Study on physico-mechanical behaviour of Acacia nilotica (gum tree) and glass fiber blend reinforced epoxy resin composite

The mechanical properties of Acacia nilotica were investigated by chemical modification of the fiber-reinforced composite. For this, the bast fiber was retted enzymatically, washed, dried, combed and alkali treated using a mixture of benzoyl peroxide and sodium hydroxide. This treatments on the composite material was undertaken in order to achieve improved modification of the interface between the matrix and fiber bond. A portion of the glass fiber was used for enhancing the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. Epoxy resin and hardener were also used being 60:40 respectively in composition, to fabricate the composite. The results show an improvement in all the properties tested in relation to the alkali and the acid treatments of the Acacia nilotica/glass fiber blend composites. Tensile strength of the Acacia nilotica treated with the glass fiber by benzolation improved from (40 to 240 MPa) the flexural strength, of the Acacia nilotica treated by benzolation also significantly improved from 8 to 28 MPa strength value. FTIR analysis confirmed that the chemical modification of the fiber bond was carried out.Keywords: Acacia nilotica, Composite, Epoxy, Glass fiber, Natural fibe

Synthesis, Characterization and Optimization of Magnetite Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Application in the Removal of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)

Diclofenac (DCF) remains one of the most extensively used sold anti-inflammatory and analgesics that have been in use for an extended period. It has been widely detected in aquatic environments at concentrations that are indicative of detrimental environmental effects in addition to its inclusion on the EU's first watch list therefore, its removal from the environment is crucial. In this study, a selective Molecularly Imprinted Polymer(MIP) was synthesized via a bulk polymerization strategy with methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and Diclofenac sodium (DCF) as the template molecule. The structure of the prepared MIP/ NIP was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Several parameters influencing the adsorption efficiency of the MIP were optimized via the batch adsorption experiment. The results revealed that the maximum removal efficiency of the MIP (79%) was achieved at the optimized conditions of pH 2, 10 mL of 10 mg/L of adsorbate solution at 60 min contact time which was higher than its corresponding non molecularly imprinted polymer (NIP) whichwas (57%). The result of the reusability study showed that the adsorbent can be reused up to five cycles, hence it is efficient and promising for the removal of diclofenac from aqueous media. Keywords: NSAIDs, optimization, removal, reusability, selectivit

Liquid-assisted Mechanochemical Conversion of 2-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldehyde and Some Primary Aromatic Amines to Corresponding Schiff bases

In this paper, two Schiff bases of different solid primary aromatic amines were successfully synthesized using 1:1 and 2:1 molar ratio of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde to solid amine, by Liquid-assistant grinding. TheSchiff-bases were investigated by analytical and spectroscopic techniques using FT-IR, Powder X-ray Diffraction Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Melting point and CHN microanalysis. The Schiff bases were found to be soluble in polar solvent such as methanol and ethanol but insoluble in non-polar solvent such as hexane. Evidence from Infrared spectral study indicated that, the characteristics band attributed to aldehyde stretching disappeared on the final Schiff bases and the new absorption band at 1624 - 1644 cm-1 was due to the ν(C=N) stretching vibration, which is the characteristic band of Schiff base. The Powder-XRD analysis reveals that, the PXRD patterns of the Schiff bases were different from their respective starting materials which indicate the formation of new phase of the product. The elemental  microanalysis of the Schiff base ligand is consistent with the calculated results from the empirical formula of the proposed structure of each  compound. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized Schiff base were tested using agar well diffusion method, against different strains of bacterial and fungal isolates. The antimicrobial results indicated that, the antibacterial activity of the (H2L1) Schiff base ligand was found to be more effective against Escherichia coli.Keywords: Azomethine, Liquid-assistant grinding, Mechanochemistry, Powder x-ray, Schiff bas