The effect of liposome on dyeing mohair/wool blends

The aim of this study was to examine the use of liposome in the dyeing of wool and mohair fibres with acid dyestuffs. Soybean lecithin and cholesterol were used to form the liposome membrane utilised in the dyebath. Liposome production was performed according to the thin lipid layer method (Bangham Method) using a rotary evaporator. Two different forms of liposome were used for dyeing wool and mohair fibres. In its first form, liposome was utilised as an auxiliary agent, where it was added to a conventional dyebath at the beginning of the process. In its second form, dyes were encapsulated with liposome and then used in dyeing. The effects of these two different forms of liposome were compared with conventional dyeing. Dyeing was carried out at depths of shade of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% using three different concentrations of liposome (0.33%, 0.66% and 1.33%). An analysis of K/S values, fastness to washing, and the alkali solubility of fibres was conducted. The fibre samples dyed in the presence of liposome exhibited very good fastness to light (grade 8). The wash fastness test results of the liposomal‐dyed samples were significantly better (grade 4‐5) than for those samples which were conventionally dyed. In the presence of liposome, the tensile strength of fibres was 20 gf, whereas it was 11 gf without liposomes.     

Study and evaluation of abrasive water jet turning process performance on AA5083

In this study, the effect of processing parameters on surface roughness and macro surface characteristics was analyzed during the machining of Ø30 mm and 300 mm aluminum alloy AA5083 abrasive water jets. As the processing parameters (up to 10 mm min⁻¹, 15 mm min⁻¹, 20 mm min⁻¹ and 25 mm min⁻¹), abrasive flow rate (50 g min⁻¹, 150 g min⁻¹, 250 g min⁻¹ and 350 g min⁻¹), the lathe chuck rotational speed (25 min⁻¹, 50 min⁻¹, 75 min⁻¹ and 100 min⁻¹) and the nozzle approach distance (2 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm and 11 mm) were used in experiments. In experimental studies, the pump pressure (360 MPa) was used as a constant, in the form of an abrasive Garnet (100 mesh), and the nozzle diameter as 0.76 mm. According to the findings, the best results in terms of surface roughness were obtained as a result of turning speed and abrasive flow rate. When the macro surface characteristics were examined, it was found that the lathe chuck rotational speed increased, the rate of nozzle progression was low, the rate of abrasive flow was high and the nozzle approach distance was lower and the smoother surfaces were obtained.     

A comparative study on structural,morphological and photocatalytic properties of anodically grown ZnO nanowires under varying parameters

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) were successfully produced on Zn plates through electrochemical anodization in potassium...     

Decay and termite resistance of plywood treated with various fire retardants

This study evaluated the ability of white and brown rot fungi and termites to decompose fire retardant-treated (FRT) or untreated-plywood by measuring mass loss. Plywood was manufactured using Ekaba (Tetraberlinia bifoliolata Harms.) veneers which were previously treated with either boric acid, borax, mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), or di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Plywood specimens were then subjected to fungal decay resistance tests performed according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A-9201 method using a brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris (Berkeley et Curtis) Murrill and a white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel. The specimens were also assayed against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki to determine termite resistance. Boron and phosphorus chemicals used in the study increased the resistance of plywood panels against both fungal and termite attack. Plywood panels treated with boric acid and borax resulted in less mass losses when compared to MAP and DAP-treated specimens in decay and termite resistance tests.     

Towards more active and stable PdAgCr electrocatalysts for formic acid electrooxidation: The role of optimization via response surface methodology

In this study, multiwall carbon nanotube (MCNT)‐supported Pd (Pd/MWCNT) catalysts are prepared by using NaBH₄ reduction method. In order to maximize the oxidation and reduction of H₂SO₄, synthesis conditions (Pd ratio, molar ratio of NaBH₄/K₂PdCl₄, volume of deionized water, and duration of agitation) are optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum synthesis conditions are determined as 58.2% of Pd by weight, 154.6 molar ratio of NaBH₄ to K₂PdCl₄, 19.48 mL of deionized water, and 186.16 min of agitation duration. The effect of electrochemical measurement conditions on the oxidation kinetics of Pd/MWCNT is also investigated by RSM. The optimum electrochemical measurement conditions are found as 10 μL of catalyst mixture, 90°C of H₂SO₄ solution, and 5.5 M H₂SO₄. The Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts prepared under optimized conditions are characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption‐desorption, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The crystallite sizes of these catalysts are found as 4.85, 5.66, and 5.26 nm for Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts, respectively. Isotherms of all these catalysts are found to be similar to Type V isotherms with H3 hysteresis loop. The average particle size of Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts are determined as 5.2 and 9.2 nm, respectively. Electrochemical performance of as‐prepared catalysts is evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The formic acid electrooxidation (FAEO) activities are found as 18.9, 27.8, and 51.6 mA/cm² for Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT, respectively. Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT shows the highest activity and stability. Optimization of synthesis conditions and electrochemical measurement parameters allow us to obtain very good electrochemical activity and stability for FAEO reaction compared with anode catalysts in the literature.