Use of tergitol-7 in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage: Toluidine blue-glucose system

Photogalvanic effects were studied in a photogalvanic cell containing toluidine blue, glucose and tergitol-7 as a photosensitizer, reductant and surfactant, respectively. The photocurrent and photopotential generated by this system were 70 μA and 315 mV, respectively. The effects of different parameters on the electrical output of the cell were observed. Current/voltage characteristics of the cell have also been studied, and a mechanism has been proposed for the generation of photocurrent in photogalvanic cell.     

Simultaneous interpenetrating networks for tough matrix composites

Graphite fiber reinforced epoxy composites normally exhibit low impact strength, poor delamination resistance, and low damage tolerance. Because delamination is a matrix-dominated failure mode, tougher matrix resins may be utilized to reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of delamination on the structural integrity of fiber composites. The effects of modifying epoxy network morphology by introducing polyurethane in the form of an interpentrating network were studied. The compatibility, toughness, and tensile properties of the matrix as well as the properties of the resultant laminates were evaluated. One of the conclusions arising was that the interpenetrating network morphology results in superior resin and composites toughness with increasing polyurethane content. However, the benefits of increased resin toughness did not necessarily translate into proportionally increased composite owing to the geomertical limitations placed on the plastic deformation zones in laminates.     

Thermodynamic parameters of amitriptyline hydrochloride–additives at cloud point: effects of the ethanol–water mixed media

Abstract

Addition of organic solvents is known to change the properties of amphiphiles through modification of bulk phase. Amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT) is a tricyclic amphiphilic drug which is usually used as an antidepressant. In drug delivery, the cloud point (CP) of the drug is an important parameter. This article discusses the effects of ethanol–water (EtOH–WR) compositions on the energetic parameters, such as changes in Gibbs energy of clouding (Δ_sG⁰), enthalpy of clouding (Δ_sH⁰), and entropy of clouding (TΔ_sS⁰) of AMT-additive systems. Monovalent alkali halide salts, cationic conventional surfactants, and gemini surfactants were used as additives in the EtOH–WR mixed media whose compositions were varied between 0 and 15% (w/w). The Δ_sG⁰ values are positive for all the additives and the values decrease with the rise in mole fractions of the additives. The Δ_sH⁰ and TΔ_sS⁰ were noted to be positive except for KF in 15% EtOH–WR mixed media.     

Phenotypic identification and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally processed fish products of the Eastern Himalayas

Sukako maacha, gnuchi, sidra and sukuti are traditional smoked and sun-dried fish products of the Eastern Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. A total of 40 samples of sukako maacha (14), gnuchi (6), sidra (10) and sukuti (10) were collected and were analysed for microbial load. Population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as well as aerobic mesophilic counts ranged from 4.7-8.3 to 5.1-8.5 log cfu g(-1), respectively. A total of 189 strains of LAB were isolated from sukako maacha, gnuchi, sidra and sukuti samples, out of which 171 strains were cocci and 15 strains, were heterofermentative lactobacilli. LAB were identified on the basis of phenotypic characters including API system as Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa. LAB strains produced a wide spectrum of enzymes. Some strains of LAB showed antagonistic properties against pathogenic strains. None of the strains produced biogenic amines in the method applied. This paper is the first report on the microbial composition, mostly lactic acid bacteria, of traditionally processed fish products of Eastern Himalayas.     

Enzyme-Assisted Process for Production of Superior Quality Vanilla Extracts from Green Vanilla Pods Using Tea Leaf Enzymes

Vanilla planifolia Andrews is a perennial tropical vine and is an orchid grown for its pleasant flavor. There is an increasing trend world over for using natural flavors. Vanilla being an important food flavoring ingredient, the demand for natural vanilla extract is increasing. Hence, the aim of the present study was to prepare vanilla extract from green beans without going through the elaborate and time-consuming conventional curing process. Vanilla beans after size reduction were mixed in a suitable proportion with tea leaf enzyme extract (TLEE) and incubated to facilitate action of enzymes on vanilla flavor precursors. The beans mix was squeezed, and the filtrate was treated with ethanol to extract the vanilla flavor. TLEE-treated extracts had higher vanillin content (4.2%) compared to Viscozyme extract (2.4%). Also, it had higher intensity of vanilla flavor, sweet, and floral notes. Further, electronic nose analysis confirmed the discrimination between extracts. It was concluded that the use of TLEE is very much useful to obtain higher yield of vanilla extract and superior quality vanilla flavor, which avoids the traditional laborious and time-consuming curing process.     

