Studies on the photochemical stability of organo phosphorus insecticides for textile mothproofing

The light stability of 0,0-diethyl-0-(4-ethylthiophenyl)phosphorothioate, a parent structure of a new class of fibre-reactive organophosphorus insectproofing agents for use on wool textiles was extensively examined. The rate of degradation of 0,0-diethyl-0-(4-ethylthiophenyl)phosphoro-thioate in polar and non-polar solution and on wool upon irradiation by simulated sunlight was investigated using high performance liquid chromatography.. The major photodegradation products in each case were correlated with the HPLC retention times of synthetically prepared compounds. The main product formed was the sulphoxide, 0,0-diethyl-O-(4-ethylsulphinylphenyl)phosphorothioate, whose insecticidal activity against the major textile pests was shown to be similar to that of the parent compound. In polar solution a polar product which could not be identified was formed. Both 4-ethylsulphinylphenol and 4-ethyIsulphony1-phenol were found on wool but not in solution. The effect of various ultraviolet stabilizers on the rate of photodegradation of 0,0-diethyl-0-(4-ethylthiophenyl)phosphorothioate was also examined. Ultraviolet absorbers of the 2-hydroxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxybenzotriazole classes conferred the best protection in each case. However, on wool typical wool dyes applied at conventional levels were also effective.

Byron Bay hysteria

"This time lapse video work of De Bruyn's evidences the bold rythmic structures found in his nahd-painted 16 mm film work. A prolific fimmaler, de Bruyn is a master of his craft and shows in this work that that mastery knows no bounds in this format."  Fractured Light exhibition catalogue

The characterization and chemical reactivity of powdered wool

Wool powders with various particle sizes have been produced using different milling techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed gradual breakdown of the fibre as it was progressively converted into powder form. Chlorination enhanced the effectiveness of subsequent air-jet milling. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed an increase in the surface concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen, and a decrease in carbon and sulphur on conversion of the fibres into powders, as the cortex became exposed on the powder surface. An increased surface concentration of cysteic acid was observed for the chlorinated powder. Rapid uptake of dye by wool powders was observed in situations where there was virtually no uptake by the original fibre. Hydrophobic dyes were more readily sorbed than were hydrophilic dyes. The chlorination treatment led to a decrease in the sorption of acid dyes. Confocal microscopy, used in conjunction with a fluorescent stain, showed that chemicals were able to penetrate wool particles, even at room temperature. The rate and extent of uptake of dye by the finer powders were comparable to that obtained with activated charcoal, even though the surface area of the charcoal was 100 times greater.

Electrostatic complex of didodecyldimethylammonium and DNA: Langmuir monolayer, Langmuir–Blodgett film and dye recognition at air/water interface

DNA–didodecyldimethylammonium (DNA–DDDA) electrostatic complex was prepared and characterized through Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR), 1H NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. When the dye molecule aqueous solutions were used as the subphase, the interaction between three dye molecules, acridine orange (AO), ethidium bromide (EB) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine tetra(p-toluenesulfonate) (TMPyP) and the complex at air/solution interface were investigated through the surface pressure–area (π–A) isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy, respectively. Our investigation indicates that the interaction capabilities of the three dyes to DNA–DDDA complex are different and present an order of TMPyP>AO>EB. For the interaction forms, we believe that TMPyP intercalates into the double helix of DNA, and AO adsorbs onto the surface of the DNA. As for EB, the measured signal is too weak to give a definite interaction form in the present experiment.

An investigation of polypyrrole coated conductive textiles

This research first clarified a possible chemical reaction between a dispersing dye and the conducting polymer polypyrrole. Then, the effect of acidic dyes as dopants on the colours, conductivity and thermal stability of polypyrrole were measured. Finally, the polypyrrole nanoparticles were prepared by a microemulsion polymerisation technique.

Photochromic wool fabric by sol-gel coating

This thesis investigates the possibility of producing photochromic wool fabrics using a silica sol-gel coating method. Silicas made from sol-gel methods are uniquely suited to host photochromic dyes for developing colour-changing wool. The achieved photochromic effects have opened a new product area for fashion effects on wool textiles.

Effect of plasma on the properties of protein fibres

Atmospheric pressure plasma with a relatively short exposure time was sufficient to modify the wool surface. The ageing studies showed the hydrophobic recovery of fibre surface took place at the early stages after plasma treatment. While plasma improved wool shrink-resistance, improvement in dyeability depends on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic nature of dyestuff.

Spectroscopic and model compound studies relevant to wool processing

Describes the development of a cell to hold loose wool fibre, fabric and yarn samples for the collection of Fourier Transform Raman spectra. Then follows a detailed study of reactions of Lanasol (Ciba) dyes with wool, the dyes forming covalent bonds with various amino acids in the fibres.

