Scots Pine Stems as Dynamic Sources of Monoterpene and Methanol Emissions

Funding Information: We are grateful for the funding received from Academy of Finland Center of Excellence program (Grant No. 307331), the University of Helsinki Center for Environment HENVI, the Nordic Center of Excellence CRAICC and the University of Helsinki Doctoral program AGFOREE. Publisher Copyright: © Copyright © 2020 Vanhatalo, Aalto, Chan, Hölttä, Kolari, Rissanen, Kabiri, Hellén and Bäck.The volatile organic compound (VOC) fluxes of living plant compartments other than foliage are poorly known. In this paper we describe for the first time the methanol and monoterpene fluxes from living Scots pine stems in situ, over 4 years at the SMEAR II station in southern Finland. The VOC fluxes from stems were measured online with an automated chamber measurement system. Both methanol and monoterpene emissions showed strong diurnal and seasonal cycles. Methanol emission rates were highest in mid-summer, and coincided with the most intensive period of stem radial growth. Methanol emission rates correlated moderately with the xylem sap flow rate and foliage transpiration rate, which suggests that many simultaneous and overlapping processes are related to methanol transport and production in trees. Monoterpene emissions from stems were highest on the hottest summer days, but also substantial in winter during times when the temperature was above zero °C for several days. Overall, the emissions from stems constitute about 2% of the whole stand monoterpene emissions under normal, non-stressed conditions. This can be used in stand monoterpene emission models as the rough estimate of woody compartment contribution.Peer reviewe

Environmental control of growth variation in a boreal Scots pine stand : a data-driven approach

Peer reviewe

Newtonian boreal forest ecology : The Scots pine ecosystem as an example

Isaac Newton's approach to developing theories in his book Principia Mathematica proceeds in four steps. First, he defines various concepts, second, he formulates axioms utilising the concepts, third, he mathematically analyses the behaviour of the system defined by the concepts and axioms obtaining predictions and fourth, he tests the predictions with measurements. In this study, we formulated our theory of boreal forest ecosystems, called NewtonForest, following the four steps introduced by Newton. The forest ecosystem is a complicated entity and hence we needed altogether 27 concepts to describe the material and energy flows in the metabolism of trees, ground vegetation and microbes in the soil, and to describe the regularities in tree structure. Thirtyfour axioms described the most important features in the behaviour of the forest ecosystem. We utilised numerical simulations in the analysis of the behaviour of the system resulting in clear predictions that could be tested with field data. We collected retrospective time series of diameters and heights for test material from 6 stands in southern Finland and five stands in Estonia. The numerical simulations succeeded to predict the measured diameters and heights, providing clear corroboration with our theory.Peer reviewe

HTCC-Modified Nanoclay for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Synergistic Cell Growth and Antibacterial Efficiency

This paper deals with the synthesis of a biocompatible chitosan ammonium salt N-(2-hydroxy) propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) and using it in montmorillonite ion-exchange process. HTCC-modified montmorillonite (Mt) with different chemical ratios was successfully synthesized, and their characteristics have been verified by XRD and FTIR analyses. Produced samples have been evaluated in terms of antibacterial efficiency and biocompatibility (cell culture test). Antibacterial efficiency of synthesized HTCC/Mt samples has been confirmed against both gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The results disclosed that the antibacterial efficiency of HTCC-modified montmorillonite was unexpectedly even more than HTCC. This excellent synergistic effect has been referred to entrapping bacteria between the intercalated structures of HTCC-modified montmorillonite. Then HTCC on clay layers can seriously attack and damage the entrapped bacteria. An extraordinary biocompatibility, cell attachment, and cell growth even more than tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) have been recorded in the case of this novel kind of modified clay. Due to existing concerns about serious and chronic infections after implant placement, this natural-based bioactive and antibacterial modified clay can be used in electrospun nanofibers and other polymeric implants with promising mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications

Cross-linking of Poly(sodium acrylate)-Based Hydrogels by a Non-vinyl Cross-linker

