Analysis of flammability and smoke emission of rigid polyurethane foams modified with nanoparticles and halogen-free fire retardants

Using one-step method, rigid polyurethane foams were made, modified with developed fire retardant systems containing halogen-free flame retardants and nanofillers in the form of multi-walled carbon nanotubes or nanoscale titanium dioxide. The materials were subjected to a test using a cone calorimeter and smoke-generating chamber, and selected samples were further analyzed via thermogravimetry and oxygen index. Moreover, the products of thermal degradation of selected samples were identified using gas chromatography with mass spectrometer. Conducted flammability tests confirmed the presence of a synergistic effect between the used nanofillers and halogen-free flame retardants. It has been observed that the carbonized layer, the formation of which favored the presence of nanoadditives, inhibits the combustion process. Furthermore, nanofillers influenced favorably reduction in the amount and the number of occurring products of thermal degradation.     

Nickel foam-based composite electrodes for electrooxidation of methanol

Nickel foam and five nickel foam-based composite electrodes were prepared for being used as anode materials for the electrooxidation of methanol in KOH solution containing 0.1 and 1.0 M of methanol. The layered electrodes composed of nickel foam, platinum nanoparticles, polyaniline (PANI) and/or porous carbon (C) prepared in various assemblies. As shown by SEM analysis, depending on the preparation conditions, the electrodes of different morphologies were obtained. Using the cyclic voltammetry method, the oxidation of methanol on nickel foam electrode was observed in the potential range 0.4 V ↔ 0.7 V, where the Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH transformation occurred. The presence of Pt particles in electrode gave rise to the increase in electrocatalytic activity in this potential range. For electrodes containing dispersed platinum catalyst (Ni/Pt, Ni/PANI/Pt and Ni/C/Pt), the oxidation of methanol was noted also in the potential range −0.5 V ↔ 0.1 V. The electrocatalytic activities of the examined electrodes toward methanol oxidation at low potentials were in order Ni/Pt > Ni/C/Pt > Ni/PANI/Pt, whereas at high potentials in order Ni/PANI/Pt > Ni/Pt> Ni/C/Pt > Ni. Among the examined electrodes, the most resistant to cyclic poisoning appeared to be the Ni/C/Pt electrode. Presented at the 4Th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13–16, 2005     

Comments on the geometric approximation to the second-order perturbed energies

It is shown that the ideas similar to those behind the ordinary geometric approximation can be efficiently used to speed up the convergence of the coupled Hartree-Fock iterative procedure in the density matrix formalism. The formulation of the geometric approximation in the case of multiple perturbation is also considered and an alternative second-order energy formula is proposed. The validity of the upper bound formula for the error of the geometric approximation denied by Burrows, is discussed.     

Structure and properties of the dinuclear complex [Co2(μ-OAc)2(OAc)2(μ-H2O)(phen)2]

The dinuclear complex [Co₂(μ-OAc)₂(OAc)₂(μ-H₂O)(phen)₂] has been prepared and its structure was determined. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. The Co–Co distance is 3.574 Å and is similar to the Fe–Fe distance in the reduced methane monooxygenase hydroxylase. The electronic and IR spectra of the complex confirm octahedral coordination of the cobalt atoms and formation of strong O–HO hydrogen bonds in the solid state. The dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of the complex on temperature indicates an antiferromagnetic interaction, the value of the isotropic exchange parameter J was estimated to be −2.1 cm⁻¹. The ¹H NMR spectra show that in organic solvents the structure of compound is the same as in the solid state, however, in water solution the complex dissociates giving compounds with different Co:phen ratios.     

Investigation of Pd content in C–Pd films for hydrogen sensor applications

Nanocomposite carbonaceous-palladium (Nc-C-Pd) films were synthesized by physical vapor deposition method (PVD). Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that they were composed of carbonaceous matrix containing Pd nanograins. Nc-C-Pd films were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. The content of Pd in films synthesized at different PVD conditions was determined based on TG measurements. Technological parameters of PVD process affected C/Pd ratio. FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption bands for the precursors of carbonaceous-palladium samples (fullerene C₆₀ and palladium acetate). The influence of hydrogen on electrical properties of the films was tested by measuring their resistance in the presence of hydrogen (1% H₂/N₂).     

