Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by KHSO5 – BTBAC system - a kinetic study

Kinetics of free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using potassium peroxomonosulfate as initiator in the presence of benzyltributylammonium chloride (BTBAC) as phase transfer catalyst was studied. The polymerization reactions were carried out under nitrogen atmosphere and unstirred conditions at a constant temperature of 60°C in ethyl acetate/water bi-phase system. The role of concentrations of monomer, initiator, catalyst, temperature, acid and ionic strength on the rate of polymerization (R_p) was ascertained. The orders with respect to monomer, initiator and phase transfer catalyst were found to be 1.5, 0.5 and 0.5 respectively. The rate of polymerization (R_p) is independent of ionic strength and pH. Based on the kinetic results, a suitable mechanism is proposed.     

Fumed SiO2 nanoparticle reinforced biopolymer blend nanocomposites with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss for flexible organic electronics

In the present study, fumed silica (SiO₂) nanoparticle reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) blend nanocomposite films were prepared via a simple solution‐blending technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to elucidate the successful incorporation of SiO₂ nanoparticles in the PVA/PVP blend matrix. A thermogravimetric analyzer was used to evaluate the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant (?) and dielectric loss (tan δ) of the PVA/PVP/SiO₂ nanocomposite films were evaluated in the broadband frequency range of 10^?2 Hz to 20 MHz and for temperatures in the range 40–150 °C. The FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy results implied the presence of hydrogen bonding interaction between SiO₂ and the PVA/PVP blend matrix. The XRD and SEM results revealed that SiO₂ nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the PVA/PVP blend matrix. The dielectric property analysis revealed that the dielectric constant values of the nanocomposites are higher than those of PVA/PVP blends. The maximum dielectric constant and the dielectric loss were 125 (10^?2 Hz, 150 °C) and 1.1 (10^?2 Hz, 70 °C), respectively, for PVA/PVP/SiO₂ nanocomposites with 25 wt % SiO₂ content. These results enable the preparation of dielectric nanocomposites using a facile solution‐casting method that exhibit the desirable dielectric performance for flexible organic electronics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44427.     

Solution-processed white graphene-reinforced ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites with improved thermal conductivity and dielectric properties for electronic encapsulation

The recent surge in graphene research has stimulated interest in the investigation of various two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, including 2D boron nitride (BN) nanostructures. Among these, hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNs; also known as white graphene, as their structure is similar to that of graphene) have emerged as potential nanofillers for preparing thermally conductive composites. In this work, hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (h-BNNPs) approximately 70 nm in size were incorporated into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix with different loadings (0–25 wt.%). The PVDF/h-BNNP nanocomposites were prepared by a solution blending technique and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The incorporation of h-BNNPs in the PVDF matrix resulted in enhanced thermal conductivity. The highest value, obtained at 25 wt.% h-BNNP loading, was 2.33 W/mK, which was five times that of the neat PVDF (0.41 W/mK). The thermal enhancement factor (TEF) at 5 wt.% h-BNNP loading was 78%, increasing to 468% at 25 wt.% h-BNNP loading. The maximum dielectric constant of approximately 36.37 (50Hz, 150 °C) was obtained at 25 wt.% h-BNNP loading, which was three times that of neat PVDF (11.94) at the same frequency and temperature. The aforementioned results suggest that these multifunctional and high-performance nanocomposites hold great promise for application in electronic encapsulation.     

Structural Characteristics and Electrical Conductivity of Spark Plasma Sintered Ytterbia Co‐doped Scandia Stabilized Zirconia

The effect of replacing Sc₂O₃ with Yb₂O₃ on the structural and electrical properties of xYb₂O₃–(12–x)Sc₂O₃–88ZrO₂ has been investigated. Spark plasma sintering technique is employed to fabricate dense bulk samples from the nano‐sized powders. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy performed on pellets indicate the existence of cubic and rhombohedral phases in 12ScSZ, and a single cubic phase in all the co‐doped compositions. However, Raman spectroscopic studies suggest the presence of a metastable tetragonal t″‐phase along with rhombohedral phases in 12ScSZ, whereas a single cubic phase in all the co‐doped compositions. Significant enhancement in the conductivity of grain and grain boundary is observed on replacing Sc₂O₃ with Yb₂O₃. In the intermediate temperature range, 1Yb11ScSZ exhibits the highest, while 12ScSZ shows the lowest conductivity values, which is attributed to corresponding phases present in that range. Through co‐doping with >1 mol% Yb₂O₃ leads to conductivity decrease, but the value remains higher than that of 12ScSZ. A sharp conductivity change is observed in 12ScSZ and 1Yb11ScSZ samples, which is attributed to partial phase transition as well to the formation of cation‐vacancy complexes. In this work, the beneficial effect of Yb₂O₃ co‐doping in 12ScSZ on the phase and conductivity has been highlighted.     

