Additive role of attapulgite nanoclay on carbonyl iron-based magnetorheological suspension

Attapulgite (ATP), a fibrous nanoclay mineral, was adopted as an additive in this study to improve the sedimentation problem of soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI)-based magnetorheological (MR) fluids caused by the density mismatch between the CI particles and medium oil. The MR characteristics of the two MR fluid systems with and without ATP were measured and compared using a rotational rheometer under different magnetic field strengths. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that ATP filled the interspaces among the CI particles, explaining the improved dispersion stability of the MR fluid based on the Turbiscan sedimentation measurements. Despite the slight decrease in MR characteristics, the MR fluid with the additive exhibited the typical MR performance of an increase in shear stress in an applied magnetic field.     

Two-layer coating with polymer and carbon nanotube on magnetic carbonyl iron particle and its magnetorheology

Magnetic carbonyl iron (CI)-based magnetorheological (MR) fluids generally posses serious dispersion defects due to the large density mismatch between the CI particles and continuous oil medium, which restricts further MR applications. Polymer coating technology has been introduced in an attempt to reduce the density or prevent CI particle aggregation. In this study, a unique functional coating composed of a polyaniline layer and multiwalled carbon nanotube nest was fabricated on the surface of CI particles using a dispersion polymerization and solvent casting method to improve the sedimentation problem of CI-based MR fluids when dispersed in medium oil. The coating morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the functional coating on the MR performance along with the sedimentation observations was investigated using a rotational rheometer. The results showed that the sedimentation of dispersed particles was improved considerably by the reduced density and rough morphology.     

Magnetorheology of soft magnetic carbonyl iron suspension with single-walled carbon nanotube additive and its yield stress scaling function

The serious dispersion problem of carbonyl iron (CI) based magnetorheological (MR) fluid, due to the large density mismatch between CI particles and continuous medium, has hampered its MR applications. To resolve this undesirable sedimentation, we introduced fibrous single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) into CI suspension as additives. The dynamic yield stress change measured as a function of magnetic field strength was examined by adopting a universal equation which was originally applied for electrorheological (ER) fluids. In addition, the viscoelastic performances of CI/SWNT suspension were compared to investigate the influence of additives on the pristine CI suspension. The sedimentation ratio was also examined to confirm the role of submicron SWNT bundles.     

Insulator-based dielectrophoretic focusing and trapping of particles in non-Newtonian fluids

Insulator-based dielectrophoretic (iDEP) microdevices have been limited to work with Newtonian fluids. We report an experimental study of the fluid rheological effects on iDEP focusing and trapping of polystyrene particles in polyethylene oxide, xanthan gum, and polyacrylamide solutions through a constricted microchannel. Particle focusing and trapping in the mildly viscoelastic polyethylene oxide solution are slightly weaker than in the Newtonian buffer. They are, however, significantly improved in the strongly viscoelastic and shear thinning polyacrylamide solution. These observed particle focusing behaviors exhibit a similar trend with respect to electric field, consistent with a revised theoretical analysis for iDEP focusing in non-Newtonian fluids. No apparent focusing of particles is achieved in the xanthan gum solution, though the iDEP trapping can take place under a much larger electric field than the other fluids. This is attributed to the strong shear thinning-induced influences on both the electroosmotic flow and electrokinetic/dielectrophoretic motions.     

有机分子修饰铁粒子表面改善水基磁流变液的抗氧化性和稳定性

采用有机分子N-葡萄糖基乙二胺三乙酸(GED3A)修饰羰基铁(CI)粒子表面的方法, 制备了复合磁性粒子(CMPs)和水基磁流变(MR)液; 用扫描电镜(SEM)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)和带磁场供应和控制器的流变仪表征了CMPs及水基MR液的性能; 同时, 通过稳定性试验、空气氧化试验、酸腐蚀试验分别分析了水基MR液的分散稳定性和抗氧化性. 结果表明, 用此方法制备的CMPs具有良好的软磁性能, 饱和磁化强度(Ms)为182.2 emu·g-1, 矫顽力(Hc)为4.17 Oe, 剩磁(Mr)为0.1944 emu·g-1. 与原CI粒子水基MR液比较, 制备的水基MR液的沉降率下降了约24.4%; 在酸的浓度为0.02-0.10 mol·L-1范围内, 抗HCl氧化的能力提高了92.6%-95.7%, 抗HNO3氧化的能力提高了86.1%-93.8%.     

