Studies on the curing of short polyester fiber-polyurethane elastomer composite with different interfacial bonding agents

The cure characteristics of short fiber-polyurethane elastomer were studied with respect to different fiber-matrix bonding agents. A hexamethylenetetramine- resorcinol -hydrated silica based bonding agent was found to affect the stability of the composite. A new bonding agent, TP resin, based on polymeric toluenediisocyanate and polypropylene glycol has been developed. Cure characteristics of the composite with and without TP resin at different fiber loadings were also compared. Minimum torque, scorch time and optimum cure time increased with fiber content. Maximum torque was consistently higher with TP resin at all fiber loadings.

Thermal degradation of short polyester fiber polyurethane elastomer composite

The thermal degradation of short polyester fiber reinforced polyurethane composites with and without different bonding agents has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis . It was found that degradation of the polyurethane takes place in two steps and that of the composites takes place in three steps. With the incorporation of 30 phr of fiber in the matrix , the onset of degradation was shifted from 230 to 238 ° C. The presence of bonding agents in the virgin elastomer and the composite gave an improved thermal stability . Results of kinetic studies showed that the degradation of polyurethane and the reinforced composites with and without bonding agents follows first -order reaction kinetics

Preparation and Characterisation of Spinel Ferrites - Their Incorporation in Rubber Matrix and Evaluation of Properties

The objectives of the proposed work are preparation of ceramic nickel zinc ferrite belonging to the series Ni1-XZnXFe2O4 with x varying from 0 to 1in steps of 0.2, structrural, magnetic and electrical characterization of Ni1-XZnXFe2O4, preparation and evaluation of Cure characteristics of Rubber Ferrite Composites (RFCs), magnetic characterization of RFCs using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), electrical characterization of RFCs and estimation of magnetostriction constant form HL parameters. The study deals with the structural and magnetic properties of ceramic fillers, variation of coercivity with composition and the variation of magnetization for different filler loadings are compared and correlated. The dielectric properties of ceramic Ni1-XZnXFe2O4 and rubber ferrite composites containing Ni1-XZnXFe2O4 were evaluated and the ac electrical conductivity (ac) of ceramic as well as composite samples can be calculated by using a simple relationship of the form ac = 2f tan 0r, with the data available from dielectric measurements. The results suggest that the ac electrical conductivity is directly proportional to the frequency

Development of Elastomeric Hybrid Composite Based on Synthesised Manosilica and Short Nylon Fiber

Nanoscale silica was synthesized by precipitation method using sodium silicate and dilute hydrochloric acid under controlled conditions. The synthesized silica was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), BET adsorption and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The particle size of silica was calculated to be 13 nm from the XRD results and the surface area was found to be 295 m2/g by BET method. The performance of this synthesized nanosilica as a reinforcing filler in natural rubber (NR) compound was investigated. The commercial silica was used as the reference material. Nanosilica was found to be effective reinforcing filler in natural rubber compound. Filler-matrix interaction was better for nanosilica than the commercial silica. The synthesized nanosilica was used in place of conventional silica in HRH (hexamethylene tetramine, resorcinol and silica) bonding system for natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber / Nylon 6 short fiber composites. The efficiency of HRH bonding system based on nanosilica was better. Nanosilica was also used as reinforcing filler in rubber / Nylon 6 short fiber hybrid composite. The cure, mechanical, ageing, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of nanosilica / Nylon 6 short fiber / elastomeric hybrid composites were studied in detail. The matrices used were natural rubber (NR), nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and chloroprene rubber (CR). Fiber loading was varied from 0 to 30 parts per hundred rubber (phr) and silica loading was varied from 0 to 9 phr. Hexa:Resorcinol:Silica (HRH) ratio was maintained as 2:2:1. HRH loading was adjusted to 16% of the fiber loading. Minimum torque, maximum torque and cure time increased with silica loading. Cure rate increased with fiber loading and decreased with silica content. The hybrid composites showed improved mechanical properties in the presence of nanosilica. Tensile strength showed a dip at 10 phr fiber loading in the case of NR and CR while it continuously increased with fiber loading in the case of NBR and SBR. The nanosilica improved the tensile strength, modulus and tear strength better than the conventional silica. Abrasion resistance and hardness were also better for the nanosilica composites. Resilience and compression set were adversely affected. Hybrid composites showed anisotropy in mechanical properties. Retention in ageing improved with fiber loading and was better for nanosilica-filled hybrid composites. The nanosilica also improved the thermal stability of the hybrid composite better than the commercial silica. All the composites underwent two-step thermal degradation. Kinetic studies showed that the degradation of all the elastomeric composites followed a first-order reaction. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that storage modulus (E’) and loss modulus (E”) increased with nanosiica content, fiber loading and frequency for all the composites, independent of the matrix. The highest rate of increase was registered for NBR rubber.

Polyaniline/Pillared Montmorillonite Clay Composite Nanofibers

In situ polymerization of aniline is done inside the pillared clay matrix. The nonswellable pillared clay confined matrix allows efficient polymerization that leads to nanofibrous morphology. As a result high polymer order and crystallinity is attained and is evident from XRD patterns. The strong interaction between the clay layers and polyaniline (PANI) is understood from FTIR and DRS spectra. Additionally these analytical results suggest that the prepared PANI is in the doped state. The PANI/pillared clay nanocomposite formation gives additional thermal stability to the polymer backbone and is clear from the DTG curves.

A new metal ion doped panchromatic photopolymer for holographic applications

This thesis has discussed the development of a new metal ion doped panchromatic photopolymer for various holographic applications. High-quality panchromatic holographic recording material with high diffraction efficiency, high photosensitivity and high spatial resolution is one of the key factors for the successful recording of true colour holograms. The capability of the developed material for multicolour holography can be investigated.In the present work, multiplexing studies were carried out using He-Ne laser (632.8 nm). Multiplexing can be done using low wavelength lasers like Ar+ ion (488 nm) and frequency doubled Nd: YAG (532 nm) lasers, so as to increase the storage capacity. The photopolymer film studied had a thickness of only 130 Cm. Films with high thickness (~500 Cm) is highly essential for competitive holographic memories . Hence films with high thickness can be fabricated and efforts can be made to record more holograms or gratings in the material.In the present study, attempts were made to record data page in silver doped MBPVA/AA photopolymer film. Image of a checkerboard pattern was recorded in the film, which could be reconstructed with good image fidelity. Efforts can be made to determine the bit error rate (BER) which provides a quantitative measure of the image quality of the reconstructed image . Multiple holographic data pages can also be recorded in the material making use of different multiplexing techniques.Holographic optical elements (HOEs) are widely used in optical sensors, optical information processing, fibre optics, optical scanners and solar concentrators . The suitability of the developed film for recording holographic optical elements like lenses, beam splitters and filters can be studied.The suitability of a reflection hologram recorded in acrylamide based photopolymer for visual indication of environmental humidity is reported . Studies can be done to optimize the film composition for recording of reflection holograms.An improvement in the spatial resolution of PVA/acrylamide based photopolymer by using a low molecular-weight poly (vinyl alcohol) binder was recently reported . Effect of the molecular weight of the binder matrix on the holographic properties of the developed photopolymer system can be investigated.Incorporation of nanoparticles into photopolymer system is reported to enhance the resolution and improve the dimensional stability of the system . Hence efforts can be made to incorporate silver nanoparticles into the photopolymer and its influence on the holographic properties can be studied.This thesis was a small venture towards the realization of a big goal, a competent holographic recording material with excellent properties for practical holographic applications. As a result of the present research, we could successfully develop an efficient panchromatic photopolymer system and could demonstrate its suitability for recording transmission holograms and holographic data page. The developed photopolymer system is expected to have significant applications in the fields of true-color display holography, wavelength multiplexing holographic storage, and holographic optical elements. Highly concentrated and determined effort has yet to be put forth for this expectation to become a reality.

Spectral studies of naphthalocyanine (Nc) and rare earth phthalocyanine (RePc) molecules in an inorganic glassy borate matrix

Optical absorption and emission spectral studies of free and metal naphthalocyanine doped borate glass matrix are reported for the first time. Absorption spectra recorded in the UV- VIS-NIR region show the characteristic absorption bands, namely, the B-band and Q-band of the naphthalocyanine (Nc) molecule. Some of the important spectral parameters, namely, the optical absorption coefficient (α), molar extinction coefficient (ε) and absorption cross section (σa) of the principal absorption transitions are determined. Optical band gap (Eg) of the materials evaluated from the functional dependence of absorption coefficient on photon energy lies in the range 1.6 eV≤Eg≤2.1 eV. All fluorescence spectra except that of EuNc consist of an intense band in the 765 nm region corresponding to the excitation of Q-band. In EuNc the maximum fluorescence intensity band is observed at 824 nm. The intensity of the principal fluorescence band is maximum in ZnNc, whereas it is minimum in H2Nc. Radiative parameters of the principal fluorescence transitions corresponding to the Q-band excitation are also reported for the naphthalocyanine and phthalocyanine based matrices.

Electrochemical studies on Metal phthalocyanines

The primary aim of these investigations was to probe the elecnuchemical and material science aspects of some selected metal phthalocyanines(MPcs).Metal phthalocyanines are characterised by a unique planar molecular structure. As a single class of compounds they have been the subject of ever increasing number of physicochemical and technological investigations. During the last two decades the literature on these compounds was flooded by an outpour of original publications and patents. Almost every branch of materials science has benefited by their application-swface coating, printing, electrophotography, photoelectrochemistry, electronics and medicine to name a few.The present study was confined to the electrical and electrochemical properties of cobalt, nickel, zinc. iron and copper phthalocyanines. The use of soluble Pes as corrosion inhibitor for aluminium was also investigated.In the introductory section of the thesis, the work done so far on MPcs is reviewed. In this review emphasis is given to their general methods of synthesis and the physicochemical properties.In phthalocyanine chemistry one of the formidable tasks is the isolation of singular species. In the second chapter the methods of synthesis and purification are presented with necessary experimental details.The studies on plasma modified films of CoPe, FePc, ZnPc. NiPc and CuPc are also presented.Modification of electron transfer process by such films for reversible redox systems is taken as the criterion to establish enhanced electrocatalytic activity.Metal phthalocyanines are p- type semiconductors and the conductivity is enhanced by doping with iodine. The effect of doping on the activation energy of the conduction process is evaluated by measuring the temperature dependent variation of conductivity. Effect of thennal treatment on iodine doped CoPc is investigated by DSC,magnetic susceptibility, IR, ESR and electronic spectra. The elecnucatalytic activity of such doped materials was probed by cyclic voltammetry.The electron transfer mediation characteristics of MPc films depend on the film thickness. The influence of reducing the effective thickness of the MPc film by dispersing it into a conductive polymeric matrix was investigated. Tetrasulphonated cobalt phthalocyanine (CoTSP) was electrostatically immobilised into polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) under varied conditions.The studies on corrosion inhibition of aluminium by CoTSP and CuTSP and By virtue of their anionic character they are soluble in water and are strongly adsorbed on aluminium. Hence they can act as corrosion inhibitors. CoTSP is also known to catalyze the reduction of dioxygen.This reaction can accelerate the anodic dissolution of metal as a complementary reaction. The influence of these conflicting properties of CoTSP on the corrosion of aluminium was studied and compared with those of CuTSP.In the course of these investigations a number of gadgets like cell for measuring the electrical conductivity of solids under non-isothermal conditions, low power rf oscillator and a rotating disc electrode were fabricated.

Studies on Simple and Encapsulated Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from Diaminonaphthalene

Schiff base complexes of transition metal ions have played a significant role in coordination chemistry.In the present study we have synthesized some new Mn(II),Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from 1,8-diaminonaphthalene.Even though we could not isolate theses Schiff bases (as they readily cyclise to form the perimidine compounds),we were able to characterize unequivacally the complexes synthesized from these compounds as complexes of Schiff Bases. We Synthesized three perimidine derivatives ,2-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine,2-(2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidin-2-yl)-6-methoxyphenol and 4-(2,3-dihyro-1H-perimidin-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenol by the condensation of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene with quinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde,2- hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde respectively.Theses compounds were used as precursor ligands for the preparation of Schiff base complexes.The complexes were characterized by using elemental analysis ,conductance and magnetic susceptibility measuremets ,infrared and UV-Visible spectroscopy ,thermogravimetric analysis and EPR spectroscopy .We also encapsulated the complexes in zeolite Y matrix and these encapsulated complexes were also characterized. We have also tried theses complexes as catalysts in the oxidation of cyclohexanol and decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Trace metal speciation in the Cochin Estuary

This thesis Entitled Trace metal speciation in the cochin estuary.Natural waters provide a favourable environment for speciation studies because of the prevailing variable chemical matrix and the variety of metal forms which may exist there.An estuary is a mixing zone of riverine and oceanic waters with widely varying compositions where end members interact both physically and chemically. The trace element chemistry in the estuarine environment has been an area of considerable research in the past decades. The trace metal distribution in the Cochin estuary is considerably influenced by the tropical features of the location and by human activities. The lower Periyar river and the Cochin estuary have been particularly selected for this investigation in view of the impact of trace metals on the estuarine ecosystem as well as in attempt quantify the phenomenon of metal speciation in the waters of a tropical coastal plain waterbody. If the concentration in the water media is very low, then, many of the fractions that could be estimated by speciation schemes for metals will fall below the detection limits, a factor which is undesirable.The study would also delineate the features of metal speciation which modify the chemical regime of ionic elements that traverse natural boundaries in aquatic environments, especally in those tropical areas prone to multivariate geographical settings.

A microwave absorber based on strontium ferrite–carbon black–nitrile rubber for S and X-band applications

Flexible and thin single layer microwave absorbers based on strontium ferrite–carbon black–nitrile rubber composites have been fabricated employing a specific recipe and their reflection loss characteristics were studied in the S (2–4 GHz) and X-bands (8–12 GHz). The incorporation of carbon black not only reinforces the rubber by improving the mechanical properties of the composite but also modifies the dielectric permittivity of the composite. Strontium ferrite when impregnated into a rubber matrix imparts the required magnetic permeability to the composite. The combination of strontium ferrite and carbon black can then be employed to tune the microwave absorption characteristics of the resulting composite. The complex dielectric permittivity and permeability were measured by employing a cavity perturbation technique. The microwave absorption characteristics of composites were modelled in that an electromagnetic wave incident normally on the metal terminated single layer absorber. The influence of filler volume fraction, frequency, absorber thickness on the bandwidth of absorption are discussed and correlated

Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Hybrid Nanocomposites of TiO2 With Conducting Polymers

A nanocomposite is a multiphase solid material where one of the phases has one, two or three dimensions of less than 100 nanometers (nm), or structures having nano-scale repeat distances between the different phases that make up the material. In the broadest sense this definition can include porous media, colloids, gels and copolymers, but is more usually taken to mean the solid combination of a bulk matrix and nano-dimensional phase(s) differing in properties due to dissimilarities in structure and chemistry. The mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, electrochemical, catalytic properties of the nanocomposite will differ markedly from that of the component materials. Size limits for these effects have been proposed, <5 nm for catalytic activity, <20 nm for making a hard magnetic material soft, <50 nm for refractive index changes, and <100 nm for achieving superparamagnetism, mechanical strengthening or restricting matrix dislocation movement. Conducting polymers have attracted much attention due to high electrical conductivity, ease of preparation, good environmental stability and wide variety of applications in light-emitting, biosensor chemical sensor, separation membrane and electronic devices. The most widely studied conducting polymers are polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene etc. Conducting polymers provide tremendous scope for tuning of their electrical conductivity from semiconducting to metallic region by way of doping and are organic electro chromic materials with chemically active surface. But they are chemically very sensitive and have poor mechanical properties and thus possessing a processibility problem. Nanomaterial shows the presence of more sites for surface reactivity, they possess good mechanical properties and good dispersant too. Thus nanocomposites formed by combining conducting polymers and inorganic oxide nanoparticles possess the good properties of both the constituents and thus enhanced their utility. The properties of such type of nanocomposite are strongly depending on concentration of nanomaterials to be added. Conducting polymer composites is some suitable composition of a conducting polymer with one or more inorganic nanoparticles so that their desirable properties are combined successfully. The composites of core shell metal oxide particles-conducting polymer combine the electrical properties of the polymer shell and the magnetic, optical, electrical or catalytic characteristics of the metal oxide core, which could greatly widen their applicability in the fields of catalysis, electronics and optics. Moreover nanocomposite material composed of conducting polymers & oxides have open more field of application such as drug delivery, conductive paints, rechargeable batteries, toners in photocopying, smart windows, etc.The present work is mainly focussed on the synthesis, characterization and various application studies of conducting polymer modified TiO2 nanocomposites. The conclusions of the present work are outlined below, Mesoporous TiO2 was prepared by the cationic surfactant P123 assisted hydrothermal synthesis route and conducting polymer modified TiO2 nanocomposites were also prepared via the same technique. All the prepared systems show XRD pattern corresponding to anatase phase of TiO2, which means that there is no phase change occurring even after conducting polymer modification. Raman spectroscopy gives supporting evidence for the XRD results. It also confirms the incorporation of the polymer. The mesoporous nature and surface area of the prepared samples were analysed by N2 adsorption desorption studies and the mesoporous ordering can be confirmed by low angle XRD measurementThe morphology of the prepared samples was obtained from both SEM & TEM. The elemental analysis of the samples was performed by EDX analysisThe hybrid composite formation is confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopyAll the prepared samples have been used for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes, antibiotic, endocrine disruptors and some other organic pollutants. Photocatalytic antibacterial activity studies were also performed using the prepared systemsAll the prepared samples have been used for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes, antibiotic, endocrine disruptors and some other organic pollutants. Photocatalytic antibacterial activity studies were also performed using the prepared systems Polyaniline modified TiO2 nanocomposite systems were found to have good antibacterial activity. Thermal diffusivity studies of the polyaniline modified systems were carried out using thermal lens technique. It is observed that as the amount of polyaniline in the composite increases the thermal diffusivity also increases. The prepared systems can be used as an excellent coolant in various industrial purposes. Nonlinear optical properties (3rd order nonlinearity) of the polyaniline modified systems were studied using Z scan technique. The prepared materials can be used for optical limiting Applications. Lasing studies of polyaniline modified TiO2 systems were carried out and the studies reveal that TiO2 - Polyaniline composite is a potential dye laser gain medium.

Plan exportador Metal Muebles y Cia. Ltda.

La idea principal de este trabajo, es realizar un evaluación sobre las diferentes posibilidades que se presentan para exportar uno de los productos que fabrica la empresa METAL MUEBLES Y CIA LTDA fundada por el señor Álvaro de Jesús Chalarca en el año de 1994 quien hizo posible la elaboración de este Plan Exportador autorizando el suministro de toda la información de la empresa. Se evaluaran cada uno de los países que participaran en la elaboración de este trabajo así como los procesos y situaciones que se deben tener en cuenta para obtener un excelente resultado. Se hará igualmente una revisión de todas las debilidades y fortalezas con las que cuenta cada país, que afectan el proceso de exportación. Durante el desarrollo del proyecto se realizara una matriz teniendo en cuenta diferentes tipo de variables que ayudaran a medir la factibilidad de que el plan exportador se lleve a cabo en los países de: Ecuador, Chile y Perú. Finalmente se realizara el desarrollo de una estrategia de comercialización para cumplir el fin propuesto y ampliar las posibilidades de expansión de METAL MUEBLES Y CIA LTDA.

Aerogel-coated metal nanoparticle colloids as novel entities for the synthesis of defined supported metal catalysts

Nanometer metal particles of tailored size (3-5 nm) and composition prepared via inverse microemulsion were encapsulated by ultrathin coatings (<2.5 nm) of inorganic porous aerogels covered with surface -OH groups. These composite materials formed metastable colloids in solvent(s), and the organic surfactant molecules were subsequently removed without leading to aggregation (the ethanolic colloid solution was shown to be stable against flocculation for at least weeks). We demonstrate that the totally inorganic-based composite colloids, after the removal of surfactant, can be anchored to conventional solid supports (gamma-alumina, carbons) upon mixing. Application of a high temperature resulted in the formation of strong covalent linkages between the colloids and the support because of the condensation of surface groups at the interface. Detailed characterizations (X-ray diffraction (XRD), pore analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CO chemisorption) and catalytic testing (butane combustion) showed that there was no significant metal aggregation from the fine metal particles individually coated with porous aerogel oxide. Most of these metal sites on the coated nanoparticles with and without support are fully accessible by small molecules hence giving extremely active metal catalysts. Thus, the product and technology described may be suitable to synthesize these precursor entities of defined metal sizes (as inks) for wash coat/impregnation applications in catalysis. The advantages of developing inorganic nanocomposite chemical precursors are also discussed.

Unsaturated σ-hydrocarbyl transition-metal complexes. Part 4. Crystal and molecular structure of trans-chlorobis(diethylphenylphosphine)-(phenylethynyl)platinum(II) and comments on the relative trans influence of various carbon ligands

The molecular structure of trans-[PtCl(CCPh)(PEt2Ph)2] has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21, with a= 12.359(3), b= 13.015(3), c= 9.031(2)Å, β= 101.65(2)°, and Z= 2. The structure has been solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by full-matrix least squares to R 0.046 for 1 877 diffractometric intensity data. The crystals contain discrete molecules in which the platinum coordination is square planar. The phenylethynyl group is non-linear, with a Pt–CC angle of 163(2)°. Selected bond lengths are Pt–Cl 2.407(5) and Pt–C 1.98(2)Å. The structural trans influences of CCPh, CHCH2, and CH2SiMe3 ligands in platinum(II) complexes are compared; there is only a small dependence on hybridization at the ligating carbon atom.