Effect of silicone interphase on the mechanical properties of flax-polyurethane composites

Flax fibers coated with two types and various amounts of silicones are used to make flax-polyurethane composites. Coating conditions have been found to affect strongly the composites properties. The effect of these two types and different amounts of silicone on the impact toughness, flexural strength and modulus, dynamic modulus and loss-energy and notch sensitivity is determined. These properties are compared with results of composites with a strong fiber-matrix adhesion.     

基于近红外光谱技术的亚麻纤维化学成分含量快速测定

在推进亚麻纤维的纺纱及其产业化生产过程中,快速、准确的定量分析纤维的化学成分是重要趋势。该研究利用近红外光谱技术分析亚麻纤维化学成分,以化学分析法测定值为对照,采用偏最小二乘法(PLS)建立亚麻纤维化学成分的近红外模型,从而实现了其化学成分的高效、快速定量分析。结果表明,建立的亚麻纤维纤维素、半纤维素、木质素和果胶近红外模型的校正相关系数(R_C)与验证相关系数(R_CV)均在0.9以上,校正均方根误差(RMSEC)小于预测均方根误差(RMSEP)且均小于1。外部验证和双尾t检验表明模型预测结果较为准确,预测值与化学分析法得到的实测值无显著性差异,故该模型可用于相关化学成分含量的快速预测。     

Influence of production progress on the heavy metal content in flax fibers

The aim of this work was to determine the content of selected heavy metals in flax materials depending on the stage of fiber manufacturing. Non-treated natural fiber composition was compared with that of fibers processed. Changes in the composition of yarn before and after the following scutching, hackling, washing, and bleaching were also investigated. Analysis of heavy metals was performed applying inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Flax material was mineralized in closed Teflon vials with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid which were then placed in a microwave oven system. Analytical quality of the obtained results was checked by the determination of elements in the Certificate Reference Materials of IAEA-V-10. The acquired results proved that the content of metals in flax clearly varies depending on the treatment process applied (bleaching, washing, coloration). Significant differences were also connected with the dye used. Presented at the 35th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 26–30 May 2008.     

A numeric model for the kinetics of water vapor sorption on cellulosic reinforcement fibers

Some natural fibers like flax, hemp and others show excellent mechanical properties that make them a promising choice for the reinforcement of polymers. The increasing research on natural fiber reinforced composites has still left important questions open, mainly concerning the fiber–matrix interface. Compared to the well optimized glass fibers, cellulose fibers show very different interaction with matrix polymers and adhesion promoters. The hydrophilic cellulose structure allows for the penetration of a considerable amount of water into the amorphous regions of the fibers, eventually exceeding 20% by mass, depending on fiber type, preparation and environmental humidity. Even embedded in totally apolar polymers the cellulose partly retains its ability for water sorption, which results in unfavorable effects, such as dimensional changes, decrease in strength, roughening of the surface, etc. The interaction of differently prepared fibers with water vapor and the effect of surface treatment is investigated by measuring the dynamics of water vapor sorption. An exponential model is used for the numerical evaluation of the sorption and desorption kinetics. The model not only allows for an excellent fit of the experimental isotherms, but without any further assumptions it immediately gives evidence of the existence of two distinct mechanisms for the exchange of water vapor, related to different sorption sites. These specific mechanisms are represented by individual sorption–desorption isotherms as components of the total isotherms. The model provides a clearer differentiation of the effects of fiber preparation and modification with respect to interfacial interactions.     

Preparation of FeS/iron oxide composite and flax stem‐based porous carbon and its Cr(VI) removal ability

Using flax stem and ferrous sulfate, a composite porous carbon material was prepared by means of high‐temperature roasting and a one‐step process in a muffle furnace. The samples were characterized using X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the effects of ferrous sulfate concentration, carbonization temperature, and pH values of Cr(VI) aqueous solution on the removal performance of Cr(VI) were studied. XRD and SEM analysis showed that the prepared samples were amorphous porous carbon loaded with FeS/Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄. High FeSO₄ impregnation concentration, high carbonization temperature, and a low pH value of Cr(VI) aqueous solution were beneficial for Cr(VI) removal. When pH = 2, the amount of Cr(VI) removal was 99.93 mg/g by the sample obtained from 1 g flax powder impregnated in 4.5 mmol FeSO₄/40 mL H₂O solution and calcined for 2 hr at 800°C.     