Ultrathin polydimethylsiloxane-coated carbonyl iron particles and their magnetorheological characteristics

An ultrathin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer with a mean thickness of 1 nm was coated on soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI) particles by using a simple thermal evaporation process, and then their physical characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Magnetorheological (MR) fluid was prepared by using PDMS-coated CI powder, and its rheological behavior was investigated under different external magnetic field strengths using a rotational rheometer. The CI particles coated by a thin PDMS layer showed higher oxidation temperature than pristine CI particles and MR fluid consisting of PDMS-coated CI particles demonstrated better dispersion stability in a nonmagnetic carrier fluid.     

黄原胶水凝胶的分子网络模型

本文结合二次采油中作为压裂液的黄原胶水凝胶,从其成胶机理着手分析,以Carreau-Bird模型为基点,在分子网络模型中引进了吸附反应动力学项以及计及流体触变性质的函数f(t),并把自由链、迷向链及破碎网络对应力的贡献模拟成牛顿性,从而导出本构方程。方程中的参数值由凝胶的粘弹性性质及非线性物质函数决定,用有约束的优化方法进行优化后得到,模型计算的结果与实验数据大致相符。     

Effect of Xanthan Gum on the Performance of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam

Solution properties of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations containing different xanthan gum contents were investigated first by varying the mass fraction of xanthan gum in the range of 0.1–0.5%. Foam properties and fire-extinguishing performance of the AFFF formulations were then evaluated. Results indicated that xanthan gum content slightly affected surface tension of foam solutions. However, xanthan gum significantly affected viscosity of AFFF concentrates. Foaming of the AFFF formulations was hardly affected by xanthan gum, but foam stability of the compounds was obviously enhanced with the addition of xanthan gum. Optimal xanthan gum content was determined as 0.3%, which resulted in the shortest 90% control time and fire extinguishment time. Burnback time of foams increased with the addition of xanthan gum because of the enhanced foam stability.     

Magnesium ferrite nanocrystal clusters for magnetorheological fluid with enhanced sedimentation stability

In this study, magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) nanocrystal clusters were synthesized using an ascorbic acid-assistant solvothermal method and evaluated as a candidate for magnetorheological (MR) fluid. The morphology, microstructure and magnetic properties of the MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystal clusters were investigated in detail by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystal clusters were suspended in silicone oil to prepare MR fluid and the MR properties were tested using a Physica MCR301 rheometer fitted with a magneto-rheological module. The prepared MR fluid showed typical Bingham plastic behavior, changing from a liquid-like to a solid-like structure under an external magnetic field. Compared with the conventional carbonyl iron particles, MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystal clusters-based MR fluid demonstrated enhanced sedimentation stability due to the reduced mismatch in density between the particles and the carrier medium. In summary, the as-prepared MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystal clusters are regarded as a promising candidate for MR fluid with enhanced sedimentation stability.     

Viability of Biopolymers for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Xanthan gum and scleroglucan are assessed as environmentally friendly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) agents. Viscometric and interfacial tension measurements show that the polysaccharides exhibit favorable viscosifying performance, robust shear tolerance, electrolyte tolerance, and moderate interactions with surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants bind to xanthan gum and transform the backbone conformation from a strong helix to a more flexible structure, reducing the viscosifying efficacy of xanthan. In contrast, non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants bind to scleroglucan and increase the viscosifying efficacy by non-electrostatic interactions or imparted electrostatic effects. The two polysaccharides are technically viable as viscosifying agents in typical EOR injection fluid formulations.     

Model for Plateau border drainage of power-law fluid with mobile interface and its application to foam drainage

A model for drainage of a power-law fluid through a Plateau border is proposed which accounts for the actual Plateau border geometry and interfacial mobility. The non-dimensionalized Navier-Stokes equations have been solved using finite element method to obtain the contours of velocity within the Plateau border cross section and average Plateau border velocity in terms of dimensionless inverse surface viscosity and power-law rheological parameters. The velocity coefficient, the correction for the average velocity through a Plateau border of actual geometry compared to that for a simplified circular geometry of the same area of cross section, was expressed as a function of dimensionless inverse surface viscosity and flow behavior index of the power-law fluid. The results of this improved model for Plateau border drainage were then incorporated in a previously developed foam drainage model [G. Narsimhan, J. Food Eng. 14 (1991) 139] to predict the evolution of liquid holdup profiles in a standing foam. Foam drainage was found to be slower for actual Plateau border cross section compared to circular geometry and faster for higher interfacial mobility and larger bubble size. Evolution of liquid holdup profiles in a standing foam formed by whipping and stabilized by 0.1% beta-lactoglobulin in the presence of xanthan gum when subjected to 16g and 45g centrifugal force fields was measured using magnetic resonance imaging for different xanthan gum concentrations. Drainage resulted in the formation of a separate liquid layer at the bottom at longer times. Measured bubble size, surface shear viscosity of beta-lactoglobulin solutions and literature values of power-law parameters of xanthan gum solution were employed in the current model to predict the evolution of liquid holdup profile which compared well with the experimental data. Newtonian model for foam drainage for zero shear viscosity underpredicted drainage rates and did not agree with the experimental data.     

