Formaldehyde biodegradation in the presence of methanol under denitrifying conditions

Simultaneous formaldehyde and methanol biodegradation and also denitrification were studied in batch assays and in a continuous laboratory‐scale reactor. In batch assays, high formaldehyde concentrations (up to 1360 mg dm^?3) were removed under anoxic conditions in the presence of methanol. It was found that formaldehyde biodegradation produced methanol and formic acid as products. The denitrification process was affected by the initial formaldehyde concentration. In the continuous reactor, the biodegradation of different concentrations of formaldehyde (1500–275 mg dm^?3) and methanol (153–871 mg dm^?3) took place, maintaining the organic loading rate at 0.84 g COD dm^?3 d^?1 (COD/N 4). However, each increase in the methanol concentration in the influent caused a decrease in the denitrification level. An adaptation period to methanol was necessary before the denitrification percentage could be recovered. In contrast with batch assays, in the continuous reactor methanol and formic acid were not detected in the effluent. Moreover, in the continuous reactor the denitrification percentages were higher and the nitrite accumulation was lower. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of formaldehyde/urea molar ratio in amino resins by near‐infrared spectroscopy

New processes for synthesis of urea‐formaldehyde (UF) and melamine‐fortified urea‐formaldehyde (mUF) resins have been developed in the last years, motivated by the current concerns about the effects of formaldehyde on human health. All these formulations are quite susceptible to possible operation error, which can significantly influence the characteristics of the final product. The main objective of this work was to implement chemometric techniques for off‐line monitoring of the product's formaldehyde/urea (F/U) molar ratio using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. This allows the timely implementation of the necessary corrections in case the product is off‐specification. Calibration models for F/U molar ratio were developed taking into account the most relevant spectral regions for these resins, individually or in combination (7502–6098 cm^?1 and 5000–4246 cm^?1) and using different preprocessing methods. When the appropriate spectral range and preprocessing methods are selected, it is possible to obtain calibration models with high correlation values for these resins. The best preprocessing methods were identified for three cases: UF resin (produced by strongly‐acid process), mUF resin (alkaline‐acid process), and a combined model that involves both UF and mUF resins. It was concluded that significantly better accuracy is obtained when a new model is developed for each particular resin system. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Optimization of lactic acid production from whey by L casei NRRL B‐441 immobilized in chitosan stabilized Ca‐alginate beads

The production of lactic acid from whey by Lactobacillus casei NRRL B‐441 immobilized in chitosan‐stabilized Ca‐alginate beads was investigated. Higher lactic acid production and lower cell leakage were observed with alginate–chitosan beads compared with Ca‐alginate beads. The highest lactic acid concentration (131.2 g dm^?3) was obtained with cells entrapped in 1.3–1.7 mm alginate–chitosan beads prepared from 2% (w/v) Na‐alginate. The gel beads produced lactic acid for five consecutive batch fermentations without marked activity loss and deformation. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of three fermentation parameters (initial sugar, yeast extract and calcium carbonate concentrations) on the concentration of lactic acid. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the fit of the model was good in all cases. Initial sugar, yeast extract and calcium carbonate concentrations had a strong linear effect on lactic acid production. The maximum lactic acid concentration of 136.3 g dm^?3 was obtained at the optimum concentrations of process variables (initial sugar 147.35 g dm^?3, yeast extract 28.81 g dm^?3, CaCO₃ 97.55 g dm^?3). These values were obtained by fitting of the experimental data to the model equation. The response surface methodology was found to be useful in optimizing and determining the interactions among process variables in lactic acid production using alginate–chitosan‐immobilized cells. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Uron and uron–urea‐formaldehyde resins