Polyvinyl-based cross-linkers are most frequently used for internal cross-linking of hydrogels, while non-vinyl cross-linkers are used for surface cross-linking of hydrogels by reactions between the pendant groups of hydrogel and functional groups of cross-linkers. The type of internal or external cross-linking of hydrogels strongly affects their final properties. The type of internal or external cross-linking of hydrogels strongly affects the final properties of the products. In this research, the superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) based on partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA-NaAA) were synthesized by solution polymerization, using a series of new multifunctional cross-linkers such as polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE-300), ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE), 1,4-butane diol (BDO) and [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane (GPS) in the presence of ammonium persulfate-tetramethyl ethylene diamine (APS/TMEDA) as initiator. The molecular structures of PEGDGE and GPS hydrogels were detected by FTIR and EDX analyses. The type and concentration of cross-linkers were studied in relation to hydrogels’ free swelling capacity in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution and their absorbency under load (AUL) and resulting rheological behavior. The result showed that the order of free swelling capacity in the hydrogels synthesized by these four cross-linkers was GPS PEGDGE EGDGE BDO. In a constant free absorbency capacity (about 200 g/g), the cross-linked PEGDGE showed the highest amount of AUL. Furthermore, the rheological results showed the higher swollen gel strength in this hydrogel and confirmed the AUL result. The swelling properties of non-vinyl cross-linkers strongly depended on drying temperature, and hydrogels cured at different temperatures exhibited different rheological properties achieved by a constant amount of cross-linker. The use of non-vinyl cross-linker is a new approach to synthesize hydrogels without any polyvinyl-based cross-linkers

Hybrid Hydrogel Based On Pre-Gelatinized Starch Modified With Glycidyl-Crosslinked Microgel

Hybrid hydrogels based on pre-gelatinized starch were synthesized by inverse emulsion polymerization through modifying the starch with a glycidyl-crosslinked microgel. Glycidyl-crosslinked microgel is a special latex with high ability to impart hydrophilic characteristics to various substrates. Glycidyl-crosslinked microgel latexes with various structures were synthesized, and the effect of latex type on swelling capacity of the hybrid hydrogels based on pre-gelatinized starch was investigated. The highest swelling capacity was achieved for a pre-gelatinized starch modified with a glycidyl-crosslinked microgel latex based on poly(acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, acrylamide, 2-acrylamide-2 methyl propane sulfonic acid) (AA–SA–AM–AMPS). The swelling values of this hybrid hydrogel in distilled water and saline solution were 52.4 and 28.8 g/g, respectively. A key advantage of these hybrid hydrogels is that starch constitutes 64% of their structure. Given the fact that such hybrid hydrogels display low absorbency under load (AUL), they were surface crosslinked using microwave heating instead of conventional heating. Ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as surface crosslinker. The AUL of the surface crosslinked hybrid hydrogels was increased by 85%. The hydrogels were characterized using FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and rheological measurements

Conversion of Lignocellulosic Bagasse Biomass into Hydrogel

In recent years, the main objective of developing new hydrogel systems has been to convert biomass into environmentally-friendly hydrogels. Hybrid hydrogels are usually prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylic monomers onto natural polymers or biomass. In this study, sugarcane bagasse was used to prepare semi-synthetic hybrid hydrogels without delignification, which is a costly and timeconsuming process. Sugarcane bagasse as a source of polysaccharide was modified using polymer microgels based on acrylic monomers such as acrylic acid, acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid which were prepared through inverse emulsion polymerization. By this process, biomass as a low-value by-product was converted into a valuable semi-synthetic hydrogel. In the following, the effect of latex type¸ the aqueous-to-organic phase ratio in the polymer latex, time and temperature of modification reaction on the swelling capacity of the hybrid hydrogel were evaluated. The chemical reaction between sugarcane bagasse and acrylic latex was carried out during heating of the modified bagasse which led to obtain a semisynthetic hydrogel with 60% natural components and 40% synthetic components. Among the latexes with different structures, poly(AA-NaAA-AM-AMPS) was the most suitable polymer latex for the conversion of biomass into hydrogel. The bagasse modified with this latex had a water absorption capacity up to 112 g/g, while the water absorption capacity of primary sugarcane bagasse was only equal to 3.6 g/g. The prepared polymer hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determination of the amount of swelling capacity

