Preparation and thermal properties of Alkoxy Silane functionalized polyether sulfone/well‐defined poly(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate‐based hybrid materials

In this study, novel polyethersulfone (PES) and poly(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (PMPS) containing hybrid materials were prepared. PES was functionalized with trimethoxysilane groups by UV‐induced grafting reaction. PMPS was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. In the followed process, the functionalized PES mixed with different amount of PMPS, thermally treated to promote sol–gel crosslinking process to prepare the PES‐based hybrid materials. The trimethoxysilane grafted PES chains are covalently bonded with the well‐defined trimethoxysilane groups of PMPS. The chemical structure of the prepared PES and PMPS is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The morphology of the hybrids was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that the thermal stability of the hybrid materials was significantly affected with the addition of PMPS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1346–1352, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Unveiling the presence of mixed oxidation states of Europium in Li7+δEuxLa3−δZr2−δO12−δ garnet and its impact on the Li-ion conductivity

Recently, lanthanides have been employed by researchers to examine their impact on the structure and properties of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) garnets. In this regard, we developed Europium oxide (Eu₂O₃) doped LLZO (Li_7+δEu_xLa_3−δZr_2−δO_12−δ) solid electrolyte which demonstrates a cubic phase with the symmetry of Iad (No.230) at room temperature. In this investigation, different concentrations of Eu ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 atoms per formula unit (pfu) were doped into Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ to evaluate the impact of Eu on the stability of the cubic phase and thereby the ionic conductivity. The results unveiled that upon doping Eu³⁺ ions, the Eu²⁺ state is also formed and is then self-doped into the structure in which Rietveld refinement coupled with XPS, EPR, and solid-state NMR suggests that Eu³⁺ ions most probably partially occupy Zr⁴⁺ (16a) site, the Eu²⁺ ions occupy La³⁺ (24d) site, and the Li⁺ ions occupy two different sites (24d and 96h). It was further found that such a site preference induces distortion at LaO₈ polyhedrons opening up the neck for Li-ions diffusion, thereby enhancing the ionic conductivity. Moreover, it was revealed that Li-ions probably hop from 96h to 24d and then to 96h site to generate the Li-ion movement. Overall, by introducing Eu ions into the LLZO structure, an enhanced bulk ionic conductivity of 0.30 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 298 K with a minimum electronic conductivity of 2.547 × 10⁻⁹ S/cm at 298 K was achieved.     

Persistence Heterogeneity Testing in Panels with Interactive Fixed Effects

We consider large N,T panel data models with fixed effects, a common factor allowing for cross‐section dependence, and persistent data and shocks, which are assumed fractionally integrated. In a basic setup, the main interest is on the fractional parameter of the idiosyncratic component, which is estimated in first differences after factor removal by projection on the cross‐section average. The pooled conditional‐sum‐of‐squares estimate is consistent but the normal asymptotic distribution might not be centred, requiring the time series dimension to grow faster than the cross‐section size for correction. We develop tests of homogeneity of dynamics, including the degree of integration, that have no trivial power under local departures from the null hypothesis of a non‐negligible fraction of cross‐section units. A simulation study shows that our estimates and tests have good performance even in moderately small panels.     

Photocrosslinked biobased phase change material for thermal energy storage

A series of novel photocrosslinked biobased shape‐stabilized phase change materials (PCMs) based on octadecanol, eicosanol and docosanol have been prepared by UV technique for the purpose of thermal energy storage applications. Epoxidized soybean oil was reacted with acrylic acid to form acrylated soybean oil (ASO). The structure and composition, cross‐section morphology, thermal stability performances and phase change behaviors of ASO and UV‐cured PCMs were examined by using Attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis system (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicate that the UV‐cured biobased PCMs possess perfect phase change properties and a suitable working temperature range. The heating process phase change enthalpy is measured between 30 and 68 J/g, and the freezing process phase change enthalpy is found between 18 and 70 J/g. The decomposition of UV‐cured PCMs started at 260 °C and reached a maximum of 430 °C. All the biobased UV‐cured PCMs improved latent heat storage capacity in comparison with the pristine ASO sample. With the obtained results we conclude that, these materials promise a great potential in thermal energy storage applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43757.     

Effects of mixing techniques and dentin moisture conditions on push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine

Objective: To evaluate the influence of manual and mechanical mixing techniques as well as the effects of moisture on the push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) to radicular dentin.

