The Comparative Heat Stability of Bovine β-Lactoglobulin in Buffer and Complex Media

The heat stability of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) is usually described with reference to a concentration-dependent pseudo-rate constant k. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the irreversible denaturation of β-lg, in a whey protein mixture dissolved in Tris-HCl buffer, were examined over a wide temperature range 75–120°C and for degrees of denaturation [(C_o-C_t)/C_o] up to about 90%. The first-order kinetic model best described β-lg denaturation over the temperature range 75–85°C, whereas the second-order model applies in the range 90–120°C. A comparison between β-lg thermostability in buffer and literature data pertaining to more complex heating media (whey and milk), over the range 75–120°C, was carried out on the basis of changes in activation free energy (ΔG^#), which itself takes into account changes in both activation enthalpy (ΔH^#) and activation entropy (ΔS^#). It was found that the thermal stability of β-lg in different media, and irrespective of the kinetic model assumed in the present study, can be ranked: buffer ≪ whey>milk for the temperature range 75–85°C. On the contrary, at the higher temperature range, 90–120°C, the ranking is buffer<whey<milk, when using the second-order model to describe the present data. For such comparisons to be valid the initial concentration of β-lg in various studies, as well as the reaction order applied, should be taken into consideration. © 1997 SCI.     

Decolorization kinetics of Procion H-exl dyes from textile dyeing using Fenton-like reactions

The decolorization kinetics of three commercially used Procion H-exl dyes was studied using a Fenton-like reagent. The effect of the major system parameters (pH, concentration of H(2)O(2) and Fe(3+) and initial dye concentration) on the kinetics was determined. For comparison, the effect of the use of UV irradiated Fenton-like reagent and of Fenton reagent on the kinetics was also examined. In addition, mineralization rates and the biodegradability improvement as well as the effect of the addition of Cl(-), CO(3)(2-) or HCO(3)(-) on the decolorization rates was studied. The reactions were carried out in a 300 ml stirred cylindrical reactor with the capability of UV irradiation. The dye half-life time goes through a minimum with respect to the solution pH between 3 and 4. It also exhibits a broad minimum with respect to Fe(3+) and H(2)O(2) at molar ratios of H(2)O(2)/Fe(3+) from about 100 to 10. The addition of CO(3)(2-) and HCO(3)(-) substantially reduces the decolorization rates, while this effect is significantly less pronounced with Cl(-). At an optimum range of parameters, the mineralization rate (TOC reduction) is very slow for the Fenton-like process (TOC decrease from an initial 49.5 to 41.1 mg/l after 30 min and to only 35.2 mg/l after 600 min), but it increases significantly for the photo-Fenton-like process (to TOC values of 39.7 and 11.4 mg/l, respectively). The biodegradability, as expressed by the BOD/COD ratio, increases significantly from an initial value of 0.11-0.55 for the Fenton-like and to 0.72 for the photo-Fenton-like processes.     

Nanomechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP) with DAB dendrimers (poly-propylene imine) coatings onto titanium surfaces

Coatings of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanorods onto titanium surfaces were synthesized with the aim to improve coatings’ mechanical properties and adhesion to the substrate. The coatings are consisting of HAP nanorods synthesized in the presence of a cationic fourth generation diaminobutane poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (DAB) bearing 32 amine end groups employing varying calcium: dendrimer ratios and varying hydrothermal treatments. The quality, surface morphology and structure of the coatings were characterized with X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive microanalysis. Wear resistance and adhesion properties of the coatings onto titanium substrates were studied through nanoindentation analysis. The experimental conditions, namely the calcium: dendrimer molar ratio and the hydrothermal treatment temperature were carefully selected; thus, it was possible to produce coatings of high hardness and elastic modulus values (ranging between 1–4.5 GPa and 40–150 GPa, respectively) and/or high wear resistance and plastic deformation values.     

热力学和动力学因素对块体非晶合金玻璃形成能力的影响

从热力学和动力学原理出发,结合经典形核理论,阐述了焓变?Hf、熵变?Sf、Gibbs自由能的差?G、过冷熔体的黏度?和冷却速率等热力学与动力学因素对非晶合金玻璃形成能力的影响,以及这些参数之间的相关性,最后总结了由热力学与动力学因素引出的判断块体非晶合金玻璃形成能力的各种判据     

Distinguishing amorphous polymer blends from copolymers by wide angle X-ray diffraction

Amorphous homopolymer blends were differentiated from the corresponding random copolymers with wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) using the diffraction angle and the band width at one-half peak maximum. The diffraction angle was also used to determine the composition of copolymers and of mixtures of homopolymers. A procedure has been developed to predict the WAXRD patterns of polyblends and/or random copolymers based on those of the corresponding homopolymers.     

Thermal analysis as an aid to monomer plant design

The thermal data needed for the design of heat transfer equipment and distillation columns for the manufacture of a new vinyl monomer, diacetone acrylamide, were rapidly and effectively provided by differential scanning calorimetry. A method has been developed for determining the effects of inhibitors and metals on the polymerization of the vinyl monomer. The latter was an aid in the selection of materials of construction. DSC was used to determine the total inhibitor concentration in the monomer. Selection of inhibitors was facilitated by information derived from thermal analysis.