Novel Biobased Polyurethanes Synthesized from Soybean Phosphate Ester Polyols: Thermomechanical Properties Evaluations

Biobased polyurethanes from soybean oil–derived polyols and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI) are prepared and their thermomechanical properties are studied and evaluated. The cross-linked biobased polyurethanes being prepared from soy phosphate ester polyols with hydroxyl contents ranging from 122 to 145 mg KOH/g and pMDI within 5 min of reaction time at 150°C in absence of any catalyst show cross-linking densities ranging from 1.8 × 10³ to 3.0 × 10³ M/m³, whereas glass transition temperatures vary from approximately 69 to 82°C. The loss factor (tan ) curves show single peaks for all these biobased polyurethanes, thus indicating a single-phase system. The storage moduli (G) at 30°C range from 4 × 10⁸ to 1.3 × 10⁹ Pa. Upon postcure at 150°C, the thermomechanical properties can be optimized. Cross-link densities are improved significantly for hydroxyl content of 139 and 145 mg KOH/g at curing time of 24 h. Similarly, glass transition temperature (T_g) and storage moduli around and after T_g are increased. Meanwhile, tan intensities decrease as result of restricted chain mobility. Longer exposure time (24 h) induces thermal degradation, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dynamic mechanical (DMA) analysis shows that postcure at 100°C for times exceeding 24 h also leads to improved properties. However, cross-linking densities are lower compared to postcure carried out at 150°C.     

ESTIMATION OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER FROM SECCHI DISK DEPTHS1

ABSTRACT: Optical information on a water body is often required when only Secchi disk depths are available. Many limnologists and water managers have attempted to estimate diffuse light attenuation in water from Secchi depth data assuming a simple inverse relationship. However, we show theoretically that the product of Secchi depth and the diffuse attenuation coefficient is markedly dependent on the reflectance coefficient (“brightness”) of water. Data from 28 New Zealand lakes of diverse optical character demonstrated this dependence over a wide range of reflectance (1.1 to 35.9 percent). Uncritical estimation of attenuation coefficients for diffuse light from Secchi depths, using the currently available simple inverse expressions, is discouraged because of the possibility of bias.     

Physical Properties of Chemically Modified Starch(RS4)/PVA Blend Films—Part 1

In this paper, we report on the physical properties of films that have been synthesized by using native corn starch (NS) and chemically modified starch (RS4). NS or RS4/PVA blend films were synthesized by using the mixing process and the casting method. Glycerol (GL), sorbitol (SO), and citric acid (CA) were used as additives. The chemically modified starch (RS4) was synthesized by using sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as a crosslinker. Then, the RS4 thus synthesized was confirmed by using the pancreatin-gravimetric method, swelling power and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Tensile strength (TS), elongation (%E), swelling behavior (SB), and solubility (S) of the films were measured. The result of the measurements indicated the RS4-added film was better than the NS-added film. Especially, the RS4/PVA blend film with CA as an additive showed the physical properties superior to other films.     

Injection Molded Wheat Straw and Corn Stem Filled Polypropylene Composites

Environmentally friendly composite materials can be prepared using wood fibers and/or various types of agro-derived fibers as reinforcements. In this study, agro-residues such as wheat straw and corn stem filled polypropylene were prepared and their suitability was investigated as a reinforcing filler in thermoplastics and as an alternative to the wood flour filled plastics. Effect of compounding techniques, compatibilizer and fungal treatment of agro-residues on the mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. It was found that high shear compounding of wheat straw fibers exhibited similar properties to that produced by the milled wheat straw. This may be due to the extensive fiber breakage occurred during the high shear compounding that results in a similar aspect ratio to that of milled straw. Compatibilizer is needed for improving the strength properties of the agro-residue filled PP composites. Fungal treatment of milled wheat straw did not show much improvement in the strength properties of the composites. Comparison of mechanical properties of the agro-residue filled PP with that of the wood flour and the old newsprint filled PP showed the suitability of the agro-residues as alternative filler for thermoplastics.     

SELECTED METHODS OF AQUIFER TEST ANALYSIS1

Changes in groundwater levels due to a well discharging at a constant rate are used with various formulas to determine hydraulic properties of aquifers and their confining bed and to detect the presence of aquifer boundaries. These formulas are generally solved by graphical methods.     

