Buffer Standards for the Biological pH of the Amino Acid N-[2 hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[3-propanesulfonic acid], HEPPS, From (278.15 to 328.15) K

For the HEPPS buffer under investigation, there are seven buffer solutions without NaCl and eight buffer solutions that contain Cl(-) and have an ionic strength (I = 0.16 mol·kg(-1)), which is similar to that of blood plasma. These buffer solutions have been evaluated in the temperature range of (278.15 to 328.15) K using the extended Debye- Hückel equation and the Bates-Guggenheim convention. The previously determined E(j) values have been used to determine the operational pH values of HEPPS buffer solutions at (298.15 and 310.15) K. These are recommended as secondary standard reference solutions for pH measurements in saline media with an isotonic ionic strength of I = 0.16 mol·kg(-1).     

Gamma Radiation Effects on the Glass Transition Temperature and Mechanical Properties of PMMA/soot nanocomposites

Summary Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was produced via free radical polymerization. Polymer samples were sonicated and melt compounded to form 1%, 0.5%, and 0.25% PMMA/soot samples. Soot containing unpurified carbon nanotubes was provided by NASA Ames Research Center. The composites were compression molded and exposed to ionizing radiation in air from a Cesium-137 source. The PMMA/soot samples were characterized before and after exposure to radiation. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine glass transition temperatures. Mechanical properties of composites were characterized via Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and microhardness measurements. The glass transition temperatures from this study, when compared to similar studies conducted by Harmon et. al on purified single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotube composites indicate that soot composites possess lower radiation resistance.     

Allelopathic potential of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (sudex)

Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to investigate the apparent allelopathic effects of sudex [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ×Sorghum Sudanese (P.) Stapf, cv. FFR 201] on weed and vegetable species. Allelopathic potential, as measured by radicle elongation of herbaceous indicator species, decreased with increasing sudex age. Greatest potential allelopathic activity of sudex shoot tissue was observed when sudex was collected at 7 days of age. Small-seeded broadleaf species were more inhibited in the presence of sudex shoot tissue than were grass species. Two major phytoinhibitors were isolated from aqueous extracts of sudex shoot material by partitioning with diethyl ether, followed by thin-layer and liquid column chromatography. Phytoinhibitors were identified asp-hydroxybenzoic acid andp-hydroxybenzaldehyde, potentially the enzymatic breakdown products of the cyanogenic glycoside dhurrin. The I₅₀ values of these compounds using a cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seed bioassay were 140 and 113 g/ml for the acid and aldehyde, respectively. Sudex tissue collected at 7 days of age possessed a greater percentage of these phytoinhibitors on a per gram basis than did older sudex tissue. As sudex tissue age increased, the percentage ofp-hydroxybenzaldehyde in ether extracts of tissue also increased, while the percentage ofp-hydroxybenzoic acid decreased.Journal article No. 88-10-163 of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.     

STEADY STATE AND DYNAMIC MODELLING OF A PACKED BED REACTOR FOR THE PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANOL TO FORMALDEHYDE II. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS COMPARED WITH MODEL PREDICTIONS

Heterogeneous and pseudohomogeneous two-dimensional models are compared to steady state and dynamic experimental data from a packed bed reactor for the partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde over an iron oxide-molybdenum oxide catalyst. Highly effective parameter estimation software was used to fit selected model parameters to large sets of experimental data so as to obtain small residuals. Heat transfer parameters which were successful in matching data from experiments without reaction were not capable of fitting data from experiments with reaction, and it was necessary to increase the radial heat transfer for higher temperatures or reaction rates. Axial composition profile data was represented by estimating the preexponential factors and activation energy in a half-order redox rate expression for methanol oxidation. After some decline in catalyst activity, a time-varying axial catalyst activity profile was determined from the data. A redox-type rate expression for the oxidation of formaldehyde to carbon monoxide was proposed to fit the data. The dynamics of the reactor temperature profile were accurately represented by the model. The heterogeneous and pseudohomogeneous models gave similar results in fitting experimental data, although the parameters determined for the two models were somewhat different.     

Probing multi-walled nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites with ionizing radiation

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and multi-walled nanotube (MWNT)/PMMA composites were irradiated in air. The constant dose rate was 985 rad/min at a dose of 5.7 Mrad using a Cesium-137 source. The samples were then analyzed by dielectric analysis (DEA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Vickers microhardness. The MWNT/PMMA composites were found to show increased radiation hardness with respect to the glass transition temperature and mechanical properties. The dielectric properties were changed more significantly for the composites than for the neat PMMA. In addition, initial aging studies were performed on the irradiated samples after 3 months via DMA. The results indicate that multi-walled nanotubes may enhance radiation hardness of mechanical properties in PMMA.     

Acetone absorption in UV‐irradiated polycarbonate

Isothermal acetone absorption in UV‐irradiated polycarbonate (PC) was investigated at temperatures from ?23 to +25°C. The crystalline fraction of PC increased with UV dose. The anomalous transport data were analyzed based on Harmon's model which includes contributions from Case I transport characterized by the diffusion coefficient, D, and Case II transport characterized the velocity, v. Diffusion coefficients were monitored by both mass uptake using the model (D and v), and movement of the sharp front (D_f). Plots of log of D, v, and equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) versus 1/T exhibited similar features. That is, plots were linear and superimposable for all doses at the higher temperatures, and exhibited a transition temperature and then a linear region that varied with dose. The values of D, D_f, and v increased with increasing dose, whereas the ESR decreased with dose. The direction of Case II transport was opposite to that of Case I diffusion during which time, sorbed solvent was expelled from the samples. Results are discussed in terms of a solvent‐induced change in lattice structure at the lower temperatures and in terms of UV radiation effects on the PC matrix that enhance solvent crystallization. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1174–1183, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Air-Oxidation of Starch Using Quinquevalent Vanadium as Catalyst

Air-oxidation of corn starch in the presence of ammonium meta vanadate at 35–40°C and pH 9 has been studied. The resulting oxidized starch contained more carbonyl but less carboxyl as compared to an industrial oxidized starch. However, the presence of undesirable amounts of the catalyst imparted extremely high viscosity to the oxidized starch. The ultraviolet irradiation was found to have a pronounced effect on the air oxidation of starch in the presence of ammonium meta vanadate. Increased carboxyl content was observed in the UV light catalyzed oxidized starch.     

Thermomechanical characterization of thermoplastic polyimides to improve the chain collaboration via ureidopyrimidone endcaps

In this report, we explored the effect of incorporating ureidopyrimidone (UPy) linkers in a series of polyimides (PIs) previously studied in our laboratory. The polymers consist of an aromatic diamine monomer with a methylene linker, 4,4′’‐methylenebis (2,6‐dimethylaniline), used to make a robust main chain along with aliphatic polyetherdiamine backbone linkers to decrease rigidity. The polymers were designed to exhibit thermal properties in between those of conventional aromatic PIs and polymers with wholly aliphatic ether diamine links, with an aim to improve the mechanical characteristics. Through dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, it is shown that the UPy linkers with their four‐hydrogen bond sites are introduced to connect the chains in series. The connection strengthens the chain interactions and increases the range of the thermal and mechanical properties of the PI. Furthermore, the connecting regions are an important component to preserve the thermal stability of PIs while maintaining the processability. The polymers were characterized by FTIR, nuclear magnetic resonance, GPC, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, microhardness, and tensile testing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2231–2246, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A MALDI, TGA, TG/MS, and DEA study of the irradiation effects on PMMA

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (M_w=6.4×10³, PD=1.06) was irradiated under vacuum. The constant dose rate was 1.66×10⁴ rad/min at doses between 10 and 100 Mrad using a cobalt-60 source. The samples were then analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), hyphenated thermogravimetric/mass spectrometry (TG/MS), and dielectric analysis (DEA), all novel methods for the analysis of polymers damaged by radiation. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were also used for analysis. This study evidenced main chain scission, the removal of ester side groups, and the production of monomer as a result of ionizing radiation.     

Thermomechanical characterization of thermoplastic polyimides containing 4,4'‐methylenebis(2,6‐dimethylaniline) and polyetherdiamines

In this work, we synthesized polyimides by incorporating an aromatic diamine monomer with a methylene linker, 4,4'‐methylenebis(2,6‐dimethylaniline) (MBDMA), to make a robust main chain along with aliphatic polyetherdiamine backbone linkers to reduce rigidity. We designed the polymers to exhibit thermal properties in between those of conventional aromatic polyimides and polymers with wholly aliphatic ether diamine links. Through dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, it is shown that control of the molar ratios of the aromatic MBDMA (4,4'‐methylenebis(2,6‐dimethylaniline)) and the composition and size of the aliphatic polyetherdiamine can be used to tune the glass transition. The polymers were characterized by GPC, FTIR, NMR, thermomechanical and calorimetric analysis, and microhardness testing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:221–232, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers