Applied Chemistry

Low density polyethylene samples were reinforced with wood fibres from Dracaena arborea, the fibres were either bleached, unbleached, blended, unblended or in the acetylated form. Films formed after reinforcement of the polyethylene with the various forms of the fibres were tested to confirm their mechanical properties like tensile strength and tensile modulus. Moisture regains and water imbibitions were also determined. The reinforced samples were compared with a film formed from pure polyethylene. Mechanical properties of the wood fibre reinforced polyethylene composites were better than that of pure polyethylene. Pure polyethylene has a tensile strength of 20kN/m2 and tensile modulus of 219kN/m2 while the bleached and blended wood fibre reinforced polyethylene had a tensile strength of 42kN/m2 and tensile modulus of 3620kN/m2. Therefore, the reinforced polyethylene is suitable for use as specially tailored light weight structural parts in reinforcement. Whereas pure polyethylene is stable and resistant to environmental decomposition, the wood fibre reinforced polyethylene is renewable due to its ability to absorb moisture and imbibe water. Also, the wood fibre treatment showed improved moisture absorption and water imbibition potentials. This offers the possibility of biodegradation thereby meeting environmental demands.

The use of locally available raw materials in soap production was carried out. The soap was prepared using sheabutter oil (SBO), palm kernel oil (PKO) and plantain peels. The physicochemical parameters of the oils were analysed. The saponification values of the oils 175.30±0.81mgKOH/g (SBO) and 249.18±1.40mgKOH/g (PKO), and the iodine values 65.99±1.27 I2/100g (SBO) and 18.58±0.86 I2/100g (PKO) agreed with those found in literature. The free fatty acid (FFA), acid value and Relative density were found to be 1.719±0.009, 3.60±0.06mgKOH/g and 0.90±0.02 for PKO and for SBO the corresponding values were 5.499±0.113, 11.78±0.56mgKOH/g and 0.91±0.07 respectively. The alkali was extracted from the plantain peels ash and used to saponify the oils for the production of soap. The soap produced was analysed by testing its hardness, moisture and foaming stability. The results indicated that the soap produced by SBO:PKO (50:50) showed a very good properties, hence regarded better compared to the soap produced by SBO and PKO separately.

The present study dealt with evaluating the degradation produced to four fabricated polymers after one year of continuous direct exposure to the environmental conditions prevailing at an industrial urban site in, Helwan city, Egypt. The produced damage in the mechanical properties was assessed by evaluating the loss in tensile strength, elongation percent, weight, thickness, drap and stiffness values. Also, the changes in the pH, number of carboxyl end group values and surface morphology of examined samples are studied. The prevailing environmental conditions at exposure site are severe and contribute greatly to the deterioration occurring to the examined fabrics. Also that site is characterized by the presence of many industrial factories as: iron and steel, coal, cement, cars, textiles, metallurgy and some other factories that cause considerable environmental pollution. Nevertheless, summer time especially august was the most effective period and recorded the maximum changes and damage to the examined fabrics.

Terpolymer resins (o-APUF) synthesized by the condensation of o-aminophenol and urea with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalyst, were proved to be selective chelation ion-exchange copolymers for certain metals. The chelating ion-exchange properties of these terpolymers were studied for Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in the form of their metal nitrate solutions. A batch equilibrium method was employed in the study of the selectivity of metal ion uptake involving the measurements of the distribution of a given metal ion between the terpolymer sample and a solution containing the metal ion. The study was carried out over a wide pH range, shaking time and in media of various ionic strengths of different electrolytes. The ion-exchange capacity of metal ions has also been determined experimentally and compared with other commercial resins. Besides ion-exchange properties, the terpolymer resins were also characterized by viscometric measurements in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), UV-visible absorption spectra in non-aqueous medium, infra-red spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and C13 NMR spectra. The physico-chemical and spectral methods were used to elucidate the structures of o-APUF resins. The morphology of the terpolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy; showing amorphous nature of the resins therefore can be used as a selective ion-exchanger for certain metal ions.

