Nitration and amination of polyphenylene oxide: Synthesis, gas sorption and permeation analysis

A high degree of nitration of polyphenylene oxide (PPO) was successfully achieved by carefully optimizing synthetic protocol. The reduction of nitro group to amino could be done quantitatively. The physical properties of formed polymers were investigated and correlated with gas sorption and permeation properties. The formed polymers were amorphous in nature as revealed by wide angle X-ray diffraction spectra. An increase in the packing density in comparison to unsubstituted PPO as a result of induced polarity was indicated by lowering of fractional free volume and d-spacing. The substitution by either nitro or amino group increased the chain stiffness as revealed by the dynamic mechanical analysis. Though both, nitro and amino group substitution on PPO led to a decrease in pure gas permeability, the selectivity of various gas pairs was increased by these substitutions. The gas sorption analysis revealed that both, solubility selectivity and diffusivity selectivity were increased by these polar group substitutions. The nitro group substitution was more effective in improving solubility selectivity, while amino group substitution was more effective in improving diffusivity selectivity.     

Oximation reaction induced reduced graphene oxide gas sensor for formaldehyde detection

High-performance gas sensors can offer great potentials for monitoring and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in both domestic and industrial environment. In the present work, a new HCHO gas sensor was constructed with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) induced by the oximation reaction. The gas-sensing performance test results suggested that the RGO hydroxylamine hydrochloride (RGO/HA-HCl) sensor presented a high response of 75% at 16 ppm HCHO at room temperature, and a high selectivity for HCHO suffering little interference with high concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including methanol, ethanol, and methylbenzene, dichloromethane and water. Additionally, the RGO/HA-HCl sensor also showed a good long-term stability with RSD of 5.83% for a 15-day continuous sensing test, and the detection limit (DL) could reach 0.023 ppm under ambient conditions. Moreover, the mechanism for the high sensitivity and selectivity of formaldehyde was further established by in-situ gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). This work would provide a reliable new HCHO gas sensor which could be used for monitoring and forewarning the emission of HCHO for a better protection and improvement of our environment.     

Effect of Molecular Structure on the GasPermeability of Cellulose Aliphatate Esters简

In this work, four kinds of cellulose aliphatate esters, cellulose acetate （CA）, cellulose propionate （CP）, cellulose butyrate （CB） and cellulose acetate butyrate （CAB） are synthesized by the homogeneous acylation reactions in cellulose/AmimC1 solutions. These cellulose aliphatate esters are used to prepare gas separation membranes and the effects of molecular structure, such as substituent type, degree of substitution （DS） and distribution of substituents, on the gas permeability are studied. For CAs, as the DS increases, their gas permeabilities for all five gases （02, N2, CH4, CO and CO2） increase, and the ideal permselectivity significantly increases first and then slightly decreases. At similar DS value, the homogenously synthesized CA （distribution order of acetate substituent： C6 〉 C3 〉 C2） is superior to the heterogeneously synthesized CA （distribution order of acetate substituent： C3 〉 C2 〉 C6） in gas separation. With the increase of chain length of aliphatate substituents from acetate to propionate, and to butyrate, the gas permeability of cellulose aliphatate esters gradually increases. The cellulose mixed ester CAB with short acetate groups and relatively long butyrate groups exhibits higher gas permeability or better permselectivity than individual CA or CB via the alteration of the DS of two substituents.     

Recent progress in applications of graphene oxide for gas sensing: A review

This paper is a review of the recent progress on gas sensors using graphene oxide (GO). GO is not a new material but its unique features have recently been of interest for gas sensing applications, and not just as an intermediate for reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Graphene and RGO have been well known gas-sensing materials, but GO is also an attractive sensing material that has been well studied these last few years. The functional groups on GO nanosheets play important roles in adsorbing gas molecules, and the electric or optical properties of GO materials change with exposure to certain gases. Addition of metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanocomposites is an effective way to make GO materials selective and sensitive to analyte gases. In this paper, several applications of GO based sensors are summarized for detection of water vapor, NO₂, H₂, NH₃, H₂S, and organic vapors. Also binding energies of gas molecules onto graphene and the oxygenous functional groups are summarized, and problems and possible solutions are discussed for the GO-based gas sensors.     

Preparation and characterization of polyphenylene sulfide-based chelating fibers

A series of novel chelating fibers containing sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen heteroatoms were prepared via the functionalization of chloromethylated polyphenylene sulfide （CMPPS）. The structures, micromorpholo- gy and physicochemical properties of these fibrous adsorptive materials were characterized by FT-IR, elementary analysis, TG and SEM-EDS. The results show that chelating fibers had high functional group contents （3.94 mmol/g for thiourea, 3.85 mmol/g for mercapto, 5.00 mmol/g for methylamine and 6.07 mmol/g for ethylenediamine, respectively）. Owing to the unique matrix of polyphenylene sulfide fiber, these fibrous adsorbents possess excellent thermostability. This synthetic method proved a simple and efficient way for the preparation of chelating fibers.     

Test methods for the characterization of gas and vapor permeability in polymers for food packaging application: A review

The assessment of the transport properties of different substances in polymeric materials is of crucial importance for the evaluation of packaging performances, aiming to protect packed food products and ensure a prolonged shelf-life. The most relevant substances for such application can be identified in O₂, CO₂ and C₂H₄ (together with N₂ as control) as permanent gases, and water vapor as condensable species. All these penetrants are able to alter significantly food properties, in term of sensory characteristics, textures, and quality in general. All relevant techniques for the experimental characterization of mass transport properties in polymeric films or packages are critically reviewed, focusing in detail on standard methods. Each technique is briefly presented in terms of apparatus requirements and general procedures, followed by a discussion on its main features.     

LDPE/EVA/graphene nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and gas permeability properties

In the present work, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were incorporated at low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer blend using solution casting method. Monolayer GO with 1‐nm thickness and good transparency was synthesized using the well‐known Hummers's method. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy data exhibited efficient reduction of GO with almost high C/O ratio of RGO. Scanning electron microscopy showed the well distribution of GO and RGO within LDPE/EVA polymer matrix. The integrating effects of GO and RGO on mechanical and gas permeability of prepared films were examined. Young's modulus of nanocomposites are improved 65% and 92% by adding 7 wt% of GO and RGO, respectively. The tensile measurements showed that maximum tensile strength emerged in 3 wt% of loading for RGO and 5 wt% for GO. The measured oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability represented noticeably the attenuation of gas permeability in composite films compared with pristine LDPE/EVA blend. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capillary column coated with graphene oxide as stationary phase for gas chromatography

The graphene oxide (GO) is carbon based material that has high surface area, high adsorption ability, and is stable at high temperature. In this work, the GO phase was prepared and used for gas chromatographic separation. GO nanosheets were covalently bonded onto the inner surface of fused silica capillary column using 3-aminopropyldiethoxymethyl silane as cross-linking agent. The prepared GO nanosheets were characterized with TEM and the GO coating was characterized with SEM. As a high performance stationary phase, GO provides not only a high surface area to increase the phase ratio but also rich functional groups for the formation of hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding, and π–π electrostatic stacking interactions with volatile aromatic or unsaturated organic compounds. Thus, mixtures of a wide range of organic compounds including alcohols and aromatic compounds were well separated and an efficiency of 1990 theoretical plates per meter for anisole was obtained on GO coated 1.0 m × 200 μm i.d. fused silica capillary column. The experimental results demonstrate that GO coated capillary columns are promising for gas chromatographic separation.     

气相色谱固定液极性和选择性评价

对非同族化合物溶质在两种固定相上保留值的关系进行了理论推导，并将该方程应用于８９种常见固定相的极性和选择性的评价。固定相的极性可用Ｂ值来评价，而选择性则用Ｂ、Ｔ３＾ａ，Ｃ３β值来评价。用该方程评价固定相具有两个优点，一是基于分子间作用力来评价固定相；二是探针化合物的选择不再受限制。     

Electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide for biological systems: methodological approach and new insights in examining interfering compounds

We report here on the appropriate analysis of some examples of interfering compounds that should be done to assess the specificity of the electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide in solution. To do so, we describe the design of a nickel porphyrin and Nafion®-coated carbon microfibre and discuss the methodological approach in examining interfering compounds.     

Correlations between gas permeation and free-volume hole properties of polyurethane membranes

A series of polyurethane films based on hard segments consisting of toluene diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol and different soft segments consisting of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene, hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene/styrene and hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene/acrylonitrile were synthesized by solution polymerization separately. Positron annihilation lifetimes were measured at room temperature for all samples studied. We found that both the free volume size and fractional free-volume decreased with the increase of hard segment content. On the other hand, direct relationship between the gas permeability and the free-volume has been established based on the free-volume parameters and gas diffusivity measured. Experimental results revealed that the free-volume plays an important role in determining the gas permeability.     

A WO3 nanorod-Cr2O3 nanoparticle composite for selective gas sensing of 2-butanone

The sensor based on WO₃-Cr₂O₃ nanocomposites show good selectivity to 2-butanone.     

Selectivity tuning of serially connected open-tubular (capillary) columns in gas chromatography. Part I: Fundamental relationships

Summary The evolution of the use of mixed phases or serial column combinations is outlined, leading to systems with fixed-length columns to be used in selectivity tuning (“multi-chromatography”). The difference between multi-chromatography and multi-dimensional gas chromatography is outlined. After discussing the system used in subsequent work, the fundamental relationships of multi-chromatography are detailed. Among the basic relationships the additivity of retention data, the relationship between the individual and composite capacity factors and the relative retentivity serving as the fundamental parameter of a multi-chromatography system are discussed. The relative retentivity is derived as a function of gas holdup times, pressures, and average velocities or flow rates. Finally, the relationships between individual vs. composite relative retention, efficiency, and resolution values are deduced. We dedicate this paper to the memory of our dear friend, Dr. S. R. Lipsky. Consolidated and enlarged text of part of the papers presented at the 37th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Atlantic City, NJ, March 10–14, 1986) (92–94), and at the Seventh International Symposium on Capillary Chromatography (Gifu, Japan, May 11–14, 1986) [95]. Part II will follow in the December issue.     

