Xylene Solution Research Articles

Ecotoxicity tests with Allium cepa to determine the efficiency of rice husk ash in the treatment of groundwater contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.

The validation of adsorption treatment based on toxicity assays aims to assess the actual environmental impact caused by effluents after treatment. This study describes the use of rice husk ash as adsorbent and evaluates the efficiency of adsorption treatment to remediate groundwater contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). The synthetic effluent was prepared with standard benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene solutions. Adsorption was assessed at treatment times 0, 60, 120, and 240min. Compounds were quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The treatment was validated based on ecotoxicity assays using Allium cepa as indicator organism. For the treatment times stipulated, samples containing 25, 50, and 100% of BTEX were used. The dilutions were carried out with drinking water according to Fiskesjö (1985). The relative growth index (RGI), root inhibition index (Ii), and germination index (GI) confirmed the efficiency of the treatment approach tested. The best adsorption time for an initial BTEX concentration of 3.378mg/L was 60min. Critical level (EC50) and critical concentration that induced phytotoxic effect on A. cepa germination was observed only for the undiluted effluent.

Surface grafting of styrene on polypropylene by argon plasma and its adsorption and regeneration of BTX

ABSTRACTActive macromolecular free radicals were generated on polypropylene (PP) fiber surfaces by argon plasma irradiation, and surface‐modified PP fibers (PP‐g‐St fibers) were prepared by in situ grafting reaction of styrene monomers (St). The prepared samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, NMR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Effects of reaction parameters on grafting percentage were studied, and adsorption capacities of PP‐g‐St fibers for benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) were evaluated. Regeneration adsorption efficiencies after adsorption of pure BTX and BTX emulsion and solution in water were explored. The results indicated that, using pure St as the monomer, the optimum input power, irradiation time, and grafting reaction time are 90 W, 3 min, and 3 h, respectively, and the grafting percentage of St reached 5.7% when pure St was used. The characterization results demonstrated that St was grafted onto the surface of the PP fibers. Compared to pristine PP fibers, the adsorption capacities of PP‐g‐St fibers toward toluene and xylene emulsions and solutions in water increased. In addition, regeneration adsorption efficiencies of modified fibers remained >90% after six cycles of regeneration adsorption experiments, which showed excellent regeneration ability. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46171.

ENHANCEMENT OF THE SURFACE DIELECTRIC AND PHOTODIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE BY ADDING EMODIN

In this paper, we report surface dielectric and photodielectric properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/Emodin composite. Emodin was extracted from Fallopia japonica plant. The composite was obtained from the xylene solution. Dielectric measurements were performed in the frequency range from 240 Hz to 4 kHz and the temperature range from 20 °C – 70 °C. Irradiations of the sample were applied before and during measurement with selected wavelengths from UV to the visible range. Surface dielectric conductance and susceptance of the LDPE/Emodin composite is higher then value of conductance and susceptance of pure LDPE. We found an increase, by one order of magnitude, in conductance and susceptance of the LDPE/Emodin composite with increase of measurement frequency. Furthermore, the surface conductance and susceptance increase due to UV radiation in mentioned temperature range, but during visible radiation at frequency 1 kHz (except in the case green LED lamp) we observed the enhance of conductance only at temperature range up to 50 °C.

The influence of the SO2 ageing on the graffiti cleaning effectiveness with chemical procedures on a granite substrate

Graffiti are one of the most severe threats to Stone Cultural Heritage and are most of the times removed after long periods of environmental exposure. This research intends to evaluate the influence of the ageing of the graffitis on the effectiveness of their cleaning. So, comparative studies on unaged and on artificially SO2 aged samples were conducted. Four graffiti spray colours were applied on a granite stone and cleaned with two chemical commercial cleaners: a solution of KOH and a solution of n-butyl acetate, xylene and alcohol isobutyl. The spray paints (unaged and aged) and cleaning effectiveness were characterized by stereomicroscopy, colour spectrophotometry, adhesion tests, SEM, μEDXRF, XRD and FTIR. The cleaning effectiveness was also evaluated through surface roughness and static contact angle measurements. The alkyd graffiti paints presented greatest resistance under SO2 rich environments than the polyethylene paint. The aged polyethylene paint showed chemical modifications that resulted in graffiti losses and neo formed mineralogical phases in the surface of the paint. After ageing, the paints became more difficult to clean, showed higher global colour changes and higher residue percentages. No significant roughness variations were detected after chemical cleaning. After the cleaning procedures aged surfaces became more water repellent comparatively to unaged and reference samples. The best cleaning effectiveness was mainly achieved with the potassium hydroxide solution.

Tuning vertical alignment and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube bundles

We report the growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotube bundles on Si substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition technique. Vertical alignment was achieved without any carrier gas or lithography-assisted deposition. Growth has been carried out at 850 °C for different quantities of solution of xylene and ferrocene ranging from 2.25 to 3.00 ml in steps of 0.25 ml at a fixed concentration of 0.02 gm (ferrocene) per ml. To understand the growth mechanism, deposition was carried out for different concentrations of the solution by changing only the ferrocene quantity, ranging from 0.01 to 0.03 gm/ml. A tunable vertical alignment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been achieved by this process and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Micro-crystalline structural analysis has been done using Raman spectroscopy. A systematic variation in field emission (FE) current density has been observed. The highest FE current density is seen for the film grown with 0.02 gm/ml concentration, which is attributed to the better alignment of CNTs, less structural disorder and less entanglement of CNTs on the surface. The alignment of CNTs has been qualitatively understood on the basis of self-assembled catalytic particles.

Examination of validity of a conditioned odor aversion (COA) procedure using low-dose of organic solvent as an applied procedure of the conditioned taste aversion.

Smell of very low dose of chemical might evoke subjective physical symptoms in human by some process of learning named the aversion conditioning. But few scientific evidences of the hypothesis have been reported so far. Validity of conditioned odor aversion (COA) using low-doses of organic solvent as odor conditioned stimulus (CS) was examined. In conditioning phase, water-deprived male Sprague-Dawley rats were presented low, medium or high dose solution for 30 min followed by 0.3 M Lithium Chloride (LiCl) solution or saline injection. The xylene solution and drink water were simultaneously provided on the next day as two-bottle test. Consumption of medium dose of xylene solution was significantly decreased in LiCl injection group as compared with saline group. There was no difference between LiCl and saline injected animals in low group. Animals in high dose did not access to xylene even on the conditioning. These results indicate that animals showed high sensitivity for discrimination against concentration of xylene and that the medium dose of xylene functioned as the CS. We concluded that the COA used in the present study may be one of useful procedures to investigate olfaction of animal.

Surface modification of cellulosic materials for polyethylene composite applications

Cellulose fibers obtained from aspen wood via the Organosolv pulping method were surface modified by maleated polyethylene (MAPE) in a xylene solution to improve their adhesion/dispersion in 30% wt. filled linear medium density polyethylene composites. The chemical analysis of unmodified and modified fibers as well as morphological, rheological, and mechanical characterizations of their composites showed that successful MAPE grafting on the fibers' surface was achieved leading to a substantial improvement of the fiber‐matrix interfacial quality as tensile strength improved by 29% when compared with the composites containing unmodified fibers. The treatment also improved the rigidity and creep resistance of these composites which is highly suitable for building and construction applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E202–E213, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Easily fabricated and recyclable Pd&Cu@Al catalyst for gram-scale phosphine-free Heck reactions with high TON

A unique Pd&Cu@Al catalyst was easily fabricated just by immersing commercial aluminum foil in a mixed xylene solution of PdCl2 and CuCl2. The catalyst fabrication process led to aluminum oxide coatings in situ, which supported the metal nanoparticles and enhanced their catalytic activities for the phosphine-free Heck reaction of aryl halides and styrenes with high turnover number (TON) up to 3.9×105. The reaction can be scaled up to at least 100mmol and has been applied in modification of drug Lapatinib’s intermediate with low metal residue. This novel catalyst is of good application potential in industrial production because it was extremely easy to be recycled, in regardless of the generation of the insoluble impurities or tars during the reaction processes.

