Controlling the phase behavior of block copolymers via sequential block growth

Block copolymers remain one of the most extensively investigated classes of polymers due to their abilities to self-organize into various nanostructures and modify polymer/polymer interfaces. Despite fundamental and technological interest in these materials, only a handful of experimental phase diagrams exist due to the laborious task of preparing such diagrams. In this work, two copolymer series are each synthesized from a single macromolecule via sequential living anionic polymerization to yield molecularly asymmetric diblock and triblock copolymers systematically varying in composition. The phase behavior and morphology of these copolymers are experimentally interrogated and quantitatively compared with predictions from mean-field theories, which probe copolymer phase behavior beyond current experimental conditions.     

Use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for rapid comparative analysis of Bacillus and Micrococcus isolates

The identification of foodborne microorganisms and their endospores in food products are important for food safety. The present work compares Bacillus (Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus circulans and Bacillus subtilis) and Micrococcus (Micrococcus luteus) species with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Our results show that there are several characteristic peaks belonging to both the Micrococcus and Bacillus species which can be used for the identification of these foodborne bacteria and their endospores. For Micrococcus species, a new band was observed at 1338 cm⁻¹ which may be due to acetate oxidation via the carboxylic acid cycle. The bands at 1313 cm⁻¹ and 1256 cm⁻¹ can be explained by an exopolymer formation and the other bands at 1074 cm⁻¹ and 550 cm⁻¹, may be due to the glycogen-like storage material in Micrococcus spp. There are also characteristic peaks at 993 cm⁻¹ and 801 cm⁻¹ for these bacterial species. Different Bacillus species also showed characteristic peaks at 1000–500 cm⁻¹ region. Dipicolinic acid (DPA) bands at ∼728 cm⁻¹ and ∼703 cm⁻¹ seen only in B. circulans were the marker of an endospore formation.     

Evaluation of corrosion inhibition of brass-118 in artificial seawater by benzotriazole using Dynamic EIS

The paper presents the results of corrosion behaviour of brass-118 in artificial seawater and the inhibitor effect of benzotriazole (BTA) by using a novel method called dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). This method allows the tracing of the dynamics of the corrosion and the inhibition process based on the evaluation of electrical parameters of the equivalent circuit. Instantaneous impedance spectra recorded up to 10 h show that an exposure of few hours is not enough for the determination of inhibition efficiency. The results indicate the usefulness of DEIS technique in the field of inhibitor research.     

Corrosion Protection of Aluminum Alloy AA7020 in NaCl Solution by Hybrid Sol–Gel Coatings

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - In this study, two different hybrid sols as tetraethyl orthosilicate/(3-Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (TEOS/GPTMS) and tetrapropyl...     

Electrochemical and morphological assessments of inhibition level of 8-hydroxylquinoline for AA2024-T4 alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution

The corrosion inhibition of AA2024-T4 in 3.5% NaCl solution by 8-hydroxylquinoline (8-HQ) was investigated by potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Experimental results were supported with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. It was found that 8-HQ molecules adsorbed on the alloy surface and protected it against corrosion. SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and FTIR results confirm the adsorption of 8-HQ molecules on AA2024-T4. The inhibition efficiency of 8-HQ is found to increase with increase in concentration and the highest concentration studied (0.05 M) offered corrosion inhibition efficiency of 84%. PDP results show that 8-HQ acts as mixed type inhibitor in the studied medium.     

Implications of excessive water withdrawals to the environment of Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus (NC) is at the cutting edge of complete salinization of freshwater resources. In spite of some precautions taken to reduce seawater intrusion of the groundwater resources, the contamination had increased up to brackish water attribute in the coastal aquifers. The Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management (IWRM) system was introduced as a powerful tool in order to identify water consumption in the country. To perform the future forecast, it is necessary to determine the water needs at the present time; thus, this research analysed the present and historical water budget of the country under normal and drought conditions. The calculations were extended to future forecasting of water needs considering different scenarios for the country. The results obtained were grouped into monthly, sector wise and regional consumptions. The water extractions are linked to the available water amounts, and the water deficiencies in the aquifers were revealed. A rough economical analysis of new water resources was also performed. Conclusions and recommendations are provided to guide scientists, engineers and stakeholders for the future studies and evaluations.