Utilization of green seed canola oil for in situ epoxidation

Green seed canola oil is underutilized for edible purposes due to its high chlorophyll content, which makes it more susceptible to photo‐oxidation and ultimately reduces the oxidation stability. The present work is an attempt to compare the kinetics of epoxidation of crude green seed canola oil (CGSCO) and treated green seed canola oil (TGSCO) with peroxyacids generated in situ in presence of an Amberlite IR‐120 acidic ion exchange resin (AIER) as catalyst. Among the two oxygen carrier studied, acetic acid was found to be a better carrier than the formic acid, as it gives 8% more conversion of double bond than the formic acid. A detailed process developmental study was then performed with the acetic acid/AIER combination. For the oils under investigation parameters optimized were temperature (55°C), hydrogen peroxide to double bond molar ratio (2.0), acetic acid to double bond molar ratio (0.5), and AIER loading (15%). An iodine conversion of 90.33, 90.20%, and a relative epoxide yield of 90, 88.8% were obtained at the optimum reaction conditions for CGSCO and TGSCO, respectively. The formation of the epoxide product of CGSCO and TGSCO was confirmed by Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy (FTIR) and NMR (1H NMR) spectral analysis.     

Supramolecular Capsules Derived from Resorcin[4]arenes by H-Bonding and Metal Coordination: Synthesis,Characterization, and Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

Self-assembly by H-bonding and by metal-coordination of functionalized calix[4]arenes and cavitands to large supramolecular capsules is described. In addition, a new method of analyzing supramolecular recognition processes at the single molecule level is discussed. By measuring interaction forces in a hydrogen-bonded assembly using single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), the dynamics of the self-assembly process can be evaluated. In the future, consequent application of this new technique will influence supramolecular design principles and the use of non-covalent interactions as construction elements in the field of nanotechnology.     

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis of Sensitization-Based Solar Cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a very powerful tool for elucidation of charge transfer and transport processes in sensitization-based solar cells (e.g., dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs], quantum dot-sensitized solar cells [QDSSCs], and perovskite solar cells [PSCs]). EIS measures the electrochemical response to small amplitude AC signals over a wide range of frequencies. Analysis of the EIS response provides information about the corresponding parameters of the cells. Here, we review the fundamentals of EIS, charge transport kinetic processes, and equivalent circuit models of sensitization-based solar cells and use these concepts to explain the EIS spectra of DSSCs, QDSSCs, and PSCs. This review will be very useful for understanding the fundamental charge transfer and transport processes in different sensitization-based solar cells and the use of an equivalent circuit model to interpret the observed charge transfer and reactions.     

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid coatings prepared by the sol–gel process: corrosion and mechanical properties

(Hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea)/[(3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane]‐ZnO (HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO) hybrid coatings were synthesized using an inexpensive mixing technique by varying the APTES‐modified ZnO concentration. The mechanical and surface properties of the hybrid coating films were studied and compared with unmodified and modified ZnO. The corrosion, solvent and abrasion resistance show significant enhancement in HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO hybrids and their properties are increased with increasing APTES‐ZnO concentration. This hybrid coating has opened up an opportunity for automotive topcoat application. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation of the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the thermomechanical and microbial properties of hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea hybrid composites

Hybrid coatings of hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea (HBPUU) containing ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by mixing the hyperbranched polyurethane with the nanoparticles. The films were stored at room temperature and laboratory humidity conditions for one week to yield completely cured hybrid films. The ZnO nanoparticles were found to be well dispersed in the polymer up to 3 wt%. The structure–property relationship of various HBPUU–ZnO hybrid coatings was analysed using a Fourier transform infrared peak deconvolution technique with a Gaussian curve‐fitting procedure, while their viscoelastic, thermomechanical and surface morphology were studied using X‐ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, a universal testing machine, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle instruments. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of the hybrid composite films improved with increasing ZnO content, which was believed to be due to thermal insulation in the presence of nanoparticles. Water contact angle data suggested that the hydrophobic character of the hybrid composites increased with increasing nanoparticle concentration. The antimicrobial property of the HBPUU–ZnO hybrid coatings was studied using the disc diffusion method. HBPUU–ZnO hybrid coatings showed good antimicrobial properties compared to HBPUU. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hyperbranched polyurethane (HBPU)-urea and HBPU-imide coatings: Effect of chain extender and NCO/OH ratio on their properties

