Entrapment of urease in poly(1‐vinyl imidazole)/poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) network

In this article, urease was immobilized in a conducting network via complexation of poly(1‐vinyl imidazole) (PVI) with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). The preparation method for the polymer network was adjusted by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) study revealed that enzyme immobilization had a strong effect on film morphology. The proton conductivity of the PVI/PAMPS network was measured via impedance spectroscopy, under humidified conditions. The basic characteristics (Michealis‐Menten constants, pH_opt, pH_stability, T_opt, T_stability, reusability, and storage stability) of the immobilized urease were determined. The obtained results showed that the PAA/PVI polymer network was suitable for enzyme immobilization. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

One-pot two-step lipase-catalyzed synthesis of α,ω-thiophene-capped poly(ε-caprolactone) macromonomers and their use in electropolymerization

Macromonomers based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with α,ω-thiophene functional end groups were prepared in bulk by enzymatic polymerization using immobilized Candida Antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) as the catalyst. In the synthesis strategy, 3-thiophenemethanol was used to initiate the enzyme-assisted ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) to yield PCL with α-thiophene end group (initiation reaction, ThPCL) and then 3-thiopheneacetic acid was added to prepolymerized ε-CL to introduce ω-thiophene functionality in termination step (ThPCLTh). Macromonomers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR, and GPC. Moreover, the obtained macromonomers were employed in electropolymerization experiments and copolymers with thiophene or pyrrole were synthesized through their end thiophene groups. These polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Conductivity measurements were carried out by the four-probe technique.     

Fabrication of Si3N4 preforms from Si3N4 produced via CRN technique

Ceramic preforms with randomly distributed particles as reticulated porous structure which are generally used for metal infiltration as reinforcement, membranes, catalyst supports etc. Preforms are characterized by open porosity making possible their infiltration by liquid metal alloys. In this work, quartz powders using carbon black as a reducing agent were used for alpha Si₃N₄ powders synthesis through a carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) process. The CRN process was carried out under nitrogen flow at 1,450 °C for 4 h. At high temperatures, carbon as reducing agent reacts with the oxygen of SiO₂, and the resulting metallic silicon compounds with nitrogen gas to obtain silicon nitride powder. The reacted powders were used to obtain reticulated ceramic by replica method. The powders containing various bentonite ratios were mixed in water to prepare slurry. The slurry was infiltrated into a polyurethane sponge. A high porous ceramic foam (preform) structure was achieved after burn out of the sponge. All ceramic preforms were sintered to increase stiffness (in the temperature range 900–1,350 °C). The sintered ceramic foams were subjected to compressive tests. The scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the reticulated ceramic foam structure, and X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine phases.     

In vitro dynamic swelling behaviors of polyhydroxamic acid hydrogels in the simulated physiological body fluids

Summary Influence of some simulated physiological body fluids on the dynamic swelling behaviour of polyelectrolytic hydroxamic acid hydrogels (PHA) was investigated at 37 °C in vitro. The simulated physiological body fluids are distilled water, human sera, physiological saline (0.89 % NaCl), isoosmotic phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, gastric fluid at pH 1. 1, (gylicine-HCl buffer), urea (0.3 mol L⁻¹), and the aquatic solutions of K₂HPO₄ and KNO₃ (the sources of K+). The values of equilibrium swelling of PHA hydrogels varied in the range of 130–4625%, while the values of equilibrium fluid content of the hydrogels varied in the range of 57–97%. The initial rate of swelling, diffusional exponent, and, diffusion coefficient were calculated using swelling kinetics data. Diffusion of the fluids into the hydrogel was found to be non-Fickian character. The diffusion coefficients of the hydrogel varied between 0.6×10⁻⁶– 8.1×10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. Received: 15 March 2000/Accepted: 18 December 2000     

An investigation of some Schiff bases as corrosion inhibitors for austenitic chromium–nickel steel in H2SO4

The corrosion inhibition of austenitic chromium–nickel steel by two Schiff bases, N-(1-toluidine)salicylaldimine and N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)salicylaldimine, was investigated in sulphuric acid medium. The effect of concentration and temperature on inhibition properties was determined. It was found that when the concentrations of inhibitor were increased the inhibition efficiencies () and surface coverage () increased. Some thermodynamic parameters such as free energy of adsorption, G _ads, and enthalpy, H, were determined for the Schiff bases. Experimental results agree with the Temkin isotherm for N-(1-toluidine)salicylaldimine, but the Langmuir isotherm is more appropriate for N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)salicylaldimine.     

Synthesis,characterization of poly‐2‐ (2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)‐6‐phenyl‐4,5,6, 7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile: Investigation of antibacterial activity and optical properties

The oxidative polycondensation reaction conditions of 2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)‐6‐phenyl‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile were examined. The magnitude of the reflectance of the polymer decreases sharply with increasing of wavelength up to 524 nm, then reflectance of the polymer increases slowly with increasing of wavelength. The refractive index values of the polymer vary from 1.474 to 2.350. The E_p and E_d values of the polymer were found to be 4.56 and 7.068 eV, respectively. Absorption coefficient K of the polymer is of the order 817.062–1434.77 m^?1. Angle values of incidence and refraction of the polymer vary from 57.36 to 66.95° and from 23.05 to 32.65°, respectively. The film‐phase thickness of the polymer increases with increasing photon energy. The thickness, d, of the polymer was of the order 439.3–4184.7 Å for 190 and 1100 nm, respectively. The real part of dielectric constant of the polymer decreases slowly with increasing of frequency up to about 600 THz, then the real part of dielectric constant of the polymer increases sharply with increasing of frequency. The real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant of the polymer vary from 2.17 to 5.52 and from 5.81 × 10^?5 to 3.58 × 10^?4, respectively. Finally, polymer was tested for antibacterial activities against some bacteria. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Leaching kinetics of colemanite in ammonium hydrogen sulphate solutions

The aim of the study was to investigate the dissolution kinetics of colemanite in ammonium hydrogen sulphate solutions in a mechanical agitation system and to declare an alternative reactant to produce boric acid. Reaction temperature, concentration of ammonium hydrogen sulphate, stirring speed, solid/liquid ratio and particle size were selected as parameters on the dissolution rate of colemanite. The experimental results were successfully correlated by linear regression using Statistica Package Program. Dissolution curves were evaluated in order to test shrinking core models for solid–fluid systems. It was observed that increase in the reaction temperature and decrease in the solid/liquid ratio causes an increase the dissolution rate of colemanite. The dissolution extent is highly increased with increase the stirring speed rate between 100 and 500 rpm and the dissolution extent is slowly increased with increase the stirring speed between 500 and 700 rpm in experimental conditions. The activation energy was found to be 32.66 kJ/mol. The leaching of colemanite was controlled by diffusion through the ash or product layer. The rate expression associated with the dissolution rate of colemanite depending on the parameters chosen may be summarized as follows: 1 ? 3(1 ? X)^2/3 + 2(1 ? X) = 8.99 × C^1.08 × W^1.39 × D^?1.27 × (S/L)^?0.54 × e^(?32.66/RT)t.     

Preparation of hybrid PU/PCL fibers from steviol glycosides via electrospinning as a potential wound dressing materials

In this study, the synthesis and application of biocompatible steviol glycosides based polyurethane/poly (ε-caprolactone) (PU/PCL) fibers was performed by electrospinning as a potential wound dressing materials that can be used for the closure of nonhealing wounds. During electrospinning, steviol glycoside-based polyurethane structures were used in blend formation with poly (ε-caprolactone) for easy producibility. Steviol glycosides are a natural abundant and easily accessible source as the main component of the wound dressing material due to their free hydroxyl groups, high biocompatibility, and hydrophilicity. The structure of steviol glycosides is composed of saccharide units and the free OH groups. Thus, steviol glycosides act as a crosslinker within the polyurethane structure and provides mechanical strength. For the production of steviol glycosides based PU/PCL fibers first, the steviol glycosides as a monomer were isolated from the stevia rebudiana. Then, polyurethane structures containing stevia glycoside were synthesized with hexamethylene diisocyanate, lactose and PEG-200 by solution polymerization technique. PCL was added to the prepared polyurethanes in a ratio of 1:2 and formation of nanofiber structure. The prepared wound dressing material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscope techniques. Swelling degree, water content and oxygen permeability assay of the steviol glycosides based PU/PCL wound dressing material was determined. In biocompatibility test, cell viability value of PU/PCL fibrous materials in indirect cytotoxicity test was determined as 86.9% and cell adhesion on hybrid PU/PCL fibers was showed as morphological. In accordance with this target, the steviol glycosides based PU/PCL wound dressing material can be produced easily and low cost. As a result, the wound dressing materials obtained with their high biocompatibility and low costs will be an effective and fast method for the healing of open wounds of diabetics.     

Challenges and Opportunities of Modeling Biomass Gasification in Aspen Plus: A Review

Aspen Plus has become one of the most common process simulation tools for both academia and industrial applications. In the last decade, the number of the papers on Aspen Plus modeling of biomass gasification has significantly increased. This review focuses on recent developments and studies on modeling biomass gasification in Aspen Plus including key aspects such as tar formation and model validation. Accordingly, challenges in modeling due to specific assumptions and limitations will be highlighted to provide a useful basis for researchers and end-users for further process modeling of biomass gasification in Aspen Plus.     

Pressureless sintering of β-SiAlON ceramic compositions using fluorine and oxide additive system

SiAlONs are silicon aluminium oxynitride ceramic materials with a range of technically important applications, from cutting tools to specialised refractories and the properties of SiAlONs can be tailored for specific purposes. In this study, different β-SiAlON compositions were prepared using fluoride (MgF₂ as fluorine source plus Y₂O₃) and oxide (MgO plus Y₂O₃). These compositions were pressureless sintered under nitrogen atmosphere in the range of 1450–1750 °C for 0.5–2.5 h for comparison of densification behaviour and mechanical properties. Densities of samples were measured and analyses of result products were carried out using SEM and XRD. The F-doped sintered β-SiAlON ceramics showed better densities and less pore micrographs especially at lower temperatures compared with the fluorine free samples. Full densifications were achieved for β-SiAlON ceramics with fluoride addition at 1700 °C for 60 min. Consequently, fluorine addition to additive system has a good effect on mechanical properties and densification behaviour.