Investigation of Some Physicochemical Properties of Mixtures of Morama Seed Oil with (C6–C9) n-Alkanes at 298.15 and Atmospheric Pressure

Densities ρ, ultrasonic speeds u and dynamic viscosities η, of mixtures of morama, Tylosema esculentum, seed oil with n‐hexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane and n‐nonane were determined over the entire composition range at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Excess molar volumes, , excess molar free volumes , deviations in isentropic compressibility, Δκ_s, deviations in ultrasonic speed, Δu, deviations in viscosity, Δη, and the excess free energy of activation of viscous flow, ΔG*^E, were calculated therefrom and correlated by the Redlich–Kister equation for each of the [morama seed oil + (n‐hexane or n‐heptane or n‐octane or n‐nonane)] mixtures. The results have been discussed in terms of possible intermolecular interactions and structural effects.     

Preparation, Characterization, and Photoelectric Properties of Langmuir–Blodgett Films of Some Europium-Substituted Polyoxometalates and 2-Aminofluorene with Tunable Emission Color

A new series of organic/inorganic composite Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films consisting of 2-aminofluorene (Fl–NH₂) as the π-conjugated organic molecule, an europium-substituted polyoxometalate (POM, POM = Na₉EuW₁₀O₃₆, K₁₃[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)₂] and K₅[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂], which are denoted by EuW₁₀, EuW₂₂ and EuW₁₁, respectively) as the inorganic component, were prepared. Structural and photophysical characterization of these LB films were achieved by π–A isotherms, UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, atomic force microscopy imaging, scanning tunneling microscopy, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. Our experimental results indicate that stable Langmuir and LB films are formed in pure water and POM sub-phases. Luminescence spectra of the prepared hybrid LB films show that tunable emission color can be obtained due to the dual-emissive nature of the mixed Fl–NH₂/POM blends. These 2-aminofluorene-based LB films displayed interesting electrical conductivity behavior. Among them, Fl–NH₂/EuW₁₁ 3-layer films showed a good electrical response with the a tunneling current up to ± 100 nA when the voltage was monitored at ?0.8 to 1.5 V. These LB composites show good photovoltage responses and a photovoltage of 2.7 μV can be obtained for the Fl–NH₂/EuW₂₂ system when it is excited by light.     

Surface Properties and Thermodynamic Parameters of Some Sugar-Based Ethoxylated Amine Surfactants: 1—Synthesis,Characterization, and Demulsification Efficiency

Several ethoxylated sugar-based amine surfactants have been synthesized and characterized by IR and ¹HNMR spectroscopy. The surface activity of the prepared compounds has been thoroughly studied and some of their surface properties (such as CMC, Γ_max, and A _min) have been calculated. The surface properties of the prepared compounds were correlated to their chemical structure. It was found that CMC decreases when increasing the molecular weight of polyethylene glycols, whereas A _min increases. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and micellization were also calculated. They include ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS of micellization and adsorption. The data show that the synthesized surfactants favor adsorption, so that they can be used as demulsifiers for crude oil emulsions. In this respect, the demulsification test was carried out and the results of demulsification efficiency were correlated to the chemical composition of the investigated compounds. Some factors that affect the demulsification efficiency were also considered.     

Silica–Titania mixed Oxides: Si–O–Ti Connectivity, Coordination of Titanium, and Surface Acidic Properties

A series of SiO₂–TiO₂ mixed oxides was prepared by the sol–gel route, and the influence of several important preparation parameters (Ti precursors, content, and calcination temperature) on the Si–O–Ti connectivity, coordination of titanium and surface acidity has been studied using various analytical techniques. The solids obtained were largely amorphous and characterized by Ti enrichment on surfaces with low titanium content; however, the addition of titanium greater than 50 mol% into the SiO₂ matrix led to significant phase separation of crystalline anatase. The Ti atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated with Si/Ti ratios higher than 10 and gradually enter into octahedral positions in the silica matrix with further increase in the titanium content. High-temperature treatment can break Si–O–Ti linkages and eliminate hydroxyl groups, resulting in a decrease in acid site density.     

