bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young Women, Work and Inequality: Is it What They Want or What They Get? An Australian Contribution to Research on Women and Workforce Participation
Authors: Wicks Deidre , Mishra Gita , Milne Lisa
Published: March 2010

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was established to track the health of three age cohorts of Australian women - 40,000 in total - over a twenty year period. It provides opportunities for research into health and related issues for women. In this paper, we investigate (1) baseline data from the young cohort of 1400 survey participants and (2) follow up in-depth interview data from a small sample of 57 of the original respondents. The focus of the paper is on the aspirations of young women (aged 18-23) for work, their ideal job, relationships (including children) and further education, particularly in the context of gender inequality in labour markets.Through an analysis of the data, we look at the extent to which gender inequalities are the result of free choices and preferences and to what extent they are conditioned by socio-economic structures and processes that reproduce inequalities over time. This issue is further explored through a classification of women by socio- economic status. In this way, we can analyse the gender dimension of labour market inequality in general as well as the relationship of gender inequality to class inequality in the areas of work, work choice and the ability to combine work and family responsibilities. Analysis of the two data sets sheds light on debates about women's workforce participation as well as establishing baseline data for future research on the options chosen and available for this group of young women. The results will have significance for policy debates in several areas, including those concerned with worker entitlements, childcare, access to higher education and workforce planning. More particularly, it makes a significant contribution to the current debate, initiated by Catherine Hakim, about women's supposed preference for part-time rather than full-time work.
Thinking Global but Acting Local: The Middle Classes in the City
Authors: Butler Tim
Published: March 2010

The paper advances the notion that there is ‘metropolitan habitus’ in large global cities such as London which distinguishes it from other conurbations in the United Kingdom. At the same time, it is argued that whilst London is becoming an increasingly middle-class city, this group is increasingly stratified along socio-spatial lines. Richard Sennett's work The Corrosion of Character is drawn upon to suggest that, to some extent, different gentrification strategies enable the metropolitan middle classes to compensate for the lack of a long term in contemporary middle-class life. Drawing on fieldwork, recently conducted in five gentrified areas of inner London north and south of the Thames, it is suggested that an important aspect of the socio spatial differentiation within the metropolitan middle class is whether it seeks to embrace or escape the contemporary globalization of consumer culture. Although this process is highly nuanced by individual strategies for negotiating the boundaries between the global and the local, which are exemplified by the distinction between residential areas and the centre of London, it is nevertheless suggested that these socio-spatial divisions account for variations within the metropolitan habitus to a greater extent than socio- demographic and occupational divisions which are only weakly associated with the global/non-global dichotomisation. The paper uses both quantitative and qualitative data to look at the different ways in which cultural, economic and social capital are drawn on in the gentrification of each area and how these reflect not only the capabilities but also the proclivities of the different groups concerned. It is suggested that metropolitan habitus is a concept that needs further analysis and research but which has considerable potential explanatory value in accounting for differences between the middle classes in London and other provincial cities and non urban areas.
From the Culture of Matter to the Matter of Culture: Feminist Explorations of Nature and Science
Authors: Hird Myra
Published: March 2010

‘The body’ has come to represent a key signifier both within, and beyond, cultural studies. Analyzing and challenging the underlying cultural assumptions of scientific discourses of nature have keenly involved feminist theory in the project of uncovering the culture of matter. The aim of this paper is to review the important insights feminists have brought to bear on the cultural constructions of materiality. I then go on to suggest that considering the matter of culture might be both interesting and useful for feminist theory, especially in opening up new sites of analysis of sexual difference. I explore four areas of materiality that might assist feminist analyses in this area: paradigm shifts, boundaries, technology and the evolution of sexual difference.
The Use of Complementary Therapies in Western Sydney
Authors: Kumar Ashwin
Published: March 2010

This paper, based on a survey of 523 people in the western region of Sydney (Australia), explores the responses of a cross-sectional sample in terms of what respondents considered to be complementary therapeutics, who is using them, and how often. The paper also explores in a limited way some of the reasons for using complementary therapeutics and, in particular, why some people had elected not to use complementary therapeutics. Although past studies have been limited by the absence of a sound theoretical base for the understanding of complementary therapeutics and their use, the findings lend support to a pluralist vis-‡-vis post-modernist explanation.
Ageing and Imagined Community: Some Cultural Constructions and Reconstructions
Authors: Conway Stephen
Published: March 2010

This paper develops Anderson's (1983) concept of ‘imagined community’ to explore the social meaning of popular images of ageing and the beliefs of older people. Popular iconography and texts are examined in relation to the representation of ‘normal’ or ‘positive’ ageing in areas including the marketing of seaside towns as places for retirement through the emphasis upon heritage, British holiday brochures for old people, lifestyle magazines, and the general sites of death, dying, funerals and bereavement ‘therapy’. These are seen as prescriptive representations that are sanitised and fictional. Emphasising communalism and homogeneity, they ignore the realities of history, and the differences and inequalities to be found amongst the old as a social group. This ‘vocabulary of motive’ (Mills 1940) of imagined community is found to be predominant within positive images of ageing, especially those found in ‘consumer culture’. The paper also considers how ageing can become a theatre for the interpretation and performance of imagined community in autobiographical context.
Moral Discrepancy and Political Discourse: Accountability and the Allocation of Blame in a Political News Interview
Authors: Housley William , Fitzgerald Richard
Published: March 2010

During the course of this article we intend to explore some issues surrounding government policy and actions and the moral organisation of political discourse surrounding the recent enquiry into the BSE crisis and the publication of the Phillips Report in the UK. More specifically, we wish to develop the concept of moral discrepancy and it's use in politically accountable settings, in this case the political interview. The paper, through the use of membership categorisation analysis, explores issues surrounding the social organisation of interview settings, the discursive management of policy decisions and ‘bureaucratic mistakes’ and the allocation of blame in situated media/political formats. The paper then relates these issues to notions of democracy-in-action, public ethics and the respecification of structure and agency as a members phenomenon.
Towards a Typology of Intergenerational Relations: Continuities and Change in Families
Authors: Brannen Julia
Published: March 2010

This paper focuses on ‘beanpole’ families, that is those with several living generations; it analyses patterns of care and paid work across the generations and the resource transfers which take place between generations. Drawing on a small-scale study of four generation families, it provides a typology of intergenerational relations with respect to the transmission of material assets, childcare and elder care, sociability, emotional support, and values. It examines two a fortiori conditions which are considered to shape intergenerational relations: (a) occupational status continuity/ mobility and (b) geographical proximity/ mobility. Four types of intergenerational relations are generated by this examination: traditional solidaristic; differentiated; incorporation of difference; and reparation in estrangement. The paper looks at families holistically and draws on the concept of ambivalence to describe the forces which push family members to carry on family patterns and those which pull them apart and lead them to strike out on their own. It shows how, whatever the type of intergenerational pattern, each generational unit seeks to make its own mark.
Trees Don't Talk: A Methodological Account of a Forest Sociologist in Mexico
Authors: Mitchell Ross
Published: March 2010

This paper examines personal experience as both a sociologist and forester collecting data in the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico. It builds on writings where researchers have taken an introspective or auto/biographical approach to problematizing their own involvement. My findings illustrate that demographic and social features such as gender, nationality, and language can both hinder and privilege social science research. Moreover, this paper disputes the contention that expertise in a given specialty automatically makes for good field research. Depending upon the type of research and the questions being addressed, previous professional experience may actually hinder the building of rapport in certain cases. Genuine efforts to engage in local discourse can ultimately serve to improve fieldwork, and contribute to mutual understanding.
A comprehensive kinetic model for high‐temperature free radical production of styrene/methacrylate/acrylate resins
Authors: Wang Wei , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: March 2010

n‐Butyl methacrylate/styrene/n‐butyl acrylate (BMA/ST/BA) high‐temperature starved‐feed solution semibatch copolymerization and terpolymerization experiments with varying monomer feed composition, final polymer content, monomer feed time, and reaction temperature were carried out. A comprehensive mechanistic terpolymerization model implemented in PREDICI includes methacrylate depropagation, acrylate backbiting, chain scission, and macromonomer propagation, as well as penultimate chain‐growth and termination kinetics. The generality of the model was verified by comparison with terpolymerization data sets from two laboratories that demonstrate the impact of high‐temperature secondary reactions on polymerization rate and polymer molecular weight. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Formation of liquid bridges between porous matrix blocks
Authors: Dejam Morteza , Hassanzadeh Hassan
Published: March 2010

It is widely accepted that, in fluid flow and transport in fractured porous media, there exists some degree of block‐to‐block interaction that may lead to capillary continuity. The formation of liquid bridges causing interaction between blocks will affect oil recovery from naturally fractured reservoirs. However, the accurate modeling of the growth and detachment of liquid bridges that may cause capillary continuity between matrix blocks remains a controversial topic. In an attempt to improve our understanding of the problem, a mechanistic model is developed in this work for the formation of liquid bridges between porous blocks. The proposed model considers growth and detachment of pendant liquid droplets perpendicular to the horizontal and smooth fracture between porous matrix blocks. The liquid bridge model is then coupled with various upscaled fracture capillary pressure models to study the liquid bridge formation process. An expression is obtained that relates the commonly used fracture capillary pressure to the critical length of the liquid element. Results based on various fracture capillary pressure models reveal that the threshold Bond number is an important parameter in the formation of liquid bridges. We introduce a simple mechanistic model for the formation of liquid bridges in a horizontal fracture between two porous blocks, advancing our understanding of the two‐phase flow in fractured porous media. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Studies of a pervaporation membrane batch reactor
Authors: Siva Kumar K. , Satyanarayana S.V.
Published: March 2010

