Some novel layered-silicate nanocomposites based on a biodegradable hydroxybutyrate copolymer

This paper describes the preparation, characterization, mechanical properties and thermal stability of layered silicate nanocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHB-co-PHH, known as Nodax^TM). The dispersed phases were organically modified montmorillonites (clay 20A and clay 25A), mica, and talc, and they were introduced by solution mixing. Wide-angle X-ray scattering results and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed that these two clays were intercalated and finely distributed in the Nodax^TM matrix. This type of layered filler led to remarkable improvements in mechanical properties even at very low loadings. Minimizing aggregation was more of a problem in the case of the mica and the talc, at least in this particular matrix. In some cases, these layered fillers slightly decreased the thermal stability of the Nodax^TM.     

Synchronous ATR infrared and NIR-spectroscopy investigation of sepiolite upon drying

A new environmental cell allowing for the independent synchronous collection of the near- and mid-infrared spectra (12,000–600 cm⁻¹) in the diffuse reflection and attenuated total reflection (ATR) modes, respectively, is reported. The cell is employed to study in real time the dehydration of the phyllosilicate mineral sepiolite, Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₀(OH)₄(OH₂)₄·wH₂O, in both its natural form and after in situ deuteration at ambient. The spectra are obtained under dynamic purging with dry N₂ and compared to those of the same material conditioned over saturated salt solutions. Sepiolite is an important industrial mineral with a modulated structure of alternating tunnels and ribbons. Its mild drying is associated with pronounced vibrational spectral changes due to the removal of surface and zeolitic H₂O and the concomitant structural relaxation of the ribbons. Detailed assignments are provided for the fundamental, combination and overtone spectrum of H₂O confined in the tunnels of sepiolite, SiOH groups on the external surface of the particles, and Mg₃OH groups in the 2:1 ribbons. The spectra are discussed in comparison to those of palygorskite (modulated phyllosilicate with narrower ribbons and tunnels), talc (trioctahedral magnesian phyllosilicate without modulation) and high-surface area silica. It is demonstrated that sepiolite exhibits three discrete states of zeolitic hydration at ambient temperature: Besides the previously known hydrated (w = 7–8) and dry (w = 0–1) states which dominate the spectra above 30% and below 3% relative humidity, respectively, a hitherto unknown intermediate (w = 4–5) is found in the 3–10% range. The new state is most conveniently identified in the near-infrared by a ν₀₂ Mg₃O-H stretching mode at 7205 cm⁻¹ (ν₀₁ = 3686 cm⁻¹, X = 83.5 cm⁻¹) and a characteristic H₂O combination band at 5271 cm⁻¹ (D₂O: 3908 cm⁻¹).     

面粉中滑石粉的X射线衍射分析

通过四氯化碳分离或高温灰化,X射线衍射分析测定面粉中掺入的滑石粉。其中灰化处理适宜温度为500~750℃。该方法简便、快速,灵敏度高,样品用量少,准确可靠,可推广为检测面粉质量的一种较理想的手段。     

ICP-AES法测定滑石中主次量成分

本文报道了采用ICP－AES法测定滑石中的成分。将滑石试样经碳酸钠、硼砂混合熔剂熔融、酸浸取，用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ICP－AES）同时测定SiO2,MgO,CaO,Al2O3,Fe2O3，方法回收率在98.8%-104.0%，测定的RSD(n=6)在0.12%-0.24%之间，测试结果与部颁标准的化学分析法基本相符。     

滑石粉及混炼顺序对PA6/PP/MAPP合金相形态及力学性能的影响

通过挤出和注射成型制备了滑石粉(Talc)填充的尼龙6/聚丙烯/马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯(PA6/PP/MAPP)合金, 研究了Talc和混炼顺序(一步法和PA6母料法)对合金相形态和力学性能的影响. 场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)分析结果表明, 添加Talc后注射样条中心部分的PP相由球状转变为沿流动方向取向的有分支的条状结构, 且用PA6母料法制样比用一步法制样的相形态更为精细. 溶解PA6相后对PP相进行热重分析(TGA), 确定了Talc在PA6相和PP相中的分布比例, Talc选择性分布于PA6相中. PA6母料法中Talc的分散好于一步法. 研究了材料的拉伸、 弯曲、 冲击、 热变形温度和动态力学性能, Talc的添加能够明显提高材料的刚性, 且母料法样品的性能优于一步法样品.     

