Characterization of agarose microparticles prepared by water-in-water emulsification

Microparticles have a wide range of applications in various areas. In this study, agarose microparticles (AGM) were successfully prepared by using a water-in-water (w/w) emulsification (WWEM) technique to eliminate the use of a surfactant. An aqueous agarose solution was employed as the dispersed phase, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as the continuous phase. We evaluated how the characteristics of the microparticles were affected by different processing factors, including temperature, agitation speed, stirring time, concentration of agarose, and proportions of the two phases. The agarose microparticles obtained were nearly perfect spheres, and their particle sizes decreased with an increase in the agitation speed. Physicochemical characterization suggested that agarose microparticles, due to their ubiquitous stability, could be applied in most mild environments.     

Protection efficiencies of surface-active inhibitors in zinc-air batteries

Zinc (Zn) particles in alkaline electrolyte of a Zn-air battery (ZAB) are unstable and prone to corrosion. Zinc oxide (ZnO) generated on the surface of Zn particles affects the electrochemical reactions and reduces the battery efficiency. Thus, inhibiting the self-corrosion rate of Zn particles has become acritical issue for the development of these batteries. In this study, a research endeavor has been attempted by employing three types and concentrations of organic inhibitors in ZABs to constrain Zn anode corrosion. Significant analyses like polarization curve, constant current discharge, AC impedance, and dendrite growth are executed for in-depth understanding of the influences of these inhibitors. The experimental results reveal that the inhibiting efficiency of 10 wt% Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate surpassed polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG 600) and polysorbate 20 (Tween 20), with a maximum current density of 476.20 mA/cm² and voltage output of 1.4 V along with discharge capacitance of 10.31 Ah for 2 hours and 8 minutes. Zn anode surface analysis exposes significant dendrite growth and elemental Zn required for passivation suppression. Nevertheless, the results are also justified by Nyquist and Bode plots. Thus, the selected inhibitor will proficiently guarantee the enhanced performance and stability of the ZABs obtained and provide enormous opportunities for its applications.     

Cross-linking of cellulose and poly(ethylene glycol) with citric acid

A novel approach to modifying native cellulosic fibres with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) impregnation and simultaneous cross-linking by citric acid (CA) was investigated. To understand the contributions of different components in the system, control references with just CA and cellulosic fibres (filter paper) were studied. The effect of sodium hypophosphite as a catalyst was also assessed. The results revealed that ester bonds are indeed formed in the cellulose–PEG–CA reaction system, as indicated by weight percentage gain (WPG) and FTIR analysis. The best results were achieved by using 5% CA and 10% PEG (calculated as weight-% from cellulose). In the reaction, the environmentally friendly CA prevents PEG from being leached out of cellulose during washing, resulting in promising future applications in dimensionally stabilized products based on cellulosic fibres.     

The effects of processing parameters on the morphology of PLA/PEG melt electrospun fibers

Electrospinning of a polymer melt is an ideal technique to produce highly porous nanofibrous or microfibrous scaffolds appropriate for biomedical applications. In recent decades, melt electrospinning has been known as an eco‐friendly procedure as it eliminates the cytotoxic effects of the solvents used in solution electrospinning. In this work, the effects of spinning conditions such as temperature, applied voltage, nozzle to collector distance and collector type as well as polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration on the diameter of melt electrospun polylactic acid (PLA)/PEG fibers were studied. The thermal stability of PLA/PEG blends was monitored through TGA and rheometry. Morphological investigations were carried out via optical and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the results, blends were almost stable over the temperature range of melt electrospinning (170 ? 230 °C) and a short spinning time of 5 min. To obtain non‐woven meshes with uniform fiber morphologies, experimental parameters were optimized using ANOVA. While increasing the temperature, applied voltage and PEG content resulted in thinner fibers, PEG concentration was the most influential factor on the fiber diameter. In addition, a nozzle to collector distance of 10 cm was found to be the most suitable for preparing uniform non‐woven PLA/PEG meshes. At higher PEG concentrations, alterations in the collector distance did not affect the uniformity of fibers, although at lower distances vigorous bending instabilities due to polarity augmentation and viscosity reduction resulted in curly fibrous meshes. Finally, the finest and submicron scale fibers were obtained through melt electrospinning of PLA/PEG (70/30) blend collected on a metallic frame. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