Synthesis of a nanocomposite based on polyethylene and modified vermiculite

A composite of polyethylene and vermiculite, a natural aluminosilicate, has been prepared by treating vermiculite with a concentrated polyethylene solution in xylene. Varying the concentration of the polyethylene solution, we obtained materials with various compositions, which were then modified by heat treatment and chemical means (by HCl solution, followed by precipitation of metal ions). We have determined the elemental composition of the composite materials, obtained their IR spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns, and evaluated their surface properties and sorption capacity for organic dyes and oil products. The chemical modification of the composite materials increases their dye sorption capacity, which correlates with the observed changes in their specific surface area and specific pore volume.

Surface grafting of styrene on polypropylene fibers by argon plasma and its adsorption-regeneration of BTX

Active macromolecular free radicals were generated on polypropylene (PP) fibers surfaces by argon (Ar) plasma irradiation, then, PP surface modified fibers (PP-g-St fibers) were prepared by in-situ grafting reaction of styrene monomers (St). Effects of reaction parameters on grafting percentage were studied and adsorption capacities of PP-g-St fibers for benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) were evaluated. Afterwards, regeneration adsorption efficiencies after maximum adsorption were explored. The results indicated that the optimum input power, irradiation time and grafting reaction time are 90 W, 3 min and 3 h respectively and the grafting percentage of St reached 5.7 %. The adsorption capacities of PP-g-St fibers towards toluene and xylene emulsions and solutions in water increased by 336.89 % and 344.57 % respectively, compared to pristine PP fibers. In addition, regeneration adsorption efficiencies of modified fibers remained > 90 % after six cycles of regeneration-adsorption experiments, which showed excellent regeneration ability.

Investigation on Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) Based Alkyd Resin and Styrene as a Coating Material

The Abundant production of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) can be utilized to make high value product, such as alkyd resins for coating materials. In this research, PFAD was reacted with glycerol and phthalic anhydride at various composition and temperature for 4-5 hours, employing one-step and two-step methods. The alkyd resin product was analyzed its acid value, iodine number, viscosity of 5% solution in xylene, and curing possibility with styrene monomer. The results showed that reaction temperature at 180° - 220°C influenced the acid value, but not significant for iodine number, and had no effect to molecular weight of alkyd resin product. Phthalic anhydride had more effect upon acid number than PFAD. Iodine number of the alkyd resin product was generally low, which indicated that this alkyd resin could not be used as drying oil. All alkyd resins produced either by one and two steps could only harden with 20% alkyd resin - 80% styrene using MEKP initiator. Viscosity of 5% alkyd resin solution in xylene was around 11-14 cp, independent of composition and reaction temperature.

The elimination of xylene from aqueous solutions using single wall carbon nanotube and magnetic nanoparticle hybrid adsorbent

Abstract Hybrid adsorbent of single wall carbon nanotubes- magnetic nanoparticle (SWCNT-MN) has been used for the elimination of a variety of pollutants. The aim of the present study was to eliminate xylene from aqueous solutions using this hybrid adsorbent. The xylene solution was made in a synthetic manner with 10, 30, 70, and 100 mg/l concentrations. In different pHs (2–11), nanoparticles of magnetic iron were added to the solution in different concentrations namely 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 g/l and the efficiency of xylene elimination was determined by SWCNT-MN nanoadsorbents after 2–20 min. Xylene was measured using GC/MS device. The data were analyzed by Design Expert software using Taghochi OA method. Also, ISOFIT software was used to investigate the isotherm of xylene adsorption. The optimal conditions of xylene elimination was obtained in primary concentration of 100 mg/l, adsorbent dosage of 2000 mg/l, contact time of 20 min, and pH 8. In the created optimal conditions, 99.2% of xylene was eliminated by SWCNT-MN nanoadsorbents and the adsorption capacity of SWCNT-MN nanoadsorbents for xylene was 50 mg/g. The effect of main factors and important interaction obtained by the software in designing the experiment showed that Prob ˃ F was less than 0.05 for all main factors and the interaction between xylene’s primary concentration and SWCNT-MN nanoadsorbents dosage. Among the main factors, the contact time had the highest effect (34%). The investigation of isotherm of xylene adsorption by SWCNT-MN nanoadsorbents indicated that GLF isotherm is the most appropriate adsorption isotherm.

Aqueous extract of Lannea microcarpa attenuates dextran sulphate-induced paw oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema in rodents

Background: Lannea microcarpa Engl. and K. Krause (Family Anacardiaceae), a tropical tree is used traditionally used in Africa for both medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. Folkoric uses of the plant include wound healing, conjunctivitis, stomatitis and gingivitis among others. Inflammatory reactions are involved in several diseases which this plant is traditionally used to manage. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the antiinflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Lannea microcapa.Methods: Oedema was induced in the right hind paws of Sprague Dawley rats (200-250g, 12 weeks old, n=5) using dextran sulphate solution whiles ear oedema was induced in ICR mice (25-30g, 6 weeks old, n=5) using xylene solutions. Aqueous extracts of ALM (30, 100 and 300mg kg-1) were administered in a set of rats and mice for both prophylactic and therapeutic studies. In the dextran sulphate-induced paw oedema, rats (200-250g) were treated orally with ALM (30, 100 and 300 mg kg-1) for both prophylactic and therapeutic studies. The paw thickness of the rats was measured before and after dextran sulphate injection at an hourly interval for 5 h. For xylene-induced ear oedema, ICR mice (25-30g) were given the same doses of the ALM and the ear weight of mice were measured after 2 h.Results: In the dextran sulphate-induced paw oedema, the ALM reduced the mean maximal paw oedema significantly (P ≤0.05) to 36.392±9.207% and 26.050±3.396% at 100 and 300 mg kg-1 (prophylaxis) and 32.192±5.670%, 31.398±6.921% and 31.593±5.841% at 30, 100 and 300 mg kg-1 (therapeutic) in dose dependent manner when compared to the control respectively. Similarly, the ALM dose dependently showed a significant (P ≤0.05) reduction of percentage mean oedema in xylene-induced ear oedema by 43.56%, 59.63% and 68.07% at 30, 100 and 300 mg kg-1 when compared to the control respectively.Conclusions: Aqueous extract of Lannea microcapa (30 -300 mg kg-1) caused significant reduction of oedema in both dextran sulphate-induced paw oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema.

Polyethylene/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes composites: Electrical insulation for high voltage power cables

Xylene solution blending was tested as a method for producing low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-based nanodielectrics containing 1 wt% and 5 wt% polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POS) of different types — octamethyl POS, octaisobutyl POS, and isooctyl POS. The chemical composition, the morphology, the thermal properties and the dielectric properties of LDPE and its composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal conductivity measurements, broadband dielectric spectroscopy, progressive-stress breakdown tests, and surface partial discharge tests. The results showed that although xylene solution blending was an effective method for producing LDPE/POS dielectric composites, it appeared ineffective in dispersing POS at the nanoscale. Furthermore, some of the composites presented an improved thermal conductivity, a maintained breakdown strength and an enhanced resistance to corona discharges.

A study of the effects of phenolic de-emulsifier solutions in xylene on the de-emulsification of a Nigerian crude oil emulsion

Abstract The research and development of de-emulsifiers for separating water from crude oil emulsions usually result in varying degrees of success, depending on the location and the type of crude being treated. This makes de-emulsifiers crude oil specific and thus gives rise to the continuous search for more and effective de-emulsifiers that can meet the specific needs of each locality. In this study, base-catalyzed phenol formaldehyde resins were formulated at varying formaldehyde to phenol ratios (1.2:1–1.8:1); the assessment was carried out by the bottle test method at varied de-emulsifier concentrations (vol/vol) in xylene acting as solvent diluent. The bottle test was carried out at an optimum temperature of 70 °C, dosage of 50 ppm and residence times of 10 and 20 min. A factorial design was done to determine the best combination of the de-emulsification conditions for the resolution of the Nigerian crude oil emulsion. The results were analyzed and optimized using Minitab 16 utilizing a Pareto chart, normal effects, main effects and interaction plots. From the analysis carried out, it was found that the most effective formulated de-emulsifier was obtained at formaldehyde to phenol (F:P) mole ratio of 1.8:1, 80% de-emulsifier concentration in xylene and residence time of 20 min. This de-emulsifier obtained a water separation efficiency of 79% compared to the commercial de-emulsifier which gave 71% efficiency. Thus the solution of P:F de-emulsifiers in xylene enhances the de-emulsification of the Nigerian crude oil emulsions.

