jrups
|
|
Abstract: Antibacterial facial tissue papers were prepared by solution casting method with chitosan loaded bleached cellulosic pulp. Chitosan, in the film act as an antibacterial agent. Tissue paper films were fabricated by 50% cellulose and 50% chitosan (by weight, dry basis). Mechanical properties of the films were evaluated. It was found that tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) of the 50% chitosan contain films were 24 MPa and 10.8% respectively. To increase the plasticity of the tissue paper films glycerin was added 0.4 to 2% (by weight). It was found that with the incorporation of 1% glycerin in the tissue paper films the flexibility increased to 50%. Molecular interaction due to the chitosan addition was investigated by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy. Water uptake property of glycerin contains films were also evaluated. In the soil medium, the degradation properties of the tissue paper films were carried out. The antibacterial property of the tissue paper was evaluated by disk diffusion method. Keywords: Bleached cellulosic pulp, Chitosan, Glycerin, Facial tissue, Antibacterial, Biopolymer, Biodegradable. |
|
|
Abstract: Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) films were prepared using solution casting. The Tensile Strength (TS), Tensile Modulus (TM) and Elongation at break (Eb) of the prepared films were found to be 23.58 MPa, 32 MPa and 302% respectively. Moisture content and water uptake analysis were also checked. Then, gelatin and nano crystalline cellulose (NCC) were incorporated into PVA film and again physchio-mechanical properties were measured. The TS, TM and Eb values of PVA/Gelatin-based films were 23.57 MPa, 114.58 MPa, 48.10% respectively. On the other hand, PVA/Gelatin/NCC-based films showed the TS, TM, and Eb values of 32.92 MPa, 129.8 MPa, 58.5% respectively. Thermal degradation test was accomplished by Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Spectroscopic analysis was also done by Fourier Transfer Infra-Red (FTIR). The soil degradation test confirmed the inherent biodegradable nature of the films. The prepared bio-polymeric films were exposed to gamma radiation. It was found that at 6 kGy dose the mechanical properties of the films improved significantly. Keywords: Polyvinyl Alcohol, Nano Crystalline Cellulose, Biodegradable, Gelatin, Gamma Radiation. |
Abstract : Fabrication of Hollow Microspheres Using Single Step Electrospraying Process
|
|
Abstract: In this study, a single step method for large scale fabrication of hollow microspheres with a narrow size distribution is presented. PolyBenzoThiadiazole (PolyBT), a conducting polymer, was electrosprayed at high voltage to obtain microspheres. Hollow spheres of size ranging from 4.1 to 7.3 µm were observed through scanning electron microscope images, without any chemical degradation as shown by FTIR studies. In addition, these microspheres demonstrated a change in optical and hydrophobic properties as exhibited by the UV-visible and contact angle measurements. Thus providing interesting opportunities for use in biomedical applications, sensors as well as optoelectronic devices. Keywords: Conducting polymers, Electrospraying, Hollow microspheres, PolyBenzoThiadiazole (PolyBT). Download Full Article |
Abstract : Fabrication and Thermo-Mechanical Characterization of HEMA Treated UV Photo-Cured Biodegradable Chitosan Film
|
|
Abstract: Chitosan was extracted from dried prawn shell via chitin and was characterized by Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Thin film of chitosan was prepared by solution casting using a 2% chitosan solution. Chitosan was dissolved in 2% acetic acid. Mechanical properties like tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb%) of chitosan film were studied. Eight formulations (M1: 5% HEMA to M8: 40% HEMA) were developed with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer in methanol (MeOH) along with photoinitiator Darocur-4043 (2%). The film was soaked in those formulations for 1 min and cured under UV radiation at different radiation intensities for the improvement of physico-mechanical properties of the film. The cured films were then subjected to various characterization tests like TS, Eb%, water absorption, FTIR spectroscopy, polymer loading (PL), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The M6 formulation containing 30% HEMA in MeOH solution showed the best performance at 20th UV pass. The highest TS, Eb% and PL were found to be 31 MPa, 71.25% and 26.38%, respectively, for the same formulation at 20th UV pass. The DTA/TGA study showed that the film with M6 formulation at 20th UV pass was thermally more stable than non-radiated chitosan film. The FTIR analysis revealed the crosslinking between HEMA and chitosan. Keywords: Chitosan, monomer, cross-linking, grafting, photo-cured, UV radiation). Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: Studies focused on generating products able to reduce environmental impact have been put in place, and those aiming at finding polymeric composites strengthened with natural fibers stand out among them. A composite was strengthened with coconut fibers in the present study, since the generation of coconut residues has increased in Brazil due to coconut water industrialization. The aim of the present study is to process a high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composite strengthened with coconut fiber and to verify its possible application in the automotive industry. Strengthened samples were prepared using coconut fibers in the proportions 10, 20 and 30% fiber to develop such HIPS composite. Analyses were performed in order to set the density, Shore A hardness and impact resistance of the processed composites. It was found that the density and Shore A hardness results in the HIPS did not change due to the addition of coconut fibers. However, it was observed that the impact resistance was reduced because of it. It was noteworthy that the decreased impact resistance did not preclude the use of the HIPS/coconut fiber composite, since it showed that such material can be used in parts free from strong mechanical stress such as those inside the automobiles. The use of coir HIPS also aimed at reducing costs related to the polymer’s consumption and at reusing the waste (coconut husk) from coconut water industries. Keywords: Composites, characterizations, coconut fiber, HIPS, Shore A hardness. |