Functionalization of terminal carbon atoms of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene by polyazido nitrogen rich molecules

We report a novel synthetic approach for the attachment of the polyazido nitrogen rich molecule on to the hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) backbone. The terminal carbon atoms of the HTPB are functionalized by attaching cyanuric chloride (CYC) covalently on the HTPB backbone. Further reaction of this modified HTPB with sodium azide yields polyazido nitrogen rich HTPB. The unique physico-chemical properties and the microstructure of the HTPB do not get affected upon modification. IR, gel permeable chromatography (GPC) and absorption spectroscopy studies prove that the polyazido nitrogen rich molecules are covalently attached at the terminal carbon atoms of the HTPB. The π electron delocalization owing to long butadiene chain, strong electron withdrawing effect of the triazine molecules are the major driving forces for the covalent attachment of the triazine at the terminal carbon atoms of the HTPB. The disruption of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the terminal hydroxyl groups of the HTPB chains and the presence of hydrogen bonding between the N atoms of the triazine ring with OH group of the HTPB are observed. Theoretical study also reveals the existence of the hydrogen bonding between the OH and N. Theoretical calculation shows that the detonation performance of the polyazido nitrogen rich HTPB are very promising.     

Bioremediation of 2-chlorophenol containing wastewater by aerobic granules-kinetics and toxicity

2-Chlorophenol (2-CP) degrading aerobic granules were cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) in presence of glucose. The organic loading rate (OLR) was increased from 6.9 to 9.7 kg COD m(-3)d(-1) (1150-1617 mg L(-1)COD per cycle) during the experiment. The alkalinity (1000 mg L(-1) as CaCO(3)) was maintained throughout the experiment. The specific cell growth rate was found to be 0.013 d(-1). A COD removal efficiency of 94% was achieved after steady state at 8h HRT (hydraulic retention time). FTIR, UV, GC, GC/MS studies confirmed that the biodegradation of 2-CP occurs via chlorocatechol (modified ortho-cleavage) pathway. Biodegradation kinetics followed the Haldane model with kinetic parameters: V(max)=840 mg2-CPgMLVSS(-1)d(-1), K(s)=24.61 mg L(-1), K(i)=315.02 mg L(-1). Abiotic losses of 2-CP due to volatilization and photo degradation by sunlight were less than 3% and the results of genotoxicity showed that the degradation products are eco-friendly.     

CuO nano-whiskers: Electrodeposition,Raman analysis,photoluminescence study and photocatalytic activity

An electrochemical route to synthesize CuO thin films with nano-whiskers like structure, from a metallic Cu precursor is reported. Structural characterization showed the formation of cubic phase for both the Cu and CuO films, whereas, the grains were found to change their shapes from cubic to nano-whiskers as an effect of annealing (in air at 600 °C for 30 min). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis, Photoluminescence (PL) and Raman analyses were carried out with the films. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared CuO films was determined by measuring the degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) dye, to find out its potential application in waste water treatment.     

Oxidative fabrication of spherical polycarbazole-based microparticles

A straightforward oxidative liquid phase polymerization (LPP) method has been successfully developed for the fabrication of spherical functional (polyCOOH) polycarbazole-based microparticles from corresponding carbazole-containing monomers. The influence of the chemical structure of starting carbazole monomers on the LPP-based microparticle formation has been deeply examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Protection and Functionalizing of Stainless Steel Surface by Graphene Oxide-Polypyrrole Composite Coating

The corrosion inhibition of metallic substrates is a prime issue for many potential applications where corrosion plays a crucial role. The development of carbon based on functionalized coatings could increase the lifetime of metallic substrates by inhibiting the corrosion process. Present work is an effort to develop a corrosion inhibiting composite coating of graphene oxide and polypyrrole for AISI （American Iron and Steel Institute） type 304 stainless steel substrates. The electrochemical galvanostatic deposition process was applied for coating development. The coating morphology and ability to cover the substrate surface was analyzed with a high-resolution scanning electron microscope. The coating＇s structural and electronic properties were analyzed with Raman spectroscopy. The investigation of corrosion inhibition involved open circuit potential, Tafel, and voltammetry analysis. The standard salt test ASTM （American Society for Testing and Materials） G48A for stainless steel substrate has also been studied. Significant enhancement of corrosion potential as well as pitting potential for the composite coated substrates has been noted. Furthermore, corrosion and breakdown potential increased upon changing the material from graphene oxide to its composite coating. During the salt test analysis, the durability of the composite coating was noted up to 72 h, which is the standard time scale. Based on experimental analysis, this composite material can be used as an effective carbon based on functionalized corrosion inhibitor for stainless steel substrates to increase their lifetime.     

Development of Ce‐PSZ‐/Y‐PSZ‐Toughened Alumina Inserts for High‐Speed Machining Steel

The nanocomposite CeO₂/Y₂O₃ partially stabilized zirconia (Ce‐PSZ/Y‐PSZ)‐toughened alumina was prepared by wet chemical simultaneous coprecipitation process. The thermal stability of phases and morphology of powders were characterized by TG‐DTA, FTIR, and FESEM. The microstructure, stabilization of phases and compositional analysis with different mol% CeO₂/Y₂O₃‐doped zirconia in alumina are characterized by FESEM, XRD, and EDAX spectra. Significant improvement in fracture toughness and flexural strength has been observed in 10 vol% of partially stabilized zirconia (2.5 mol% Y₂O₃ in ZrO₂/9 mol% CeO₂ in ZrO₂)‐toughened alumina, which is suitable for high‐speed machining applications.     

Kinetics, thermodynamic and equilibrium study of Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions by NCL coal dust

The waste material NCL coal dust was used as adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under batch adsorption experiments. The maximum removal of 99.97% was recorded at pH 2. The time required to attain equilibrium was found to be 60 min. Adsorption kinetics was described by the Lagergren equation. The value of the rate constant of adsorption was found to be 0.0615 min^?1 at 16 mg dm^?3 initial concentration and 298 K. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations for the present system was also tested at different temperatures: 298, 313, and 328 K. Both thermodynamic parameters and temperature dependence indicated the endothermic nature of Cr(VI) adsorption on coal dust. The results showed that NCL coal dust is a promising adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.     

Electron‐Induced Reactive Processing of Poly(propylene)/Ethylene–Octene Copolymer Blends: A Novel Route to Prepare Thermoplastic Vulcanizates

TPVs are prepared by dynamic vulcanization in which crosslinking of an elastomeric polymer takes place during its melt mixing with a thermoplastic polymer under high‐shear conditions. 30:70 wt% blends of PP and ethylene–octene copolymer are vulcanized using electron‐induced reactive processing (EIReP) employing a range of absorbed doses (25, 50, and 100 kGy) while keeping the electron energy and treatment time fixed. The structure/property relationships of the prepared samples are studied using various characterization techniques such as DMA, DSC, SEM, and melt rheology. The results suggest that EIReP offers a novel route to prepare TPVs without any chemical crosslinking and coupling agents.

     

Protein-templated gold nanoclusters: size dependent inversion of fluorescence emission in the presence of molecular oxygen

Gold nanoclusters are promising candidates as biological markers without having toxic effects like fluorescent quantum dots. Herein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein stabilized gold nanoclusters of two different sizes emitting at 410 and 645 nm have been synthesized. These nanoclusters have been shown to interact with molecular oxygen differentially. Spectroscopic and chemical evidences show that dioxygen molecule gets adsorbed at two different orientations on the nanoclusters. The orientation motifs have been hypothesized to be superoxo and peroxo types on the smaller and the larger gold nanoclusters, respectively. Due to the difference in attachments, the oxygen molecule shows opposite changes in fluorescence intensity for the nanoclusters. The fluorescence intensity of the blue emitting nanocluster shows a profuse enhancement whereas the red emitting species shows quenching of emission. Superoxo type adsorption of the oxygen molecule on the blue emitting gold nanoclusters induce formation of singlet oxygen that in turn enhances the fluorescence intensity of the species. This could be verified by oxidation of diaminobenzidine (DAB) by singlet oxygen. Enhancement in fluorescence intensity of the blue emitting gold nanoclusters with an increase in concentration of molecular oxygen may enable them to be good candidates in bioimaging and detection.