Synthesis of Zinc Phosphonated Poly(ethylene imine) and Its Fire-Retardant Effect in Low-Density Polyethylene

A novel oligomeric intumescent fire-retardant chelate, zinc phosphonated poly(ethylene imine) (Zn-PEIP), with a variable Zn2+ loading, was synthesized. The chemical structure of Zn-PEIP was confirmed by FTIR, 13C NMR, and 31P NMR spectroscopies. The thermal behavior and fire retardancy of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing 25 wt % Zn-PEIPs with different amounts of Zn2+ were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, and cone calorimetry. The TGA results showed that higher concentrations of Zn2+ improved the thermal stability and increased the residue yield of LDPE. However, the data from the LOI and cone calorimetry tests showed that there is an optimum concentration of Zn2+ for the best fire-retardancy performance of LDPE. This behavior is ascribed to the high cross-link density resulting from zinc bridges, preventing normal swelling of the intumescent system. The surface morphology of the char was characterized by digital photography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This confirmed the optimum intumescence and coherent and strong barrier layer formation at an intermediate Zn2+ loading

Self-Association of an Activating Natural Killer Cell Receptor, KIR2DS1

As a major component of the innate immune system, natural killer cells are responsible for activating the cytolytic killing of certain pathogen-infected or tumor cells. The self-recognition of natural killer cells is achieved in part by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) protein family. In the current study, using a suite of biophysical methods, we investigate the self-association of an activating KIR, KIR2DS1. This KIR is of particular interest because when in the presence of the HLA-Cw6 protein, KIR2DS1 becomes a major risk factor for psoriasis, an autoimmune chronic skin disease. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and atomic force microscopy, we reveal that KIR2DS1 self-associates in a well-defined fashion. Our novel results on an activating KIR allow us to suggest a working model for the KIR2DS1- HLA class I molecular mechanism

Isoconversional kinetic analysis applied to five phosphoniumcation-based ionic liquids

Thermal degradation of five phosphonium cation-based ionic liquids ([P66614][BEHP], [P66614][(iC8)2PO2],[P66614][NTf2], [P44414][DBS] and [P4442][DEP]) was studied using dynamic methodology (25–600◦C at 5,10 and 20◦C/min) in both inert (nitrogen) and reactive (oxygen) atmospheres. In addition, isothermalexperiments (90 min at 200, 225 and 250◦C) were carried out with [P66614][(iC8)2PO2]. Results indicatethat thermal stability is clearly dominated by the coordination ability of the anion, with [P66614][NTf2] out-performing the other ones in both pyrolytic and oxidising conditions. Although the thermal degradationmechanism is affected by atmospheric conditions, the degradation trend remains practically constant.As the dynamic methodology usually overestimates the long-term thermal stability, an isoconversionalmethodology is better for predicting the long-term thermal stability of these ionic liquids in order to beused as base oil or additive in lubricants formulation. Finally, the model-free methodology can predict atlower costs the ILs performance in isothermal conditions