Synthesis and characterization of epoxidized styrene–butadiene rubber/silicon dioxide hybrid materials

Hybrid materials were synthesized from epoxidized (68, 43, or 14%) styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and the hydrolysis product of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in situ under ultrasonic irradiation. The products were characterized with thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis), stress–strain tests, scanning electron microscopy (including energy‐dispersive spectrometry), and swelling in tetrahydrofuran and water. The most transparent were those prepared from SBR with the highest degree of epoxidation, whereas those obtained from less epoxidized SBR and with larger amounts of TEOS showed distinct phases that could be considered two hybrid phases (one rich in TEOS and another rich in SBR). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 798–803, 2004     

Tissue culture assays using Caco-2 cell line differentiate virulent from non-virulent Listeria monocytogenes strains

OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF-9) is a relatively new member of the FGF family isolated from the conditioned medium of a human glioblastoma cell line as a secreting type factor that exhibits a growth-stimulating effect on primary glial cells. To elucidate the roles of FGF-9 in human brain tumors, the expression and biological activities of FGF-9 were studied using culture cells and surgically obtained tumor specimens. METHODS: Measurement of FGF-9 and basic FGF in conditioned media of cell cultures was performed by using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The mitogenic effect of FGF-9 was evaluated by cell growth studies. FGF-9 expression in vivo was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: One of 4 glioma cell lines and 4 of 16 human meningiomas examined actually secreted detectable amounts of FGF-9 proteins. In comparison, basic FGF production was detected from 3 of 4 glioma cell lines and 11 of 16 human meningiomas. Similarly to basic FGF, recombinant human FGF-9 significantly stimulated the in vitro cell proliferation in three of four glioma cell lines investigated in a dose-dependent manner. A time course growth study using U87 MG cells revealed an accelerated growth stimulation by FGF-9 after Day 4. The growth stimulatory activity was also shown in three of four human meningiomas studied. Moderate to strong immunoreactivity for FGF-9 was observed in 40 (82%) of 49 human brain tumors examined irrespective of origin, tumor type, grade of malignancy, or whether initial or recurrent. In contrast, strong immunostaining was localized in neurons in the normal human cerebral cortex. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that FGF-9 may be involved in the biology of human brain tumors with a possible importance in tumor cell growth. Whether the growth factor is more generally involved in oncogenesis of human tumors awaits further investigation.     

Reactive processing of LLDPES in corotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder. II. Effect of peroxide treatment on processability

Commercial ethylene–octene linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPEs) were reactively extruded with low levels of a peroxide [2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane] to modify polymer molecular structure and processing properties. Peroxide levels were kept low to avoid crosslinking. This article reports the effects of this reactive extrusion on viscoelastic properties. Rheological properties are more sensitive than are molecular structure characteristics to the changes produced by reactions of very low peroxide concentrations. Complex viscosity increases are seen, especially at low frequencies. Shear-thining behavior is also accentuated. The crossover between G′ and G″ moves to lower frequencies. A modified Cole–Cole presentation of these data shows that the elastic component is more predominant for extrusion-reacted materials. Peroxide-modified materials all have higher Bagley end correction values than those of barefoot resins. The former exhibit lower power indices (more shear thinning). All these properties indicate more long-chain branching and higher melt elasticity. However, die swell decreased as a function of peroxide concentration. Peroxide treatment results in an enhancement of elongational viscosity, both under isothermal and cooling conditions, along with a decrease in drawdown ability. The rheological changes parallel those reported earlier in molecular characteristics but are more sensitive and suitable to evaluate the effects of reactive processing. The effectiveness of the reactive extrusion process for improving processability of LLDPEs depends critically on the extrusion conditions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ceramer coatings from castor oil or epoxidized castor oil and tetraethoxysilane

New inorganic-organic hybrids were synthesized through the reaction of castor oil (CO) or epoxidized castor oil (ECO) with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The mass proportions of ECO/TEOS varied from 90∶10 to 60∶40, and films of the material were thermally cured. An IR spectroscopy analysis was performed, and macro- and microscopic properties such as adhesion, hardness, swelling in toluene, microstructure (scanning electron microscopy), and T _g were investigated as a function of the proportion of their inorganic-organic precursor. Morphologic studies showed that the hybrid films were homogeneous when lower proportions of the inorganic precursors were used. Hardness and tensile strength increased with TEOS concentration, whereas swelling in toluene decreased with TEOS concentration. Good adhesion was observed throughout the hybrid series.     