Lower Rim Substituted p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes (V). Synthesis of New 5,11,17,22-tetrakis-p-tert-Butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)- 26,28-bis(dialkoxyphosphorylmethoxy)calix[4]arenes and Cation Complexation Studies in Ion-Selective Membrane Electrodes

The synthesis and characterization of the lower rim bis-phosphorylatedtetrakis-p-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)calix[4]arenas(compounds 2–4) is presented. The studied compounds were examined as ionophores in ion-selective membrane electrodes, showing selectivity for rubidium, potassium, and for the large and flat guanidinium cations (G⁺). The correlation wasstudied between the stereochemical structure of the ligands andpotentiometrically determined ion-selectivity. Complex formationconstants in the PVC/BEHS (bis(ethyl)hexyl sebacate) membranes weredetermined. The crystal and molecular structures of compound 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Comparison of Different Sorbents for Solid-Phase Extraction of Phenoxyalkanoic Acid Herbicides

An HPLC procedure for determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in water samples is proposed. The analytical column Phenomenex C18(2) Luna 5 µm and UV detection at 225 nm were applied. Baseline resolution was achieved in isocratic mode with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/acetic acid (40/60, v/v), adjusted to pH 2.5. SPE sorbents – C₁₈ BondElut, phenyl-silica, LiChrolut SAX and polymeric sorbents – were compared for isolation and preconcentration of 6 phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides. Higher (above 95%) and more reproducible recoveries were obtained with polymeric and phenyl-silica sorbents using pure methanol for elution. The method was tested for river water samples with the limit of detection in the range of 2–3 µg L⁻¹ (for 50 mL sample) and a reproducibility of 5% RSD.     

Synthesis, structure and adsorption properties of nanoporous SBA-15 materials with framework and surface functionalities

Highly ordered SBA-15 nanoporous silica containing ethylene, phenylene bridges or/and amine, thiol, vinyl and phenyl surface groups were synthesized by using amphiphilic block copolymer as the structure-directing agent. The XRD data shows high degree of the order of the final structures. Obtained materials have well-developed porous structure—values of specific surface area are in the range 700–1050 m²/g and the sizes of cylindrical mesopores are in the range 6.5–9.5 nm. It was determined that size of the mesopores strongly depends even on small amounts of co-monomers co-condensing with TEOS. A new technique to introduce some amount of pendant amine groups by co-condensation of proper monomers has been proposed. Tetragonal structure was obtained when small amount of vinyl groups was introduced to the system. A new approach of determining pore size based only on the XRD measurements was compared with KJS method, confirming full usefulness of the former for calculation of the size of mesopores in SBA-15 materials. Dedicated to Professor Mietek Jaroniec on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Structural and thermal properties of rare earth complexes with 2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid

Rare earth complexes with 2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (diphenic acid = H₂dpa) were obtained as hydrated precipitates of the general formula Ln₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)₃∙nH₂O, where n = 3 for the of Y(III) and Ce(III)–Er(III) and n = 6 for La(III), Tm(III), Yb(III) and Lu(III) complexes. On heating in air atmosphere complexes lose all water molecules in the temperature range 30–210 °C in one step and form anhydrous compounds, which are stable up to 315–370 °C. During further heating they decompose to oxides. The trihydrated compounds are crystalline powders whereas the hexahydrated are amorphous solids. The trihydrated complexes crystallize in the monoclinic (Pr(III) and Ce(III) complexes) and triclinic (Y(III) and Nd(III)–Er(III) complexes) crystal systems.     

Is planarity of pyridin-2-yl- and pyrazin-2-yl-formamide thiosemicarbazones related to their tuberculostatic activity? X-ray structures of two pyrazine-2-carboxamide-N′-carbonothioyl-hydrazones

Crystal structures of two title compounds and several their relatives known earlier reveal conservative and characteristic features, which may be related to their tuberculostatic activity. The molecules are predominantly planar due to conjugation through five successive bonds in the zwitterionic fragment S⁻–C(sp²)–N–NH⁺–C(sp²)–NH₂ and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, which prevent rotation of the adjacent pyrazine (or pyridine) ring. It has been suggested that in spatial sense such planar molecules resemble acridines intercalating with nucleic acids and that similar process may be responsible for tuberculostatic activity of the title pyrazine-2-carboxamide-N′-carbonothioyl-hydrazones.