The favored pH ranges for the formation of urons in urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resins preparation were determined, these being at pH's higher than 6 and lower than 4 at which the equilibrium urons ↔ N,N′‐dimethylol ureas are shifted in favor of the cyclic uron species. Shifting the pH slowly during the preparation from one favorable range to the other causes shift in the equilibrium and formation of a majority of methylol ureas species, whereas a rapid change in pH does not cause this to any great extent. UF resins in which uron constituted as much as 60% of the resin were prepared and the procedure to maximize the proportion of uron present at the end of the reaction is described. Uron was found to be present in these resins also as linked by methylene bridges to urea and other urons and also as methylol urons, the reactivity of the methylol group of this latter having been shown to be much lower than that of the same group in methylol ureas. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) tests and tests on wood particleboard prepared with uron resins to which relatively small proportions of urea were added at the end of the reaction were capable of gelling and yielding bonds of considerable strength. Equally, mixing a uron‐rich resin with a low F/U molar ratio UF resin yielded resins of greater strength than a simple UF of corresponding molar ratio indicating that UF resins of lower formaldehyde emission with still acceptable strength could be prepared with these resins. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 277–289, 1999     

Ultrasound initiated functionalization of SEBS with maleic anhydride

The functionalization of styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐1‐butene)‐b‐styrene tri‐block copolymer with maleic anhydride (MAH) in melt state through ultrasound initiation was studied in this article. The effects of plasticizer content and types, MAH content, ultrasound power, and die temperature on grafting ratio of MAH were investigated by means of acid–base titration. Functionalized products were confirmed by new absorption bands in Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the ultrasound initiated products had lower complex viscosity (η^*), lower gel content as well as lower molecular weight than peroxide initiated products, indicating that the ultrasound could cause chain scission and suppress the crosslinking side reaction to gain functionalized products, which have less gel content and high grafting ratio. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Study of glycidyl ether as a new kind of modifier for urea‐formaldehyde wood adhesives

In this work, the multiepoxy functional glycidyl ether (GE) modified urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resins were synthesized via a traditional alkaline‐acid process under low formaldehyde/urea (F/U) molar ratio. The synthesized resins were characterized by ¹³C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C‐NMR), indicating that GE can effectively react with UF resins via the ring‐opening reaction of epoxy groups. Moreover, the residual epoxy groups of GE could also participate in the curing reaction of UF resins, which was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The storage stability of GE‐modified UF resins and the thermal degradation behavior of the synthesized resins were evaluated by using optical microrheology and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Meanwhile, the synthesized resins were further employed to prepare the plywood with the veneers glued. For the modification on bonding strength and formaldehyde emission of the plywood, the influences of addition method, type, and amount of GE were systematically investigated. The performance of UF adhesives were remarkably improved by the modification of GE around 20–30% (weight percentage of total urea) in the acidic condensation stage during the resin synthesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by a new phenolformaldehyde polymer resin derived by the insertion of sulfur ligands in the form of xanthate

A new phenolformaldehyde polymer resin containing potential soft‐type donor atoms (sulfur atoms) was synthesized by the reaction of sodium salt of 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone formaldehyde resin with carbon disulfide. The resin was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and ¹H‐NMR spectral studies. Because of its insolubility in aqueous media, the resin was successfully used in the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II). Parameters such as the effect of pH, the effect of time, competitive studies, the effect of initial metal‐ion concentration, and the recyclability of the polymer resin were studied. The amount of metal removed by the resin was determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The retention properties were strongly dependent on pH. The elution of metal ions was investigated in acid media. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1932–1936, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of sulphanilic acid–dithiooxamide–formaldehyde terpolymer resin for adsorption of nickel ions from waste water

A new chelating terpolymer resin of sulphanilic acid–dithiooxamide–formaldehyde (SDTOF) was synthesized. Dithiooxamide–formaldehyde (DTOF) was prepared by the reaction of dithiooxamide and formaldehyde. These resins were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. Chelating resins beads were applied for adsorption of nickel (II) ions by batch and column techniques. Sorption experiments were performed by varying pH, agitation time, sorbent dosage and initial concentration of nickel (II) ion solution. SDTOF and DTOF resins showed adsorption capacity of 188.3 and 99.8 mg g^?1, respectively. Nickel adsorption isotherms data were fitted to Langmuir isotherm. Kinetic studies showed the adsorption process followed pseudosecond‐order rate model. Desorption of Ni(II) ions was done using 0.1 M HCl, HNO₃, and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid solutions. The reusability of SDTOF and DTOF resins for the removal of Ni(II) ions was also determined after 10 sorption?desorption cycles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:163–172, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