Electrochemical oxidation of an acid dye by active chlorine generated using Ti/Sn<Subscript>(1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)</Subscript>Ir<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrodes

The generation of active chlorine on Ti/Sn_(1−x)Ir _x O₂ anodes, with different compositions of Ir (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.30 ), was investigated by controlled current density electrolysis. Using a low concentration of chloride ions (0.05 mol L⁻¹) and a low current density (5 mA cm⁻²) it was possible to produce up to 60 mg L⁻¹ of active chlorine on a Ti/Sn_0.99Ir_0.01O₂ anode. The feasibility of the discoloration of a textile acid azo dye, acid red 29 dye (C.I. 16570), was also investigated with in situ electrogenerated active chlorine on Ti/Sn_(1−x)Ir _x O₂ anodes. The best conditions for 100% discoloration and maximum degradation (70% TOC reduction) were found to be: NaCl pH 4, 25 mA cm⁻² and 6 h of electrolysis. It is suggested that active chlorine generation and/or powerful oxidants such as chlorine radicals and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for promoting faster dye degradation. Rate constants calculated from color decay versus time reveal a zero order reaction at dye concentrations up to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. Effects of other electrolytes, dye concentration and applied density currents also have been investigated and are discussed.     

Dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blends: Influence of curing agents on the morphology evolution

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPE‐Vs) are a special class of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), where the rubber phase is dynamically crosslinked in the presence of a thermoplastic matrix. The goal of this work is to compare the behavior of two curing agents systems, conventional peroxide named Peroximon and bismaleimide/dicumyl peroxide, in TPE‐Vs based on PP/EPDM 35/65 w/w. It was also investigated the TPE‐Vs morphological evolution and samples was collected at different times during the mixture and dynamic crosslinking. The materials were characterized by some techniques, which allowed investigating mechanical, morphological, hardness, and swelling properties. Considering the used curing agents contents, the TPE‐Vs obtained by using Peroximon presented lower tensile strength, lower swelling degree, and remarkable lower deformation than those obtained with BMI/DCP system. The hardness properties were not significantly affected by the content of the curing agent, showing only a slight decrease when the Peroximon content was increased. The study of the evolution of morphology showed the rubber phase undergoes crosslinking after adding the curing agent. It could be observed by the increase of the torque and by the appearance of domains in the micrographs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

SBS nanocomposites as toughening agent for polypropylene

The toughening of polypropylene [PP] with styrene–butadiene–styrene rubber [SBS]/montmorillonite [MMT] nanocomposites was investigated with respect to morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. The MMT/SBS nanocomposites were prepared in an internal mixer, using an epoxidized SBS [SBSe] to investigate its effect as a compatibilizer. The MMT/SBS nanocomposite was added to PP up to 10 wt%, aiming at material toughening. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed MMT induced dispersed-phase reductions when compared to typical PP/SBS blends. In addition, changes in the PP crystallization process were observed in the presence of the nanocomposite. Surprisingly, the use of nanofiller, combined with SBSe compatibilizer agent, increased the PP impact strength by about 60%, with no reduction in the tensile module.     

An economic–probabilistic model for project selection and prioritization

This paper presents an economic–probabilistic model for project selection and prioritization that enables necessary investments and potential benefits and their inherent variability to be quantified, thus providing a stochastic analysis of expected returns for projects. The model was developed in three steps: definition of criteria; definition of the most appropriate method to be used; and model building. A practical test to evaluate the applicability and usefulness of the model comprising a portfolio of investment projects at a power distribution company was conducted. The results show three major contributions of the proposed model: i) a set of sufficiently complete criteria, ii) the combined use of economic and probabilistic approaches which qualifies the information available to decision makers, and iii) the use of financial language, which is more easily understood and has a concrete meaning for both management and technical staff.