Hierarchical porous carbon templated with silica spheres of a diameter of 14 nm from pure chitosan or a chitosan/ZnCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> solution

Nitrogen-containing mesoporous carbons with the use of colloidal silica spheres of (14 nm) and chitosan as a carbon precursor were obtained. A removal of such small template particles from carbonized silica–chitosan composite is difficult and HF with a minimum concentration of 15 wt% should be used. By varying the silica-to-chitosan ratio, the porous characteristic of products is controlled. The modification by ZnCl₂ with a molar Zn-to-C (in chitosan mass) ratio of ‘6’ results in the development of microporosity; however it is accompanied by a significant reduction of mesopore volume (V_mes). The addition of ZnCl₂ in a ratio of ‘5.25’ and pH adjustment to 5.8 increase the volumes of micropores, small mesopores, BET surface area to 1975 m²/g, and preserve V_mes of 4.15 cm³/g. The novelty of the presented strategy is the creation of microporosity in the hard-templated materials by incorporating ZnCl₂ into the mixture of Ludox HS-40 template and chitosan precursor, as well as the investigation on how the pH of synthesis influences the final porosity. The pH of a silica–chitosan–zinc solution, equal to 3.9, provides some coordination of Zn²⁺ by –OH and –NH₂ groups, whereas pH adjustment to 5.8 results in the precipitation of a new template—Zn(OH)₂.     

A novel UV‐cured interpenetrating organic–inorganic hybrid polymer network based phase change materials (IPN‐PCM)

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel UV‐cured interpenetrating polymer networked phase change materials (IPN‐PCMs), on which no article has been found in the so far published research. Maleated castor oil (MCO) was synthesized via maleinization reaction of castor oil with maleic anhydride. Organic–inorganic hybrid interpenetrating polymer networked (IPN) materials containing both cationic and radical sections and IPN‐PCMs containing tetradecanol, hexadecanol, and octadecanol were prepared. The chemical structure of MCO and organic–inorganic hybrid IPN‐PCMs were determined by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used for examining the phase‐change behaviors of the materials. Thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the surface formation of the specimen was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In conclusion, our study proved that because of their high latent heat storage scope and high thermal stability, the obtained organic–inorganic hybrid IPN‐PCMs could be used as thermal energy storage materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:870–875, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Determination of Ni and Zn in an Oil Matrix using Schiff Base‐Assisted Extraction Followed by a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer: A Simple Strategy to Determine Ni and Zn

In the present work, a new and simple Schiff base‐assisted extraction strategy for Ni and Zn from an edible oil matrix with subsequent determination using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer was suggested. According to the green approach, laborious sample‐pretreatment procedures were eliminated via complexation of the analytes with N,N′‐bis(4‐methoxysalycylidene)‐2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐propanediamine (4MSHP) and transferred from the oil phase to the aqueous phase. The complexation properties of 4MSHP, Ni, and Zn were investigated using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The experimental conditions that affect the extraction efficiency were optimized using central composite design. The optimum conditions for the extraction of Ni and Zn were as follows: a volume to oil mass ratio of 0.83 to 1.31 mL g^?1 of 4MSHP solution; 62.3‐ and 50.6‐min, stirring time; 27.3 and 31.1 °C, temperature, respectively. The detection limits (3s_bm^?1) were 0.41 μg g^?1 for Ni and 0.16 μg g^?1 for Zn. Validation of the suggested work was performed by the analysis of organometallic standard‐doped n‐hexane solutions as certified reference materials under the optimum experimental conditions. The recovery percentages were warranted the accuracy and found as 98.2 ± 1.8% for Ni and 99.8 ± 1.2% for Zn. In addition, relative SD values were below 5% for both the analytes. The Student's t‐test showed that there was no significant difference between the found and doped amount of analytes at 95% confidence level. The features such as the detection technique, cheapness, eco‐friendly solvent usage, and practicality were better compared to the literature.     

Fatty acids of the seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Origanum onites</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O. vulgare</Emphasis> L.

Seed oils of Origanum onites L. from the Antalya and Mugla regions and O. vulgare L. from the Kirklareli region of Turkey were extracted with hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus. The oil yields were 14.1–20.0 and 18.5%, respectively. FA compositions of the seed oils were determined by GC and GC/MS. Twenty FA were identified in both O. onites and O. vulgare seeds. The major FA of both species were linolenic (56.3–57.0%; 61.8%), linoleic (21.5–21.7%; 18.8%), oleic (8.7–8.9%; 5.9%), palmitic (5.9–6.5%; 5.5%), stearic (2.1–2.4%; 2.1%), and (Z)-11-octadecenoic (0.6–0.8%; 0.5%), respectively.     

轮胎噪声与滚动阻力的相关性

低滚动阻力和低噪声是对现代轮胎的要求,其目的在于保护环境和提高车辆运行的经济性。在大多数驾驶条件下,轮胎／道路噪声是车辆行驶噪声的主要来源。社会调查显示,交通噪声环境污染对人类的影响远远大于其他任何形式的污染。轮胎滚动阻力直接影响车辆的燃油消耗,并与二氧化碳和其他废气的排放密切相关。     

Microwave and conventional treatment of low-cement high-alumina castables with different water-to-cement ratio; Part II. Dehydration

Modern refractory castables contain between 3.5 and 5?wt.-% water that is necessary for sufficient flow during emplacement and for the formation of hydrate phases, necessary for the green strength of the material. Prior to the high temperature use of this material, it must be dried very carefully to avoid explosive spalling.This paper will demonstrate that beside conventional drying of pre-shaped materials in resistance furnaces microwave radiation is an energy saving and rapid method to remove pore water as well as hydrate bond water from the castable. In comparison to resistance furnaces, the use of microwave radiation does not affect the castable properties as there are mechanical strength (MOR, CCS), open porosity and pore size distribution. This study proved microwave radiation as valuable alternative with a series of tabular alumina based low cement castables (LLC) in which the water-to-cement-ratio (wcr = 0.64, 0.75, 0.82 and 1.13) was systematically altered by changing the cement concentration at constant mixing water concentration of 4.5%.     

A microporous and high surface area active carbon obtained by the heat-treatment of chitosan

A method is described for converting chitosan into a high surface area and porous active carbon using a Na₂CO₃ solution impregnated into a partly depolymerized, protonated and water soaked chitosan. The wet chitosan paste is heat treated and transformed into a nonporous solid i.e. a carbon-rich matrix with uniformly suspended Na₂CO₃ nanocrystallites. Subsequent HCl etching opens cavities in the matrix due to the removal of the Na₂CO₃. The active carbon is high surface area (above 400 m²/g), microporous (below 1 nm) and nitrogen-rich (above 6% atomic).     

Differential Display of Investigative Behavior Permits Discrimination of Scent Signatures from Familiar and Unfamiliar Socially Dominant Female Marmoset Monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)

The hypothesis was tested that marmosets have differential displays of investigatory behavior towards circumgenital scent marks from socially dominant females based on degree of familiarity. In a series of two-choice behavioral discrimination bioassays, dominant males together with subordinate and dominant females were presented concurrently with scent secretions from familiar versus unfamiliar dominant females, and their investigative behaviors towards the scent were recorded. Test animals directed significantly different amounts of investigative behaviors towards familiar versus unfamiliar scents when the scent stimuli involved complete circumgenital scent marks, glandular secretion only, or urine only. When animals discriminated between the two scent samples, they did so by directing significantly increased amounts of behavior to scent from unfamiliar females. Chemical cues promoting differential displays of behavior to familiar versus unfamiliar scents appeared to be volatile in nature and were effective in the scent mark for at least one day following deposition. The reliable ability of marmosets to consistently discriminate between odors from familiar versus unfamiliar dominant females provides strong circumstantial evidence that individual female marmosets have distinct chemical signatures. The ability of marmosets to discriminate the odor from familiar versus unfamiliar dominant females may be important in the context of intergroup relations.     

Room temperature synthesis of PbSe quantum dots in aqueous solution: stabilization by interactions with ligands

An aqueous route of synthesis is described for rapid synthesis of lead selenide quantum dots (PbSe QDs) at room temperature in an attempt to produce water-soluble and stable nanocrystals. Several thiol-ligands, including thioglycolic acid (TGA), thioglycerol (TGC), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 2-mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride (MEA), 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA), and l-cysteine (l-cys), were used for capping/stabilization of PbSe QDs. The effects of the ligands on the stability of PbSe QDs were evaluated for a period of two months at room temperature under normal light conditions and at 4 °C in the dark. The TGA- and MEA-capped QDs exhibited the highest stability prior to purification, almost two months when kept in the dark at 4 °C. However, the stability of TGA-capped QDs was reduced substantially after purification to about 5 days under the same conditions, while MEA-capped QDs did not show any significant instability. The stabilization energies of Pb-thiolate complexes determined by theoretical DFT simulations supported the experimental results. The PbSe QDs capped with TGA, MPA and MEA were successfully purified and re-dispersed in water, while those stabilized with TGC, MHA and l-cys aggregated during purification attempts. The purified PbSe QDs possess very susceptible surface resulting in poor stability for about 30-45 min after re-dispersion in water. In the presence of an excess of free ligand, the stability increased up to 5 days for TGA-capped QDs at pH 7.19, 9-12 days for MPA-capped QDs at pH 7.3-7.5 and 45-47 days for MEA-capped QDs at pH 7.35. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the QDs possess a cubic rock salt structure with the most intense peaks located at 2θ = 25.3° (200) and 2θ = 29.2° (100). TEM images showed that the size of the QDs ranges between 5 and 10 nm. ICP-MS results revealed that Pb?:?Se ratios were 1.26, 1.28, 3.85, 1.18, and 1.31 for the QDs capped with TGA, MPA, MEA, l-cys, and TGC, respectively. The proposed method is inexpensive, simple and utilizes environmentally friendly chemicals and solvents.     

The comprehensive in vitro evaluation of eight different calcium phosphates: Significant parameters for cell behavior

Eight different calcium phosphate nanoparticles, namely bovine bone bioapatite calcined at 500, 600, and 700°C, Mg-doped brushite, fluorinated calcium phosphate, Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate, were characterized employing physico-chemical methods. Their cytocompatibility was evaluated under human osteoblast-like cell line MG-63 culture conditions in elution media and via the direct interaction of cells with calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The main objective was to determine the correlation of the cell indices with the differently determined physical and chemical parameters of the calcium phosphates. Chemical composition, which contributes toward pH changes, and the calcium ion concentration in the medium appear to make up particularly significant factors; moreover, it was proved that the number of material types represents a further important aspect. In the case of a large number of material types, almost no correlation was determined between the analyzed parameters; however, in the case of a small number of apatite types, several positive correlations were found. It can be concluded that it is not possible to identify any monitored parameters that had a major impact on cell behavior or, at least, such an effect which can be generalized. It appears more likely that cell behavior is affected by the interplay of various parameters.