Characterization and Selection of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches for Strengthening Hydrogel Films

Microcrystalline cellulose(MCC)is one of the cellulose derivatives produced as a result of the depolymerization of a part of cellulose to achieve high crystallinity.When implemented in other polymers,high crystallinity correlates with greater strength and stiffnes,but it can reduce the water-holding capacity.The acid concentration and hydrolysis time will affect the acquisition of crystallinity and water absorption capacity,both of which have significance as properties of hydrogel filler.The study aimed to evaluate the properties and select the MCC generated from varying the proportion of hydrochloric acid(HCl)and the appropriate hydrolysis time as a filler for film hydrogel.MCC was produced by hydrolyzing cellulose of oil palm empty fruit bunches(OPEFB)with the HCl solution at varied concentrations and periods.The results show that the longer hydrolysis times and higher HCl concentrations increase crystallinity and density while lowering yield and water absorption.The extensive acid hydrolysis reduces the amorphous area significantly,allowing the depolymerization to occur and extend the crystalline area.The morphological properties of the MCC,which are smaller but compact,indicate the presence of disintegrating and diminishing structures.A 2.5 N HCl concentration and a 45-min hydrolysis time succeed in sufficient crystallinity as well as maintaining good water absorption capacity.The treatment produced MCC with absorption capacity of 4.03±0.26 g/g,swelling capacity of 5.03±0.26 g/g,loss on drying of 1.44%±0.36,bulk and tapped density of 0.27±0.031 g/cm^(3) and 0.3±0.006 g/cm^(3),respectively,with a crystallinity index of 88.89%±4.76 and a crystallite size of 4.23±0.70 nm.The MCC generated could potentially be utilized as a hydrogel film filler,since a given proportion will be able to maintain the strength of the hydrogel,not readily dissolve but absorb water significantly.

Synthesis of Microcrystalline Cellulose—Polyvinyl Alcohol Stabilized Polyvinyl Acetate Emulsion

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) colloid stabilized Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) based wood adhesive has poor performance in highly humid conditions. Currently, the addition of natural fillers in the wood adhesive is one of the most effective ways to enhance the performance of PVAc wood adhesive in highly moist conditions. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) are strong renewable, bio-based material and has great potential in a reinforcement of the polymeric matrix. Hence, the present work investigates the applicability of microcrystalline cellulose incorporated 3% and 5% in situ emulsion polymerization PVAc wood adhesives. Effect on physical, thermal and mechanical properties was studied by viscosity, pH, contact angle measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pencil hardness test of films. Emulsions with different proportions of MCC were prepared and the shear strength of the applied adhesive on wood was measured. The viscosity of the adhesives was increased by increasing the concentration of MCC. The mechanical properties like tensile strength of adhesives with MCC were measured by universal tensile machine (UTM). Thermal stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The tensile shear strength demonstrates that MCC can improve bonding strength as compared to PVAc Homo based adhesive in the wet condition which was validated through a contact angle study. The hardness of PVAc films were also changed positively by the addition of MCC. Here, we studied the effect of the addition of different concentrations of MCC materials in situ polymerization of PVAc on their performance properties.

Formation mechanism of incubation layers in the initial stage of microcrystalline silicon growth by PECVD

The incubation layers in microcrystalline silicon films （μc-Si：H） are studied in detail. The incubation layers in μc- Si：H films are investigated by biracial Raman spectra, and the results indicate that either decreasing silane concentration （SC） or increasing plasma power can reduce the thickness of incubation layer. The analysis of the in-situ diagnosis by plasma optical emission spectrum （OES） shows that the emission intensities of the SiH＊（412 nm） and Hα （656 nm） lines are time-dependent, thus SiH＊/Hα ratio is of temporal evolution. The variation of SiH＊/Hα ratio can indicate the variation in relative concentration of precursor and atomic hydrogen in the plasma. And the atomic hydrogen plays a crucial role in the formation of μc-Si：H; thus, with the plasma excited, the temporal-evolution SiH＊/Hα ratio has a great influence on the formation of an incubation layer in the initial growth stage. The fact that decreasing the SC or increasing the plasma power can decrease the SIH＊/Hα ratio is used to explain why the thickness of incubation layer can reduce with decreasing the SC or increasing the plasma power.

