Swelling and electrical properties of rubber vulcanizates loaded with paraffin wax

The influence of the concentration of paraffin wax on the penetration rate, P, and the average diffusion coefficient, D, of kerosene in an SBR–NR composite and also on the coefficient of viscosity were investigated. All decreased with the addition of wax. Also, the effect of the concentration of paraffin wax on both the current–voltage characteristics and the temperature dependence of the dc electrical conductivity were studied. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3169–3177, 2001     

Solvent and Extraction Conditions Control the Assayable Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activities of Seeds of Black Beans,Canola and Millet

The effects of extraction solvent and conditions on the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of black beans, canola and foxtail millet were investigated. The antioxidant activity was assayed using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DRSA) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Four solvent systems, namely 70 % acetone, 80 % ethanol, 80 % methanol and a mixture of acetone/methanol/water (7:7:6, v/v/v) were used. The extraction methods adopted in this study included refluxing, homogenization, cold extraction and sonication. The TPC as measured using the Folin Ciocalteu's method were 12.35–28.39, 2.43–16.73, and 1.78–5.06 µmol catechin equivalents/g dry matter (dm) for canola, black beans and foxtail millet, respectively. Aqueous acetone afforded the highest TPC for black beans and canola. Within the same solvent system used, the TPC, DRSA and ORAC obtained from different extraction techniques differed for black beans, canola and foxtail millet. The results demonstrated that the solvent system as well as method influenced the extraction of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities, depending on the type of matrix in which phenolics were embedded.     

Study of inhibition effect of carboxylic salt derivative on corrosion of C1010 carbon steel in saline solution

In the present work, sodium 4-[(4-formylbenzylidene) amino] benzoiate (4) was synthesized and its structure was confirmed using spectroscopic techniques. Prepared compound was successfully applied as a corrosion inhibitor for C1010 carbon steel in 3.5% NaCl solution at 25°C. Different electrochemical measurements such as linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the suggested inhibitor (4). The results of different electrochemical measurements show that inhibition efficiencies obtained from EIS curves are in consistence with the results of potentiodynamic polarization and LPR measurements due to increase corrosion inhibition efficiency by increasing the concentration of organic inhibitor (4). Semi-empirical calculations with PM3 method were used to find relationship between molecular structure and inhibiting effect of suggested inhibitor (4).     

Electrochemical assessment of inhibitive behavior of some antibacterial drugs on 316 stainless steel in acidic medium

In this work, the inhibitive effect of some antibacterial drugs against the corrosion of 316 stainless steel in 1M HCl has been studied by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The inhibiting effect explained by adsorption of the additives on steel surface. The inhibition efficiency increases with increasing the inhibitors concentrations and decreases with increasing the temperature. The data obtained fit well to Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the kinetic-thermodynamic model. The results of polarization studies indicate that the investigated antibacterial drugs are mixed type inhibitors. Increasing the inhibition efficiency of the investigated inhibitors with the addition of iodide ions indicates that iodide ions play important role in the adsorption process. The efficiencies obtained from the different electrochemical techniques were in good agreement which prove the validity of these tools in the measurements of the tested inhibitors.     

Preparation of novel 2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-3- arylthiazolidin-4-one derivatives using an efficient ionic liquid catalyst

An eco-friendly procedure for synthesis of 2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-3-arylthiazolidin-4-one derivatives by three-component reaction of 2-oxo-2H-chromene-4-carbaldehydes, aromatic amines and thioglycolic acid, with tetramethylbutane-1,4-diammonium acetate as a low-cost ionic liquid catalyst under reflux condition is described. The use of an ionic liquid as a catalyst has the advantages of high yields, short reaction time and environmentally friendly reaction media.     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive block and graft copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization using a vinyl ether-type RAFT agent

A novel vinyl ether-type RAFT agent, benzyl 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonotrithioate (BVCT) was synthesized for various block copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The novel BVCT–trifluoroacetic acid adduct play an important role to produce well-defined block copolymers, which is both as a cationogen under EtAlCl₂ initiation system in the presence of ethyl acetate for living cationic polymerization and a RAFT agent for blocks by RAFT polymerization. The resulting polymer, poly(vinyl ether)s, by living cationic polymerization had a high number average α-end functionality (≥0.9) as determined by both ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. In addition, this poly(vinyl ether)s worked well as a macromolecular chain transfer agent for RAFT polymerization. The RAFT polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers was conducted in toluene using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) at 70 °C. For example, a double thermoresponsive block copolymer (MOVE₆₁-b-NIPAM₁₅₀) consisting of 2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether (MOVE) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was prepared via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization. The block copolymer reversibly formed and deformed micellar assemblies above the phase separation temperature (T_ps) of poly(NIPAM) block in water. This BVCT is not only functioned as an initiator, but also acted as a monomer. When BVCT was copolymerized with MOVE by living cationic polymerization, followed by graft copolymerization with NIPAM via RAFT polymerization, well-defined graft copolymers (MOVE_n-co-BVCT_m)-g-NIPAM_x (n = 62–73, m = 1–9, x = 19–214) were successfully obtained. However, no micelle formed in water above T_ps of poly(NIPAM) graft chain unlike the case of block copolymers.     

