The radiation crosslinking and scission of ethylene-propylene copolymers studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

Methyl groups from chain scission and H-crosslinks have been identified by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance in amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymers containing 23 and 36 mole % propylene after γ-irradiation to 10 MGy at 30°C. G (scission) and G (crosslink) values determined from the n.m.r. spectra and by extraction are in agreement, which suggests that the crosslinks are not clustered. This may differ from the situation in polyethylene where there is a substantial crystalline content. G(S). G(X) and the ratio G(S)/G(X) increase with increasing propylene content of the copolymers.     

Modelling thermal degradation of composite materials

A one–dimensional, transient thermal degradation heat transfer model for the response of composite materials when exposed to fire is presented. The model can handle layers of different materials. Material properties are functions of temperature. The reaction can be specified using Arrhenius‐type parameters or by inputting a density–temperature relationship determined by any experimental technique such as thermogravimetric analysis. The model is validated against the experimental data presented in Boyer's 1984 dissertation. Overall, the model provides excellent agreement with the experimental data. It is shown that very little difference is found between results arrived at by Arrhenius kinetics and results obtained by specifying the easier to measure density–temperature relationship. From this it is concluded that this technique is a viable alternative to Arrhenius‐type models. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

臭氧氧化-光催化降解水中的五氯酚

利用臭氧氧化-光催化技术降解水中的有机污染物五氯酚(PCP)。对比了紫外光照射、臭氧氧化、光催化、臭氧氧化-光催化4种方法降解PCP的情况。考察了臭氧氧化-光催化体系中臭氧流量、臭氧产量、PCP初始质量浓度、pH和CO23-等因素对PCP降解率的影响。实验结果表明,臭氧氧化-光催化法比单独使用紫外光照射、臭氧氧化、光催化法更能有效的去除PCP;增加臭氧流量和臭氧产量有利于提高PCP的降解率;降低PCP的初始浓度,PCP的降解率显著提高;pH对PCP的降解效果影响不明显;CO23-的存在显著降低了PCP的降解率。在臭氧氧化-光催化体系中,除臭氧直接氧化降解PCP外,臭氧与TiO2协同作用产生的.OH对PCP的降解也起到了重要作用。     

The flame retardant mechanism of polyolefins modified with chalk and silicone elastomer

This paper presents the current understanding of the flame retardant mechanism of Casico?. The study includes the flame retardant effect of each individual component: ethylene–acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer, as well as the formation of an intumescent structure during heating. The flame retardant properties were investigated by cone calorimetry and oxygen index tests. To obtain insight into the flame retardant mechanism, heat treatment under different conditions has also been performed. The results indicate that the flame retardant mechanism of Casico is complex and is related to a number of reactions, e.g. ester pyrolysis of acrylate groups, formation of carbon dioxide by reaction between carboxylic acid and chalk, ionomer formation and formation of an intumescent structure stabilized by a protecting char. Special emphasis is given to the formation of the intumescent structure and its molecular structure as evaluated from ¹³C MAS‐NMR and ²⁹Si MAS‐NMR, ESCA and XRD analysis. After treatment at 500°C the intumescent structure consists mainly of silicon oxides and calcium carbonate and after treatment at 1000°C the intumescent structure consists of calcium silicate, calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

XPS studies of directly fluorinated HDPE: problems and solutions

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) applied to the study of fluorinated polymer surfaces presents several problems related both to peak assignment and to degradation. In this work, we analyse extensively the question of XPS peak assignments in this kind of surfaces. We conclude that in this kind of surfaces using binding energy differences between fluorine and carbon is better than using absolute binding energies. Also a useful relation between fluorine photoelectron energy vs. polymer composition expressed through the atomic ratio fluorine/carbon (F/C) was found. A protocol for data treatment is proposed and applied to a XPS study of the degradation induced by X-ray on high-density polyethylene surfaces modified by direct fluorination. Results obtained for the degradation, namely the atomic ratio F/C obtained by two different methods, combined with angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) were used to study the fluorine concentration profile in depth, producing self-consistent results.     