Preconcentration by Using Microcrystalline Phenolphthalein for Determining Trace Molybdenum(Ⅵ) in Water by GFAAS

Molybdenum（ Ⅵ ） is a biologically essential trace element and its role in an extremely wide variety of systems has been reported. Most common methods often fail to determine trace Mo （ Ⅵ ） in the analysis of molybdenum-containing samples, due to limitations such as inadequate detection limits and matrix interference, which make the direct determinations impossible. To solve this problem, various approaches are employed to concentrate and separate Mo（ Ⅵ ） to detectable levels. Concentration and separation methods play a main role in the analysis of trace Mo（Ⅵ）. Therefore, many separation and preconcentration procedures have been developed for the determination of Mo （ Ⅵ ）.

In-Situ Microscopic FTIR Spectroelectrochemistry of Ascorbic Acid in Poly(ethylene glycol)/LiClO_4 Electrolyte Paste and in the Presence of Dispersed Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate Microcrystalline Powder

In-situ microscopic FTIR spectroelectrochemical technique(MFTIRs) was applied to studying the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid(AA) in poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) paste at a 100 μm diameter Pt disk electrode. Using this technique, the catalytic ability of cobalt hexacyanoferrate(CoHCF) microcrystalline toward AA oxidation was also studied. It was found that the dispersed CoHCF powder in the PEG paste can generate well shaped thin layer cyclic voltammetric waves with the peak height proportional to the scan rate, corresponding to the Fe centered redox reactions. This oxidation step catalyzed the AA oxidation. Also, this pasted CoHCF powder generated well resolved in situ MFTIRs spectra, by which a chemical interaction between CC bond of AA ring and CoHCF lattice was revealed. A corresponding surface docking mechanism for the catalytic reaction has been proposed.

Effect of substrate temperature and pressure on properties of microcrystalline silicon films

In this paper intrinsic microcrystalline silicon films have been prepared by very high frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition （VHF-PECVD） with different substrate temperature and pressure. The film properties were investigated by using Raman spectra, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and optical transmittance measurements, as well as dark conductivity. Raman results indicate that increase of substrate temperature improves the microcrystallinity of the film. The crystallinity is improved when the pressure increases from 50Pa to 80Pa and the structure transits from microcrystalline to amorphous silicon for pressure higher than 80Pa. SEM reveals the effect of substrate temperature and pressure on surface morphology.

The effect of initial discharge conditions on the properties of microcrystalline silicon thin films and solar cells

This paper studies the effects of silane back diffusion in the initial plasma ignition stage on the properties of microcrystalline silicon （μc-Si：H） films by Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry, through delaying the injection of SiH4 gas to the reactor before plasma ignition. Compared with standard discharge condition, delayed SiH4 gas condition could prevent the back diffusion of Sill4 from the reactor to the deposition region effectively, which induced the formation of a thick amorphous incubation layer in the interface between bulk film and glass substrate. Applying this method, it obtains the improvement of spectral response in the middle and long wavelength region by combining this method with solar cell fabrication. Finally, results are explained by modifying zero-order analytical model, and a good agreement is found between the model and experiments concerning the optimum delayed injection time.

Biocomposite Films of Polylactic Acid Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose from Pineapple Leaf Fibers

Poly(lactic acid)(PLA)composite films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose(MCC)extracted from pineapple leaf fibers(PALF)were prepared by a solution casting procedure.In an attempt to improve the interaction between PLA and cellulose,two approaches were adopted;first,poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)was used as a surfactant,and second,the cellulosic fibers were pre-treated using tert-butanol(TBA).Lignocellulosic and cellulosic substrates were characterized using Fourier transform infrared(FTIR),wide-angle X-ray scattering(WAXS),and thermogravimetrical analysis(TGA).MCC from PALF showed good thermal stability,left few residues after decomposing,and exhibited high crystallinity index.Mechanical,thermal and thermomechanical properties of the PLA composites were also evaluated.Multiple PLA endotherms were observed in composites with TBA-treated MCC due to crystal nucleation effects.The ultimate tensile strain values for all composites were lower than that of the pristine PLA.However,4 wt.%MCC content provided balanced engineering properties in terms of static and dynamic tensile properties.

Phase Transformation and Enhancing Electron Field Emission Properties in Microcrystalline Diamond Films Induced by Cu Ion Implantation and Rapid Annealing

Cu ion implantation and subsequent rapid annealing at 500℃ in N2 result in low surface resistivity of 1.611 ohm/sq with high mobility of 290 cm2 V-1S-1 for microcrystalline diamond （MCD） films. Its electrical field emission behavior can be turned on at Eo = 2.6 V/μm, attaining a current density of 19.5μA/cm2 at an applied field of 3.5 V/#m. Field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with Raman and x-ray photoelectron mi- croscopy reveal that the formation of Cu nanoparticles in MCD films can catalytically convert the less conducting disorder/a-C phases into graphitic phases and can provoke the formation of nanographite in the films, forming conduction channels for electron transportation.

Rapid and Efficient Adsorption Removal of Reactive Blue 4 from Aqueous Solution by Cross-Linked Microcrystalline Cellulose–Epichlorohydrin Polymers: Isothermal, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Study

In this study, we modified microcrystalline cellulose by cross-linking it with epichlorohydrin to obtain a rapid and efficient adsorbent for the removal of Reactive Blue 4 dye from aqueous solution. Evidences of the cross-linking of the microcrystalline cellulose were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diff raction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. We investigated the eff ects of adsorbent dosage, p H, initial dye concentration, temperature, and contact time on the dye adsorption capacity. The results showed that the adsorption equilibrium time was just 20 min and the maximum adsorption capacity was 69.79 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm data fitted the Langmuir isotherm model well, and the adsorption kinetics data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results of the thermodynamic analysis suggest that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Recyclability experiments demonstrated the good reusability of this adsorbent. Electrostatic interaction was found to dominate the adsorption process.

The study of amorphous incubation layers during the growth of microcrystalline silicon films under different deposition conditions

The structural un-uniformity of microcrystalline silicon, thin film, amorphous incubation layerc-Si：H films prepared using very high frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition method has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometer and atomic force mi- croscopy. It was found that the formation of amorphous incubation layer was caused by the back diffusion of SiH4 and the amorphous induction of glass surface during the initial ignition process, and growth of the incubation layer can be suppressed and uniform μc-Si：H phase is generated by the application of delayed initial SiH4 density and silane profiling methods.

Preparation of Light-burned MgO by Microcrystalline Magnesite and Its Application Prospect Analysis

In order to widen the application of microcrystalline magnesite, the microcrystalline magnesite in Sichuan and Tibet area was used as the raw material to prepare light-burned MgO at 700,800,900, 1 000, 1 100 and I 200 ~C for 3 h, respectively. Then the physical and chemical properties of the light-burned MgO were detec- ted, and its application prospect was analyzed. The re- sults show that： （1） microcrystalline magnesite com- pletely decomposes forming light-burned MgO calcined at the temperature range of 700 - 1 200 ~C ; the MgO con- tent of the light-burned MgO is higher than 96. 51% ; the chemical activity is 88 - 130 s and the grain size is 40 - 200 nm ; it has the advantages of high purity, high activity and fine grain; （2） the light-burned MgO pre- pared with microcrystalline magnesite can be widely used in many industries; it can be used in refractories indus- try to prepare high-purity sintered magnesia and large crystal fused magnesia, or as an additive for refractory products, etc. ; it can also be used in magnesium chemi- cal industry to prepare electrical grade magnesia, sili- con-steel magnesia, environmental friendly flame retard- ant magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate fertilizer, pharmaceutical grade magnesia, food grade magnesia, etc.

Preconcentration/separation and determination of mercury using microcrystalline phenolphthalein modified by ethyl violet

A novel method was developed for enrichment and separation of trace mercury using phenolphthalein modified by ethyl violet （EV）. The effects of different parameters, such as stirring time, various metal ions and salts, and the amounts of phenolphthalein, NH4SCN, and EV on the extraction rate of mercury were studied, to select the experimental conditions. Under optimum conditions, mercury can be adsorbed on the surface of microcrystalline phenolphthalein by the intermolecular acdon strength. The possible reaction mechanism for the enrichment of mercury was discussed in detail. Hg（Ⅱ） could be completely separated from Fe（Ⅱ）, Co（Ⅱ）, Ni（Ⅱ）, Mn（Ⅱ）, Cd（Ⅱ）, Cr（Ⅲ）, and Al（Ⅲ） in the solution. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of trace mercury in industrial wastewater with the recoveries above 99%. The relative standard deviation for five replicate determinations of 0.04 μg·mL^-1 of Hg（Ⅱ） was found to be 1.4%, 1.1%, and 1.2%, respectively. The analytical results were very satisfactory.

Properties of Microcrystalline Chitosan-Calcium Phosphate Complex Composite

Nature itself uses materials like, cellulose to provide the structure of plants, chitin as the exoskeleton of several insects and molluscs, collagen for mechanical support in connective tissues and so on. At present, the socioeconomic situation of the modern world has raised the interest in renewable materials being used in regenerative medicine. The composition of MCCh/?-TCP complex in sponge shape is derived from the junction of two or more different materials, containing organic and inorganic materials, including bioactivity and biodegradability as a characteristic. The chemical characteristics of MCCh/?-TCP complex composites showed that both of the components organic and inorganic exist in the material. All sponge preparations, with MCCh/?-TCP have a well-shaped 3-dimentional structure, a highly porous and interconnected and homogenous pore structure to ensure a biological environment conducive to cell attachment and proliferation as well as tissue growth, providing the passage of nutrient flow. These materials can be used in future for medical applications as a base for scaffolds production and as implants in regenerative medicine.

Preparation of Highly Crystalline Microcrystalline Cellulose by Hydrolysis of Cellulose with Phosphotungstic Acid

Phosphotungstic acid(H_3PW_(12)O_(40), HPW), a kind of solid acid, is widely used for hydrolyzing cellulose to prepare microcrystalline cellulose(MCC). MCC is usually used in food, synthetic leather, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The use of response surface methodology(RSM)can help avoid the random error caused by single factor experimental design,reduce test times and cost, and improve quality. The RSM was used in this study to determine the following optimal process conditions: H^+ molar quantity, 31 mmol/L; reaction temperature, 93℃; reaction time, 2 h; and solid to liquid ratio, 1∶38. Under these conditions, the crystallinity of MCC was77.4%. Thus, the use of RSM allows the preparation of MCC with higher performance and increased crystallinity.

Density of States in Intrinsic and n/p-Doped Hydrogenated Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon

Gap states in amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H) doped and microcrystalline silicon doped n and p were examined by analysis of subgap absorption spectra obtained by the Constant Photocurrent Method (CPM) and the Photothermal Deflection Spectroscopy (PDS). Assuming a Gaussian distribution of defect states in the gap, broad distribution of states was found in a-Si:H and doped a-Si:H. A dependence of the defect concentration on Fermi energy was detected and analysed by thermodynamic model of defect formation in a-Si:H.

Obtaining and Characterization of Biodegradable Composites Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose Fillers

In recent years, there has been a growing discussion about the problems related to the massive use of many synthetic plastic materials, which inevitably leads to an increase in environmental pollution caused by the inappropriate disposal of these materials. In this sense, biodegradable materials have been a subject of great interest, as they are a real alternative to replace these materials and tackle this issue. In this work, fully biodegradable composites were prepared by solution casting method. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and treated microcrystalline cellulose (TMCC) were separately incorporated into biodegradable PLA and PHB matrices at ratios of 3, 5 and 7 wt% and the properties of the obtained biocomposites were evaluated by TGA, DSC, XRD and TD-NMR. From thermal analyses, it was seen that TMCC resulted in better thermal stability and 3 wt% of filler, in general, promoted a more pronounced thermal improvement. Furthermore Tg, Tc and Tm remained practically unchanged after MCC and TMCC addition. From XRD it was seen that the cellulose fillers influence in different ways the matrices, promoting increase or decrease in the degree of crystallinity. Finally, the results obtained by TD-NMR showed a decrease in the T1H values for all prepared biocomposites, indicating a good dispersion of the cellulose fillers in the matrices and pointed that the systems containing 3 wt% of cellulose fillers were the most homogeneous formulations.

THREE NEW Fe-BASED MICROCRYSTALLINE ALLOYS WITH SUPERIOR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

Three new Fe-based microcrystalline alloys,i.e.,Fe_(73.1)Cu_(1.2)Nb_(3.2)Si_(12 5)B_(10), Fe_(73)Cu_1Nb_(1.5)Mo_2Si_(12.5)B_(10) and Fe_(73)Cu_1Zr_3C_(0.5)Mo_Si_(12.5)B_(10),were developed with su- perior magnetic properties.e.g.,high relative initial permeability of μ_i^15×10~4,low coercivity of H_c1.0A/m,high effective permeability and low core losses in a consid- crable wide frequency range and high pulse-magnetic permeability under narrow pulse. The optimum value of relative effective permeability,μ_5~1 is 16×10~4 under condition of f=1 kHz and H_m=0.4 A/m.The optimum values of core loss reach 57.9 30.2 and 68 W/kg under condition of f=50.100.100 KHz and B_m=0.5,0.2,0.3 T,respectively. These three alloys have superior stability of magnetic properties.Initial permeability may be not changed during heating at 130℃ up to 216 h.The main crystalline phase is ordered phase Fe_((75)+y)Si_((25)-y) which is ultrafine particles of average size 10—20 nm.

SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT OF A TUNGSTEN TAILINGS MICROCRYSTALLINE GLASS

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Kevlar fabric reinforced polybenzoxazine composites filled with silane treated microcrystalline cellulose in the interlayers:The next generation of multi-layered armor panels

The design of astonishing combinations of benzoxazine resins with various fillers is nowadays of great interest for high quality products,especially in ballistic armors.The objective of this study is to investigate a new hybrid material prepared as multi-layered composite plate by hand lay-up technique.Different composites were manufactured from Kevlar fabrics reinforced polybenzoxazine,which was filled with silane treated microcrystalline cellulose(MCC Si)at various amounts in the interlayers.The developed materials were tested for their flexural,dynamic mechanical and ballistic performance.The aim was to highlight the effect of adding different amounts of MCC Si on the behavior of the different plates.Compared to the baseline,the dynamic mechanical and bending tests revealed an obvious decrease of the glass transition of 21℃and a notable increase in storage modulus and flexural strength of about 180%and17%,respectively,upon adding 1%MMC Si as filler.Similarly,the ballistic test exhibited an enhancement in kinetic energy absorption for which the composite supplemented with 1%MCC Si had the maximal energy absorption of 166.60 J.These results indicated that the developed panels,with interesting mechanical and ballistic features,are suitable to be employed as raw materials to produce body armor.