Electrosynthesis and protection role of polyaniline–polvinylalcohol composite on stainless steel

Polyaniline–polyvinyl alcohol (PANI–PVA) composite has been electrodeposited on stainless steel surface from aqueous sulfuric acid solution of aniline monomer in presence of soluble PVA at different concentrations. The PVA increased the rate of electropolymerization where 4 g/L PVA formed a composite of 37 wt% PANI and 63 wt% PVA composition. The composite layer exhibited more adhesion to the steel surface in comparison with PANI layer but with less thermal stability. It has higher protection role for the stainless steel (SS) against general and pitting corrosion. It enhanced the passivation of the SS surface by increasing the thickness of oxide film and improving the composition.     

Microgravity Modifies the Phenotype of Fibroblast and Promotes Remodeling of the Fibroblast–Keratinocyte Interaction in a 3D Co-Culture Model

Microgravity impairs tissue organization and critical pathways involved in the cell–microenvironment interplay, where fibroblasts have a critical role. We exposed dermal fibroblasts to simulated microgravity by means of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), a device that reproduces conditions of weightlessness. Molecular and structural changes were analyzed and compared to control samples growing in a normal gravity field. Simulated microgravity impairs fibroblast conversion into myofibroblast and inhibits their migratory properties. Consequently, the normal interplay between fibroblasts and keratinocytes were remarkably altered in 3D co-culture experiments, giving rise to several ultra-structural abnormalities. Such phenotypic changes are associated with down-regulation of α-SMA that translocate in the nucleoplasm, altogether with the concomitant modification of the actin-vinculin apparatus. Noticeably, the stress associated with weightlessness induced oxidative damage, which seemed to concur with such modifications. These findings disclose new opportunities to establish antioxidant strategies that counteract the microgravity-induced disruptive effects on fibroblasts and tissue organization.     

Pure and mixed gas permeation study of silica incorporated polyurethane-urea membrane modified by MOCA chain extender

Polyurethane-urea (PUU) nanocomposite membranes have been prepared using various loadings of silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles. A Novel PU was fabricated by a two-step bulk polymerization technique based on polycaprolactone (PCL), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and diamine chain extender, 4,4-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA). The FTIR spectra indicated that the extent of phase separation reduces with increasing SiO₂ content. The presence of crystal regions in the soft and hard segments was confirmed by DSC and XRD analyses. The obtained results illustrated a decrement in the gases' permeation in the presence of SiO₂ particles. By increasing the filler content up to 15 wt% and pressure of 8 bar, the gas permeation value of the CO₂, O₂, and N₂ decreased 36%, 54%, and 59%, respectively. However, the permselectivity of the CO₂/N₂ and O₂/N₂ increased considerably, 55% and 13% respectively. On the contrary, by raising the temperature, a dramatic augmentation in the permeability of all gases with a simultaneous reduction in the selectivity values of both gas pairs was revealed. Increasing the pressure led to a decrease in the permeability values of all membranes for O₂ and N₂, whereas the permeability for CO₂ increased with the pressure. Nevertheless, the selectivity values for the pair of gases increased (at a pressure of 10 bar, 1.66 and 1.17 times the neat PU for CO₂/N₂ and O₂/N₂, respectively). Furthermore, the permeability of the CO₂, O₂, and N₂ for the mixed gases was smaller than for pure ones at the same gas upstream pressure. Nonetheless, like the pure gas, the selectivity of both pair gases increased.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of BZT − xBCT lead-free piezoceramics

In this study, lead-free (1 − x)Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃ − x(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃ compositions are synthesized via conventional solid oxide route, and the ceramics are fabricated with normal sintering in air. The effects of composition fluctuations on dielectric, piezoelectric, and mechanical properties are investigated. The phase structure and the microstructure are analyzed with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The best dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ε_r = 11 207 and d₃₃ = 330 pC/N were obtained for BZT−0.35BCT and BZT−0.5BCT ceramics, respectively. The mechanical behavior—in terms of Vickers hardness and compressive and flexural strengths—was investigated, and the best mechanical behavior was found in the vicinity of the phase transition boundary with x values between 0.5 and 0.6.