density of glass-ceramics after heating at 800 and 1050 °C increased linearly with increasing Zn⁺² substitution for Mg⁺². Microhardness of the BPAS glasses is in the range of 4.26–6.15 GPa and found to be increased to 4.58–6.78 GPa after crystallized at 1050 °C.     

Effects of pretreatment temperature on the analysis of size-fractionated aerosol particles using ToF-SIMS

Size-fractionated aerosol particles were collected with a MOUDI 10-stage cascade impactor from an urban roadside place in a downtown area of Hong Kong. Fine aerosol particulate samples from stage 6 (aerodynamic particle diameter between 0.56 and 1 μm) and stage 9 (aerodynamic particle diameter between 0.10 and 0.18 μm) were pretreated at a chosen temperature, including −100°C, −50°C, 25°C, and 60°C, in a load lock chamber and then analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) at the same temperature (−100°C). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to further analyze ToF-SIMS spectra of aerosol particles with different pretreatment temperatures from two selected stages. ToF-SIMS results showed that the intensities of aliphatic hydrocarbon ions such as C₄H₇⁺ and C₄H₉⁺ and amine ions such as C₂H₈N⁺ and C₄H₁₂N⁺ decreased with an increase of the pretreatment temperature under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. We have shown that analyses of this type of aerosol particles using ToF-SIMS should not be conducted at ambient temperature but at low temperature (eg, −50°C). In addition, we also developed a procedure that can be used to analyze aerosol particle samples under ultrahigh vacuum environment.     

The characteristic fragment ions and visualization of cationic starches on pulp fiber using ToF‐SIMS

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was used to investigate the distribution of cationic starch on pulp fiber. To identify the characteristic fragment ions of the cationic starches, deuterium‐labeled cationic starches were prepared and analyzed using ToF‐SIMS. The starch 2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride derivative generated characteristic fragments at m/z 58 and 59, which were identified as [H₂C?N(CH₃)₂]⁺ and [N(CH₃)₃]^+·, respectively. The fragmentation patterns were also suggested. From the imaging analysis, the adsorption of the cationic starch on fibers was uneven on individual fibers, as well as between fibers. This may have been on account of fiber morphology and structure. On examining scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, the quaternary ammonium starch derivative (QS) did not penetrate the fiber. No migration of cationic starch was observed under various drying conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Li2O-doping on the thermal stability of cobaltic oxide

The influence of lithium oxide-doping on the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ was studied using DTA, TG, DTG and X-ray diffraction techniques. Pure and doped cobaltic oxide specimens were prepared by thermal decomposition of pure basic cobalt carbonate and the basic carbonate mixed with different proportions of LiOH, in air, at different temperatures between 500 and 1100°C.Pure Co₃O₄ was found to start partial decomposition when heated in air at 830°C yielding the CoO phase. The complete decomposition was effected by heating at 1000°C.Doping of Co₃O₄ with different proportions of Li₂O was found to much increase its thermal stability. The temperatures at which the doped oxide samples started to undergo decomposition were increased to 865, 910 and 1050°C for 0.375, 0.75 and 3% Li₂O-doped solids, respectively. The DTA revealed that the 1.5% Li₂O-doped cobaltic oxide did not undergo any thermal decomposition till 1080°C. The X-ray investigation showed that the prolonged heating of 1.5 and 3% Li₂O-doped solids at 1100°C for 36 h effected only a partial decomposition of Co₃O₄ into CoO. Heating of these solids at temperatures varying between 900 and 1100°C led also to the formation of a new lithium oxide cobaltic oxide phase, the composition of which has not yet been identified.The role of Li₂O in increasing the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ was attributed to the substitution of some of its cobalt ions by Li⁺ ions, according to Verwey and De Boer's mechanism, leading to the transformation of some of the Co²⁺ into Co³⁺ ions thus increasing the oxidation state of the cobaltic oxide lattice.     

Rare-earth based OLEDs

The improvement of operational lifetime and efficiency of organic light-emitting devices has stimulated many studies focused on the mechanisms responsible for their degradation. Such instabilities can be induced by several factors such as (i) current flow and heating, (ii) chemical reactions, (iii) self-conversion of the charge transporting molecules to cation, anion, and/or radical species. This work aims at investigating the thermal stability of rare-earth based tetrakis beta-diketonates complexes like M[Eu(dbm)₄] (M = Li⁺, TMPip⁺, and Morf⁺) through TG technique coupled with FTIR. Preliminary results show that Li[Eu(dbm)₄]·4H₂O complex presents no degradation in its structure until 300 °C. However, evidences of rapid thermal degradation of the other two compounds have been found at temperatures lower than 100 °C, implying that these complexes could be degraded during the thermal deposition process at relatively high temperatures.     

Thermal decomposition of liebigite

Summary A combination of high resolution thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a gas evolution mass spectrometer has been used to study the thermal decomposition of liebigite. Water is lost in two steps at 44 and 302°C. Two mass loss steps are observed for carbon dioxide evolution at 456 and 686°C. The product of the thermal decomposition was found to be a mixture of CaUO₄ and Ca₃UO₆. The thermal decomposition of liebigite was followed by hot-stage Raman spectroscopy. Two Raman bands are observed in the 50°C spectrum at 3504 and 3318 cm^-1 and shift to higher wavenumbers upon thermal treatment; no intensity remains in the bands above 300°C. Three bands assigned to the υ₁ symmetric stretching modes of the (CO₃)^2- units are observed at 1094, 1087 and 1075 cm^-1 in agreement with three structurally distinct (CO₃)^2- units. At 100°C, two bands are found at 1089 and 1078 cm^-1. Thermogravimetric analysis is undertaken as dynamic experiment with a constant heating rate whereas the hot-stage Raman spectroscopic experiment occurs as a staged experiment. Hot stage Raman spectroscopy supports the changes in molecular structure of liebigite during the proposed stages of thermal decomposition as observed in the TG-MS experiment.     

Preparation and Properties of Novel Cyclophosphazenes Containing Cyanato Groups

Abstract

Novel cyclotriphosphazenes containing cyanato group (PZCN) derivatives were synthesized by a substitution reaction of 4-hydroxyphenoxycyclotriphosphazenes and cyanogen bromide (BrCN) in the presence of triethylamine (TEA). The PZCNs were characterized by FT-IR, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Curing reactions of the PZCNs were evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and differential scanning, calorimetry (DSC). The PZCNs exhibited an exothermic peak due to curing within the temperature range of 140–300°C by DSC. The PZCNs were completely cured at 220°C. The cured PZCNs exhibited high thermal stability up to 350°C, a high char-forming capability, and electrical properties, such as dielectric constants (Dks) between 2.68 and 2.87, and dissipation factors (Dfs) between 0.008 and 0.013 at 1 MHz.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

DSC study on the thermal properties of soybean protein isolates/corn starch mixture

The use of soybean protein isolates (SPI) and corn starch (CS) for the manufacturing of textured protein by thermo-mechanical means requires a characterization of their thermal properties. SPI and CS mixtures were examined at starch mass fractions from 0 (pure SPI) to 100 (pure CS). The blends were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry, with water content of 30, 50, and 70 % and heating rate of 5 and 10 °C min^?1 over 20 to 130 °C. The results obtained showed that protein in the blend increased the onset (T _o) and peak (T _p) temperatures of the starch gelatinization, while starch in the blend decreased the ΔH and ΔT_1/2 of the protein. T _o , T _p, and ΔT_1/2 of SPI and CS decreased significantly with the increase of water content. T _p and ΔT_1/2 of SPI and CS had a marked increase with an increase of heating rate from 5 to 10 °C min^?1. These results suggested that there was no chemical reaction between SPI and CS when they were heated from 20 to 130 °C. SPI in the blend restricted the CS gelatinization, while the presence of CS protected the SPI from denaturation. The increasing water content did promote thermal transition of the mixture. Higher heating rate leads to higher transition temperature.     

Studies on the thermal decomposition of the silver group of alkali metal nitritocobaltates(III)

The thermal decomposition of nitritocobaltate(III) of the silver group of general formula M₂Ag[Co(NO₂)₆] (where M = K⁺, NH⁺₄, Rb⁺ or Cs⁺) has been investigated. Based on the thermal curves of the investigated compounds and chemical and diffractometric analysis, the mechanism of thermal decomposition has been determined. The results obtained indicate that the decomposition proceeds in three stages. As a result of decomposition in the first stage (300°C), nitrates of alkali metals, metallic silver and Co₃O₄ are formed. In the second stage (500°C), a partial decomposition of nitrates to alkali metal oxides occurs, and in the third stage the products are alkali metal oxides, silver and Co₃O₄. This paper also presents the dependence of the decomposition temperature of nitritocobaltates(III) of the silver group on the ionic radius of the outer-sphere cation.     

Preliminary Studies Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry of Radiation-Induced Transformations in Starch and Flour

Differential scanning calorimetry was applied in studies of the effect of gamma irradiation on the potato starch and wheat flour. Essential differences were noticed between endothermal effects observed in concentrated suspensions of the initial and irradiated potato starch and wheat flour heated at a rate of 2.5°C min^-1, while only small differences were noticed between gelatinization thermal effects recorded for ca. 20% suspensions of the initial and irradiated potato starch samples heated at a rate 10°C min^-1. Moreover, in the case of wheat flour, a decrease of decomposition temperature of the amylose-lipid complex was concluded. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigating Pb diffusion across buried interfaces in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin films via time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling

The diffusion of Pb through Pb(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃(PZT)/Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si thin film heterostructures is studied by using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling. The as‐deposited films initially contained 10 mol% Pb excess and were thermally processed at temperatures ranging from 325 to 700°C to promote Pb diffusion. The time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles show that increasing processing temperature promoted Pb diffusion from the PZT top film into the buried heterostructure layers. After processing at low temperatures (eg, 325°C), Pb⁺ counts were low in the Pt region. After processing at elevated temperatures (eg, 700°C), significant Pb⁺ counts were seen throughout the Pt layer and into the Ti and SiO₂ layers. Intermediate processing temperatures (400, 475, and 500°C) resulted in Pb⁺ profiles consistent with this overall trend. Films processed at 400°C show a sharp peak in PtPb⁺ intensity at the PZT/Pt interface, consistent with prior reports of a Pt₃Pb phase at this interface after processing at similar temperatures.     

Quantitative relations holding in coordination of (Tetraphenylporphyrinato)zinc(II) and nucleophilic substitution with anilines

Thermodynamic parameters (??G°, ??S°) of quasi-isoenthalpic coordination of (tetraphenylporphyrinato) zinc(II) with anilines (except for 4-halo derivatives) in chloroform at 273?C313 K in the absence of steric factors are linearly related to shifts of their absorption bands in the electronic spectra in reactions with anilines, as well as with logarithms of the stability constants of the complexes, pK _a values of the ligands in water, and Hammett substituent constants ??⁺. Linear relations were also found between thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of some nucleophilic substitution reactions and complex formation of (tetraphenylporphyrinato) zinc(II) with anilines.