Chemistry

Mesoporous aluninosilicate Al-MCM-41 molecular sieves with Si/Al ratios 25, 50, 75 and 100 have been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and these materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET and pyridine adsorption techniques. The catalytic performance was examined in the vapor phase tert-butylation of anisole with tert-butanol at the temperatures between 150 and 250 °C under atmospheric pressure. The results indicate that Al-MCM-41 (25) was found to be more active than its relatives. The major products are found to be 4-tert-butyl anisole (4-TBA), 2-tert-butyl anisole (2-TBA) and 2,4 di-tert-butyl-anisole (2,4-DTBA). Maximum conversion of anisole is observed at 175 °C and decreased thereafter with increasing temperature. The influence of molar feed ratio, influence of temperature, WHSV and time on stream on the selectivity of products was investigated and the results are discussed.

The  objective  of  the  present  work  is  to  synthesize  1,4’-bis  (4-amine-phenoxy)  benzene  epoxy
resin  (TGBAPSB)  via  1,4’-bis  (4-amine-phenoxy)sulphonebenzene  (BAPSB)  and
epichlorohydrin. The molecular structure of TGBAPSB epoxy resin was confirmed by FTIR and
NMR spectroscopy and molecular weight was determined by GPC and epoxy equivalent weight
(EEW) by titration method. The amine functionalizednanoalumina (F-nAl) was synthesized via
the  sol–gel  method  and  its  surface  was  modified  with  3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane  and has been confirmed by FT-IR. The TGBAPSB epoxy resin was further reinforced with varying weight  percentages  (1-5wt  %)  of  F-nAl  and  cured  with  diaminodiphenylmethane  (DDM). Thermal  and  thermo-mechanical  behaviour  of  TGBAPSB  epoxy  matrices  and  nanocomposites were examined by TGA, DMA and DSC. The surface morphology of the epoxy nanocomposites was  investigated  by  XRD,  TEM,  SEM  and  AFM  studies.  Data  obtained  from  the  mechanical, thermal  and  thermo-mechanical,  dielectric  and  water absorption  studies  indicate  a  significant improvement in properties of the resultant epoxy nanocomposites, which appear to be an ideal candidate  for  advanced  high  performance  applications  when  compared  to  those  of  neat  epoxy matrix

A Schiff base ligand, namely 2-(5-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) phenol (L) and  its Co (II),
Ni  (II),  Cu  (II)  and  Zn  (II)  complexes  were  synthesized  and  characterized  via  elemental  analysis,  Molar
conductance,  Magnetic  susceptibility, IR,  UV-Vis,
1
H-NMR  and MS-EI  spectral data, wherever possible and
applicable.  Elemental  analyses  together  with  metal  estimation  confirmed  1:1  molar  ratio  of  ligand  to  metal  ion
of  the  complexes.  IR  and  electronic  absorption  spectra  showed  that  L  coordinated  with  metal  ions  through
azomethine-N  and  phenolic-O.  Based  on  the  spectral  and  analytical  data,  geometry  of  each  complex  was
proposed.  Corrosion  inhibition  of  the  schiff  base  and  its  metal  complexes  were  evaluated  using  weight  loss
methods  in  a  0.1MHCl  solution  for  mild  steel.  It  was  found  that  the  compounds  had  a  promising  inhibitory
action  against  corrosion  of  mild  steel  in  the  medium  investigated.  The  ligand  and  its  metal  chelates  were
screened  for  their  antimicrobial  activities  against  S.  aureus,  P.  aeruginosa,  C.  albicans  and  C.  krusei.  With  the
exception  against  C.  krusei,  higher  activities  were  exhibited  upon  coordination  of  the  ligand  with  metal  ions.  It
was  found  that  Cu(II)  and  Ni(II)  complexes  showed  the  highest  antibacterial  and  antifungal  activities,
respectively.

The present work focused on thermal behavior of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced
with untreated and benzoyl peroxide (BP) treated
banana/sisal fibers (BSF) combination. Fabrication of
biocomposites was performed by extrusion followed
by injection molding. Fourier transformed infrared
(FTIR) spectral technique ascertained the nature of
bonding between BSF and PLA. The thermal properties
of virgin PLA, UT-BSF/PLA, and BP-T-BSF/PLA composites were studied by DSC and TGA analysis. DSC
analysis indicated no significant changes in the glass
transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature
(Tm) of virgin PLA, UT-BSF/PLA, and BP-T-BSF/PLA
composites and no sign of crystallization for both virgin PLA, UT-BSF/PLA composites. However, crystallization was observed in BP-T-BSF/PLA composites.
The BP-T-BSF/PLA composite exhibited a delayed thermal degradation pattern from TGA analysis when compared to that of UT-BSF/PLA composites and virgin
PLA as well. Further, the effect of BSF treatment and
hybridization of BSF with PLA on the degree of crystallinity (Xc) were explored in detail. The above said composites were also investigated through scanning
electron microscope (SEM) micrographs to examine
the adhesion between the PLA and BSF. In addition,
the results of SEM acquired are in good agreement
with the data resulted from FTIR and thermal characterization.POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000–000, 2015.VC 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers