Preparation of Spherical, Submicrometer Oxide Particles by Hydrolysis of Emulsified Alkoxide Droplets

A new method for forming spherical, submicrometer ceramic oxide particles by the hydrolysis of emulsified alkoxide droplets is reported. Emulsions are formed of alkoxide droplets dispersed in an inert, polar solvent. The alkoxide droplets are hydrolyzed to form oxide particles by adding water to the emulsion. It was shown that individual droplets acted as "microreactors" and controlled the powder size, shape, and composition. Both single-oxide and mixed-oxide powders were formed by this technique.     

The effect of platinum and silver deposits in the photocatalytic oxidation of resorcinol

The effects of platinum (Pt) and silver (Ag) metallisation in the photocatalytic oxidation of resorcinol at pH 3 ± 0.5 have been investigated. The photocatalytic degradation of resorcinol was significantly improved by Pt/TiO₂, while the presence of Ag/TiO₂ enhanced the initial photocatalytic degradation rate of resorcinol slightly. Likewise, the photocatalytic mineralisation of resorcinol continued to be enhanced by Pt/TiO₂, but it was retarded when Ag/TiO₂ was used.

The function of Pt and Ag deposits on the surface of TiO₂ has been found to be markedly influenced by the interaction of resorcinol and its degradation products with the metal deposits. The presence of Pt or Ag on the surface of TiO₂ altered the distribution of degradation products of resorcinol as well as the production of photoactive species for the photocatalytic oxidation of resorcinol. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses have indicated that the contrasting effect of Pt and Ag deposits were governed by the oxidation states and the catalytic property of metal deposits. In addition to that, it has been found that the roles of metal deposits are specific and should not be generalised.     

Relation of swelling and Tg depression to the apparent free volume of a particle‐filled,epoxy‐based adhesive

The effect of hygrothermal aging on a particle‐filled, epoxy‐based adhesive was studied using a gravimetric sorption technique. This study has explored moisture sorption characteristics as well as the associated behaviors of swelling and the depression of the glass transition temperature (T_g). We observed that the diffusion of water in this adhesive has a non‐Fickian behavior, and the depression of T_g proceeds to a definite value that is independent of the final equilibrium water content of the system. Our observations suggest that water diffuses into the polymer in a dual‐sorption mode, in which water resides in two populations. In one population, water is considered to occupy apparent free volume of the adhesive, and the second population water infiltrates polymer structure and forms hydrogen‐bonded clusters. Our results show that hygrothermal aging temperature and swelling do not alter the apparent free volume of this adhesive. We conclude that the constant value of T_g depression at saturation implies that only water in the apparent free volume is responsible for the T_g depression, whereas the swelling proceeds through the formation of hydrogen bonds in the adhesive. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1436–1444, 2003     

The effect of molecular structure on the gas transmission rates of aromatic polyimides

A series of high-molecular weight condensation polyimides was evaluated to determine the effect of polymer molecular structure on the transmission rate of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The polyimide films were prepared from either 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) or pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) with various diamines. The study shows that molecular structure had a strong influence on gas transmission rates with results for some films varying three orders of magnitude from that of other polyimide films. In general, the BTDA series of polyimides had overall lower gas transmission rates than the PMDA-derived series. Polymers prepared with meta-oriented diamines characteristically displayed lower gas transmission than those prepared with para-oriented diamines.     

Preparation of Aluminum Nitride–Silicon Carbide Nanocomposite Powder by the Nitridation of Aluminum Silicon Carbide

Aluminum nitride (AlN)–silicon carbide (SiC) nanocomposite powders were prepared by the nitridation of aluminum-silicon carbide (Al₄SiC₄) with the specific surface area of 15.5 m²·g⁻¹. The powders nitrided at and above 1400°C for 3 h contained the 2H-phases which consisted of AlN-rich and SiC-rich phases. The formation of homogeneous solid solution proceeded with increasing nitridation temperature from 1400° up to 1500°C. The specific surface area of the AlN–SiC powder nitrided at 1500°C for 3 h was 19.5 m²·g⁻¹, whereas the primary particle size (assuming spherical particles) was estimated to be ∼100 nm.     

Properties of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blends

To help make a good polymer blend by melt blending, the properties of polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) systems with various compositions have been investigated. As ABS is blended into PC to form a binary system, Brabender torque is reduced, a phenomenon that results in Improved processability of PC. With increasing ABS content, the mechanical properties of the blends such as tensile strength, modulus, hardness, and shrinkage decrease. However, with the variation of composition, Izod impact strength shows a maximum, while elongation at break exhibits a minimum. These phenomena are discussed with dynamic viscoelasticities and scanning electron microscopic morphological results. The value of ΔT_g(T_gβPC ? T_gβABS) is at its smallest when the ratio of PC to ABS is 90:10, However, the value rises with an increase in ABS because the butadiene content of the ABS hinders compatibility in the binary system. At the 90:10 composition, the damping height is optimal. In addition, the dispersed phase of the ABS is most ideal, absorbing the impact force and showing high impact strength. Composition ratios other than 90:10 present high damping as well as undesirable phase separation because of poor adhesion between two phases. As a result, the mechanical properties are reduced.     