Material and methods: Two hundred and forty dentin discs were assigned into three groups with respect to the moisture condition tested: (1) dry, (2) paper points, (3) wet. The discs were further divided into four subgroups according to the calcium silicate cements (CSCs) and mixing techniques used: (1) ProRoot MTA mixed manually, (2) ProRoot MTA mixed mechanically, (3) Biodentine mixed manually, and (4) Biodentine mixed mechanically. Bond strengths of the cements to root canal dentin were measured using a push-out test setup. The data were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test p = 0.05.

Results: The data indicated that the push-out bond strength values were significantly affected by CSCs, mixing techniques, and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Dry conditions caused a significant decrease in bond strength values for both CSCs (p < 0.001). The mean bond strength of Biodentine was significantly higher than that of ProRoot MTA, regardless of the mixing techniques and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Mechanical mixing favored bond strength values statistically compared to manual mixing (p < .001).

Conclusion: The mixing techniques and moisture conditions have an effect on the push-out bond strengths of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. Dry samples and manual mixing of cements deteriorate the push-out bond strengths values.     

Comparison of total‐etch,self‐etch,and selective etching techniques on class V composite restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur: a scanning electron microscopy study

The purpose of this study was to compare total‐etch, self‐etch, and selective etching techniques on the marginal microleakage of Class V composite restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur. Class V cavities prepared on both buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 premolars by Er:YAG laser or bur and divided into six groups. The occlusal margins were in enamel, and the cervical margins were in cementum. Group‐1: bur preparation(bp)+Adper Single Bond 2 (ASB)+Filtek Z550 (FZ); Group‐2: laser preparation(lp)+(ASB)+(FZ); Group‐3: bp + Clearfil S3 Bond Plus (CSBP)+(FZ); Group‐4: lp+(CSBP) (FZ); Group‐5: bp + acid etching+(CSBP)+(FZ); Group‐6: lp + acid etching+(CSBP)+(FZ). All teeth were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hr, and then thermocycled 1000 times (5–55°C). Five teeth from each group were chosen for the microleakage investigation, and two teeth for the scanning electron microscope evaluation. Teeth which were prepared for the microleakage test were immersed in .5% methylene blue dye for 24 hr. After immersion, the teeth were sectioned and observed under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests (p < .05). More microleakage was observed in the cervical regions compared to the occlusal regions in Groups 3, 5, and 6, respectively (p < .05). There is no statistically significant difference in Groups 1, 2, and 4, in terms of cervical regions versus occlusal regions (p > .05). No significant differences were observed among any groups in terms of occlusal and cervical surfaces, separately (p > .05). Different etching techniques did not influence microleakage of Class V restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur.     

Modeling,analysis, and screening of cyclic pressure pulsing with nitrogen in hydraulically fractured wells

Cyclic pressure pulsing with nitrogen is studied for hydraulically fractured wells in depleted reservoirs. A compositional simulation model is constructed to represent the hydraulic fractures through local-grid refinement. The process is analyzed from both operational and reservoir/ hydraulic-fracture perspectives. Key sensitivity parameters for the operational component are chosen as the injection rate, lengths of injection and soaking periods and the economic rate limit to shut-in the well. For the reservoir/ hydraulic fracturing components, reservoir permeability, hydraulic fracture permeability, effective thickness and half-length are used. These parameters are varied at five levels. A full-factorial experimental design is utilized to run 1250 cases. The study shows that within the ranges studied, the gas-injection process is applied successfully for a 20-year project period with net present values based on the incremental recoveries greater than zero. It is observed that the cycle rate limit, injection and soaking periods must be optimized to maximize the efficiency. The simulation results are used to develop a neural network based proxy model that can be used as a screening tool for the process. The proxy model is validated with blind-cases with a correlation coefficient of 0.96.     

Stochastic Priority Model for Aggregate Blending

Aggregate blending models that incorporate the optimization of two objectives with their priority levels are presented. The two objectives include the minimization of the mean deviation (or mean absolute deviation) from the midpoint of specification limits and the minimization of the unit cost of the blend. The models are applicable to any number of aggregates and can be used to provide the optimum proportions corresponding to a given priority level or to establish trade‐off curves between mean deviation and cost. The stochastic elements of aggregate gradations are formulated and incorporated into the models. Both the deterministic and stochastic models are applied to a numerical aggregate blending problem, and extensions of the models to accommodate some practical cases are presented.