A catalytic reactor for the trapping of free radicals from gas phase oxidation reactions

A catalytic reactor for the trapping of free radicals originating from gas phase catalytic reactions is described and discussed. Radical trapping and identification were initially carried out using a known radical generator such as dicumyl peroxide. The trapping of radicals was further demonstrated by investigating genuine radical oxidation processes, e.g., benzaldehyde oxidation over manganese and cobalt salts. The efficiency of the reactor was finally proven by the partial oxidation of cyclohexane over MoO3, Cr2O3, and WO3, which allowed the identification of all the radical intermediates responsible for the formation of the products cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. Assignment of the trapped radicals was carried out using spin trapping technique and X -band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Phenols and aromatic amines as thermal stabilizers in polyolefin processing

Scavenging of C- and O-centered free radicals is mandatory in processing stabilization of polypropylene. Phenolic antioxidants act principally as O-radical scavengers only. Aromatic amines, N,N'-disubstituted 1,4-phenylenediamines (PD) and 4,4'disubstituted diphenylamines (DPA), scavenge both C- and O-centered radicals and have consequently a broader activity spectrum. PD cannot be used, however, in polypropylene because of formation of strongly discoloring and staining sacrificial transformation products. Such products formed from DPA have even more discoloring properties. A good processing stability and acceptable extent of discoloration can be achieved by blends of phenols with 4,4'-di-tert.octyl DPA. The effect is considered as a beneficial cooperation between the two chain-breaking antioxidants involving interactions with amine-based transformation products.

Increasing the electrolyte capacity of alkaline Zn-air fuel cells by scavenging zincate with Ca(OH)2

The use of calcium hydroxide for scavenging zincate species is demonstrated to be a highly effective approach for increasing the electrolyte capacity and improving the performance of the zinc-air fuel cell system. A fundamental approach is established in this study to quantify the formation of calcium zincate as the product of scavenging and the amount of water compensation necessary for optimal performance. The good agreement between predicted and experimental results proves the validity of the proposed theoretical approach. By applying the results of theoretical predictions, both the electrolyte capacity and the cell longevity have been increased by more than 40%. It is also found that, using Ca(OH)2 to scavenge zincate species in concentrated KOH solutions, affects mostly the removal of zincate, rather than ZnO, from the electrolyte, whereas the presence of excess, free, mobile H2O plays a key role in dissolving ZnO and forming zincate. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the proposed approach can widely and effectively be applied to all zinc-air cell systems during their discharge cycle.