Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Polyurethane/Organically Modified Montmorillonite Clay Nanocomposites by TGA

Polyurethane (PU) has been prepared by using polyether polyol (jagropol oil) and 1,6- hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) as a cross-linker. The organically modified montmorillonite clay (MMT) is well-dispersed into urethane matrix by an in situ polymerization method. A series of PU/MMT nanocomposites have been prepared by incorporating varying amounts of nanoclay viz., 1, 3, 5 and 6 wt %. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the PU/MMT nanocomposites has been performed in order to establish the thermal stability and their mode of thermal degradation. The TGA thermograms exhibited the fact that nanocomposites have a higher decomposition temperature in comparison with the pristine PU. It was found that the thermal degradation of all PU nanocomposites takes place in three steps. All the nanocomposites were stable up to 205°C. Degradation kinetic parameters of the composites have been calculated for each step of the thermal degradation processes using three mathematical models namely, Horowitz–Metzger, Coats–Redfern and Broido's methods.     

Nanoscale manganese oxide within Faujasite zeolite as an efficient and biomimetic water oxidizing catalyst

Nanoscale manganese oxides within Faujasite zeolite have been synthesized with a simple method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrometry, N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. These oxides showed efficient water oxidizing activity in the presence of cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate as a non-oxo transfer oxidant.     

Nano-size amorphous calcium-manganese oxide as an efficient and biomimetic water oxidizing catalyst for artificial photosynthesis: back to manganese

A nano-size amorphous calcium-manganese oxide shows efficient water oxidation activity in the presence of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate.