Polymers from renewable resources: Kinetics studies of the radiochemical graft copolymerization of styrene onto cellulose extracted from pine needles and the effect of some additives on the grafting parameters in an aqueous medium

In an attempt to develop an alternative to petro‐based polymers, we graft‐copolymerized cellulose isolated from the needles of Pinus roxburghii with styrene in a limited aqueous medium in air by simultaneous irradiation using gamma rays as the initiator. The optimum conditions for obtaining maximum grafting were determined as a function of monomer concentration, total dose of irradiation, and amount of water. Maximum percentage of grafting (P_g; 79.9) was obtained at a total dose of 1.152 × 10⁴ Gy with 1.325 × 10^?4 mol of styrene. The effect of methanol, LiNO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, Mohr's salt, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, and AcOH on P_g was studied. All the additives were found to decrease graft yield, contrary to some reported studies. Total percentage conversion and rates of polymerization, grafting, and homopolymerization were evaluated. Evidence of grafting was provided by the characterization of cellulose and its graft copolymers by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and observation of the swelling behavior in some solvents. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1490–1500, 2002     

Aza-Michael Addition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-Aminopropylsilatranes to Substituted N-Phenylmaleimides: Design and Synthesis of a Heterocyclic Amine Receptor and Their Preliminary Antimicrobial Studies

An efficient method for C-N bond formation via aza-Michael addition of γ-aminopropylsilatranes to substituted N-phenylmaleimides under mild conditions is described. The five receptors enclosing the maleimide moiety have been synthesized by the aza-Michael addition to strong nucleophile γ-aminopropylsilatrane producing silatranes possessing substituted N-phenylsuccinimide at the axial position without any catalyst. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The synthesized compounds have been screened for possible antimicrobial properties and results have shown modest activity.     

Moisture Adsorption Isotherms of Watermelon Seed and Kernels

The moisture adsorption isotherms of watermelon seeds and kernels from Citrullus lanatus Cv Mateera and Citrullus vulgaris Cv Sugar baby were obtained using standard static method with saturated salt solutions over a range of water activities from 0.113 to 0.92 at 20–60°C. The adsorption capacity of seeds decreased with the increase in temperature at constant water activity. Sorption models were used to explain the adsorption behavior involving water activity and moisture content (Type I) and also temperature (Type II). Oswin's models gave best fit among Type I with coefficient of determination of 0.953–0.995, standard error of 0.031–0.0571, mean relative error of 0.071–0.152, and scattered residual plots. Modified Oswin was the best fit model among Type II for the seeds and kernels of both the cultivars with coefficient of determination of 0.997–0.999, standard error of 0.151–0.255, mean relative error of 0.018–0.244, and scattered residual plots. The net isoelectric heat of adsorption, estimated from Clausius-Clapeyron decreased from about 27.0 to 0.5 kJ/mol in kernels and 18.0 to 0.5 kJ/mol in seeds of both the cultivars as the moisture content increased from 5 to 25% (dry basis).     

Sorption Isotherms and Drying Characteristics of Tomato Peel Isolated from Tomato Pomace

Tomato peel was separated from pomace by sedimentation and dried in cabinet and fluidized-bed dryer at 50–70°C using 4–12 kg/m²tray load. The drying of tomato peel took place under the falling rate period and the drying behavior was well described by Page's model with coefficient of determination greater than 0.99 and standard error of 0.003–0.016. A fluidized-bed dryer was much more efficient than a cabinet dryer to dry tomato peel. The moisture adsorption isotherms of tomato peel were obtained by equilibrating above saturated salt solutions of known a _w (0.113–0.92) at 20–60°C. The data were analyzed using fifteen sorption models based on coefficient of determination, standard error, and residual plots. Modified Henderson was the best model for tomato peel with coefficient of determination >0.99, standard error <0.210, and a scattered residual plot. The net isostearic heat of sorption, estimated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, was 0.74–23.23 kJ/mol at 2.0–2.5% moisture content (dry basis).     