The role of the ratio (PEG:PPG) of a triblock copolymer (PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG) in the cure kinetics,miscibility and thermal and mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of different poly(ethylene glycol):poly(propylene glycol) (PEG:PPG) molar ratios in a triblock copolymer in the cure kinetics, miscibility and thermal and mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix. The poly(propylene glycol)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(propylene glycol) (PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG) triblock copolymers used had two different molecular masses: 3300 and 2000 g mol^?1. The mass concentration of PEG in the copolymer structure played a key role in the miscibility and cure kinetics of the blend as well as in the thermal–mechanical properties. Phase separation was observed only for blends formed with the 3300 g mol^?1 triblock copolymer at 20 wt%. Concerning thermal properties, the miscibility of the copolymer in the epoxy matrix reduced the T_g value by 13 °C, although a 62% increase in fracture toughness (K_IC) was observed. After the addition of PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG with 3300 g mol^?1 there was a reduction in the modulus of elasticity by 8% compared to the neat matrix; no significant changes were observed in T_g values for the immiscible system. The use of PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG with 2000 g mol^?1 reduced the modulus of elasticity by approximately 47% and increased toughness (K_IC) up to 43%. Finally, for the curing kinetics of all materials, the incorporation of the triblock copolymer PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG delayed the cure reaction of the DGEBA/DDM (DGEBA, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; DDM, Q3‐4,4′‐Diaminodiphenylmethane) system when there is miscibility and accelerated the cure reaction when it is immiscible. All experimental curing reactions could be fitted to the Kamal autocatalytic model presenting an excellent agreement with experimental data. This model was able to capture some interesting features of the addition of triblock copolymers in an epoxy resin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and two-step sintering behavior of solution derived corundum abrasives with plate-like grains

Corundum abrasives with plate-like grains were fabricated by a two-step sintering technique using the solution-based process with the addition of the ternary compound additive Na₃AlF₆-CaO-SiO₂. The two-step sintering method showed obvious advantages over conventional sintering methods in promoting sample densification, suppressing grain growth, and homogenizing the microstructure of the corundum abrasives. The sample doped with 2.5?wt% Na₃AlF₆ and 4?wt% CaO + SiO₂ in the molar ratio of 1:1 possessed a relative density of 99.3%, average grain size of 0.54?µm, and single-particle compressive strength of 49?N. The introduction of seeds reduced the temperature of θ- to α-Al₂O₃ phase transformation. The relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the abrasives was also discussed.     

ε-CL-20不同晶面与PVA、PEG复合物的MD模拟

为探讨和比较在ε-CL-20(六硝基六氮杂异伍兹烷)(001)、(110)和(020)晶面上的ε-CL-20/PVA(聚乙烯醇)与ε-CL-20/PEG(聚乙二醇)复合物的稳定性和力学性能,在COMPASS力场下,对ε-CL-20/PVA与ε-CL-20/PEG进行了常温常压分子动力学(MD)模拟研究。求得其内聚能密度(CED),结合能(E_(bind))和弹性参数(拉伸模量E、剪切模量G、体积模量K、泊松比ν和柯西压C_(12)-C_(44))。结果表明,在相同晶面上,ε-CL-20/PEG的CED比ε-CL-20/PVA的大,表明前者稳定性优于后者。对于同一复合物,其CED排序为(020)(001)(110)。在相同晶面上,PEG与晶面的E_(bind)比PVA的大。对同一复合物,其E_(bind)大小次序为(001)(110)(020)。依据泊松比和K/G值,ε-CL-20/PEG的弹性和延展性均优于ε-CL-20/PVA。     

溶胶凝胶法制备Li_4Ti_5O_(12)/C负极材料及电化学性能

采用溶胶凝胶法,以有机物钛酸四丁酯和醋酸锂为原料,草酸为螯合剂,PEG为碳源制备出Li_4Ti_5O_(12)/C复合材料前驱体,在N_2气氛中850℃高温煅烧制备出Li_4Ti_5O_(12)/C复合材料。通过XRD、SEM分析表明,850℃下煅烧10 h合成结晶性良好的亚微米级纯相尖晶石钛酸锂。电化学性能测试结果表明,Li_4Ti_5O_(12)/C在0.2C,1C,2C倍率下的首次放电比容量分别为173.3、168.7、166.3 mAh/g。与Li_4Ti_5O_(12)相比,显示出良好的倍率性。     

PET/PEG共聚酯连续熔融终缩聚过程两相稳态模型分析

针对高性能共聚酯PET/PEG缩聚过程,建立了圆盘反应器中连续熔融聚合两相稳态模型,模拟分析了缩聚反应温度、压力、停留时间以及传质系数对气相组成、共聚酯数均分子量、端羧基浓度以及副产物二甘醇和水浓度的影响。结果表明：挥发组分主要在反应器的前半部分产生,在z > 0.4后气相挥发总量已经很小;乙二醇占气相组成的比例极高,约为90%,而二甘醇的含量极低,只为0.5%左右;随反应器温度、真空度、停留时间、传质系数的增加,共聚酯产物的分子量增大,当传质系数大于0.1 s^-1后,反应器出口的共聚酯分子量几乎不再变化,此时已不受传质控制,最终产物的分子量约26000。     

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP): A versatile and forceful tool for functional membranes

The progress in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) provides an effective means for the design and preparation of functional membranes. Polymeric membranes with different macromolecular architectures applied in fuel cells, including block and graft copolymers are conveniently prepared via ATRP. Moreover, ATRP has also been widely used to introduce functionality onto the membrane surface to enhance its use in specific applications, such as antifouling, stimuli-responsive, adsorption function and pervaporation. In this review, the recent design and synthesis of advanced functional membranes via the ATRP technique are discussed in detail and their especial advantages are highlighted by selected examples extract the principles for preparation or modification of membranes using the ATRP methodology.