Various Compositions (various + composition)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Phenol-Castor Oil: Modified Peel for Dermal Melasma

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2006
THADA PIAMPHONGSANT MD
BACKGROUND Deep type of melasma is difficult to treat. Various compositions for peeling have been formulated to accomplish this. OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to determine the safe use of the new formula, which was composed of phenol and castor oil. METHODS Different concentrations of phenol and castor oil were mixed in five formulations, and the solutions were tested on the forearms of 10 volunteers. The application time was 1 minute, different from that of the original phenol-croton oil. Formula 4 was found to cause a high effect of peeling with least side effects and was used to treat deep facial melasma in 30 patients. RESULTS Higher concentrations of castor oil produced more inflammation when mixed with phenol. Formula 4 was used to clear two cases of melasma in 1 week despite no effect from prior use of a modified antimelasma cream, while some degree of fading was noted in other cases. The total number of different melasma indices was reduced from 206.4 to 91.2 in 30 patients. Hyperpigmentation was noted in five cases and hypopigmentation in one case. Neither scar formation nor cardiac arrhythmia was observed. CONCLUSION A phenol-castor oil peel with an application time of 1 minute reduces pigments in the deep type of melasma with least side effects and a high efficiency when combined with an antimelasma cream. The safe formula and the technique of application are introduced. [source]


Development of a liquid enzyme-based ceruminolytic product

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 11 2008
Nuria Jimenez
Abstract Various compositions for removal of human cerumen are marketed but they are not very effective. Therefore, a proteolytic enzyme-based ceruminolytic product was developed containing the enzyme, methyl trypsin, and sodium bicarbonate. Efficacy was optimized based on in vitro testing using both human and artificial cerumen preparations. Both qualitative (visual observation) and quantitative (spectrophotometric) assessments of ceruminolytic efficacy were employed. Optimal enzyme stability was observed for the aqueous formulation at pH 4, while greater ceruminolytic efficacy was observed at pH 8. The optimal concentration range of enzyme was 150,300 absorbance U/mL based on efficacy and stability considerations. An aqueous formulation containing both methyl trypsin and sodium bicarbonate was shown to be more effective than two commercial products, Murine® Ear Wax Removal Drops and Cerumenex® Ear Drops. A two-part packaging system was employed to provide adequate shelf-life. Long-term stability studies confirmed that the formulation maintained >75% enzyme stability for 24 months at 5 and 25°C and after reconstitution at room temperature for up to 1 day. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:4970,4982, 2008 [source]


New fluorene-based copolymers containing oxadiazole pendant groups: Synthesis, characterization, and polymer stability

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 18 2009
Dmitrij Bondarev
Abstract A series of fluorene-based copolymers containing hole blocking/electron transporting diphenyloxadiazole units were synthesized by means of Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of selected aromatic dibromo- and diboronato- derivatives catalyzed with a Pd(PPh3)4 catalyst. All of the copolymers with various composition of main-chain units were characterized by SEC chromatography, NMR, UV,vis, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy, and DSC. The emission stability of fluorene copolymers was improved by the replacement of alkyl groups on the C-9 carbon of fluorene with aryl groups or by the incorporation of anthracene units into the copolymer main chain. A comparison of luminescence properties of pristine and annealed thin layers of studied copolymers was performed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4532,4546, 2009 [source]


Optical bandgap and quantum well model in hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbon alloy films

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003
D.K. BasaArticle first published online: 14 JAN 200
Abstract Hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbon alloy (a-SiC : H) films of various composition were prepared by the rf glow discharge decomposition of acetylene and silane as well as ethylene and silane and were also annealed for various annealing temperatures. Careful and detailed IR absorption and the optical bandgap (Eopt) measurements were undertaken for a-SiC : H films of different composition (x) and annealing temperatures (Ta). Interesting variation of Eopt with x and Ta have been observed. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that the models involving alloying or/and ordering break down and the proposed quantum well model based on heterogeneity is found to be the only model capable of explaining the observed variation of Eopt. This, consequently, may have considerable implications. [source]


Valorization of poly(butylene terephthalate) wastes by blending with virgin polypropylene: Effect of the composition and the compatibilization

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 8 2008
Najoua Barhoumi
Blends of recycled poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) parts obtained from scrapped cars, and virgin polypropylene (PP), were prepared in a twin-screw extruder at different compositions. Selected compositions were also prepared with the presence of ethylene- co -glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (E-GMA) and ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (E-MA-GMA) compatibilizers. The effect of the composition and the type of compatibilizer, as well as the mixing conditions, on the morphology phase, thermal, viscoelastic behavior, and mechanical properties of the blends has been investigated. Blends PP/PBT of various composition exhibit a coarse morphology and a poor adherence between both phases, resulting in the decrease of ductility, whereas at weak deformation, PBT reinforced the tensile properties of PP. Addition of E-GMA and E-MA-GMA to the PP/PBT blend exhibited a significant change in morphology and improved ductility because of interfacial reactions between PBT end chains and epoxy groups of GMA that generate EG- g -PBT copolymer. Moreover, thermal and viscoelastic study indicated that the miscibility of PP and PBT has been improved further and the reactions were identified. The E-MA-GMA results in the best improvement of ductility. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Ion-Selective Electrodes for Thiocyanate Based on the Dinuclear Zinc(II) Complex of a Bis- N,O -bidentate Schiff Base

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 12 2004
Philippe Bühlmann
Abstract An ion selective electrode based on the dinuclear complex formed by two zinc(II) ions and two molecules of the bis- N,O -bidentate Schiff base 2,2,-[methylenebis(4,1-phenylenenitrilomethylidyne)]bisphenol exhibits thiocyanate selectivity with a good discrimination of nitrite, nitrate, and azide. The selectivities of electrode membranes with various compositions indicate that this potentiometric selectivity is based on the formation of a 1,:,1 complex between the thiocyanate anion and the dinuclear ionophore. The 2,:,1 ratio of thiocyanate ions and the dinuclear ionophore that results from higher ratios of cationic sites and ionophore worsens the selectivity, suggesting that binding of a thiocyanate to both zinc(II) centers of the dinuclear ionophore is not favorable. Interestingly, the selectivity patterns of these electrodes differ radically from that of a highly sulfate selective electrode based on a compound reported previously to be the analogous mononuclear 1,:,1 complex of zinc(II) and the same Schiff base. It is suggested that the previously reported 1,:,1 complex with zinc(II) may indeed have been a polymer of the same elemental composition. [source]


Synchrotron X-ray reflectivity studies of nanoporous organosilicate thin films with low dielectric constants

JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2007
Weontae Oh
Quantitative, non-destructive X-ray reflectivity analysis using synchrotron radiation sources was successfully performed on nanoporous dielectric thin films prepared by thermal processing of blend films of a thermally curable polymethylsilsesquioxane dielectric precursor and a thermally labile triethoxysilyl-terminated six-arm poly(,-caprolactone) porogen in various compositions. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy analysis were carried out. These measurements provided important structural information about the nanoporous films. The thermal process used in this study was found to cause the porogen molecules to undergo efficiently sacrificial thermal degradation, generating closed, spherical nanopores in the dielectric film. The resultant nanoporous films exhibited a homogeneous, well defined structure with a thin skin layer and low surface roughness. In particular, no skin layer was formed in the porous film imprinted using a porogen loading of 30,wt%. The film porosities ranged from 0 to 33.8% over the porogen loading range of 0,30,wt%. [source]


Inhibitory effect of osmotic concentration, potassium and pH on motility of the sperm of the North American burbot Lota lota maculosa

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
M. D. Zuccarelli
Seminal plasma factors maintaining North American (NA) burbot Lota lota maculosa sperm quiescent were examined. Sperm were diluted into buffered saline solutions of various compositions and motility assessed. After 1 h in these solutions at 10° C, aliquots of the suspension were diluted with tap water and motility again assessed. Dilution of sperm in an incubation solution containing Ca2+ in the absence of K+ initiated sperm motility resulting in low motility when sperm were subsequently diluted in tap water. Incubation solutions with osmolalities >200 mOsm kg,1 and containing 12·5 mM K+ prevented the onset of sperm motility and were associated with maximal sperm motility upon dilution in tap water. Sperm maintained at lower osmolalities exhibited limited motility upon dilution in tap water indicating interdependence between K+ and osmolality in maintaining sperm quiescent in the presence of Ca2+. Sperm kept in incubation solution at pH values < c. 7·5 for 1 h demonstrated reduced motility when subsequently diluted in tap water. That motility of sperm was pH sensitive was further indicated by CO2 inhibition of motility. Therefore, NA burbot sperm are probably maintained in an immotile state, yet with potential for motility, by combination of high K+, osmolality and possibly pH. The results from this study differ from published information on sperm quiescence in the temporally and geographically distinct Eurasian burbot Lota lota lota. [source]


Lyophilised liposome-based formulations of ,-tocopheryl succinate: Preparation and physico-chemical characterisation

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2010
pán Koudelka
Abstract ,-Tocopheryl succinate (,-TOS) is a semisynthetic analogue of ,-tocopherol with selective toxicity to the cancer cells and anticancer activity in vivo. Yet, no suitable formulation of ,-TOS for medical application has been reported. Various formulations, for example, solutions in organic solvents, oil emulsions and vesicules prepared by spontaneous vesiculation, polyethylene glycol conjugates and liposomes of various compositions have been tested. We developed and characterised a stable lyophilised liposome-based ,-TOS formulation. ,-TOS (15,mol%) was incorporated into large oligolamellar vesicles (OLVs) composed of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) by the method of lipid film hydration followed by extrusion through polycarbonate filters. Stabilised liposomal formulation was prepared by lyophilisation in the presence of sucrose (molar ratio lipid/sucrose, 1:5). The size distribution of the liposomes (130,140,nm, polydispersity index 0.14) as well as the stable lipid and ,-TOS contents were preserved during storage in the lyophilised form at 2,8°C for at least 6 months. The data indicate good physical and chemical stability of the lyophilised preparation of ,-TOS liposomes that can be used in clinical medicine. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2434,2443, 2010 [source]


Skin Permeation of Testosterone and its Ester Derivatives in Rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2000
MI-KYEONG KIM
To establish the optimum conditions for improving the transdermal delivery of testosterone, we studied the relationship between the lipophilicity of testosterone ester derivatives and the rat skin permeation rate of testosterone. We performed a rat skin permeation study of testosterone and its commercially available ester derivatives, testosterone hemisuccinate, testosterone propionate and testosterone-17,-cypionate, using an ethanol/water co-solvent system. The aqueous solubility and rat skin permeation rate of each drug, saturated in various compositions of an ethanol/water system, was determined at 37°C. The aqueous solubility of testosterone and its ester derivatives increased exponentially as the volume fraction of ethanol increased up to 100% (v/v). The stability of testosterone propionate in both the skin homogenate and the extract was investigated to observe the enzymatic degradation during the skin permeation process. Testosterone propionate was found to be stable in the isotonic buffer solution and in the epidermis-side extract for 10 h at 37°C. However, in the skin homogenate and the dermis-side extract testosterone propionate rapidly degraded producing testosterone, implying that testosterone propionate rapidly degraded to testosterone during the skin permeation process. The steady-state permeation rates of testosterone in the ethanol/water systems increased exponentially as the volume fraction of ethanol increased, reaching the maximum value (2.69 ± 0.69 ,g cm,2 h,1) at 70% (v/v) ethanol in water, and then decreasing with further increases in the ethanol volume fraction. However, in the skin permeation study with testosterone esters saturated in 70% (v/v) ethanol in water system, testosterone esters were hardly detected in the receptor solution, probably due to the rapid degradation to testosterone during the skin permeation process. Moreover, a parabolic relationship was observed between the permeation rate of testosterone and the log P values of ester derivatives. Maximum flux was achieved at a log P value of around 3 which corresponded to that of testosterone (log P = 3.4). The results showed that the skin permeation rate of testosterone and its ester derivatives was maximized when these compounds were saturated in a 70% ethanolic solution. It was also found that a log P value of around 3 is suitable for the skin permeation of testosterone related compounds. [source]


Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic block copolymer of polyphosphoester and poly(L -lactic acid)

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 19 2008
Xian-Zhu Yang
Abstract Aliphatic polyesters and polyphosphoesters (PPEs) have received much interest in medical applications due to their favorable biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, novel amphiphilic triblock copolymers of PPE and poly(L -lactic acid) (PLLA) with various compositions were synthesized and characterized. The blocky structure was confirmed by GPC analyses. These triblock copolymers formed micelles composed of hydrophobic PLLA core and hydrophilic PPE shell in aqueous solution. Critical micellization concentrations of these triblock copolymers were related to the polymer compositions. Incubation of micelles at neutral pH followed by GPC analyses revealed that these polymer micelles were hydrolysized and resulted in decreased molecular weights and small oligomers, whereas its degradation in basic and acid mediums was accelerated. MTT assay also demonstrated the biocompatibility against HEK293 cells. These biodegradable polymers are potential as drug carriers for biomedical application. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6425,6434, 2008 [source]


Effect of aniline formaldehyde resin on the conjugation length and structure of doped polyaniline: Spectral studies

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 14 2005
Ko-Shan Ho
Abstract A DBSA (n -dodecylbenzene sulfate)-complexed aniline formaldehyde [AF(DBSA)1.0] was successfully synthesized with excess aniline (compared with formaldehyde) in the presence of n -dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (HDBSA), which was complexed with aniline monomer before polymerization. The resin was carefully characterized with 1H and 13C NMR, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and Fourier transform infrared and was demonstrated to be a polymer in which anilines were all complexed with HDBSA and became anilinium salts. A drastic decrease of the maximum absorption wavelength (ultraviolet,visible spectra) of DBSA-doped polyaniline [PANI(DBSA)0.5] was found when AF(DBSA)1.0 was mixed, and this resulted from the reduced conjugation length. A similar effect on PANI(DBSA)0.5 was found when free HDBSAs were mixed with PANI(DBSA)0.5. Visual inspection with an optical microscope revealed that PANI(DBSA)0.5/AF(DBSA)1.0 gave uniform morphologies in various compositions, showing possible miscibility for this system. X-ray diffraction patterns of PANI(DBSA)0.5/AF(DBSA)1.0 showed that the layered structure of PANI(DBSA)0.5 was still present but became shorter in the polyblend because of the presence of AF(DBSA)1.0. Solid-state 13C NMR spectra revealed that the reduced conjugation length was derived from the interaction of alkyl groups between HDBSA, complexed DBSA, and dopant DBSAs. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3116,3125, 2005 [source]


Synthesis of ethylene/propylene elastomers containing a terminal reactive group: The combination of metallocene catalysis and control chain transfer reaction

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 9 2005
U. Kandil
Abstract This article discusses a chemical route to prepare new ethylene/propylene copolymers (EP) containing a terminal reactive group, such as ,-CH3 and OH. The chemistry involves metallocene-mediated ethylene/propylene copolymerization in the presence of a consecutive chain transfer agent,a mixture of hydrogen and styrene derivatives carrying a CH3 (p -MS) or a silane-protected OH (St-OSi). The major challenge is to find suitable reaction conditions that can simultaneously carry out effective ethylene/propylene copolymerization and incorporation of the styrenic molecule (St-f) at the polymer chain end, in other words, altering the St-f incorporation mode from copolymerization to chain transfer. A systematic study was conducted to examine several metallocene catalyst systems and reaction conditions. Both [(C5Me4)SiMe2N(t -Bu)]TiCl2 and rac-Et(Ind)2ZrCl2, under certain H2 pressures, were found to be suitable catalyst systems to perform the combined task. A broad range of St-f terminated EP copolymers (EP- t -p-MS and EP- t -St-OH), with various compositions and molecular weights, have been prepared with polymer molecular weight inversely proportional to the molar ratio of [St-f]/[monomer]. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1858,1872, 2005 [source]


Functionalization of LDPE by Melt Grafting with Glycidyl Methacrylate and Reactive Blending with Polyamide-6

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 8 2003
Qian Wei
Abstract Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was functionalized by melt radical grafting with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and employed for reactive blending with polyamide-6 (PA6). The effect of the reaction procedure on the grafting degree of LDPE- g -GMA samples (0.5,12.5 wt.-% GMA) was analyzed as a function of the concentration of GMA monomer, radical initiator (BTP), and addition of styrene as co-monomer. Optimized grafting conditions were obtained when the amount of the monomer is below 10 wt.-% and that of peroxide in the range 0.2,0.4 wt.-%. Binary blends of PA6 with LDPE- g -GMA (3.5 wt.-% GMA) and with LDPE at various compositions (80/20, 67/33, 50/50 wt.-%) were prepared in an internal mixer and their properties were evaluated by torque, SEM and DSC analyses. Morphological examination by SEM showed a large improvement of phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion in PA6/LDPE- g -GMA blends as compared with PA6/LDPE blends. The average diameter of dispersed polyolefin particles was about 0.4 ,m for LDPE- g -GMA contents <,50 wt.-%. A marked increase of melt viscosity was observed for the compatibilized blends depending on the concentration of grafted polyolefin, and it was accounted for by the reaction between the epoxy groups of GMA and the carboxyl/amine end-groups of PA6. The variation of torque was thus related to the molar ratio of reactive group concentration. The analysis of crystallization and melting behavior pointed out marked differences in the phase structure of the blends due to the presence of the functionalized polyolefin. Finally, the in situ formation of a graft copolymer between LDPE- g -GMA and PA6 was investigated by means of a selective dissolution method (Molau test) and by FT-IR and DSC analyses. SEM micrograph of fracture surface of PA6/LDPE- g -GMA 50/50 blend. [source]


Electrically Conductive Poly(DL -lactide)/Chitosan/Polypyrrole Complexes

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 12 2006
Ying Wan
Abstract Summary: The fabrication of novel conductive poly(DL -lactide)/chitosan/polypyrrole complex membranes is reported. Using poly(DL -lactide)/chitosan blends as matrices and polypyrrole as a conductive component, several kinds of membranes with various compositions are prepared. A percolation threshold of polypyrrole as low as 1.8 wt.-% is achieved for some membranes by controlling the chitosan proportion between 40 and 50 wt.-%. SEM images exhibit that the membranes with a low percolation threshold show a two-phase structure which consists of poly(DL -lactide) and chitosan phases. Dielectric measurements indicate that there is limited miscibility between the poly(DL -lactide) and chitosan but polypyrrole is nearly immiscible with the other two components. Based on the structural characteristics of the membranes, the polypyrrole particles are suggested to be localized at the interface between two phases. Dependence of conductivity of complex membranes on the PPy content. (,) PDLLA/PPy, (,) PDLLA/ch(10)/PPy, (,) PDLLA/ch(20)/PPy, (,) PDLLA/ch(30)/PPy, (,) PDLLA/ch(40)/PPy, and (,) PDLLA/ch(50)-PPy. [source]


Composition influence on positron annihilation parameters in ZnO-based nanocrystal semiconductor powders

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2007
L. C. Damonte
Abstract Zn1,xMgxO powders at various compositions were obtained by mechanical milling from the binary oxides. The progressive incorporation of Mg atoms into the ZnO lattice was monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The evolution of annihilation parameters with milling time and composition were analyzed and related to the possible types of mechanical and substitutional induced defect present. It was concluded that the average lifetime constitute a useful parameter to sense the complete cation substitution in the wurtzite structure. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Study of the modification of the properties of (PP/EPR) blends with a view to preserving natural resources when elaborating new formulation and recycling polymers

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 6 2009
Nizar Mnif
The aim of the present work is to study how CaCO3, very abundant on earth, can be blended with polypropylene/ethylene propylene rubber (PP/EPR) either to preserve natural resources when elaborating virgin formulations or to simulate mixtures of waste made of CaCO3 filled PP with PP/EPR which could result from end-of-life-vehicles (ELV). The article focuses on the studies of PP/EPR blends, used in the manufacture of automobile fenders, in the presence of nano-CaCO3 and compatibilizers. Blends of various compositions (with and without compatibilizer and nanoparticles) were prepared using a corotating twin-screw extruder. The results were compared with the ones presented by a commercial (PP/EPR) blend. The experiments included mechanical tests, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis experiments. The presence of the compatibilizers in the (PP/EPR) blends decreases the size of elastomer particles, improves the adherence to the interface and improves the mechanical properties. The nano-CaCO3 would also seem to act as a nucleating agent in the PP/EPR matrix; it increases the cristallinity and the Young modulus of the blends. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Dynamic viscoelasticity of hybrid kevlar and glass fiber reinforced LLDPE in the molten state

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 4 2002
S. A. R. Hashmi
Kevlar and glass fibers were used to reinforce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and composite sheets of 0.8, 1.5 and 2.5 mm thicknesses were obtained by using a compression molding technique. Dynamic viscoelastic properties of non-hybrid and hybrid composites of various compositions at 200°C are evaluated. Storage modulus (G,) and loss modulus (G,) increase with angular frequency (,) and reinforcement. Replacement of glass fiber by Kevlar at constant loading of fibers in LLDPE increases the value of G,, G, and ,,. The fractured surface of composite shows the gradient orientation of fibers particularly in 2.5 mm thick sheet. Top and bottom layers show relatively two-dimensional orientation as compared to the middle layer, which shows random orientation. The orientation of fibers decreases G, and ,, of Kevlar fiber and hybrid fiber hybrid fiber reinforced LLDPE composites. The effect of change in distance between parallel plate of rheometer (change in strain amplitude) on dynamic rheological properties is studied and reported here. [source]


Thermal and mechanical properties of a hydroxyl-functional dendritic hyperbranched polymer and trifunctional epoxy resin blends

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 10 2001
D. Ratna
Curing characteristics of blends of a hydroxyl-functionalized dendritic hyperbranched polymer (HBP) and a triglycidyl p-amino phenol (TGAP) epoxy resin have been studied. THe HBP strongly enhances the curing rate owing to the catalytic effect of the hydroxyl groups. THe thermal and dynamic viscoelastic behavior of the blends of various compositions (HBP content 0,20%) have been examined and compared to the neat TGAP matrix. THe glass transition temperature (Tg) gradually decreases with increase in HBP concentration. The blends show a higher impact strength compared to neat TGAP. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicates a single-phase morphology. [source]


High char-yielding poly[acrylonitrile- co -(itaconic acid)- co -(methyl acrylate)]: synthesis and properties

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2005
Renjith Devasia
Abstract Polyacrylonitrile terpolymers of various compositions consisting of acrylonitrile (AN), itaconic acid (IA) and methyl acrylate (MA) were synthesized by solution polymerization in dimethylsulfoxide. Increase in concentration of either IA or MA retarded the overall polymerization rate and the polymer molecular weight. The system consisting of AN + MA and varying IA concentration was more prone to retardation in comparison with the system composed of AN + IA with variable MA concentration. The retardation factors were quantified. Minor quantities of MA boost the reactivity of IA in the terpolymer system. The terpolymer was richer in MA vis-à-vis the feed. The thermal characteristics of the terpolymer were examined as a function of its composition. In contrast to the copolymer of AN and IA requiring 1,1.5 mol% IA, the terpolymer required an IA content of approximately 2.5 mol% for optimum thermal stability. The polymer with 90 mol% AN, 2.5 mol% IA and 7.5 mol% MA exhibited reasonably good char-forming characteristics and thermal stability. The overall crystallinity and crystallite size of the polymers were found to decrease on incorporation of the comonomers. The ,aromatization index' of the copolymer increased with the temperature of pyrolysis through re-organization of the tetrahydropyridine ladder structure. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Hydroxyapatite as a filler for biosynthetic PHB homopolymer and P(HB,HV) copolymers

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2003
Antje Bergmann
Abstract This paper deals with some of the fundamental problems encountered when using a semicrystalline polymer as the matrix phase for a particulate-filled composite. As our model system we adopted poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, PHB, and two copolymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate and (R)-3-hydroxyvalerate, P(HB,HV), for the matrix phase, and the mineral calcium hydroxyapatite as a particulate filler. The structure and properties of compression-moulded films of various compositions were investigated by polarized light microscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering and mechanical testing. It was found that the degree of crystallinity of the matrix was lower in filled samples, and that the spherulitic crystallization of the matrix appeared to cause the filler particles to form agglomerates, which would not be as effective a reinforcement as finely dispersed primary filler particles. The tensile strength, strain-to-break and tensile modulus of samples of different compositions were analysed using well-known theories for composite behaviour. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Polyurethane and sulfonated polysulfone blend ultrafiltration membranes: II.

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003
Application studies
Abstract Ultrafiltration membranes are largely being applied for macromolecular and heavy metal ion separations from aqueous streams. Polyurethane- and sulfonated- polysulfone-based membranes prepared in the absence and presence of the polymeric additive, poly(ethylene glycol) 600, in various compositions, were subjected to the rejection of macromolecular proteins, such as bovine serum albumin, egg albumin, pepsin and trypsin. Toxic heavy metal ions such as Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ were subjected to rejection by the blend membranes by complexing them with a polymeric ligand, polyethyleneimine. The effects of polymer blend compositions and additive concentrations on the rejection and permeate flux of both proteins and metal ions are discussed. The rejection and permeate flux efficiencies of the blend membranes are compared with pure sulfonated polysulfone membranes. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Metabonomic profiling of liver metabolites by gas chromatography,mass spectrometry and its application to characterizing hyperlipidemia

BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2010
Shenghua Gu
Abstract The measurement of metabolites in tissues is of great importance in metabonomic research in the biomedical sciences, providing more relevant information than is available from systemic biofluids. The liver is the most important organ/tissue for most biochemical reactions, and the metabolites in the liver are of great interest to scientists. To develop an optimized extraction method and comprehensive profiling technique for liver metabolites, organic solvents of various compositions were designed using design of experiments to extract metabolites from the liver, and the metabolites were profiled by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). The resolved peak areas were processed by principle components analysis, partial least-squares projections to latent structures, and discriminant analysis. The results suggest the highest extraction efficiency was for methanol,water, which maximized the majority of GC/TOF-MS responses. The optimal solvent was applied to extract metabolites in liver of hyperlipidemia hamster and the control. The GC/TOF-MS profiles of liver metabolites showed obvious differences between hyperlipidemic hamsters and controls. A comparison of liver and serum data from the same animals identified common biomarkers and presented complementary information. Our results suggest that liver metabonomics is a valuable technique and that the combined analysis of systematic biofluids and local tissues is meaningful and complementary, recovering more comprehensive metabonomic data than either analysis alone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]