Encapsulation of PV modules using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer as a pottant: A critical review

The primary purpose of this work is to review the literature about what is and is not known about using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA0 copolymer as the encapsulant (or pottant) material in photovoltaic (PV) modules. Secondary purposes include elucidating the complexity of the encapsulation problem, providing an overview about encapsulation of PV cells and modules, providing a historical overview of the relevant research and development on EVA, summarizing performance losses reported for PV systems deployed since ca. 1981, and summarizing the general problems of polymer stability in a solar environment. We also provide a critical review of aspects of reported work for cases that we believe are important.Failure modes resolved in the early work to establish reliability of deployed modules and the purposes and properties of pottants, are summarized. Typical performance losses in large field-deployed, large-scale systems ranging from 1% to 10% per year are given quantitatively, and qualitative reports of EVA discoloration are summarized with respect to ultraviolet (UV), world-wide location and site dependence.The general stability of polymers and their desirable bulk properties for solar utilization are given. The stabilization formulation for EVA, its effectiveness, and changes in it during degradation are discussed. The degradation mechanisms for the base resin, e.g., unstabilized Elvax 150^TM, and stabilized EVA are indicated for literature dating to the early 1950s, and the role played by unsaturated chromophores is indicated. The limited number of studies relating discoloration and PV cell efficiency are summarized.Observed degradation of EVA or the unstabilized base resin in the laboratory and examples used to measure the degradation are summarized in sections entitled: (1) thermally-induced degradation; (2) photodegradation and photothermal degradation of EVA in different temperature regimes; (3) photobleaching and photodegradation of the UV absorber and cross-linking agent; (4) acetic acid and metal and metal-oxide catalyzed oxidative degradation; and (5) discolaration and PV cell efficiency losses.Processing effects/influences on EVA stability are discussed in sections entitled: (1) EVA raw materials and extruded, uncured films; (2) thermal encapsulation processes; (3) effects of lamination, curing, and curing peroxide on gel content and chromophores formed; and (4) incomplete shielding of curing-generated chromophores. A summary is given for the limited number of accelerated lifetime testing efforts and examples of erroneous service lifetime predictions for EVA are discussed. The known factors that effect the discoloration rate of several EVA formulations are discussed in which the reduction in rate by using UV-absorbing superstrates is a prime example. A summary is given of what is and is not known about EVA degradation mechanisms, degradation from exposures in field-deployed modeules and/or laboratory testing, and factors that contribute to EVA stability or degradation. Finally, conclusions about using Elvax 150 in EVA formulations are summarized, and future prospects for developing the next-generation pottant for encapsulating PV modules are discussed.     

超声波处理石油污水的实验研究

考察了在不同空化状态下超声波对石油污水化学耗氧量(COD)的降低作用。探讨了时间、功率、pH值及温度对石油污水化学耗氧量降低作用的影响。结果表明，石油污水化学耗氧量的降低率随着时间增大而增大，随着温度、pH值的增加而减小，随着功率的增加，先增加，然后再减小。     

淀粉液化液灭酶方法的研究

某些情况下淀粉液化液需要严格控制液化的程度 ,因此需要及时终止残余淀粉酶的活性。实验用降低液化液 pH值、升高温度、以及两者并用等 3种方法结束液化反应过程 ,实验结果可作为工业生产过程参考。     

TiO_2纤维的制备、表征及其光催化活性

采用常压乙二醇法制备出在可见光下具有较高催化活性的TiO2纤维。扫描电子显微镜表征结果表明,TiO2纤维直径为0.8～2.0μm、长度为5～25μm;BET比表面积和X射线衍射表征结果表明,随焙烧温度的升高,比表面积减小,TiO2纤维晶型逐渐由锐钛矿型向金红石型转变;紫外-可见漫反射光谱分析结果表明,TiO2纤维在可见光区有明显的吸收。在可见光下对甲基橙和苯酚的降解实验表明,焙烧温度为400℃时TiO2纤维的催化活性最好,对甲基橙和苯酚的降解率分别达到90.3%和84.0%;所制备的TiO2纤维比溶胶-凝胶法制备的锐钛矿型TiO2在可见光下具有更好的催化活性,原因是其能带间隙减小和吸收波长扩展到可见光区所致。     

Urban growth and environmental degradation: The case of Cairo, Egypt

The immense growth of cities, especially in developing countries, is resulting in the urbanization of both poverty and environmental degradation to a greater degree than ever before. This paper examines the processes of growth and degradation in the Greater Cairo Metropolitan Region (GCMR), currently the world’s tenth largest mega-city. It reviews the region’s growth and selected environmental issues as well as impacts of current efforts on managing the region. The assertion of this paper is that current management policies and bodies lack a comprehensive view of urban governance for the region, which does not bode well for the future environmental and economic sustainability of the region.