Performance of acrylic monomer based terpolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels for U(VI) removal from aqueous solutions

Acrylic monomer based terpolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels (NH-MMTs) synthesized using 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), 2-acrylamido-2-methlypropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the aqueous montmorillonite (MMT) suspension were employed as adsorbents for U(VI) removal from aqueous solutions. Adsorption efficiency of the NH-MMTs was strongly enhanced by increasing pH in the range of 3–6. Adsorption capacity of the NHs increased with the MMT weight ratio up to 1% and the complete removal of U(VI) from 1 mmol/L aqueous solutions was achieved by 2 g/L polymer but further increase of MMT up to 6% caused a gradual decrease in adsorption percentage up to 57%. Nearly 98% of U(VI) loaded on the adsorbents could be recovered by 0.1 M HNO₃. Consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles showed that the NH-MMTs are re-usable. Kinetic results were analyzed using Paterson's and Nernst Planck approximation's based on homogeneous solid phase diffusion (HSPD). Experimental data were fitted to equilibrium isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin. SEM, and FTIR analysis of bare and U(VI) loaded adsorbents were used to elucidate adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that the NH-MMTs tested in this study are very promising for the recovery of U(VI) from water.     

Removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions by starch-graft-acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite hydrogels

In this study, the removal of copper(II) and lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions by Starch-graft-acrylic acid/montmorillonite (S-g-AA/MMT) nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated. For this purpose, various factors affecting the removal of heavy metal ions, such as treatment time with the solution, initial pH of the solution, initial metal ion concentration, and MMT content were investigated. The metal ion removal capacities of copolymers increased with increasing pH, and pH 4 was found to be the optimal pH value for maximum metal removal capacity. Adsorption data of the nanocomposite hydrogels were modeled by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation in order to investigate heavy metal ions adsorption mechanism. The observed affinity order in competitive removal of heavy metals was found Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺. The Freundlich equations were used to fit the equilibrium isotherms. The Freundlich adsorption law was applicable to be adsorption of metal ions onto nanocomposite hydrogel.     

Preparation of polyacrylamide hydrogels at various charge densities by postmodification

In this study, first polyacrylamide hydrogels were synthesized by free‐radical crosslinking polymerization of acrylamide monomer with N,N′‐methylenebis(acrylamide) as a crosslinker in an aqueous solution at 22°C. Then, a series of hydrogels at various charge densities were prepared by partial hydrolysis of polyacrylamide precursors in a 0.1M sodium hydroxide solution at 60°C. The hydrolysis time was varied between 20 and 180 min. The chemical structures and internal morphologies of the hydrogels before and after alkaline hydrolysis were characterized with attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The swelling ratio of the hydrolyzed hydrogels was measured in buffer solutions at various pHs. From differential curves of dQ_v/dpH versus pH (where Q_v is the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels), the volume phase transition pH of the hydrogels was found to be 4.33 ± 0.05, regardless of the charge density of the hydrogels. In water at 22°C, the hydrogels with greater charge density showed a more rapid swelling rate because of their higher porosity and hydrophilicity. Moreover, in buffer solutions with the pH changing from 9.0 to 2.0 at 22°C, the hydrogels with greater charge density also exhibited a more rapid deswelling rate than the hydrogels with less charge density. In conclusion, the postmodification method is a good way of preparing pH‐sensitive hydrogels with fast responsiveness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Improvement of anthocyanin content in the cv. Öküzgözü wines by using pectolytic enzymes

The effect of the addition of two commercial pectolytic enzymes on the anthocyanin and chemical composition of Öküzgözü wines was studied. A rapid HPLC-diode array detection (DAD) method was developed for the analysis of anthocyanins in wines. Direct injection of filtered wine samples followed by selective detection at 520 nm allowed quantitation of these compounds in red wines. Thirteen anthocyanin compounds were detected in wines and, addition of the two enzyme preparations improved the extraction of anthocyanins. Moreover, the wines treated with enzymes had higher values in total phenolics, tannins, and colour intensity than the control wines.     

Determination of formability characteristics of Crofer 22 APU sheets as interconnector for solid oxide fuel cells

In this study, the general formability characteristics of Crofer^® 22 APU sheets of different thicknesses (0.2 mm–1.0 mm) are experimentally investigated via tensile, out of plane, Erichsen, cupping and springback tests for a possible application for solid oxide fuel cells in sheet form unlike the conventional bulk form. Holloman equation is also used to fit the experimental stress-strain curves and the anisotropic behavior of the material is considered by determining Lankford parameters. The tensile test results show that the formability is about 0.29 mm/mm for 0.2 mm thick sheets, indicating the suitability of these sheets for the fabrication of interconnectors by a stamping process with desired channel geometry having dimensions similar to conventional channel dimensions. In addition, for a specific combination of process parameters such as blank holder force and lubrication, the formability can be enhanced as proven by Erichsen and cupping test results. Moreover, the formability is found to increase with increasing the sheet thickness and highly anisotropic behavior is observed. In three point bending tests, the negative springback behavior, namely spring-in, is surprisingly observed for a relatively narrow shoulder distance at all thicknesses and set angle values (θ = 90°–120°).     

Comparison of fabric properties knitted by pin spacer compact and conventional compact yarns

This study examined the influence of pin spacer apparatus attachment on compact yarn quality parameters and physical properties of knitted fabrics manufactured using those 100% cotton compact yarns. Two groups of compact yarns were spun on regular compact yarn spinning frame with and without addition of pin spacer apparatus which is placed at the end of the drawing unit of regular compact yarn spinning frame. Totally eight yarns were spun at four different yarn number levels (Ne 24/1, Ne 30/1, Ne 36/1 and Ne 40/1) and two different spinning conditions (with and without pin spacer apparatus). Spun yarn types were then knitted on the industrial sized plain knitting machine. Knitted fabrics were used in the greige and dyed form to evaluate their bursting strength (kPa), dimensional change, abrasion related mass loss (%), pilling resistance, air permeability (mm/s) and colour difference. Test results were then statistically evaluated and influence of pin spacer attachment on yarn quality parameters and fabric properties was determined. In the frame of this experimental work, attachment of pin spacer apparatus improved compact yarn characteristics especially at yarn evenness, imperfection and hairiness values. In case of knitted fabric properties, it was found that pin spacer apparatus attached compact yarn utilization significantly improved air permeability properties of knitted fabrics.