Electrosynthesis of Poly(ortho-phenetidine) Coatings on Steel and Investigation of Their Corrosion Protection Properties

Poly(ortho-phenetidine) coatings on 304 stainless steel (304 SS) surface have been synthesized by using the galvanostatic technique. The electrosynthesized coatings were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible absorption spectrometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The anticorrosion performances of poly(ortho-phenetidine) coatings were examined in 0.1 M HCl medium by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization technique. The corrosion rate of poly(ortho-phenetidine)-coated 304 SS was found ~10 times lower than bare 304 SS and corrosion potential increased from –0.29 V for uncoated 304 SS to –0.19 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) for poly(ortho-phenetidine)-coated 304 SS electrode. Electrochemical measurements indicate that poly(ortho-phenetidine) coating has good inhibiting properties with an efficiency of ~93% at 1.5 mA cm^–2 applied current density in acidic corrosive media. The results of this study obviously ascertain that the poly(ortho-phenetidine) has an outstanding potential to protect 304 SS against corrosion in an acidic environment.     

Synthesis of Zinc Sulfide Nanostructures with Different Sulfur Sources via Mild Hydrothermal Route: Investigation of Crystal Phase and Morphology

In this paper, we report a facile hydrothermal route to prepare different morphologies of zinc sulfide nanostructures, using a new inorganic precursor, zinc phthalate [Zn(pht)(H₂O)]_n, and different sulfur sources. This study focuses on the effect of different sulfur sources on the crystal structure and morphology of the products. The structural and morphological studies of the products were performed by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The high temperature (over 1020 °C) hexagonal ZnS nanostructured spheres self-assembled from ZnS nanocrystals have been synthesized at a low temperature of 160 °C by using thioglycolic acid as sulfur source.     

Application of microwave irradiation for synthesis of novel optically active poly(amide imides) derived from diacid chloride containing epiclon and L‐isoleucine with aromatic diamines

Epiclon [3a,4,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐7‐methyl‐5‐(tetrahydro‐2,5‐dioxo‐3‐furanyl)‐1,3‐isobenzofurandione] or [5‐(2,5‐dioxotetrahydrofurfuryl)‐3‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexyl‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride] (1) was reacted with L ‐isoleucine (2) in acetic acid and the resulting imide acid (3) was obtained in high yield. The diacid chloride (4) was obtained from diacid derivative (3) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polycondensation reaction of diacid chloride (4) with several aromatic diamines such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline (5a), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (5b), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether (5c), p‐phenylenediamine (5d), m‐phenylenediamine (5e), 2,4‐diaminotoluene (5f), and 4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl (5g) was developed by using a domestic microwave oven in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o‐cresol. The polymerization reactions were also performed in two other different methods: low‐temperature solution polycondensation and reflux conditions. A series of optically active poly(amide imides) with inherent viscosity of 0.12–0.30 dL/g were obtained. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these optically active poly(amide imides) are reported. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2218–2229, 2004     

Optimal oxygen concentration strategy through an isothermal oxidative coupling of methane plug flow reactor to obtain a high yield of C2 hydrocarbons

An optimal oxygen concentration trajectory in an isothermal OCM plug flow reactor for maximizing C₂ production was determined by the algorithm of piecewise linear continuous optimal control by iterative dynamic programming (PLCOCIDP). The best performance of the reactor was obtained at 1,085 K with a yield of 53.9%; while, at its maximum value, it only reached 12.7% in case of having no control on the oxygen concentration along the reactor. Also, the effects of different parameters such as reactor temperature, contact time, and dilution ratio (N₂/CH₄) on the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons and corresponding optimal profile of oxygen concentration were studied. The results showed an improvement of C₂ production at higher contact times or lower dilution ratios. Furthermore, in the process of oxidative coupling of methane, controlling oxygen concentration along the reactor was more important than controlling the reactor temperature. In addition, oxygen feeding strategy had almost no effect on the optimum temperature of the reactor. Finally, using the optimal oxygen strategy along the reactor has more effect on ethylene selectivity compared to ethane.     

Enhancement of β‐Phase Crystalline Structure and Piezoelectric Properties of Flexible PVDF/Ionic Liquid Surfactant Composite Nanofibers for Potential Application in Sensing and Self‐Powering

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a piezo‐polymer which among its crystalline phases, the β‐phase has been researched for the improvement of piezoelectric properties. In this study, to improve the β‐phase contents and thereby the piezoelectric response of the polymer, the effect of adding self‐synthesized ionic liquid surfactant (ILS) in PVDF nanofibers is studied. This material is added in different weight percentages into the PVDF solution and the nanofibers are produced by electrospinning to prepare active piezoelectric thin layers. SEM, XRD, FTIR, and piezo‐tests are employed for assessing the effect of the ILS on the enhancement of β‐phase in electrospun nanofibers and their piezoelectric performance. The results indicate ≈98.6% β‐phase formation in the sample containing 4 wt% ILS and in comparison with the pure nanofibers, the output voltage and its power density are improved 186.9% and 275%, respectively. Considering the results, it is suggested that the ILS can improve the piezoelectric response of the polymer in the fabricated structure by simple mixing in solution compared to other additives.     

A convenient synthesis of NiO-CuS/molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposites with highly enhanced adsorption activity and selectivity for removal of Letrozole

ABSTRACT

In this study, Novel NiO-CuS nanocomposites were prepared by simple chemical method. The goal of this project was to apply the Letrozole (Anti-estrogen drug) template molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the selective removal of Letrozole from aqueous samples. The NiO-CuS nanocomposites and NiO-CuS/MIP nanocomposites were specified by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis. The performance of the NiO-CuS and NiO-CuS/MIP nanocomposites was analyzed by optimizing various removal factors. The optimized data for adsorption process were 0.01 g/L: MIP, contact time: 40 min and pH: 7.0. The data was evaluated best by pseudo 1st and 2nd order equation which revealed a chemical adsorption of letrozole onto NiO-CuS and NiO-CuS/MIP particles, respectively. The result of R² values indicated that the adsorption data followed the Langmuir isotherm equation which defined that the binding agent happened on the homogeneous sites of adsorbent.     

Fibre embedding in aluminium alloy 3003 using ultrasonic consolidation process��thermo-mechanical analyses

This work presents a computational framework based on finite element methods to simulate the fibre-embedding process using ultrasonic consolidation process. The computational approach comprises of a material model which takes into account thermal and acoustic softening effects and a friction model which indicates the realistic friction behaviour at the interfaces. The derived material model and developed friction model have been incorporated in finite element model. Using the implemented material and friction model, thermo-mechanical analyses of embedding of fibre in aluminium alloy 3003 has been performed. Effect of different process parameters, such as velocity of sonotrode, displacement amplitude of ultrasonic vibration and applied loads, is studied and compared with the experimental results. The presented work has specially focused on the quality of the developed weld which could be evaluated by the friction work and the coverage of the fibre which is estimated by the plastic flow around the fibre. The computed friction work obtained from the thermomechanial analyses performed in this study show a similar trend as that of the experimentally found fracture energies.     

Nanometer-sized cerium oxide particles for solid phase extraction of trace amounts of mercury in real samples prior to cold vapor atomic adsorption spectrometry

Ceria (CeO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized using the microwave-assisted heating technique and employed as a sorbent for preconcentration of trace amounts of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions for the first time. The analysis of mercury was performed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). The characteristics of nanoparticles were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Experimental parameters influencing the extraction procedure recovery were thoroughly investigated. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.035–0.8 µg/L of mercury. The method was validated by analysis of a certified reference material.     

The synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposite films containing ZrO2 nanoparticles modified with vitamin B1 with the aim of improving the mechanical,thermal and optical properties

In the present investigation, solution casting method was used for the preparation of nanocomposite (NC) films. At first, the surface of ZrO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) was modified with vitamin B₁ (VB₁) as a bioactive coupling agent to achieve a better dispersion and compatibility of NPs within the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. The grafting of modifier on the surface of ZrO₂ was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, the resulting modified ZrO₂ (ZrO₂–VB₁), was used as a nano-filler and incorporated into the PVC matrix to improve its mechanical and thermal properties. These processes were carried out under ultrasonic irradiation conditions, which is an economical and eco-friendly method. The effect of ZrO₂–VB₁ on the properties and morphology of the PVC matrix was characterized by various techniques. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed a good dispersion of fillers into the PVC matrix with the average diameter of 37–40 nm. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to study optical behavior of the obtained NC films. TGA analysis has con?rmed the presence of about 7 wt% VB₁ on the surface of ZrO₂. Also, the data indicated that the thermal and mechanical properties of the NC films were enhanced.     

Synthesis of a novel fluorescent coloured copolymer based on 4‐butylthio‐1,8‐naphthalimide

A novel fluorescent coloured copolymer based on naphthalimide was prepared. Acenaphthene was brominated and oxidised to prepare 4‐bromo‐1,8‐naphthalic anhydride and further reacted with butanethiol, 2‐aminoethanol and acryloyl chloride, in order to obtain a new polymerisable fluorescent dye. The synthesised dyes were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry, absorption spectroscopy (Fourier Transform–infrared, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy) and fluorimetry. Molar extinction coefficients and wavelength maxima were obtained by examining the dye solution in ethanol. The solvatochromic effects of the prepared dyes have also been investigated. Finally, the dye was copolymerised with methyl methacrylate and an intrinsically coloured copolymer was obtained. The photophysical characteristics of the obtained copolymer have also been considered. It is assumed that 99% of the copolymerised dye is chemically bonded to polymer chains. The fluorescent characteristics of the copolymer in the solid state were determined by fluorometer and it was found that it has relatively high fluorescent intensity. The physical properties of the synthesised copolymer have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography.