Pre‐necking and post‐necking relaxation and creep behavior of polycarbonate: A phenomenological study

Experiments have been performed to investigate the mechanical response of unfilled polycarbonate vis‐à‐vis the influence of prior deformation on stress relaxation and creep. Piecewise linear deformation histories, which involve strain‐controlled tensile loading of a specimen to a maximum load and partial unloading to a target strain/stress point as prologue to a relaxation test, have been shown to qualitatively influence the recorded stress‐time behavior. In particular, the stress magnitude during relaxation first increases and is then followed by a decrease. Analogously, in creep tests during unloading, the strain might decrease and then increase. Time characteristics for this U‐turn in the deformation response are influenced by the placement of the test. The influence of prior specimen conditioning on this phenomenon is investigated by comparing test data from virgin samples to that of specimens having high (～85%) inelastic strain from prior tensile elongation. Findings suggest that the observed persistence in the occurrence of this reversal effect for both types of specimens is evidence of the need to incorporate this behavior into the fold of material modeling. Additionally, this novel relaxation and creep behavior has been observed in other amorphous (poly(phenylene oxide)) and crystalline (high‐density polyethylene) polymers. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1783–1791, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Mathematical modeling of reverse osmosis systems

The present investigation pertains to modeling of seawater desalination system. A simulation model was developed and verified for a small-scale reverse osmosis system. The proposed model combines material balances on the feed tank, membrane module andproduct tank with membrane mass transfer models. Finally a comprehensive simulation model has been developed incorporating the effect of mass transfer inhibition The model is non-linear differential equation representing the feed concentration as a function of operating time and space. The solution of the simultaneous differential equations was obtained using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method, due to self starting and stability. The model was verified using the experimental data from the literature [17,24]. Parameter sensitivity was carried out to select the proper step size. The simulation was run for over 1000 11 enabling a prediction of operational performance at high overall system recoveries.     

Oxidation of Branched Chain Fatty Acids by Chromic Acid

The kinetics of oxidation of isobutyric and isovaleric acids by chromic acid in sulphuric acid medium have been studied. The end product acetic acid is supposed to be derived from the ketones which are the initial oxidation products of the corresponding branched chain fatty acids. The influence of acetic acid on the oxidation velocity has been examined and a marked effect on the rate constants with increasing acetic acid concentration has been observed. A mechanism involving the electrophilic attack of the oxidant on the tertiary carbon atom of the fatty acid to yield a carbonium ion has been postulated.     

UV‐radiation–induced preirradiation grafting of methyl methacrylate onto lignocellulose fiber in an aqueous medium and characterization

The preirradiation method of grafting has been established by ultraviolet radiation. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was grafted onto jute fiber in an aqueous medium. The variation of graft weight with UV‐radiation time, monomer concentration, and reaction time was investigated. The conversion of monomer into homopolymer and graft copolymer was evaluated. The graft weight passes through a maximum value (～ 122%) with UV‐radiation time. The optimum value of the monomer concentration was evaluated for maximum degree of grafting. Graft copolymerization of MMA onto lignocellulose fiber significantly increases the elongation at break (～ 65%) compared to that of the “as‐received” sample. However, a linear decrease on breaking load was observed with the increase of graft weight. The estimation of degree of grafting was achieved using an IR technique by correlating band intensities with the degree of grafting. Considering the water‐absorption property, the grafted sample showed a maximum up to 61% decrease in hydrophilicity compared to that of the as‐received sample. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1667–1675, 2004     

Lithium/V6O13 cells using silica nanoparticle-based composite electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of Li/V₆O₁₃ cells is investigated at room temperature (22 °C) both in liquid electrolyte consisting of oligomeric poly(ethyleneglycol)dimethylether+lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonylimide) and composite electrolytes formed by blending the liquid electrolyte with silica nanoparticles (fumed silica). The addition of fumed silica yields a gel-like electrolyte that demonstrates the desirable property of suppressing lithium dendrite growth due to the rigidity and immobility of the electrolyte structure. The lithium/electrolyte interfacial resistance for composite gel electrolytes is less than that for the corresponding base-liquid electrolyte, and the charge-discharge cycle performance and electrochemical efficiency for the Li/V₆O₁₃ cell is significantly improved. The effect of fumed silica surface group on the electrochemical performance is discussed; the native hydrophilic silanol surface group appears better than fumed silica that is modified with a hydrophobic octyl surface moiety.     

Effect of structure on the thermal behaviour of ethynyl-terminated imide resins

A series of ethynyl-terminated aromatic imide monomers containing phosphine oxide in the backbone were synthesized by the reaction of tris(3-aminophenyl) phosphine oxide (TAP) or bis(3-aminophenyl)methyl phosphine oxide (BAP) with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) or 3, 3′,4, 4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) or 4, 4′-perfluoroisopropylidenebis(phthalic anhydride), and 3-ethynyl aniline. Structural characterization was done by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Thermal characterization was done by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The decomposition temperatures of cured resins were above 500°C in nitrogen atmosphere. Char yield at 800°C ranged from 52–63.5%.     

Molecular weight distributions and size fractionations of H-coal liquids

This Paper deals with a comparative study on the use of gel permeation chromatography (g.p.c.) and vapour pressure osmometry (v.p.o.) to obtain molecular weight data for the hexane-soluble fractions of three H-coal liquids. The use of two types of column packing materials, polyvinylacetate and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer gels, is described. A successful, preparative use of the polyvinylacetate gel to fractionate the hexane-soluble fraction of H-coal liquid, atmospheric still overhead (ASO), has been established. Molecular weight data obtained by v.p.o. for the benzene-soluble fraction and the pyridine-soluble fraction of the three H-coal liquids are reported. Solvent extraction has been utilized also to find the amount of oil, asphaltenes and asphaltols in the three H-coal liquids.     

A literature survey and an experimental study of coal devolatilization at mild and severe conditions: influences of heating rate, temperature, and reactor type on products yield and composition

Coal devolatilization studies to maximize the yield of condensable products by operating at elevated temperatures and heating rates have been published. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influences of relatively mild operating conditions (e.g. relatively low temperature and pressure) on product quality, by comparing devolatilized products obtained at various temperatures and heating rates. Fixed bed, fluid bed, and entrained flow reactor units were used to obtain pyrolysis products. In addition, literature data on tar yields in various reactor units at a range of temperatures and residence times were surveyed and compared with experimental data. The liquids were characterized by a number of techniques, including field ionization mass spectroscopy (f.i.m.s.), sequential elution solvent chromatography (s.e.s.c.) and elemental analysis. The results demonstrate that the quality and yield of liquids obtained at a rapid heating rate are functions of peak pyrolysis temperature. It was shown that at a rapid heating rate, the yields of heavier polyfunctional groups (i.e. hydrocarbons with greater mean molecular weight) are greater than those obtained in the fixed bed slow heating rate reactor. The liquids generated at a slow heating rate are of lower molecular weight, viscosity, and sulphur content, and of higher H/C atomic ratios compared with the liquids obtained in a rapid heating rate unit. The effect of increasing the maximum pyrolysis temperature (at a constant slow heating rate) was to increase the yield of light gases (mainly H) at the expense of char hydrogen content and char reactivity. The tar yield is not markedly influenced when the peak devolatilization temperature is increased at a relatively slow heating rate. However, the quality (as defined by the H/C (atomic) ratio) of the liquids, and the reactivity (in air) of char, was reduced when the peak pyrolysis temperature was increased. At a rapid heating rate, the primary products, which have many structural characteristics of the parent coal, are devolatilized. The quality of the liquids obtained at a rapid heating rate is, therefore, determined by the devolatilized primary coal fragments evolved at the devolatilization temperature. In a slow heating rate fixed bed unit, however, the primary coal fragments undergo additional cracking reactions which involve stabilization of free radicals by donatable hydrogen. This leads to the formation of low molecular weight hydrocarbons of relatively higher quality. In-situ (both intraparticle or extraparticle) stabilization of reactive coal fragments by donatable hydrogen may lead to a significant improvement in the overall quality of the pyrolysis liquids in a fixed bed system in which time-temperature history is conducive for such reactions.     

Eco-friendly electronics,based on nanocomposites of biopolyester reinforced with carbon nanotubes: a review

ABSTRACT

Fabrication of electronic materials from nanocomposite of biopolyesters reinforced with carbon nanotubes can be regarded as the effective alternative for conventional nanocomposites consisting of non-biodegradable polymers. Commercial availability of biopolyester-based nanocomposites is limited because of their high cost compared to other polymers, but the factor of their compostable nature is worthless for environmental protection. Such nanocomposites have potential applications in biodegradable sensors, EMI materials, etc. In this review, the current progress of biopolyester/CNTs nanocomposites in the field of biodegradable electronics is reviewed and also the impact of CNTs dispersion on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of eco composites is stipulated.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorine and nitrile containing polyimides

A series of polyimides were synthesized from new diamine, Bis [4,4′‐amino‐5,5′ trifluoromethyl phenoxy‐(hexafluoro isopropylidine) phenoxy phenyl] benzonitrile [BATFB] and various aromatic tetracarboxylic anhydrides by thermal and chemical imidization routes. The BATFB was synthesized in two steps by nucleophilic displacement reaction of 2,6‐dichloro benzonitrile, 4,4′‐(hexafluoro isopropylidine) diphenol and 2‐amino‐5‐fluoro benzotrifluoride in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in N,N′‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) and the structure was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and CHNSO analyzer. The polymers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis were performed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The prepared polyimides had glass transition temperatures between 230 and 290°C and their 10% weight loss were recorded in the range 550–590°C in N₂ atmosphere. Majority of polymers are found to be soluble in most of the organic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, DMAc, m‐cresol, and THF even at room temperature and few becomes soluble on heating. The prepared polyimides showed water uptake values 0.34–0.54 wt % at room temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3455–3461, 2006