Pervaporation processes are being increasingly adopted for environmental applications, and also for developments in many industrial reactions and their reactor systems. This study is related to pervaporation‐facilitated esterification. A parametric study was carried out in order to provide a fundamental understanding of the reactor behaviour. A batch reactor integrated with a pervaporation unit was selected as the model system. The model validity was confirmed by comparison with literature data. Simulations demonstrated that conversions exceeding equilibrium limits can be achieved by using pervaporation to remove water from the reaction mixtures, and that complete conversion of one reactant is possible when the other reactant is present in excess. Simulations also showed that conversion was less effected by the presence of water, which can be either in the reaction medium or as an impurity of the reacting reagent. The influence of several process parameters on reaction performance is discussed; for example membrane permeability, membrane area, volume of the reaction mixtures, temperature, excess reactant versus conversion, and water concentration in the reactor. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silica microcapsules and microtubes prepared from rod‐like and needle‐like polyaniline templates
Authors: Jung Woo‐Hyuk , Choi Yeon‐Sil , Moon Jung‐Min , Han Sang‐Cheol , Kim Yang , Lee Jang‐Oo
Published: March 2010

Rod‐like or needle‐like particles of polyanilinium p‐toluene sulfonate have been used as templates for the formation of silica microcapsules or microtubes. Thus, an alkaline aqueous suspension of the needles was treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate to form silica‐coated needles, which were subsequently calcined to remove the polyanilinium templates. The rod‐like or needle‐like polyaniline particles, their silica‐coated derivatives and silica microcapsules or microtubes have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Optical parameters and absorption studies of UV‐irradiated azo dye‐doped PMMA films
Authors: Zidan H. M. , El‐Khodary A. , El‐Sayed I. A. , El‐Bohy H. I.
Published: March 2010

PMMA and PMMA films doped with different contents of azo dye have been made by using the casting technique. The absorption spectral analysis showed that the doped films have two absorption bands attributed to the π‐π* and n‐π* transition of chromophore groups. These bands disappear upon UV‐irradiation, suggesting that the studied system undergoes a photo degradation process. The absorption coefficient and optical energy gap (Eg) have been obtained from the absorption edge in the 200–900 nm range. It was found that Eg decreases with increasing doping levels, whereas it increases with increasing irradiation time. The width of the tail of localized states in the band gap (ΔE) was evaluated using the Urbach edge method. Some optical parameters were determined from the reflection and transmission spectra in the spectral range of 200–2500 nm. The dependence of the refractive index on irradiation time and doping level have been discussed. It was found that the photo‐induced refractive index changes are very large. These changes suggest the applicability of the studied system in optical devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Cationic polymerization of 2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran using 12‐tungstophosphoric acid as a solid acid catalyst
Authors: Aouissi Ahmed
Published: March 2010

The bulk polymerization of 2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran catalyzed by 12‐tungstophosphoric acid was investigated. The effects of the time, temperature, and amount of the catalyst on the polymerization reaction were studied. The propagation exclusively involved CC bonds. Propagation by ring opening was not observed. The total polymerization time and the melting temperature decreased as the proportion of the catalyst and the temperature were increased because of the increase in the number of active centers and the chain‐transfer reaction, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Blends of thermoplastic polyurethane and polypropylene. II. Thermal and morphological behavior
Authors: Govorčin Bajsić Emi , Pustak Anđela , Šmit Ivan , Leskovac Mirela
Published: March 2010

Neat thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polypropylene (PP), and TPU/PP blends with different weight ratios that were prepared in a twin‐screw extruder were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and light and scanning electron microscopy. The results confirmed PP matrix to TPU matrix phase inversion in the concentration region between 60/40 and 80/20 TPU/PP blends. The total degree of crystallinity of the blends and the crystallization temperature of PP decreased with increasing TPU content. On the other hand, the addition of elastomeric TPU to PP significantly increased the spherulite size of PP. The TPU melt islands in the PP matrix prolonged the crystallization of PP during solidification, and this enhanced the growth of spherulites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Hybrid fiber fabric composites from poly ether ether ketone and glass fiber
Authors: Shekar R. Indu , Kotresh T. M. , Prasad A. S. Krishna , Rao P. M. Damodhara , Kumar M. N. Satheesh , Siddaramaiah
Published: March 2010

Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer was extruded into filaments and cowoven into unidirectional hybrid fabric with glass as reinforcement fiber. The hybrid fabrics were then converted into laminates and their properties with special reference to crystallization behavior has been studied. The composite laminates have been evaluated for mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and flexural strength. The thermal behavior of the composite laminates were analyzed using differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). The exposure of the fabricated composite laminates to high temperature (400 and 500°C) using radiant heat source resulted in an improvement in the crystallanity. The morphological behavior and PEEK resin distribution in the composite laminates were confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nondestructive testing (NDT). Although DMA results showed a loss in modulus above glass transition temperature (Tg), a fair retention in properties was noticed up to 300°C. The ability of the composite laminates to undergo positive thermal expansion as confirmed through TMA suggests the potential application of glass–PEEK composites in aerospace sector. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117:1446–1459, 2010
Poly(imide‐amide)s and poly(imide‐ester)s obtained from N,N′‐(4,4′‐Me,R‐diphthaloyl)‐bis‐glycine acid dichloride (R = Me, Et): Synthesis, characterization, and thermal studies
Authors: Tagle L. H. , Terraza C. A. , Leiva A. , Yazigi N. , Lopez L.
Published: March 2010

Poly(imide‐amide)s (PIAs) and poly(imide‐ester)s (PIEs) containing two Si‐atoms in the repeating unit were synthesized from acid dichlorides and diamines and diphenols, respectively. The acid dichlorides were obtained from the dianhydrides, which reacted first with glycine and then with thionyl chloride. The dianhydrides were obtained from the tetramethyl derivatives, which were oxidized to the tetra acids and then the dianhydrides were obtained with acetic anhydride. PIAs were obtained in N,N‐dimethylacetamide solution at low temperature and the PIEs in a CHCl3 solution. Monomers and polymers were characterized by IR and 1H, 13C, and 29Si‐NMR spectroscopy and the results were in agreement with the proposed structures. The ηinh values were indicative of low molecular weight species and of oligomeric nature. The glass transition (Tg) and thermal decomposition temperatures (TDT) values of PIAs were higher than those of PIEs due to the presence of the aromatic rings of the diamine. The aliphatic groups bonded to the Si atom of the acid dichloride moiety promoted the decrease of the thermal stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Viscosity study of salt tolerant polymers
Authors: Rashidi Masoud , Blokhus Anne Marit , Skauge Arne
Published: March 2010

The rheological characteristics of copolymers of acrylamide (AM) with sodium salt of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (PAMS), and of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) have been studied in both NaCl solutions and synthetic seawater. PAMS may possible have high salt tolerance and thereby find use in enhanced oil recovery processes for high salinity reservoirs. The viscosity and solubility effect of the PAMS copolymers have been systematically studied with variations in sulfonation degree and molecular weight. Emphasis has been studies as a function of shear rate, polymer concentration, NaCl and divalent ions concentration in aqueous phase. Shear rate dependence of PAMS varies with sulfonation degree, and PAMS with higher sulfonation degree is found to be less shear rate dependent. PAMS with high sulfonation degree are more salt tolerant also compared to HPAM. Also the effect of divalent ions on viscosity of PAMS is lower compared to HPAM. Two parameters will increase the solubility effect of the PAMS copolymers in mix brine, one is sulfonation degree and the other is in the presence of NaCl. Both parameters have a direct effect on the solubility of PAMS copolymer in mixed brine. In all cases the PAMS copolymers are more salt tolerant than HPAM. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Solvent effects in the polyethylene terephthalate surface modification by cold argon plasma‐induced grafting polymerization of methacrylic acid
Authors: Shi Laishun , Liu Yanpu , Wang Luyan
Published: March 2010

We studied the surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by grafting with methacrylic acid (MAA) through plasma‐induced polymerization method. The results show that the grafting yield increases with the increase of reaction temperature. The grafting yield is in proportion to the increase of monomer concentration. The grafting yield increases along with the prolonging of reaction time. The solvent has great influence to the grafting reaction. The grafting yield increases with the increase of volume ratio R, which is defined by the volume of water to the volume of alcohol, when using alcohol and water as mixed solvent. The grafting yield is not zero when only using methanol, ethanol or isopropanol as the solvent. The red shift in UV spectrum could be ascribed to different reactive activities of MAA in different solvents, which also can explain the change trend of the grafting yield. The UV‐vis absorbance difference and the FTIR integrated peak area of the CO stretching increase steadily with the increase of grafting yield, which are almost linear relationship. It was confirmed that MAA was grafted onto the PET surface in terms of UV‐vis spectrophotometric, FTIR and atomic force microscopy analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
One‐step synthesis of triarm block copolymers via simultaneous reversible‐addition fragmentation chain transfer and ring‐opening polymerization
Authors: Öztürk Temel , Göktaş Melahat , Hazer Baki
Published: March 2010