Associations between apolipoprotein E genotype and circulating F<Subscript>2</Subscript>-isoprostane levels in humans

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), an important determinant of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, has three common alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4). Population studies have shown that the risk of diseases characterized by oxidative damage, such as coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, is significantly higher in ɛ4 carriers. We evaluated the association between apoE genotypes and plasma F₂-isoprostane levels, an index of lipid peroxidation, in humans. Two hundred seventy-four healthy subjects (104 males, 170 females; 46.9±13.0 yr; 200 whites, 74 blacks; 81 nonsmokers, 64 passive smokers, and 129 active smokers) recruited for a randomized clinical antioxidant intervention trial were included in this analysis. ApoE genotype was determined by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Free plasma F₂-isoprostane was measured by GC-MS. Genotype groups were compared using multiple regression analysis with adjustment for sex, age, race, smoking status, body mass index, plasma ascorbic acid, and β-carotene. Subjects with ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 genotype (ε4-carriers) and with ε2/ε3 and ε3/ε3 (non-ε4-carriers) were pooled for analysis. In subjects with high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol above 200 mg/dl), plasma F₂-isoprostane levels were 29% higher in ε4 carriers than in non-ε4-carriers (P=0.0056). High-cholesterol subjects that are ε4 carriers have significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation as assessed by circulating F₂-isoprostane levels.     

Effects of titania content and plasma treatment on the interfacial adhesion mechanism of nano titania-hybridized polyimide and copper system

Nano-titania (TiO₂) incorporated into polyimide (PI) matrix can significantly enhance the adhesion strength for PI/TiO₂ hybrid film and copper system. Surface modifications by various plasma treatments (Ar, Ar/N₂ and Ar/O₂) were also applied in this study to improve the adhesion strength. The Ar/N₂ plasma treatment is regarded as the more effective way in promoting the adhesion strength. The maximum adhesion value of 9.53 N/cm was obtained for the PI/TiO₂-1 wt% hybrid film with Ar/N₂ plasma treatment. It is enhanced about 10 times as large as pristine PI. Furthermore, by Ar/O₂ plasma treatment, a weak boundary of copper oxide was formed at the interlayer between PI/TiO₂ hybrid film and copper which decreases the adhesion strength. The effects of plasma treatment and content of nanosized TiO₂ on the adhesion strength between PI/TiO₂ hybrid film and copper system were studied. Atomic force microscope and contact angle analyses were used to measure the changes in surface morphology and surface energy as a result of plasma treatment. Besides, the interfacial states of peeled-off polymer side and copper side were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the result of XPS spectra, the peeled-off failure mode between PI/TiO₂ hybrid film and copper was proposed in this study.     

Properties of modified polyacrylonitrile membranes prepared by copolymerization with hydrophilic monomers for water–ethanol mixture separation

A new kind of terpolymer membrane was employed to separate a permselective water–alcohol mixture. This membrane was prepared via the copolymerization of acrylonitrile, sodium salt styrene sulfonic acid (SStSA), and hydroxyethyl methacrylate in dimethylsulfoxide with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The reaction mechanism, resultant structure, and polymer composition were confirmed by IR and elemental analysis. The effects of the feed composition on the polymer composition, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and degree of swelling were investigated. It was found that water permeated through the membrane preferentially in a water/alcohol system. The flux increased with the increase of SStSA, but the separation factor decreased drastically with higher SStSA. For a 50 wt % water–ethanol mixture, a flux of 0.65 kg/m² h and a separation factor of 212 were obtained at 30°C when the membrane containing the highest SStSA content was used. The capacities of the metal ions absorbed by the membranes were investigated in the study. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 244–250, 2003     

Mobilising information systems scholarship for a circular economy: Review,synthesis, and directions for future research

One of today's grand societal challenges is to replace the current ‘take‐make‐waste’ economic model with a circular economic model that allows a gradual decoupling of economic activities from the consumption of finite virgin resources. While circular economy (CE) scholars have long lauded digital technologies such as sensors, distributed ledgers, or platforms as key enablers, our own community has not fully explored the potentials of information systems (IS) for a CE. Considering recent technological advances in software and hardware and our history of helping address wicked challenges, we believe the time is ripe to mobilise IS scholarship for a CE. Our findings from an interdisciplinary literature review show that research has primarily examined IS potentials for increasing efficiency of isolated intra‐organisational processes while neglecting the larger sustainability potential of IS to establish circular material flows—that is, slow down and close material loops across entire product lifecycles. In response, we propose directions for IS research that develop our knowledge of how IS can help understand and enact circular material flows to intensify and extend use of products and components and recycle waste materials. Our directions offer pathways to building and evaluating the problem‐solution pairing that could characterise a prolific CE‐IS relationship.