Photocatalytic degradation of 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl) propane (BPP) based on molecular recognition interaction

BACKGROUND: Endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment and their potential adverse effects are currently issues of concern. One of these endocrine disruptors is 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)propane (BPP). In this work the molecular recognition interaction of BPP with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was studied using IR spectroscopy and steady state fluorescence spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic degradation behaviour of BPP based on molecular recognition interaction was investigated in a TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This might provide a new method for the treatment of some organic pollutants in wastewater. RESULTS: β‐CD reacts with BPP to form a 1:1 inclusion complex, the formation constant of which is 4.94 × 10³ L mol^?1. The photodegradation rate constant of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD showed a 1.42‐fold increase in the TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. The photodegradation of BPP depended on the concentration of β‐CD, the pH value, the gaseous medium and the initial concentration of BPP. The photodegradation efficiency of BPP with molecular recognition was higher than that without molecular recognition. After 100 min of irradiation the mineralisation efficiency of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD reached 94.8%, whereas the mineralisation efficiency of BPP before molecular recognition by β‐CD was only 40.6%. CONCLUSION: The photocatalytic degradation of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD can be enhanced in the TiO₂/UV‐visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This enhancement is dependent on the enhancement of the adsorption of BPP, the moderate inclusion depth of BPP in the β‐CD cavity and the increase in the frontier electron density of BPP after molecular recognition. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal stabilization effect of biphenol monoacrylate on polyamide 6

Biphenol monoacrylate (AL) was combined with a traditional hindered phenolic‐based binary antioxidant system to form a ternary stabilization system for the purpose of further improving the thermal–oxidative stability of polyamide 6 (PA6). The thermal stabilization effect of the antioxidant AL on PA6 was studied in terms of the reduced viscosity, the chemical structure, the yellow index, and the mechanical properties. The results showed that the antioxidant AL, with the proper chemical structure, could improve the thermal stability of PA6 effectively through a unique bifunctional stabilizing mechanism. The interaction of the molecules of PA6 with the antioxidant AL was investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Microstructural investigation of long-term degradation mechanisms in GFRP dowel bars for jointed concrete pavement

Steel dowel bar is used to transfer loads in concrete pavement slab. However, once the steel dowel bar corrodes, it may cause faults, such as joint freezing in concrete pavement, level differences resulting from spalling or decreased efficiency of load transfer, etc., which are the same problems experienced by typical reinforcing steel. This study evaluated the applicability of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowel bar as a substitute for steel dowel bar. A microstructural analysis was conducted to examine the decrease in durability of GFRP dowel bar exposed to deterioration environments. To analyze the deterioration mechanism of GFRP dowel bar, scanning electron microscopy was employed and the porosity was measured by the gas absorption method. It was concluded that the longer the GFRP dowel bar was exposed to deterioration environments, the more the interlaminar shear stress decreased. This result was validated by the microstructural analysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Water absorption properties of phosphate glass fiber‐reinforced poly‐ϵ‐caprolactone composites for craniofacial bone repair

The moisture uptake of polymers and composites has increasing significance where these materials are specified for invasive, long‐term medical applications. Here we analyze mass gain and the ensuing degradation mechanisms in phosphate glass fiber reinforced poly‐?‐caprolactone laminates. Specimens were manufactured using in situ polymerization of ?‐caprolactone around a bed of phosphate glass fibers. The latter were sized with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane to control the rate of modulus degradation. Fiber content was the main variable in the study, and it was found that the moisture diffusion coefficient increased significantly with increasing fiber volume fraction. Diffusion, plasticization, and leaching of constituents appear to be the dominant aspects of the process over these short‐term tests. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Kinetic study of the decompositions involved in the thermal degradation of commercial azodicarbonamide

The transitions and reactions involved in the thermal treatment of several commercial azodicarbonamides (ADC) in an inert atmosphere have been studied by dynamic thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A pseudo‐mechanistic model, involving several competitive and non‐competitive reactions, has been suggested and applied to the correlation of the weight loss data. The model applied is capable of accurately representing the different processes involved, and can be of great interest in the understanding and quantification of such phenomena, including the simulation of the instantaneous amount of gases evolved in a foaming process. In addition, a brief discussion on the methodology related to the mathematical modeling of TGA data is presented, taking into account the complex thermal behaviour of the ADC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Enzymic and in sacco methods to estimate rumen degradation of food protein in cattle

