Effect of CTBN rubber inclusions on the curing kinetic of DGEBA-DGEBF epoxy resin

The curing kinetics of an epoxy resin matrix, based on diglycil ether of bisphenol A and F (DGEBA-DGEBF), associated with an anhydride hardener, at different carboxyl-terminated copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile liquid rubber (CTBN) concentration (0-10 phr) are studied using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a stress-controlled rheometer in isothermal and dynamic conditions. The aim of this work is to correlate the presence of the rubber phase with the transition phenomena that occur during the curing process. The CTBN rubber induces a catalytic effect on the polymerization of the pure resin clearly observed by a significant enhancement of the curing rate. Calorimetric and rheological analysis also evidences that gelation and vitrification times take place not punctually but in a wide range of time. Rheological data show that the presence of rubbery phase induces a higher rate of gel formation during the early stages of the reactions, confirming the calorimetric results. Finally the results are compared with theoretical models evidencing a good fitting between experimental and predictive data.     

Cyclic polysilanes : VIII. The crystal structure of 1,2,3,4-tetra-tert-butyl-tetramethylcyclotetrasilane

The crystal structure of [Si(CH₃)(t-C₄H₉)]₄ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are tetragonal, P4₂/n; a = b = 13.069(4), c = 7.880(2) Å, Z = 2. The structure was determined using 745 independent data and refined with anisotropic least-squares to a final unweighted R-value of 3.5%. Each tetrameric molecule was found to be arranged about a $\text{4}$ axis, with the independent crystallographic unit comprising one silicon atom, one methyl and one tert-butyl group. The four-membered ring of silicon atoms is nonplanar with an unusually large dihedral angle of 36.8°. The principal mean bond lengths are SiSi 2.377(1), SiC(methyl) 1.893(4), SiC(tert-butyl) 1.918(3) Å, and the SiSiSi bond angle is 86.99°. The SiSi bond length is somewhat longer than in other polysilanes.     

Refuse derived fuels pyrolysis

Refuse derived fuels (RDF) characterization and pyrolysis behaviour, carried out by means of thermogravimetric analysis, infrared and mass spectroscopy, are presented. Thermal degradation of RDF takes place through three main mass loss stages; the analyses of evolved gas allow us to discriminate the contributions of the different fractions (paper, LDPE, wood, rubber, etc.) to the global decomposition. Furthermore thermogravimetry (TG) was used for the determination of kinetic parameters, using the differential method. In order to set up the conditions of production of a good quality pyrolysis gas, the operating conditions of RDF in a pyrolysis reactor have been simulated. Data show that the volatile fraction grows with the temperature, together with the relative conversion, and that light volatile fraction (hydrogen, ethyne, etc.) gets richer, at the expense of superior homologous hydrocarbons.     

Electron-transfer salts of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylferrocene, Fe(II)(C5Me5)(C5H5). Structure and magnetic properties of two 1:1 and two 2:3 Fe(C5Me5)(C5H5) electron-transfer salts of tetracyanoethylene

