Improving hydrophobicity of polyurethane by PTFE incorporation

A simple and facile method was established of incorporating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on to polyurethane (PU) to improve hydrophobicity of PU by incorporating low levels of fluorine at a molecular level. Nanocomposites were made by preparing PU in the presence of PTFE using seeded miniemulsion polymerization method. The resulting PTFE/PU nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetric, and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR and TEM indicated changes observed in their structure, size and morphology. The water contact angle of PTFE/PU nanocomposite films increased with increasing amount of PTFE and more on blending with silica nanoparticles but a slight decrease in thermal stabilities of SiO₂/PTFE/PU nanocomposites were noticed. The hydrophobicity imparted by PTFE to PU surface was found to be at its best for 1 : 2 PTFE/PU latex film. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42779.     

Recovery of deuterium from hydrogen–deuterium mixture using palladium

The applicability of palladium for the separation of hydrogen isotopes (hydrogen and deuterium) is evaluated systematically by generating isotherm data and conducting column experiments in a laboratory set-up. Effect of various parameters such as concentration of the isotopic mixture, particle size, eluent flow rate, etc. is studied experimentally. A fixed-bed chromatographic model is developed and validated using the experimental data. The model is further used to predict the performance of a multi-column configuration for large-scale separation. Chromatographic separation is thus found to be a promising technique to achieve the required purity and hence it may be clubbed with the existing systems (e.g. cryogenic distillation) to obtain enhanced performance.     

Simulation of continuous packed bed reactive distillation column for the esterification process using activity based kinetic model

A mathematical model for the continuous packed bed reactive distillation process of esterification of acetic acid with methanol is developed. The kinetic rate equation, which plays a major role for the performance of reactive distillation and it is the part of model, is required for the liquid phase reversible esterification reaction. The mineral sulphuric acid is used as the catalyst. The kinetic experiments are carried out under different temperatures in the range of 305.15 to 333.15 K and catalyst concentrations in the range of 0.1267 mole H⁺/lit to 0.6537 mole H⁺/lit. From that experimental data the kinetic model is developed and the same is used for the simulation of reactive distillation process. Equilibrium stage model, in which the vapour and the liquid leaving a stage are assumed to be in equilibrium with each other, has been used for the simulation of reactive distillation process by incorporating our kinetic model. Conversion of acetic acid as function of reflux ratio and reboiler ratio has been predicted. The liquid composition and temperature profiles versus stage number have been also predicted. Finally, the optimum operating conditions obtained from the simulation results for high pure methyl acetate by reactive distillation process.     

Effect of Nanoclay on the Mechanical,Thermal, and Water Absorption Properties of an UP-toughened Epoxy Network

Unsaturated polyester (UP)-toughened epoxy nanocomposites were prepared, and their effective mechanical and thermal properties were studied. Two types of organo-modified montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were used to prepare the nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the formation of exfoliated silicate layers in the UP-toughened epoxy matrix. Mechanical tests revealed that nanocomposites (containing 1 wt% OMMT clay) showed an increase in tensile strength to 13.8%, flexural strength to 10%, and impact strength to 4% compared with an UP-toughened epoxy blend. The effect of different heating rates on the curing behavior of UP-toughened epoxy nanocomposites was investigated using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The data were interpreted using the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa models to find the curing reaction parameter. The water uptake behavior for nanocomposites increased with the addition of OMMTs. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs indicated morphological changes in the impact fractured samples of UP-toughened epoxy nanocomposites.     

Minocycline Loaded Hybrid Composites Nanoparticles for Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation into Osteogenesis

Bone transplants are used to treat fractures and increase new tissue development in bone tissue engineering. Grafting of massive implantations showing slow curing rate and results in cell death for poor vascularization. The potentials of biocomposite scaffolds to mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) and including new biomaterials could produce a better substitute for new bone tissue formation. A purpose of this study is to analyze polycaprolactone/silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid/minocycline hydrochloride (PCL/SF/HA/MH) nanoparticles initiate human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) proliferation and differentiation into osteogenesis. Electrospraying technique was used to develop PCL, PCL/SF, PCL/SF/HA and PCL/SF/HA/MH hybrid biocomposite nanoparticles and characterization was analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), contact angle and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The obtained results proved that the particle diameter and water contact angle obtained around 0.54 ± 0.12 to 3.2 ± 0.18 µm and 43.93 ± 10.8° to 133.1 ± 12.4° respectively. The cell proliferation and cell-nanoparticle interactions analyzed using (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium inner salt) MTS assay (Promega, Madison, WI, USA), FESEM for cell morphology and 5-Chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) dye for imaging live cells. Osteogenic differentiation was proved by expression of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and mineralization was confirmed by using alizarin red (ARS). The quantity of cells was considerably increased in PCL/SF/HA/MH nanoparticles when compare to all other biocomposite nanoparticles and the cell interaction was observed more on PCL/SF/HA/MH nanoparticles. The electrosprayed PCL/SF/HA/MH biocomposite nanoparticle significantly initiated increased cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, which provide huge potential for bone tissue engineering.     

PVA/Gd2O3@Zno Nanocomposite Films as New Uv-Blockers: Structure and Optical Revelations

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Herein we have synthesised Gadolinium oxide doped Zinc oxide (Gd2O3@ZnO) by solution combustion method and incorporated it as a...