Energy and economic analysis of evaporative vacuum easy desalination system with brine tank

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Nowadays, the freshwater is one of the most critical issues for humans. In this regard, desalination systems can be beneficial. In this research, at...     

Gamma Radiation‐Induced Crosslinked PVA/Chitosan Blends for Wound Dressing

Crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan polymer blends have been prepared by using gamma irradiation. Chitosan was used in the blends to prevent microbiological growth, such as bacteria and fungi on the polymer. The physical properties of the blend, such as gelation, water absorption, and mechanical properties were examined to evaluate the possibility of its application for wound dressing. A mixture of PVA/chitosan, with different ratios, were exposed to gamma irradiation doses of 20, 30, 50 KGy, to evaluate the effect of irradiation dose on the physical properties of the blend. It was found that the gel fraction increases with increasing irradiation dose and PVA concentration in the blend. Swelling percent increased as the composition of chitosan increased in the blend. The PVA/chitosan blend has a water content in the range between 40% and 60% and water absorption between 60% and 100%. The water vapor transmission rate value (WVRT) of the PVA/chitosan blend varies between 50% and 70%. The examination of the microbe penetration shows that the prepared blend can be considered as a good barrier against microbes. Thus, the PVA/chitosan blend showed satisfactory properties for use as a wound dressing.     

Characterization of gamma irradiated carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) films loaded with metal salts and fertilizers

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) films loaded with different metal ions and fertilizers have been successfully prepared by the solution casting technique. The prepared films were subjected to different doses of gamma radiation at room temperature. The preparation conditions such as effect of type of metals, fertilizers and radiation dose on gel fraction (%) and swelling (%) were investigated. The maximum value of gel fraction was obtained at 10 kGy radiation dose. The formation of CMC/metal complexes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) which confirm the existence of possible interaction between CMC and metal ions. The loading of various metal ions to CMC films were found to enhance the mechanical properties of the prepared films. The results provided confirmation that metal coordination between the metal cation and the carboxylate group of CMC occurred.     

Application of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Hydrogel Produced by Conventional Crosslinking or by Freezing and Thawing

Hydrogels for this study were prepared from a mixture of PVA and CMC using three different techniques, i.e., freezing and thawing, electron‐beam irradiation or combined freezing and thawing and electron beam irradiation. A comparative study between the three techniques was carried out in terms of gel fraction (%) and swelling (%). It was found that the physical properties of the hydrogel were improved when the combination of freezing and thawing and irradiation were used rather than just freezing and thawing, or irradiation only. The effects of temperature and soil fertilizers on swelling (%) were examined to evaluate the usefulness of the hydrogel as a super absorbent in the soil. It was found that the swelling ratio increased as the composition of CMC increased in the blend. Hence, the blend having the composition 80/20 (CMC/PVA) was used as a super absorbent in the soil for agriculture. Moreover, the water retention increased in the soil containing this hydrogel. Thus, this type of hydrogel can be used to increase water retention in desert regions.