Novel dye-attached macroporous films for cadmium, zinc and lead sorption: Alkali Blue 6B-attached macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Alkali Blue 6B-attached poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) microporous films were investigated as chelate forming sorbents for heavy metal removal. Poly(HEMA) microporous films were prepared by UV-initiated photo-polymerization of HEMA in the presence of an initiator (azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)). Alkali Blue 6B was attached covalently. These films with a swelling ratio of 58%, and carrying 14.8 mmol Alkali Blue 6B m(-2) which were then used in the removal of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous media. Adsorption rates were very high, equilibrium was achieved in about 30 min. The maximum adsorption of heavy metal ions onto the Alkali Blue 6B-attached films were 41.4 mmol m(-2) for Cd(II), 52.4 mmol m(-2) for Zn(II), and 64.5 mmol m(-2) for Pb(II). When the heavy metal ions competed during the adsorption from a mixture the adsorption values for Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were quite close. Heavy metal ions were desorbed by using 0.1 M HNO(3). A significant amount of the adsorbed heavy metal ions (up to 95%) could be desorbed in 30 min. Repeated adsorption/desorption cycles showed the feasibility of these novel dye-attached microporous films for heavy metal removal.     

Developing an on-line derivatization of FAs by microwave irradiation coupled to HPLC separation with UV detection

The development of analytical methods for routine simultaneous identification and quantification of carboxylic fatty acids (CFAs) are required in different fields, such as, pharmaceutical cosmetics, food products and formulations of water–microemulsion–oil systems. Determination of CFAs has been developed mainly by gas chromatography (GC). As an alternative to GC, liquid chromatography (LC) has better sensitivity and selectivity. However, most CFAs show no useful absorption in ultraviolet–violet (UV–Vis) region, one of the more used detection technique in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to allow the use of UV–Vis detection, the use of pre-column derivatization has been reported to increase sensitivity and selectivity. Therefore, establishment of a simpler and faster on-line method with complete separation is needed for the screening of large numbers of samples. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH.), benzoil chloride (BC), and phenylhydrazine (PH) were used for derivatization of different FAs by microwaves radiation (MW). After the on-line derivatization, products were separated and quantified by HPLC. Reactor coil was placed inside of microwaves oven at 450 W. Parameters as flow, amount of reagents, irradiation time, and chromatographic conditions were optimized. The continuous analysis using the MW–HPLC–UV system provided high sensitivity and reduced both the amount of reagent used and the analysis times. This proposed method can be used for the routine analysis of FAs contained in water–microemulsion–oil systems, to quantify the total acid fraction in each phase.     

Matériaux composites à base de graves et de liants polymères—III. Caractéristiques et propriétés rhélogiques d'un nouveau liant à base de polyéthylène de récupération et de cires de polyéthylène

Recovered polyethylene is used with polyethylene waxes as a new binder for mineral granules. This binder is characterized and optimized mainly on a rheological basis. Its fluid index (I.F.), molecular distribution and crystallinity are especially studied. Its rheograms and tensile properties are compared with those of industrial polyethylene (I.F. = 250). The dimensional shrinkages of such binders during cooling from 190° to ambient temperature are measured.     

Microemulsion photopolymerization of methacrylates stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate and poly(N-acetylethylenimine) macromonomers

Methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate were polymerized in oil-in-water microemulsions that were stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). A poly(N-acetylethylenimine) (PNAEI) macromer was also included in the recipe, as a cosurfactant and a comonomer. Polymerizations were initiated by UV-irradiation. The average diameters of latex particles, obtained by STM, were in the range of 17-200 nm. The experimental data evidenced that the particle size was mainly dependent on the SDS/PNAEI ratio. Polymerization yields were around 75-85%. The synthesized copolymers have viscosity average molecular weights in the range of 2.1-2.4×10⁶ and glass transition temperatures of 38.0-43.5°C, lower than those obtained without using PNAEI. The investigation by means of FTIR and 1H-NMR techniques revealed that PNAEI was incorporated into the nanoparticles.     

A new veratramine alkaloid from the bulbs of Fritillaria hupehensis

A new highly conjugated alkaloid of veratramine type, 225,25S,5α-veratramine-7(8),12(14)-diene-3β,13β,23β-triol-6-one (1), was isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C. Hsia. Its structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidences.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(vinyl chloride)‐based grafts: Poly(vinyl chloride‐co‐2‐chloropropene) fitted with multiple high‐glass‐transition‐temperature polyolefin branches

The tertiary chlorine (Cl^t) content of vinyl chloride/2‐chloropropene copolymers [P(VC‐co‐2CP)] was determined by NMR spectroscopy. Copolymers containing 6.8–47.0 Cl^t's per P(VC‐co‐2CP) chain were used to initiate the cationic grafting of α‐methylstyrene, norbornadiene, indene, and norbornene with Et₂AlCl under various conditions. Grafting was demonstrated by selective solvent extraction, and the effect of the experimental conditions on the grafting efficiency was examined. Select rheological and thermal characteristics of P(VC‐co‐2CP) grafts, including the glass‐transition temperature, heat deflection temperature, and discoloration upon heating, were studied. P(VC‐co‐2CP) carrying 7–11 poly(α‐methylstyrene) or polynorbornadiene branches per chain raised the glass‐transition temperature to, or above, that of a blend control. P(VC‐co‐2CP)s fitted with polyindene or polynorbornene branches were less effective in raising the mechanical properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3644–3651, 2002