In situ modification of cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin with boric acid for high‐performance applications

A boron‐containing cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin (BCFR) was synthesized from cyclohexanone, formaldehyde, and boric acid. The effects of the boric acid concentration, solubility, molecular weight, and thermal properties on the product were investigated. Characterization of the BCFRs was done by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the samples were determined with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The study results demonstrate that the resin had higher heat‐resistance properties than the commonly modified cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin. The obtained samples were also characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Urea–formaldehyde resin prepared with concentrated formaldehyde

The characteristics of UF resin prepared with concentrated formaldehyde were studied in this paper. With the molar ratio F/U = 1.1, the UF resin prepared with concentrated formaldehyde showed better mechanical properties than that with formalin. The ¹³C-NMR and FTIR results indicated that there were more methylene groups, ether groups and urons in a UF resin system prepared with concentrated formaldehyde than those in a normal UF resin. The differential scanning calorimetry and DMA results showed that the curing temperature of UF resin with concentrated formaldehyde was lower than that of a normal UF resin. UF resin with concentrated formaldehyde showed worse thermal stability and higher thermal decomposition temperature.     

Dynamic and capillary shear rheology of natural fiber‐reinforced composites

An extended dynamic and capillary rheological study of molten flax and sisal polypropylene (PP) composites was performed. Fiber concentration varied from 20 to 50 wt% and shear rate from 0.1 rad s^?1 to 10,000 s^#142;?1. Maleic anhydride‐grafted‐PP was used as compatibilizer; it strongly reduces PP and composite viscosity. Composites are yield‐stress shear‐thinning fluids with solid‐like behavior being more pronounced at high fiber content. Composites do not obey Cox–Merz rule, which was explained by different macrostructures of the molten composites in parallel plates and capillary die geometries: random fiber orientation versus strong alignment in the flow direction, respectively. Theories describing the viscosity of suspensions of solid particles were applied to the composites studied and rheological parameters and maximal packing fiber volume fraction were calculated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2582–2593, 2013. ©2013 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Formaldehyde biodegradation and its inhibitory effect on nitrification

The simultaneous removal of formaldehyde and ammonium in aerobic cultures and the inhibitory effect of formaldehyde on ammonium oxidation were investigated. The influence of a co‐substrate, methanol, on formaldehyde biodegradation and on the nitrification process was also evaluated. Formaldehyde was completely removed at all concentrations tested (30–3890 mg dm^?3) in assays with that compound as the single carbon source and in the presence of methanol as co‐substrate. An initial formaldehyde biodegradation rate of 4.6 g CH₂O g^?1 VSS d^?1 was obtained for 2000 mg CH₂O dm^?3 as single carbon source compared with a rate of 7.3 g CH₂O g^?1 VSS d^?1 when methanol was added. Formaldehyde was inhibitory to the nitrification process at initial concentrations higher than 350 mg dm^?3. Increasing the initial formaldehyde concentration or adding a co‐substrate such as methanol resulted in a longer lag phase before ammonium oxidation and caused a decrease in the degree of nitrification. Nitrification was completely inhibited at initial formaldehyde concentrations higher than 1500 mg dm^?3. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthetic resin. XII. Synthesis and characterization of new terpolymer resins derived from 8‐hydroxyquinoline 5‐sulfonic acid,melamine, and formaldehyde

