Investigation on the corrosion resistance of bagasse-rice husk-wood ash blended cement concrete by impressed voltage

In this study, the compressive strength, the durability to chloride penetration and the corrosion of concrete containing bagasse-rice husk-wood ash (BRWA) were tested. Normal strength concrete with water to binder ratio (w/b) of 0.45 and 0.60 were used. The Portland cement was partially replaced with BRWA at the dosage of 10% and 20% by weight of binder. For concrete with w/b of 0.60, the replacement level of 40% was also tested. The chloride penetration resistance of the concretes was evaluated using the measurement of non-steady state chloride diffusion coefficient by accelerated salt ponding. The accelerated corrosion test by impressed voltage (ACTIV) was also performed to verify the findings and to investigate the characteristics of corrosion in terms of the initial current, the time of initial crack, and the weight loss of embedded steel.From the experiment, it was found that the concrete with 20% BRWA had the highest gain of compressive strength at the ages ranging from 7 to 180 days. The results of the experiments of accelerated salt ponding were in good agreement and conformed with ACTIV. The increase of the incorporation of the BRWA reduced the chloride penetration. The diffusion coefficient was reduced by 30–40% and 65–70% for concrete containing 10% BRWA and 20% BRWA compared to control concrete. The results of ACTIV also indicated that the initial current and the weight loss of embedded steel reduced and the time of initial crack increased with the increase in the replacement level of BRWA.     

Simulation‐aided development of a robust thermoclinching joining process for hybrid structures with textile reinforced thermoplastic composites and metallic components

In order to take advantage of the specific structural and functional properties inside a multi‐material assembly, it is necessary to provide adapted joining technologies. Therefore, the new joining technology “thermoclinching” was developed to join endless fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites and metallic joining partners. Previous experimental and numerical studies demonstrated the potential of the novel joining technology. In experimental and numerical studies essential geometrical and material parameters influencing the forming behavior are identified and evaluated. Thereby, the inline‐thermoclinching technology is developed by integrating the pre‐processed steps of cutting and heating into the actual joining process. For structural analysis of the joining zone as well as for quality analysis and validation of the process simulations computer tomography (CT) is used. Furthermore, experimental characterizations of the failure behavior of thermoclinched joints and the development of simulation models as well as strategies for numerical strength analyses are carried out.     

Thermal and IR studies on copper doped polyvinyl alcohol

5 mol% PVA: x mol% Cu²⁺ polymer films were prepared by casting process. Thermal transitions and thermal degradation of samples with respect to copper concentration were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Increase in glass transition temperature as a function of copper concentration shows a strong branching and steric effects in copper doped PVA complexes. Thermal degradation of films to an extent of 4–5% was found with an increase in copper content. FTIR spectrum of PVA doped Cu²⁺ ions indicate the presence of O-H, C-H, C=C and C-O groups.     

Thermal response and recyclability of poly(stearylacrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) gel as a VOCs absorbent

The development of absorbent materials for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is in demand for a variety of environmental applications including protective barriers for VOCs point sources. One of the challenges for the currently available VOCs absorbents is their recyclability. In this study, we synthesized poly(stearylacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (NG-18) gels, and after rigorous characterization, investigated the absorption properties for VOCs. The synthesized gel could be recycled by immersing in ether and other chlorinated, aromatic, and aliphatic solvents and by cooling them at 0 °C. These recycling processes resulted in approximately 25% weight loss compared to the fully swollen state, due to the crystallization of long-alkyl chain component of the gel. This property shows the possibility of recycling absorbed solvents easily and its usefulness as VOCs absorbent material.     

