Is Dialdehyde Chitosan a Good Substance to Modify Physicochemical Properties of Biopolymeric Materials?

The aim of this work was to compare physicochemical properties of three dimensional scaffolds based on silk fibroin, collagen and chitosan blends, cross-linked with dialdehyde starch (DAS) and dialdehyde chitosan (DAC). DAS was commercially available, while DAC was obtained by one-step synthesis. Structure and physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance device (FTIR-ATR), swelling behavior and water content measurements, porosity and density observations, scanning electron microscopy imaging (SEM), mechanical properties evaluation and thermogravimetric analysis. Metabolic activity with AlamarBlue assay and live/dead fluorescence staining were performed to evaluate the cytocompatibility of the obtained materials with MG-63 osteoblast-like cells. The results showed that the properties of the scaffolds based on silk fibroin, collagen and chitosan can be modified by chemical cross-linking with DAS and DAC. It was found that DAS and DAC have different influence on the properties of biopolymeric scaffolds. Materials cross-linked with DAS were characterized by higher swelling ability (~4000% for DAS cross-linked materials; ~2500% for DAC cross-linked materials), they had lower density (Coll/CTS/30SF scaffold cross-linked with DAS: 21.8 ± 2.4 g/cm3; cross-linked with DAC: 14.6 ± 0.7 g/cm3) and lower mechanical properties (maximum deformation for DAC cross-linked scaffolds was about 69%; for DAS cross-linked scaffolds it was in the range of 12.67 ± 1.51% and 19.83 ± 1.30%) in comparison to materials cross-linked with DAC. Additionally, scaffolds cross-linked with DAS exhibited higher biocompatibility than those cross-linked with DAC. However, the obtained results showed that both types of scaffolds can provide the support required in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The scaffolds presented in the present work can be potentially used in bone tissue engineering to facilitate healing of small bone defects.

Ethyl 1-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate

Ethyl 4-(butylamino)-3-nitrobenzoate upon “one-pot” nitro-reductive cyclization using sodium dithionite and substituted aldehyde in dimethyl sulphoxide affords ethyl 1-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate in an 87% yield. The structural characterization was determined by Fourier-transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) , Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR), mass spectrometry, Ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL), thin-film solid emission spectra, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) was studied to determine the reactive sites of the molecule.

Preparation and comparative study of eco-friendly anticorrosion inhibitors based on aliphatic and aromatic compounds for electron beam curable steel coatings

Purpose In this paper, two promising corrosion inhibitors based on natural and eco-friendly materials such as peanut fatty acids (PFA) were prepared and challenged with a common efficient commercial inhibitor. Two amino derivatives based on aliphatic and aromatic compounds such as 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 2-amino-2-phenyl-1-propanol (APP), respectively, were used and reacted with PFA under controlled conditions to produce the corrosion inhibitors. The prepared inhibitors, namely, PFA-AMP (inhІ) and PFA-APP (inhІІ), were confirmed and characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, acid value determination and viscosity measurements. Design/methodology/approach First, different coating formulations free from any inhibitors were prepared and irradiated under different doses of electron beam source to select the best dose. Several concentrations of synthesized anticorrosion materials were then added to coating formulations to estimate them as anticorrosion materials for mild steel panels. Then, all formulations were coated and polymerized at a dose of 10 kGy. The corrosion tests, weight loss and water uptake were studied for all films after immersion in 3.5% sodium chloride. Moreover, the chemical and physico-mechanical properties were determined for all films. Findings The results exhibited that the different concentrations of two inhibitors did not show any significant change on the different properties of all films, and the best concentration, which gives the better protection for steel panels, was to be 1.0 g for two inhibitors. Originality/value It was found that the protection efficiency of the inhІ is better and higher than that of the inhІІ and also of the commercial inhibitor with the following order: inhІ > commercial inhibitor > inhІІ.

