The influence of chromate quenching and chloride contamination level on the performance of the painted hot-dipped galvanized steel (duplex system)

The influences of the chromate quenching step and the surface chloride contamination levels of galvanized steel on the performance of duplex systems were studied. Steel panels were galvanized in a commercial steel bath adopting three different postdipping procedures. A comparative study of the galvanized steel, both painted and nonpainted, was performed by electrochemical techniques. It was verified that the chloride contamination level of the galvanized steel surfaces is the main cause of duplex system failures. An explanation for the influence of the chromate quenching on the performance of duplex systems was presented.     

Effect of itaconic acid on the wet scrub resistance of highly pigmented paints for architectural coatings

This study investigates the influence of carboxylic monomers, such as itaconic acid (IA), on the colloidal properties of the latexes made by semi-continuous emulsion copolymerization of styrene (STy) with n-butyl acrylate (BA). A number of copolymerization runs were carried out with different IA concentrations. The effect of functional monomer on the overall conversion, the colloidal properties of the latexes, and the distribution of the carboxylic groups (buried, particle surface and aqueous phase) were examined. The carboxylic groups present in the latexes were analyzed using conductimetric and potentiometric titrations. The behavior of the IA on the wet scrub resistance of highly pigmented paints for architectural coatings was examined and correlated with the distribution of the carboxylic groups. The results obtained showed that the properties of highly pigmented paints are greatly dependent on the amount and distribution of the carboxylic groups. The carboxylic acid distributed in the aqueous phase has a strong influence on the wet scrub resistance and on the characteristics of the final products.     

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

Background  

Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.     

Preparation,structure, and properties of montmorillonite/cellulose II/natural rubber nanocomposites

In this work, sodium montmorillonite clay was added, as filler, to nanocomposites of natural rubber (NR) and cellulose II (regenerated cellulose) in amounts varying from 0 to 5 phr (per hundred resin). Natural rubber (NR)/cellulose II/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by co‐coagulating NR latex, montmorillonite aqueous suspension and cellulose xanthate. The clay was previously exfoliated in water, and the resulting suspension was then added to the mixture of NR latex with cellulose xanthate. Morphological, rheometric, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated, and an increase in these properties was observed upon the addition of cellulose and clay nanomaterials to the rubber matrix. The results show the advantage in using cellulose as a nanopolymer as well as MMT as nanofiller. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(n‐butyl acrylate)/n‐hexadecane microcapsules using different cross‐linkers and their application to textile fabrics

This study focused on the preparation, characterization, and determination of thermal properties of microencapsulated n‐hexadecane with poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) to be used in textiles with heat storage property. Microcapsules were synthesized by emulsion polymerization method, and the particle size, particle size distribution, shape, and thermal storage/release properties of the synthesized microcapsules were analyzed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and glycidyl methacrylate were used as cross‐linkers to produce unimodal particle size distribution. MicroPBA microcapsules produced using allyl methacrylate cross‐linker were applied to 100% cotton and 50/50% cotton/polyester blend fabrics by pad‐cure method. The mean particle size of microcapsules ranges from 0.47 to 4.25 μm. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that hexadecane in the microcapsules melts at nearly 17°C and crystallizes at around 15°C. The contents of n‐hexadecane of different PBA microcapsules were in the range of 27.7–50.7%, and the melting enthalpies for these ratios were between 65.67 and 120.16 J/g, respectively. The particle size and thermal properties of microcapsules changed depending on the cross‐linker type. The cotton and 50/50% cotton/polyester blend fabrics stored 6.56 and 28.59 J/g thermal energy, respectively. The results indicated that PBA microcapsules have the potential to be used as a solid‐state thermal energy storage material in fabrics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Polymorphism in a metallocenic isotactic polypropylene as revealed by means of FTIR spectroscopy: Influence of the processing conditions

The polymorphic structure in specimens of a metallocenic isotactic polypropylene, processed under different conditions, has been studied by means of wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The proportions of the different polymorphs have been evaluated, and the influence of the processing parameters (nucleating agents, cooling rate, and nature of the surface of the molds) has been analyzed. The combination of WAXS, DSC, and FTIR results confirms the adequacy of this last technique to obtain quantitative information about the competition between the crystalline phases of polypropylene. It has also been proved that the nature of the mold can enhance considerably the activity of beta‐nucleating agents. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Logit modeling for classification of monocultivar olive oils from southwest Spain: A preliminary study

A characterization study of the main olive oil cultivars of southwest Spain (Picual, Arbequina, and Verdial) has been performed in order to establish logistic regression models. Several quality characteristics (free acidity, peroxide value, K₂₃₂, K₂₇₀, oxidative stability index) and chemical data (fatty acids, sterols, erythrodiol–uvaol composition) were measured. Logit regressions were used to evaluate the correlation of the parameters and to create models that allow saving costs on identifying oils as Arbequina, Picual, or Verdial type. Multiple logit regression models were developed: one for Arbequina, three models for Picual, and two models for Verdial cultivar, allowing in this way to minimize the cost for classifying oil samples. Practical application: The olive oil marketing is increasingly focused on the chemical differentiation and characterization of the product because the chemical composition of these virgin oils is responsible for their valuable sensory and nutritional properties. Here we present a characterization study (quality characteristics and chemical data) from the main olive oil cultivars of southwest Spain, Picual, Arbequina, and Verdial, as a first step for the traceability of these three types of monocultivar virgin olive oils. The results may be used as a training to create models for other olive oil cultivars.     

Hydrophilic antioxidants of virgin olive oil. Part 2: Biosynthesis and biotransformation of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil as affected by agronomic and processing factors

The biosynthesis of the phenolic fraction of olive fruits during ripening and the transformations occurring in this moiety during virgin olive oil (VOO) extraction are discussed in this paper. The influence of agronomical factors that can significantly affect the phenolic profile of VOO is also discussed. Particularly, it is worth emphasizing the role of genetic factors, cultivation and climatic conditions such as water availability, atmospheric temperature, altitude, health status of the fruits, alternate bearing in the olive, and some processing factors such as crushing, malaxation time and temperature or volume of water added during milling. Among these parameters, special attention has been paid to genetic factors due to the high variability observed among Olea europaea genotypes for all recorded traits. In this context, interesting experimental results have been obtained with cultivated and wild olive trees, and also with segregating populations resulting from olive breeding programs. To the authors' knowledge, reviews evaluating the influence of the main factors that contribute to the profile of hydrophilic phenols have not been previously published. The discussion concerning olive breeding programs is a major and novel aspect to be emphasized considering recent trends to obtain new olive cultivars that confer better organoleptic properties and better quality to VOO.     

Nile blue adsorbed onto silica gel modified with niobium oxide for electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH

A study of modified carbon paste electrode employing Nile blue (NB) adsorbed on silica gel modified with niobium oxide (SN) for electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is described. The adsorbed organic dye on SN was used to prepare a modified carbon paste electrode to investigate its electrochemical properties. The formal potential (E°′) of the adsorbed NB (−230 mV vs. saturated calomel electrode, SCE) showed a shift of 70 mV towards a more positive potential value, compared to NB dissolved in aqueous solution. In solutions with pH between 6.0 and 8.0 did stability and E°′ remained almost constant. However, for a solution pH lower than 6.0 the E°′ was affected by the acidity of the contacting solution, shifting the E°′ towards more positive values. For the solution pHs between 6.0 and 8.0 the electrocatalytic activity remained almost constant. A linear response range for NADH between 1.0×10⁻⁵ and 5.2×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹, at pH 7.0, was observed for the electrode, with an applied potential of −200 mV versus SCE. The formation of an intermediate charge transfer (CT) complex was proposed to the CT reaction between NADH and adsorbed NB. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate, k_obs, was 1400 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, was 0.21 mM at pH 7.0 evaluated from rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments with an electrode coverage of about 5.2×10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻². The increase in the reaction rate between NADH and the immobilized NB compared to those obtained with dissolved NB was assigned to the shift of the E°′ towards more positive values.     

Modification of poly(N-vinyl-carbazole) thin films by bromine doping

Poly(N-vinyl-carbazole) (PVK) thin films doped with bromine has been studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (ESR), optical transmission (visible, near ultra violet) and conductivity measurements. The polymer has been doped at room temperature and at 373 K. It is shown by ESR, XPS and optical measurements that a charge transfer complex (CT-complex) is formed between PVK and Br. However, if some bromine acts as dopant of the polymer there is another bromine contribution, which corresponds to bromine covalently bonded to PVK and some only adsorbed. It is also shown by ESR that there is not only polymer doping by bromine but also some partial polymer degradation. Therefore, it can be said that the optimum doping condition of PVK thin films with bromine has been shown to be room temperature post-doping.