Synthesis and characterization of a Zr‐containing silicate‐based epoxy‐functional polymer nanocomposite system

As a continuation of efforts to explore the potential of certain types of polymer nanocomposites to be successful candidates as dental restoration/adhesion materials, a Zr‐containing and organically modified silicate‐based material system with epoxy functionality was prepared by use of a sol–gel synthesis method, and UV light‐ and visible light (VL)‐curing processes. Comparative influences of the synthesis and processing parameters on the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural/nanostructural properties of the system were detailed. Zr‐containing species proved to more effectively catalyze the epoxy polymerization/crosslinking reactions than those containing Ti. Incorporation of Zr into the nanocomposite network led to significantly advanced mechanical properties. An elastic (Young's) modulus value of 23 MPa was achieved. The system with relatively high Zr content was successfully obtained, which also had higher thermal stability. Overall observations and results suggested that Zr content, and the UV light‐ or VL‐curing process could be capitalized on to modify the structure, and to improve the final properties of these material systems, which indicated a prospective opportunity for this material system to be utilized in dental restoration/adhesion applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:792–798, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and Dielectric Properties of the Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-La(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 System

A complete range of perovskite solid solutions can be formed in the (1 − x )Ba(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃- x La(Mg_2/3Nb_1/3)O₃ (BMN-LMN) pseudobinary system. While pure BMN adopts a 1:2 cation ordered structure, 1:1 ordered phases are stabilized for 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 1.0. Dark-field TEM images indicate that the La-doped solid solutions are comprised of large 1:1 ordered domains and no evidence was found for a phase-separated structure. This observation coupled with the systematic variations in the intensities of the supercell reflections supports a charge-balanced "random-site" model for the 1:1 ordering. The substitution of La also induces a transformation from a negative to positive temperature coefficient of capacitance in the region 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.5.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(dimethylsiloxane)–polythiophene composites

The synthesis was performed by the electropolymerization of thiophene on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐coated platinum electrode at 2.2 V with tetrabutylammoniumtetrafloroborate (TBAFB) as a supporting electrolyte and with acetonitrile as a solvent. The characterization of the PDMS–polythiophene (Pth) composites was carried out with cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and conductivity measurements. The observed conductivities of the PDMS composites were 2.2–5.2 S/cm. The conductivity of Pth did not change appreciably with the addition of up to 30% insulating PDMS, but its processability improved. FTIR, SEM, and DSC studies showed the existence of a strong interaction, rather than physical adhesion, between PDMS and Pth. Highly flexible and foldable PDMS–Pth composites were obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2113–2119, 2003     

Plasma surface modification of graphene oxide nanosheets for the synthesis of GO/PES nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane for enhanced oily separation

In this study, two different monomers, namely hexafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) were individually used to modify graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets via environmentally friendly plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The results from instrumental analyses confirmed the successful deposition of respective functional material onto the nanomaterials. Modified GOs were used as the nano-fillers to develop composite polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane with improved surface properties for oily solution treatment. All the developed membranes were characterized with a series of analytical instruments to support the findings of membrane filtration performance. The results indicated that the membrane incorporated with DEAEMA-GOs (coated with hydrophilic polymer) could achieve better results in terms of oil rejection, antifouling resistance and water recovery rate than the membrane incorporated with HFBA-GOs (coated with hydrophobic polymer). This is due to the reduced agglomeration between modified GOs as well as better interaction of hydrophilic-coated GOs with polymer membrane. Compared to the pure water flux of the membrane incorporated with unmodified GO, the membrane incorporated with DEAEMA-GO achieve approximately 85% higher value with oil removal rate remained almost unchanged (98.94% rejection).     

On modelling of surface tension of CMC-α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by fuzzy-hybrid approach: A comparison study

Surface tension is one of the most important rheological parameters of nanoliquids. It influences the thermophysical and mass transfer properties of nanostructures. Accurate estimation of the surface tension from operating variables is critical for determining optimal production processes. However, the challenges of producing nanoparticles and measuring their properties introduce experimental errors in the data used for mathematical modelling. Crisp regression approaches provide adequate representation of the data, but they do not provide information about the experimental uncertainty. In this study, a fuzzy-hybrid approach is proposed for mathematical modelling of surface tension of carboxymethyl cellulose/chitosan-α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. Then, the proposed model is compared with a crisp model from a previous study. Error analysis is conducted to validate the constructed fuzzy model. It is observed that the fuzzy-hybrid modelling approach has yielded significantly lower error values (a 60%–90% improvement in all error metrics on average), and thus, it is superior to the crisp approach. This study contributes to the subject of modelling rheological properties. It is shown that the fuzzy-hybrid approach has impressive potential to be utilized for modelling the rheological properties of nanostructures.     

