Influence of using nanoobjects as filler on functionality-based energy use of nanocomposites

The goal of our study was to investigate the potential benefits of reinforcing polymer matrices with nanoobjects for structural applications by looking at both the mechanical properties and environmental impacts. For determining the mechanical properties, we applied the material indices defined by Ashby for stiffness and strength. For the calculation of environmental impacts, we applied the life cycle assessment methodology, focusing on non-renewable energy use (NREU). NREU has shown to be a good indicator also for other environmental impacts. We then divided the NREU by the appropriate Ashby index to obtain the ‘functionality-based NREU’. We studied 23 different nanocomposites, based on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer matrices and organophilic montmorillonite, silica, carbon nanotubes (single-walled and multiwalled) and calcium carbonate as filler. For 17 of these, we saw a decrease of the functionality-based NREU with increasing filler content. We draw the conclusion that the use of nanoobjects as filler can have benefits from both an environmental point of view and with respect to mechanical properties.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Some Novel Dialkyldithiophosphate Derivatives of Macrocyclic Complexes of Pb(II) Having N2 S2 Potential Donors in 14- to 20-Membered Rings

Dialkyldithiophosphate derivatives of macrocyclic complexes of Pb(II), having N₂S₂ potential donors, of the general formula, [Pb(L)S₂P(OR)₂] (where L = macrocyclic ligands L¹, L², L³, L⁴ & L⁵ and R = CH₃-, C₃H₇ ⁿ- & C₃H₇ ⁱ-) have been Synthesized from the reactions of [Pb(L)X₂] (where X = Cl, NO₃, or CH₃COO) with sodium dialkyl dithiophosphates in 1:2 molar ratios in THF. Fifteen new derivatives have been synthesized by the combination of five macrocyclic complexes of 14–20 member rings with three different types of dialkyldithiophosphate. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, molecular weight determination, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR. Molecular weight determinations of these complexes indicate their monomeric nature. An octahedral structure is proposed.     

Synthesis and Antibacterial Studies of Some Novel 2-(Coumarin-3-yl)-5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazoles Containing 2,4,6-Trisubstituted s-Triazine Derivatives

A new series of 2-(coumarin-3-yl)-5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazoles based on various aryl thiourea/ureas incorporating a 1,3,5-s-triazine moiety is reported. The components of this series have been obtained by the reaction of cyanuric chloride (1) with 2-(coumarin-3-yl)-5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazole (2). The prepared 2-{(coumarin-3-yl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)-5-thio}-4,6-dichloro-s-triazine (3) was subsequently treated with morpholine (4) to form 2-{(coumarin-3-yl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)-5-thio}-4-(morpholino)-6-chloro-s-triazine (5). This was further treated with various substituted aryl urea/thioureas (6a–k/7a–k) to afford the title compounds 8a–k and 9a–k, which were and tested for their antibacterial activity (MIC) against different microorganisms. The structures of the novel synthesized compound have been established on the basis of ¹H NMR and FT-IR data together with elemental analysis.

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.     

p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid-Urea-Formaldehyde Copolymers and Their Ion-Exchange Properties

Copolymers (PUF) were synthesized by the condensation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (P), urea (U), and formaldehyde (F), in the presence of different acidic catalysts and using varied molar ratios of reacting monomers. One of the copolymers having the highest molecular weight was fractionated. Copolymer compositions have been determined on the basis of their elemental analysis and conductometric titrations in the nonaqueous phase. Molecular weights (M_n) have been estimated by VPO. Copolymer prepared by using the stoichiometric properties of the monomers and HCI as catalyst furnished the highest molecular weight (M_n). The viscosity measurements carried out in DMF indicate normal behavior. TGA and DSC data were analyzed to compare the relative thermal stability and estimate the characteristic parameters. IR spectra were studied to elucidate the structure. Chelation ion-exchange properties have also been studied employing the batch equilibration method. The order of selectivity of metal ions by the copolymers is UO₂ ²⁺ > Fe³⁺ >Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺.     

Polymers Derived from 4-Substituted Salicylic Acids as Antifungal Agents

4-Amino-, chloro-, and bromo-substituted salicylic acid-formaldehyde polymers and their metal chelates were screened for their antifungal activity. Various copolymers prepared from 4-chloro-(bromo)salicylic acid, formaldehyde, and other comonomers were also screened for their antifungal activity. All these polymers, copolymers, and polychelates were found active against several fungi Their fungicidal activities are compared with those of the corresponding monomers and monomeric chelates.     

Kinetics of Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate initiated by AIBN in the Presence of Acetophenone

The present investigation aims at estimating the retarding effect of acetophenone in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by α,α' -azobisisobutyronitrile in the temperature range of 50 to 80°C. The results are interpreted in terms of Tüdös kinetic parameter (β). The effects of varying concentrations of substrate, monomer, initiator, and salts have been investigated. A suitable reaction scheme and rate expression have been suggested on the basis of the experimental findings, and another kinetic parameter (K) to represent the reactivity of acetophenones toward the polymer radical has been obtained graphically.     

Magnetic,Spectral, Thermal,and Electrical Properties of Coordination Polymers Derived from Terpolymers

Coordination polymers of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), zinc(II), chromium(IU), iron(IU), oxovanadium(N), and dioxouranium-(VI) with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB)-thiourea (T)-trioxane (T) (PHBTT) polymer were prepared. The analytical data agree with 1:1 metal-ligand stoichiometry. Magnetic susceptibility, visible and IR spectra, and thermal and electrical conductivities of the chelates have been studied and probable structures assigned to the chelates.     

Effect of Chain Length of Polyethylene Glycol and Crosslink Density (NCO/OH) on Properties of Castor Oil Based Polyurethane Elastomers

The equilibrium swelling study of polyurethanes (PU) was carried out in various solvents in order to calculate their solubility parameter. The kinetics of swelling and sorption have also been studied in 1,4‐dioxane at 30°C. The PU was synthesized by reacting a novel polyol (castor oil derivative and epoxy based resin, EpxR) and one of the polyethylene glycols (PEG 200, PEG 400, PEG 600) with different weight compositions, with a toluene diisocyanate (TDI) adduct (derived from toluene diisocyanate and R60 polyol). Different NCO/OH ratio viz. 1, 1.3 and 1.7 were employed in the study. The results were found to vary with the weight composition of polyol components, as well as the crosslink density of the samples. The sorption behavior is also found to vary with the molecular weight of polyethylene glycol employed in the preparations of the polyurethanes. Kinetic studies of swelling revealed that the sorption is anomalous in nature. The diffusion coefficient (D) increased with an increase in the NCO/OH ratio and decreased with an increase in chain length of polyethylene glycol. The sorption coefficient (S) decreased with an increase in crosslink density (NCO/OH) and increased with increasing polyethylene glycol (i.e., PEG 200, PEG 400, and PEG 600) moieties in the polyurethanes. The molecular weight between two crosslink points was calculated using the Flory Rehner equation (24), and hence, the number of chains per unit volume (N) and degree of crosslinking (ν) in all the samples were determined.