Effect of filler dispersion degree on the Joule heating stimulated recovery behaviour of nanocomposites

Composites based on highly branched ethylene-1-octene copolymer (EOC) and carbon black (CB) with different dispersion degree of CB were prepared. The method of the online measured electrical conductance/resistance was used to monitor the change of the electrical conductance/resistance of the composites during the preparation processes, i.e. mixing and cross-linking. It was found that the kinetics of thermally stimulated shape-memory recovery of CB filled EOC is strongly influenced by the filler dispersion degree, which actually affects the heat transfer in the composites. Using a special arrangement of experiments the Joule heating stimulated shape-memory behaviour was quantified. CB dispersion degree and related electrical resistivity determine the extent of the Joule heating stimulated shape-memory behaviour. Composite collected at the maximum in the online measured conductance–time characteristics showed the best shape-memory effect owing to the highest electrical conductivity in the solid state. The CB filled EOC showed a negative thermal coefficient of resistivity (NTC) effect, which accelerates the temperature increase and shape-memory recovery of the composites when applying a voltage.     

Statistical optimization for oxidation of ethyl benzene over Co-Mn/SBA-15 catalyst by Box-Behnken design

A series of cobalt and manganese catalysts supported on SBA-15 with different loading of Mn⁺² and Co⁺² were synthesized. These samples were characterized by SEM and XRD techniques. The catalytic activity of these samples was evaluated in the oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB) to produce acetophenone (AP) and benzoic acid (BA) in the liquid phase using tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. The effects of Co-Mn loading, TBHP: EB molar ratio and temperature on acetophenone and benzoic acid yields were studied by Box-Behnken experimental design to optimize the production of acetophenone and benzoic acid in liquid system.     

Cyanoethylation of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose: Preparation and Characterization

Commercial hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) was cyanoethylated with acrylonitrile in nonaqueous medium in the presence of sodium hydroxide under a variety of conditions. Variables studied included the amount of acrylonitrile and the reaction temperature. The reaction was proved by NMR and its extent was measured by determining the nitrogen content. The physical properties of the obtained derivatives—i.e., the electric properties and the apparent viscosity at various rates of shear—were investigated. It was found that the extent of reaction was increased by increasing the amount of acrylonitrile as well as the reaction temperature. The products were water soluble and their apparent viscosity increased with increasing nitrogen content. The same holds true for the dielectric constant and dielectric loss.     

Modeling reaction kinetics of rigid polyurethane foaming process

A theoretical model was developed to simulate the polyurethane foaming process for a rigid foam. In the model, multiple ordinary differential equations were solved by MATLAB and the model was able to predict temperature profiles by inputting foam recipe information. This initial study on foam modeling focusses on reaction kinetic parameters that were fitted to experimental temperature data as a function of time. The modeling was able to accurately model temperature profiles of single‐polyol polyurethane formulations and was able to accurately predict temperature profiles of mixtures based on pure component kinetic parameters. A primary goal of this work is to expedite the ability to develop new foam formulations by simulation—especially for incorporation of new bio‐based polyols into formulations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1131‐1138, 2013     

The Tunable Porous Structure of Gelatin–Bioglass Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: Physicochemical,Mechanical, and In Vitro Properties

Unidirectional freeze‐casting method is used to fabricate gelatin–bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) scaffolds. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that sol–gel prepared BGNPs are distributed throughout the scaffold with diameters of less than 10 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetric are used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of BGNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs present an oriented porous structure and a homogeneous distribution of BGNPs in the gelatin matrix. The lamellar‐type structure indicates an improvement of mechanical strength and absorption capacity of the scaffolds. Increasing the concentration of BGNPs from 0 to 50 wt% have no noticeable effect on pore orientation, but decreases porosity and pore size distribution. Increase in BGNPs content improves the compressive strength. The absorption and biodegradation rate reduces with augmentation in BGNPs concentration. Bioactivity is evaluated through apatite formation after immersion of the nanocomposites in simulated body fluid and is verified by SEM–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), an element map analysis, X‐ray powder diffractometer, and FTIR spectrum. SEM images and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay confirm the biocompatibility of scaffolds and the supportive behavior of nanocomposites in cellular spreading. The results show that gelatin–(30 wt%)bioglass nanocomposites have incipient physicochemical and biological properties.     

Miscibility of poly(acrylic acid)/poly(methyl vinyl ketone) blend and in vitro application as drug carrier system

A series of poly(acrylic acid)/poly(methyl vinyl ketone) (PAA/PMVK) blends with different compositions were prepared by the solvent casting method. The miscibility of this pair of polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. An in-vitro cytotoxicity test of the drug-carrier system via MTT (3-(4,5-demethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed no significant cytotoxic effects at concentrations up to 100 µg· ml^?1. The STX/PAA-50 drug carrier systems were also prepared by solvent casting of solutions containing the sulfamethoxazole (STX) used as drug model and PAA/PMVK blend in N.N-dimethylformamide then crosslinked with acidified ethylene glycol. The release dynamic of STX from the prepared hydrogels was investigated in which the diffusion through the polymer matrix, the enhancement of the water solubility of STX, the influence of the initial drug concentration, the pH of the medium, and the effect of the degree of swelling of the polymer matrix on the release dynamic was evaluated. According to the total gastrointestinal transit time estimated by Belzer, the estimate distribution of STX released in the different organs indicated that the performance is obtained with the drug – carrier-system containing equal ratios of polymer and 10 wt% of STX (STX-10/PAA-50).     

Sensing and identification of carbon monoxide using carbon films fabricated by methane arc discharge decomposition technique

Carbonaceous materials have recently received attention in electronic applications and measurement systems. In this work, we demonstrate the electrical behavior of carbon films fabricated by methane arc discharge decomposition technique. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of carbon films are investigated in the presence and absence of gas. The experiment reveals that the current passing through the carbon films increases when the concentration of CO₂ gas is increased from 200 to 800 ppm. This phenomenon which is a result of conductance changes can be employed in sensing applications such as gas sensors.     

Optical gain in 1.3-μm electrically driven dilute nitride VCSOAs

We report the observation of room-temperature optical gain at 1.3 μm in electrically driven dilute nitride vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers. The gain is calculated with respect to injected power for samples with and without a confinement aperture. At lower injected powers, a gain of almost 10 dB is observed in both samples. At injection powers over 5 nW, the gain is observed to decrease. For nearly all investigated power levels, the sample with confinement aperture gives slightly higher gain.     

Rapid Synthesis of Cobalt Metal Organic Framework

Metal-organic framework (MOF) has been shown to potential applications due to the high porous hybrid structure. Cobalt MOF was synthesized rapidly by ultrasound energy with about 3,000 m²/g surface area by BET method. Furthermore, this component is crystalline with significant thermal stability, on account of X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis, respectively. Based on high roughness, crystallinity, and unreported type of FTIR spectrum, a new structure of Co-MOF structure was proposed.