http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0369-9420.htm Table of Contents from the most recently published issues of Pigment & Resin Technology en-us 2009 Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/info/pics/journals/prt-cover-xix.gif 120 157 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - Purpose:To Prepare and Characterize nanocomposites, which are made of biodegradable Poly (Vinyl-Alcohol-Co-Ethylene) and Wood Dust. These nanocomposites can aptly be termed as green by nature as they are totally non-toxic and ecofriendly.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - Design/methodology/approach: Sample films containing 5, 10 and 15 wt % filler were prepared by conventional solvent casting technique using glass plates as casting surfaces. The dispersion of filler in the polymer matrix was investigated by TEM analysis. Physical and chemical, properties of the films were studied by various characterization techniques (FTIR, XRD, TEM, and TGA). <B>Findings</B> - Findings: Formation of the nanocomposite by TEM shows the average particle size for films is in the range of 12-25 nm which shows a greater extent of matrix penetrated into fiber capillaries of wood dust .These results are supported by the XRD findings also. Wood enhances the thermal stability of the as synthesized nanocomposite.<B>Research limitations/implications</B> - Research limitations/implications-The mechanical properties of the as synthesized nanocomposite could have improved to larger extent by modifying wood dust.<B>Practical implications</B> - Practical implications:The method developed provides a simple and practical solution to improve the biodegradability as well as the thermal stability of the composite films.<B>Originality/value</B> - Originality/value-These formed nanocomposites can be used in automotive parts like front door liners, boot liners, parcel shelves, headliners etc. it can also be used as mulching films in agriculture Miss Ruchi Bana, Professor A K Banthia Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - This paper aims to synthesise, characterize and find out properties of some new arylazopyridone disperse dyes, bearing different substituents on coupling component of the dyes.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - The dyes were synthesized by the diazotization, coupling and cyclization reactions, starting from various aryldiazonium salts and different &#946;-diketoesters followed by condensation with cyanoacetamide. The Structures of these dyes were characterized and confirmed by melting point, elemental analysis, IR, UV/Vis and 1H- NMR data. Their absorption properties in different solvents were also investigated.<B>Findings</B> - The wavelength of maximum absorptions, molar extinction coefficients were strongly dependent on the electron donating ability of the substituents on the coupling moiety. The absorption bands of these dyes move toward longer wavelength as the polarity of the solvents and electron density of substituents on the coupling moiety increase. These dyes were chromophorically strong as evidenced by molar extinction coefficient in solvents.<B>Originality/value</B> - In this work 4 series of arylazopyridone dyes (21 dyes) were synthesized and charactrized, which up to our knowledge, they have not been registered already. Dr. Zaker bahreini Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - To evaluate the effect of different amounts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) introduced during the resin synthesis on the properties of bark-phenol-formaldehyde (BPF) adhesives in order to balance storage life and other properties of BPF adhesives.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - Based on the best synthetic technologies for the production of BPF adhesives obtained in a previous study, a new synthetic technology was developed for the production of BPF adhesives that involved a three-step addition of NaOH using different amounts of NaOH in the third charge. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and plywood bond were used to evaluate properties of the PF and BPF adhesives.<B>Findings</B> - The amount of NaOH in the third charge had an important influence on many BPF adhesive properties. The study determined that the synthetic technology involving three-step NaOH additions with only water introduced in the third charge of NaOH produced a BPF adhesive with the longest storage life and best bonding strength.<B>Research limitations/implications</B> - BPF adhesives are very complex systems with many unknown variables.<B>Practical implications</B> - The improved storage life of the BPF adhesive prepared with the new synthetic technologywas comparable to that of a commercial PF adhesive, which indicated that this new technology shows greater potential for commercial applications.<B>Originality/value</B> - A new synthetic technology was developed to produce a BPF adhesive that was more comparable to commercial PF adhesives than other BPF adhesives in terms of storage life and other resin properties. Mr. Jianlong Yuan, Dr. Zhenhua Gao, Dr. Xiang-Ming Wang Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - To investigate the curing efficiency of amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate (AFAFFC) for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin to obtain toughness, chemical resistance etc.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - To study curing reaction, the curing agent AFAFFC was synthesised first from the reaction of aniline and furfuraldehyde in acid medium and characterised by FT-IR spectroscopic analysis, elemental analysis, concentration of primary and secondary amine analysis. Then equimolecular mixture of AFAFFC and DGEBA was subjected to curing reaction and the reaction was followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The kinetic studies of this curing reaction, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of cured epoxy were also reported<B>Findings</B> - The DSC analysis showed the complete exotherms of effective curing reaction indicating the efficiency of AFAFFC as curing agent for DGEBA resin. The kinetic studies revealed that the curing reaction was first order. Mechanical properties reflect the brittleness of cured matrix and TGA showed that the cured matrixes were stable up to around 2400C. <B>Research limitations/implications</B> - The curing agent AFAFFC have been synthesised by using aniline and furfuraldehyde. By changing amine and aldehyde other curing agents could be synthesised and the curing efficiency of these for epoxy resin could also be studied.<B>Originality/value</B> - The method for curing study of epoxy resin (DGEBA) is novel and relevant as the cured products have high performance applications in protective coatings, adhesives for most substrates. Dr. Tithi Maity, Mr. Bidhan Chandra Samanta Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - To present a new method that MWNTs (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) can be dispersed and aligned in LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) for improving its mechanical properties.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - Dispersion and alignment of MWNTs in LDPE matrix enhanced by ultrasonic vibration, solution casting and melt mixing and flow molding method; the properties of the composite have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),tensile testing machine and the Izod impact testing machine. <B>Findings</B> - It was found that MWNTs in LDPE has some dispersion and alignment; improvement in LDPE’s strength, toughness was attributed to dispersion and alignment of MWNTs in LDPE matrix.<B>Practical implications</B> - Polymer/CNTs nanocomposites are expected to have good processability of the polymers and high mechanical and functional properties of the CNTs. Enhancing dispersion and alignment of MWNTs in the polymer matrix will promote and expand the applications and development of polymer/ MWNTs nanocomposites.<B>Originality/value</B> - The method that makes MWNTs disperse and align in LDPE matrix provides a new way for other alignment of CNTs in polymer matrix. Professor Dongyu Zhao, Miss shuhong wang, Miss jie wu, Professor Xuduo Bai, Professor Qingquan Lei Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - To research the durability of the adhesive-poly(ethylene terephthalate) film joints<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - The adhesive-poly(ethylene terephthalate) joints were prepared with poly ethylene terephthalate film and ? by synthesized from thioglycolic acid, terpene hydrocarbon resin and acetone resolution at room temperature. These joints were characterized by methods of peel strength tests, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and glass transition temperature(Tg) to examine their durability.<B>Findings</B> - Peel strength tests and EDX anlysis prove that the water diffusion in different humidity aging condition take place the same changes,namely have the time-temperature equivalence at 45? for 200 hrs, 300 hrs, 500 hrs and 600 hrs respectively, almost correspond with that at 55? for 100 hrs, 200 hrs, 300 hrs and 400 hrs respectively, and at 65? for 50 hrs, 100 hrs, 150 hrs and 200 hrs respectively. The changes of EDX of adhesive-poly(ethylene terephthalate) film joints indicates that water penetrative speed in the adhesive is faster than that in the poly (ethylene terephthalate) film. In humidity aging the decline ratio of peel strength of adhesive-poly(ethylene terephthalate) film joints treated by Co60 irradiation treatment is lower than that treated by acetone washing or chemical treatment. <B>Originality/value</B> - Using EDX for test durability of the film joints is important significant to industrial production. Dr. li li, Dr. chao wang Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009 <B>Abstract:</B><BR/> <B>Purpose</B> - To synthesise and characterise novel thermally expandable microcapsules having poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate) copolymer shells and p-toluenesulphonylhydrazide (TSH) cores.<B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - The novel thermally expandable microcapsules were synthesised by suspension polymerisation. The effects of various parameters including monomers and surfactant compositions on thermal expandability and stability, and particle size and size distributions of the microcapsules obtained were studied. FTIR and SEM analyses were employed to characterise the chemical structure and morphology of microcapsules obtained.<B>Findings</B> - Suspension polymerisation with the monomers composition of 70% acrylonitrile/20% methyl methacrylate/10% butyl acrylate could yield microcapsules having good expansion property and heat stability at 150°C and it also found that when the amount of incorporated butyl acrylate reached 20%, the shells of microcapsules obtained would adhere together and some shells ruptured resulting in collapse of many of the expanded microcapsules. During the course of polymerisation, high molecular surfactant styrene-maleic acid copolymer sodium salt could help to achieve microcapsules with more uniform size distribution. FTIR and SEM characterisation showed that the chemical structure of microcapsules contained core material and copolymeric shell and the morphology of microcapsules was very well defined core-shell type, respectively.<B>Research limitations/implications</B> - The shell copolymer in the present context was Synthesised from acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate. Besides, it could be synthesised from other monomers. In addition, the expansion efficiency of microcapsules could also be studied.<B>Practical implications</B> - The learning gained through this study can be applied to synthesis and application of other microcapsule or even nano-capsule systems.<B>Originality/value</B> - The method for preparation of p-toluenesulphonylhydrazide (TSH) microcapsules by suspension polymerisation was novel and the microcapsules could find applications in water-based intumescent and flame retardant wood coatings. Dr. Jianqing HU Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009