Surface modification of textiles by glow discharge technique: Part II: Low frequency plasma treatment of wool fabrics with acrylic acid

In this study, wool fibers are modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its' hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40–100 W) and exposure time (5–45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W–5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178°, while that of untreated fabric was 180°. The treated fabrics had a little bit lower angles according to the untreated fabric. However, even the lowest value as 157° means that the fabric has a good crease resistance property. The breaking strengths of fabrics were increased up to 26% after the plasma treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Different ligand based monodispersed Pt nanoparticles decorated with rGO as highly active and reusable catalysts for the methanol oxidation

Addressed herein, a highly effective and monodisperse Pt/L@rGO nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by using different types of ligands (pentylamine, Pt/PA@rGO and tripentylamine, Pt/TPA@rGO) and the impact of ligand on catalytic activity of the prepared nanomaterials have been examined for methanol oxidation. An easy and facile ultrasonication method was applied to produce highly efficient, monodispersed and durable (Pt) NPs dispersed on reduced graphene oxides (rGO). The structure morphology, composition and properties of Pt/L@rGO NPs were characterized by using different techniques such as ICP-OES, XPS, TEM, HRTEM, and XRD methods. A different ligand based monodisperse Pt (0) nanocatalysts have been compared with each other and commercial catalysts in terms of catalytic performance, life-time and reusability of catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in THF at room temperature. All experimental results demonstrate the highly stable and reusable rGO furnished Pt (0) nanomaterials and their excellent catalytic performance in the methanol oxidation reactions at room temperature.     

Particle-phase dry deposition and air-soil gas exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Izmir, Turkey

Ambient air and dry deposition samples were collected at suburban and urban sites in Izmir, Turkey. Atmospheric total (particle+gas) ∑(14)PAHs concentrations were 36±39 and 144±163 ng m(-3) for suburban and urban sites, respectively. Phenanthrene was the most abundant compound at all sites, and all samples were dominated by low molecular weight PAHs. Average particulate ∑(14)PAH dry deposition fluxes were 8160±5024 and 4286±2782 ng m(-2) day(-1) and overall average particulate dry deposition velocities were 1.5±2.4 and 1.0±2.3 cm s(-1) for suburban and urban sites, respectively. Soil samples were collected at suburban site. Average soil concentration for ∑(14)PAH was 55.9±14.4 ng g(-1) dry weight. Calculated gas-phase air-soil exchange fluxes indicated that fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and carbazole were deposited to soil in winter while they were volatilized in summer. Other compounds (fluoranthene-benzo[g,h,i]perylene) were deposited to soil in both periods. Annual average fluxes of PAHs representing soil to air (i.e., gas volatilization) and air to soil transfer (i.e., gas absorption, dry deposition, and wet deposition) processes were also compared. All processes were comparable for Σ(14)PAHs however their input was dominated by gas absorption. Gas absorption dominated for lower molecular weight PAHs, however dry deposition dominated for higher molecular weight PAHs. The results have suggested that for fluorene, soil and air may be approaching a steady state condition. For the remaining compounds, there was a net accumulation into the soil.     

Structural,electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline and polypyrrole

In this study, the structural, electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline (PAni) and polypyrrole (PPy) were investigated and compared. For the aims, anilin and pyrrole were used as monomers, and in situ polymerization on cotton fabric by chemical oxidative polymerization was performed. After production, the structural properties of the fabrics were determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. In addition, ultraviolet (UV) permeability, tensile strength, colorfastness, and electrical and electromagnetic measurements of the fabric samples were carried out. The resistance values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni and PPy were found to be 350 and 512 Ω, respectively. The average electromagnetic shielding efficiency and average absorption values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni were determined to be 3.8 dB and 48%, respectively, and these values for the cotton fabrics coated with PPy were 6 dB and 50%, respectively. Consequently, a significant difference was not observed between the resistance values and electromagnetic parameters of the fabrics coated with PAni and PPy, although the intact textile characteristics of the fabric coated with PPy were protected and improved, whereas the characteristics of the fabric coated with PAni were inferior. Moreover, we first report that the fabrics coated with conductive polymers had excellent UV‐protection properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

A conducting composite of polythiophene: synthesis and characterization

Conducting polymer composites of polythiophene, using a polyamide as the insulating matrix, were prepared via electrochemical methods. The characterization of the composite was done by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and pyrolysis studies. The conductivities were measured by a four-probe technique. The cited methods revealed that the composites have properties different from those of simple mechanical mixtures of the two polymers.     

Corneal confocal microscopy and dry eye findings in contact lens discomfort patients

Objectives

To evaluate the corneal confocal microscopy and dry eye findings in patients with contact lens discomfort.