One‐step synthesis of star copolymers by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) by using a novel dual initiator is reported. Triarm block copolymers comprising one polystyrene (or polyacrylamide) arm and two poly(β‐butyrolactone) arms were synthesized in one‐step by simultaneous RAFT polymerization of styrene (St) (or acrylamide, designated as AAm) and ROP of β‐butyrolactone (BL) in the presence of a novel trifunctional initiator, 1,2‐propanediol ethyl xanthogenate (RAFT‐ROP agent). This dual initiator was obtained through the reaction of 3‐chloro‐1,2‐propanediol with the potassium salt of ethyl xanthogenate. The principal parameters such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and polymerization time that affect the one‐step polymerization reaction were evaluated. The characterization of the products was achieved using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR), Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and fractional precipitation (γ) techniques. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
The degradation and prestabilization of acrylonitrile copolymers
Authors: Cui Chuansheng , Yu Lina , Wang Chengguo
Published: March 2010

The degradation and prestabilization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The initial temperature, initial loss‐weight temperatures, and loss‐weight were significantly lowered when ammonium itaconate (AIA) was used as comonomer. One exothermal peak of PAN (homopolymer) was shown in the DSC curves, while there were four exothermal peaks of poly(AN‐AIA). FTIR spectra results confirm the degradation process of NH groups. During the heating process, NH groups (3030 cm−1) were changed into NH (2955 cm−1) and then NH groups (2920 cm−1). The dissociated H+ could initiate the cyclization reactions of CN companied with heat released. The effect of ammonia on degradation and prestabilization of PAN was also studied. It was found that ammonia could accelerate prestabilization of acrylic precursors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis of nano‐sized ZnO and polyaniline‐zinc oxide composite: Characterization, stability in terms of DC electrical conductivity retention and application in ammonia vapor detection
Authors: Khan Asif Ali , Khalid Mohd.
Published: March 2010

Nano‐sized particles of Zinc oxide (ZnO) were synthesized using a new chemical rout. The chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of nano ZnO was employed to synthesize a polyaniline‐zinc oxide (PANI‐ZnO) nanocomposite. The material was characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The conductivity measurements showed the resulting composites possessed higher conductivity as compared to pure polyaniline (PANI). The nanocomposite exhibited fairly sensitive towards solution of aqueous ammonia (NH3), when it was exposed to various concentrations of NH3 in an ambient room temperature. The results show that the sensor has good sensitivity and good repeatability upon repeated exposure to NH3. PANI‐ZnO nanocomposite was also used to study electrical conductivity under isothermal conditions in the temperature range 50–130°C. The composite was found stable under ambient conditions below 90°C in terms of DC electrical conductivity retention. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Properties of epoxy novolak resin layers doped with bismuth for photoluminescence near 1300 nm
Authors: Prajzler Václav , Lyutakov Oleksiy , Hüttel Ivan , Špirková Jarmila , Oswald Jiří , Machovič Vladimír , Jeřábek Vítězslav
Published: March 2010

In this article, we report on the optical properties of bismuth ions doped epoxy novolak resin (ENR). The polymer layers containing 1–20 at. % of bismuth were fabricated by spin coating onto silicon or quartz substrates. The properties of the material were studied using several methods with special regards to its potential utilization in photonics devices. Absorption spectra were taken in the range from 350 to 800 nm. Optical band gap Eg was determined from the absorption coefficient values using Tauc's procedure, i.e., from the relationship αhv = A(hv − Eg)2 and the obtained values varied from 2.94 to 3.23 eV depending on the amount of bismuth ions involved in the samples. Photoluminescence spectra around 1300 nm were recorded by using excitation of semiconductor lasers operating at 808 nm (Ex = 500 mW). Optical properties of bismuth‐doped ENR were evaluated on the bases of the concentration of the bismuth ions involved in the samples and showed, e.g., close relations between concentration of the dopants and intensity of the luminescence band at 1300 nm. IR spectra showed only negligible changes in the original substrate resin. Our results proved that the bismuth‐doped ENR have a potential for utilization in photonic devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites based on a furan resin
Authors: Rivero Guadalupe , Vázquez Analía , Manfredi Liliana B.
Published: March 2010

Formaldehyde emissions are nowadays trying to be reduced because of its atmospheric pollutant character. Besides, it is encouraged the use of polymeric materials synthesized from biomass wastes as row materials. For this reason, furan resins would be an alternative to phenolic resins, where formaldehyde is replaced by furfural as a reactant. Regarding, the addition of nanoparticles to the furan resin should enhance their performance as metal coatings with good thermal and oxidative resistance. The aim of this article is to study the influence of the in situ addition of different type of nanoparticles on the chemical reactions involved in the synthesis of a furan resin. From the viscosity measurements it was observed that the addition of the nanoreinforcements led to a higher resin reaction rate. Differences in the final chemical structure among the materials were also observed by infrared spectroscopy analyses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Characterization of poly(lactic acid) multifilament yarns. I. The structure and thermal behavior
Authors: Radjabian M. , Kish M. H. , Mohammadi N.
Published: March 2010

The structure and thermal behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) multifilament yarns were studied by complementary techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). As for PLA filaments, notable differences in the WAXD patterns, DSC curves, and FTIR spectra were observed. The combination of the WAXD and FTIR results showed that PLA samples with different crystallinity contain α‐form crystal structure. The FTIR spectra of the filaments were analyzed to study their crystallinity and crystal structure. The total crystallinity of the PLA filaments was obtained from the percent area loss of the skeletal amorphous band at 955 cm−1. Crystalline fraction from FTIR and DSC were comparable with each other. The CO stretching region, which is sensitive to crystallization and dipole–dipole interactions, was evaluated to provide information about chain conformers and crystallinity of the samples. Depending on the processing conditions, double melting peaks were observed in the DSC curves of the samples. This exhibited the structural reorganization of the crystal phase during heating affected by heating and cooling rate. In the DSC curves of the nearly amorphous multifilament yarn, the exothermic peak observed right above the glass transition temperature (Tg) indicated two relaxed and deformed amorphous regions. However, the multifilament yarn with higher crystallinity showed just endothermic melting peak after its glass transition. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Oxazoline functionalized polystyrene as a compatibilizer for dispersion of organoclay in polyphenylene ether blends
Authors: Sangaj Nivedita , Mohite Amol , Sadasivam G. , Franklin Sushmita , Guo Hua
Published: March 2010

Addition of external additives as compatibilizers is known to improve exfoliation of nanoclay in various polymeric matrices. This study found that oxazoline functionalized polystyrene (OPS) is an effective compatibilizer to improve the dispersion of organoclay (Cloisite 20A) in polyphenylene ether (PPE)‐based blends. The main objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of OPS as a compatibilizer for dispersion of nanoclay in PPE‐based blends and evaluate whether the master‐batch of organoclay in OPS can be used to disperse nanoclay in various PPE‐based blends irrespective of the type of the other polymer component in the blend. Although the addition of OPS to polystyrene (PS) alone resulted in mere intercalation of organoclay, its addition to PPE‐based blends was found to result in mixed clay dispersion of intercalated, exfoliated, and to some extent collapsed phases. Addition of OPS‐organoclay combination in master‐batch mode showed similar results as direct mode addition. At least 15% of OPS was required for effective dispersion of Cloisite 20A in PPE‐high impact polystyrene blend. The possible role of solubility of OPS in the matrix and high melt shear of PPE‐based matrix was investigated to understand the exclusive action of OPS in PPE‐based blends. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to study the organoclay dispersion. Further master batches of organoclay in neat OPS and OPS containing PPE‐based blends were evaluated in other PPE‐based commercial blends. Of the various blends studied, blend containing phosphite additive showed better dispersion of organoclay. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of the viscosity ratio on the morphology and properties of PET/HDPE blends with and without compatibilization
Authors: Mbarek Souad , Jaziri Mohamed , Chalamet Yvan , Carrot Christian
Published: March 2010

The influence of the molecular weight of polyethylene on the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) dispersed as droplets in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) matrix at various compositions was investigated. The difference of morphologies can be easily explained by the influence of the molecular weight on the viscosity ratio and therefore, on the critical capillary number. The compatibilizing efficiency of copolymers containing glycidyl methacrylate groups was also addressed in relation to their nature, the protocol for their drying and the molecular weight of the HDPE phase. The increase of adhesion between PET and HDPE was found to have a larger influence on tensile properties than the reduction of interfacial tension. The amount of compatibilizer needed for adhesion improvement depends on the interfacial area that is defined by both the interfacial tension and viscosity ratio of the components. A qualitative relation between the optimum amount of compatibilizer and the critical capillary number can be written. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Water vapor sorption kinetics of wood modified with glutaraldehyde
Authors: Xie Yanjun , Hill Callum A. S. , Xiao Zefang , Jalaludin Zaihan , Militz Holger , Mai Carsten
Published: March 2010

