Factors influencing the efficacy of an interfacial modifier for the interface in an immiscible polymer blend

The modification of the interface in immiscible polymer blends is critical in order to optimize physical properties. Despite the great commercial importance of polymer blends, many aspects of the emulsification process remain unclear In this paper, it will be shown that an emulsification curve can be used to estimate the influence of the architecture molar mass of styrene/hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer interfacial modifiers on the emulsifion of polystyrene/ethylene-propylene rubber blends under melt processing conditions. An expression for eing the critical amount of copolymer to saturate the interface, as well as aspects concerning the localisation of the modifier in the blend system will also be addressed.     

Influence of catalyst support geometry and wall thickness on NO x trap desulfation: rich/lean wobbling strategies and hexagonal cell supports for high SO2 selectivity during desulfation

Topics in Catalysis - This Synthetic Gas Bench (SGB) study focuses on the effect of cell geometry and wall thickness on the gasoline NO x trap functionality. The data show that besides a NO x trap...     

Alternative technologies for biotechnological fuel ethanol manufacturing

The challenges of implementing biorefineries on a global scale include socioeconomic, financial, and technological constraints. In particular, the development of biorefineries is tightly linked to the continued availability of fermentation raw materials. These constraints can be relaxed by the use of diverse raw materials, while advances that confer higher flexibility would enable biotechnological plant managers to swiftly react to volatile markets. In conventional processes, Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows on a relatively limited range of substrates, and produces only a single product—ethanol. Given the observed maturity of the S. cerevisiae fermentation technology, alternatives to baker's yeast may be needed to tip the economic balance in favour of biotechnological ethanol. These alternative fermentation technologies may allow a greater diversity of substrates to be used to produce an individually tailored mix of ethanol and other chemicals. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

What defense doesSchouwia purpurea (Cruciferae) have against the desert locust?

A field study of the food eaten by solitary desert locusts was carried out in a winter breeding area in Mauritania. The food eaten, determined by the plant epidermis found in fecal pellets, was compared to the plant's availability in the habitat.Schouwia purpurea, well represented in the diets, was dominant at the study site. Adults had a preference forTribulus terrester. Growth and feeding on these two plants were compared. The high water content ofS. purpurea leaves limited the dry matter eaten and slowed down growth. Glucosinolates were separated and quantified by gas chromatography. There are 132mol/g dry matter in green leaves. In multiple choice tests, with paper disks, glucosinolate extracts were phagostimulant at a low concentration (21mol/g dry matter) and repulsive at a higher one (214mol/ g dry matter). Biting behavior onS. purpurea was recorded and analyzed on video. The importance ofSchouwia purpurea in desert locust habitats and its defenses is discussed.     

Methanol Selective Oxidation to Formaldehyde over Iron-Molybdate Catalysts

This review deals with the important industrial reaction of formaldehyde manufacture by methanol oxidation over iron molybdate catalysts. Detailed reference is made to the used catalyst, preparation techniques (coprecipitation, sol-gel like, mechanical mixing, etc.) including unsupported and supported catalysts, promoters and characterization methods. The controversial active phase assignment (stoichiometric versus Mo rich iron molybdate) is discussed. The proposed reaction mechanisms and kinetic laws for the main and side reactions are examined. The catalyst deactivation processes are reviewed and the role of Mo excess on these processes is underlined. Finally conclusions and perspectives are presented.     

