Modelling the strengthening of glass using epoxy based coatings

Glass strength can be increased by applying epoxy based surface coatings. A number of models have been presented in the literature to explain the strengthening afforded by these coatings but until now there has been no clear evidence to definitively support one model over another. In this work, finite element models (FEM) of four-point bending test specimens have been developed. These models have been used to study the strength of cracked uncoated and surface coated specimens in order to identify the strengthening mechanism. The FEM results showed that full filling of the crack using epoxy coating is sufficient to heal the crack if the coating inside the crack is ideally glued to the crack surfaces. It is also shown that under these circumstances the coating modulus is relatively unimportant parameter. FEA results for partially filled cracks show that increasing the filled percentage increases the strengthening. Fractographic analysis of the 10 kg indented and coated samples showed that the fracture surfaces do not follow the median crack symmetric plane and that fracture started from another plane when coated properly, however the fracture surface of these samples still starts from the indentation site. On the other hand, fractographic analysis of the 1 kg indented and properly coated samples showed that the samples failed from their edges which indicate that the crack was overcome. The finite element results show that the diamond imprint resulting from the Vickers indentation play an important role in this type of fracture.     

Template‐Based Synthesis of Aluminum Nitride Hollow Nanofibers Via Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

Aluminum nitride (AlN) hollow nanofibers were synthesized via plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition using sacrificial electrospun polymeric nanofiber templates having different average fiber diameters (~70, ~330, and ~740 nm). Depositions were carried out at 200°C using trimethylaluminum and ammonia precursors. AlN‐coated nanofibers were calcined subsequently at 500°C for 2 h to remove the sacrificial polymeric nanofiber template. SEM studies have shown that there is a critical wall thickness value depending on the template's average fiber diameter for AlN hollow nanofibers to preserve their shapes after the template has been removed by calcination. Best morphologies were observed for AlN hollow nanofibers prepared by depositing 800 cycles (corresponding to ~69 nm) on nanofiber templates having ~330 nm average fiber diameter. TEM images indicated uniform wall thicknesses of ~65 nm along the fiber axes for samples prepared using templates having ~70 and ~330 nm average fiber diameters. Synthesized AlN hollow nanofibers were polycrystalline with a hexagonal crystal structure as determined by high‐resolution TEM and selected area electron diffraction. Chemical compositions of coated and calcined samples were studied using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High‐resolution XPS spectra confirmed the presence of AlN.     

Reaction of dithiocarbamates with malononitrile dimer; simple synthesis of new 1,4-dihydropyridine-2-thiols

Dithiacarbamates reacted with malononitrile dimer to give 1,4-dihydropyridine-2-thiols. The structures of the obtained products were proven by IR, mass, and NMR spectra and elemental analyses. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

15‐Methylene‐Eburnamonine Kills Leukemic Stem Cells and Reduces Engraftment in a Humanized Bone Marrow Xenograft Mouse Model of Leukemia

Recent studies suggest that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play a critical role in the initiation, propagation, and relapse of leukemia. Herein we show that (?)‐15‐methylene‐eburnamonine, a derivative of the alkaloid (?)‐eburnamonine, is cytotoxic against acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemias (ALL and CLL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The agent also decreases primary LSC frequency in vitro. The cytotoxic effects appear to be mediated via the oxidative stress pathways. Furthermore, we show that the compound kills AML, ALL, and CLL stem cells. By the use of a novel humanized bone marrow murine model of leukemia (huBM/NSG), it was found to decrease progenitor cell engraftment.     

The influence of annealing on the crystallization and tribological behavior of MWNT/PEEK nanocomposites

In this study, annealing influence on crystallization and scratch behavior of neat and multi‐wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) nanocomposites have been investigated. Crystallization behavior of normal and annealed samples was investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Scratch behavior of normal and annealed samples was investigated by using micro scratch tester. In DSC analysis, it was detected that, melting enthalpy of annealed neat PEEK was increased sharply when compared to neat PEEK. Melting enthalpies of annealed PEEK nanocomposites prepared with addition of up to 1 wt% MWNT were increased with a decreased trend. However, nanocomposites with higher contents of MWNTs (>1 wt%) were dramatically affected by annealing process and melting enthalpy decreased sharply. Friction coefficient values of “annealed MWNT reinforced PEEK composites” were found to be lower than “normal PEEK composites.” Annealing process affects scratch hardness of both annealed and MWNT reinforced PEEK. Annealed nanocomposites with various MWNT concentrations showed higher scratch hardness values than normal PEEK nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Modification of polyolefins with silicone copolymers. II. Thermal,mechanical, and tribological behavior of PP and HDPE blended with silicone copolymers

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) films with permanent, silicone‐rich, low‐friction, low‐abrasion surfaces were obtained by melt blending of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐containing block copolymers. Two different block copolymers, a siloxane–urea segmented copolymer and a polycaprolactone‐b‐PDMS triblock copolymer were used as modifiers at levels between 0.1 and 5.0% by weight. Blends were prepared in a twin‐screw extruder. Modified films displayed surfaces with very low friction coefficients and high abrasion resistance, which depended on the type and the level of additive incorporated into the system. Bulk properties of these modified systems, such as crystallization and melting behavior or tensile properties, were not affected. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 535–540, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10279     

Improving hydrophobicity on polyurethane-based synthetic leather through plasma polymerization for easy care effect

This study reports on the deposition of a hydrophobic coating on polyurethane (PU)-based synthetic leather through a plasma polymerization method and investigates the hydrophobic behavior of the plasma-coated substrate. The silicon compound of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), inactive gas argon (Ar), and toluene were used to impart surface hydrophobicity to a PU-based substrate. Surface hydrophobicity was analyzed by water contact angle measurements. Surface hydrophobicity was increased by deposition of compositions of 100% HMDSO, 3:1 HMDSO/toluene, and 1:1 HMDSO/toluene. Optimum conditions of 40 W, 30 s plasma treatment resulted in essentially the same initial contact angle results of approximately 100° for all three treatment compositions. The initial water contact angle for untreated material was about 73°. A water droplet took 1800 s to spread out on the plasma-treated sample after it had been placed on the sample surface. An increase in plasma power also led to a decrease in contact angle, which may be attributed to oxidization of HMDSO during plasma deposition. XPS analysis showed that plasma polymerization of HMDSO/toluene compositions led to a significant increase in atomic percentage of Si compound responsible for the hydrophobic surface. The easy clean results for the treated and untreated PU-based synthetic leather samples clearly showed that the remaining stain on the plasma-polymerized sample was less than that of untreated sample. The plasma-formed coating was both hydrophobic and formed a physical barrier against water and stain.     

Electrospun nylon 6,6 nanofibers functionalized with cyclodextrins for removal of toluene vapor

Functional nylon 6,6 nanofibers incorporating cyclodextrins (CD) were developed via electrospinning. Enhanced thermal stability of the nylon 6,6/CD nanofibers was observed due to interaction between CD and nylon 6,6. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies indicated the existence of some CD molecules on the surface of the nanofibers. Electrospun nylon 6,6 nanofibers without having CD were ineffective for entrapment of toluene vapor from the environment, whereas nylon 6,6/CD nanofibrous membranes can effectively entrap toluene vapor from the surrounding by taking advantage of the high surface‐volume ratio of nanofibers with the added advantage of inclusion complexation capability of CD presenting on the nanofiber surface. The modeling studies for formation of inclusion complex between CD and toluene were also performed by using ab initio techniques. Our results suggest that nylon 6,6/CD nanofibrous membranes may have potential to be used as air filters for the removal of organic vapor waste from surroundings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41941.     

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based hybrid networks obtained via thiol-epoxy click chemistry

A series of hybrid networks based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were prepared by thiol-epoxy click reaction using commercially available octakis-glycidyl-POSS (G-POSS), trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) as monomers. The click reaction was simply catalyzed by lithium hydroxide which proceeded readily at ambient conditions in very good yields. The incorporation of G-POSS into the network was clearly determined by transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy techniques performed with a model study using 1-butane thiol and G-POSS molecules. The homogeneous distribution of G-POSS up to 5 wt% in the hybrid network was apparently confirmed by morphological investigations. By increasing G-POSS content higher than 5 wt%, the heterogeneous dispersion of G-POSS was determined from the tensile strength measurements. The significant decrease in tensile strength was possible due to the agglomeration of G-POSS. On the other hand, thermal properties of hybrid networks were compared together by thermogravimetric analyses, where all samples exhibited one-step degradation in the range of 220–500 °C. The thermal decomposition of hybrid network led to complete degradation of the organic part and favored the formation of stable carbonaceous and inorganic residues as char. Thus, the char yields of hybrid networks were increased to 6.2, 7.8, 10.1, 12.7, and 15.1% by G-POSS loadings from 0 to 15 wt%. This improvement was also a proof of the incorporation of G-POSS into the hybrid networks that resulted in high heat-resistant POSS-based hybrid networks compared to a sample without G-POSS.