Nonlinear FR-ZLC method for investigation of adsorption equilibrium and kinetics

A new method for investigation of adsorption equilibrium and kinetics, named Nonlinear Frequency Response-Zero Length Column (NFR-ZLC) method, is introduced. It combines the advantages of the Nonlinear FR method (the potential to identify a model corresponding to the most probable kinetic mechanism and to estimate the equilibrium and kinetic parameters of the identified model) and of the ZLC method (the potential to derive direct information about the processes on the particle level, by eliminating the influence of the adsorber). The frequency response functions of a ZLC system, up to the third order, and for three simple kinetic mechanisms (film resistance control, micropore diffusion control and pore-surface diffusion control) are derived and simulated. The procedure for estimation of the equilibrium and kinetic parameters is defined and illustrated based on numerical simulations.     

Hierarchically structured free-standing hydrogels with liquid crystalline domains and magnetic nanoparticles as dual physical cross-linkers

Here we report a modular strategy for preparing physically cross-linked and mechanically robust free-standing hydrogels comprising unique thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) domains and magnetic nanoparticles both of which serve as the physical cross-linkers resulting in hydrogels that can be used as magnetically responsive soft actuators. A series of amphiphilic LC pentablock copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(5-cholesteryloxypentyl methacrylate) (PC5MA), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks in the sequence of PAA-PC5MA-PEO-PC5MA-PAA were prepared using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These pentablock copolymers served as macromolecular ligands to template Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which were directly anchored to the polymer chains through the coordination bonds with the carboxyl groups of PAA blocks. The resulting polymer/MNP nanocomposites comprised a complicated hierarchical structure in which polymer-coated MNP clusters were dispersed in a microsegregated pentablock copolymer matrix that further contained LC ordering. Upon swelling, the hierarchical structure was disrupted and converted to a network structure, in which MNP clusters were anchored to the polymer chains and LC domains stayed intact to connect solvated PEO and PAA blocks, leading to a free-standing LC magnetic hydrogel (LC ferrogel). By varying the PAA weight fraction (f(AA)) in the pentablock copolymers, the swelling degrees (Q) of the resulting LC ferrogels were tailored. Rheological experiments showed that these physically cross-linked free-standing LC ferrogels exhibit good mechanical strength with storage moduli G' of around 10(4)-10(5) Pa, similar to that of natural tissues. Furthermore, application of a magnetic field induced bending actuation of the LC ferrogels. Therefore, these physically cross-linked and mechanically robust LC ferrogels can be used as soft actuators and artificial muscles. Moreover, this design strategy is a versatile platform for incorporation of different types of nanoparticles (metallic, inorganic, biological, etc.) into multifunctional amphiphilic block copolymers, resulting in unique free-standing hybrid hydrogels of good mechanical strength and integrity with tailored properties and end applications.     

Ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by chloramine-T in aqueous alkaline medium – A kinetic and mechanistic pathway

The kinetic study of ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by N-chloro-p-toluene sulfonamide (chloramine-T) in the alkaline medium has been performed. The reaction exhibits second order nature and the effect of the catalyst indicates the occurrence of uncatalyzed reaction simultaneously. Rate is decelerated by hydroxide ions. A plausible reaction mechanism has been suggested and the rate law is derived to account for such experiential observations. The activation parameters have been calculated. No evidence of the participation of free radicals is observed.     

Detailed structural elucidation of polyesters and acrylates using Fourier transform mass spectrometry

The detailed structural characterization of complex polymer architectures, like copolymers and polymer mixtures, by mass spectrometry presents a challenge. Even though soft ionization analyses revolutionized the characterization of large molecules and provided a means for determining the polymer’s molecular weight distribution, polydispersity, and end groups, full microstructure elucidation and monomer sequencing by soft ionization alone is not possible. The combination of high-resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) provides a powerful analytical tool for addressing these challenges. This tool was used in our work to separate and identify the products of polymerization between 12-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) and stearic acid (SA), to provide precise information about the exact location of caprolactones on the Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate (THEIC) molecule, and to sequence a glycidyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate (GMA/MMA) copolymer. The results highlight the value of ultrahigh resolution and tandem mass spectrometry for fine structural characterization and sequencing of polymers.     