The reaction of Fe(II)(C5Me5)(C5H5), FeCpCp, with percyano acceptors, A [A = C4(CN)6 (hexacyanobutadiene), TCNQF4 (perfluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane), and DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone)], results in formation of 1:1 charge-transfer salts of [Fe(III)CpCp]*]*+[A]*- composition. With A = TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) a 1:2 electron-transfer salt with FeCpCp forms. With A = TCNE (tetracyanoethylene) a pair of 1:1 salts as well as a pair of 2:3 salts of [FeCpCp]2[TCNE]3.S (S = CH2Cl2, THF) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [FeCpCp][TCNE] consists of parallel 1-D.D(*+)A(*-)D(*+)A(*-)D(*+)A(*-). chains, while [FeCpCp][TCNE].MeCN has a herringbone array of D(*+)A2(2-)D(*+) dimers separated by solvent molecules. Although each [TCNE](-) is disordered, the diamagnetic [TCNE]2(2-) dimer is structurally different from those observed earlier with an intradimer separation of 2.79 A. The [TCNE](-) in the 2:3 [FeCpCp]2[TCNE]3.S exists as an eclipsed diamagnetic [TCNE]2(2-) dimer with an intradimer ethylene C.C separation of 2.833 and 2.903 A for the CH2Cl2- and THF-containing materials, respectively. The bond distances and angles for all the cations are essentially equivalent, and the distances are essentially equivalent to those previously reported for [FeCp2](*+) and [FeCp2](*+) cations. The average Fe-C5H5-ring and Fe-C5Me5-ring centroid distances are 1.71 and 1.69 A, respectively, which are 0.05 A longer than reported for Fe(II)CpCp. The one-electron reduction potential for Fe(II)CpCp is 0.11 V (vs SCE). The 5 K EPR of [FeCpCp](*+)[BF4](-) exhibits an axially symmetric powder pattern with g(parallel) = 4.36 and g(perpendicular) = 1.24, and the EPR parameters are essentially identical to those reported for ferrocenium and decamethylferrocenium. The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility for polycrystalline samples of these complexes can be fit by the Curie-Weiss law, chi = C/(T - theta), with low theta values and mu(eff) values from 2.08 to 3.43 mu(B), suggesting that the polycrystalline samples measured had varying degrees of orientation. [FeCpCp][TCNE] exhibits the highest effective moment of 3.43 mu(B)/Fe and weak ferromagnetic coupling, as evidenced from the theta of 3.3 K; however, unexpectedly, it does not magnetically order above 2 K. The formation of the four phases comprising FeCpCp and TCNE emphasizes the diversity of materials that may form and the present inability to predict neither solid-state compositions nor structure types.     

Synthesis of Fluorinated Bent‐Core Mesogens (BCMs) Containing the 1,2,4‐Oxadiazole Ring

New fluorinated bent‐core mesogens containing the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole or 1,2,4‐triazole nucleus have been synthesized taking advantage of the ANRORC ( A ddition of N ucleophile, R ing‐ O pening, R ing‐ C losure) reactivity of 5‐perfluoroalkyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazoles. Physical state changes of the obtained compounds were characterized through DSC, POM, and SAXS. Besides the formation of a smectic mesophase, a novel behavior as organic molecular glass was evidenced for some 1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives.     

PLA maleation: an easy and effective method to modify the properties of PLA/PCL immiscible blends

In this study, maleic-anhydride-grafted polylactide (PLA-g-MA) was investigated as a potential compatibilizing agent for the polylactide (PLA)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) system, with the aim of enhancing the final properties of the two polymer blends. Indeed, PLA-g-MA was prepared via reactive blending through a free radical process and characterized by means of ¹H-NMR and titration measurements, which demonstrated that the employed procedure allows grafting 0.7 wt% of MA onto the polymer backbone, while avoiding a dramatic reduction of PLA molecular mass. The specific effect of the MA-grafted PLA on the features of the PLA/PCL system was highlighted by adding different amounts of PLA-g-MA to 70:30 (w/w) PLA/PCL blends, where the 70 % PLA component was progressively substituted by its maleated modification. The efficiency of PLA-g-MA as a compatibilizer for the PLA/PCL blends was assessed through SEM analysis, which showed that the dimensions of PCL domains decrease and their adhesion to PLA improves by increasing the amount of PLA-g-MA in the blends. The peculiar microstructure promoted by the presence of PLA-g-MA was found to enhance the mechanical properties of the blend, improving the elongation at break without decreasing its Young’s modulus. Our study demonstrated that not only the microstructure but also the thermal properties of the blends were significantly affected by the replacement of PLA with PLA-g-MA.     

NADH Oxidation Catalyzed by Electropolymerized Azines on Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrodes

Electropolymerizing azines on a carbon nanotube (CNT) modified electrode yields a high‐surface area interface with excellent electrocatalytic activity towards NADH oxidation. Electrodeposition of poly(methylene green) (PMG) and poly(toluidine blue) (PTBO) on the carboxylated CNT‐modified electrodes was achieved by cyclic voltammetry. The PMG‐CNT interface demonstrates 5.0 mA cm^?2 current density for NADH oxidation at 50 mV vs. Ag|AgCl in 20 mM NADH solution. The kinetics of NADH electrocatalysis were analyzed using a quantitative mass‐transport‐corrected model with NADH bulk concentration and applied potential as independent variables. This high‐rate poly(azine)‐CNT interface is potentially applicable to high‐performance bioconversion, bioenergy and biosensors involving NADH‐dependent dehydrogenases.