Investigation of an effluent treatment system for an integrated textile facility

Available effluent treatment systems to treat wool scour and dyehouse wastewaters were investigated. Electroflotation was found to be the most practicable treatment process as it had the ability to reduce the contaminant load in wastewaters. The quality of the treated wastewaters was then suitable for disposal to sewer or reuse on site.

Mixing characterisation for a serpentine microchannel equipped with embedded barriers

This paper describes the design, simulation, fabrication and experimental analysis of a passive micromixer for the mixing of biological solvents. The mixer consists of a T-junction, followed by a serpentine microchannel. the serpentine has three arcs, each equipped with circular barriers that are patterned as two opposing triangles. >The barriers are engineered to induce periodic perturbations in the flow field and enhance the mixing. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) method is applied to optimise the geometric variables of the mixer before fabrication. The mixer is made from PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) using photo- and soft-lithography techniques. Experimental measurements are performed using yellow and blue food dyes as the mixing fluids. The mixing is measured by analysing the composition of the flow's colour across the outlet channel. The performance of the mixer is examined in a wide range of flow rates from 0.5 to 10 µl/min. Mixing efficiencies of higher than 99.4% are obtained in the experiments confirming the results of numerical simulations. The proposed mixer can be employed as a part of lab-on-a-chip for biomedical applications.

Characterization and sorption ability of wool powder

This work focused on the characterisation of wool powders and their sorption capacity for dyes and metal ions. It provides new information to the field of wool and the potential use of wool to sorb contaminants from wastewater. It also suggests a new use for inferior and waste wool.

Effects of backwashing on PVDF membrane fouling by organic foulants

Membrane is usually subject to fouling by various organic foulants, such as yeast, protein and sodium alginate during filtration. Backwashing is a common practice to reduce membrane fouling. It is essential to evaluate the effects of backwashing on fouling in order to optimize operational parameters. In this experiment, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were used to filter organic foulants from suspensions in a dead-end stirred cell. Three types of organic foulants including yeast, protein and sodium alginate which were stained with fluorescent dyes before filtration were used with different combinations in the experiments. After filtration, the PVDF membrane was backwashed.

Consequently, a stack of images, instrumental data and sample data were captured from the fouling layers on the PVDF membrane surface using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and its associated image acquisition software LAS AF. Then, the quality of the images was enhanced for better visualization and a set of quantitative fouling data were derived by using the software code developed by the project team at Deakin University.

This collection contains raw image data of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane’s fouling layer when three types of organic foulants present, which are captured by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and its software, and the instrumental and sample metadata, the processed image data and the geometrical structure properties of the fouling layer. By comparing with the same membrane without backwashing, the efficiency of backwashing was computed.

This data collection would be useful to evaluate the backwashing efficiency of PVDF membrane in order to optimize frequency and operational conditions of backwashing by membrane materials researchers and water researchers.

An investigation of polypyrrole coated conductive textiles: this research aimed at clarifying some issues occurred in the research project on coloured conductive textiles

Coloured conducting textiles have shown a wide range of potential applications in heating fabrics, electromagnetic wave absorption, and wearable optoelectronic devices. This research aimed at clarifying some issues occurred in the research project on coloured conductive textiles. The investigation firstly clarified a possible chemical reaction that took place between a commercial dispersing dye (Terasil Red G) and the conducting polymer polypyrrole, through chemical separation, structural identification and spectrum characterisations. Then, a series of acidic dyes were introduced into polypyrrole matrix during the vapour coating of conducting polymer on the wool fabrics. Colour and thermal stability studies were conducted. Finally, the polypyrrole nanoparticles (particle size several~200nm) were prepared by a microemulsion polymerisation technique. An acid dye was used as the dopant to re-dope the nanoparticles. The effect of the acidic dye on the optical absorption of nanoparticles was studied. Applying the conducting nanoparticles on wool fabrics may open an alternative path to achieve the coloured conducting textiles.

Photochromic wool fabric by sol-gel coating and photochromism

The application of photochromism in textiles has potential to create new opportunities to develop fancy colour-changing effects in fashionable textiles, as well as smart garments capable of protecting wearers from the effects of UV irradiation and responding to environmental changes. This book presents a coating method for achieving quick and obvious photochromic effects on wool fabrics using conventional photochromic dyes and hybrid silicas. It covers details about fabricating different types of photochromic dye-silica coatings, measuring their optical performance, assessing some physical characterisations of the coatings, and measuring the effects of the coatings on fabric performance.

Polycarbonate (PC) membrane fouling by protein and sodium alginate

This data was obtained from an experiment, where polycarbonate (PC) membranes were used to filter two types of organic foulants, including protein and sodium alginate, from suspension in a dead-end filtration cell. These model foulants were stained with fluorescent dyes before filtration. Consequently, a stack of images were captured from the fouling layers on the PC membrane surface using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). This data collection contains 105 2D images of polycarbonate (PC) membranes fouling layer. This data collection would be useful to investigate membrane fouling mechanism by membrane materials researchers and water researchers.