Polymerization of ethyl methacrylate,methyl methacrylate,and vinyl acetate using sulfonated polystyrene as the initiator

Polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was achieved in glass dilatometers, at 86°C, using polystyrene sulfonate (Na⁺ and H⁺ forms) as initiators. The conversion of EMA to PEMA and MMA to PMMA increased with the time of polymerization, quantity of initiator, and size of dilatometer but decreased with volume of water. The polymer yield was higher for the Na⁺ than for the H⁺ form of the resin initiator. The average degree of polymerization increased with increase in the volume of water, but decreased with the quantity of initiator. Vinyl acetate could not be polymerized using either the Na⁺ or H⁺ forms of the polystyrene sulfonate as the initiator under the conditions of EMA or MMA polymerization.     

Evaluation of Crop Models for Simulating and Optimizing Deficit Irrigation Systems in Arid and Semi-arid Countries Under Climate Variability

The variability of fresh water availability in arid and semi-arid countries poses a serious challenge to farmers to cope with when depending on irrigation for crop growing. This has shifted the focus onto improving irrigation management and water productivity (WP) through controlled deficit irrigation (DI). DI can be conceived as a strategy to deal with these challenges but more knowledge on risks and chances of this strategy is urgently needed. The availability of simulation models that can reliably predict crop yield under the influence of soil, atmosphere, irrigation, and agricultural management practices is a prerequisite for deriving reliable and effective deficit irrigation strategies. In this context, this article discusses the performance of the crop models CropWat, PILOTE, Daisy, and APSIM when being part of a stochastic simulation-based approach to improve WP by focusing primarily on the impact of climate variability. The stochastic framework consists of: (i) a weather generator for simulating regional impacts of climate variability; (ii) a tailor-made evolutionary optimization algorithm for optimal irrigation scheduling with limited water supply; and (iii) the above mentioned models for simulating water transport and crop growth in a sound manner. The results present stochastic crop water production functions (SCWPFs) that can be used as basic tools for assessing the impact on the risk for the potential yield due to water stress and climate variability. Example simulations from India, Malawi, France and Oman are presented and the suitability of these crop models to be employed in a framework for optimizing WP is evaluated.     

Thermal and structural properties of spray pyrolysed CdS thin film

Using photo acoustic technique, the thermal properties of CdS thin films grown by spray pyrolysis are measured. Thermal diffusivity and conductivity in these films decrease at least two orders compared with bulk. These results are compared with our study on nano CdS and the other available literature. The comparison is good. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on the thickness of the layer or the size of the particles on the glass substrate are analysed from the present measurement and discussed. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on the thickness of the layer on the glass substrate is discussed.     

Polyaniline–13X zeolite composite‐supported platinum electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications

We successfully synthesized 13X zeolite using a hydrothermal method. Then, composites of polyaniline (PANI) with 13X zeolite and PANI–13X with platinum were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and chemical reduction, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques were used to characterize the PANI–Pt and PANI–Pt–13X composites. Further, the electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation of the synthesized catalysts was explored using cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L^?1 CH₃OH + 0.5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution. From the obtained results, PANI–Pt–13X shows superior performance compared to PANI–Pt towards methanol oxidation and electrical conductivity. Hence, the 13X zeolite‐incorporated PANI–Pt composite could be an efficient catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimization of supercritical CO2 extraction of dried Helichrysum italicum flowers by response surface methodology: GC-MS profiles of the extracts and essential oil

Supercritical (SC) CO₂ extraction of dried Immortelle flowers was performed at different process parameters. The optimal extraction conditions related to the yield were determined by response surface methodology (yield 4.09% at 20 MPa and 52°C). The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS and tremetone derivatives dominated: bitalin A, 12-acetoxytremetone, gnaphaliol, 1-[2-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]ethanone, isobutyl bitalin A, and 1-[2-(acetylprop-1-en-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]ethanone. Striking differences were found among the essential oil and SC-CO₂ extracts composition. The major oil compounds were γ-curcumene, α-pinene, β-selinene, α-selinene, and limonene. Mono- and sesquiterpene were found among minor constituents of the extracts. Neryl acetate was present in the extracts and essential oil.     

Exploring bioactive fraction of Sargassum wightii: In vitro elucidation of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibition and antioxidant potential

Bioactive fraction of brown algae Sargassum wightii (SWE) was obtained using silica column chromatography and preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). FT-IR and LC–mass spectrometry ESI analysis revealed presence of various phlorotannins in the SWE. The IC₅₀ value of SWE was found to be 59.91, 51.04, and 55.21 μg/ml for scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay, respectively. SWE inhibited angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) in mixed-type manner with IC₅₀ value of 56.96 µg/ml and Ki value of 45 µg/ml. The dual function such as antioxidant and ACE inhibition of SWE warrants further study to understand the antihypertensive potential in vivo.     

Moisture sorption isotherms of two varieties of millet

Moisture sorption isotherms of EX-BORNO and SOSAT C88 millets at temperature range of 30–70 °C and water activity range of 0.07–0.98 were determined using the static gravimetric method. The sorption isotherms of both millet varieties decreased with increasing temperature, exhibited type II behaviour according to BET classification and hysteresis having loop size increasing with increasing temperature. This is as a result of the hard nature of the millet varieties. The moisture sorption and the data fitted well with Modified Henderson, Modified Halsey, Modified Oswin and Modified GAB models. The constants of the equations used in fitting were determined by non-linear regression analysis when the models were compared using the standard error of estimate, mean relative percent deviation, fraction explained variation and residual plots. The Modified Oswin model gave the best fit for the whole set of data. The study has provided information and data useful in large scale drying and processing of millet which have remained at the traditional level despite the importance of the drought resistance crop in poverty alleviation.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of nano-sized Cu0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 via citrate and aloe vera: A comparative study

In this report, Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by solgel using eco-friendly aloe vera extract and citric acid separately and their properties were discussed. Structural, Functional, morphological, magnetic properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD exhibited the samples have single phase cubic spinel with average size of 46.4?nm and 35.45?nm. Two characteristics bands of ferrite were confirmed by FTIR. TEM indicated different morphology of the samples with some regularity. VSM data showed that higher coercivity for the sample prepared by aloe vera extract.     

Further experimental evidences of the compatibility of poly(vinyl acetate) with poly(ethyl methacrylate) and its dependence on the ratio of the molecular weight of the two homopolymers

Using various fractions of poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) of very narrow molecular weight distribution, a very wide range of 2–120 of molecular weight ratio M¯_ν PEMA/M¯_ν PVAc, (M¯_ν)_r was obtained. Studies of some tensile mechanical properties of films of the blends produced from solution on mercury confirmed strong dependence of the improvements of PVAc properties for blend with 18% PEMA on (M¯_ν)_r, especially in the range 5 ≤ (M¯_ν)_r < 100. The density of the films of the blend was much higher than those of the individual polymers and increased monotonically with (M¯_ν)_r. Optical micrographs of the films of the blends showed interactions between the two polymers with 18% PEMA composition, which appears to be more intimate as (M¯_ν)_r increases, as further evidence of compatibility and miscibility of the two polymers.