Preparation of AlON ceramics via reactive spark plasma sintering

Al₂O₃ and AlN powder mixtures were used to synthesise AlON ceramics using the reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) method at temperatures between 1400 and 1650 °C for 15-45 min at 40 MPa under N₂ gas flow. AlON phase formation was initiated in the samples sintered above 1430 °C, according to the X-ray analysis. The complete transformation of the initial phases (Al₂O₃ and AlN) into AlON was observed in the samples that were spark plasma sintered at 1650 °C for 30 min at 40 MPa. A high spark plasma sintering temperature together with a low heating rate produced a greater amount of AlON formation at a constant process time. The densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced ceramics were analysed. The highest hardness value was recorded to be 16.7 GPa, and the fracture toughness of the sample with the highest AlON ratio was measured to be 3.95 MPa m^1/2.     

Improved mechanical strength of p(AAm) interpenetrating hydrogel network due to microgranular cellulose embedding

Here, polyacrylamide [p(AAm)]‐based hydrogels were synthesized via redox polymerization technique in the presence of various amounts of microgranular cellulose (MGCell) such as 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg MGCell/g. The synthesized p(AAm)‐MGCell interpenetrating hydrogels were characterized spectroscopically by FTIR, thermally by TGA analysis, and mechanically via dynamic mechanical measurements. Furthermore, the effect of the amount of MGCell in p(AAm) hydrogels on swelling% (S%) degree and mechanical strength was investigated. It was found that the S% was decreased from 727 ± 9 to 667 ± 6, 642 ± 8 and 619 ± 10, 568 ± 6 for p(AAm)‐MGCell interpenetrating network hydrogels containing 10, 50, 100, and 150 mg MGCell, respectively. On the other hand, the Young modulus of p(AAm)‐based hydrogels increased from 2.8 ± 0.2 kPa to 3.1 ± 0.03, 3.4 ± 0.1, 3.6 ± 0.3 and 4.3 ± 0.3 kPa with the incorporation of 10, 50, 100, and 150 mg MGCell into p(AAm) hydrogels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44854.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and antiproliferative/cytotoxic effects of a novel modified poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate)/doxorubicin conjugate

Polymer Bulletin - Drug carrier, poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) (MAVA or poly[MA-co-VA]) copolymer, was traditionally synthesized by free radical chain polymerization reaction, in methyl...     

Superporous cryogel/conductive composite systems for potential sensor applications

In situ synthesis of conductive polymers, poly(Aniline) (p(An)), poly(Pyrrole) (p(Py)), and poly(Thiophene) (p(Th)) within network of superporous cryogels with tunable functionalities as neutral poly(acrylamide) (p(AAm), anionic poly(acrylic acid) (p(AAc)), and cationic poly(4-vinylpyridine) (p(4-VP)) were carried out via oxidation polymerization technique. The highest conductivity values were measured for p(AAm)/p(An) semi-IPN cryogel with 1.4 × 10^?2 S.cm^?1 and for p(AAc)/p(Py) cryogel with 3.2 × 10^?4 S.cm^?1. In addition, to increase the amounts of conductive polymers within cryogel networks, reloading/polymerization cycle was carried out thrice, and found that there is no significant increase in the amounts of conductive polymers and the measured conductivity values. The prepared p(AAm), p(AAc), and p(4-VP) cryogels and their corresponding p(An), p(Py), and p(Th) composites were tested potential sensor materials against HCl and NH₃ vapor. The changes on conductivities for bare p(4-VP) cryogel were observed as 70 and 52-fold increase upon HCl and NH₃ gas treatment, respectively. The p(4-VP)/p(An) p(An) composites showed 7-fold conductivity decrease upon the treatments of HCl and NH₃ vapors. The p(AAm)/p(Py) composite responded 2-fold increase upon HCl vapor exposure and 50-fold decrease upon NH₃ vapor exposure. Furthermore, p(AAm)/p(Th) cryogel composite responded 7-fold decrease and 300-fold increase in their conductivities upon HCl and NH₃ vapor exposure, respectively.

Open image in new window

Graphical abstract ?