Development of ductile green flame retardant poly(lactic acid) composites using hydromagnesite&huntite and bio-based plasticizer

Turning brittle poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to ductile form via plasticizer inclusion is an effective option in the case of processing with high amounts of additives. Additionally, the integration of natural flame retardants to PLA involving bio-based plasticizer enables to use of environmentally friendly composites in conditions where fire resistance performance is required. In the current study, ductile green fire retardant PLA composites were manufactured using hydromagnesite&huntite (HH) as a natural fire retardant additive and acetyl tributyl citrate as a bio-based plasticizer. The influences of plasticizer and HH contents on the fire retardant, thermal and mechanical performances of the composites were explored. According to test results, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of PLA reduced from 29.2 to 28.0 and the UL-94 V rating changed from V2 to BC with the addition of 20 wt% plasticizer owing to the reduction in melt viscosity. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) and average heat release rate (avHRR) values increased steadily as the concentration of plasticizer increased due to the formation of a more porous residue structure stemming from the increased transportation rate of gases. In order to produce ductile flame retardant material, the plasticizer content was required to 20 wt% of HH. The highest LOI value (36.2) and UL-94 rating of V0 were achieved with the inclusion of 70 wt% HH in the presence of 20 wt% plasticizer. Improvement in impact resistance and reduction in tensile strength were observed as the added amount of plasticizer increased.     

Determination of the quality and purity characteristics of olive oils obtained from different regions of Turkey,depending on climatic changes

Virgin olive oils (VOOs) obtained from olives grown in different regions of Turkey under changing climatic conditions sometimes show different sensory and chemical properties. This study was planned to determine whether these deviations are due to climatic changes or not. For this purpose, five different olive varieties (Ayvalık, Memecik, Gemlik, Nizip Yağlık, Kilis Yağlık) of commercial importance were harvested from the provinces/districts (four different region) where cultivation is intense during the 2017/2018–2020/2021 harvest years. Every year, olive samples were collected from 3 orchards from 13 provinces/districts. One hundred and fifty-six samples were subjected to the purity, quality and sensory analysis. Basic climatic values (average, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity and precipitation) were examined for four consecutive years. All of the examined olive oil samples were determined within the legal limits in terms of fatty acid composition and fatty acid ethyl ester values. However, delta-7-stigmastenol value from the sterol composition was found to be above 0.5% in some samples in all the years studied (total 21 samples). Delta-7-stigmastenol values of olive oil samples varied between 0.16% and 1.14%. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied using a genetic algorithm-based inverse least squares method to determine whether there is a relationship between climate data and delta-7-stigmastenol values. According to this result, it has been determined that the delta-7-stigmastenol value is high when the annual average relative humidity is low and the annual average temperature is high. There is an urgent need to make forward-looking plans due to climate change.     

Effect of roasting on the physico-chemical properties,fatty acids,polyphenols and mineral contents of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seed and oils

The physico-chemical properties, phytochemicals, mineral contents of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seeds grown at Samsun province in Turkey were evaluated. The oil contents of tobacco seeds ranged from 20.6% (control) to 29.0% (microwave-roasted). L*, a* and b* values of tobacco seeds ranged from 32.38 to 35.61; from 6.32 to 6.78; from 13.72 to 14.27, respectively. Total phenolic contents of tobacco seed extract and oils were reported between 31.02 (oven-roasted) and 34.42 mg GAE/100 g (microwave-roasted) to 4.60 (microwave-roasted) and 6.45 mg GAE/100 g (oven-roasted), respectively. Total flavonoid values of raw and roasted tobacco seed extract and oils were determined between 26.62 (oven) and 67.10 mg/100 g (control) to 21.57 (control) and 44.71 mg/100 g (microwave-roasted), respectively. Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and catechin are the predominant phenolic components of raw and roasted tobacco seed oils. The amounts of oleic and linoleic acid in raw and roasted tobacco seed oils ranged from 10.23% (oven-roasted) to 12.48% (control) and 73.72% (control) to 76.63% (oven-roasted), respectively. The abundant elements found in seeds were K, P, Ca, Mg, S and Fe. The mineral amounts of the roasted seeds were found higher than that of the control. The highest increase was detected in oven roasted tobacco seeds.     

Improvement of Interfacial Adhesion of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composite by Using Plasma Polymerized Glass Fibers

This study intends to produce plasma polymer thin films of γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-GPS) on glass fibers in order to improve interfacial adhesion of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. A low frequency (LF) plasma generator was used for the plasma polymerization of γ-GPS on the surface of glass fibers at different plasma powers and exposure times. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM analyses of plasma polymerized glass fibers were conducted to obtain some information about surface properties of glass fibers. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of composites reinforced with plasma polymerized glass fiber were evaluated. The ILSS and IFSS values of non-plasma polymerized glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composite were increased 110 and 53%, respectively, after plasma polymerization of γ-GPS at a plasma power of 60 W for 30 min. The improvement of interfacial adhesion was also confirmed by SEM observations of fractured surface of the composites.