A Study of the Effects of Aeration and Agitation on the Properties and Production of Xanthan Gum from Crude Glycerin Derived from Biodiesel Using the Response Surface Methodology

The effects of aeration and agitation on the properties and production of xanthan gum from crude glycerin biodiesel (CGB) by Xanthomonas campestris mangiferaeindicae 2103 were investigated and optimized using a response surface methodology. The xanthan gum was produced from CGB in a bioreactor at 28 °C for 120 h. Optimization procedures indicated that 0.97 vvm at 497.76 rpm resulted in a xanthan gum production of 5.59 g L^?1 and 1.05 vvm at 484.75 rpm maximized the biomass to 3.26 g L^?1. Moreover, the combination of 1.05 vvm at 499.40 rpm maximized the viscosity of xanthan at 0.5 % (m/v), 25 °C, and 25 s^?1 (255.40 mPa s). The other responses did not generate predictive models. Low agitation contributed to the increase of xanthan gum production, biomass, viscosity, molecular mass, and the pyruvic acid concentration. Increases in the agitation contributed to the formation of xanthan gum with high mannose concentration. Decreases in the aeration contributed to the xanthan gum production and the formation of biopolymer with high mannose and glucose concentrations. Increases in aeration contributed to increased biomass, viscosity, and formation of xanthan gum with greater resistance to thermal degradation. Overall, aeration and agitation of CGB fermentation significantly influenced the production of xanthan gum and its properties.     

生物高分子黄原胶的性能、应用与功能化

讨论了黄原胶生物大分子的结构与性能关系，从有关黄原胶的性能、开发应用以及在抗菌素药物负载与控择、分散稳定与防腐作用，及其与有机硅化合物配伍制备消泡表面活性材料等，进行功能化改性方面，综述了近20年来国内外研究状况，并探讨了开展生物高分子黄原胶应用与开发研究的思路。     

The displacement efficiency and rheology of welan gum for enhanced heavy oil recovery

The displacement efficiency of welan gum on enhanced heavy oil recovery has been investigated by comparing that of xanthan gum which is commonly used for polymer flooding, and it is found that the displacement efficiency of biopolymer welan gum is higher (>7.0 % at the normal permeability) than that of xanthan gum. In‐depth rheological investigations show that both storage modulus and loss modulus of welan gum solution are higher than those of xanthan gum solutions at the same concentration, temperature and salinity. The higher displacement efficiency for enhanced heavy oil recovery by welan gum is mainly caused by its stronger ability to form aggregates. Although the molecular weight of welan gum is lower than that of xanthan gum, the aggregates of welan gum molecules help to improve the sweep efficiency. It is proposed that welan gum improves oil recovery by drawing and dragging on the residual oils which is derived from the interlinked network structures formed by the adjacent double helices in the arrangement of the zipper model. The intermolecular structures formed by zipper model are stable in high temperature and high salinity condition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of thermal degradation behavior of graft copolymers of polysaccharides and vinyl monomers

The thermal degradation of graft copolymers of both polysaccharides (guar gum and xanthan gum) showed gradual decrease in mass loss. Pure guar gum degraded about 95% but pure xanthan gum degraded about 76% up to 1173.15 K, while graft copolymers of guar gum and xanthan gum degraded only 65–76% up to 1173.15 K. Acrylic acid grafted guar gum and xanthan gum showing two-step degradation with formation of anhydride and ketonic linkage during heating, same pattern of degradation was found for xanthan gum-g-methacrylic acid. Guar gum-g-acrylamide degraded in single step and xanthan gum-g-acrylamide started to degrade above 448.15 K and it is a two-stage process and imparts thermal stability due to the formation of imide linkage with evolution NH₃. Guar gum-g-methacrylamide degraded in three steps due to the loss of NH₃ and CO₂ successively. 4-vinyl pyridine grafted both polysaccharides show single step degradation due to loss of pyridine pendent. N-vinyl formamide grafted guar gum and xanthan gum started to degrade at about 427.15 K, showed two-stage degradation process with the evolution of CO and NH₃ molecules while guar gum-g-(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) degraded into two steps by the loss of pyrrolidone nucleus. Gum-g-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) showed two-step degradation processes in two successive degradation steps, while xanthan gum-g-AMPS has started degradation at about 427.15 K and completed in five degradation steps. Overall, it was found that the grafted polysaccharides are thermally more stable than pure polysaccharides.     