Sulfamic acid functionalized slag for effective removal of organic dye and toxic metal from the aqueous samples

Surface functionalization of blast furnace slag with sulfamic acid(a zwitterion) was performed for the removal of Cr~(3+) and methylene blue dye(MB) from water samples. The slag functionalization process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology Design. Statistical analysis of the parameters that include the sulfamic acid amount(A), reaction time(B), and temperature(C) revealed that(A) increase had a negative effect on the adsorption of both pollutants by the zwitterion slag, whereas(B) and(C)increase presented a positive impact. At the optimum condition of 2 g sulfamic acid amount, 50 min reaction time and 37 °C temperature, the prepared slag showed a removal efficiency of more than 90% for both Cr~(3+) and MB. Surface characterization by SEM/EDS, FTIR, XPS and surface area analyser, showed an improvement in surface properties and the incorporation of zwitterionic NH_2~+ and S@O groups of sulfamic acid. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies conducted with the zwitterion slag showed the adsorption process was suited to Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model.The thermodynamic study conducted revealed the spontaneity of the process based on the calculated negative DG(Gibb's free energy) values. The prepared zwitterion slag offered easy regeneration with dilute HCl solution and showed a considerable removal(Cr3+: 65% and MB: 80%) for both pollutants even after 3 cycles of usage.     

Clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in an Immunocompromised Patient Mediated by Convalescent Plasma without B-Cell Recovery

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This case report presents a patient who had difficulty eradicating the corona virus due to being treated with Rituximab, which depletes B lymphocyte cells and therefore disables the production of neutralizing antibodies. The combined use of external anti-viral agents like convalescent plasma, IVIG and Remdesivir successfully helped the patient’s immune system to eradicate the virus without B-cell population recovery. In vitro studies showed that convalescent plasma is the main agent that helped in eradicating the virus.     

Synthesis and optimization of high surface area mesoporous date palm fiber-based nanostructured powder activated carbon for aluminum removal

Date palm fiber (DPF) derived from agrowaste was utilized as a new precursor for the optimized synthesis of a cost-effective, nanostructured, powder-activated carbon (nPAC) for aluminum (Al3+) removal from aqueous solutions using carbonization, KOH activation, response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD). The optimum synthesis condition, activation temperature, time and impregna-tion ratio were found to be 650 ℃, 1.09 hour and 1:1, respectively. Furthermore, the optimum conditions for removal were 99.5％and 9.958 mg·g-1 in regard to uptake capacity. The optimum conditions of nPAC was analyzed and characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, BET, TGA and Zeta potential. Moreover, the adsorption of the Al3+ conditions was optimized with an integrated RSM-CCD experimental design. Regression results revealed that the adsorption kinetics data was well fitted by the pseudo-second order model, whereas the adsorption isotherm data was best represented by the Freundlich isotherm model. Optimum activated carbon indicated that DPF can serve as a cost-effective precursor adsorbent for Al3+removal.     

Recent Advances in Poly (Amide-B-Ethylene) Based Membranes for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Capture: A Review

Polyamide-b-ethylene (Pebax) is a promising material for membrane-based gas separation application with excellent CO₂ capturing potential. Pebax is a rubbery elastomer which offers good mechanical support with its hard crystalline phase and excellent gas transport through its amorphous polyether phase. This review article includes recent advances in Pebax based membrane synthesis, solvent selection for membrane synthesis, compatible fillers with Pebax matrix and the improved gas separation performance of the prepared membranes. The literature review shows that Pebax based membranes are a good candidate for separation of CO₂ from flue gases and can be used for commercial applications.     

Graphene oxide reinforced polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol blend composites as high-performance dielectric material

Novel flexible dielectric composites composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and graphene oxide (GO) with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss have been developed using facile and eco-friendly colloidal processing technique. The structure and morphology of the PVA/PEG/GO composites were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The dielectric behavior of PVA/PEG/GO composites was investigated in the wide range of frequencies from 50 Hz to 20 MHz and temperature in the range 40 to 150 °C using impedance spectroscopy. The dielectric constant for PVA and PVA/PEG (50/50) blend film was found to be 10.71 (50 Hz, 150 °C) and 31.22 (50 Hz, 150 °C), respectively. The dielectric constant for PVA/PEG/GO composite with 3 wt% GO was found to be 644.39 (50 Hz, 150 °C) which is 60 times greater than the dielectric constant of PVA and 20 times greater than the dielectric constant of PVA/PEG (50/50) blend film. The PVA/PEG/GO composites not only show high dielectric constant but also show low dielectric loss which is highly attractive for practical applications. These findings underline the possibilities of using PVA/PEG/GO composites as a flexible dielectric material for high-performance energy storage applications such as embedded capacitors.