Multiphysics modeling of electric-swing adsorption system with in-vessel condensation

Mathematical modeling of an Electric-Swing Adsorption (ESA) system (adsorption cycle with electrothermal desorption step, performed by direct heating of the adsorbent particles by passing electric current through them), with annular, radial-flow, cartridge-type fixed-bed and in-vessel condensation, is performed by using Comsol Multiphysics™ software. Three multiphysics models are built, in order to describe three stages of a compete ESA cycle: adsorption, electrothermal desorption before the start of condensation and electrothermal desorption with in-vessel condensation. In order to describe the complete ESA cycle the models for the three stages are integrated, by using a combination of Comsol Multiphysics™ and Matlab™. The models were successfully used for simulation of separate stages of the process and of the complete ESA cycles, as well as for investigation of the influences of the main operational parameters on the process performance. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the author and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research or the U.S. Government.     

Determination of competitive adsorption isotherms applying the nonlinear frequency response method: Part II. Experimental demonstration

This paper demonstrates an experimental application of the nonlinear frequency response (FR) method extension to determine adsorption isotherms of binary mixtures. This method, based on the analysis of the response of a chromatographic column subjected to the sinusoidal inlet concentration changes, is shown to be an alternative for isotherm determination. The critical issue related to the successful application of the method is to reach experimentally the low frequency asymptotic behaviour of the corresponding frequency response functions (FRFs). Although, there are different possibilities to perform periodical inlet concentration changes, in this paper only simultaneous changes for both components were considered. The adsorption of phenol and 2-phenylethanol on octadecyl silica was analyzed experimentally using a mixture of methanol and water as a solvent. Parameters of competitive isotherms were also estimated for comparison using the classical perturbation method. Despite certain differences between competitive isotherms estimated with the two methods that were found, the obtained results show the potential of the nonlinear FR method for measuring competitive isotherms.     

Sequence and Hot Transitions in the Co2 Molecule; Interference of Adjacent Lines Belonging to Different Transitions as a Function of Temperature

Carbon-dioxide spectra of some higher transitions in the 9-11μm region were studied. Spectra of the sequence ([10°1,02°1]_I,II - 00°2) and hot (01¹1 - 11¹0) bands were calculated as a function of temperature. the positions of the ro-vibrational transitions and their intensities were determined as a function of temperature. for lines in hot and sequence transitions whose positions are close to some of the regular lines ([l0⁰0,02⁰0]_I,II - 00°1)¹ absorption coefficients of adjacent lines were calculated as functions of line center distances and temperature. the resulting values of the absorption coefficient for conditions of constant pressure or constant volume were determined.     

Determination of competitive adsorption isotherms applying the nonlinear frequency response method: Part I. Theoretical analysis

In this work adsorption equilibria of binary mixtures are quantified analyzing the nonlinear frequency response of a chromatographic column. Local partial derivatives of an isotherm model can be estimated for certain steady-states from the low frequency asymptotes of the corresponding frequency response functions (FRFs). The required FRFs correspond to two different compounds and the type of the imposed inlet concentration changes, e.g. periodical inlet concentration changes of only one compound or of both of them. For an accurate determination of isotherm parameters, it is necessary to approach as close as possible the low frequency asymptotic behaviour of these functions. Based on principles valid for the FRFs corresponding to the adsorption of a single solute, frequencies needed to reach the low frequency asymptotes of the functions of interest for estimating competitive isotherms are defined in this paper. The relation between the accuracy of the isotherm parameters determined and numbers and types of periodical inlet concentration changes and steady-states analyzed is also evaluated.     

Buffer gas effect on laser photoacoustic spectra of methyl chloride

Spectra of coincidence of CH₃C1 IR absorption with CO₂-laser emission were recorded by a photoacoustic detection method in the whole range of CO₂-laser emission. The samples were neat gas and mixtures with argon, at several pressures (10 to 600Torr) so that pressure effects could be observed. The results show that argon affects absorption of CO₂-laser emission quite differently from neat chloromethane, both regarding the most prominent coincidences and background absorption.