In most developing tropical countries the food situation is worsening, predictions of future food needs based on the current rates of population increase and food production emphasize the need to explore the vast number of less familiar plant resources existing in the wild which could be good sources of nutrients. Proximate analysis and mineral composition of five wild seeds (Borassus aethiopum, Bombacopsis glabra, Entada africana, Entadas gigas and Myrianthus arboreus ) were carried out. Proximate analysis showed moisture content ranged between 1.50% to 3.00%, ash 2.00% to 4.69%, fat was between 2.06% to 34.46%, fibre between 0.99% to 4.92%, Protein between 4.40% to 44.86% and carbohydrate between 34.78% to 80.93 %. Mineral analysis revealed that the seeds contained minerals such as Ni, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe, in abundance that ranges between 4.30 mg/100g Cr in E africana to 98.50a ?0.50 mg/100g Ni in B. aethiopum.

The comparative study of solvolysis of tetra ethyl lead in aqueous NaOH and aqueous KOH solution was studied with the help of ultrasonic velocity, viscosity, density and other parameters determined by using a single crystal interferometer at a frequency of 2 MHz. the ultrasonic study of tetra ethyl lead conforms that there is a significant interaction between the solute- solvent molecules and ions in aqueous alkaline solutions. The main motto of this paper is that tetra ethyl lead shows more effective interaction on which alkaline solution.

The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over 1 US pint (0.47 l) of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. Although perspiration is odorless and 99% water, it provides a perfect medium for bacteria to grow. The bacteria cause foot odour. Foot odour is a type of body odour that affects the feet of humans and is generally considered to be an unpleasant smell. Wearing polyester or nylon socks may increase perspiration and therefore may intensify foot odor. In order to overcome this problem, a nylon sock was with increased moisture absorbency. The super absorbent solution was prepared by using various chemicals. Then the solution was examined for antibacterial activity by well diffusion method. The nylon socks were treated with this solution by dip dry method. The finished sample shows good moisture absorbency and also having antimicrobial activity when compared with the untreated sample by the testing method AATCC (147 and 30). It’s having odor control property and also there is no any irritant reaction to contact with dermatitis by the testing method of organoleptic evaluation and Contact dermatitis testing. Ultimately, it is applicable for athletic persons and also common socks wearers.

Modal is one of the vital regenerated cellulosic fibres used in textile industries. It contains almost all the properties required for the textile applications. In this paper the physical properties, dyeing effects and antimicrobial characteristics of modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50 blend) fabrics are studied. Modal fabrics in original and in blended (50 : 50) form with cotton show good properties towards k/s value, wash, light and rubbing fastnesses and also for antimicrobial behavior.

This paper deals with the physico-chemical parameters and some heavy metals in sediment samples of the Brass River, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals such as pH, chloride, sulphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, chromium, zinc, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron and nickel were analyzed. In this present study, all heavy metals investigated showed low concentration of the Brass River. This means that there is a low source of pollution arriving to the Brass River. Potential ecological risk index assessment of heavy metals and comparison with DPR / FEPA standards was employed to infer anthropogenic input from natural input. The heavy metals concentration and potential ecological risk were evaluated systematically using geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results showed that the geoaccumulation index placed Brass River under practically unpolluted (Igeo < 0). Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index of both single and multi-element placed the Brass River under the category of low ecological risk (Eir < 40).and RI<150) respectively. In general, the ranking of heavy metals in surficial sediments samples of the Brass River in terms of potential ecological risk coefficient (Eir) was as follows: Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn. Compared to the heavy metals permissible limit in DPR/FEPA standards copper, chromium, zinc, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron and nickel showed lower concentration, possibly indicating that the origin of these heavy metals is lithogenic.

A study has been conducted on Acoustic Parameters of Spindle oil- Ethanol system, on different concentration’s [0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.6%] at temperature of 303K using Ultrasonic interferometer. Parameters like Ultrasonic velocity, Viscosity, Density, Adiabatic compressibility, Acoustic Impedance, Free length, Free Volume, Relation Time, Relative Association, Adsorption Coefficient and Molar compressibility are measured and it is helpful for correlation of Molecular interaction of binary mixture spindle oil-ethanol system.