Terpolymers 8‐hydroxyquinoline 5‐sulphonic acid–melamine–formaldehyde (8‐HQ5‐SAMF) were synthesized through the condensation of 8‐hydroxyquinoline 5‐sulfonic acid and melamine with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst. Four different terpolymers were synthesized with various molar proportions of the reacting monomers. The terpolymer resin compositions were determined on the basis of elemental analysis. The number‐average molecular weights of these resins were determined by conductometric titration in a nonaqueous medium; viscometric measurements in dimethyl sulfoxide were carried out to ascertain the characteristic functions and constants. Ultraviolet–visible, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to elucidate the structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and film properties of epoxy esters modified with amino resins from glycolysis products of postconsumer PET bottles

Glycolysis of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes obtained from grinding postconsumer bottles was carried out at 225–250°C and molar ratios of PET/ethylene glycol were taken as 1/1, 1/1.5, 1/5, and 1/10. Reaction product was extracted by hot water for three times and water‐soluble crystallizable fraction and water‐insoluble fraction were obtained. These fractions were characterized by acid and hydroxyl value determinations, differential scanning calorimeter analysis, and ¹H‐NMR analysis. Glycolysis product was used for synthesis of PET‐based epoxy resin. This epoxy resin was used to prepare epoxy ester resins having 40% and 50% oil content. Epoxy ester resin having 40% oil content was modified with urea‐formaldehyde and melamine‐formaldehyde resins for synthesis of epoxy ester–amino resin. Physical and chemical film properties of epoxy ester and modified epoxy ester resins were investigated. All the epoxy ester and modified epoxy ester films were having excellent adhesion, water, and salt water resistance properties. Modification of PET‐based epoxy ester resins with amino resin has significantly improved hardness, impact resistance, and alkaline and acid resistance of resin films. As a result, PET oligomers obtained from glycolysis of postconsumer PET bottles are suitable for manufacturing of amino‐resin‐modified epoxy ester resins that have improved physical and chemical surface coating properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2519–2525, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrochemical Biosensor Based on surfactant doped polypyrrole (PPy) matrix for lactose determination

Lactose biosensor based on surfactant doped polypyrrole (PPy) was developed. Galactose oxidase and β‐galactosidase was coimmobilized in PPy matrix during electropolymerization process with the presence of sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid as surfactant. Bi‐enzyme entrapped PPy was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The response of the enzyme electrode was measured by CV in the range of ?0.1 to 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl which was due to the electrooxidation of enzymatically produced H₂O₂. The effect of lactose concentration was investigated. Response time of biosensor was found to be 8–10 s (the time required to obtain the maximum peak current) and upper limit of the linear working portions was found to be 1.22 mM lactose concentration with a detection limit of (2.6 × 10^?6 M). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was found to be 0.117 mM lactose. The effects of interferents (ascorbic acid and uric acid) were determined. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40200.     

Reactive adsorption for the selective dehydration of sugars to furans: Modeling and experiments

5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) can be produced from the acid‐catalyzed dehydration of fructose, but its yield is limited due to subsequent HMF degradation to side products. A reactive adsorption process is proposed to improve the yield to HMF. Separate experimental single‐component isotherms of fructose, HMF, formic acid, and levulinic acid on carbon BP2000 and reaction kinetics of the fructose dehydration to HMF in aqueous solution of HCl are presented to develop empirical isotherms and kinetic rate constants, respectively. These submodels are subsequently integrated in an adsorptive reactor at a range of temperatures (100–150^°C) with different loadings of adsorbent. It is shown that the adsorbent improves HMF yield compared to the single‐solution phase (adsorbent‐free case). Low temperatures and high‐adsorbent loadings improve HMF yield. Under certain conditions both reactive adsorption and the commonly used reactive extraction can result in a similar improvement in HMF yield. HMF recovery from the solid adsorbent has been identified as a major challenge that can be ameliorated through adsorbent and solvent selection. The framework outlined here can be applied to any aqueous phase chemistry where the desired product is an intermediate in a reaction cascade. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3378–3390, 2013     

Synthesis of functionalized phenolformaldehyde polymer resins by the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone formaldehyde resin with various amines and their metal ion uptake properties