Effect of chain extender and NCO/OH ratio on the properties of hyperbranched polyurethane (HBPU)-urea and HBPU-imide coatings were examined. The NCO terminated pre-polymers were prepared by reacting the first (G1) and the second (G2) generation hyperbranched polyester polyols (HBP-G1 and HBP-G2) with excess diisocyanate. The excess NCO content of the prepolymer was reacted with different chain extenders viz., 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHTM) to obtain HBPU-urea or HBPU-imide coatings. The structure–property relationships of the different coatings were investigated by FTIR peak deconvolution, and these data suggests the highest extent of hydrogen bonding interaction for PMDA-based coatings, which increases with increasing NCO/OH ratio. Film properties were evaluated by TGA, DMTA, UTM and contact angle measurements; these results were supported by FTIR deconvolution results. As per contact angle measurements, hydrophobicity of coatings increased by increasing NCO/OH ratio. The adhesive strength, abrasion resistance, alkali resistance, and gel content of the coatings were also evaluated.     

Hydrolysis and Condensation of Hydrophilic Alkoxysilanes Under Acidic Conditions

A hydrophilic silane was obtained from the reaction of ethylene carbonate and 3-aminopropyldiethoxymethylsilane. This silane undergoes rearrangement to yield an AB₂-type hyperbranched polymer under anhydrous conditions but hydrolyzes and condenses to produce linear siloxanes under acid hydrolysis. The hydrolysis and condensation reactions as a function of time, HCl concentration and water content were studied by ²⁹Si NMR. The compositions of the silanol containing hydrolysis intermediates and the siloxanes condensation products were identified under different conditions. The instantaneous composition was found to depend on the specific combination of the acid and the water. Under certain conditions the intermediate silane-diols were stable and did not condense even under mild acidic conditions.     

Experimental Investigation for Performance Study of Wire Electrochemical Spark Cutting of Silica Epoxy Nanocomposites

Purpose

Polymer Nanocomposites are advanced engineering composites with enhanced properties. These materials play a central role in various industrial sectors. The growing awareness of the key parameters (which influence the physical properties) with different combination of matrix-reinforcement, are making them more attractive in various applications. Machining of these materials is a challenging task for engineers with their properties (hardness and brittleness) due to various combinations of matrix-reinforcement. Therefore, the aim of present work is to investigate the machining behaviour of Silicon Dioxide (silica) Epoxy Nanocomposite due to straight cutting by using Wire Electrochemical Spark Cutting (WECSC) process.

Method

A specific number of experiments were conducted based on one parameter at-a-time approach to study the effect of influencing input parameters.

Result

The effect of various process parameters namely voltage supply, electrolyte concentration, wire velocity, pulse-on time and silica particle concentration (Cp) such as 3%, 4% and 5% (weight percent) on performance measures such as material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness were demonstrated experimentally.

Conclusion

WECSC has been found effective technique for cutting of Silicon Dioxide Epoxy Nanocomposite. It is reported that MRR increases with decrease in silica particle concentration in Silicon Dioxide Epoxy Nanocomposite.

     

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-stabilized colloidal graphene-reinforced poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) to mitigate electromagnetic radiation pollution

Polymer Bulletin - Electrically conducting flexible polymeric nanocomposite has been fabricated through wet mixing method where conducting inclusion was acoustically exfoliated pristine graphene...     

Alkylation of Benzene with Isopropyl Alcohol over SAPO-5 Catalyst in an Integral Pressure Reactor

The alkylation of benzene with isopropyl alcohol was studied in an integral pressure reactor over silicon substituted aluminophosphate molecular sieves, SAPO-5. The influence of various process parameters such as temperature, pressure, time on stream, weight hourly space velocity, and mole ratio of reactants on cumene yield and selectivity were investigated. The activity of SAPO-5 was compared with that of Hbeta for this reaction under similar conditions and in the same reactor. At pressures higher than atmospheric, almost the theoretical maximum yields of cumene were achieved on this SAPO-5. Among the diisopropyl benzenes formed by the alkylation of cumene, the meta-isomer was found to form in a significant amount followed by the para-isomer. The ortho-isomer with relatively high strain energy of 4.26 kcal/mol was almost negligible. The cumene yield goes through a maximum in the temperature range 498-543 K studied. Cumene selectivity was found to decrease at higher temperatures, higher pressures and lower benzene to isopropanol mole ratios.