The modifying effects of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood with the crosslinking agent glutaraldehyde (GA) on the water vapor sorption kinetics were studied by curve fitting the experimental isotherm sorption data obtained using a Dynamic Vapor Sorption apparatus using the parallel exponential kinetics model (PEK model) and the Hailwood–Horrobin model (H–H model) for the isotherm. Both the H–H model and the PEK model provided good fits to the experimental data. Modification of wood with GA reduced both the time to equilibrium and the equilibrium moisture content (EMC). According to the PEK and H–H models, the reduction in EMC was mainly due to the decrease of moisture content (MC) associated with the slow sorption processes and polylayer water. The fast sorption processes and monolayer water were little affected by GA modification. Compared to the untreated control, the estimated total water absorbed by wood treated to a WPG of 20.9% at 100% RH decreased by 52.2%, by extrapolating the fitted curves derived from the H–H model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Reinforcement of polyurethane‐based shape memory polymer by hindered phenol compounds and silica particles
Authors: Kuriyagawa Mizue , Kawamura Takanobu , Hayashi Shunichi , Nitta Koh‐Hei
Published: March 2010

Reinforcement of polyurethane‐based shape memory polymer materials was investigated by adding hindered phenol compounds and silica particles. According to dynamic mechanical analysis, these fillers had no effect on the glass transition temperature and the activation energy of soft segments, indicating that the fillers have no ability to influence the molecular mobility of soft segments. It was found from the tensile tests that the yield stress was increased primarily by addition of the hindered phenols rather than the silica particles, whereas Young's modulus was enhanced by the silica particles rather than the hindered phenols. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of maleic anhydride‐g‐polypropylene compatibilized and chemically modified banana‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sanjay K. , Khandal R. K. , Uppaluri Ramagopal , Ghoshal Aloke K.
Published: March 2010

Composites were prepared with chemically modified banana fibers in polypropylene (PP). The effects of 40‐mm fiber loading and resin modification on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the composites were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and so on. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA‐g‐PP) compatibilizer was used to improve the fiber‐matrix adhesion. SEM studies carried out on fractured specimens indicated poor dispersion in the unmodified fiber composites and improved adhesion and uniform dispersion in the treated composites. A fiber loading of 15 vol % in the treated composites was optimum, with maximum mechanical properties and thermal stability evident. The composite with 5% MA‐g‐PP concentration at a 15% fiber volume showed an 80% increase in impact strength, a 48% increase in flexural strength, a 125% increase in flexural modulus, a 33% increase in tensile strength, and an 82% increase in tensile modulus, whereas the heat deflection temperature increased by 18°C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Water in dextran hydrogels
Authors: Chen Jun , Yi Ju‐Zhen , Zhang Li‐Ming
Published: March 2010

A series of dextran hydrogels were synthesized with potassium chloride as a crosslinker. 13C‐NMR and 17O‐NMR were used to study the crosslinking role of potassium chloride. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study the state and properties of water in the dextran hydrogels. We found there were three kinds of water in the physically crosslinked dextran hydrogels: free water, freezing bound water, and nonfreezing water. The maximum amount of nonfreezing water in the 50% dextran hydrogel was about 8%. Both 13C‐NMR and 17O‐NMR spectra proved that KCl played the crosslinking role and it interacted with dextran via the oxygen atoms linked to C4 and C6 and, also, the oxygen atom linked to C1 on the dextran ring. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
An investigation on the progressive change in filament characteristics from outer to inner layers of mulberry and tasar cocoons
Authors: Das Subrata , Ghosh Anindya
Published: March 2010

The physical properties and residual sericin content of the silk filament were evaluated in relation to its position in different layers of the cocoons corresponding to Daba (Antheraea mylitta), oak tasar (Antheraea proylei), and bivoltine mulberry (Bombyx mori) varieties. A decrease in filament linear density from the outer to the innermost layers was observed in all the varieties. Although the filament tenacity was found to increase in bivoltine mulberry cocoons from the outer to the inner layers, no such specific trend was observed for Daba cocoons. For oak tasar cocoons, it showed a marginal rise. A similar trend was observed for filament initial modulus also. The breaking extension of filament was constant for Daba cocoons, decreased for oak tasar cocoons and showed a rise followed by a fall for bivoltine mulberry cocoons from the first to the last layers. The residual sericin decreased marginally from the outer to the inner layer in the case of tasar cocoons. However, for mulberry cocoons it decreased rapidly initially up to the fourth layer and thereafter showed no change. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Combined effect of VA content and pH level of filler on properties of EPDM/SmBO3 and EPDM/ATO composites reinforced by three types of EVA
Authors: Su Jun , Chen Shuangjun , Zhang Jun , Xu Zhongzi
Published: March 2010

