Graft copolymerization. I. Grafting of hydroxyalkyl methacrylates on poly(vinyl alcohol)

New graft copolymers were synthesized by grafting hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxpropyl methacrylate on poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous solution with Ce⁺⁴ions as initiator. The dependence of the percentage of grafting and monomer conversion on the concentration of the monomer, on the concentration of the initiator, on the total concentration of the reactants, and on temperature and duration of the reaction were investigated. Some basic properties of the graft copolymers and some preliminary permeation measurements of water vapors through films, made from these copolymers, are also reported.     

Thermal reactivities of potassium and cadmium hydrogenhexavanadates

The thermal reactivities of KHV₆O₁₆·3H₂O and Cd(HV₆O₁₆)₂·12H₂O were investigated. By means of IR spectroscopy and X-ray phase analysis it was found that, after dehydration, both compounds decompose to vanadium pentoxide and the corresponding metavanadate. Potassium metavanadate and vanadium pentoxide react together to form bronzes of different compositions. In contrast, vanadium pentoxide and cadmium metavanadate are the predominant components of the reaction products obtained within the temperature range from 300° to 800°C.     

Heuristic intermolecular potential function for the methane–water interaction based on ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations

An analytical potential function for the pairwise interaction of methane and water is reported. The function is representative of 225 ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations of the intermolecular interaction using 6–31G self-consistent-field molecular-orbital theory. The statistical parameters of the curve fitting are given and isoenergy contour maps of the interaction energy are presented and discussed.     

The effects of molecular reorientation on the absorption of intense light by organic-dye solutions

Equations are presented for the spectral and orientational distribution of unexcited dye molecules in the field of an intense giant laser pulse. The solute dye molecules are linear oscillators that may be broadened either homogeneously or inhomogeneously, and may reorient by sudden jumps over large angles or by small angular steps (brownian rotational motion). The equations are employed to analyze the intensity dependence of fluorescence polarization observed by Mourou and Denariez-Roberge for the system cryptocyanine-glycerin. Their data are consistent with an excited-state deactivation time T₁ = 0.4 ± 1.0 ns and a rotational diffusion constant D = 20/T₁ = 5.0 × 10⁹ s⁻¹     

Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry of Germanium(IV) in the Presence of Gallic Acid and Vanadium(IV)‐EDTA

A highly sensitive and selective catalytic adsorptive cathodic striping procedure for the determination of trace germanium is presented. The method is based on adsorptive accumulation of the Ge(IV)‐gallic acid (GA) complex onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of the adsorbed species. The reduction current is enhanced catalytically by addition of vanadium(IV)‐EDTA. The optimal experimental conditions include the use of 0.03 mol/L HClO₄ (pH1.6), 6.0×10^?3 mol/L GA, 3.0×10^?3 mol/L V(IV), 4.0×10^?3 mol/L EDTA, an accumulation potential of ?0.10 V(vs. Ag/AgCl), an accumulation time of 120 s and a differential pulse potential scan mode. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of Ge(IV) over the range of 3.0×10^?11 to 1.0×10^?8 mol/L and the detection limit is 2×10^?11 mol/L for a 120 s adsorption time. The relative standard deviation at 5.0×10^?10 mol/L level is 3.1%. No serious interferences were found. The method was applied to the determination of germanium in ore, mineral water and vegetable samples with satisfactory results.     

Micro/nano-fibrillated cellulose (MFC/NFC) fibers as an additive to maximize eucalyptus fibers on tissue paper production

Tissue furnish optimization plays a key role in enhancing tissue properties, making the process cost-effective. Typically, this furnish is composed of a mixture of hardwood eucalyptus fibers (HW) and softwood (SW) fibers, which ensure strength and tissue machine runnability. However, the tissue paper production with the maximization of eucalyptus fibers achieves softer papers at less cost, since SW fibers are often more expensive than HW fibers. From this perspective, this study aims to investigate the effect of micro/nano-fibrillated cellulose (MFC/NFC) as an additive, on structural, softness, strength, and water absorption properties of tissue papers, promoting partial or total removal of SW fibers to produce 100% eucalyptus materials. MFC/NFC was characterized in terms of morphological, chemical, and water interaction properties. The results showed that MFC/NFC presents a high bonding surface area, high carboxyl group content and, when incorporated into tissue furnishes, it promotes strong inter-fiber bonds. This evidence was also supported by SEM image analysis methods and FTIR. Additionally, laboratory tissue handsheets with low basis weight were produced and used in the characterization assays. Overall, the results indicated that MFC/NFC improved strength, at the expense of bulk, porosity, softness, and absorption properties. Compared to typical industrial furnish mixtures (75%HW?+?25%SW), MFC/NFC enhanced the production of bulkier, porous, and softer structures, but with reduced strength and absorption. It was possible to optimize the furnish composition by using fiber modeling to obtain 3D structure computation simulations with predictive capability. The MFC/NFC proved to be a high-quality additive to improve softness and strength properties.

Graphic abstract

     

Thermal investigations on the crystallization of sorbitol

The melting and crystallization of sorbitol were investigated with the DSC method and thermal microscopy. Sorbitol was found to have two crystalline modifications (confirmed by X-ray diffraction) with different melting points, while rapid cooling of molten sorbitol resulted in an amorphous form. The effect of inoculation on the crystallization of the melt was studied too. Powders of both crystalline modifications were used for this purpose. A new technological process for rapid crystallization of molten sorbitol has been worked out on the basis of the thermal analysis results.     

Study of isotope exchange reactions by double labelling

This paper presents the method of double labelling in the study of the kinetics of homogeneous isotope exchange reactions. This method was tested by the determination of the Sn(II)−Sn(IV) exchange rate in hydrochloric acid medium. The system was labelled by the tracer^119mSn [initially in the Sn(IV) state]; when the isotope equilibrium was established, Sn(IV) was again labelled by tracer¹¹³Sn. The separation of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) in the given time of exchange was performed by the extraction of Sn(IV)-hydroxyquinolate into chloroform. The specific activities of the separated components were determined from the ratio of¹¹³Sn and^119mSn activities. The exchange rate was calculated from the time dependence of specific activities. The advantage and possibilities of the method of double labelling in the study of isotope exchange are discussed.     

Comparison between high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography methods for fatty acid identification and quantification in potato crisps

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HLPC) method was compared with a gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) method for determining fatty acids in potato crisps. Different extraction procedures were used. Fatty acids were quantified by linear regression. Both methods presented good precision (R.S.D. < or = 5.88%) and recovery (> or = 82.31%). The precision using HPLC method was slightly better than for GC-FID method. There was good agreement between the fatty acid composition of potato crisps analysed by both methods. For most purposes the HPLC method would be better. However, when more fatty acids need to be analysed, GC is a more suitable method.     

Structural and rate studies of the 1,2-additions of lithium phenylacetylide to lithiated quinazolinones: influence of mixed aggregates on the reaction mechanism

The 1,2-addition of lithium phenylacetylide (PhCCLi) to quinazolinones was investigated using a combination of structural and rate studies. (6)Li, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopies show that deprotonation of quinazolinones and phenylacetylene in THF/pentane solutions with lithium hexamethyldisilazide affords a mixture of lithium quinazolinide/PhCCLi mixed dimer and mixed tetramer along with PhCCLi dimer. Although the mixed tetramer dominates at high mixed aggregate concentrations and low temperatures used for the structural studies, the mixed dimer is the dominant form at the low total mixed aggregate concentrations, high THF concentrations, and ambient temperatures used to investigate the 1,2-addition. Monitoring the reaction rates using (19)F NMR spectroscopy revealed a first-order dependence on mixed dimer, a zeroth-order dependence on THF, and a half-order dependence on the PhCCLi concentration. The rate law is consistent with the addition of a disolvated PhCCLi monomer to the mixed dimer. Investigation of the 1,2-addition of PhCCLi to an O-protected quinazolinone implicates reaction via trisolvated PhCCLi monomers.