Renewable polyol obtained by microwave-assisted alcoholysis of epoxidized soybean oil: Preparation, thermal properties and relaxation process
[EN] The soybean oil polyol (SOP) use as feedstock in the polyurethane industry has been recently emphasized due to its excellent resistance to hydrolysis, which is also applicable in coatings and thermal insulation. In this article, the SOP was obtained by a very fast microwave-assisted alcoholysis of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). The preparation method, thermal properties, and relaxation process were evaluated. High yields as opening and consumption epoxy group and selectivity of 99.8 mol%, 985 mol%, and 71.2 mol% were obtained. Through titrations, nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography were identified parameters as 0.32 mg KOH.g(-1) acid number, 190 mg KOH.g(-1) hyd…
Monitoring molecular dynamics of bacterial cellulose composites reinforced with graphene oxide by carboxymethyl cellulose addition
[EN] Broadband Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy was performed to study the molecular dynamics of dried Bacterial Cellulose/Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Graphene Oxide (BC/CMC-GO) composites as a function of the concentration of CMC in the culture media. At low temperature the dielectric spectra are dominated by a dipolar process labelled as a beta -relaxation, whereas electrode polarization and the contribution of dc-conductivity dominate the spectra at high temperatures and low frequency. The CMC concentration affects the morphological structure of cellulose and subsequently alters its physical properties. X-ray diffractometry measurements show that increasing the concentration of CMC promote…
Controlling dielectrical properties of polymer blends through defined PEDOT nanostructures
[EN] The paper reports the crucial role of the morphology of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanostructures on the thermal and dielectric properties of polymer blends prepared thereof. PEDOT nanostructures with two different morphologies (nanoparticles and nanowires) were synthesized. The size for the nanoparticles was in the range 10 40 nm and the diameter of the nanowires was of ca. 200 nm. These nanostructures were blended with an insulating polymer matrix, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), to evaluate the dielectrical properties of the materials. The results of broadband dielèctric spectroscopy showed a strong correlation between the morphology of the nanostructure and the impr…
Molecular dynamics of carrageenan composites reinforced with Cloisite Na+ montmorillonite nanoclay
[EN] Nanocomposites comprising biodegradable carrageenan and glycerol(KCg) as the host polymer, with different contents of natural montmorillonite (MMT) as filler, were prepared by a solution casting process. Different techniques have been used to determine the interaction/behavior among the different components of the samples such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and, mainly, Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). FTIR indicates hydrogen interaction between carrageenan matrix and silicate that is confirmed by the XRD data indicating some kind of carrageenan intercalation between the MMT layers. A rather ho…
Education in the knowledge society : EKS
El objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar las diferencias en competencias interculturales entre el alumnado de la Universitat de València que desea solicitar el programa Erasmus y alumnado que no desea solicitarlo. Mediante un cuestionario se realizó la recogida de información de estudiantes procedentes del área de ciencias sociales de la Universitat de València. En general, los resultados muestran que existen diferencias entre estos dos grupos de estudiantes. El alumnado que va a solicitar el programa de movilidad Erasmus tiene mayor competencia comunicativa en diferentes idiomas, y mayor apertura mental en comparación con el alumnado que no tiene interés en solicitar este tipo de …
Fast synthesis of single-phased 110 K bismuth superconductor by freeze-drying of acetic precursors. Kinetic role of calcium and copper oxides
Abstract Although the usefulness of solution procedures to improve the synthesis of bismuth HTSC has been argued, an adequate control of the procedural variables has allowed us to isolate the 110 K phase as the only superconducting phase after such a short sintering time as 22 h. The precursors used have been freeze-dried powders resulting from acetic solutions containing excess Ca and Cu. TGA-DTA and XRD experiments have been performed to follow the subsequent solid-state reaction processes. The initial formation of a mixed bismuth-lead oxoacetate, as intermediate to (Bi 1− y Pb y ) 2 CuO 4 , and the presence of an excess of Ca 2 CuO 3 in the last reaction step are two of the main factors …
An experimental study of dynamic behaviour of graphite polycarbonatediol polyurethane composites for protective coatings
Segmented polycarbonatediol polyurethane (PUPH) has been synthesized and modified with different amounts of graphite conductive filler (from 0 to 50 wt%). Thermal and dynamical thermal analysis of the composites clearly indicates changes in the polyurethane relaxations upon addition of graphite. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy has been used to study the dielectric properties of the (PUPH) and one composite in the frequency range from 10−2 to 107 Hz and in the temperature window of −140 to 170 ◦C. Relaxation processes associated with different molecular motions and conductivity phenomena (Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars and electrode polarization) are discussed and related to the graphite content
Effect of chain extender on the morphology, thermal, viscoelastic, and dielectric behavior of soybean polyurethane
Effect of Chitin Whiskers on the Molecular Dynamics of Carrageenan-Based Nanocomposites
[EN] Films of carrageenan (KC) and glycerol (g) with different contents of chitin nanowhiskers (CHW) were prepared by a solution casting process. The molecular dynamics of pure carrageenan (KC), carrageenan/glycerol (KCg) and KCg with different quantities of CHWs as a filler was studied using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The analysis of the CHW effect on the molecular mobility at the glass transition, T-g, indicates that non-attractive intermolecular interactions between KCg and CHW occur. The fragility index increased upon CHW incorporation, due to a reduction in the polymer chains mobility produced by the CHW confinement of the KCg network. The apparent activation energy associated…
Transport and Diamagnetic Properties of 2:2:1:2 and 2:2:2:3 (Bi-Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Superconducting Materials
AbstractBismuth superconducting oriented fibers of the compositions 2:2:1:2: and 2:2:2:3 have been grown by the Laser Floating Zone (LFZ) method. Growth conditions have been optimized in order to improve the superconducting properties. The 108 K onset in susceptibility measurements (associated to the 2:2:2:3 phase) only appears well defined when starting from Sr-defective precursors.
Electrical conductivity properties of expanded graphite-polycarbonatediol polyurethane composites
Conductive polymer composites of segmented polycarbonatediol polyurethane and expanded graphite (EG) have been synthesized with different amounts of EG conductive filler (from 0 to 50 wt%). SEM, X-ray diffraction measurements, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies demonstrated a homogeneous dispersion of the EG filler in the matrix. The dielectric permittivity of the composites showed an insulator to conductor percolation transition with increase in EG content. Significant changes in the dielectric permittivity take place when the weight fraction of EG is in the range 20–30 wt%. Special attention has been paid to the dependence of the conductivity on frequency, temperature and…
Synthesis and characterization of NdNiO3 prepared by low temperature methods
Abstract NdNiO3 has been prepared with an orthorhombic perovskite structure by a low temperature and low oxygen pressure method starting from a nickel(III) oxide precursor, β-NiO(OH). The compound LaNiO3 has also been obtained by this method. This chemical-precursor-based synthesis overcomes problems related to the use of high oxygen pressures in the synthesis.
Precursor-based synthetic pathways to nanometer NdNiO3−x particles
Abstract The oxygen deficient neodymium nickel perovskite, NdNiO3−x, has been obtained by different low temperature-low oxygen pressure synthetic procedures. Besides a solid-matrix based route, both ordered and disordered chemical-precursors have been used as starting products. X-ray powder diffraction shows that the structure of this defective perovskite is orthorhombic. The study of the grain morphology of the products as resulting from the different synthetic procedures indicates that the main parameter determining the average particle size, which is in the nanometer range, is the maximum temperature achieved in the synthesis. Resistivity and DSC measurements show the existence of a meta…
A new improved synthesis of the 110 K bismuth superconducting phase: freeze-drying of acetic solutions
Abstract Metastability has greatly hindered the separated synthesis of the high-temperature superconducting phases represented as (Bi1−x, Pbx)2Sr2Can−1CunO4 + 2n (n = 2, 2-2-1-2, Tc≈80 K, and n = 3, 2-2-2-3, Tc≈110 K). By careful control of the synthetic variables, it becomes possible to obtain the 110 K phase as the only superconducting one through processing of freeze-dried acetic solutions. This technique leads to homogeneously sized (5–10 μm) micaceous platelets of the superconducting material.
Effects of Carbon-sp3 Bridging on the Electronic Properties of Oligothiophenes
Abstract The electronic properties of rigidified, carbon sp 3 -bridged bithiophenes and terthiophenes have been investigated using density functional theory calculations, sp 3 Bridging has no effect on the bandgap other than that associated to the planarization of the system. Rigidification significantly improves the ability of oligothiophenes as electron donors but diminishes their electron accepting capacity. Grafting of substituents at the sp 3 bridging carbon slightly modifies the electronic properties.
Electrochemical Synthesis of an Organic Thermoelectric Power Generator.
[EN] Energy harvesting through residual heat is considered one of the most promising ways to power wearable devices. In this work, thermoelectric textiles were prepared by coating the fabrics, first with multiple-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using the layer-by-layer technique and second with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) deposited by electrochemical polymerization. Sodium deoxycholate and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) were used as stabilizers to prepare the aqueous dispersions of MWCNTs. The electrochemical deposition of PEDOT on the MWCNT-coated fabric was carried out in a three-electrode electrochemical cell. The polymerization of PEDOT on the fabric increased the…
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of NdNiO3 Prepared by Low Temperature Methods.
Abstract NdNiO3 has been prepared with an orthorhombic perovskite structure by a low temperature and low oxygen pressure method starting from a nickel(III) oxide precursor, β-NiO(OH). The compound LaNiO3 has also been obtained by this method. This chemical-precursor-based synthesis overcomes problems related to the use of high oxygen pressures in the synthesis.
Submicrometer CaCuO2 and Ca2CuO3 particles from bimetallic formate precursors
Abstract CaCuO2 and Ca2CuO3 are readily obtained by thermal decomposition of two new calcium and copper formates, CaCu(HCOO)4 and Ca2Cu(HCOO)6. These chemical-precursor based syntheses, while overcoming problems related to the stoichiometry of the final products, involve very short diffusion path lengths. This, in turn, results in soft treatments yielding pure phases constituted by submicrometer (≈0.4 μm) homogeneous particles.