Surface Cross-Linked Saps with Improved Swollen Gel Strength Using Diol Compounds

In this study, to improve swollen gel strength, surface cross-linking of acrylic-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) was performed by diol compounds (i.e., 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol) as external cross-linking agents. A two-step surface treatment procedure was conducted on dried SAP particles and effective parameters (i.e., distilled water/acetone ratio, concentration and type of surface cross-linking agent, curing time and temperature) were optimized to accomplish SAPs having maximum swollen gel strength and suitable free swelling capacity. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, rheological and thermal analysis, free swelling capacity (Qeq), absorbency under load (AUL) and gel content measurement were employed for products evaluation. According to the results, the gel content was increased by 20%, storage modulus was improved three-fold in surface-treated samples when compared with untreated samples and AUL was improved up to 26 g/g in comparison with untreated samples (13 g/g). So, the current SAPs can have potential to use in hygienic application due to high AUL and swollen gel strength

Superabsorbent Microparticles for Production of Concrete Using Ultrasound: A Performance Study

Hypothesis: Superabsorbent polymers are modifiers that have broad applications. One of their applications is in concrete production industry. The use of these materials for supplying water to cement materials and their curing process has attracted the attention of researchers. Using SAPs in concrete is a valuable tool for areas where conventional curing is very difficult, such as extreme weather conditions that can lead to excessive evaporation and freezing. It also saves water.Methods: Modified carbopol was prepared using poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate as a monomer with a molecular weight of 300 in amounts of 1, 2 and 3 g and with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator by ultrasound method. The properties of the prepared microgel and its effect on the properties of cement paste are investigated. The prepared microgel has been studied using FTIR analysis, scanning electron microscopy, particle size determination and swelling properties. In addition, the effect of prepared microgel on different properties of cement paste, such as rheology, compressive and flexural strength and hydration, is investigated.Findings: The results of FTIR and microscopic images showed that the monomer was modified. According to the swelling results, it was observed that carbopol has no absorption and it is dissolved. After modification, the swelling and absorption properties are obtained. The swelling capacity in water and saline solution has increased first and then decreased with increasing monomer concentration. The resultant cement pastes show that the compressive strength of samples is decreased in the presence of modified carbopol. In addition, the strength of the cement paste prepared with commercial superabsorbent (polyacrylic acid sodium salt) has increased with the same water:cement ratio. The flexural strength is reduced in all samples compared to the reference. According to the results, the modified carbopol has increased the viscosity of the cement pastes. According to the XRD results, hydration and curing of samples with superabsorbent have completed within 28 days compared to the control cement. Therefore, it can be concluded that superabsorbents generally cause a delay in hydration, and besides the hydration of the superabsorbent-cement specimens is decreased by reducing the monomer

Fine tuning of SAP properties via epoxy‐silane surface modification

Using 3‐[(2,3‐epoxypropoxy)‐propyl]‐trimethoxysilane as a surface modifier, superabsorbent polymers with improved gel strength in their swollen state and saline absorbency under load are synthesized. The products are characterized using attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), rheometry, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis, water absorbency and gel content. The temperature and the duration effect of the surface‐treatment process on residual monomer content are also investigated by high performance liquid chromatography. The gel strength (as shown by storage modulus) and absorbency under load are improved up to 3500–4000 Pa, and 30–40 g/g, respectively. It is suggested that the surface of the superabsorbent polymer particles has been modified by two mechanisms: i.e. interpenetrating polymer network and cross‐linking. Moreover, the surface modification has enhanced thermo‐stability and prohibited undesirable gel blockage. Depending on the post‐treatment method used, the wetting behavior of particles is also altered