Phase immiscibility induced enhanced fluorescence in spin-coated PVP/PPO polyblends

We report on the effect of phase immiscibility on the structure and optical properties of spin-coated polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyphenylene oxide (PPO) polyblends using X-ray diffraction, IR absorption, optical absorption and florescence spectroscopic techniques. The broad diffraction halos in the X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the semi-crystalline nature for the synthesized polyblends. The change in q value for both the deconvoluted halos confirms the variation in the molecular interactions while the decrease in their fwhm values signify the enhancement in crystalline nature with the blending. The infrared absorption studies were used to elucidate the interaction of functional groups in the spin-coated polyblends. The position of three excitonic bands and the red shift in the optical absorption edge with the increase in the PPO content has been observed for these polyblends. The six time enhancement in fluorescence peak intensity in visible region (~500 nm) for immiscible blend (50/50) composition has been of importance for the design of low cost luminescent and photovoltaic devices.     

Whale Optimization Algorithm Approach for Performance Optimization of Novel Xmas Tree-Shaped FinFET

Silicon - Today, Fin shaped Field Effect Transistors (FinFETs) are the framework of the sub-nanometer technology node. The leading semiconductor industry deploys it in low-power (LP) and...     

Rheology of polyacrylonitrile‐based precursor polymers produced from controlled (RAFT) and conventional polymerization: Its role in solution spinning

Polymer solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent, made from reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)‐mediated polyacrylonitrile (RAFT^¥ PAN) terpolymer with molecular weight (MW) of 260,000 g/mol and dispersity (Ð) of 1.29, behave differently under applied shear stress than polymer solutions made from conventional PAN (Control PAN) with similar MW (258,000 g/mol) but Ð of 2.05 in the same solvent. The unique rheology of RAFT PAN is because of the reduced amount of high MW polymer fractions. Specifically, a 25% (w/v) polymer solution of RAFT PAN had a viscosity of 198 Pas while the equivalent control PAN polymer solution had a viscosity of 968 Pas at a shear rate of 1 s^?1. Also, RAFT PAN polymer solutions had a longer Newtonian plateau than control PAN polymer solutions. This exhibits more liquid character in RAFT PAN polymer solutions than control PAN polymer solutions at same temperature and concentration. In dynamic tests, RAFT PAN polymer solutions gelled slower than their equivalent control PAN polymer solutions because of their longer polymer chain relaxation times. Slow gelling and higher liquid character in RAFT PAN polymer solutions can result in obtaining stronger and finer precursor fibers during wet spinning. Since RAFT PAN polymer solutions exhibit low viscosity and higher liquid character when compared to its equivalent control PAN at same concentration and temperature, these can allow a wider working window for wet spinning and can also allow higher solid content in the polymer solutions that remain easy to wet spin. This is expected to lead to compact and finer fibers with less voids and higher strength. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44273.     

Essential Oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia scoparia</Emphasis> Inhibits Plant Growth by Generating Reactive Oxygen Species and Causing Oxidative Damage

We investigated the chemical composition and phytotoxicity of the essential oil extracted from leaves of Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. (red stem wormwood, Asteraceae). GC/GC-MS analyses revealed 33 chemical constituents representing 99.83% of the oil. The oil, in general, was rich in monoterpenes that constitute 71.6%, with β-myrcene (29.27%) as the major constituent followed by (+)-limonene (13.3%), (Z)-β-ocimene (13.37%), and γ-terpinene (9.51%). The oil and β-myrcene were evaluated in a dose–response bioassay under laboratory conditions for phytotoxicity against three weeds—Avena fatua, Cyperus rotundus, and Phalaris minor. A significant reduction in germination, seedling growth, and dry matter accumulation was observed in the test weeds. At the lowest treatment of 0.07 mg/ml Artemisia oil, germination was reduced by 39%, 19%, and 10.6% in C. rotundus, P. minor, and A. fatua, respectively. However, the inhibitory effect of β-myrcene was less. In general, a dose-dependent effect was observed and the growth declined with increasing concentration. Among the three weeds, the inhibitory effect was greatest on C. rotundus, so it was selected for further studies. We explored the explanation for observed growth inhibition in terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS: lipid peroxidation, membrane integrity, and amounts of conjugated dienes and hydrogen peroxide)-induced oxidative stress. Exposure of C. rotundus to Artemisia oil or β-myrcene enhanced solute leakage, indicating membrane disintegration. There were increased levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, indicating lipid peroxidation and induction of oxidative stress. We conclude that Artemisia oil inhibits plant root growth through generation of ROS-induced oxidative damage.