Catalytic activity of polymer-bound Ru(III)-EDTA complex

Chloromethylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer was chemically modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ligand. Catalytically active polymer containing Ru(III) moieties were synthesized from this polymeric ligand. They were characterized using FTIR, UV-vis, SEM, ESR and TGA. Other physico-chemical properties such as bulk density, surface area, moisture content and swelling behaviour in different solvents were also studied. The polymer bound complex was used to study hydrogenation of 1-hexene ton-hexane under mild conditions. Influence of [1-hexene], [catalyst], temperature and nature of the solvent on the rate of the reaction was investigated. A rate expression is proposed based on the observed initial rate data. Recycling efficiency of the catalyst has also been studied.     

Synthesis of biodiesel in supercritical alcohols and supercritical carbon dioxide

Biodiesel was synthesized in supercritical fluids by two routes: non-catalytically in supercritical alcohols and by enzyme catalysis in supercritical carbon dioxide. Two oils, sesame oil and mustard oil, and two alcohols, methanol and ethanol, were used for the synthesis. Complete conversion was observed for synthesis in supercritical alcohols whereas only a maximum of 70% conversion was observed for the enzymatic synthesis in supercritical carbon dioxide. For the synthesis in supercritical alcohols, the activation energies and pseudo-first order rate constants were determined. For the reactions in supercritical carbon dioxide, a mechanism based on ping pong bi-bi was proposed and the kinetic parameters were determined.     

Preparation,characterization, and biodegradation of PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites using Aspergillus niger

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was synthesized using l ‐lactic acid by condensation polymerization. Polystyrene (PS) and surface modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was used for the preparation of PS:PLA composites and PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites. The composite materials prepared had varying amount of PLA (10–30%) and OMMT (0.5–5 phr). These composites were subjected to degradation in minimal medium using the fungi Aspergillus niger (A. niger) under controlled conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the growth of microorganism on the polymer surface and fracture within the polymer matrix as a result of degradation. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) was further used to determine the mechanism leading to biodegradation. It was found that the biodegradation of both PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT took place mainly via break down and utilization of ester group, as can be seen from disappearance of absorption peak of ester group and simultaneous appearance of a typical IR absorption of microbial mass at 1450 cm⁻¹. The thermal stability of PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites was found to increase with increasing concentration of OMMT, as observed from thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), while mechanical property was found to be decreased after degradation at 30% of PLA and 5 wt% of OMMT content. Change in extracellular protein content, biomass production and % degradation with respect to time (up to 28 days) were studied and correlated to evaluate the effectiveness of A. niger in biodegradation of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:263–272, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

M-Curves path planning model for mobile anchor node and localization of sensor nodes using Dolphin Swarm Algorithm

Wireless Networks - Location information of a sensor node is the primary concern to process the sensed data in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The location of the sensor node is used in other...     

Synthesis and characterization of new aromatic polyesters containing pendent naphthyl units

Two bisphenols, viz., 4,4′‐[1‐(2‐naphthalenyl)ethylidene]bisphenol and 4,4′‐[1‐(2‐naphthalenyl) ethylidene]bis‐3‐methylphenol were prepared by condensation of commercially available 2‐acetonaphthanone with phenol and o‐cresol, respectively. A series of new aromatic polyesters containing pendent naphthyl units was synthesized by phase‐transfer‐catalyzed interfacial polycondensation of these bisphenols with isophthaloyl chloride, terephthaloyl chloride, and a mixture of isophthaloyl chloride/terephthaloyl chloride (50 : 50 mol %). Inherent viscosities of polyesters were in the range 0.83–1.76 dL g⁻¹, while number average molecular weights (M_n) were in the range 61,000–235,000 g mol⁻¹. Polyesters were readily soluble in organic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, m‐cresol, pyridine, N,N‐dimethylformamide, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone at room temperature. Tough, transparent, and flexible films were cast from a solution of polyesters in chloroform. X‐Ray diffraction measurements displayed a broad halo at 2θ ≅ 19° indicating the amorphous nature of polyesters. Glass transition temperatures of polyesters were in the range 209–259°C. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, of polyesters was in the range 435–500°C indicating their good thermal stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

In-Service Durability Performance of Water Tanks

With an alarmingly increased rate of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures due to durability performance, efforts are being made to quantify in situ performance. Performance is a function of time and it is related to degradation and the parameters influencing it. Although state-of-the-art modeling of various deterioration mechanisms is available in the literature, evaluation of the influence of various deterioration mechanisms that decrease performance with time is difficult. However, in situ condition documentation, survey, and assessment of deteriorated structures reflect the resultant deterioration process and also helps in validation of experimental and theoretical methods of performance evaluation. In this research, a systematic in situ condition documentation, survey, and assessment of water tank structures has been done based on an empirical damage scale similar to that suggested in the literature and a bilinear graphical deterioration model for such water retaining structures in a semitropical region like India is presented on the basis of case studies.     

Innovation in non-contact ultrasonic analysis: applications for hidden objects detection

 This paper describes unusual applications of ultrasound that are based upon recent advances in transduction efficiency in air and gaseous media. Piezoelectric transducer devices – capable of generating extremely high intensity ultrasound in ambient air up to 5 MHz – have been successfully developed and tested. This is in addition to the obvious uses for gas analysis, remote sensing, liquid level, gap, and thickness measurement, and proximity analysis. These new generation transducers make it possible to analyze solids and liquids not only non-destructively, but also without physically contacting the test sample. Among various applications to the non-destructive characterization (NDC) of industrial materials, we also describe the feasibility of a forensic application. This concerns the detection of objects such as knives, guns, contraband drugs, dead bodies, etc., hidden inside false compartments or walls. Received: 15 October 1997 / Accepted: 24 October 1997     

Polarographic studies on the coupled product of β-diketones with aryl diazonium chloride

Polarographic reduction of some coupled product of acetyl acetone with aryl diazonium chloride takes place in a single 4-electron transfer, giving a diffusion controlled irreversible waves in B.R. buffers of pH range 2–11.8. The reduction in these compounds takes place at the ---NH---N=C bond. Effect of various cations, anions, surfactant and solvent percentage on the reduction has been discussed.