On the water swelling behaviour of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [P(N-iPAAm)], poly(methacrylic acid) [P(MAA)], their random copolymers and sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)

Thermo- and pH-responsive stimuli hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide (N-iPAAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA) have been synthesized and their swelling behaviour studied as a function of composition, pH and temperature. Copolymers varying in composition have been obtained by copolymerizing these two monomers and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of P(MAA) and P(N-iPAAm) by the sequential method. Temperature and pH have been changed in the ranges from 25 to 40 °C and from 2 to 9, respectively. The swelling behaviour of the hydrogels depends on the nature of the polymer and the environmental conditions, namely pH and temperature. Copolymer gels under basic conditions exhibit higher degree of swelling than the homopolymer ones. The disruption of the complexes dominates the kinetic swelling of MAA enriched gels under basic conditions. The hydrogen bond formation between carboxyl and amide groups has been made clear through the dynamic swelling behaviour of copolymers under acidic conditions. IPNs reduce their ability to swell in water with increasing P(N-iPAAm) content because of the formation of hydrophobic interpolymer complexes through hydrogen bonding. Lower critical solution temperature occurs only in the enriched N-iPAAm copolymers under acidic conditions when the MAA carboxyl groups are unionized.     

Thraustochytrid as a potential source of carotenoids

Thraustochytrids, marine protists whose dominant genera are Thraustochytrium and Schizochytrium, belong to the kingdom Chromista and are known as an industrial source of DHA. We describe here that thraustochytrid strain KH105, isolated as a DHA producer, also accumulates significant levels of β-carotene and xanthophylls including canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. A4-d cultivation using a medium composed of 10% glucose and less than 0.3% of nitrogen sources in a half-concentration of seawater gave an astaxanthin production up to 6.1 mg/L, and canthaxanthin content reached more than 10 mg/L under conditions where a higher concentration of nitrogen sources (6%) was employed. It might be advantageous in mass production systems for these carotenoids to be extracted readily by simply suspending the cells with organic solvents such as acetone and chloroform. Analyses on the morphological and life history features of the KH105 strain revealed that it belongs to the genus Schizochytrium. This particular species of thraustochytrids is thus considered to be a promising source of xanthophylls as well as DHA for use in the food industry.     

烷基酚聚醚硫酸酯盐的合成

采用氨基磺酸作为硫酸化剂,由烷基酚聚醚制备烷基酚聚醚硫酸盐,讨论了工艺条件对硫酸化反应过程及产品质量的影响,得出了最佳工艺条件:物料配比n(烷基酚聚醚):n(氨基磺酸)=1:1．06,反应温度120-125 ℃,反应时间3．5 h,催化剂LNP-4用量为投料质量0．8％。     

偏苯三酸三（2-乙基）己酯（TOTM）中和水洗实验研究

通过采用钛酸四异丙酯(TPT)为催化剂,偏苯三酸酐和2-乙基己醇为原料催化合成增塑剂偏苯三酸三异辛酯(TOTM)的基础上。通过正交试验研究了生成产物中和水洗的最佳条件。     

From surface science to catalysis: Surface “explosions” observed on Rh crystals and supported catalysts

Phenomena called surface explosions have been reported for decomposition reactions on single crystals, and have been identified by the use of desorption methods. In particular, in TPD, they are manifested by extremely narrow peaks (as little as 3 K in width) and a desorption rate which increases with time in isothermal experiments. In this paper we report such observations for acetate species on Rh single crystals, but extend this to show for the first time that such effects are not restricted to single crystal/UHV experiments, but can also be found on a Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst under ambient pressure conditions. These reactions can be classified as second order autocatalytic surface processes, where free surface Rh sites are an essential component of the reaction. It is shown that coadsorbed adatoms are also essential for such explosions to be seen and their role is proposed to be that of a template layer acting to order the acetate in self-poisoning configurations.     

Chinese melon (Momordica charantia L.) seed: Composition and potential use

Chinese melon (Momordica charantia L.), also known as bitter gourd, is a tropical crop, grown throughout Asian countries for use as food and medicinals. In 1993, four cultivars of Chinese melon were grown in Mississippi and the seeds were collected. Oil contents of the seeds ranged from 41 to 45% and the oils contained 63–68% eleostearic acid and 22–27% stearic acid. Industrially important tung oil, a “fast-drying oil” used in paints and varnishes, contains 90% eleostearic and 2–3% stearic acid. The ratio of stearic to eleostearic in Chinese melon seed oil is ten times greater than that in tung oil. The higher ratio should reduce the rate of drying and crosslinking and could be advantageous in the paint industry. The defatted meals contained 52–61% protein and would be a good source of methionine.     

Intermacromolecular complexes by in situ polymerization

Hydrogen-bonded complexes of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethyl oxazoline) (PEOx) were prepared by photopolymerization of acrylic acid in which PEOx was dissolved. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the complexes are not only higher than those of the blends but also higher than the T_g value of either component polymer. The complexes dissolve in strong proton-accepting solvents like dimethyl formamide or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), are swollen to various degrees in water and methanol, but are resistant to swelling by dioxane. When the density of hydrogen bond donor groups in the chain is reduced by 50% with the use of a copolymer of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate, intermolecular association still takes place, although the affinity of complexation is reduced to some extent. When interpenetrating networks (semi-IPNs) are prepared by this method, about half of the PEOx can be extracted by DMSO after 4 days. The incomplete removal is probably a result of topographical constraints against diffusion.     

硝酸配稀系统及含NO_x尾气处理系统的设计

某厂采用一套设备稀释98%的浓硝酸,配制65%、40%和25%等浓度的稀硝酸,硝酸配稀时产生的尾气对环境造成污染,且危害工人健康。本系统采用带夹套的配酸贮槽来减少NOx的生成,同时用尿素溶液作还原剂吸收NOx;采用引射式吸收器作为吸收设备,使NOx反应生成的CO2和N2可直接排放,处理后的NOx含量在(100~300)×10-6之间,符合大气污染物综合排放标准(GB16297-1996)的要求,企业也实现了清洁生产。     

Effect of Water on the Partial Oxidation of Propane to Acrylic and Acetic Acids on Mo-V-Sb-Nb Mixed Oxides

It is shown that the major effect of water in the oxidation of propane to acrylic and acetic acids on Mo₁V_0.3Sb_0.25Nb_0.08O _n catalysts is to stabilise the active sites and increase the rates of formation of both acids. The usual effect of favoring desorption of the products is considered to be secondary.     

Chemical beneficiation of coal with aqueous hydrogen peroxide/sulphuric acid solutions

The removal of sulphur and ash from coal treated with aqueous hydrogen peroxide/sulphuric acid solutions has been studied at ambient temperature, under a variety of experimental conditions. Almost complete elimination of the sulphate and the pyritic sulphur was observed in most cases, as well as substantial reduction in the ash content. The other components of the organic coal matrix were not affected to a significant extent, indicating high selectivity of the $\text{H}{}_2\text{O}{}_2\text{H}{}_2\text{SO4}$ system towards sulphur oxidation. An optimal H₂SO₄ concentration was established, above which the acid was found to have an adverse effect on the oxidation of pyrite by hydrogen peroxide.