Phase transitions and generalized motion by mean curvature

We study the limiting behavior of solutions to appropriately rescaled versions of the Allen-Cahn equation, a simplified model for dynamic phase transitions. We rigorously establish the existence in the limit of a phase-antiphase interface evolving according to mean curvature motion. This assertion is valid for all positive time, the motion interpreted in the generalized sense of Evans-Spruck and Chen-Giga-Goto after the onset of geometric singularities.     

Studies on Equation-of-State Parameters and Linear Polymer Dimensions of Poly(p-chlorostyrene) in Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether by Intrinsic Viscosity Measurements

Intrinsic viscosities, [η], of poly(p-chlorostyrene) (PPCS) in diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGMBE) which exhibits an exothermic solubility behavior with the polymer were measured using an Ubbelohde type capillary viscometer between 25 and 85°C. Polymer solvent interaction parameters at infinite dilution (χ₁), exchange energy parameter ([`(X)]₁₂)(\bar{X}_{12}) , exchange enthalpy (X₁₂), and entropy parameters (Q₁₂), of the PPCS/DGMBE pair were found at studied temperature range according to equation-of-state theory. In the blob theory, dependence of [η] on temperature can be scaled by a master curve in a plot of α_η³|τ|M^1/2 versus |τ|M^1/2 as the polymer coil contracts below the Θ-point, however, it can be scaled by a master curve in a plot of α_η⁻⁵|τ|M^1/2 versus |τ|M^1/2 as the polymer coil expands above the Θ-point in an endothermic solubility behavior. Since the studied PPCS/DGMBE system represents exothermic solubility behavior, the master curves of the system were plotted in α_η³|τ|M^1/2 versus |τ|M^1/2 as the polymer coil contracts above the Θ-point and in α_η⁻⁵|τ|M^1/2 versus |τ|M^1/2 as the polymer coil expands below the Θ-point. The universal plots of α_η(N/N_c)^1/6 versus N/N_c and α_η(N/N_c)^−1/10 versus N/N_c were plotted above and below Θ-point, respectively.     

A molecular dynamics study on iridium

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are performed by using a modified form of Morse potential function in the framework of the Embedded Atom Method (EAM). Temperature-and pressure-dependent behaviours of bulk modulus, second-order elastic constants (SOEC), and the linear-thermal expansion coefficient is calculated and compared with the available experimental data. The melting temperature is estimated from 3 different plots. The obtained results are in agreement with the available experimental findings for iridium.      

Effect of fiber modification with carboxymethyl cellulose on the efficiency of a microparticle flocculation system

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been used widely to enhance dry strength of paper and uniformity of sheet in the papermaking industry. Besides these positive effects, it may affect the fines retention and dewatering processes negatively. These negative effects are mainly seen when fiber modifications with high CMC dosages are studied in laboratory scale. In this paper, the effect of fiber modification with CMC on the deposition of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and on the dewatering process in the presence of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM)/bentonite microparticle flocculation system is examined. It was determined that fiber modification with 10 mg g⁻¹ of CMC decreased PCC deposition at the initial addition of CPAM and gave better PCC deposition at 2 mg g⁻¹ of CPAM. It was also observed that PCC deposition on unmodified fibers is higher at lower CPAM concentration. PCC deposition was found as almost stable after a maximum value obtained at 0.5 mg g⁻¹ of bentonite concentration for fiber modified with 40 mg g⁻¹ of CMC. This indicates that interaction between CPAM and bentonite particles changed due to higher surface charge and CMC conformation on fibers. Results of the dewatering experiments showed that CMC modification increased the drainage time due to a denser and more plugged sheet. This negative effect was compensated with higher concentrations of CPAM and bentonite. On the other hand, dewatering is also affected by the mass ratio of CMC and CPAM, which was not the optimum one in this study at lower of CPAM. Thus, the increase in the drainage time in the presence of CMC on the fiber surface could be also caused by incorrect ratios of chemicals because the effect of CMC on the drainage time was not observed at higher concentrations of CPAM.     

Thermal and microstructural investigation of Cu–Al–Mn–Mg shape memory alloys

There are many studies to improve the properties of Cu–Al–Mn shape memory alloys, such as high transformation temperatures, ductility and workability. Most of them have been performed by adding a quaternary component to the alloy. In this study, the effect of trace Mg addition on transformation temperatures and microstructures of three different quaternary Cu–Al–Mn–Mg alloys has been investigated using thermal analysis, optical microscopy and XRD techniques. The transformation temperatures are within the range of 120–180 °C, and they have not changed significantly on decreasing the Mn content, replacing with Mg. The fine precipitates have been observed in the alloys with the Mg content up to 1.64 at%. Calculated entropy change and XRD analysis reveal that the alloys with high Al content have mainly 18R-type structure which could be responsible for good ductility and workability.     

Synthesis and characterization of secondary‐amine‐functional microparticles

Secondary‐amine‐functional microparticles were prepared in the range of 50–250 μm through the suspension polymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene (DVB), and 2‐(tert‐butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (tBAEMA). This study focused on the effects of the DVB, tBAEMA, initiator, and stabilizer concentrations and shaking rate on the experimental amine content, swelling ratio, average particle size, and particle size distribution. The suspension polymerization experiments were carried out in two different systems. In the first system, an organic phase, including the monomers and initiator, was dispersed in an aqueous medium in the presence of Al₂(SO₄)₃. Al₂(SO₄)₃, in the presence of an amine monomer (pH ～ 10), formed colloidal Al(OH)₃, which built a nonsticky layer on the surface of the polymerizing droplets that prevented them from coalescing and aggregating. Individual and spherical particles within the range of 50–200 μm were obtained by this polymerization method. The second method was similar to the first polymerization protocol, except that a certain amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate was added as a costabilizer in the presence of Al₂(SO₄)₃. In these experiments, individual and spherical particles were obtained within the range of 130–250 μm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem: 3708–3719, 2004     

The synthesis and characterization of a porphyrazine bearing aza-15-crown-5 moieties in the peripheral positions and its cobalt(II) complex

The synthesis of novel metal-free (H₂-Pz) and metalloporphyrazines (MgPz and CoPz), peripherally substituted with eight aza-15-crown-5 moieties, is described. The novel compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, i.r, ¹H and ¹³C-n.m.r, UV–vis and m.s. spectral data.     

Treatment of metal-plating waste water by modified direct contact membrane distillation

In this study, the treatability of metal-plating waste water by modified direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) at different temperature differences (ΔT = 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, and 55°C was investigated. Two different hydrophobic membranes made of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) having different pore sizes (0.22 μm and 0.45 μm) were used. The results indicated that conductivity, COD, sulphate, copper, and nickel could be successfully removed by modified DCMD. The rejection efficiencies for conductivity, COD, and sulphate were 99%, 86%, and 99%, respectively. Copper rejection was effective with both membranes while nickel concentration was below the limit of detection in the effluent. It was found that the pollutant rejection efficiency was affected by the raw water characteristics, membrane properties, and influent heating temperatures. In addition to the water quality parameters, the flux was measured to evaluate membrane performance. A high flux was obtained at 65°C (ΔT = 55°C) with 0.45 μm pore size PTFE membrane (24.1 L m^?2 h^?1) and with PVDF membrane (17.1 L m^?2 h^?1). The flux was mainly affected by temperature and membrane properties. As a result, modified DCMD and all the membranes used in this study were effective for the treatment of metal-plating waste water.     

Study on the characterization of lead (II) biosorption by fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus parasiticus</Emphasis>

The lead (II) biosorption potential of Aspergillus parasiticus fungal biomass has been investigated in a batch system. The initial pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial metal ion concentrations and temperature were studied to optimize the biosorption conditions. The maximum lead (II) biosorption capacity of the fungal biosorbent was found as 4.02 × 10⁻⁴ mol g⁻¹ at pH 5.0 and 20°C. The biosorption equilibrium was reached in 70 min. Equilibrium biosorption data were followed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. In regeneration experiments, no significant loss of sorption performance was observed during four biosorption-desorption cycles. The interactions between lead (II) ions and biosorbent were also examined by FTIR and EDAX analysis. The results revealed that biosorption process could be described by ion exchange as dominant mechanism as well as complexation for this biosorbent. The ion exchange mechanism was confirmed by E value obtained from D-R isotherm model as well.     

Structural characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-bis(2-methoxyethyl) -4,5-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium hexafluorophosphate

The crystal and molecular structure of the N,N′-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-4,5-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)- imidazolinium hexafluorophosphate, which is the first example of 1,3- and 4,5-disubstituted imidazolinium salts, have been determined and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction technique,¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The compound, C₂₇H₃₉N₂O₂ ⁺·PF₆ ^?, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pba2 with a = 15.8139(4) Å, b = 22.9346(7) Å, c = 8.069(3) Å. Two charge-assisted C–H\(\cdots\)F type crystal packing interactions between the imidazolinium C–H bonds and the F atoms of hexafluorophosphate counteranions build up zigzag chains along a-axis of the unit cell and indicate that the C–H bonds of the imidazolinium ring are also polarized. In addition, the title salt was modeled by DFT calculations in order to verify charge transfer mechanism observed in its imidazolinium ring.