In vitro comparison of hepatic metabolism of 9cis-11 trans and 10trans-12cis isomers of CLA in the rat

Hepatic metabolism of the two main isomers of CLA (9cis-11 trans, 10trans-12cisC_18∶2) was compared to that of oleic acid (representative of the main plasma FA) in 16 rats by using the in vitro method of incubated liver slices. Liver tissue samples were incubated at 37°C for 17h under an atmosphere of 95% O₂/5%CO₂ in a medium supplemented with 0.75 mM of FA mixture (representative of circulating nonesterified FA) and with 55 μM [1-¹⁴C]9cis-11 trans C_18∶2, [1-¹⁴C]10trans-12cis C_18∶2, or [1-¹⁴C]oleate. The uptake of CLA by hepatocytes was similar for both isomers (9%) and was three times higher (P<0.01) than for oleate (2.6%). The rate of CLA isomer oxidation was two times higher (49 and 40% of incorporated amounts of 9cis-11 trans and 10trans-12 cis, respectively) than that of oleate (P<0.01). Total oxidation of oleate and CLA isomers into [¹⁴CO₂] was low (2 to 7% of total oxidized FA) compared to the partial oxidation (93 to 98%) leading to the production of [¹⁴C] acid-soluble products. CLA isoemrs escaping from catabolism were both highly desaturated (26.7 and 26.8%) into conjugated 18∶3. Oleate and CLA isomers were mainly esterified into neutral lipids (30%). They were slowly secreted as parts of VLDL particles (<0.4% of FA incorporated into cells), the extent of secretion of oleate and of 10trans-12 cis being 2.2-fold higher than that of 9cis-11 trans (P<0.02). In conclusion, this study clearly showed that both CLA isomers were highly catabolized by hepatocytes, reducing their availability for peripheral tissues. Moreover, more than 25% of CLA escaping from catabolism was converted into conjugated 18∶3, the biological properties of which remain to be elucidated.     

Anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide with cryptates as counterions: 2

A kinetic study of the anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide has been made in tetrahydrofuran at 20°C, with the cryptate Cs⁺ + [TC] as counterion, [TC] being a spheroidal macrotricyclic ligand. Conductance measurements have been made on THF solutions of ?₄BCs + [TC]. Ionic associations higher than cryptated ion pairs are negligible for living end concentrations lower than 3 × 10^?4 moll^?1. k_± and the alkoxide ion pair dissociation constant K_D were determined from both sets of kinetic data obtained with and without added salt knowing the value of k_? from kinetic data performed with K⁺ + [222] as counterion. Free alkoxide ions are about twenty times more reactive than cryptated caesium ion pairs.     

Electrochemical study of a hydrogen diffusion anode-membrane assembly for membrane electrolysis

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) studied was constituted with a gas diffusion electrode (E-TEK) impregnated with Nafion^® solution which was assembled with a Nafion^® 117 cation exchange membrane under heat and pressure. The MEA was used as anode in a membrane electrolysis (ME) cell with the objective to regenerate HCl and NaOH from NaCl. Current efficiency for hydrogen oxidation was determined and its value is 100%, which indicates that the only reaction occurring at the anode is the oxidation of hydrogen. Current-potential curves, recorded in different conditions, showed a linear variation in the range 0-3000 A m⁻² when hydrochloric acid concentration is below 2 mol dm⁻³. In this case, the overvoltage was shown to be mainly due to the ohmic drop in the membrane and in the layer where Nafion^® impregnation was performed. MEA overvoltage necessary to reach 3000 A m⁻² current density was about 0.12 V. For high HCl concentration (6-8 mol dm⁻³), the MEA overvoltage increased sharply with current density due to the adsorption of chloride anions on platinum catalyst.     

Polymer electrolytes

Summary The room temperature conductivity of lithium salts dissolved in polyethylene oxide, proposed as polymer electrolytes, is shown to decrease drastically upon storage. The crystallization process, which is responsible for that ageing, can be blocked, if two further components are added : an elastomer copolymer butadiene-acrylonitrile and a macromer of polyoxyethylene. In addition, a crosslinking process must be carried out.     

Preparation of optically active poly β-propiolactones

Racemic -methyl--n-propyl--propiolactone is readily polymerized with zinc and cadmium chiral glycolates leading to optically active polyesters. The stereoelectivities observed are lower than for oxiranes and thiiranes with the same initiator system. A value of rotatory power for pure enantiomer _o, is deduced from NMR measurements in the presence of chiral solvent. The structure of polymers is discussed on the basis of NMR results.