The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on mean drop size in a horizontal mixer–settler extractor

The effects of surfactant concentration, impeller speed, and holdup on mean drop diameter, D₃₂, during emulsification have been studied in a mixer–settler. Two well‐defined regions for the dependence of D₃₂ on surfactant concentration were observed. At low surfactant concentrations, D₃₂ decreased significantly with an increase in surfactant concentration, whereas D₃₂ did not depend on surfactant concentration at high surfactant concentrations. The decreasing rate of change of D₃₂ with impeller speed and the increasing rate of change of D₃₂ with holdup both decreased when a surfactant was added to the system. Moreover, an empirical correlation has been derived to predict D₃₂.     

Effect of the sodium dodecyl sulfate/monomer ratio on the network structure of hydrophobic association hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties

The study of gel‐network structure is not as extensive as the study of the application of hydrogels. However, the distribution of the inner structure is crucial for designing hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties to meet certain kinds of demands. In this study, a series of hydrophobic association hydrogels (HA‐gels) were synthesized by free‐radical micellar copolymerization in a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant solution. The hydrophobic monomer was palmityl alcohol poly(oxyethylene acrylate) (AEO–AC), which is an ecofriendly alternative to the traditional octyl phenol poly(oxyethylene acrylate). Interestingly, we found that the molar ratio [or ratio point (R)] of SDS to AEO–AC played a key role in tuning the mechanical properties. All series HA‐gels denominated a similar down–up–down tendency with increasing R, and the best R is 3. This result was consistent with the microscopic network structure number of the hydrophobic monomer (N_H = 21–24), and this indicated that each hydrophobic monomer associated three SDS monomers in its internal networks. The resulting AEO–AC–acrylamide gels exhibited the best mechanical strength (yield maximum broken stress = 218 kPa) and the maximum effective crosslink density. Moreover, the relationship between the network structure and the mechanical properties of the HA‐gels was investigated with various Rs. Two different interaction effects of distribution between SDS and AEO–AC are discussed in detail. The HA‐gels exhibited self‐healing properties and maintained their shape in water over 160 days. The results indicate that changing R is an effective method for tuning the mechanical properties of HA‐gels as a type of prospective biomedical material. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45196.     

Phase equilibrium in the system water-hydrogen sulphide: Modelling the phase behavior with an equation of state

In the light of the information presented by Carroll and Mather (1989), a new interpretation is presented for the often-quoted, smoothed data of Selleck, Carmichael and Sage (1952) for the phase equilibrium in the system water-hydrogen sulphide. The data of Carroll and Mather show that the liquid-liquid-vapour locus extends to higher temperatures than believed by Selleck et al. Experimental data from several sources are correlated using the Stryjek-Vera (1986a) modification of the Peng-Robinson (1976) equation of state. It is demonstrated that the fit of the raw data via the equation of state is as good as the smoothing of Selleck et al.     

Development of a robust hydrogel system based on agar and sodium alginate blend

BACKGROUND: As part of an ongoing research and development programme of our laboratory on functional modification of seaweed polysaccharides for preparing hydrogels with improved properties, we report herein the preparation of a robust hydrogel system based on grafting of agar and sodium alginate blend (Agar/Na‐Alg) with acrylamide (AAm) to obtain the copolymer Agar/Na‐Alg‐graft‐PAAm. RESULTS: A robust hydrogel system with superior absorbency and pH resistance has been developed based on a PAAm‐grafted seaweed polysaccharide blend of Agar/Na‐Alg. The blend (Agar/Na‐Alg) and grafted product (Agar/Na‐Alg‐graft‐PAAm) were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, swelling capacity, rheology and scanning electron microscopy. The swelling capacity of the grafted copolymer exhibited an enhancement over that of the blend from 14 to 24 g g^?1 in acidic medium. The blend and grafted copolymer produced hydrogels with lower gelling points of 31 and 29 °C and gel strengths were 170 and 120 g cm^?2, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study constitutes an example of value addition of seaweed polysaccharides targeting new applications. The copolymer hydrogel may be useful in health, personal care and agricultural applications. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of styrene reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization in a miniemulsion system stabilized by ammonlysis poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) and sodium dodecyl sulfate

In this study, we conducted the reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene (St) in a miniemulsion system stabilized by two different stabilizers, ammonlysis poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (SMA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with identical reaction conditions. The main objective was to compare the polymerization kinetics, living character, latex stability, and particle morphology. The macro‐RAFT agent used in both systems was SMA, which was obtained by RAFT solution polymerization mediated by 1‐phenylethyl phenyldithioacetate. The experimental results show that the St RAFT miniemulsion polymerization stabilized by SDS exhibited a better living character than that stabilized by ammonlysis SMA. The final latices were very stable in two systems, but different stabilizers had an obvious effect on the polymerization kinetics, living character, and particle morphology. All of the particles obtained by RAFT miniemulsion polymerization stabilized by SDS were solid, but an obvious core–shell structure was observed in the miniemulsion system stabilized by ammonlysis SMA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate catalyzed by macromolecule–copper (II) complex in sodium sulfite aqueous system

Vinyl polymerization initiated by a copper complex immobilized on a novel polymer and characterization has been studied. Monomer, 4‐aldehyde‐3‐hydroxy phenyl acrylate (Ahpa), and its homopolymer, poly(4‐aldehyde‐3‐hydroxy phenyl acrylate) (PAhpa), were synthesized and characterized using IR, elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, TOF MS, etc. The side chain of the polymer can further coordinate with transition metal ions. Its polymeric Cu(II) complex in Na₂SO₃ system is proved to be another useful catalyst in polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at room temperature. The obtained poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is similar to those determined by conventional free radical polymerization at the same conditions. Moreover, the catalytic mechanism studied was a “Coordination Hydrogen‐Transfer” process, which is different from that of CuCl₂/Na₂SO₃ system, but analogous with that of PVAm‐Cu(II)/Na₂SO₃ (PVAm = polyvinylamine) system, was speculated and testified. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1285–1290, 2007     

Efficiency of urea and ammonium sulfate for wetland rice grown on an acid sulfate soil as affected by rate and time of application

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to assess the effect of rate and time of N application on yield and N uptake of wetland rice grown on a Rangsit acid sulfate soil (Sulfic Tropaquepts). Response of rice at N rates of 800, 1600 and 2400 mg N/pot (5 kg of soil) was compared between urea and ammonium sulfate when applied at two times: (i) full-rate basal at transplanting and (ii) one half at transplanting and one half at the PI stage. In addition, labelled¹⁵N sources were applied either at transplanting or at the PI stage to determine the nitrogen balance sheet in the soil/plant system.No significant difference in grain and straw yields between urea and ammonium sulfate at low rate was observed. At the higher N rates, urea produced higher yields than did ammonium sulfate regardless of timing. The highest yields were obtained when urea at the high N rate was applied either in a single dose or a split dose while lowest yields were observed particularly when ammonium sulfate at the same rate was applied. Split application of N fertilizer was shown to be no better than a single basal application. The occurrence of nutritional disorder, a symptom likely reflected by high concentration of Fe (II) in combination with soluble Al, was induced with high rate of ammonium sulfate.In terms of fertilizer N recovery by using¹⁵N-labelling, ammonium sulfate was more efficient than urea when both were applied at transplanting. In contrast, application at the PI stage resulted in higher utilization of urea than of ammonium sulfate. The recovery of labelled N in the soil was higher with urea than with ammonium sulfate when the two sources were applied at transplanting, while the opposite result was obtained when the same fertilizers were applied at the PI stage. The losses from urea and ammonium sulfate were not different when these fertilizers were applied at transplanting but loss from urea was higher than that from ammonium sulfate when both were applied at the PI stage.     

Strain rate effect on crystallinity variations in the double yield region of polyethylene

The double yield phenomenon was studied using numerous specimens uniaxially deformed up to different elongations of linear low‐density polyethylene samples. Extruded samples prepared under different conditions were deformed at 1, 10, and 50 mm/min. The crystallinity under stressed state was calculated using the wide‐angle X‐ray scattering technique. The crystallinity degrees of the samples without deformation were less than 55%. This parameter, as a function of the elongation, presented a multistep behavior. An increment before the first yield point and a decrement after this point; then, at higher elongation values around the second yield point, another decrement and an abrupt increment. The behavior was more notorious at intermediate and lower strain rates. The results around the second yield point were interpreted in terms of melting of the less perfect crystallites followed by a recrystallization process. These experimental findings show that the partial melting–recrystallization process is one of the main mechanisms of the double yield phenomenon. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effects of diffusion on the kinetic study and TTT cure diagram for an epoxy/diamine system

The curing reactions of an epoxy system consisting of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (BADGE n = 0) and 1,2-diamine cyclohexane (DCH) were studied to determine a time–temperature–transformation (TTT) isothermal cure diagram for this system. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a solubility test were used to obtain the different experimental data reported. Two models, one based solely on chemical kinetics and the other accounting for diffusion, were used and compared to the experimental data. The inclusion of a diffusion factor in the second model allowed for the cure kinetics to be predicted over the whole range of conversion covering both pre- and post-vitrification stages. The investigation was made in the temperature range 60–100°C, which is considered optimum for the isothermal curing of the epoxy system studied. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1931–1938, 1998     

Effect of urea management on yield and N use efficiency of lowland rice on an acid sulfate soil

Field experiments were conducted during 1988–1989 at two adjacent sites on an acid sulfate soil (Sulfic Tropaquept) in Thailand to determine the influence of urea fertilization practices on lowland rice yield and N use efficiency. Almost all the unhydrolyzed urea completely disappeared from the floodwater within 8 to 10 d following urea application. A maximum partial pressure of ammonia (pNH₃) value of 0.14 Pa and an elevation in floodwater pH to about 7.5 following urea application suggest that appreciable loss of NH₃ could occur from this soil if wind speeds were favorable. Grain yields and N uptake were significantly increased with applied N over the control and affected by urea fertilization practices (4.7–5.7 Mg ha^–1 in dry season and 3.0–4.1 Mg ha^–1 in wet season). In terms of both grain yield and N uptake, incorporation treatments of urea as well as urea broadcasting onto drained soil followed by flooding 2 d later were more effective than the treatments in which the same fertilizer was broadcast directly into the floodwater either shortly or 10 d after transplanting (DT). The¹⁵N balance studies conducted in the wet season showed that N losses could be reduced to 31% of applied N by broadcasting of urea onto drained soil and flooding 2 d later compared with 52% loss by broadcasting of urea into floodwater at 10 DT. Gaseous N loss via NH₃ volatilization was probably responsible for the poor efficiency of broadcast urea in this study.     

Effect of soil bulk density on hydrolysis of surface-applied urea in unsaturated soils

In situ hydrolysis of broadcast urea occurs in unsaturated soils with different bulk densities. The effect of increasing soil bulk densities on the hydrolysis of urea was studied in open and in covered unsaturated soil columns incubated at 30°C. An increase in bulk density from 0.8 to 1.4 Mg/m³ markedly increased the hydrolysis of surface-applied urea in soils containing water > 6% up to near field capacity. Increased diffusion of urea to sorbed soil urease with an increase in bulk density may have enhanced formation of urease-urea complexes and therefore increased the hydrolysis. As urea diffused farther in more dense soils, the retarding effects of high urea concentration gradients on the hydrolysis probably decreased. In light-textured soils, increases in the bulk density had no apparent effect on the hydrolysis of surface-applied urea when evaporation occurred.     

Influence of clay addition on the properties of olive oil in water emulsions

The behaviour of olive oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) was studied in the presence of smectite particles. The distribution of these particles in the emulsions and the effect of their interaction with the surfactant on the stability of the emulsions were investigated. Whereas the variation of surfactant and/or clay content did not seem to affect the nature of the emulsion, it had a significant influence on emulsion stability. This observation led to two main assumptions on the distribution of clay particles within the emulsion, either exclusively in the continuous phase, or also at the oil-water interface.In the absence of clay, the variation of surfactant concentration (from 0 to 17% (w/w)) allowed to distinguish 3 domains. In the first concentration domain (0–4.2%) emulsions stability increased with the content of surfactant. Within the second domain (4.2–8.5% (w/w)), a slight decrease in stability was observed due to flocculation by depletion. For surfactant concentrations equal or higher than 8.5% (3rd domain), emulsion stability increased sharply, probably due to the development of interactions between surfactant molecules as they came closer to their gelling concentration. The effect of clay addition to the aqueous phase (up to 10% (w/w)) on the physicochemical properties of the studied emulsions was assessed from stability, drop size, interfacial tension, rheological and acido-basic analyses. A model based on the location of clay particles either in the bulk or at the interface could be proposed, in which clay particles would interact with surfactant molecules in the bulk phase, and form a mechanical barrier around the oil droplets, thus increasing emulsion stability.     

Influence of an electrochemically generated gas phase on pressure drop in a three-dimensional electrode and an inert bed

The influence of an electrochemically generated gas phase on the pressure drop in a three-dimensional electrode and an inert bed has been investigated. The electrode was composed of silvered glass particles, whereas the inert bed was composed of glass particles of the same diameter. During water electrolysis smaller gas bubbles are generated than by introducing gas into the system by means of a fluid distributor. Electrochemically generated bubbles with the liquid phase circulate upward through the electrode and the inert bed. The pressure drop for a monophase fluid was measured, as well as the change of pressure drop with time in the electrode and the inert bed for two-phase flow of fluid through an electrochemical cell. The steady and unsteady periods of the change of pressure drop have been discussed. Experiments were carried out at different electrolyte velocities and for different current densities. Higher electrolyte velocities cause an increase in the pressure drop in both beds. Also, increased current density causes an increase in gas evolution intensity at the electrode thereby increasing the pressure drop in both beds. A mathematical model describing the change of pressure drop with time has been proposed. The proposed model showed good agreement with experimental results as well as the results from the literature.     

Degradation of wheat straw/polylactic acid composites with and without sodium alginate in natural soil and the effects on soil microorganisms

In order to improve the degradability of polylactic acid (PLA) composites and screen PLA degradation microorganisms. Sodium alginate was added into the wheat straw/PLA composites, and both composites (with/without sodium alginate) were buried in natural soil for 100 consecutive days subsequently. Weight loss and characterization of the PLA composites, carbon and nitrogen content in soil and microbial community composition were detected after degradation, with the result that the degradability of the PLA composites was greatly improved after the addition of sodium alginate. The weight loss of PLA composites with sodium alginate was 8.5%, which was 1.81 times that of PLA composites without sodium alginate. Sodium alginate and/or wheat straw in the PLA composites took the lead in the beginning course of the degradation. The added sodium alginate serves the purpose of making it easier to degrade the crystallization zone of the PLA composites. Bionectriaceae in the soil shoots up in the number after degradation, signifying its potential to be part of the microorganism family serving to degrade PLA composites. The results would help reveal the degradation mechanism of PLA composites and provide support for the screening of PLA composites degradation microorganisms.     

Studies on surface energetics of glass fabrics in an unsaturated polyester matrix system: Effect of sizing treatment on glass fabrics

The surfaces of glass fibers were sized by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyester, and epoxy resin types in order to improve the mechanical interfacial properties of fibers in the unsaturated polyester matrix. The surface energetics of the glass fibers sized were investigated in terms of contact angle measurements using the wicking method based on the Washburn equation, with deionized water and diiodomethane as the wetting liquids. In addition, the mechanical behaviors of the composites were studied in the context of the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), critical stress intensity factor (K_IC), and flexural measurements. Different evolutions of the London dispersive and specific (or polar) components of the surface free energy of glass fibers were observed after different sizing treatments. The experimental result of the total surface free energies calculated from the sum of their two components showed the highest value in the epoxy‐sized glass fibers. From the measurements of mechanical properties of composites, it was observed that the sizing treatment on fibers could improve the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion, resulting in improved final mechanical behaviors, a result of the effect of the enhanced total surface free energy of glass fibers in a composite system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1439–1445, 2001     

Surfactant effects on hydrate formation in an unstirred gas/liquid system: An experimental study using HFC-32 and sodium dodecyl sulfate

This paper deals with the effects of a surfactant additive on the formation of a clathrate hydrate in a quiescent guest-gas/liquid-water system. The paper first presents our strong suspicion against the existing hypothesis that the surfactant-micelle formation in the liquid-water phase promotes the hydrate formation. It is pointed out that the Krafft point for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a popular anionic surfactant often used in previous hydrate-forming experiments, is presumably higher than the system temperatures set in these experiments and hence that no micelles may have formed in these experiments. The paper then describes our experimental observations of the hydrate formation from a hydrofluorocarbon gas, HFC-32 (CH₂F₂), to show how the hydrate formation behavior is affected by the addition of SDS to the water when brought into contact with HFC-32. In each experiment, HFC-32 gas was continuously supplied to a rectangular chamber partially filled with a quiescent pool of water (pure water or an aqueous SDS solution) to compensate for the gas consumption due to the hydrate formation, thereby maintaining a constant pressure inside the chamber. The present experiments featured the following characteristics: (a) detailed visual observations along horizontal axes through large side windows in the test chamber, and (b) surface tension measurements of the aqueous SDS solutions with the aid of a pendant-drop device inserted in the same chamber to determine the SDS-in-water solubility, which seems to have been misunderstood as the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in some previous studies, under the hydrate-forming conditions. The former revealed that the addition of SDS to the pool-forming water results in the formation of thick, highly porous hydrate layers not only on the liquid-pool surface but also on the chamber walls above the level of the pool surface, leaving the bulk of the liquid pool free from hydrate crystals. The latter led to an important finding that the SDS concentration at which the rate of the hydrate formation peaks is slightly lower than the solubility (the false CMC). An excessive addition of SDS beyond the solubility was found to cause a decrease in the rate of hydrate formation but an increase in the final level of the water-to-hydrate conversion.     

