Novel Composite Films Based on Acrylic Fibers Waste/Nano-chitosan for Congo Red Adsorption

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The current research aimed to use waste to treat waste; to recycling of acrylic fibers waste combined with nano-chitosan for use as an adsorbent to remove...     

Thermal and Flame Retardancy Behavior of Oil Palm Based Epoxy Nanocomposites

The aim of present study was to investigate the thermal properties and flame retardancy behavior of flame retardant (FR) epoxy nanocomposites from chemically treated (bromine water and tin chloride) oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) nano filler at different filler loading (1, 3, 5%). Thermal properties were evaluated through thermogravimetry analyzer, derivative thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. FR properties of nanocomposites are evaluated through UL-94 vertical burning test and limiting oxygen index (LOI). The functional group analysis of all composites was made by FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal analysis shows that degradation temperature of epoxy composites shifts from 370 to 410 °C and char yield also increases for 3% loading. Furthermore LOI value of 29% and UL-94 rating of V-0 with no flame dripping and cotton ignition, revealed that 3% oil palm nano filler filled epoxy nanocomposites display satisfactory flame retardancy. The superior flame retardancy of epoxy nanocomposites are attributed to the chemical reactions occurred in the gaseous phases and the profound synergistic flame retardation effect of tin with bromine in the treated nano OPEFB filler. All the epoxy nanocomposites displayed almost similar FTIR spectra with the characteristics metal-halogen bond supporting the synergism. Homogeneous dispersion of 3% oil palm nano filler act as highly effective combustion chain terminating agent compared with 1 and 5% nano OPEFB/epoxy nanocomposites.     

Hybrid Composites Made from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches/Jute Fibres: Water Absorption,Thickness Swelling and Density Behaviours

In this research, hybrid composite materials were prepared from combination of oil palm Empty fruit bunches (EFB) fibre and jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as polymer matrix. This study intended to investigate the effect of jute fiber hybridization and different layering pattern on the physical properties of oil palm EFB-Epoxy composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling test reveal that hybrid composite shows a moderate water absorption which is 11.20% for hybrid EFB/Jute/EFB composite and 6.08% for hybrid Jute/EFB/Jute composite. The thickness swelling and water absorption of the hybrid composites slightly increased as the layering pattern of hybrid composites changed. Hybrid composites are more water resistance and dimensional stable compare to the pure EFB composites. This is attributed to the more hydrophilic nature of EFB composites. Hybridization of oil palm EFB composites with jute fibres can improve the dimensional stability and density of pure EFB and Jute fibre reinforced composites has higher density of 1.2 g/cm³ compared to all other composites.     

Synergistic Effect of TNPP and Carbon Black in Weathered XLPE Materials

Carbon black is one of the most widely used and most effective ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers for plastics applications. Several important segments of the plastics industry rely on carbon black for UV stabilization of weather-resistant products, including telecommunications, power cable jacketing, and plastic pipes. In this research work a combination of Trisnonylphospate (TNPP) antioxidant and different size carbon black were applied in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) to improve its wetherability. The primary reason for cross-linking polyethylene (PE) is to raise the thermal stability of the material under load. This substantially improves environmental stress crack resistance and resistance to slow crack growth. The results achieved of this additive package combination show a synergism effect and improved weatherability of electrical cable. Increased weathering lifetime was also achieved. Further, we were able to confirm in this work, that the size and quality of the carbon black dispersion in a XLPE samples is an important component of both the UV-resistance and mechanical properties of the finished plastic article. Incremental improvements of carbon black dispersion can positively influence the expected life of plastic articles. Mechanical testing and FTIR were used to detect degradation of the accelerated weathered XLPE samples. The morphological considerations of UV energy absorption and presents laboratory data demonstrating the link between dispersion and weatherability as well as between morphology and weatherability     

Physicochemical Properties of Composite Materials Based on Thermoplastic Yam Starch and Polylactic Acid Improved with the Addition of Epoxidized Sesame Oil

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Biodegradable materials provide a primary function in preserving and protecting food products, helping to extend shelf life. The present work aims to...     

Preparation of Cationic/Anionic Chitin Nanofiber Composite Materials

In this study, we investigated the preparation of cationic/anionic chitin nanofiber (CNF) composite materials by electrostatic interaction. An aqueous dispersion of amidinium CNF was prepared by a top-down approach, and a maleylated CNF film was obtained by a bottom-up approach from a chitin ion gel in an ionic liquid with subsequent maleylation on the CNFs. The resulting film was dispersed in ammonia (aq), which was then mixed with the aqueous cationic CNF dispersion to give the composite film. The composition of the two CNFs was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. Tensile testing results indicated that the mechanical properties of the composites were enhanced with increasing degrees of substitution of the cationic and anionic groups on CNFs, and also when the molar ratio of these groups approached 1:1. The dissociation of the two kinds of CNFs by alkaline treatment of the composite film was achieved, suggesting the presence of an electrostatic interaction among the interactions between them.     

Study of Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Palm Oleic Acid-Based Alkyds and Effect of Oil Length on Thermal Stability

Thermal decomposition kinetics of three palm oleic acid-based alkyds with different oil lengths and having different molecular weights were studied using TGA measurements under non-isothermal conditions. Activation energies were obtained from Kissinger and Ozawa, Flynn and Wall (OFW) methods and subsequently the pre-exponential factor, A, degradation rate constant, k, for all the alkyds were also determined. From kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition using the OFW method, it was found that degradation of all the alkyds has taken place in more than two stages, corresponding to different mechanisms. As shown from Ozawa and Kissinger methods, the chemical composition of the alkyds influenced the thermal degradation; increasing the phthalic anhydride and glycerol, and decreasing the oleic acid increased the thermal stabilities of the alkyds.     

Blending of Epoxidised Palm Oil with Epoxy Resin: The Effect on Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Epoxy resin prepared by the reaction of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and m-xylylenediamine (m-XDA) was modified with 10% wt of epoxidized palm oil (EPO). The EPO was first pre-polymerized with m-XDA at various temperatures and reaction times. The resulting product was then mixed with the epoxy resin at 40?°C and allowed to react at 120?°C for another 3?h. The fully reacted DGEBA/m-XDA/EPO blend was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis, tensile test, hardness indentation and dynamic mechanical analysis. The SEM study shows that different types of morphology, ranging from phase separated to miscible blends were obtained. A miscible blend was obtained when the m-XDA and EPO were reacted for more than 2?h. The results from DSC analysis show that the incorporation of EPO at 10% wt in the epoxy blend reduced the glass transition temperature (T _g). The lowered T _g and mechanical properties of the modified epoxy resins are caused by a reduction in crosslinking density and plasticizer effect.     

Palm Oleic Acid Based Alkyds: Effect of the Fatty Acid Content on the Polyesterification Kinetics

The kinetic behavior of polyesterification of the alkyd resins synthesized using glycerol and phthalic anhydride modified with oleic acid from the palm oil at temperatures between 120 and 240 °C was studied. Three alkyds having oleic acid contents of 28, 40, and 65% were prepared by employing fatty acid method. The extent of the polyesterification reaction and average degree of polymerization were monitored by determining the acid number of the aliquot of the reaction mixture at various intervals of time and by measuring the volume of water evolved. Kinetic studies revealed that initial reaction rates followed a second-order kinetics up to certain limit and thereafter deviations were observed. The extent of reaction varied from 77.4 to 86.3% before deviation for all the three samples and exhibited a considerable degree of conversion. The second-order rate constants calculated from the linear part were found to be of the order of 10⁻⁵ g (mg KOH)⁻¹ min⁻¹. Molecular weight of the alkyd samples was determined by GPC; number average molecular weight of the alkyds ranged from 980 to 2,070.     

Nano-TiO2 Modified Wheat Straw/Polylactic Acid Composites Based on Synergistic Effect Between Interfacial Bridging and Heterogeneous Nucleation

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - To improve the interfacial compatibility of wheat straw/polylactic acid (WS/PLA) composites, nano-TiO2 with different particle sizes was blended with...     

Synthesis and Characterisation of Polyester Based on Isosorbide and Butanedioic Acid

Copolyesters based on isosorbide and butanedioic acid in combination with monomers such as adipic acid and dimethyl terephthalate, poly(isosorbide-co-butanedioic acid) (and -co-adipic acid) and poly(isosorbide-co-butanedioic acid-co-dimethyl terephthalate), were synthesized and characterized. Linear OH-functionalized polyesters were obtained via melt polyesterification of dicarboxylic acids with OH-functional monomers. The type of end-group was controlled by the monomer stoichiometry and hydroxyl functional group is formed in time. Average molecular masses of synthesised polyesters were measured by gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperatures and thermal stability of the obtained polyesters were effectively adjusted by varying polymer composition and molar mass. Addition of adipic acid or dimethyl terephthalate increased glass transition temperatures of obtained polyesters. Thermal stability of obtained polyester slightly increases by the increasing of dimethyl terephthalate content. Molecular structures of obtained polyester were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectra and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Removal of Oil from Oil-in-Water Emulsion by Poly (Sulfur/Soya Bean Oil) Composite Adsorbent: An Equilibrium Study

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - This work describes synthesis of poly (sulfur/soya bean oil) composite material by co-polymerization of elemental sulfur and soya bean oil at...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesua ferrea</Emphasis> L. Seed Oil Based Highly Branched Environment Friendly Polyester Resin/Clay Nanocomposites

To develop a high performance environment friendly material, highly branched polyester/clay nanocomposites have been prepared from Mesua ferrea Linn seed oil-based polyester resin and hydrophilic bentonite nanoclay. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and rheological studies. Partial exfoliation of clay layers by the polymer chains with good interfacial interactions was observed in the nanocomposites. The formation of delaminated nanocomposites was manifested through the enhancement of tensile strength, scratch hardness, chemical resistance, impact resistance, thermostability, etc. The results show enhancement of three times in tensile strength and 18 °C in thermostability by inclusion of 5 wt% nanoclay as compared to the pristine polymer. By the influence of 5 wt% nanoclay four times enhancement in elongation at break as compared to the pristine polymer was noticed. Thus these nanocomposites have the potential to be used in many advanced applications.     