Greenhouse gases fluxes and soil thermal properties in a pasture in central Missouri

Fluctuations of greenhouse gases emissions and soil properties occur at short spatial and temporal scales, however, results are often reported for larger scales studies. We monitored CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes and soil temperature (T), thermal conductivity (K), resistivity (R) and thermal di usivity (D) from 2004 to 2006 in a pasture. Soil air samples for determination of CO2, CH4 and N2O concentrations were collected from static and vented chambers and analyzed within two hours of collection with a gas chromatograph. T, K, R and D were measured in-situ using a KD2 probe. Soil samples were also taken for measurements of soil chemical and physical properties. The pasture acted as a sink in 2004, a source in 2005 and again a sink of CH4 in 2006. CO2 and CH4 were highest, but N2O as well as T, K and D were lowest in 2004. Only K was correlated with CO2 in 2004 while T correlated with both N2O (r = 0.76, p = 0.0001) and CO2 (r = 0.88, p = 0.0001) in 2005. In 2006, all gases fluxes were significantly correlated with T, K and R when the data for the entire year were considered. However, an in-depth examination of the data revealed the existence of month-to-month shifts, lack of correlation and di ering spatial structures. These results stress the need for further studies on the relationship between soil properties and gases fluxes. K and R o er a promise as potential controlling factors for greenhouse gases fluxes in this pasture.     

分散剂对脱水污泥流动性能的影响

采用旋转粘度法研究了高速搅拌时间以及有机、无机分散剂对脱水污泥流动性能的影响,结果表明:采用高速机械搅拌的方法能够使污泥的表观粘度降低,经过30s后表观粘度可由8500mPa·s降低到2740mPa·s,流动性增大;在此基础上掺加1%的萘系磺酸盐或2%的酒石酸钾钠可使污泥的表观粘度由2740mPa·s分别降到1840mPa·s与1640mPa·s,并且将这两种分散剂复合后加入到脱水污泥中,可以使污泥的表观粘度由2740mPa·s降到1360mPa·s,表观粘度明显降低。此课题的研究为脱水污泥的处理与处置提供了有利的试验依据。     

Novosol法固定底泥中重金属研究

采用Novosol法处理河道疏浚底泥,固定底泥中的重金属,并研究了磷酸投加量、烧结温度和烧结时间对底泥重金属浸出的影响.研究结果表明,Novosol法处理底泥适宜的磷酸投加量为0.17mo.lkg-1,烧结温度为700℃,烧结时间为2h.采用毒性浸出方法(TCLP)浸取处理底泥,浸出液中Cd、Zn和Pb的浸出浓度均远远低于危险废物鉴别标准——浸出毒性鉴别(GB5085.3-2007)规定的限值.稳定浸出液pH为5时,优化条件下Novosol法处理后底泥中Cd、Zn、Pb的浸出量比原底泥的浸出量分别降低了77.4%、53.9%和39.4%.底泥中Zn和Cd的浸出受pH影响较大,当浸出液pH降到6以下时,Zn和Cd的浸出浓度显著增加;而底泥中的Pb由于在Novosol法处理过程转化成极为稳定的磷酸盐矿物结构,受pH影响较小.     

改性纳米碳管的理化性质、毒性及风险研究进展

随着纳米材料的广泛应用,在生产加工过程中,各种改性后的纳米碳管(CNTs)进入环境。充分认识改性后CNTs的理化性质是对其进行客观风险评价的重要前提。主要分析了几种常用方法改性后的CNTs的悬浮、吸附特征及其理化性质差异,综述了目前CNTs毒理学实验的研究进展,评价了其潜在风险,并提出了今后研究的方向。     

粘土基多孔陶瓷吸附处理Cu~(2+)废水

文章以粘土为骨料,蛭石为改性剂,通过添加造孔剂法制备了粘土基多孔陶瓷吸附剂,研究了溶液中Cu2+初始浓度、pH值以及蛭石添加量对多孔陶瓷吸附性能的影响。结果表明:多孔陶瓷吸附Cu2+的最佳条件为添加蛭石1%,溶液pH为5;当初始浓度为20~100 mg/L时,Cu2+吸附率达到82%~62%,吸附平衡时间为1.5~6 h;吸附动力学表明多孔陶瓷对Cu2+的吸附大致分为两个阶段;其吸附行为可用Langmuir方程和Freundlich方程来描述。