Surface hydrolysis of filaments based on poly(trimethylene terephthalate) spun at high spinning speeds

The surface alkaline hydrolysis of fibers made from poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was studied after extruding the polymer at high spinning speeds from 2000 to 6000 m/min and heat setting in the range of temperatures from 100 to 180°C. Fiber weight loss increased with an increasing heat‐setting temperature but it was also dependent on the spinning speed. Some of the partially hydrolyzed fibers had a well‐developed, hydrophilic surface, and pore size in the range of 0.69 to 1.20 μm. The optimum reaction and morphological conditions for increasing porosity in PTT fibers depends on spinning speed and heat‐setting temperature. A temperature of 180°C is the upper limit for heat‐setting PTT filaments but seems to be the most effective for making porous fibers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1724–1730, 2004     

Superfine structure,physical properties,and dyeability of alkaline hydrolyzed soly(ethylene terephthalate)/silica nanocomposite fibers prepared by in situ polymerization

In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/SiO₂ nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization and melt‐spun to fibers. The superfine structure, physical properties, and dyeability of alkaline hydrolyzed PET/SiO₂ nanocomposite fibers were studied. According to the TEM, SiO₂ nanoparticles were well dispersed in the PET matrix at a size level of 10–20 nm. PET/SiO₂ nanocomposite fibers were treated with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide at 100°C for different time. The differences in the alkaline hydrolysis mechanism between pure PET and PET/SiO₂ nanocomposite fibers were preliminarily investigated, which were evaluated in terms of the weight loss, tensile strength, specific surface area, as well as disperse dye uptake. PET/SiO₂ nanocomposite fibers showed a greater degree of weight loss as compared with that of pure PET fibers. More and tougher superfine structures, such as cracks, craters, and cavities, were introduced, which would facilitate the certain application like deep dyeing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3691–3697, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of cleavable surfactants derived from poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether

A series of noncyclic acetal-linked cleavable surfactants were simply prepared by condensation of aldehydes with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ethers. All of the products were characterized by¹H nuclear magnetic resonance. Their hydrophile-lipophile balance, surface tension, cloud point, critical micelle concentration, and foam height were determined. Hydrolysis kinetic studies, followed by gas chromatography, showed that they had higher hydrolytic reactivity in acidic solution than cyclic acetal-linked cleavable surfactants.     

Influence of Fillers on Sizing Efficiency and Hydrolysis of Alkyl Ketene Dimer

The influence of various fillers on sizing efficiency, adsorption and hydrolysis of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) has been investigated. Results indicated that the precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) improved AKD retention, both bound and unbound. The sizing efficiency was reduced as PCC contents increased, which might be attributed to the decrease in the relative AKD dosage to fibres and AKD hydrolysis promoted by PCC. Less amount of AKD was adsorbed on PCC, compared with calcined clay and TiO₂ fillers under the same conditions. Hydrolysis studies indicated that PCC had a more detrimental effect on AKD hydrolysis than clay and TiO₂.     

Simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation of pulp mill primary clarifier sludge

Bioconversion of sludge from the primary clarifier of a sulphite pulping operation to ethanol offers a number of advantages over conventional disposal options. The amount of material which must be disposed of is reduced while, at the same time, salable and environmentally friendly fuel-ethanol is produced. In this study, primary clarifier sludge (PCS) was shown to be hydrolysed to produce fermentable sugars at a rate proportional to enzyme loading. Initial (1 hour) hydrolysis rates as high as 12.6 g reducing sugar/L · h were observed at an initial enzyme loading of 10 filter paper units (FPU)/g. Hydrolysis was inhibited by spent sulphite liquor (SSL), an inhibition which could be completely overcome by fermenting the SSL to remove sugars. Surfactants were found to only marginally improve the production of sugars. To reduce the deleterious effects of end product inhibition, single stage simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) was carried out using cellulase enzymes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

近临界水中薯蓣皂苷水解生成薯蓣皂苷元的工艺研究

薯蓣皂苷元是合成甾体激素类药物和甾体避孕药的重要中间体,传统工艺采用盐酸水解法将黄姜中的薯蓣皂苷水解生成薯蓣皂苷元,反应时间4 h,最大收率为1.78%.该工艺反应时间长,耗水量大,对环境污染严重.今研究了无催化剂条件下,近临界水中薯蓣皂苷水解成薯蓣皂苷元的工艺,分别考察了反应温度、反应压力、反应时间等因素对薯蓣皂苷元收率的影响.研究结果表明,近临界水解法工艺简单,反应时间短,对环境友好,在较佳工艺条件下:P=25.0 MPa,T=260℃,t=10 min,薯蓣皂苷元收率为1.46%.     

Hydrolytic decomposition of dichlorodifluoromethane on modified zirconium oxide surfaces

The hydrolytic decomposition of dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) on various modified zirconium oxide surfaces has been studied. The reaction was carried out under flow conditions at 500°C. Complete CFC-12 conversion and long-time stability of the catalysts were achieved accompanied by a limitation of the undesired CFC-13 formation. A maximum CFC-12 conversion was observed on catalysts of sulfated zirconia or zirconia obtained from temperature-controlled calcination of zirconium oxide hydrate. The reaction depends on the presence or in situ formation of Brønsted acid sites. FTIR-photoacoustic measurements were performed on pyridine complexes chemisorbed on the catalyst surface in order to analyze the changes in the catalyst's acidity. The effects of the temperature and water in the reaction gas on the catalyzed decomposition of CFC-12 are examined.     

液相水解法合成金红石型TiO2

提出的钛液反应水解法，改变了传统的外加晶种存在下具有工业意义的水解过程。该法无须外加晶种，选择了以酒石酸，聚丙烯酰胺为沉淀剂，絮凝剂，在常压下使钛液直接长温水解，液相共沉淀制备金红石型ＴｉＯ２。还研究了反应条件，分析了产品的特性。     

CONCENTRATED ACID CONVERSION OF PINE SOFTWOOD TO SUGARS. PART I: USE OF A TWIN-SCREW REACTOR FOR HYDROLYSIS PRETREATMENT

The first stage of a two-step concentrated sulfuric acid process that converts softwood sawdust to sugars has been explored. The research focuses on the ability of an in-house custom fabricated corotating twin-screw reactor (TSR) to effectively break down and solubilize crystalline cellulose into low molecular weight carbohydrates. Based on design of experiment (DOE) screening results, a four-level, two-factor experimental model building DOE was undertaken. Solid sawdust conversion to liquid, screw torque, and TSR exit pressure were measured or recorded at each experimental condition to yield percent conversion of solids, processed material viscosity, and material energy requirements. Thereafter, model quadratic equations were fitted to the experimental data and found to be statistically significant. Based on data obtained in the DOE the process was optimized to establish a base case operating condition. The acid-treated product made at base case twin-screw operating conditions showed a 38.2% conversion of dry sawdust solids to soluble liquids. The dry solids conversion reduced 73.8% of all hemicellulose and 44.4% of all cellulose to soluble monomers and oligosaccharides.     

Chemical interactions between soil N and alkaline-hydrolysing N fertilizers

Chemical interactions between soil N and alkaline-hydrolysing N fertilizers labelled with¹⁵N were studied in the laboratory using twelve-irradiated soils. Fertilizer was recovered in the soil organic N fraction via the process of NH₃ fixation. NH₃ fixation at day 7 varied from 1.8 to 4.6% of the N added as aqua ammonia at 1000 mg kg^–1 soil. The amount of NH₃ fixed increased with increasing rates of application of NH_3(aq) and urea. The rate of NH₃ fixation decreased with time, with more than 55% of the total NH₃ fixation in 28 days occurring in the first week following application of 2000 mg urea-N kg^–1 soil. Soil pH and NH₃ fixation varied in response to N source, and increased in the order of di-ammonium phosphate hydrolysis of indigenous organic N occurred simultaneously with NH₃ fixation, resulting in the release of unlabelled ammonium (deamination) and a real added nitrogen interaction in all but two of the soils studied. The release of NH ₄ ⁺ initially increased up to a pH of 7.5, was inhibited between pH 8.5 and 9.0, but increased thereafter. The balance (N_bal) between NH₃ fixation and deamination was either positive or negative, depending on the pH of the fertilized soil, which was directly related to N source and concentration for a given soil.