Effect of Orientation on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of PLA/Starch Composite Filaments

Polylactic acid (PLA)/starch fibers were produced by twin screw extrusion of PLA with granular or gelatinized starch/glycerol followed by drawing through a set of winders with an intermediate oven. At 30% starch, fibers drawn 2–5x were highly flexible (elongation 20–100%) while undrawn filaments were brittle (elongation 2–9%). Tensile strength and moduli increased with increasing draw ratio but decreased with increasing starch content. Mechanical properties were better for composites made with gelatinized starch/glycerol than granular starch. In conclusion, orientation greatly increases the flexibility of PLA/starch composites and this may be useful not only in fibers but also possibly in molded articles. Other advantages of starch addition could include fiber softness without added plasticizer, moisture/odor absorbency and as a carrier for active compounds.     

Composite Film Based on Whey Protein Isolate/Pectin/CuO Nanoparticles/Betanin Pigments; Investigation of Physicochemical Properties

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The aim of this work was to preparation of edible films based on whey protein isolate/pectin (WPIP) that containing betanin pigments (BP) and copper (I)...     

含氟废气对农业环境的影响

叙述了某厂氢氟酸生产过程排出的含氟废气对厂区周围水稻和蔬菜的污染及其与气象条件的关系，并提出了防止农业环境氟污染的措施。     

Effect of TiC Nanoparticles Reinforcement in Coir Fiber Based Bio/Synthetic Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The present investigation was performed to study the effect of titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles and coir fiber as hybrid reinforcements on the...     

催化燃烧法处理炼油厂隔油池废气

在隔油池废气催化燃烧处理中试装置上 ,采用蜂窝状 Pt、Pd、Ce多组分催化剂 ,在空速 40 0 0 0 h- 1 、反应器入口温度 2 5 0℃以上、进气总烃体积分数 10 0 0× 10 - 6 ～ 6 0 0 0× 10 - 6 条件下 ,可以使总烃去除率达到 96 %～ 99% ,净化排气总烃体积分数小于 10 0× 10 - 6 ,无恶臭气味     

Optimized Removal of Acid Blue 62 from Textile Waste Water by SBA-15/PAMAM Dendrimer Hybrid Using Response Surface Methodology

SBA-15/PAMAM Nano adsorbent was synthesized by the proficiency of SBA-15 as an original compound, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane as a bridge chemical compound and polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) in the role of a multifunctional amine end group for adsorption of acid blue 62 (AB62) from aqueous media. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized by transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscope. A response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the simple and amalgamated factors of the operating variables subtending initial pH (2–12), adsorbent dosage(0.01–0.03 g), contact time (5–120 min), initial dye concentration (40–600 ppm) and temperature (25–45?°C) to optimize the operating statues of the treatment method. These parameters were altered at five levels pursuant to the central composite design to appraise their effects on AB62 removal through analysis of variance. Analysis of variance represented a high coefficient of definition amount (R²?=?0.9999) and acceptable prediction quadratic polynomial model was concluded which ascertain the suitability of the model and a high correlation among the predicted and empirical amounts. Utmost color removal efficiency was auspicated and empirically accredited. The optimum conditions relied on acquired results for AB62 removal were at an initial pH of 2, adsorbent dosage of 0.03 g SBA-15/PAMAM, dye concentration of 40 mg l^?1, time contact of 60 min and temperature of 25?°C.     

Effect of Bimetallic Soybean Oil Based Polymer on Growth and Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Activity Among Fungi

In view of bio-inorganic importance, iron and zinc incorporated soybean oil based polymer was prepared by condensation polymerization of oil based fatty amide polyole, sebacic acid, zinc acetate and ferric chloride in a process initiated by sodium ethoxide. Microwave assisted synthesis was used throughout the reaction as it is ecofriendly and requires minimal usage of solvents. Physical techniques such as FT-IR and ¹HNMR have been used to establish the structure of the polymers. Standard laboratory methods like acid value, saponification value, iodine value, specific gravity and viscosity were used to study the chemical diversity of each product. Thermo gravimetry/differential thermal analyzer was used to analyse the thermal behavior of polymer. The synthesized compounds were subjected to biological study. The observed fungicidal characteristics of synthesized compounds indicate that these compounds might be promising antifungal agents defining a new class of antimycotics. The polymers were used in preparation of films which can be used as protective packaging material of edible items.