Synthetic talc as a solid base catalyst for condensation of aldehydes and ketones

Magnesium organo silicates (MOSs; synthetic talc) as such and with amine surface functionalities were synthesized by sol–gel method under non-hydrothermal conditions and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized talc samples were observed to be thermally stable up to 200 °C in nitrogen atmosphere and used as catalysts for condensation of aldehydes and ketones. Application of synthetic talc as a solid base catalyst for condensation of aldehydes and ketones is being reported for the first time. The effect of solvent, solvent to reactant molar ratio, amount of catalyst and temperature was studied in detail for self-condensation of propanal. High conversion (86%) of propanal with 95% selectivity of 2-methylpentenal was achieved using dimethyl sulphoxide as a solvent. The kinetic study was carried out for the condensation of propanal catalyzed by amine functionalized MOS under optimum reaction conditions. Catalyst was re-used without significant loss in activity up to three cycles.     

Simulation study of argon adsorption on (0 0 1) faces of phyllosilicates

Grand Canonical Monte Carlo molecular simulations have been performed for argon and nitrogen adsorption on the basal surfaces of phyllosilicates without surface cations. The results have been compared with derivative isotherms analysis of experimental data. An optimization of the surface-Ar interaction has been performed by varying the oxygen atom LJ ?/k_B parameter and the optimized value was used to perform the nitrogen adsorption simulations. The analysis of the argon adsorption simulation indicates that adsorption mechanisms are more complex than may be suggested by experimental results obtained by low-pressure adsorption. The structure of the adsorbed film has a marked dynamic behaviour and the monolayer capacity strongly depends on the equilibrium relative pressure. For nitrogen adsorption, while high pressure behaviour is simulated adequately, some deviation is observed in low-pressure region of the isotherms suggesting that additional simulation and perhaps the use of a more sophisticated potential to model the nitrogen molecule can be necessary to understand fully the behavior of this gas on clay minerals.     

ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TALC POWDER/SILICONE OIL SUSPENSIONS UNDER DC FIELDS

In this study, the electrorheological （ER） behavior of suspensions prepared from d50 = 2.4 lam talc powder, dispersed in insulating silicone oil （SO） medium was investigated. Sedimentation stabilities of suspensions （c = 5 wt%） prepared using these talc powder powders were determined to be 78 days. The ER activity of all the suspensions was observed to increase with increasing electric field strength, concentration and decreasing shear rate. The shear stress of talc powder suspensions increased linearly with increasing concentrations of the particles and with the applied electric field strength. Electric field viscosity of all the suspensions decreased sharply with increasing shear rate and showed a typical shear thinning non-Newtonian visco-elastic behavior. Effects of frequency on the ER activity of talc powder/SO system were also investigated.     

Cyano and Analogous Groups in Plasma Polymers from Nitrogen Monomers

Abstract

Some nitrogen-containing monomers with different unsaturation numbers were polymerized in glow discharges, and the formation of cyano and analogous groups was investigated with infrared spectroscopy. In these monomers, even if they do not necessarily contain cyano groups as acrylonitrile or propionitrile, comparatively stronger peaks for these groups rearranged from the carbon-nitrogen bondings were observed. The reason for the formation of the groups is considered via kinetics, and it is suggested that the carbon-nitrogen single and/or double bonds which are feasibly fragmented in plasma are stabilized by forming cyano groups.     

Talc-filled PP: A new concept to maintain long term heat stability

Talc as filler improves the mechanical properties of polypropylene. However, talc also reduces the efficiency of many stabilizers and so the life-time of a final product.In a study to find new modifiers to improve the heat stability of talc-filled PP formulations it was observed that selected blends of modifiers were more efficient than the single modifiers at the same total loading.