Fabrication and characterization of highly efficient three component CuBTC/graphene oxide/PSF membrane for gas separation application

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with marvelous properties have aroused enormous attention for different application especially gas adsorption and separation. In this regard, fabrication of MOF hybrids with carbon based materials is new strategy to upgrade MOF performance. In this study CuBTC (Copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid)/graphene oxide (GO) composite was synthesized and characterized by BET, SEM, TGA, XRD and FT-IR techniques. Then CuBTC and CuBTC/GO composite were incorporated into polysulfone (PSF) polymer to construct mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The obtained membranes were characterized by SEM, TGA, XRD and tensile tests and their gas permeability was measured. The results were compared to those of CuBTC/PSF MMMs. It was revealed that CuBTC/GO composite as filler showed superior performance relative to CuBTC. For instance, 15 wt% loading of CuBTC/GO in PSF represented outstanding gas separation behavior while the same loading of CuBTC in PSF deteriorated performance of MMM. Well particle dispersion and favorable polymer-filler interaction were responsible for such observed difference. A high H₂/CH₄ and H₂/N₂ selectivity of 80.03 and 70.46 were recorded for CuBTC/GO in PSF (15 wt%) compared to 44.56 and 40.92 for CuBTC in PSF (15 wt%).     

Long term ageing of polyamide 6 and polyamide 6 reinforced with 30% of glass fibers: physicochemical,mechanical and morphological characterization

Hygrothermal ageing of polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 6 reinforced with 30 wt% of glass fibers (PA6GF30) was undertaken. Immersion was conducted in distilled water at 90 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for up to 80 days (1920 h). Results revealed a noteworthy decrease either in glass transition temperature T_g or in tensile properties, at early stage of ageing, for both studied materials. This decline was mainly caused by the plasticization effect of water and the weakness of the interfacial interactions leading as a consequence to a loss of adhesion between fiber and matrix. Afterwards, physical and mechanical properties decrease monotonically testifying the occurrence of exhaustive damages and chemical reaction phenomena. Such phenomena were yellowing and crazing formation which were observed for both materials after 1920 h of conditioning. The former is caused by the thermo- oxidation whereas the latter results from the release of internal stresses induced by water sorption. These chemical reactions were monitored by infrared spectroscopy. Thus, an increase of the free N-H stretch and the carbonyl groups (imides) was noted. Accordingly, it seems that long term immersion in distilled water at high temperature induces chemical reactions which indicate the severity of the damage.     

Biogenic Amine Contents in Non-alcoholic Beers: Screening and Optimization of Derivatization

A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for the determination of nine biogenic amines in non-alcoholic beers was developed by an optimized benzoylation procedure. A Plackett–Burman factorial design was used in order to screen the statistically significant variables. The significant factors of biogenic amine benzoylation, reagent volume and pH, were optimized by a complete factorial response surface design, and optimal reaction conditions were generated. The optimized method showed good linearity (correlation coefficients > 0.997) and good recoveries (from 88.6 to 104.7 %). The repeatability and reproducibility of method were >3.9 and >4.6 %, respectively. Moreover, the detection limits of biogenic amines were calculated between 0.05 and 0.15 μg/ml in wine samples. The optimized method has been applied to the determination of biogenic amine contents of non-alcoholic beers consumed in Iran. Their values ranged from 0 to 2.56 mg/l, no significant differences (p?>?0.05) were observed between the analyzed samples, and none of these samples surpass the toxic levels reported in the literature.     

Growth mechanisms of MgO nanocrystals via a sol-gel synthesis using different complexing agents

In the preparation of nanostructured materials, it is important to optimize synthesis parameters in order to obtain the desired material. This work investigates the role of complexing agents, oxalic acid and tartaric acid, in the production of MgO nanocrystals. Results from simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (STA) show that the two different synthesis routes yield precursors with different thermal profiles. It is found that the thermal profiles of the precursors can reveal the effects of crystal growth during thermal annealing. X-ray diffraction confirms that the final products are pure, single phase and of cubic shape. It is also found that complexing agents can affect the rate of crystal growth. The structures of the oxalic acid and tartaric acid as well as the complexation sites play very important roles in the formation of the nanocrystals. The complexing agents influence the rate of growth which affects the final crystallite size of the materials. Surprisingly, it is also found that oxalic acid and tartaric acid act as surfactants inhibiting crystal growth even at a high temperature of 950°C and a long annealing time of 36 h. The crystallite formation routes are proposed to be via linear and branched polymer networks due to the different structures of the complexing agents.     

The structural variability of quarters and residential areas in the historical texture of the city of Yazd based on Islamic rules and jurisprudence: a case study of Golchinan quarter

According to many researchers and scholars, religious beliefs can be considered as the most influential factor in forming Muslim urban spaces and their architectural elements. In fact, historical cities reflect the culture and beliefs of their residences. Among all historical places in Iranian cities, the historical texture of the city of Yazd, especially the quarters since the age of Qajar dynasty, are well preserved. The present study aims at identifying the Islamic principles and values influencing the formation of architectural spaces and the extent of their applications in one of the historical quarters known as Golchinan. The results of the conformation of the theoretical findings with the data acquired from field studies revealed that almost 90% of the urban and architectural spaces (e.g. residential areas, mosques, bazaars, and pathways) in Yazd are directly influenced by Islamic principles. In other words, there is a strong conformity between the accepted Islamic values of the society and what actually was applied to urban constructions during Qajar dynasty.     

Different combinations of salts affect the growth and bacteriocin production by Lactobacillus salivarius CRL 1328

BACKGROUND: The culture medium for optimal growth of vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius CRL 1328 is different from that for optimal bacteriocin production. To simultaneously obtain high amount of biomass and bacteriocin of this microorganism, the effects of different basal culture media and salts on both responses were evaluated. The study was performed by using a complete factorial experimental design 2⁶, with central points. Sixty‐four different growth media, which resulted from the combinations of two basal culture media and two concentrations of five salts (ammonium citrate, sodium acetate, MgSO₄, MnSO₄, and K₂HPO₄) were assayed. RESULTS: Only the addition of MnSO₄ to each culture medium significantly stimulated the growth of L. salivarius. The presence of sodium acetate or MgSO₄ stimulated the bacteriocin production, while MnSO₄ and K₂HPO₄ exerted an inhibitory effect. However, the simultaneous addition of MnSO₄ and sodium acetate to both basal culture media allowed high bacteriocin levels to be reached, attenuating the inhibitory effect of Mn²⁺. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a complete experimental design contributed to simultaneous optimization of the biomass and bacteriocin production of L. salivarius CRL 1328. The results obtained are potentially applicable to the technological production of probiotic bacteria and antagonistic substance to be included in a probiotic pharmaceutical product. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry