Design of a composite material angle sample bending test fixture

Experimental Techniques -     

Renewable Polyethers via GaBr3‐Catalyzed Reduction of Polyesters

Herein, a novel approach is reported for the synthesis of medium‐ and long‐chain aliphatic polyethers 2 based on the GaBr₃‐catalysed reduction of polyesters 1 with TMDS as the reducing agent. Thus, various linear and branched aliphatic polyesters 1 were prepared and systematically investigated for this reduction strategy, demonstrating the applicability and versatility of this new polyether synthesis protocol. Medium‐ and long‐chain chain polyethers were obtained from the respective polyesters without or with minor chain degradation, whereas short‐chain polyesters, such as poly‐l ‐lactide 1 i and poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutanoate] 1 j , showed major chain degradation. In this way, previously unavailable and uncommon polyethers were obtained and studied.     

The Utilization of Douglas-Fir Bark for the Production of Oxalic Acid and High Density Carbon Pellets

The production of oxalic acid by the catalytic oxidation of Douglas-fir (Psedotsuga menfiesii (Mirb) Franco) bark and subsequent pyrolysis of the residue to produce high density carbon pellets is discussed. Kinetic rate data are presented for oxalic acid production from Douglasfir bark. A maximum yield of 38 wt% oxalic acid has been obtained in 8 h at 80°C with 62.5 vol% HNO₃ and 0.5 mg V₂O₅/g of bark. Additional oxalic acid can be produced by the conversion of pyrolytic oils and tars (obtained during carbonization of the residue) to increase the total yield to 45 wt%. An economic analysis based on the current cost of oxalic acid indicates the viability of the proposed process.     

The influence of ionic liquid's nature on free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers and ionic conductivity of the obtained polymeric materials

Various 1,3‐dialkylimidazolium and tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquids (ILs), including novel ones, have been studied as reaction media for free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylonitrile (AN) and 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium salts (ViEtIm⁺)Y^?. The influence of IL's nature upon the polymer formulation was investigated. The use of different ionic liquids allows not only to obtain the polymers with high molecular weight (PMMA, up to 5,770,000 g/mol; PAN, up to 735,000 g/mol and poly[(ViEtIm⁺)Y^?], up to 1,130,000 g/mol) in high yields, but also to control the polymerization rate and molecular mass. The physicochemical characteristics, including mechanical properties, thermal stability and heat‐resistance of the obtained polymers were studied in order to compare with those of polymers prepared in a traditional media. It was found that elongation, tensile modulus and strength of PAN, which was synthesized in ionic liquid, are reliatively higher. The influence of IL's nature upon their ionic conductivity and the formation of conductive polymers from molten‐salt‐type vinyl monomers was investigated. Molecular design of the polymers simultaneously with the influence of IL's nature in order to achieve higher ionic conductivity is discussed. Flexible, transparent polymer films, obtained in different ways, show relatively high ionic conductivity (of about 10^?5 S cm^?1 at 20°C). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.