Preparation and Performance of Ultra-Fine Polypropylene Antibacterial Fibers via Melt Electrospinning

Polypropylene (PP) fibers are employed commonly as the raw material of technical textiles (nonwovens), and the research focuses on fine-denier fibers and their functionalities. In this work, antibacterial PP masterbatches with different dosage (1–5 wt.%) of nano-ZnO particles as the antibacterial agent were prepared via a twin-screw extruder. The as-prepared PP masterbatches were electrospun on a home-made electrospinning device to afford ultra-fine PP fibers. The morphologies of as-spun ultrathin PP fibers with 16 μm of average diameter were observed by SEM. The structure and element distribution were characterized by means of energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier-transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. There was some zinc obviously distributed on the surface when a dosage of ZnO more than 1 wt.% was used, which contributed to the antibacterial activity. The crystallinity of PP fibers was not affected strongly by the dosage of ZnO based on the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) heating curves, while thermal decomposition improved with the increase in ZnO content, and the mechanical strength decreased predictably with the increase in inorganic ZnO content.

Evaluating the Effects of KCl on Thermal Behavior and Reaction Kinetics of Medium Density Fiberboard Pyrolysis

The effects of potassium chloride (KCl) on the pyrolysis of medium density fiberboard (MDF) were investigated by using thermogravimetry/Fourier-transfer infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR). Five MDF samples treated with different KCl concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3%) were heated with a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The thermogravimetry (TG) results showed that KCl caused the primary pyrolysis stage towards lower temperatures. The FTIR results indicated that with the concentrations of KCl, the formation of CH4 and C=O functional groups decreased while the formation of CO2 and CO increased. To figure out the reason for the observed phenomena, the kinetic parameters in primary pyrolysis and the secondary charring reaction were estimated by a differential evolution (DE) optimization algorithm. The prediction indicated that KCl shifted the initial degradation temperature of each component of MDF towards a lower temperature. Char and gas yields increased with the concentration of KCl, whereas the tar yield reduced. The changes in activation energies revealed that KCl played a catalyst role in the reaction of resin, hemicellulose and cellulose in primary pyrolysis. For lignin, KCl had little effect. In the secondary charring reaction, KCl apparently promoted the reaction of tar. The catalytic effect of KCl on MDF pyrolysis was the combination of primary pyrolysis and the secondary charring reaction. Finally, the optimal catalytic concentration for KCl on MDF pyrolysis was analyzed.

Antibacterial and Flame Retardant Properties of Ag-MgO/Nylon 6 Electrospun Nanofibers for Protective Applications

Electrospun nanofibers are researched for protective applications. Ag nanoparticles promote antibacterial properties and MgO enhances fire retardancy. The main objective of this research was to develop Ag/MgO/Nylon 6 electrospun nanofibers that are scarcely reported. Nanofibers were synthesized using formic acid and acetic acid solvents and collected on cotton fabric. Nylon 6 in 20 wt% along with MgO in 3–5 wt% and AgNO3 in 0.25–0.75 wt% was used for electrospinning. Nanofibers of diameter 35–55 nm with no beads were obtained for MgO (5%)–AgNO3 (0.5%)/Nylon 6. Bacterial reduction of 88% for MgO (3%)–AgNO3(0.25%)/Nylon 6 against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and 54% against Escherichia coli was achieved. Nanofibers of MgO (3%)–AgNO3 (0.25%)/Nylon 6 and MgO (4%)–AgNO3 (0.5%)/Nylon 6 were rated V-0 in vertical burning test. Least burning rate of 1.56 mm/s corresponded to nanofibers of MgO (3%)–AgNO3 (0.25%)/Nylon 6 in horizontal burning test. Energy Dispersive X ray (EDX) confirmed the presence of Mg, O, and Ag. Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the stretching of O–H and CH2.