亚麻尘在1米~3试验装置内的爆炸泄压研究

本文报导了在1米爆炸泄压试验装置内完成的亚麻尘-空气混合物的一百多次试验结果,试验中研究了亚麻尘浓度,泄压面积（比例泄放比）、点火源位置及能量、泄压口封盖物等因素对泄放爆炸压力的影响。在比例泄放比A/V2/3=0.264,亚麻尘浓度0.080kg/m3情况下,爆炸压力测得为15kPa,而亚麻尘浓度为0.700kg/m3情况下,爆炸压力高达33.3kPa,甚至亚麻尘浓度低到0.050kg/m3时,仍能产生火焰传播。这表明如果厂房不采取合适的措施,亚麻尘爆炸可导致厂房倒塌的破坏。     

Characterization of weld (Reseda luteola L.) and spurge flax (Daphne gnidium L.) by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–mass spectrometry in Arraiolos historical textiles

The natural dyes, and dye sources, in two seventeenth century Arraiolos carpets from the National Museum of Machado de Castro were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV–vis diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) and HPLC–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Weld (Reseda luteola L.), indigo and spurge flax (Daphne gnidium L.) were found to be the dye sources, in agreement with original dyeing recipes collected during the nineteenth century. In order to fully characterize the plant sources, LC–MS conditions were optimized with plant extracts and the chromatographic separation and mass detection were enhanced. Extraction of the dyes, in the Arraiolos carpet samples, was performed using mild conditions that avoid glycoside decomposition. For the blues a dimethylformamide solution proved to be efficient for indigotin recovery. For all the other colours, an improved mild extraction method (with oxalic acid, methanol, acetone and water) was used, enabling to obtain the full dye source fingerprint, namely the flavonoid glycosides in the yellow dyes.     

Biosorbents from Plant Fibers of Hemp and Flax for Metal Removal: Comparison of Their Biosorption Properties

Lignocellulosic fibers extracted from plants are considered an interesting raw material for environmentally friendly products with multiple applications. This work investigated the feasibility of using hemp- and flax-based materials in the form of felts as biosorbents for the removal of metals present in aqueous solutions. Biosorption of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn from a single solution by the two lignocellulosic-based felts was examined using a batch mode. The parameters studied were initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and pH. In controlled conditions, the results showed that: (i) the flax-based felt had higher biosorption capacities with respect to the metals studied than the hemp-based felt; (ii) the highest removal efficiency was always obtained for Cu ions, and the following order of Cu > Cd > Zn > Ni > Co > Al > Mn was found for both examined biosorbents; (iii) the process was rapid and 10 min were sufficient to attain the equilibrium; (iv) the efficiency improved with the increase of the adsorbent dosage; and (v) the biosorption capacities were independent of pH between 4 and 6. Based on the obtained results, it can be considered that plant-based felts are new, efficient materials for metal removal.     

Mass Spectrometric Identification of Antimicrobial Peptides from Medicinal Seeds

Traditional medicinal plants contain a variety of bioactive natural products including cysteine-rich (Cys-rich) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Cys-rich AMPs are often crosslinked by multiple disulfide bonds which increase their resistance to chemical and enzymatic degradation. However, this class of molecules is relatively underexplored. Herein, in silico analysis predicted 80–100 Cys-rich AMPs per species from three edible traditional medicinal plants: Linum usitatissimum (flax), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Sesamum indicum (sesame). Bottom-up proteomic analysis of seed peptide extracts revealed direct evidence for the translation of 3–10 Cys-rich AMPs per species, including lipid transfer proteins, defensins, α-hairpinins, and snakins. Negative activity revealed by antibacterial screening highlights the importance of employing a multi-pronged approach for AMP discovery. Further, this study demonstrates that flax, red clover, and sesame are promising sources for further AMP discovery and characterization.     

Langmuir-Blodgett Films of Amphiphiles with Cyano Headgroups

Surface pressure-area isotherms for a number of structurally related aromatic cyano derivatives were recorded. T15 (4-cyano-4″-n-pentyl-p-terphenyl) gave the most cohesive monolayer owing to a greater degree of intermolecular π orbital overlap. This compound gave Z-type multilayer deposition and an explanation for this transfer behaviour is proposed based on dipole-dipole interactions between adjacent layers. An X-ray diffraction study showed the layer thickness to be 20.5 ± 0.5Å and a molecular packing model consistent with this value is presented. Preliminary comparisons are made with the monolayer and multilayer behaviour of long-chain alkyl cyanides.