The Enhanced MR Effect of Dense Magnetic Particles Suspensions Consisting of Superfine α-Fe Particles

It is reported that magnetorheological (MR) effect was enhanced when superfineα-Fe particles and other nanosize particles were added to suspensions of dense micron magnetic particles. The effect of adding superfine particles on dynamics shear stress, sedimentation stability and structure of solidified MR of magnetic suspensions were studied. The experiment showed considerable increase of shear stress and much stability of sedimentation when the suspension consisting of superfine particles. The enhanced MR effect by superfine particles dealt with the properties, weight ratio and scale of superfine particles.     

The titration of clay minerals I. Discontinuous backtitration technique combined with CEC measurements

Evolution of liquid holdup profile in a standing foam formed by whipping and stabilized by sodium caseinate in the presence of xanthan gum when subjected to 16 and 29g centrifugal force fields was measured using magnetic resonance imaging for different pH, ionic strength, protein and xanthan gum concentrations. Drainage resulted in the formation of a separate liquid layer at the bottom at longer times. Foam drainage was slowest at pH 7, lower ionic strength, higher protein and gum concentrations. Foam was found to be most stable at pH 5.1 near the isoelectric point of protein, lower ionic strength and higher protein and xanthan gum concentrations. A predicted equilibrium liquid holdup profile based on a previous model (G. Narsimhan, J. Food Eng. 14 (1991) 139) agreed well with experimental values at sufficiently long times. A proposed model for velocity of drainage of a power law fluid in a Plateau border for two different simplified geometries was incorporated in a previously developed model for foam drainage (G. Narsimhan, J. Food Eng. 14 (1991) 139) to predict the evolution of liquid holdup profiles. The model predictions for simplified circular geometry of Plateau border compared well with the experimental data of liquid holdup profiles at small times. At longer times, however, the predicted liquid holdup profile was larger than the observed, this discrepancy being due to coarsening of bubble size and decrease in foam height not accounted for in the model. A Newtonian model for foam drainage under predicted drainage rates did not agree with the experimental data.     

Drag reduction characteristics of polysaccharide xanthan gum

The turbulent drag reduction characteristics of the rod-like polysaccharide xanthan gum dissolved in water was investigated using a rotating disk apparatus. The ultrasonic degradation method was adopted to obtain polymer fractions of different molecular weights of xanthan gum for this study. The drag reduction curve was then plotted to observed the universal characteristics of xanthan gum, and the intrinsic concentration was found to be an extremely useful quantity in normalizing the drag reduction data for different molecular weights.     

Rheological properties of modified xanthan and their influence on printing performances on cotton with reactive dyes in screen printing

In this study, various modified xanthan gums (MXG) were prepared by deacetylation under alkali treatment at certain temperature. The molecular weight of xanthan gum decreased after alkali modification. Rheological properties such as flowability, thixotropy and viscoelasticity were investigated via steady-shear, transient and dynamic oscillatory tests. The results showed that the flowability and viscous effect of MXG increased, while the structural viscosity and elastic effect decreased with increasing degrees of modification. Compared to xanthan gum, printing performances using MXG as a thickener were improved, especially the screenability, color yield and penetration. In addition, the quantitative interpretation of the rheological parameters, which are strongly associated with the quality-determining parameters, was obtained using rheological models (the power-law and Friedrich-Braun models). Excellent printing performances were achieved by applying MXG under the appropriate modification conditions. These thickeners, which have better flowability, more viscous behavior and smaller structural viscosity, might be good pastes to meet the the requirements of cotton printing with reactive dyes.     

Feasibility of Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Transdermal Drug Delivery System for Terbutaline Sulphate

A series of terbutaline sulphate drug incorporated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix films were produced by the solvent evaporation method. The effect of xanthan gum and plasticizers (propylene glycol and dibutyl phthalate) on the rate and amount of drug diffusion from PVA membrane across the hydrated cellophane membrane has been evaluated, using an open glass diffusion‐tube. The obtained films were clear, smooth and flexible having sufficient mechanical strength. The mechanical performance of the dry PVA films with xanthan gum and plasticizers were also ascertained. Polyvinyl alcohol‐xanthan gum blends showed a high rate of drug release compared to that of polyvinyl alcohol film alone. Among the two plasticizers employed, propylene glycol showed better permeability. Among different formulations studied, the formulation PVA/xanthan gum/propylene glycol (F7) was found to be an optimized composition for efficient transdermal delivery of the model drug, terbutaline sulphate. The mechanism of drug diffusion has been evaluated using the Peppas model. Stability studies carried out on polymer‐drug formulations revealed that the drug is stable at 40°C and 75% RH for a period of 6 weeks.