A series of functionalized phenolformaldehyde polymer resins have been synthesized by the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone‐formaldehyde resin with the amines, such as ethanolamine, aminophenol, ethylenediamine, and propylenediamine in dichloromethane. The Schiffbase polymers were characterized by IR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal stabilities of the polymers were determined by TG and DTA studies. Heavy and toxic metal ions viz., Pb(II), Hg(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) have been removed using these polymer resins. Metal uptake efficiency, reusability, effect of pH, effect of time, and effect of initial concentration on the metal uptake were also studied. Amount of metal removed by the resin was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The retention properties were also tested under competitive conditions and were found to be depend strongly on the pH. Elution of metal ions were investigated in acid media. The uptake behaviour of the resins was approximately described by Freundlich's equation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1501–1509, 2004     

Studies on Phenol‐Formaldehyde Gel Formation at a High Temperature and at Different pH

Gel formation characteristic of dilute phenol‐formaldehyde solution in water is studied at an elevated temperature near 140°C. It is experimentally found that at a temperature range of 135°C to 140°C, a solution containing 3.0% phenol with the phenol‐formaldehyde mole ratio 1.0:3.5 forms a gel in the pH range of 9.6 to 12.0. The minimum gelling time is observed at a pH value of 10.4. The gel formation is found to be strongly dependent on the pH at this elevated temperature. An explanation for the gelling behaviour is presented, which is based on an optimum ion concentration of Na⁺ to initiate the tri‐methylol formation. It is hypothesized that the gel formation begins when concentration of tri‐methylol phenol attains a threshold concentration value. Experimental observations and a kinetic analysis provide support for this hypothesis.     

Cryostructuration of polymer systems. XXIV. Poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels filled with particles of a strong anion exchanger: Properties of the composite materials and potential applications

A composite material produced from a poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel with entrapped particles of the strong anion‐exchange resin Amberlite is presented. The properties of the composite material depended strongly on whether the resin was used in OH^? form or Cl^? form. The ion‐exchange filler in OH^? form caused both a significant reinforcement of the composite material and an increase in the gel fusion temperature. These effects were thought to be associated with the additional ionic bonding between the continuous and disperse phases. Beads 200–600 μm in size were prepared from the composite material and used in expanded‐bed ion‐exchange chromatography for the capture of the negatively charged solutes benzoate and lactate from the suspension of negatively charged cells. The plausibility of the approach has been demonstrated on model systems composed of yeast cells and benzoate and with a real fermentation broth produced after lactic acid fermentation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 529–538, 2005     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal,and chelation potentials of polymeric hydrazone based on 2,4‐dihydroxy benzophenone

A chelating polymer, poly(2,4‐dihydroxy benzophenone hydrazone–formaldehyde) [poly(DHBPH–F)], was synthesized by the polycondensation of 2,4‐dihydroxy benzophenone hydrazone with formaldehyde in the presence of oxalic acid as a catalyst. Poly(DHBPH–F) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and ¹H‐NMR spectral data. The molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Polychelates were obtained when the dimethylformamide solution of the polymer containing a few drops of ammonia was treated with an aqueous solution of metal ions. Elemental analysis of the polychelates indicated that the metal–ligand ratio was 1 : 2. The IR spectra of the polymer–metal complexes suggested that the metals were coordinated through the oxygen of the phenolic? OH group and the nitrogen of the azomethine group. The electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic moment data indicated a square planar configuration for Cu(II) chelate and an octahedral structure for Ni(II) chelate. The thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction data indicated that the incorporation of the metal ions significantly enhanced the degree of crystallinity. The polymerization initiation, electrical conductivity, and catalytic activity of the polychelates are discussed. Heavy‐metal ions [viz., Cu(II) and Ni(II)] were removed with this formaldehyde resin, and the metal‐ion uptake efficiency at different pH's, the nature and concentration of the electrolyte, and the reusability of the resin were also studied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010