Natural fiber composites of high‐temperature thermoplastic polymers: Effects of coupling agents

Our earlier paper (Jana, S.C.; Prieto, A. J Appl Polym Sci 2002, 86, 2159) on the development of natural fiber composites of high‐performance thermoplastic polymers described a new methodology for the manufacturing of composite materials of a high‐temperature thermoplastic polymer, poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) and wood flour, a cellulosic natural filler. A thermosetting epoxy, used as a reactive solvent, reduced the processing temperature of PPE/epoxy blends to well below the decomposition temperature of natural fillers. In addition, the epoxy component, upon polymerization, formed coating layers around the filler particles to provide resistance against moisture diffusion and attacks by acids and alkali. This article describes the results of an investigation on two outstanding issues: (1) the influence of cellulosic wood particles and coupling agents on the speed of epoxy curing and reaction‐induced phase separation and (2) the effects of coupling agents on the morphology of crosslinked epoxy at the surfaces of natural fillers and mechanical properties of the composites. It was found that wood particles expedited epoxy curing in the composites; the extent of epoxy curing, however, was reduced in the presence of coupling agents. Also, the coupling agents promoted complete coverage of wood flour particles by polymerized epoxy, although the mechanical properties deteriorated over systems without coupling agents. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2168–2173, 2002     

Water uptake and mechanical characteristics of natural filler–polypropylene composites

Water uptake characteristics and some mechanical properties of polypropylene composites containing three types of natural fillers, purified α‐cellulose, wastepaper fibers, and wood flour were studied. The fiber contents were 15, 25, and 35% by weight. Two percent maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was also added to the mix, as the compatibilizer agent. Mixing process was performed in a Brabender Plasticorder until a constant torque was reached. Composites made out of these combinations were then pressed in a laboratory press and ASTM standard test specimens were cut out of the sheets. Water absorption and tensile tests were performed on these specimens. The results showed a significant difference between the various filler types regarding water uptake. Water uptake also increased by the increase in filler content. Tensile strength and elongation at break in composites declined when compared with pure polypropylene, but their modulus of elasticity increased. Among the three types of fillers, no significant discrepancies were observed in terms of improving mechanical properties in composites. Filler content increase had no drastic effect regarding strength improvement. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 941–946, 2003     

Use of natural rubber‐g‐polystyrene as a compatibilizer in casting natural rubber/polystyrene blend films

Natural rubber/polystyrene (NR/PS) blend films with weight ratios of 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 were prepared using polystyrene grafted natural rubber copolymers (NR‐g‐PS) as the compatibilizer. Copolymers with molar ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30 were synthesized via emulsion copolymerization using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide/tetraethylene pentamine as an initiator. The copolymers were subsequently added into the blends at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 phr. The mixtures were cast into films by the solution‐casting method using toluene as the casting solvent. Mechanical and morphological properties of the prepared films were investigated. The film prepared from 80/20 NR‐g‐PS showed higher tensile and tear strength, as well as finer domain size of the dispersed phase, than those prepared from 90/10 and 70/30 NR‐g‐PS. However, the mechanical properties of the films were decreased at high loading of the copolymers. In addition, themogravimetric analysis revealed that weight loss was decreased upon introduction of the compatibilizer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 826–831, 2005     

Use of the 15N natural abundance technique to quantify biological nitrogen fixation by woody perennials

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) associated with trees and shrubs plays a major role in the functioning of many ecosystems, from natural woodlands to plantations and agroforestry systems, but it is surprisingly difficult to quantify the amounts of N₂ fixed. Some of the problems involved in measuring N₂ fixation by woody perennials include: (a) diversity in occurrence, and large plant-to-plant variation in growth and nodulation status of N₂-fixing species, especially in natural ecosystems; (b) long-term, perennial nature of growth and the seasonal or year-to-year changes in patterns of N assimilation; and (c) logistical limitations of working with mature trees which are generally impossible to harvest in their entirety. The methodology which holds most promise to quantify the contributions of N₂ fixation to trees is the so-called `¹⁵N natural abundance' technique which exploits naturally occurring differences in ¹⁵N composition between plant-available N sources in the soil and that of atmospheric N₂. In this review we discuss probable explanations for the origin of the small differences in ¹⁵N abundance found in different N pools in both natural and man-made ecosystems and utilise previously published information and unpublished data to examine the potential advantages and limitations inherent in the application of the technique to study N₂ fixation by woody perennials. Calculation of the proportion of the plant N derived from atmospheric N₂ (%Ndfa) using the natural abundance procedure requires that both the ¹⁵N natural abundance of the N derived from BNF and that derived from the soil by the target N₂-fixing species be determined. It is then assumed that the ¹⁵N abundance of the N₂-fixing species reflects the relative contributions of the N derived from these two sources. The ¹⁵N abundance of the N derived from BNF (B) can vary with micro-symbiont, plant species/provenance and growth stage, all of which create considerable difficulties for its precise evaluation. If the%Ndfa is large and the ¹⁵N abundance of the N acquired from other sources is not several ¹⁵N units higher or lower than B, then this can be a major source of error. Further difficulties can arise in determining the ¹⁵N abundance of the N derived from soil (and plant litter, etc.) by the target plant as it is usually impossible to predict which, if any, non-N₂-fixing reference species will obtain N from the same N sources in the same proportions with the same temporal and spatial patterns as the N₂-fixing perennial. The compromise solution is to evaluate the ¹⁵N abundance of a diverse range of neighbouring non-N₂-fixing plants and to compare these values with that of the N₂-fixing species and the estimate of B. Only then can it be determined whether the contribution of BNF to the target species can be quantified with any degree of confidence. This review of the literature suggests that while the natural abundance technique appears to provide quantitative measures of BNF in tree plantation and agroforestry systems, particular difficulties may arise which can often limit its application in natural ecosystems.     

紫草在柞丝绸织物染色中的应用

对紫草用于柞蚕丝织物的染色性能进行了探讨。用乙醇提取紫草色素,选取染液体积分数、pH值、温度和时间4个因素,通过正交试验及单因素分析试验,优化出紫草上染柞蚕丝织物的最佳工艺条件为:浴比1∶40,染液体积分数8%,pH 6,温度80℃,时间60 min。通过不同媒染剂(Al3+、Fe2+、Cu2+)媒染处理,得到不同颜色的织物。通过对染色织物耐水洗及耐摩擦色牢度的检测得出,紫草上染柞蚕丝织物色牢度优良,直接染色和媒染均达到3级以上。     

水处理中超滤膜不能去除水中溶解态有机物

根椐天然水中有机物的形态和分子量分布状况,对比水处理中常用的超滤膜截留分子量,认为给水处理中超滤不能去除天然水中溶解态有机物.     

天然气管道事故严重度评价体系研究

为解决由于天然气管道管材的老化、腐蚀以及外力破坏引发事故的评价问题,以目标层、准则层和指标层3层结构体系,构建了天然气管道事故严重度评价体系,该体系从管道类型、事故类型、事故发生地点和事故已有损失4个方面来评价事故的严重程度,采用百分制权重加和法得到事故严重度指标值G,依据G值大小将事故分为3个等级,评估结果可以为管理层提供参考,为制定天然气管道事故抢修抢险方案起到导向作用.     

Characterization of NOM and THM formation potential in eutrophic reservoir water

Resin adsorption technique with XAD-8 and XAD-4 was used to characterize the raw water from Erlong reservoir in Jilin province of China. The NOM chemical composition sequences of four organic fractions in the raw water,from high to low,are fulvic acid (FA) fraction,hydrophilic non-acid (HPINA) fraction,hydrophilic acid (HPIA) fraction,and humic acid (HA) fraction. Experimental results show that FA is the main precursor of THMFP among the four organic fractions. However,HA or hydrophobic acid exhibits the highest chlorination activity in forming THMs. It is also found that the value of FI/DOC or SUVA and the specific THMFP have better positive correlation. It is implied that certain source water has unique nature of NOM and DBPs.     

无信号交叉口交通流有序运行实现方法研究

为改善无信号交叉口交通运行现状,基于自然排队思想,采用路中时间提醒装置使驾驶员获取无信号交叉口通行信息,对车速进行主动调整,达到自然排队的效果,在交叉口形成有序的交通流．运用不完全停车理论分析了此种方法对延误的降低,同时剖析了自然排队对交叉口交通的改善．实施方法的采取可以显著改善无信号交叉口的交通秩序,提高其通行能力．     

风力发电机锥筒型塔架的模态分析

应用SAP2000有限元分析软件对某定型风力发电机组塔架建模并进行模态分析,研究了有无门洞两种塔架的固有频率及其与风轮转动频率的关系,通过对塔架固有频率影响因素的探讨,得到了一些基础性结论.分析表明：塔架的固有频率每两阶基本相等;门洞对塔架固有频率的影响很小;塔架一阶固有频率与机头质量基本呈线性关系递减;能否引起塔架与风轮激励的共振主要取决于塔架的低阶频率.研究成果可为风力发电机锥筒型塔架的设计提供参考.