Effect of the crosslinking degree on curing kinetics of an epoxy–anhydride styrene copolymer system

The cure kinetics of a high molecular weight acid copolymer used as a hardener for a commercial epoxy resin (DGEBA) was studied by DSC. The systems were uncured and partially cured epoxy poly(maleic anhydride-alt-styrene) (PAMS) at different periods of time. The state of cure was assessed as the residual heat of reaction and was varied by controlling both the time and temperature of cure. The conversion degree of crosslinking increased with time and temperature. Additionally, the activation energy and reaction order were calculated by the Freeman–Carrol relation and showed a dependence on the conversion degree of crosslinking. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2089–2094, 1999     

High‐density polyethylene/carbon black conductive composites. II. Effect of electron beam irradiation on relationship between resistivity–temperature behavior and volume expansion

A study on the contribution of thermal volume expansion to electrical properties is carried out for high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/carbon black (CB) composites irradiated by an electron beam. The results show that the volume expansion obviously generates the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) characteristic of resistivity for unirradiated HDPE/CB composites, but the contribution of volume expansion is decreased for crosslinked HDPE in the composites by electron beam irradiation. A higher degree of crosslinking produced by irradiation in the molten state limits the movability of HDPE chains and CB particles so effectively that it decreases the PTC intensity, which is compared with that irradiated at room temperature. It is suggested that the differences in the resistivity–temperature behavior are not explained satisfactorily on only the basis of the thermal volume expansion, and the decreased movability of HDPE chains and CB particles are believed to be the most fatal factors in lowering the PTC effect. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 3117–3122, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10050     

Surfactant effects on hydrate formation in an unstirred gas/liquid system: Amendments to the previous study using HFC-32 and sodium dodecyl sulfate

This paper reports a set of experimental data of clathrate-hydrate formation from HFC-32 (difluoromethane) gas in contact with an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This supersedes the corresponding data that we previously reported in this journal [Watanabe et al., 2005. Surfactant effects on hydrate formation in an unstirred gas/liquid system: an experimental study using HFC-32 and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Chemical Engineering Science 60, 4846-4857] with the new data reported herein, because of a suspicion of hydrate plugging occurring in the gas-feed line of our experimental system used to obtain the previous data. The new data show much higher levels in both the hydrate formation rate and the final water-to-hydrate conversion ratio as compared to the previous data. Neither the hydrate formation rate nor the water-to-hydrate conversion ratio exhibited a significant change with the SDS concentration in the aqueous phase over the range from 1000 to 4000 ppm.     

Impact of some organic acids on correcting iron chlorosis in two soybean genotypes grown in calcareous soil

Iron chlorosis is widespread in many plants grown in calcareous soil and induces economic losses in crop production. In Egypt, this phenomenon commonly occurs, particularly in the north-western coastal zones adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. The remedy of iron chlorosis is accordingly crucial. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse to evaluate some organic acids for enhancing the Fe status and correcting iron chlorosis in two soybean genotypes. Results showed that the ameliorative effect of organic acids depends on its type, level added, soybean genotype and Fe levels. Citric and salicylic acid were more pronounced in improving the dry matter, chlorophyll content, ferrous leave content, Fe and Zn uptake by two soybean genotypes. Therefore, they were better suited for iron chlorosis recovery than caffeic acid. Also, salicylic and citric acid increased ⁵⁹Fe content in shoot and the percentage of Fe derived from fertilizer (y% for crawford and clark genotype, respectively.