Efficient Entrapment of Oxirane Ring Containing Compounds in Thermally Stable Poly(urea-formaldehyde) Polymer Shell Wall

This article aims to address the problems associated with the encapsulation of oxirane ring containing compounds in poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell for application in self-healing composite systems. The main objectives were to produce non-agglomerated, stable microcapsules, and to control the pH drop during the encapsulation via oil-in-water emulsion polymerization. In the modified method; two stage additions of urea and formaldehyde monomers, core to shell ratio, weight percent and combination of two surfactants/emulsifiers were altered to produce the desired product. Analysis was done with optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, particle size analyzer, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pH drop was confirmed by using a common epoxy resin, an epoxy functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (E-PDMS), and epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as cores. The modified oil-in-water emulsion polymerization of PUF was effective in preventing the pH drop during the encapsulation and a product stable for more than 3 months with less agglomeration was produced. The method produced microcapsules having diameters less than 100 μm at lower agitation rates. The modified method is only applicable to epoxy resin and not for compounds like amine hardeners. The use of stable microcapsules in self-healing coatings can lead towards cost reduction implied for repair and maintenance purposes.     

Solvent effects on the initial and transition states upon solvolysis oftrans-dichlorotetra(4-ethylpyridine)cobalt(III) perchlorate in water+methanol mixtures

Summary The solvolysis of trans-[Co(4-Etpy)₄Cl₂]⁺ (1) (Etpy=ethylpyridine) was investigated in water and in a wide range of water+methanol mixtures. The effect of temperature on the solvolysis was considered and the thermodynamic parameters of activation were calculated. The free energies of transfer of (1) in the initial state were calculated from the solubility of the complex [Co(4-Etpy)₄Cl₂]₂[ReCl₆]. The free energy of transfer of the cation (1) in the transition state was calculated using a free energy cycle. The effect of the solvent structure on (1) is dominant in the transition state, where –G _t ^o (1) transition >–G _t ^o (1) initial. Comparison of the present thermodynamic data with those obtained previously fortrans-[Co(4-Mepy)₄Cl₂]⁺, (2), andtrans-[Co(py₄Cl₂]⁺, (3) in the same solvent mixture, shows that the stability increases in the order: (1), (2)<(3) at low mole fraction of the co-solvent, contrary to expectation, while at high mole fraction the order of increasing stability is: (1)<(3)<(2). The results were interpreted on non-electrostatic grounds.     

Surface roughness and color characteristics of wood treated with preservatives after accelerated weathering test

Wood samples treated with ammonium copper quat (ACQ 1900 and ACQ 2200), chromated copper arsenate (CCA), Tanalith E 3491 and Wolmanit CX-8 have been studied in accelerated weathering experiments. The weathering experiment was performed by cycles of 2 h UV-light irradiation followed by water spray for 18 min. The changes on the surface of the weathered samples were characterized by roughness and color measurements on the samples with 0, 200, 400 and 600 h of total weathering.

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes created by weathering on impregnated wood with several different wood preservatives. This study was performed on the accelerated weathering test cycle, using UV irradiation and water spray in order to simulate natural weathering.

Surface roughness and color measurement was used to investigate the changes after several intervals (0–200–400–600 h) in artificial weathering of treated and untreated wood.     

Determination of gold(III) alone or in some mixtures and alloys by potentiometric titration of iodide

The present work is an application of iodide to the reduction of gold(III), in an attempt to develop new method for gold(III) based on potentiometric back-titration of the excess of iodide with mercury(II). Although it was proved by calculation that the reduction of tetrachloroaurate to the metal should proceed quantitatively to completion, yet our experiments showed that the reduction under ordinary conditions, gave Au(I) in the form of a white precipitate of AuI. We succeeded to push the reduction with iodide to the metal by an excess of ethanol-ether catalyzed iodide at somewhat elevated temperature.With the experimental conditions established a reliable procedure have been developed involving a potentiometric finish which enabled accurate determination of gold(III), either alone or in some of its alloys.     

Short-time activation analysis with and without A6LiD converter

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) at various irradiation and measurement systems of the Institute's TRIGA mark II reactor provides a choice of sample oriented analyzing systems. This is demonstrated on the analysis of waste products, on an analysis of the phase content of a high-T_c superconductor and on a fluorine analysis in a standard reference material.     

Gas transport in heterogeneous polymer blends : II. Blends of polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ethylene-copropylene) elastomers

The solution and transport of propane in blends of polydimethyl siloxane and poly(ethylene-co-propylene) elastomers has been studied in the range 25–50°C. The dependence of the blend permeability on composition was determined and compared with the Maxwell and other expressions for transport in heterogeneous media.     

Water-mediated binding of agents that target the DNA minor groove

Small molecule complexes with DNA that incorporate linking water molecules are rare, and the DB921-DNA complex has provided a unique and well-defined system for analysis of water-mediated binding in the context of a DNA complex. DB921 has a benzimidazole-biphenyl system with terminal amidines that results in a linear conformation that does not possess the appropriate radius of curvature to match the minor groove shape and represents a new paradigm that does not fit the classical model of minor groove interactions. To better understand the role of the bound water molecule observed in the X-ray crystal structure of the DB921 complex, synthetic modifications have been made in the DB921 structure, and the interactions of the new compounds with DNA AT sites have been evaluated with an array of methods, including DNase I footprinting, biosensor-surface plasmon resonance, isothermal titration microcalorimetry, and circular dichroism. The interaction of a key compound, which has the amidine at the phenyl shifted from the para position in DB921 to the meta position, has also been examined by X-ray crystallography. The detailed structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic results provide valuable new information for incorporation of water molecules in the design of new lead scaffolds for targeting DNA in chemical biology and therapeutic applications.     

Synthesis and Characterization via Molecular Quantum Parameters of 2H‐Thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine‐3,5,7(6H)‐trione

2H‐Thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine‐3,5,7(6H)‐trione ( 2 ) was synthesized and characterized via molecular quantum parameters using the PM3‐semiempirical MO method. This is considered the only route not previously reported in the literature to synthesize compound 2 from 2‐imino‐4‐thiazolidinone ( 1 ).