气相色谱法同时测定苯乙烯催化氧化反应液中的苯乙烯、环氧苯乙烷和苯甲醛

建立了同时测定苯乙烯催化氧化反应液中的苯乙烯、环氧苯乙烷和苯甲醛的气相色谱分析方法。该法以正庚烷为内标物,在DB-1毛细管色谱柱上进行分离,氢火焰离子化检测器。方法的回收率98%~101.5%,相对标准偏差小于2.0%。     

Characterization and gas permeability of a three-component polyimide series

Packing density and gas permeability of a three-component copolymide series is presented. The three-component polyimides are prepared a via “stepwise” synthesis procedure that goes through the acid anhydride terminated pre-polymer. The procedure ensures the statistical distribution of segments of the polymers. The polyimide series is composed of contrasting segments: a bulky and rigid hexafluoroisopropylidene-2,2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride)/9,9,-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene and a flexible hexafluoroisopropylidene-2-2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride)/2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane, with varying segment ratio. Generation of additional free volume by compolymerizing two segments is observed. The permeability of six pure gases—He, H₂, N₂, O₂, CH₄, and CO₂—to the polymides showed positive deviation from the simple additivity rule of segment weight ratio reflecting the generation of free volume. However, a conflicting result between free volume fraction and gas permeability is observed, which may be due to a difference of the nature of free volume of each segment. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Biodegradable graphene oxide nanosheets/poly-(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) nanocomposite film with enhanced gas and water vapor barrier properties

Poly-(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has captured significant interest by dint of its biodegradability, superb ductility, promising processing properties and good final properties, but the insufficient barrier performance limits its application, especially in packaging field. In the present work, improved barrier properties of PBAT films were obtained by introducing an extremely low amount of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS). O₂ and water vapor permeability coefficients were decreased by more than 70% and 36% at the GONS loading of 0.35 vol%, respectively. The enhanced barrier performance was ascribed to the outstanding impermeability and well dispersion of GONS as well as the strong interfacial adhesion between GONS and PBAT matrix. Furthermore, tensile strength and Young's modulus of GONS/PBAT nanocomposite rise up to 27.8 MPa and 72.2 MPa from 24.6 MPa to 58.5 MPa of neat PBAT, respectively, showing a prominent increase of mechanical properties compared to neat PBAT. The incorporation of GONS also endowed PBAT matrix with an excellent thermal stability. These findings provide a significant guidance for fabricating high barrier films on a large scale.     

Early evolution of gas adsorption chromatography. Part I: Displacement development and the beginnings of elution-type investigations

Summary This two-part article reviews the early evolution of gas-adsorption chromatography, before the advent of partition chromatography. After reporting on the early tests to determine the light hydrocarbon content of natural gas and the methodology described by P.Schuftan, the research activities of S. Claesson and C.S.G. Phillips on displacement-type gas-adsorption chromatography and early work on elution-type analysis by G. Damk?hler, E. Wicke, E. Glueckauf and G. Hesse are discussed. Part II of this review article will be published in the forthcoming issue ofChromatographia.     

Graphene oxide assisted electromembrane extraction with gas chromatography for the determination of methamphetamine as a model analyte in hair and urine samples

In the present study, graphene oxide reinforced two‐phase electromembrane extraction (EME) coupled with gas chromatography was applied for the determination of methamphetamine as a model analyte in biological samples. The presence of graphene oxide in the hollow fiber wall can increase the effective surface area, interactions with analyte and polarity of support liquid membrane that leads to an enhancement in the analyte migration. To investigate the influence of the presence of graphene oxide in the support liquid membrane on the extraction efficiency, a comparative study was performed between graphene oxide and graphene oxide/EME methods. The extraction parameters such as type of organic solvent, pH of the donor phase, stirring speed, time, voltage, salt addition and the concentration of graphene oxide were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed microextraction technique provided low limit of detection (2.4 ng/mL), high preconcentration factor (195–198) and high relative recovery (95–98.5%). Finally, the method was successfully employed for the determination of methamphetamine in urine and hair samples.     

Gas permeabilities of polyurethane films for fresh produce packaging: Response of O2 permeability to temperature and relative humidity

Thermoplastic shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) polymers were synthesized, cast to films, and their gas barrier properties were characterized. In addition, performance of an optical method was assessed by measuring oxygen permeability (P_O2) of the films. P_O2 of the SMPU film was at least two times higher than that of low density polyethylene (LDPE and increased at higher relative humidity. Permselectivity (P_CO2/P_O2) of the SMPU film was 15, which is approximately three times higher than for LDPE. The film absorbed circa 18% water vapor at 98% relative humidity. The optical method agreed very well (maximum 20% deviation) with a standard carrier gas method in P_O2 measurement. Overall our results show that SMPU is an attractive polymer for fresh produce packaging.