     

Experimental determination of effective moisture diffusivities of whole- and cut-rosehips in convective drying

Average effective moisture diffusivities for both the whole- and cut-rosehips were obtained during convective drying. The effects of process variables such as air temperature, air velocity and air absolute humidity on effective moisture diffusivity were studied. The average effective moisture diffusivity in rosehip ranged between 1.45 × 10^?10 and 10.3 × 10^?10 m²/s for whole-rosehip and between 1.44 × 10^?9 and 5.13 × 10^?9 m²/s for cut-rosehip at the temperatures studied. Activation energies for convective drying were found to be 62 kJ/mol for whole-rosehips and 58 kJ/mol for cut-rosehips.     

Antibacterial oil‐based polyurethane films for wound dressing applications

As an alternative to petroleum‐based polyol, hydroxyl containing material was prepared from linseed oil for polyurethane synthesis. Hexamethylene di‐isocyanate (HMDI) and/or 4, 4′‐methylene diphenyl di‐isocyanate (MDI) were used as isocyanate source. The polymerization reaction was carried out without catalyst. Polymer films were prepared by casting‐evaporation technique. The MDI/HMDI‐based polyurethane and its films had higher T_g and better thermal property than that of the HMDI‐based one because of the existence of benzene ring in the polymer chain. Static water contact angle was determined to be 74° and 77.5° for HMDI and MDI/HMDI‐based films, respectively. Water adsorption was found to be around 2.6–3.6% for both films. In vitro degradation of polyurethanes in phosphate buffered saline at 37°C was investigated by gravimetric method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for confirmation of degradation on the polymer surface. The degradation rate of the HMDI‐based polyurethane film was found higher than that of the MDI/HMDI‐based film. Both the direct contact method and the MMT test were applied for determination of cytotoxicity of polymer films, and the polyurethane films investigated here was not cytotoxic. Silver‐containing films were prepared using Biocera A® as filler and were screened for their antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and/or Bacillus subtilis. The films prepared with and without Biocera A® exhibited antibacterial activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Characterization of Properties in Friction Welded Stainless Steel and Copper Materials

The aim of this study is to investigate the metallurgical and mechanical properties of friction welded stainless steel-copper joints. One of the manufacturing methods used to produce parts made from different materials is the friction welding method. Application of classical welding techniques to such materials is difficult because of they have different thermal properties. Stainless steel-copper joints are inevitable for certain applications due to unique performances such as higher electric conductivity, heat conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. In the present study, austenitic stainless steel and copper parts were joined by friction welding. Tensile, fatigue, and notch-impact tests were applied to friction welded specimens, and the results were compared with those for the original materials. Microstructure, energy dispersive x-ray, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and hardness variations were conducted on the joints. Results showed that various intermetallic phases such as FeCu₄ and Cu₂NiZn occurred at the interface. It was found from the microstructure and XRD analysis that intermetallic phases formed in the interface which further caused a decrease in the strength of the joints. However, hardness of the copper increased slightly, whereas the hardness of steel decreases slightly on the horizontal distance from the center.     

Solar-energy availability in the north-eastern Arabian peninsula

The solar energy potential of north-east Saudi Arabia is investigated based on measurements of a complete year's data at a coastal location near Dhahran. High resolution, real time solar radiation data were collected and processed. Hourly, daily and monthly statistics of solar radiation were made from the 1 min averaged recorded values. Clearness index is discussed on the basis of hourly, daily and monthly averages. The variation of the diffuse fraction of total radiation is also determined and the results discussed.     

The effects of xanthan and guar gums on staling of gluten-free rice cakes baked in different ovens

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different concentrations of xanthan and guar gums and their blends on staling of gluten-free rice cakes baked in microwave-infrared combination oven (MW–IR) and to compare the cakes with conventionally baked ones. Gums were added at concentrations of 0.3% and 1.0%. For preparation of gum blend, 0.5% xanthan gum was mixed with 0.5% guar gum. In order to understand the staling behaviour of cakes, cakes were stored at 22 ± 2 °C for 120 h. Xanthan-guar gum blend decreased hardness, weight loss, retrogradation enthalpy and the change in setback viscosity values of cakes during storage for both types of ovens as compared to control formulation. It was found that oven type was a significant factor in affecting staling parameters of gluten-free cakes.