Prediction of Cloud Point Curves of Alkyl Ethoxylates with the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic-Difference and Net-Average-Curvature (HLD-NAC) Framework

Understanding and predicting cloud point phenomena is important for the formulation of nonionic surfactant systems, and the design of cloud-phenomena-associated separation processes. There have been several approaches to fit and predict the cloud point phenomena, in most cases using bulk thermodynamic approaches. In this work, we introduced the hydrophilic–lipophilic-difference and net-average-curvature (HLD-NAC) as an interfacial (curvature) approach to predict cloud point values at different surfactant concentrations (cloud point curve). The HLD-NAC method could fully predict the cloud point of alkyl ethoxylate of pure surfactants, typically within 4 °C of the experimental values, using published HLD constants, and the molecular structure of the surfactants. For commercial (polydispersed) surfactants, the same level of accuracy can be achieved if the experimental cloud point at 1 wt.% is used to adjust the HLD values. One additional benefit of using the HLD framework is the ability to predict changes in the cloud point curve with the introduction of electrolytes. While other models can fit the experimental data within 1 °C, the greater uncertainty of the HLD-NAC (~4 °C) is a reasonable compromise given the simplicity of the approach.     

Dual-Emissive Langmuir–Blodgett Films of a 9,9-Bis(4-ethynylphenyl)fluorene Derivative of Gold(I) and Some Europium-Substituted Polyoxometalates: Preparation, Characterization and Photoelectric Properties

A new family of organometallic/inorganic composite Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films consisting of the rigid-rod dinuclear gold(I) complex coordinated with 9,9-bis(4-ethynylphenyl)fluorene (denoted as Au-DPF) as the π-conjugated organometallic molecule coupled with some europium-substituted polyoxometalates (POM; POM = Na₉EuW₁₀O₃₆, K₁₃[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)₂] and K₅[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂]) as the inorganic component were prepared and characterized by π–A isotherms, UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, atomic force microscopy imaging, scanning tunneling microscopy, and surface photo-voltage spectroscopy. Luminescence spectra of the prepared hybrid LB films show that the near-white emission spectra can be obtained due to the dual-emissive nature of the mixed Au-DPF/POM blends, and POM can facilitate broad aggregate emission bands. These Au-diyne-based LB films displayed interesting electric conductivity behavior. Among them, Au-DPF/K₁₃[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)₂] 13-layer film showed a good electrical response, with the tunneling current up to ±100 nA when the voltage was monitored between −1.3 and 1.8 V. The photovoltage response of Au-DPF/EuW₂₂ amounts to 1.5 μV.     

Investigation of the Structure and Piezoelectricity of Poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluroethylene) Copolymer Doped with Different Dyes

The structure and piezoelectricity of poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluroethylene) copolymer doped with crystal violet (CV), Coumarin 2 (C2), and N,N-Dimethyl-4-nitro-4-stilbenamine (DANS) were investigated by several techniques. H- and J-aggregates are formed in the CV and C2 doped copolymer, respectively, while DANS doped copolymer showed lamella structure. Moreover, the application of pressure-induced crystalline phase in the CV doped copolymer and TSDC measurements revealed that the ferroelectric to paraelectric transition peak has taken place in the C2 and DANS doped copolymer. Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts stretched function was applied to estimate the relaxation time of the piezoelectric current. The pyroelectricity is found to be dipole-moment-dependent.     

Surface stabilities of 3C–SiC and H2O adsorption on the (110) surface

First-principles calculations and thermodynamics analyses were combined to study the surface stabilities of 3C–SiC and H₂O adsorption on the (110) surface. The stoichiometric (110) surface was predicted to be generally the most stable. Only at the extremely C-poor condition, the nonstoichiometric Si-terminated (100) could become more energetically favored. The adsorption and dissociation of single H₂O molecule on the 3C–SiC (110) were then comparatively investigated. Calculations show that H₂O molecules prefer to partially dissociate into one hydroxyl OH and one H adsorbed at the top-most Si and C sites, respectively, leading to the formation of a hydrogen network on the surface. The calculated equilibrium adsorption diagram further suggested that the 3C–SiC (110) surface can be only either completely clean or fully covered by the partially dissociated species of H₂O, for a wide range of temperature and the partial potential of H₂O.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Some Poly(1,2-Phenylenedithiocarbamate)–Metal Complexes

Poly(1,2-phenylenedithiocarbamate) (PPDTC) was prepared by the reaction of 2-aminothiophenol with carbon disulfide followed by condensation through the removal of H₂S gas. PPDTC was used as a ligand to prepare four poly(1,2-phenylenedithiocarbamate)–metal complexes of iron(II), cobalt(II), copper(II), and lead(II), by refluxing with the metal salts. The polymer and its metal complexes were investigated by elemental analyses, UV–visible and IR spectroscopy, inherent viscosity, and magnetic susceptibility. The DC electrical conductivity variation with the temperature in the range 298–498 K of PPDTC and its polymeric copper complex was measured. Both polymer and polymer metal complexes showed an increase in electrical conductivity with an increase in temperature: typical semiconductor behavior. The proposed structure of the complexes is (MLX₂·mH₂O) _n .     

Effect of γ-Irradiation on the Dielectric Properties of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Doped with Some Luminescent Materials

A systematic dielectric study over the frequency range from 0.1 to 10 MHz has been carried out on pure and doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as an acceptor and rhodamine-6G (Rh-6G) and rhodamine-B (Rh-B) as donors before and after being exposed to γ-irradiation. The results indicate that the addition of TCNQ to PMMA increases its ability to withstand γ-irradiation and improves its insulation properties.     

Gas–Particle Distribution of PAHs in Wood Combustion Emission Determined with Annular Denuders,Filter, and Polyurethane Foam Adsorbent

Equipment consisting of annular denuders, a filter, and a polyurethane foam adsorbent was used for sampling 15 PAHs from the diluted emission from a heat-storing masonry heater. The denuder method was compared to the ISO 11338 method which was used for the sampling from hot and undiluted exhaust gas. The denuder method used with the exhaust dilution gave a realistic gas–particle distribution of PAHs in more atmospheric-like conditions compared to the sampling from undiluted exhaust gas where PAHs were almost totally in the gas phase. The results gained with the denuder method from the diluted exhaust are more relevant, e.g., from exposure and atmospheric processes point of view. The emissions from smoldering combustion conditions (SC) were compared with the emissions from normal combustion conditions (NC). The emission of each PAH was 7 to 14 times higher from SC than from NC, and the gas–particle distribution was shifted towards the particle phase due to increased condensation of PAHs. The PAHs could be divided into three groups based on their phase distributions. In the first group, PAHs existed mostly in the gas phase in both combustion cases; the vapor pressures of PAHs were lower than the saturation vapor pressures. In the second group, the gas phase was saturated and the concentration was almost the same in both combustion cases, whereas the particle phase concentration was higher in SC. In the third group, PAHs were mostly in the particle phase where the concentration was higher in SC.     

Alkylation of benzene with long chain (C8–C18) linear primary alcohols over zeolite‐Y

Linear alkyl benzenes (LAB) are important intermediates in the manufacture of detergents and surface active agents. The alkylation of benzene with linear alcohols using Y‐type zeolite catalysts is described here. The alkylation of benzene with 1‐decanol was carried out over RE‐Na‐Y, RE‐HY, HY zeolite catalysts with high conversions of 1‐decanol. All the positional isomers of phenyldecanes formed during the reaction were characterized by comparing the GC data with the authentic samples. The alkylation of benzene was also carried out using long chain linear alcohols (C8–C18) under similar reaction conditions and the isomer distribution in the product was studied. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of Ni–Mo–C/Ti(C,N) coated powders and its influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets

Ni–Mo–C/Ti(C,N) coated powders, namely Ni–Mo alloy and Mo₂C coated Ti(C,N) composite powders, were synthesized by using a heterogeneous precipitation and thermal reduction method, then pressed and vacuum sintered to fabricate cermets. The chemical composition, microstructure and phases of the composite powders and the microstructure and properties of sintered cermets were experimentally investigated. The results show that a fine and uniform microstructure of (Ti,Mo)(C,N)-Ni cermets without the conventional core-rim structure is obtained. The phases formed during the preparation of the coated powders as well as the cermets were analyzed by means of a X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD result confirms the formation of the Ni₃Ti phase in the cermets. Due to the formation of the non-magnetic Ni₃Ti and the dissolution of Mo in Ni binder phase, the magnetic properties are strongly retarded. The fracture of the cermets is mainly characterized by inter-granular and dimple fractures. Better mechanical properties can be obtained in comparison with conventionally fabricated ones.     

Properties of TiN–Al2O3–TiCN–TiN,TiAlN, and DLC-coated Ti(C,N)-based cermets and their wear behaviors during dry cutting of 7075 aluminum alloys

In the work, TiAlN for physical vapor deposition (PVD), multilayer TiN-Al₂O₃-TiCN-TiN for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and diamond-like carbon (DLC) for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) were deposited on the cermet inserts. Characteristics and wear behaviors of the three coated cermets during dry cutting of 7075 aluminum alloys were observed. The results show that TiN-Al₂O₃-TiCN-TiN coatings have highest adhesion strength and hardness. At the cutting speed of 1100 r/min, the depth of 0.2 mm, and the feed rate of 0.1 mm/r, the three coated inserts show the best wear-resistant properties. In this case, TiN/Al₂O₃/TiCN/TiN shows the worst wear-resistant properties (value of the flank wear [VBB] = 0.062 mm), while DLC coatings show the most excellent wear-resistant properties (VBB = 0.046 mm). During the cutting of aluminum alloys, which have high plasticity and low melting point, adhesive wear dominate on the flank of the inserts. The thickest coating of TiN/Al₂O₃/TiCN/TiN results in the bluntest cutting edge, which form the most serious adhesive worn zone. For the TiAlN and DLC coatings, due to a smaller cutting force, the two coatings have much better wear resistance. Further, the self-lubricating properties of DLC show excellent effect on protecting the inserts. Thus, the DLC-coated cermets have the best wear-resistant properties. Further, the TiAlN-coated cermets have the widest wear-affected zone while the DLC coating has the narrowest.     

Effect of γ-Irradiation on the Electrical Properties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Doped with Some Transition Metal Complexes

Abstract

The electrical resistivity (p) of pure and doped poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, with dithizone (HDZ) and its metal complexes, Zn(HDZ)₂, Cd(HDZ)₂ and Hg(HDZ)₂ has been investigated before and after γ-irradiation. The results show a phase transition at nearly 323°K. The activation energy of the conduction process has been calculated below and above the transition temperature. Further information concerning the electrical behaviour is obtained by considering the type and mechanism of the conduction process. This has been achieved by studying the effect of temperature and γ-irradiation on the mobility and the number of charge carriers which take part in the conduction process.     

Surface Morphology and Properties of Poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate)/Poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl Methacrylate) Blend Film

Poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate)/poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (PBLG/Poly(BA-co-MMA)) blend films were prepared by casting the polymer blend solution in dichloroethane. Surface morphology of the polymer blend film was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer blend film were studied using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and tensile tests. It was revealed that the introduction of Poly(BA-co-MMA) into PBLG could exert marked effects on the surface morphology and the properties of the PBLG film.     

Response Surface Optimisation of an Oxalate–Phosphate–Amine Metal–Organic Framework (OPA-MOF) of Iron and Urea

Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are well known for various application fields, such as engineering, and medical sciences. Here, the synthesis, and synthesis-optimisation of a novel oxalate-phosphate-amine MOF (OPA-MOF) for innovative agricultural applications is described, with urea as a structure-directing agent in a hydrothermal synthesis. Product properties conducive to proposed applications included yield, purity, elemental content (N, P, C), and oxalate-solubility, as important driving forces for functionality, which is based on the biomineralisation processes for the material’s decomposition in soil. A four-factors/two levels plus one (4²+1) factorial design included replicated zero-point and factors of time, temperature, urea input rate and dilution factor. 19 experimental runs results provided data for a Response Surface Method optimisation to determine factors resulting in a desired product at highest efficiency. The saddle-ridge shaped response surface highlighted system robustness for two factors (time/urea-input), and sensitivity for temperature and dilution factor. Optimal factor combinations initially appeared counterintuitive compared to expected results from factorial design outcomes, however confirmatory experiments validate model predictions. Consequently, the optimisation process was strongly justified for accurate determination of the optimal OPA-MOF synthesis conditions.     

Surface Morphology and Properties of Rigid Poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) Membrane Modified by Flexible Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

Rigid poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate)/flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PBLG/PVC) blend membranes were prepared by casting the polymer blend solution in dichloroethane. Structure and morphologies of the PBLG/PVC blend membranes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of PBLG/PVC blend membranes were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, and other physical methods. It was found that the introduction of PVC could exert marked effects on the morphology and the properties of PBLG membrane.