Significantly high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness in polypyrrole synthesized by eco-friendly and cost-effective technique

A facile and eco-friendly synthesis of polypyrrole from monomer pyrrole using nominal amount of ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃.6H₂O) oxidant in aqueous solution by chemically oxidative polymerization method has been reported. The use of aqueous solvent and ferric chloride hexahydrate salt in polypyrrole synthesis have an eco-friendly route favorable for the production of polypyrrole in large quantities. The synthesized polypyrrole samples exhibit good electrical conductivity (2 S/cm) and yield of 80% for reaction time of 8 hr at 5°C. Quality and properties of polypyrrole samples have been thoroughly investigated with varying reaction time and temperature while other synthesis parameters like molar ratio of oxidant to monomer, oxidant concentration, and solvent were kept constant. X-ray diffraction analysis of polypyrrole with a shorter reaction time shows the presence of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) peaks. The complete reaction may not occur at shorter reaction times due to which residual ferric ions converted into Fe₂O₃. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement of polypyrrole also confirms the formation of Fe₂O₃. Appropriate selection of reaction time and temperature produced pure phase polypyrrole with high yield and good conductivity. Synthesized polypyrrole by our eco-friendly and cost-effective technique exhibits prominent electromagnetic shielding effectiveness value of 30 dB in the X-band (8–12 GHz).     

Experimental investigation of particle migration in suspension flow through bifurcating microchannels

Experimental measurements of velocity and concentration profiles were carried out to study transport of non‐colloidal suspension in bifurcating micro channels for both diverging and converging flow conditions using a combination of mirco‐particle image velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry techniques. Migration of particles across the streamline was observed and symmetric velocity and concentration profile in the inlet branch becomes asymmetric in the daughter branches. Further migration of particles toward the center of the channel in the outlet branch make the profiles again symmetric. The evolution of velocity and concentration profiles was observed to be different in the symmetric and asymmetric bifurcation channels. The comparison of the streamlines for the fluid and the particles showed significant deviation near the bifurcation region. This may explain why there is unequal flow and particle partitioning during flow of suspension in asymmetric bifurcating channels as reported in many previous studies. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2293–2307, 2018     

Insight on Castor Oil Based Polyurethane and Nanocomposites: Recent Trends and Development

Castor oil has gained momentous attention as a valuable bio-based monomer and a potential alternative to the current petrobased polyol for synthesizing polyurethane due to the presence of inherent hydroxyl group. In spite of its huge potentiality very little has been reviewed regarding the development of polyurethane from castor oil. This review thus highlights the recent trends and development in the field of polyurethane and its nanocomposite based on castor oil including its biodegradability and weatherability studies. Further, this review also provides an insight regarding the utilization of castor oil based polyurethane and its nanocomposite for coating application.     

Polyaniline–13X zeolite composite‐supported platinum electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications

We successfully synthesized 13X zeolite using a hydrothermal method. Then, composites of polyaniline (PANI) with 13X zeolite and PANI–13X with platinum were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and chemical reduction, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques were used to characterize the PANI–Pt and PANI–Pt–13X composites. Further, the electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation of the synthesized catalysts was explored using cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L^?1 CH₃OH + 0.5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution. From the obtained results, PANI–Pt–13X shows superior performance compared to PANI–Pt towards methanol oxidation and electrical conductivity. Hence, the 13X zeolite‐incorporated PANI–Pt composite could be an efficient catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dicarbonylruthenium(II) complexes of diphosphine ligands and their catalytic activity

The hexa-coordinated chelate complexes of the type [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(P-P)](1a,b) [where P-P = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene(a) and [bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether(b)] have been synthesized by reacting the polymeric precursor [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with the ligands in 1:1 molar ratio. The complexes 1a,b are characterized by elemental analyses, Mass, IR and NMR spectroscopy together with the single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1a. The compound 1a crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group C2/c showing a slightly distorted octahedral geometry around the Ru centre. The complexes 1a and 1b are thermally stable up to 300 °C and exhibit high catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation of aldehyde and ketones to corresponding alcohols. The complexes 1a and 1b show much higher catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of aldehyde than ketones. In general, the catalytic efficiency of 1b is higher compared with 1a.     

Influence of organically modified nanoclay on the performance of pineapple leaf fiber‐reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

Polypropylene/Pine apple leaf fiber (PP/PALF)‐reinforced nanocomposites were fabricated using melt blending technique in a twin‐screw extruder (Haake Rheocord 9000). Variation in mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, water absorption, and thermal stability with the addition of nanoclay in PP/PALF composites were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of PP increase with the increase in fiber loading from 10 to 30 wt %. Composites prepared using 30 wt % PALF and 5 wt % MA‐g‐PP exhibited optimum mechanical performance with an increase in tensile strength to 31%, flexural strength to 45% when compared with virgin PP. Addition of nanoclay results in a further increase in tensile and flexural strength of PP/PALF composites to 20 and 24.3%, which shows intercalated morphology. However, addition of nanoclay does not show any substantial increase in impact strength when compared with PP/PALF composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests revealed an increase in storage modulus (E′) and damping factor (tan δ), confirming a strong influence between the fiber/nanoclay and MA‐g‐PP. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis thermograms also showed improved thermal properties when compared with the virgin matrix. TEM micrographs also showed few layers of agglomerated clay galleries along with mixed nanomorphology in the nanocomposites. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction studies indicated an increase in d‐spacing from 22.4 Å in Cloisite 20A to 40.1 Å in PP/PALF nanocomposite because of improved intercalated morphology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Retracted: Mechanical and thermal properties enhancement of polycarbonate nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding

The following article from the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, “Mechanical and thermal properties enhancement of polycarbonate nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding” by Sanjay K. Nayak, Smita Mohanty, and Sushanta K. Samal, published online on 7 April 2010 in Wiley Online Library (J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2010 , 117, 2101; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.31222/full ), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal's editors, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed due to significant overlap with respect to another article, “Effect of hydrogen bonding on the rheology of polycarbonate/organoclay nanocomposites,” by Kyung Min Lee, and Chang Dae Han, published online on 19 June 2003 in Polymer ( 2003 , 44, 4573).     

Parametric Study of Jatropha Seeds for Biodiesel Production by Reactive Extraction

The purpose of the present study was to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of biodiesel production by reactive extraction (in situ) of Jatropha seeds. Oil from the seeds was extracted and reacted in a single step. Experimental studies have been carried out to maximize the yield of biodiesel by varying the reaction parameters viz. seed size (<0.85 mm to >2.46 mm), seed/solvent ratio (w/w) (1:2.6–1:7.8) and catalyst concentration (0.05–0.1 M). Under the optimized conditions: seed size (>2.46 mm), seed/solvent ratio (w/w) (1:7.8), catalyst concentration (0.1 M) and reaction time 1 h, approximately 98% conversion to biodiesel was achieved meeting International (ASTM) as well as National (BIS) specifications. The results were supported by HPLC analysis.     

Effect of silane treated fly ash on physico-mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of recycled poly(vinyl chloride) composites

The silane treatment on properties of fly ash (FA) and development of its composite using recycled poly(vinyl chloride) (r-PVC) material retrieve from waste wires and cable insulation are investigated in this work. The use of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane was employed as a coupling agent with some other essential additives. The composites sheet was prepared by means of the melt mixing process and go along with the compression molding process. The superior properties on compatibility between silane-modified FA (FA(Si)) and r-PVC were successfully studied using rheological, thermomechanical, morphological, and water absorption analysis. Primary analysis of r-PVC and FA was employed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The thermal stability of composites was stable up to 187°C. In addition, significant enhancement on tensile strength as well as young's modulus of composite as compared to untreated r-PVC/FA composites. Morphological properties of silane treated FA based composites presented the good distribution and excellent uniformity with higher wettability of FA particles within r-PVC matrix. The water absorption test showed decrease in water absorption with increase silane treatment concentration FA in the r-PVC matrix. It was remarkable to note that silane treated FA can be prepared as a composite using r-PVC matrix with further modified properties.