Adsorption of trypsin onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene composite microspheres and its enzymatic activity

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene (PHEMA/PS) composite microspheres were produced by emulsifier-free seeded emulsion polymerization for styrene in the presence of PHEMA seed particles. Effects of the surface characteristics of the PHEMA/PS composite microspheres on the adsorption immobilization of trypsin and on its enzymatic activity were discussed. Above 5 mol% of HEMA content, trypsin molecules adsorbed had high activity, 65–100% of the activity of free trypsin. The excellence of the composite microspheres as a carrier for trypsin seems to be closely related with the surface heterogeneity consisting of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.     

Estimation of corrosion conditions of a phosphoric acid fuel cell

The changes in the anode and cathode potentials in the horizontal plane of a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), under various conditions of reactant gas pressure and its utilization, were studied using a single cell with twelve reference electrodes located around the cathode. Pressure-utilization (P-U) potential maps were obtained from the data at various reactant gas partial pressures (PO₂, PH₂) and their utilization (UO₂, UH₂). These maps show the corrosion conditions clearly. A PO₂-UO₂ potential map of maximum cathode potential showed that the cathode is corroded at high oxygen partial pressures and at low oxygen utilization. Cathode corrosion can occur over the entire cell surface. A PH₂-UH₂ potential map of maximum cathode potential showed that the cathode is corroded at high hydrogen utilization and at any hydrogen partial pressure. However, in this case, cathode materials corrodes at the fuel outlet; the potential does not climb to high values at the fuel inlet area. Fuel gas flowing in series resulted in a lower possibility for corrosion than parallel gas flow.     

Catalysis of gasification of coal-derived cokes and chars

Calcium is the most important in-situ catalyst for gasification of US coal chars in O₂, CO₂ and H₂O. It is a poor catalyst for gasification of chars by H₂. Potassium and sodium added to low-rank coals by ion exchange and high-rank coals by impregnation are excellent catalysts for char gasification in O₂, CO₂ and H₂O. Carbon monoxide inhibits catalysis of the CH₂O reaction by calcium, potassium and sodium; H₂ inhibits catalysis by calcium. Thus injection of synthesis gas into the gasifier will inhibit the CH₂O reaction. Iron is not an important catalyst for the gasification of chars in O₂, CO₂ and H₂O, because it is invariably in the oxidized state. Carbon monoxide disproportionates to deposit carbon from a dry synthesis gas mixture (3 vol H₂ + 1 vol CO) over potassium-, sodium- and iron-loaded lignite char and a raw bituminous coal char, high in pyrite, at 1123 K and 0.1 MPa pressure. The carbon is highly reactive, with the injection of 2.7 kPa H₂O to the synthesis gas resulting in net carbon gasification. The effect of traces of sulphur in the gas stream on catalysis of gasification or carbon-forming reactions by calcium, potassium, or sodium is not well understood at present. Traces of sulphur do, however, inhibit catalysis by iron.     

Some theoretical aspects of the electrophoretic sedimentation of particles

This paper concerns the theoretical interpretation of the results of a previous experimental study of the sedimentation of oxidized fine aluminum and iron particles in waste kerosene under the influence of an electric field. Following the Kynch analysis of the mode of gravity sedimentation, a modified particle volume flux is introduced to compensate for the effect of the electric field strength. It is shown that if the local electric field strength at the settling interface is used as the true driving force for electrophoretic sedimentation, the settling curves can be predicted with reasonable accuracy, provided that electrical heating effects and consequent temperature changes in the system are taken into account.Some theoretical aspects of the effects of dielectric polarization on settling are also discussed and illustrated qualitatively by the experimental data. Finally, some of the factors which might be expected to affect the energy efficiency of a particle separator operating by electrophoretic sedimentation are considered.     

Preparation and characterization of TiO2 and polymer nanocomposite films with high refractive index

Novel nanocomposite films of TiO₂ nanoparticles and hydrophobic polymers having polar groups, poly (bisphenol‐A and epichlorohydrin) or copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride, with high refractive indices, high transparency, no color, solvent‐resistance, good thermal stability, and mechanical properties were prepared by incorporating surface‐modified TiO₂ nanoparticles into polymer matrices. In the process of preparing colloidal solution of TiO₂ nanoparticles, severe aggregation of particles can be reduced by surface modification using carboxylic acids and long‐chain alkyl amines. These TiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed in solvents were found not to aggregate after mixing with polymer solutions. Transparent colorless free‐standing films were obtained by drying a mixture of TiO₂ nanoparticles colloidal solution and polymer solutions in vacuum. Transmission electronic microscopic studies of the films suggest that the TiO₂ nanoparticles of 3–6 nm in diameter were dispersed in polymer matrices while maintaining their original size. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that the nanocomposite film has good thermal stability and the weight fraction of observed TiO₂ nanoparticles in the film is in good accordance with that of theoretical calculations. The refractive index of nanocomposite films of TiO₂ and poly(bisphenol‐A and epichlorohydrin) was in the range of 1.58–1.81 at 589 nm, which linearly increased with the content of TiO₂ nanoparticles from 0 to 80 wt %. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Preparation of modified poly(vinyl chloride) containing N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate and its reaction with metal ions

Reaction of N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate ion with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was undertaken, and the reaction with metal ions of the polymer obtained was investigated. The effect of γ-irradiation on the reaction with metal ion was also studied. The modified PVC (PHDC) obtained from the reaction with N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate ion is pale yellow even after reaction at 100°C for 5 hr in dimethylformamide (DMF); it is soluble in dipolar solvents and its chlorine content is decreased considerably. This polymer reacted well with acetate salts of copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), and silver(I) heterogeneously in aqueous solution because of the introduction of hydrophilic groups (two hydroxy groups). The reactivity of the metal ions toward the polymer was of the order Ag(I) ? Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II). From the result of the reaction of γ-irradiated polymer with cupric ion, the polymer was judged to have fairly good antiradiation property.     

Efficient usage of highly dispersed Pt on carbon nanotubes for electrode catalysts of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

A Pt-deposited carbon nanotube (CNT) shows higher performance than a commercial Pt-deposited carbon black (CB) with reducing 60% Pt load per electrode area in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) below 500 mA/cm². K₂PtCl₄ and H₂PtCl₆·6(H₂O) are used for the Pt deposition onto multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), which are produced by the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons. The electric power densities produced using the Pt/CNT electrodes are greater than that of the Pt/CB by a factor of two to four on the basis of the Pt load per power. CNTs are thus found to be a good support of Pt particles for PEFC electrodes. TEM images show 2–4-nm Pt nanoparticles dispersed on the CNT surfaces. These high performances are considered to be due to the efficient formation of the triple-phase boundaries of gas–electrode–electrolyte. The mechanisms of Pt deposition are discussed for these Pt-deposited CNTs.     

Study on modified phenolic resin. II. Modification with p-hydroxyphenylmaleimide/styrene copolymer

The improvement of heat resistance and mechanical properties of phenolic resin was examined with the blend of novolac and copolymers prepared from p-hydroxyphenylmaleimide (HPMI) and styrene. Copolymers of HPMI and styrene with various molecular weights were synthesized. Glass transition (T_g) and thermal decomposition temperatures of the copolymers were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), respectively. The miscibility of the copolymers with novolac was examined by DSC. It was found that the copolymers had a good heat resistance and a good miscibility with novolac. Molding compounds were prepared by hot roll-kneading of mixtures that involved novolac, copolymer, hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine), and glass fiber. It was found that the test pieces prepared by transfer molding from the molding compounds showed a good heat resistance and better mechanical properties than phenolic resin modified with HPMI homopolymer.     

Application of an interpenetrating network model to the solid deformation of a quenched isotactic polypropylene film

The molecular orientation and deformation mechanisms of a quenched isotactic polypropylene (iPP) film deformed at temperatures between 303 K and the melting point are studied. At draw temperature T_E less than 400 K where the degree of crystallinity does not change markedly, a linear relationship between molecular orientations of the crystalline and the amorphous phases is revealed and the slope is estimated about 1.82. The interpenetrating network (IPN) model, that takes into account the plastic response of the crystalline (C) network formed by a small portion of crystallites adhered through intercrystalline links and the pseudo-affine deformation of the crystallite enhanced amorphous matrix (CEAM) network, is able to account for inhomogeneous deformation behavior on the mesoscale accompanied with the localized necking in this T_E range. Meanwhile, the initial Young's modulus and the true yield stress exerted by the deformation of the rigid C network exhibit the Arrhenius type of dependence on T_E. The apparent shear modulus of the CEAM network as a function of T_E is discussed in relation to variations in numbers and average molecular weights of the crystalline and the amorphous sequences being manifested by small consecutive endothermic and exothermic peaks in the DSC curve. The IPN model becomes invalid for deformations above T_E=400 K where morphological changes are induced due to melting of crystallites as proved from the DSC measurement.