Effect of NaClO dosage on the structure of degummed hemp fibers by 2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy-laccase degumming

In this study, different dosages of NaClO were used in the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO)-laccase degumming system to remove non-cellulosic materials, and their effects on the structure of hemp fibers were analyzed and discussed. A scanning electron microscope was used to depict the surface morphology of fibers after oxidative degumming under various dosages of NaClO in the TEMPO-laccase degumming system. Chemical composition analysis was used to determine the content changes of the different components. Meanwhile, the content of functional groups was also discussed. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were employed to evaluate the microstructural changes of degummed hemp fibers obtained from the degumming processes with different dosages of NaClO. The results showed that after the TEMPO-laccase system degumming process with a NaClO dosage of 16%, the cleanest and smoothest surface of degummed fibers could be observed and the non-cellulosic materials were significantly removed without any crystalline transformation or damage in the cellulose. This research could shed light on determining favorable operation parameters for hemp oxidation degumming and increasing the degumming efficiency, as well as in the oxidation control and quality assurance of hemp fibers for textile downstream end uses.

Interlaminar Toughening of GFRP: Part 2 — Characterization and Numerical Simulation of Curing Kinetics

Various methods of toughening the bonding between the interleaf and laminate glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) has been developed due to the increasing applications in industries. A polystyrene (PS) additive modified epoxy is used to improve the diffusion and precipitation region between polysulfone (PSU) interleaf and epoxy due to its influence on the curing kinetics without changing glass transition temperature and viscosity of the curing epoxy. The temperature dependent diffusivities of epoxy, amine hardener, and PSU are determined by using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) through monitoring the changing absorbance of their characteristic peaks. Effects of PS additive on diffusivity in the epoxy system is investigated by comparing the diffusivity between non-modified and PS modified epoxy. The consumption rate of the epoxide group in the curing epoxy reveals the curing reaction rate, and the influence of PS additive on the curing kinetics is also studied by determining the degree of curing with time. A diffusivity model coupled with curing kinetics is applied to simulate the diffusion and precipitation process between PSU and curing epoxy. The effect of geometry factor is considered to simulate the diffusion and precipitation process with and without the existence of fibers. The simulation results show the diffusion and precipitation depths which matches those observed in the experiments.

FTIR Spectrum Investigation of Thionine-Graphene Nanocomposite

Graphene is a material that has been heavily investigated in many researches due to its beneficial characteristics such as large surface area, low manufacturing cost, high electro conductivity and incredible mechanical strength. Applying the graphene in water-based solvents however can cause agglomeration due to its hydrophobic properties. Researchers have composited the graphene with other materials in overcoming its hydrophobicity. In this research, graphene was nanocomposited with thionine to make it disperse well in water-based solvents while preserving its intrinsic properties. The nanocomposition process involves mixing of both graphene oxide with thionine and were reduced by hydrazine hydrate while reflux heating. The produced mixture was then filtered to obtain the Thionine-Graphene nanocomposite. The obtained sample was then characterized to confirm the composition of both graphene and thionine. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy was operated to investigate the chemical bonds and hence concluding the presence of both graphene and thionine in the sample. The preservation of the intrinsic properties of graphene was also investigated through observing the absence of functionalized graphene bonds. Post-investigation reports that the chemical bonds from both of the materials, graphene and thionine were detected confirming the successfulness of the nanocomposition.

Interlaminar Toughening of GFRP—Part II: Characterization and Numerical Simulation of Curing Kinetics

Various methods of toughening the bonding between the interleaf and laminate glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) have been developed due to the increasing applications in industries. A polystyrene (PS) additive modified epoxy is used to improve the diffusion and precipitation region between polysulfone (PSU) interleaf and epoxy due to its influence on the curing kinetics without changing glass transition temperature and viscosity of the curing epoxy. The temperature-dependent diffusivities of epoxy, amine hardener, and PSU are determined by using attenuated total reflection–Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) through monitoring the changing absorbance of their characteristic peaks. Effects of PS additive on diffusivity in the epoxy system are investigated by comparing the diffusivity between nonmodified and PS modified epoxy. The consumption rate of the epoxide group in the curing epoxy reveals the curing reaction rate, and the influence of PS additive on the curing kinetics is also studied by determining the degree of curing with time. A diffusivity model coupled with curing kinetics is applied to simulate the diffusion and precipitation process between PSU and curing epoxy. The effect of geometry factor is considered to simulate the diffusion and precipitation process with and without the existence of fibers. The simulation results show the diffusion and precipitation depths which match those observed in the experiments.