Structure and Certain Properties of Hot-Pressed Boron Carbide-Based Ceramic with Calcium-Silicon Additive

The influence which the composition of powder mixtures, the treatment conditions which the mixtures are subjected to, and the conditions under which the hot-pressed composite materials B₄C – (5-10 mass%) calcium-silicon are fabricated exert on the structure, nature of failure, and mechanical properties of these materials is investigated. Optimum properties are possessed by material containing 10 mass% of addition. It is shown that the structure, morphology, and dispersivity, as well as the nature of the distribution of the components that are added to the composite material (secondary phase) vary as the temperature of hot pressing changes. Maximal mechanical characteristics of the composite material (σ_bend = 560 MPa, K _1c = 4.7 MPa·m^1/2, HV = 37 GPa) are attained at hot-pressing temperatures in the range 2000-2100°C.     

Kinetic model of block photopolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate to high conversion

The kinetics of glycidyl methacrylate block polymerization to high conversion was experimentally investigated with variations of the photoinitiator concentration, temperature, and power of UV illumination. The kinetic curves of this polymerization process contain three characterized sections of coordinates of “conversion–time,” namely: The first one is practically linear to a conversion of ≈0.5, the second represents, by itself, the autoacceleration process, and the third presents the autodecelation process. An additional peculiarity of such a polymerization process is poor reproduction of the kinetic measurements. This reproduction does not correspond to instrumental error. Derivation of a kinetic model for block linear polymerization was done. This model is, quantitatively, in good agreement with all the data of the experimental material. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3556–3569, 2002     

Oxidative radical generation via nitrogen dioxide dimer conversions induced by amide groups of macromolecules

The features of initiation of free radical reactions in polymers by dimers of nitrogen dioxide are considered. The conversion of planar dimers into nitrosyl nitrate in the presence of amide groups of macromolecules has been revealed. Nitrosyl nitrate initiates radical reactions in oxidative primary process of electron transfer with formation of intermediate radical cations and nitric oxide. As a result of subsequent reactions, nitrogen‐containing radicals are produced. The dimer conversion has been exhibited by estimation of the oxyaminoxyl radical yield in characteristic reaction of p‐benzoquinone with nitrogen dioxide on addition of aromatic polyamide and polyvinylpyrrolidone to reacting system. The isomerization of planar dimers is efficient in their complexes with amide groups, as confirmed by ab initio calculations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Molecular Mechanisms of the Deregulation of Muscle Contraction Induced by the R90P Mutation in Tpm3.12 and the Weakening of This Effect by BDM and W7

Point mutations in the genes encoding the skeletal muscle isoforms of tropomyosin can cause a range of muscle diseases. The amino acid substitution of Arg for Pro residue in the 90th position (R90P) in γ-tropomyosin (Tpm3.12) is associated with congenital fiber type disproportion and muscle weakness. The molecular mechanisms underlying muscle dysfunction in this disease remain unclear. Here, we observed that this mutation causes an abnormally high Ca²⁺-sensitivity of myofilaments in vitro and in muscle fibers. To determine the critical conformational changes that myosin, actin, and tropomyosin undergo during the ATPase cycle and the alterations in these changes caused by R90P replacement in Tpm3.12, we used polarized fluorimetry. It was shown that the R90P mutation inhibits the ability of tropomyosin to shift towards the outer domains of actin, which is accompanied by the almost complete depression of troponin’s ability to switch actin monomers off and to reduce the amount of the myosin heads weakly bound to F-actin at a low Ca²⁺. These changes in the behavior of tropomyosin and the troponin–tropomyosin complex, as well as in the balance of strongly and weakly bound myosin heads in the ATPase cycle may underlie the occurrence of both abnormally high Ca²⁺-sensitivity and muscle weakness. BDM, an inhibitor of myosin ATPase activity, and W7, a troponin C antagonist, restore the ability of tropomyosin for Ca²⁺-dependent movement and the ability of the troponin–tropomyosin complex to switch actin monomers off, demonstrating a weakening of the damaging effect of the R90P mutation on muscle contractility.     

Viscosity of Conventional Cryolite-Alumina Melts

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - Viscosity of conventional cryolite-alumina melts NaF–AlF3–CaF2–Al2O3 with a cryolite ratio (xNaF/xAlF3, mol/mol) 2.3 was studied in...     

Hydrosilylation and dehydrocondensation reactions of methylhydridesiloxane to acrylic and methacrylic acids

The hydrosilylation of α,ω‐bis(trimethylsiloxy) methylhydridesiloxane (degree of polymerization ≈ 53) with acrylic and methacrylic acid with various ratios of the initial compounds, in the presence of platinum hydrochloric acid, has been investigated. In the presence of platinum hydrochloric acid, competitive dehydrocondensation reactions take place with the formation of various oligomers with various chemical links. In the later stages of the reaction, three‐dimensional systems have been obtained. During dehydrocondensation, the reaction order, reaction rate constants, and activation energy have been determined. The structures of the synthesized oligomers have been determined with IR and NMR spectroscopy data. Gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray analyses of the synthesized oligomers have been carried out. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3243–3252, 2007     

Intensification of dust removal process

The design of barbotage‐rotation installation with different profiles of blades of the rotator has been created on the basis of modeling method. As a result of the complexity of aerohydrodynamic research in the system “gas–liquid” carried out on the aforementioned unit, certain recommendations on the improvement of the construction and operating conditions have been developed with a view to rise the effectiveness of dust removal. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3357–3360, 2006     

Liquid-phase degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

The main kinetic regularities of the thermal and thermal-oxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in the liquid phase have been analyzed in comparison with the solid-phase degradation of PVC. The thermal (in an N₂ atmosphere) degradation of PVC in the form of dilute solutions is characterized by a number of essential distinctions, the primary peculiarity consisting of a lower dehydrochlorination rate due to the retarded reaction of the formation of bond polyconjugated systems. The same is observed for the thermal degradation of PVC plasticized with di- and polyesters. On the contrary, in an oxygen-containing atmosphere the solvents promote PVC decomposition. Accelerated PVC degradation under such conditions is due to the solvent oxidation that causes the appearance, within the system, of products activating the PVC macromolecular decomposition. The intensified degradation processes are accounted for, in the first place, by an increased reaction rate of the statistical (by the random law) detachment of HCl from normal macromolecular units. In general, the kinetics of the thermal-oxidative liquid-phase degradation of PVC is determined by the partial pressure of oxygen in the reaction zone, by the quantity of the solvent introduced into the polymer, as well as by the oxidative stability of the solvent. It has been shown that an effective stabilization of PVC in the liquid phase, particularly in the systems highly plasticized with esters, can be achieved through stabilizing the solvent, first of all, rather than the polymer, against oxidative decomposition. In this case the PVC dehydrochlorination rate decreases sharply and may reach an essentially lower value than under similar conditions of the solid-phase thermal degradation of PVC. PVC stabilization with respect to the reaction of HCl elimination achieved through the solvent stabilization against thermal-oxidative decomposition has been called the effect of “echo-stabilization” of PVC.     

Hydrotreating processes for catalytic abatement of water pollutants

Opportunities and problems in application of catalytic hydrotreating processes, which are presented a viable approach in the abatement of water pollutants, are discussed. Analysis of the hydrodechlorination (HDC) and hydrodenitrification (HDN) using Pd-based catalysts supported on various materials like granulated activated carbon (GAC), fibrous activated carbon cloths (ACCs) or glass fiber cloths (GFCs) studied recently in our laboratory suggests the following perspectives:

Exhaustive regeneration of Pd/GAC saturated with p-chlorophenol can be achieved in a two-step approach, incorporating gas-phase HDC by hydrogen followed by oxidation by air.

Pd/ACC catalysts are good candidates for the liquid-phase HDC showing activity higher than that of Pd/GAC or Pd/GFC; the high adsorption capacity of Pd/ACC lead suggesting its use in a technology with periodic adsorption and HDC, in similarity to adsorption with regeneration of GAC.

Pd/GFC and Pd–Cu/GFC are promising catalyst for removal of nitrites and nitrates, showing activity and selectivity that compares favorably with those of powdered catalysts.