Correlative and predictive models of viscosity study on Propiophenone with isomeric xylenes binary mixtures at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>=(303.15 to 318.15) K

Densities and viscosities of binary mixtures of Propiophenone with o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene were measured over the entire composition range at T=(303.15 to 318.15) K and at 0.1Mpa atmospheric pressure. Experimental data used to calculate excess molar volume (V^E), deviation of viscosity (Δη), excess Gibb’s free energy (G^*E) activation of viscous flow for each binary system and the results were fitted to the Redlich-Kister polynomial equation to obtain the fitting coefficients and standard deviations. Viscosity values used to compute single adjustable interaction parameters from Grunberg and Nissan, Katti and Chaudhri, Hind et al., Tamara Kurata and Frenkel relations. Deviations in thermodynamic properties of the binary mixtures were discussed in terms of their molecular interactions between the components. Viscosity data correlated with the McAllister’s three body/four body models, Heric, Auslander, and Jouyban-Acree relations having two and three adjustable parameters for the studied binary mixtures. Viscosity relations like Kendall-Monroe, Bingham, Arrhenius, and Kendall were used to calculate and compare the standard deviation percentage, (σ %), between the experimental and calculated viscosity data. The studied systems showed specific intermolecular interactions and the percentage deviations were in good agreement with the experimental values. Obtained results are useful in various chemical and industrial processes.     

Analysis of polyphosphates in fish and shrimps tissues by two different ion chromatography methods: implications on false-negative and -positive findings.

Inorganic polyphosphates (di-, tri- and higher polyphosphates) can be used to treat fish, fish fillets and shrimps in order to improve their water-binding capacity. The practical relevance of this treatment is a significant gain of weight caused by the retention/uptake of water and natural juice into the fish tissues. This practice is legal; however, the use of phosphates has to be declared. The routine control testing of fish for the presence of polyphosphates, produced some results that were difficult to explain. One of the two analytical methods used determined low diphosphate concentrations in a number of untreated samples, while the other ion chromatography (IC) method did not detect them. This initiated a number of investigations: results showed that polyphosphates in fish and shrimps tissue undergo a rapid enzymatic degradation, producing the ubiquitous orthophosphate. This led to the conclusion that sensitive analytical methods are required in order to detect previous polyphosphate treatment of a sample. The polyphosphate concentrations detected by one of the analytical methods could not be explained by the degradation of endogenous high-energy nucleotides like ATP into diphosphate, but by a coeluting compound. Further investigations by LC-MS-MS proved that the substance responsible for the observed peak was inosine monophsosphate (IMP) and not as thought the inorganic diphosphate. The method producing the false-positive result was modified and both methods were ultimately able to detect polyphosphates well separated from natural nucleotides. Polyphosphates could no longer be detected (<0.5 mg kg-1) after modification of the analytical methodology. The relevance of these findings lies in the fact that similar analytical methods are employed in various control laboratories, which might lead to false interpretation of measurements.     

Antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitory potential of Cuminum cyminum and its secondary metabolite methyl eugenol against Gram negative bacterial pathogens

Quorum sensing inhibitory (QSI) activity of common South Indian spices and vegetables were evaluated using the bacterial model Chromobacterium violaceum. Among the 22 samples tested the QSI compound present in the methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum at 2 mg/ml inhibited violacein production in C. violaceum. Further, the outcome of the present investigation reveals that C. cyminum extract strongly interferes with acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) regulated physiological functions coupled with biofilm formation such as flagellar motility and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production. It promotes the loosening of biofilm architecture and powerfully inhibits in vitro biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Proteus mirabilis and Serratia marcescens at sub-MIC levels. The result of molecular docking analysis attributes the QSI activity exhibited by C. cyminum to methyl eugenol (ME). The ability of ME to interfere with quorum sensing (QS) systems of various Gram-negative bacterial pathogens comprising diverse AHL molecules was also assessed and ME was found to reduce the AHL dependent production of violacein, bioluminescence and biofilm formation.     

Removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater using a new composite chitosan biosorbent

A new composite chitosan biosorbent was prepared by coating chitosan, a glucosamine biopolymer, onto ceramic alumina. The composite bioadsorbent was characterized by high-temperature pyrolysis, porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Batch isothermal equilibrium and continuous column adsorption experiments were conducted at 25 degrees C to evaluate the biosorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium from synthetic as well as field samples obtained from chrome plating facilities. The effect of pH, sulfate, and chloride ion on adsorption was also investigated. The biosorbent loaded with Cr(VI) was regenerated using 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. A comparison of the results of the present investigation with those reported in the literature showed that chitosan coated on alumina exhibits greater adsorption capacity for chromium(VI). Further, experimental equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, and values of the parameters of the isotherms are reported. The ultimate capacity obtained from the Langmuir model is 153.85 mg/g chitosan.