Role of network nematicity in swelling and phase equilibria of polymer networks in nematic solvents

Swelling and phase equilibria of polymer networks in a low molecular mass liquid crystal (LC) have been investigated as a function of network nematicity. LC networks with varying nematicity were prepared by copolymerization of mixtures of mesogenic monomers and non-mesomorphic (styrene) monomers with various compositions. Molar fraction of mesogenic monomer (x) in copolymer network strongly influences the swelling behavior as well as the nematic-isotropic (N-I) transitions in both dry and swollen states. The swollen networks of sufficiently high x with strong nematicity exhibit a sharp N-I transition and simultaneously undergo a discontinuous change in gel volume, i.e. volume phase transition. Meanwhile, the swollen networks of x≤0.8 with less nematicity show a broad N-I transition, and the resulting volume change proceeds continuously over a finite temperature range. When x decreases further down to less than 0.5, the nematicity of the dry networks vanishes. The nematic ordering in the swollen copolymer networks of x<0.5 occurs at the same temperature as the N-I transition temperature of the pure nematic solvent (T_NI^S), which yields the inflection in the swelling-temperature curve. A mean field theory considering network nematicity as a variable describes the effects of x on volume phase transition such as a shift of T_NI^G and a change in the magnitude of volume transition, apart from the emergence of continuous volume transition due to the broad N-I transition. The purely isotropic network of x=0 appreciably swells in the nematic solvent. The solvent inside the gel forms the nematic phase at the temperatures below which conflicts with the classical theoretical prediction that nematic ordering of LC solvent in fully swollen isotropic network never occurs.     

聚乙烯转光棚膜的加工及应用研究

本文对聚乙烯转光棚膜的加工和光转换剂的作用、配比关系及物理性能进行了讨论。     

A MODELING STUDY ON HYDROLYSIS OF LACTOSE RECOVERED FROM WHEY AND β-GALACTOSIDASE STABILITY UNDER SONIC TREATMENT

In the present study, the aim was to investigate the effect of ultrasonication on the kinetics of hydrolysis of lactose recovered from whey. The effects of the duty cycle, acoustic power of sonifier, reaction volume, and the hydrolysis products on hydrolysis degree as well as on enzyme stability were studied. The hydrolysis reactions were carried out in 25 mM phosphate buffer solution by using a commercial β-galactosidase produced from Kluyveromyces marxianus lactis under the conditions of 37°C, pH 6.5, and processing time of 30 min. Under ultrasonic treatment, 92% of lactose charged was hydrolyzed and the residual enzyme activity was 77% under the optimum operational conditions: acoustic power of 20 W, duty cycle rate of 10%, and reaction volume of 250 mL. The corresponding values of hydrolysis degree and residual enzyme activity without ultrasonic irradiation were 81% and 68%, respectively. These results show that sonication was beneficial for hydrolysis of lactose recovered from whey. The mathematical models were derived by using the experimental data of residual lactose concentration and residual enzyme activity depending on the operating conditions. In addition, an exponential equation was used for reflecting the ultrasonic energy regarding the hydrolysis and enzyme inactivation. After evaluation of the data, the activation energy required for hydrolysis of lactose recovered from whey (E _H ) and the inactivation energy for β-galactosidase enzyme (E _D ) were found as 0.0489 and 0.0804 J mL^?1, respectively.     

Preparation and Physico-Chemical Study of Sandwich Glass-Jute-Bisphenol-C-Formaldehyde Resin Composites

Glass-Jute-bisphenol-C-formaldehyde (Glass-Jute-BCF) sandwich composites were prepared by hand lay-up technique at 150°C under 30.4 MPa pressure for 2 h. The resin, glass and jute fiber content in the sandwich composite were 33.3, 10.4 and 56.3 wt%, respectively. 10 prepregs containing 8 inner prepregs of jute mats sandwiched between 2 outer prepregs of glass mats. Glass-Jute-BCF sandwich composite has 23 MPa tensile strength, 119 MPa flexural strength, 1.72 kV/mm electric strength and 1.25 × 10¹² ohm cm volume resistivity. Tensile strength and volume resistivity both decreased, while flexural strength and electrical strength both improved upon hybridization. Sandwich composite showed high diffusivity in water, 10% NaCl and 10% HCl solutions as compared to Glass-BCF composite. Equilibrium water absorption time is found to be 72 h in all 3 environments. Comparatively low diffusivity is observed due to silane treated glass fibers. No effect of boiling water is observed on stability of composite. Saturation time in boiling water reduced 18 times without any damage to the composite. Glass-Jute-BCF sandwich composite may be useful for low load bearing applications in construction, electrical and electronic industries as well as in harsh acidic and saline environments.     

Performance of Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) Silicone Rubber-Based Composites: DBDPO/RTV and DBDPE/Sb2O3/RTV

Composites with high flame-retardant behavior based on room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTV), decabromodiphenyloxide (DBDPO) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE)/Sb₂O₃ as fire retardant were fabricated employing reactive solution mixing process and the method of three-roller milling. The influences of DBDPO and DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ on the morphologies, mechanical properties, flame-retardant properties, OI, insulating properties, hot properties of RTV were systematically investigated. It has been discovered that both kinds of doping agents can significantly improve the property characteristics of RTV matrix composites. Also, DBDPE/Sb₂O₃/RTV were of better comprehensive performances than DBDPO/RTV. We report final performances as follows: tear strength was 13.68 kN/m; elongation at break was 233.4%; tensile strength was 2.18 Mpa; the level of flame-retardant property was FV-0; OI was 46; Volume electric resistivity was 6.9 × 10¹⁴Ω · m; the range of decomposition temperature was 300°C to 690°C and the ending percentage of remain weight was 30.6%. The above properties were acquired on the condition of mass percent of DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ as 15 wt% for DBDPE/Sb₂O₃/RTV.     

Effects of saliva contamination on bonding performance of self-etching adhesives

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of saliva contamination on bonding performance of two self-etching adhesives. Materials and Methods: Forty caries-free extracted human third molars’ cusps were cut off to expose mid-coronal dentin surfaces. Two one-step self-etching adhesives and the respective resin composite from the same manufacturer (Adper Easy One?+?Filtek Z350 (3?M ESPE); Clearfil S3 Bond?+?Clearfil Majesty (Kuraray Co.)) were applied onto the dentin surfaces for micro-tensile bond strength (MTBS) test. The dentin surfaces were not contaminated (A), were contaminated with saliva before/after priming (B/C), or they were water-sprayed after saliva contamination occurred before/after priming (D/E). The resin–dentin interfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. After the two adhesives were polymerized on saliva-contaminated or uncontaminated conditions, they were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for degree of conversion (DC), and analyzed by AFM spectroscopy for spatial homogeneity of the adhesives. The data were analyzed using factorial design ANOVA and one-way ANOVA. Results: Compared with control group (A), the saliva contamination after priming significantly reduced both dentin MTBS (p?<?0.05). Thorough water-spraying could significantly improve the MTBS of the saliva-contaminated dentin (p?<?0.05) or completely restore it. Saliva contamination deteriorated the resin–dentin adaptation, DC, and spatial homogeneity of adhesives. Conclusions: Saliva contamination had a negative effect on bonding performance of self-etching adhesives regarding their dentin MTBS, resin–dentin adaptation, DC, and spatial homogeneity. However, the effect of saliva contamination on the dentin MTBS was related to the individual adhesive used and the time point of contamination.     

Conversion measurement in polyethylene/peroxide coupling system under steady shear flow

The coupling reaction of melt linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) initiated by dicumyl peroxide (DCP) in steady shear flow field was investigated. The conversion of DCP was measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) and chemical titration. An absolute method was proposed to calculate the actual conversion of DCP from rheological data. The coupling efficiency of DCP was obtained from those analyses, which was shown to increase at first, reach a maximum and then decrease in the end stage. A linear relationship between the coupling efficiency of DCP and the concentration of macroradicals was also found in the experiments.     

Numerical investigation of closures for interface forces acting on single air-bubbles in water using Volume of Fluid and Front Tracking models

Closures for the drag and virtual mass forces acting on a single air bubble rising in initially quiescent pure water have been numerically investigated using direct numerical simulation techniques. A 3D Front Tracking model was used and the results were compared with simulation results obtained with a 2D Volume of Fluid model to assess the influence of the third dimension. In the simulations realistic values were taken for the physical properties, i.e., a density ratio of 800. The computed time-averaged terminal rise velocity and mean aspect ratio for individual air bubbles ranging in equivalent diameter from 1 to 10 mm rising in pure water compare well with available experimental data.     

Polypropylene/polyamide 6/polyethylene-octene elastomer blends. Part 3. Mechanisms of volume dilatation during plastic deformation under uniaxial tension

It has been shown in a previous paper in this series that important dilatation is produced by plastic deformation under tension of neat PP and PP/PA6/POE blends, for which the POE to PA6 concentration ratio equals 1/2. In this work, the detailed mechanisms of this volume change are investigated from electron micrographs (SEM and TEM) obtained in the deformed state. At low alloy content, it is thus observed that dilatation results from decohesion of the PA6 particles from the PP matrix. As the amount of PA6 and POE increases, voids are nucleated preferentially in the thicker POE interphase making a shell around the PA6 particles, and secondarily in isolated POE particles. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the overall volume dilatation decreases with total alloying content. This is interpreted by: (i) the increasing contribution of PA6 that intrinsically deforms with less cavitation than PP, (ii) the post-cavitation rubber-like stretching of POE particles and, (iii) the early formation of a percolating network of shear bands from the diffuse array of voids formed after the yield point. These mechanisms explain the gradual increase of the resistance to impact of the PP/PA6/POE as their alloying content is increased.     

Hydrocracking Marlim vacuum residue with natural limonite. Part 2: experimental cracking in a slurry-type continuous reactor

Disposable Australian iron-slurry (AL) and NiO-MoO₃-Al₂O₃ (NiMo) catalysts were used in hydrocracking experiments to convert Marlim vacuum residue (ML-VR) in a slurry-bed continuous flow reactor at temperatures of 440-460 °C, under a hydrogen pressure of 14.7 MPa and an LHSV of 0.5. The degree of conversion ranged from 54 to 83%, depending on the reaction temperature and catalyst used, with AL giving more complete conversion than NiMo. AL also proved more active in the removal of nickel. Hydrogen consumption was linearly correlated with conversion regardless of the catalyst used.