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Bulk Properties (bulk + property)
Selected AbstractsPredicting the tautomeric equilibrium of acetylacetone in solution.JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2010Abstract This study investigates how the various components (method, basis set, and treatment of solvent effects) of a theoretical approach influence the relative energies between keto and enol forms of acetylacetone, which is an important model system to study the solvent effects on chemical equilibria from experiment and theory. The computations show that the most popular density functional theory (DFT) approaches, such as B3LYP overestimate the stability of the enol form with respect to the keto form by ,10 kJ mol,1, whereas the very promising SCS-MP2 approach is underestimating it. MP2 calculations indicate that in particular the basis set size is crucial. The Dunning Huzinaga double , basis (D95z(d,p)) used in previous studies overestimates the stability of the keto form considerably as does the popular split-valence plus polarization (SVP) basis. Bulk properties of the solvent included by continuum approaches strongly stabilize the keto form, but they are not sufficient to reproduce the reversal in stabilities measured by low-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance experiments in freonic solvents. Enthalpic and entropic effects further stabilize the keto form, however, the reversal is only obtained if also molecular effects are taken into account. Such molecular effects seem to influence only the energy difference between the keto and the enol forms. Trends arising due to variation in the dielectric constant of the solvent result from bulk properties of the solvent, i.e., are already nicely described by continuum approaches. As such this study delivers a deep insight into the abilities of various approaches to describe solvent effects on chemical equilibria. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010 [source] Formation of Boron-doped region using spin-on dopant: investigation on the impact of metallic impuritiesPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 5 2008J. Jourdan Abstract Investigation on the electrical properties of p+ -doped regions formed by spin-on-dopant (SOD) technique was achieved. Using this technique, boron-diffused regions were formed on both p-type and n-type float zone wafers. Homogeneous sheet resistances were obtained for both types of wafers. Bulk properties were investigated by measuring effective carrier lifetime. An iron contamination was observed after the boron diffusion step and interstitial iron concentrations were deduced from lifetime measurements. More investigations proved that the iron was initially present within the SOD film. A phosphorus diffusion allows to remove this bulk contamination, leading to an improvement of effective lifetime values. Nevertheless, the corresponding emitter saturation current density was estimated on n-type wafers and presented a high value. It is likely that this poor electrical quality is the consequence of a high iron concentration which remains in the diffused region. Some possibilities are suggested to avoid or to limit this contamination. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Magnetic susceptibility: Further insights into macroscopic and microscopic fields and the sphere of LorentzCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 1 2003C.J. Durrant Abstract To make certain quantitative interpretations of spectra from NMR experiments carried out on heterogeneous samples, such as cells and tissues, we must be able to estimate the magnetic and electric fields experienced by the resonant nuclei of atoms in the sample. Here, we analyze the relationships between these fields and the fields obtained by solving the Maxwell equations that describe the bulk properties of the materials present. This analysis separates the contribution to these fields of the molecule in which the atom in question is bonded, the "host" fields, from the contribution of all the other molecules in the system, the "external" fields. We discuss the circumstances under which the latter can be found by determining the macroscopic fields in the sample and then removing the averaged contribution of the host molecule. We demonstrate that the results produced by the, so-called, "sphere of Lorentz" construction are of general validity in both static and time-varying cases. This analytic construct, however, is not "mystical" and its justification rests not on any sphericity in the system but on the local uniformity and isotropy, i.e., spherical symmetry, of the medium when averaged over random microscopic configurations. This local averaging is precisely that which defines the equations that describe the macroscopic fields. Hence, the external microscopic fields, in a suitably averaged sense, can be estimated from the macroscopic fields. We then discuss the calculation of the external fields and that of the resonant nucleus in NMR experiments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 18A: 72,95, 2003 [source] Solvent-Resistant PDMS Microfluidic Devices with Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymer CoatingsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 23 2009Bo-Yeol Kim Abstract This study presents a method for the fabrication of solvent-resistant poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices by coating the microfluidic channel with a hybrid inorganic/organic polymer (HR4). This modification dramatically increases the resistance of PDMS microfluidic channels to various solvents, because it leads to a significant reduction in the rate of solvent absorption and consequent swelling. The compatibility of modified PDMS with a wide range of solvents is investigated by evaluating the swelling ratio measured through weight changes in a standard block. The HR4-modified PDMS microfluidic device can be applied to the formation of water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The generation of organic solvent droplets with high monodispersity in the microfluidic device without swelling problems is demonstrated. The advantage of this proposed method is that it can be used to rapidly fabricate microfluidic devices using the bulk properties of PDMS, while also increasing their resistance to various organic solvents. This high compatibility with a variety of solvents of HR4-modified PDMS can expand the application of microfluidic systems to many research fields. [source] Photoluminescence-Based Sensing With Porous Silicon Films, Microparticles, and NanoparticlesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 20 2009Michael J. Sailor Abstract Here, chemical sensors made from porous Si are reviewed, with an emphasis on systems that harness photoluminescence and related energy- and charge-transfer mechanisms available to porous Si-derived nanocrystallites. Quenching of luminescence by molecular adsorbates involves the harvesting of energy from a delocalized nanostructure that can be much larger than the molecule being sensed, providing a means to amplify the sensory event. The interaction of chemical species on the surface of porous Si can exert a pronounced influence on this process, and examples of some of the key chemical reactions that modify either the surface or the bulk properties of porous Si are presented. Sensors based on micron-scale and smaller porous Si particles are also discussed. Miniaturization to this size regime enables new applications, including imaging of cancerous tissues, indirect detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and controlled drug release. Examples of environmental and in vivo sensing systems enabled by porous Si are provided. [source] Uniform Nonspherical Colloidal Particles with Tunable Shapes,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 15 2007J.-W. Kim A framework for large-scale synthesis of a variety of uniform nonspherical particle types (see figure) is introduced. The technique involves controlling the directionality of phase separations in the seeded-polymerization technique by manipulating the crosslinking density gradients of the dimer seed particles, thus allowing the obtainment of novel nonspherical particle shapes and the production of sufficient quantities to characterize their bulk properties. [source] Technique for Preparing Ultrafine Nanocrystalline Bulk Material of Pure Rare-Earth Metals,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 9 2006X. Song Ultrafine nanocrystalline bulk material of pure rare-earth metals has been prepared using a combination of inert gas condensation and spark plasma sintering (see figure). Some of the bulk properties such as the microhardness and specific heat capacity are remarkably improved compared to the conventional polycrystalline material. This new preparation technique enables the preparation and study of a variety of other nanostructured metal materials. [source] A focusing Laue diffractometer for the investigation of bulk crystalsJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2008Matthias Stockmeier A focusing Laue diffractometer for high-energy X-rays of up to 300,keV in a laboratory environment is presented. The long attenuation length for X-ray energies above 50,keV allows for the non-destructive investigation of structural issues and bulk properties of single crystals. Furthermore, massive sample environments such as high-temperature furnaces can be used more easily. With an area detector, anisotropic mosaicities or crystallite structure become visible without any rocking movement of the sample. [source] Optical and thermo electrical properties of ZnO nano particle filled polystyreneJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Mulayam S. Gaur Abstract The study of optical and thermally stimulated electrical properties such as optical band gap, refractive index, X-ray spectra, SEM spectra, thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been undertaken in ZnO nanoparicle filled polystyrene nanocomposite thin film of 30 ,m thickness. The appearance of single TSDC peak at temperature 408 ± 5 K in nanocomposite samples shows the charge carriers injected from deeper trapping levels. It is due to the modification of surface and bulk properties of polystyrene by filling of ZnO nanoparticles. In other hand, the strong interaction of nanoparticles with polymer matrix is the expected reason of improvement of crystallite size, optical energy band gap, refractive index, TSDC, glass transition temperature, and charge storage. It is confirmed from SEM images that the modifications of these properties are caused by creation of clusters in amorphous,crystalline boundaries of pristine polystyrene. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Predicting the tautomeric equilibrium of acetylacetone in solution.JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2010Abstract This study investigates how the various components (method, basis set, and treatment of solvent effects) of a theoretical approach influence the relative energies between keto and enol forms of acetylacetone, which is an important model system to study the solvent effects on chemical equilibria from experiment and theory. The computations show that the most popular density functional theory (DFT) approaches, such as B3LYP overestimate the stability of the enol form with respect to the keto form by ,10 kJ mol,1, whereas the very promising SCS-MP2 approach is underestimating it. MP2 calculations indicate that in particular the basis set size is crucial. The Dunning Huzinaga double , basis (D95z(d,p)) used in previous studies overestimates the stability of the keto form considerably as does the popular split-valence plus polarization (SVP) basis. Bulk properties of the solvent included by continuum approaches strongly stabilize the keto form, but they are not sufficient to reproduce the reversal in stabilities measured by low-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance experiments in freonic solvents. Enthalpic and entropic effects further stabilize the keto form, however, the reversal is only obtained if also molecular effects are taken into account. Such molecular effects seem to influence only the energy difference between the keto and the enol forms. Trends arising due to variation in the dielectric constant of the solvent result from bulk properties of the solvent, i.e., are already nicely described by continuum approaches. As such this study delivers a deep insight into the abilities of various approaches to describe solvent effects on chemical equilibria. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010 [source] Mixing of two binary nonequilibrium phases in one dimensionAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009Kjetil B. Haugen Abstract The mixing of nonequilibrium phases has important applications in improved oil recovery and geological CO2 -storage. The rate of mixing is often controlled by diffusion and modeling requires diffusion coefficients at subsurface temperature and pressure. High-pressure diffusion coefficients are commonly inferred from changes in bulk properties as two phases equilibrate in a PVT cell. However, models relating measured quantities to diffusion coefficients usually ignore convective mass transport. This work presents a comprehensive model of mixing of two nonequilibrium binary phases in one-dimension. Mass transport due to bulk velocity triggered by compressibility and nonideality is taken into account. Ignoring this phenomenon violates local mass balance and does not allow for changes in phase volumes. Simulations of two PVT cell experiments show that models ignoring bulk velocity may significantly overestimate the diffusion coefficients. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Physical characterization of component particles included in dry powder inhalers.JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2007Abstract Characteristics of particles included in dry powder inhalers is extended from our previous report (in this journal) to include properties related to their dynamic performance. The performance of dry powder aerosols for pulmonary delivery is known to depend on fluidization and dispersion which reflects particle interactions in static powder beds. Since the solid state, surface/interfacial chemistry and static bulk properties were assessed previously, it remains to describe dynamic performance with a view to interpreting the integrated database. These studies result in complex data matrices from which correlations between specific properties and performance may be deduced. Lactose particles were characterized in terms of their dynamic flow, powder and aerosol electrostatics, and aerodynamic performance with respect to albuterol aerosol dispersion. There were clear correlations between flow properties and aerosol dispersion that would allow selection of lactose particles for formulation. Moreover, these properties can be related to data reported earlier on the morphological and surface properties of the carrier lactose particles. The proposed series of analytical approaches to the evaluation of powders for inclusion in aerosol products has merit and may be the basis for screening and ultimately predicting particle performance with a view to formulation optimization. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 96: 1302,1319, 2007 [source] Characterization of Azerbaijani and Croatian brown naphthalaneJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 13 2005Andja Alajbeg Abstract In spite of the fact that noncolored (nonaromatic) naphthalane containing high sterane content has been proved as bioactive and efficient in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris, brown naphthalanes, which contain aromatics, are still in use. Thousands of patients, who have been passing through the therapy, deserve thorough and permanent study of brown naphthalanes. For that reason, two frequently used brown naphthalane preparations, one of the Azerbaijani (N1) and the other of the Croatian (N2) origin, were studied. The samples underwent the study by means of GC, OT LC, and normal-phase HPLC, as separation techniques. In addition, some bulk properties, elemental composition, and group composition by 1H NMR were determined. GC-MS served in compound types, especially in sterane detection. Both of the samples were found to be unresolved complex mixtures, relatively poor in n -alkanes. Isoalkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic compounds, in a great variety of isomers and homologs, made the majority of both of the samples. N1 was a dark, viscous, nontransparent fluid with a strong petroleum smell. Aromatics, which made 53% mass by OT LC and 54% mass by 1H NMR were found to be composed of mono-, di-, and tri+-aromatic compounds. Tri+-aromatic compounds were three to four times more abundant in N1 than in N2. Beside hydrocarbons, N1 comprised some organic compounds with polar functional groups. Also, some asphaltenes were found in it. N1 contained well-presented steranes, which are thought to be bioactive naphthalane ingredients. N2 was a pale brown liquid, with smell similar to gasoline. It contained somewhat lower percentage of aromatics (46% mass) and comparatively lower percentage of tri+ fused aromatics among which carcinogens might be expected. N2 was almost purely composed of hydrocarbons. It seemed to contain low content of steranes due to relatively low upper temperature of the distillation range applied in N2 preparation. [source] Fabrication of a novel micron scale Y-structure-based chiral metamaterial: Simulation and experimental analysis of its chiral and negative index properties in the terahertz and microwave regimesMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 6 2007Nantakan Wongkasem Abstract In this report, we describe the fabrication of a chiral metamaterial based on a periodic array of Y-shaped Al structures on a dielectric Mylar substrate. The unit cell dimensions of the Y-structure are ,100 ,m on a side with 8 ,m linewidths. The fabricated Y-structure elements are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Quantitative elemental analyses were carried out on both the Y-structure, comprised of Al and its oxide, as well as adjacent regions of the underlying mylar substrate using the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) capability of the SEM. Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) calculations of the negative index of refraction for a 3D wedge of multiple layers of the 2D metamaterials showed that these metamaterials possess double negative (,,,,,) electromagnetic bulk properties at THz frequencies. The same negative index of refraction was determined for a wedge comprised of appropriately scaled larger Y-structures simulated in the microwave region. This double negative property was confirmed experimentally by microwave measurements on a 3D wedge comprised of stacked and registered Y-structure sheets. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Spatial orientation of nanoclay and crystallite in microcellular injection molded polyamide-6 nanocompositesPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Mingjun Yuan Three different types of characteristic structures-microcells, nanoclay, and crystallite lamella-exist in injection molded polyamide-6 microcellular nanocomposites. These structures are in completely different scales. The spatial orientation of these microscale structures crucially determines the material's bulk properties. Based on scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and two-dimensional X-ray diffractometry measurements, it was found that the nanoclay and the crystallite formed special geometric structures around the microcells and near the part skins. The nanoclay platelets lay almost parallel to the surfaces of the molded parts. Preferred orientation of the crystallites was induced by the presence of the nanoclay. A molecular-based model is proposed to describe the structural hierarchy and correlations among the microcells, nanoclay, and crystallite lamella. From the small-angle X-ray scattering experiments, it was found that microcellular injection molding produces relatively smaller crystallite lamella than that of conventional injection molding, and that for both solid and microcellular neat resin parts the crystallite lamella thickness at the part skin is smaller than that at the core. Polarized optical microscopy results also indicated that the size of crystallites in the microcellular neat resin and nanocomposite parts is smaller than that in the corresponding solid parts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:765,779, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Enhancing the cell affinity of macroporous poly(L -lactide) cell scaffold by a convenient surface modification methodPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2003Jian Yang Abstract In this study, the macroporous poly(L -lactide) (PLLA) cell scaffold was modified for enhancing its cell affinity by an improved surface-treating medium, a mixture of aqueous 0.25 M NaOH/ethanol. Ethanol was applied as a co-treating medium to wet the polylactone and assist the hydroxide nucleophilic attack on the ester bond. Low concentration of NaOH could be applied, severe bulk degradation could be avoided and the residual alkali was easy to remove. Treating time could also be shortened. After treatment under optimal conditions, the surface hydrophilicity and surface energy of PLLA were improved significantly and the surface roughness was also changed. Modification of the spherulite structure on PLLA surface was observed with the treating time using a computer-assisted image analysis system (CAIAS). The results of gel permeation chromatography measurements indicated that only the outer layer of the PLLA was modified and the bulk properties were not altered. Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts culture results indicated that the improved surface-treating medium was effective and convenient for enhancing the cell affinity of PLLA cell scaffold. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Modelling of thin polymer filmsPROCEEDINGS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS & MECHANICS, Issue 1 2005Michael Johlitz If we bond substrates like metal sheets by a thin polymer film we know about the existence of a boundary layer between the polymer and the substrate. The properties of this boundary layer differ from the bulk properties and influence the overall behavior of the bond. Here we present a mechanical theory based on a scalar-valued order parameter that allows us to describe these effects. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Mesoscale simulations of organized convection: Importance of convective equilibriumTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 616 2006J. M. Done Abstract The validity of convective parametrization breaks down at the resolution of mesoscale models, and the success of parametrized versus explicit treatments of convection is likely to depend on the large-scale environment. In this paper we examine the hypothesis that a key feature determining the sensitivity to the environment is whether the forcing of convection is sufficiently homogeneous and slowly varying that the convection can be considered to be in equilibrium. Two case studies of mesoscale convective systems over the UK, one where equilibrium conditions are expected and one where equilibrium is unlikely, are simulated using a mesoscale forecasting model. The time evolution of area-average convective available potential energy and the time evolution and magnitude of the timescale of convective adjustment are consistent with the hypothesis of equilibrium for case 1 and non-equilibrium for case 2. For each case, three experiments are performed with different partitionings between parametrized and explicit convection: fully parametrized convection, fully explicit convection and a simulation with significant amounts of both. In the equilibrium case, bulk properties of the convection such as area-integrated rain rates are insensitive to the treatment of convection. However, the detailed structure of the precipitation field changes; the simulation with parametrized convection behaves well and produces a smooth field that follows the forcing region, and the simulation with explicit convection has a small number of localized intense regions of precipitation that track with the mid-levelflow. For the non-equilibrium case, bulk properties of the convection such as area-integrated rain rates are sensitive to the treatment of convection. The simulation with explicit convection behaves similarly to the equilibrium case with a few localized precipitation regions. In contrast, the cumulus parametrization fails dramatically and develops intense propagating bows of precipitation that were not observed. The simulations with both parametrized and explicit convection follow the pattern seen in the other experiments, with a transition over the duration of the run from parametrized to explicit precipitation. The impact of convection on the large-scaleflow, as measured by upper-level wind and potential-vorticity perturbations, is very sensitive to the partitioning of convection for both cases. © Royal Meteorological Society, 2006. Contributions by P. A. Clark and M. E. B. Gray are Crown Copyright. [source] The Study of Molecular Modeling for Heavy Oil Thermal CrackingCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 9 2007L. Yan Abstract The tighter specifications for refining products have gradually led refineries to focus on the molecular modeling of petroleum processing. In this work, a systematic methodology is presented for the molecular modeling of heavy oil thermal cracking (HOTC). This research which is based on a microscopic understanding provides a basis to achieve better design, management, optimization, and control of HOTC. The molecular information of HOTC product streams is represented in the form of a MTHS (molecular type homologous series) matrix. From consideration of the complexity of structural isomers in heavy petroleum fractions, the heavy molecules in a homologous series are grouped to reduce the dimension of the MTHS matrix. Transformation correlations are developed to capture the molecular properties of each homologous series in the MTHS matrix and to interrelate the molecular composition and bulk properties of the product streams. The HOTC process model was built on the basis of the molecular representation provided by the MTHS matrix and the transformation correlations. Two case studies are illustrated for validation of the proposed model and methodology. [source] Role of Capping Ligands on the Nanoparticles in the Modulation of Properties of a Hybrid Matrix of Nanoparticles in a 2D Film and in a Supramolecular OrganogelCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 36 2009Asish Pal Dr. Abstract We incorporate various gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capped with different ligands in two-dimensional films and three-dimensional aggregates derived from N -stearoyl- L -alanine and N -lauroyl- L -alanine, respectively. The assemblies of N -stearoyl- L -alanine afforded stable films at the air,water interface. More compact assemblies were formed upon incorporation of AuNPs in the air,water interface of N -stearoyl- L -alanine. We then examined the effects of incorporation of various AuNPs functionalized with different capping ligands in three-dimensional assemblies of N -lauroyl- L -alanine, a compound that formed a gel in hydrocarbons. The profound influence of nanoparticle incorporation into physical gels was evident from evaluation of various microscopic and bulk properties. The interaction of AuNPs with the gelator assembly was found to depend critically on the capping ligands protecting the Au surface of the gold nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed a long-range directional assembly of certain AuNPs along the gel fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the freeze-dried gels and nanocomposites indicate that the morphological transformation in the composite microstructures depends significantly on the capping agent of the nanoparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that gel formation from sol occurred at a lower temperature upon incorporation of AuNPs having capping ligands that were able to align and noncovalently interact with the gel fibers. Rheological studies indicate that the gel,nanoparticle composites exhibit significantly greater viscoelasticity compared to the native gel alone when the capping ligands are able to interact through interdigitation into the gelator assembly. Thus, it was possible to define a clear relationship between the materials and the molecular-level properties by means of manipulation of the information inscribed on the NP surface. [source] CO Combustion on Supported Gold ClustersCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 9 2006Matthias Arenz Dr. Abstract Recent progress in the understanding of the fascinating catalysis of CO combustion by supported gold particles is summarized. Focusing on size-selected gold clusters consisting of only a few atoms, that is, the size regime with properties nonscalable from the bulk properties, we discuss the current knowledge of the different factors controlling the reactivity at the molecular level. These factors include the role of the oxide support, its defects, cluster charging as well as the structural fluxionality of clusters, the cluster size dependency, and the promotional effect of water. By combining experimental results with quantum mechanical ab initio calculations, a detailed picture of the reaction mechanism emerges. While similar mechanisms might be active for gold nanoparticles in the scalable size regime, it is shown that for different systems (defined by the cluster size, the support, experimental conditions, etc.) the reaction mechanism differs and, hence, no generalized explanation for the catalytic driving force of small gold particles can be given. [source] Characterization of combustion-derived individual fine particulates by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopyAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 11 2009Lian Zhang Abstract Particulate matter (PM) emission from the combustion of solid fuels potentially poses a severe threat to the environment. In this article, a novel approach was developed to examine the properties of individual particles in PM. With this method, PM emitted from combustion was first size-segregated. Subsequently, each size was characterized by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) for both bulk property and single particle analysis. Combustion of bituminous coal, dried sewage sludge (DSS) and their mixture were conducted at 1200°C in a laboratory-scale drop tube furnace. Three individual sizes smaller than 2.5 ,m were investigated. The results indicate that a prior size-segregation can greatly minimize the particle size contrast and phase contrast on the backscattered images during CCSEM analysis. Consequently, high accuracy can be achieved for quantifying the sub-micron particles and their inherent volatile metals. Regarding the PM properties as attained, concentrations of volatile metals including Na, K, and Zn have a negative relationship with particle size; they are enriched in the smallest particles around 0.11 ,m as studied here. Strong interactions can occur during the cofiring of coal and DSS, leading to the distinct properties of PM emitted from cofiring. The method developed here and results attained from it are helpful for management of the risks relating to PM emission during coal-fired boilers. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Plasma-induced grafting of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) onto chitosan membranes by a swelling methodPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2003Yeping Li Abstract Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was grafted onto chitosan membranes by plasma-graft polymerization. Effects of monomer concentration, plasma power and plasma time on the amount of grafting were investigated. The results showed that there were two processes: grafting polymerization and etching of the membrane. The surface of the grafted membrane was evaluated by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the surface morphology of the grafted membrane could be adjusted through plasma power. Water contact angles of the chitosan surface decreased from 78.2° to 45.4° while the amount of grafting increased from 0 to 12.2%, indicating improved hydrophilicity of the membrane surface. Permeation coefficients through the original membrane, the membrane treated at 55,W for 15,min, and the membrane treated at 55,W for 30,min for creatinine were 9.12,×,10,7, 10.6,×,10,7 and 8.57,×,10,7,cm2,s,1, respectively. Thermogravimetry and mechanical testing showed that there were no significant changes on the bulk property of chitosan membrane after modification. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | |||||||||||||||||||