BACKGROUND: Two factorial studies compared enzymic and in sacco methods to estimate degradation of ruminant foods. Enzyme degradation (in vitro = enzyme) was determined from the release of leucine‐equivalent amino acid (LA) crude protein (CP) from sunflower meal (SF), maize gluten meal (MG), distillers' dark grain (DG) and field beans (FB) after their separate incubations with Streptomyces griseus enzyme for 0–24 h. In sacco crude protein (CP) degradation of these foods was estimated during washing (0 h) and rumen incubations in fistulated cows for 2–24 h. The LA data were expressed as g LA per either kg of CP (LACP) or acid‐hydrolysable LA (HLA) of each food and compared with in sacco data. RESULTS: These methods showed comparable degradation with time (P < 0.01). The in sacco and HLA were greater than LACP for all foods except MG where in sacco value was either lower or equal to LACP depending upon the incubation time (P > 0.05 or P < 0.05). Conversely, HLA was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than LACP from 2 h onwards. At 0 h, in sacco values were significantly greater than those of enzyme for SF, DG and FB (P < 0.05) but not for MG. The foods differed significantly for degradation constants (a, b, c) in each method (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite variations between in sacco and enzyme estimates for different foods, the relationships between these estimates suggest that the HLA enzyme method has the potential to estimate food degradation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Analysis of a Biodegradable Polyurethane

A polyester urethane was synthesized for use in a biodegradable scaffold. The polyurethane was synthesized in a two-step process: first, ester diol was synthesized from lactic acid and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), then it was polymerized with toluene diisocyanate using dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTDL) as a catalyst to form a polyester urethane. Polyester urethane has tensile strength of 51-59 MPa and elongation at fracture of 369-439%. FTIR and XRD were used to confirm the formation and structure of the polymer. Hydrolytic degradation was studied in different alkali solutions and in saline water. In order to assess the cellular response of this material, cytotoxicity analysis was carried out against the cell line.     

Studies on the treatment of brilliant green solution by combination microwave induced oxidation with CoFe2O4

In this work the synergistic effects of microwave (MW) irradiation induced oxidation processes and CoFe₂O₄ were studied for the degradation of brilliant green (BG) from aqueous solutions. Under the optimum condition, the ratio of solid to liquid was 1:167 (0.3 g CoFe₂O₄ mixed with 50 mL of 20 mg L⁻¹ BG solution), MW power 600 W, and the time of the irradiation 2 min. And the decolorization rate could reach up to 100%. Further investigation showed that BG was degraded by MW-induced oxidation combined with CoFe₂O₄ surface adsorption. The CoFe₂O₄ could increase the efficiencies of MW degradation and be used repeatedly. The experimental results indicated that the method of MW degradation BG in the presence of CoFe₂O₄ could reduce reaction time and increase product yield.     

P2井特殊烃组分气测异常显示层探讨

正常的油气显示层气测组分分布遵循一定的规律，而准噶尔盆地西北部的P2井在钻探过程中发现了不符合正常气测分布规律的气测异常显示层，由此引起多方关注与争议。在简述该井气测异常特点及特殊性基础上，对其产生原因进行了探讨，认为第一气测异常层无C1、C2值是由于该层原油为未成熟原油，裂解、降解不彻底所致，第二、第三显示层只有C1则是由于该层为稠油层，C1是微生物降解的结果。通过对相邻区块资料分析，进一步提出了以气测全烃曲线形态为主结合垒烃相对幅度与全烃饱满程度图板的气测异常显示解释评价方法，对于指导其他区块类似情况的研究具有参照作用。     

反应温度对聚苯胺薄膜生长的影响

在不同反应温度条件下采用原位聚合法在石英基片上制备了聚苯胺薄膜．对薄膜样品进行了紫外光谱、SEM、电性能表征。实验结果表明，过高的合成温度会加速聚合反应过程，抑制膜厚的增长，引起薄膜的热降解，进而对样品的导电性产生不良影响。根据生长速率与合成温度的依赖关系，估算了聚合反应的活化能Ea=34.4kJ/mol。