Dynamic Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Research Articles

Chitosan-coated manganese ferrite nanoparticles enhanced Rhodotorula toruloides carotenoid production.

The present study aims to analyze the interaction between Rhodotorula toruloides and magnetic nanoparticles and evaluate their effect on carotenoid production. The manganese ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized without chitosan (MnFe2O4) and chitosan coating (MnFe2O4-CS) by the co-precipitation method assisted by hydrothermal treatment. XRD (X-ray diffraction), Magnetometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), are used to characterize the magnetic nanoparticles. The crystallite size of MnFe2O4 was 16 nm for MnFe2O4 and 20 nm for MnFe2O4-CS. The magnetic saturation of MnFe2O4-CS was lower (39.6 ± 0.6 emu/g) than the same MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (42.7 ± 0.3 emu/g), which was attributed to the chitosan fraction presence. The MnFe2O4-CS FTIR spectra revealed the presence of the characteristic chitosan bands. DLS demonstrated that the average hydrodynamic diameters were 344 nm for MnFe2O4 and 167 nm for MnFe2O4-CS. A kinetic study of cell immobilization performed with their precipitation with a magnet demonstrated that interaction between magnetic nanoparticles and R. toruloides was characterized by an equilibrium time of 2h. The adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) were fitted to the experimental values. The trypan blue assay was used for cell viability assessment. The carotenoid production increased to 256.2 ± 6.1 µg/g dry mass at 2.0 mg/mL MnFe2O4-CS. The use of MnFe2O4-CS to stimulate carotenoid yeast production and the magnetic separation of biomass are promising nanobiotechnological alternatives. Magnetic cell immobilization is a perspective technique for obtaining cell metabolites.

Contribution of lignin to the strength properties in wood fibres studied by dynamic FTIR spectroscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)

Abstract A deeper insight into the molecular interactions in the highly intermixed structure of the wood cell wall, from the point of view of both basic and applied science, is necessary. In particular, the role of the different matrix materials within the cell wall needs to be better understood, especially concerning how lignin contributes to the mechanical properties. In the present paper, the mechanical properties of spruce wood have been studied on a molecular scale by means of dynamic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. To this purpose, native spruce wood was subjected to chemical changes by impregnation and a mild pre-cooking with white liquor with a composition usual for kraft pulping. For comparison, lignin-rich primary cell wall material was also isolated by means of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) refining. Dynamic FTIR spectroscopy revealed that lignin took part in the stress transfer in all investigated samples. This finding is in contrast to literature data. A strong indirect coupling between lignin and cellulose was seen in the primary cell wall (P) material. In case of native wood, the lignin signal was much weaker and also indicated an indirect coupling to cellulose. In the case of pre-cooked wood samples (submitted to mild pulping), the interactions were modified so that the molecular straining of lignin was stronger and more directly related to that of cellulose. In other words, in these samples, lignin played a more active role in the stress transfer as compared to native wood. These findings were supported by a narrower lignin-softening region as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The interpretation is plausible in terms of the superior stiffness seen for high-yield pulps of a similar yield as the studied pre-cooked wood samples.

Synthesis of Two Novolac Type Epoxy Resin Curing Agents and their Application

Two Novolac Resins Were Synthesized by the Reaction between Bisphenol A and Benzaldehyde (bis-BENR) or Bisphenol A and P-hydroxybenzaldehyde (bis-PHNR). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Were Applied to Characterize the Molecular Structure of Bis-BENR (or Bis-PHNR). then the Two Novolac Resins Were Used as Curing Agent for Bisphenol A Type Epoxy Resin (DGEBA). the Curing Reaction and Curing Kinetics Were Studied by Dynamic FTIR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Dynamic FTIR Showed that the Two Novolac Resins Reacted with Epoxy Resins and Formed a Crosslinking Network Structure. DSC Results Show that the Optimum Mass Ratio between DGEBA and Bis-BENR (or Bis-PHNR) Was 7:3, under which the Curing Reaction Processed Completely. the Mechanical Properties and Sulfide Resistance of DGEBA/bis-BENR (or Bis-PHNR) System Were Also Investigated. the Results Showed that when the Mass Ratio between DGEBA and Bis-BENR (or Bis-PHNR) Was 7:3, the Curing Coatings Had Optimum Mechanical Properties and Sulfide Resistance.

Rheological properties and chemical analysis of nanoclay and carbon microfiber modified asphalt with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

This work aims to improve the rutting and fatigue cracking resistance of asphalt binders using selected nano- or micro-sized materials and to shed light on the microstructure changes induced by such modification to asphalt binders. The four modifiers (Nanomer I.44P, carbon microfiber, non-modified nanoclay and polymer modified nanoclay) were added into the control asphalt binder (PG 58-34). The Superpave™ tests and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were conducted for obtaining the complex shear modulus G* and microstructure distribution of modified asphalt binders. Meanwhile, the short-term and long-term aging processes of asphalt binders are simulated by rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) tests. From the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and FTIR tests results, the complex shear modulus G* values of nano- or micro-materials (Nanomer I.44P, non-modified nanoclay and carbon microfiber) modified asphalt binders increase, and the performance of resistance to rutting is improved compared to the control asphalt binder. The addition of polymer modified nanoclay (PMN) into the control asphalt binder decreases the complex shear modulus, and enhances the resistance to fatigue cracking. Moreover, the addition of four modifiers into the control asphalt binder can delay and weaken the aging and oxidation effect.

Morphology and thermal degradation behavior of highly exfoliated CoAl-layered double hydroxide/polycaprolactone nanocomposites prepared by simple solution intercalation

Highly exfoliated CoAl-layered double hydroxide (CoAl-LDH)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by simple solution intercalation of PCL into the galleries of organically modified CoAl-LDH (OCoAl-LDH) under reflux in cyclohexanone. The structure and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermal Gravimetry Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). TGA data show that the thermal degradation temperature of the PCL nanocomposite with the addition of 1 wt% of LDH is lowered by 18 °C as compared to that of neat PCL. Dynamic FTIR spectra, coupled with two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) correlation spectra, clearly reveal that the decrease in the degradation temperature observed for the nanocomposites is not just due to the decomposition of OCoAl-LDH at low temperature, but also mainly due to the negative catalytic degradation effect of OCoAl-LDH, where the ester groups of PCL matrix are catalytically hydrolyzed by the hydroxyl groups on LDH surface.

Does a Nanomolecule of Carboplatin Injected Periocularly Help in Attaining Higher Intravitreal Concentrations?

To compare intravitreal concentration (VC) of commercially available carboplatin (CAC) and the novel nanomolecule carboplatin (NMC), after periocular injection. The study was a comparative animal study involving 24 white Sprague-Dawley rats, aged between 6 weeks and 3 months. CAC was bound with a nanoparticulate carrier by co-acervation with a biocompatible and biodegradable protein BSA (bovine serum albumin). The particulate size, binding, and structure of the carrier was analyzed with dynamic light-scattering electron microscopy, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four white rats were anesthetized. The right eye of each rat was injected with periocular CAC (1 mL) and the left eye with NMC (1 mL) by a trained ophthalmologist. Four mice each were euthanatized at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 and both eyes were enucleated. The intravitreal concentrations of commercial carboplatin and nanomolecule carboplatin were determined with HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Data were analyzed with the paired t-test. The main outcome measure was intravitreal concentrations CAC and NMC over time. The NMC vitreal concentration was higher than the CAC concentrations in all animals, until day 7 (P = 0.0001). On days 14 and 21, the CAC vitreal concentration was higher than the NMC concentrations in all animals (P = 0.0002). Overall, the mean vitreal concentration of NMC was greater than CAC. Nanoparticulate-bound carboplatin has greater transscleral transport than commercially available carboplatin, especially in the first week after injection and may help enhance the proven adjuvant efficacy of periocular carboplatin over and above systemic chemotherapy in treating human retinoblastoma, especially those with vitreal seeds. This trial is being published to establish a proof of principle for this method of therapy.

Effects of Moisture on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber Composites Studied by Dynamic FT-IR Spectroscopy

Wood fiber reinforced polylactide is a biodegradable composite where both fibers and matrix are from renewable resources. In the development of such new materials, information on mechanical behavior on the macroscopic and the molecular level is useful. In this study, dynamic Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to measure losses at the molecular level during cyclic tensile loading for bonds that are characteristic of the cellulosic fibers and the polylactid matrix. This molecular behavior is compared with measured macroscopic hysteresis losses for different moisture levels. The results show that moisture ingress will transfer the load from the fibers to the matrix, and that a more efficient fiber-matrix interface would diminish mechanical losses. Although the dynamic FT-IR spectroscopy method is still qualitative, this investigation shows that it can provide information on the stress transfer of the constituents in wood fiber reinforced plastics.

Moisture uptake in native cellulose – the roles of different hydrogen bonds: a dynamic FT-IR study using Deuterium exchange

This paper aims at a better understanding of the interaction between cellulose and moisture. In particular, the role of different hydrogen bonds in moisture uptake is investigated. Dynamic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) has been used in combination with deuterium exchange, which permits the labelling of cellulose domains with different accessibilities.

Preparation and characterization of microcapsulated red phosphorus and its flame‐retardant mechanism in halogen‐free flame retardant polyolefins

AbstractMicrocapsulated red phosphorus (MRP), with a melamine–formaldehyde resin coating layer, was prepared by two‐step coating processes. The physical and chemical properties of MRP were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other measurements. The flame retardant action and mechanism of MRP in the halogen‐free flame retardant (HFFR) polyolefins (PO) blends have been studied using cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic FTIR spectroscopy. The results show that the MRP, which is coated with melamine–formaldehyde resin, has a higher ignition point, a considerably lower amount of phosphine evolution and of water absorption compared with red phosphorus (RP) itself. The data observed by cone calorimeter, LOI and TGA measurements from the PO/HFFR blends demonstrated that the MRP can decrease the heat release rate and effective heat of combustion, and increase the thermostability and LOI values of PO materials. The dynamic FTIR results revealed the flame‐retardant mechanism that RP can promote the formation of charred layers with the P–O and P–C complexes in the condensed phase during burning of polymer materials. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry

A Study of the Viscoelastic Behavior of Novel Side Chain Liquid Crystalline Polyurethanes Using Dynamic Infrared Spectroscopy

Side chain liquid crystal polyurethanes are a new class of materials designed to exhibit mechano-optic properties. This paper reports phase modulated dynamic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) experiments performed to study the response of these materials to sinusoidal mechanical perturbations. In dynamic FT-IR, the viscoelastic reorientation of various segments of the macromolecule can be monitored as a function of the applied strain. For the polyurethane under study, the cyano band is used to follow mesogen movements, and the urethane carbonyl is used to track the hard segment. We present evidence for two types of hard segments: those involved in hydrogen bonding within hard domains, and those found in “lone” hard segments in the soft matrix. We also present evidence for two types of mesogens: those found in smectic layers, and those not involved in smectic ordering at the hard domain interface. The hard domains and the smectic layers have strong viscous components to their mechanical res...