This study investigates the interaction of vinyl acetic (VA) content of ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA), pH level of Samarium borate (SmBO3), and Sb‐doped SnO2 (ATO) on reinforcement of peroxide‐cured ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM)/SmBO3 and EPDM/ATO composites. It was found that EVA could both reinforce mechanical properties of EPDM, and enhance fluidity of gum during processing. During vulcanization, the interaction of VA groups and pH value of filler particles can influence the crosslink density of EPDM composites. In alkaline EPDM/SmBO3/EVA, VA groups could hydrolyze to produce polyvinyl alcohol and reduce pH level of medium by consuming OH−. When dispersed in acidic EPDM/ATO/EVA, VA groups could generate polyunsaturated bonds and acetic acid during vulcanization. The double bonds could react with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and then boost crosslink efficiency of EPDM composites. Moreover, acetic acid and reduction of pH value could make DCP decompose into ions, and lower crosslink density of EPDM composites. In addition to the contribution of crosslink density, EVA could crystallize in EPDM composites to reinforce EPDM composites. Electric properties of EPDM were also affected. Surface and volume resistivity of EPDM composites decreased with the rise of VA content. As for EPDM/SmBO3/EVA composites, the growth of VA groups could boost dielectric constant and loss, decrease dielectric strength, due to the enhancement of polarity and reduction of crosslink density. In terms of EPDM/ATO/EVA composites, the EPDM/ATO/EVA14 possesses the highest dielectric constant and loss, and the lowest dielectric strength, because of the competing effect of VA content and crosslink density. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Thermosensitive polyurethane film and finished leather with controllable water vapor permeability
Authors: Shi Huanhuan , Chen Yi , Fan Haojun , Xiang Jun , Shi Bi
Published: March 2010

Three types of water based polyurethane (PU), i.e. one ordinary elastomeric polyurethane (EPU) and two thermosensitive polyurethane (TSPU), were synthesized and applied in leather finishing. Differential scanning calorimetry, positron annihilation lifetimes (PAL), water swelling, and water vapor permeability (WVP) were measured to evaluate how the structure of the synthesized PU and the temperature influenced the WVP of the PU finished leather. In contrast to EPU, TSPU(b) with a glass transition reversible phase and TSPU(c) with a crystal transition reversible phase showed an obvious phase separation structure and a phase transition in the normal wearing temperature range. PAL study indicated that when the temperature was higher than the designed phase transition temperature, the ortho‐positronium lifetime (τ3) and the average radius (R) of free volume of TSPU showed dramatic changes, whereas τ3 and R of EPU remained unchanged. The water swelling and WVP of TSPU finished leather were found to depend on the structure of the polymer and the temperature, and they gave different responses to temperature variation. When the temperature was higher than the designed phase transition temperature, a significant WVP increase from 3800 g/(m2 24 h) to 7830 g/(m2 24 h) for TSPU(b) finished leather and from 4100 g/(m2 24 h) to 9450 g/(m2 24 h) for TSPU(c) finished leather were observed. Whereas EPU finished leather showed low WVP, and increased slightly as temperature increased. Phase transition accompanying a significant change in WVP can be used to develop “smart leather” with controllable water vapor permeability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and antidehydration of interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels based on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Sun Fuqian , Li Xinsong
Published: March 2010

This work reports the preparation of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)/N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels by UV‐initiated polymerization in the presence of free radical photoinitiator Darocur 1173 and cationic photoinitiator 4,4′‐dimethyl diphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate. The polymerization mechanism was investigated by the formation of gel network. The structure and morphology of the HEMA/NVP IPN hydrogels were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the IPN gels exhibited homogeneous morphology. The dehydration rates of HEMA/NVP IPN hydrogels were examined by the gravimetric method. The results revealed that the hydrogels had a significant improvement of antidehydration ability in comparison with poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA) hydrogel embedded physically with poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)(PVP). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Investigation on properties of new fluorine‐ and silicon‐modified UV‐cured epoxy methacrylate resin
Authors: Tang Chunyi , Liu Weiqu
Published: March 2010

Photosensitive organofluorine and organosilicon play a key role in improving the properties of UV‐curing coating materials. In this study, by using 2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFMA) and a synthesized side methacryloxy group polysiloxane (MAPS) as modifying materials and bisphenol‐A epoxy methacrylate (BEMA) as matrix, respectively, a innovative UV‐curing system, BEMA/HFMA/MAPS composite system was developed. Through UV‐cure process, a series of BEMA/HFMA, BEMA/MAPS, and BEMA/HFMA/MAPS cured composite films with different proportions were successfully obtained. It was found that HFMA monomer was helpful for the reduction of the surface energy of the UV‐cured composite films and the enhancement of their water resistance property. Without HFMA in BEMA matrix, MAPS could facilitate the improvement of the properties of BEMA/MAPS cured films, and the presence of MAPS in BEMA/HFMA/MAPS system could significantly decrease the surface energy of the cured films to 22.1 mJ/m2 and improve their thermal stabilities and water resistance properties by measurements, contact angle, TGA, DSC, and water resistance. To the SEM observation, HFMA and MAPS were well distributed in the cured films in favor of their excellent performances. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010