3H-1,2-Benzodithiole-3-thione

The almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.034 Å) title compound, C7H4S3, was synthesized by reacting 2,2-dithiodibenzoic acid with phosphorus pentasulfide in xylene solution. In the crystal, short S...S [3.3727 (14), 3.3765 (13) and 3.4284 (13) Å] contacts and aromatic π–π stacking [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.618 (2) Å] are observed.

The general synthesis and characterization of rare earth orthovanadate nanocrystals and their electrochemical applications

We report a novel, simple synthetic route to uniform and highly crystalline rare earth orthovanadate (LnVO4, Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, or Y) nanocrystals prepared through the reaction between Ln(III)-acetate and a vanadyl sulfate aqueous solution in xylene in the presence of surfactants. In the presented synthesis, vanadyl sulfate was introduced as a new vanadate source to control the reaction rate, thus leading to formation of highly crystalline LnVO4 nanocrystals in a mild reaction condition. By changing the Ln source from Ce to Er, the morphology of the LnVO4 nanocrystals could be easily controlled from long nanorods to short nanorods and nanodisks. The synthesized LnVO4 nanocrystals exhibited good cycling stability and a high rate capability at various current densities when used as electrode materials for Li-ion battery.

ChemInform Abstract: Germanium‐Doped and Germanium/Nitrogen‐Codoped Carbon Nanotubes with Highly Enhanced Activity for Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Medium.

AbstractThe title nanotubes are prepared by chemical vapor deposition of a xylene or aniline solution of GeEt4 (2, 4 and 8 wt.%) using FeMo/Al2O3 as catalyst (quartz tube, 500→800 °C).

Environmental Performance of Xylene, Hydrochloric Acid and Ammonia Solution During Pap Stain for Diagnosing Cervical Cancer.

Little importance has been placed on sustainability of the Papanicolaou (Pap) stain, the gold standard for the diagnosis of cervical cancer, for global environmental health. The standard Pap stain uses environmentally toxic and carcinogenic reactants such as xylene, hydrochloric acid and ammonia solution. To eradicate the use of environmentally toxic and carcinogenic reactants through the validation of the Ecologic Papanicolaou (Eco-Pap) test. Reagent handling strategies were divided in three phases: used Harris' progressive hematoxilin, polychromatic solution and direct mounting that were analyzed by PEED-Cytology, Staining Quality Index (ICT) and the Bethesda system 2014. A total of 52,319 Pap smears stained with Eco-Pap were admitted (ICT=0.91). Validation of the Eco-Pap versus conventional staining was optimal (Kappa =0.89) and the sensitivity and specificity of the method were 57% and 98%, respectively. Eco-Pap reduced the environmental contamination produced by xylene (66 liters), hydrochloric acid and ammonia (5.5 liters each) over nine months, and all diagnoses coincided with the cytological details. The Eco-Pap is an innovative method that transforms Pap testing into a sustainable and supportable technology.

Polypropylene nanocomposites with polymer coated multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) have been functionalized using nitric acid. The functionalized MWNTs (f-MWNT) form stable dispersions in butanol, while as received nanotubes do not. The f-MWNTs/butanol dispersion was added with polypropylene (PP) or maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) in xylene solution to form PP/f-MWNT and MA-g-PP/f-MWNT master batches, respectively. Both PP and MA-g-PP formed coatings on f-MWNTs, where the polymer coating thickness was 4–5 nm. Both PP and MA-g-PP exhibited non-covalently bonded interactions with f-MWNTs, and the evidence of these interactions was obtained using FTIR spectroscopy. The interfacial polymers (PP or MA-g-PP) in the master batches exhibited about 20 °C higher thermal decomposition temperature and greater chemical resistance in xylene than the bulk matrix polymer (PP or MA-g-PP). The PP/f-MWNT and MA-g-PP/f-MWNT master batches, as well as pristine MWNTs (p-MWNT) were melt blended with PP and injection molded nanocomposite samples were prepared from the melt blends. Studies regarding crystallization, rheology, and mechanical behavior all showed distinct differences in the nanocomposites performance when processed with MWNTs via the two master-batch approaches, and from pristine nanotubes. Both master batches resulted in much better MWNT dispersions than was achieved using p-MWNTs. Mechanical properties of the three types of injection molded samples at 0.1 wt% MWNT have been determined and compared.