Microstructure of cement paste subject to early carbonation curing

Microstructure of Ordinary Portland Cement paste subjected to early age carbonation curing was studied to examine the effect of early carbonation on performance of paste at different ages. The study was intended to understand the mechanism of concrete carbonation at early age through the microstructure development of its cement paste. Early carbonation was carried out after 18-hour initial controlled air curing. The microstructure characterized by XRD, TGA, ²⁹Si NMR and SEM was correlated to strength gain, CO₂ uptake and pH change. It was found that early carbonation could accelerate early strength while allowing subsequent hydration. The short term carbonation created a microstructure with more strength-contributing solids than conventional hydration. Calcium hydroxide was converted to calcium carbonates, and calcium–silicate–hydrate became intermingled with carbonates, generating an amorphous calcium–silicate–hydrocarbonate binding phase. Carbonation modified C–S–H retained its original gel structure. The re-hydration procedure applied after carbonation was essential in increasing late strength and durability.     

Conductive chitosan/multi walled carbon nanotubes electrospun nanofiber feasibility

The current study focuses on the electrospinning of chitosan (CHT)/multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) composite nanofiber using a highly stable dispersion. The acetic acid (1–100%) and trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane (TFA/DCM 70: 30) was tested as solvent, and the TFA/DCM (70 : 30) is most preferred for fiber formation process with acceptable electrospinnability. Moreover, a new protocol was used to establish proper technique for preparation of electrospinning solution. FT-IR spectroscopy utilized to infer the extent of interaction between CHT polymer chain and MWNT filaments. A quite simple technique was employed to show the stability of electrospinning solution before nanofiber formation process. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) was employed to show the influence of spinning parameters on surface morphology of electrospun fiber. Under optimized condition, homogeneous and beadfree CHT/MWNTs nanofibers and known physical characteristics were prepared. The formation of conducting nanofibers based on CHT nanocomposites can be considered as a significant improvement in electrospinning of CHT/CNT dispersion. The direct outcome of the current study includes the homogeneous CHT/MWNTs nanofibers with an average diameter of 275 nm and a conductivity of 9×10⁻⁵ S/cm. These results are extremely important for further investigation regarding biomedical applications.     

Immobilization of Metalloporphyrin on Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Catalyst in Oxidation of Cyclohexene: Novel Modified Fe3O4 Nanoparticles with Triethoxysilane Agent

Magnetic nanoparticles, Fe₃O₄, have been prepared and functionalized by (N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)isonicotinamide) and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis and BET surface area measurement. The functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were used as a support to anchor metalloporphyrin. Application of immobilized metalloporphyrin as a heterogeneous catalyst in the oxidation of cyclohexene was explored. Effect of various parameters such as solvent and temperature on immobilization process and also various parameters (solvent, time, oxidant and axial group effect) on oxidation of cyclohexene has been investigated. The result showed that the immobilized metalloporphyrin on functionalized magnetic nanoparticles is an efficient and reusable catalyst for oxidation of cyclohexene.     

Preparation of Cadmium(II) Oxide Nanoparticles from a New One-Dimensional Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymer Precursor; Spectroscopic and Thermal Analysis Studies

A one-dimensional Cd(II) coordination polymer containing 2-pyridinecarboxylate (2-pyc⁻) and iodide anions [Cd(μ-2-pyc)(μ-I)] _n (1), is synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray crystallography. The single-crystal X-ray data show that the coordination number for the Cd²⁺ ion is five. The thermal stability of 1 was studied by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyzes. Cd(II)O nanoparticles were prepared by direct calcination of 1 at different temperatures. The Cd(II)O nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the morphology of the Cd(II)O nanoparticles is dependent upon the thermolysis temperature.     

Encapsulation of organomodified montmorillonite with PMMA via in situ SR&;NI ATRP in miniemulsion

Encapsulation of organomodified montmorillonite within poly (methyl methacrylate) via in situ atom transfer radical polymerization with simultaneous reverse and normal initiation system (SR&NI ATRP) was successfully performed. Miniemulsion polymerization technique has been employed for its abundant advantages to encapsulate inorganic materials. Successful SR&NI ATRP was carried out using 4,4′-dinonyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dNbPy) as a hydrophobic ligand and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as an effective cationic surfactant at high temperatures. Homogeneous distribution of droplets and particles with sizes in the range of around 170 nm was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Final monomer conversion and molecular weight were determined by gravimetry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) respectively. By increasing nanoclay content, conversion and molecular weight of nanocomposites decreased. Meanwhile, an increase in PDI values was also observed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results display organoclay layers disordered and delaminated in the polymer matrix. Thermal stability improvement of all the nanocomposites in comparison with the neat polymer was revealed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Homogeneous distribution of spherical particles with sizes in the range of 170 nm was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. These results are complied with the DLS results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image display a dispersion of partially exfoliated clay stacks in the matrix of PMNM 2.     

Use of clay-anchored reactive modifier for the synthesis of poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/clay nanocomposite via in situ AGET ATRP

Atom transfer radical polymerization using activators generated by electron transfer (AGET ATRP) was employed to synthesize well-defined poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/clay nanocomposites. Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DDTMAB) and Vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride (VBTMAC) surfactants were used as clay modifier. The classical surfactant is used to expand the interlayer gallery of montmorillonite; however, double bond of reactive modifier participates in chain propagation process and forms clay-attached polymer chains. Subsequently synthesis of attached and free poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate) chains and their composition was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR). Narrow distribution of nanocomposites molecular weight was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Partially exfoliated clay layers in the copolymer matrix were revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Thermal decomposition of the nanocomposites was hindered in the presence of nanoclay. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) results show that addition of nanoclay was also resulted in enhanced storage modulus (E′) in comparison with the neat copolymer. Lower glass transition temperature of nanocomposites was displayed by DSC.     

Low interfacial tension liquid–liquid extraction with impinging-jets contacting method: Influencing parameters and relationship

Liquid–liquid extraction process with the recommended low interfacial tension chemical system of butanol–succinic acid–water was performed in a two impinging-jets contacting device (TIJCD), working continuously with opposed impinging jets. A range of extraction efficiency of 58–96% was achieved under different conditions. Overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient and specific power input criteria clearly indicate the great performance capability of TIJCD. An increase in nozzle diameter and/or jets force results an efficiency enhancement, while increase in inter-nozzle distance leads the efficiency diminish. The overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient was satisfactorily correlated in the form of ordinary and dimensionless correlations.     

Synthesis of clay‐dispersed poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite via miniemulsion atom transfer radical polymerization: A reverse approach

Poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites were synthesized using reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) in miniemulsion. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant applicable at higher temperatures was used for miniemulsion stabilization. Successful RATRP was carried out by using 4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dNbPy) as ligand. Monodispersed droplets and particles with sizes in the range of 200 nm were revealed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Conversion and molecular weight study was carried out using gravimetry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) respectively. By adding clay content, a decrease in the conversion and molecular weight and an increase in the PDI value of the nanocomposites are observed. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the neat copolymer is revealed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Increased T_g values by adding clay content was also obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the nanoconposite with 1 wt % of nanoclay loading, display monodispersed spherical particles with sizes in the range of ～ 200 nm. SEM findings are more compiled with dynamic light scattering (DLS) results. Well‐dispersed exfoliated clay layers in the polymer matrix of the nanocomposite with 1 wt % nanoclay loading is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Properties of PMMA/Carbon nanotubes nanocomposites prepared by “grafting through” method

A number of batch polymerizations were performed to study the effect of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the properties of PMMA/MWCNTs nanocomposites. To improve the dispersion of nanotubes in PMMA matrix, MWCNTs were functionalized with methacrylate groups via a four‐step modification process and the modified nanoparticles were used to synthesize the nanocomposites. The prepared samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, UV–visible, and TEM techniques. According to the results, modified nanotubes improved thermal and mechanical properties better than the pristine MWCNTs. The main improvement in the mechanical and thermophysical properties was achieved for the nanocomposite containing 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fault‐driven stress testing of distributed real‐time software based on UML models

In a previous article, a stress testing methodology was reported to detect network traffic‐related Real‐Time (RT) faults in distributed RT systems based on the design UML model of a System Under Test (SUT). The stress methodology, referred to as Test LOcation‐driven Stress Testing (TLOST), aimed at increasing the chances of RT failures (violations in RT constraints) associated with a given stress test location (an network or a node under test). As demonstrated and experimented in this article, although TLOST is useful in stress testing different test locations (nodes and network, it does not guarantee to target (test) all RT constraints in an SUT. This is because the durations of message sequences bounded by some RT constraints might never be exercised (covered) by TLOST. A complementary stress test methodology is proposed in this article, which guarantees to target (cover) all RT constraints in an SUT and detect their potential RT faults (if any). Using a case study, this article shows that the new complementary methodology is capable of targeting the RT faults not detected by the previous test methodology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.