Depicting the role of gas-solid interactions on the hydrodynamics of converging pneumatic riser

The understanding of the flow characteristics and effect of gas-solid interactions in pneumatic risers is fundamental to investigate to ensure effective design cost-effective operation. Thus, to understand the effect of gas-solid interactions on the hydrodynamics of newly proposed conversing risers, this study mainly focused on predicting pressure drop in the dilute phase pneumatic conveying system. The experiments were conducted in a converging riser having a convergence angle of 0.2693°. Various solid particles such as sago, black mustard, and alumina have been considered to study the effect of particle sizes and density on the pressure drop. The experimental outcomes indicate that the total pressure drop increases with an increase in the solid density and gas mass flow rate. Moreover, smaller particle sizes are also increased the pressure drop. An empirical correlation is developed for the prediction of total pressure drop ΔP_T in converging pneumatic riser via dimensional analysis. All dependent variables such as particle and air density, drag force, acceleration due to gravity, the mass flow rate of air and particle, the diameter of particle and converging riser, the height of converging riser were considered to develop the empirical correlation. The established relationship is tested, and experimental data have been fitted for its validation. The estimated relative error of less than 0.05 proved the significance of the developed correlation. Hence, it can be stated that the established relationship is useful in studying the effects of various parameters on the pressure drop across the length of the conversing riser.     

Synthesis of ethylene and butyl methacrylate-based copolymer by emulsion polymerization

The emulsion copolymerization of ethylene with butyl methacrylate (BMA) was carried out in an aqueous medium at 60 °C under moderate reaction conditions. The polymer system is well controlled with a linear increase in the molecular weight (M_n) versus ethylene feed pressure and narrow molecular weight distributions (>1.36) were observed throughout the copolymerization reaction. The spectroscopic analyses confirm the presence of acrylate functional as well as methylene group in the synthesized poly(ethylene-co-BMA) copolymer. Morphological behavior of poly(ethylene-co-BMA) has been studied using SEM and TEM analyses. Thermal stability of the copolymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and it was observed that the copolymer is stable up to 380 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the amorphous behavior of poly(ethylene-co-BMA). Dynamic light scattering measurement confirms the formation of poly(ethylene-co-BMA) nanoparticles. The particle size of copolymer nanoparticles were in the range of 85–108 nm with low polydispersity indexes (>0.2). The viscous and the elastic property of the copolymer were investigated and established that at high temperature elastic behavior predominant over viscous effect. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47994.     

Solid acid (superacid) catalyzed regioselective adamantylation of substituted benzenes

Adamantylation of substituted benzenes with 1-bromo-adamantane was catalyzed by solid acids including acidic ion exchange and ionomer resins, HY zeolite, sulfated zirconia and supported superacids on HY zeolite and SiO₂. Adamantylation generally takes place in excellent yield giving predominantly para products without formation of byproducts. The reactions did not require the usual workup of Friedel-Crafts reactions as catalysts were simply filtered of. Cross-linked polystyrene resin sulfonic acid (Amberlyst) was found particularly suitable as besides its high catalytic activity, high regioselectivity was observed with almost exclusive formation ofp-adamantylated benzenes. AMI, PM3 and MNDO semiempirical calculations of heats of formation showed that of all regioisomers, the para isomer is the most stable. The temperature dependence of adamantylation was also investigated allowing the optimization ofp-substituted product in high yield and excellent selectivity. Lack of isomerization of 1-p-tolyla-damantane using solid (Amberlyst, Nafion-H) and liquid acids (neat and modified trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) indicates absence of product isomerization, while the intramolecular rearrangement of the intermediate arenium complex is still possible.Catalysis by solid superacids, Part 30. For part 29, see ref.[1A].