Nanostructured polymer coatings for controlling the wettability of fibrous surfaces

In this research we present a new approach for modifying and functionalizing the surface properties of fibrous substrates, especially cellulose-based products, by the deposition of organic nanoparticle coatings. The partial imidisation of high-molecular weight poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) in presence of ammonium hydroxide results in a stable water-borne dispersion of nanoparticles with sizes of 50 to 100 nm. The hydrophobic properties of coated paper surfaces are governed by a unique combination of chemical (degree of imidisation) and topographic (porosity and roughness) effects: it has been found that the contact angle increases at a higher degree of imidisation and higher surface roughness. As such, maximum advancing contact angles in the range of 140 to 150° and receding contact angles of 50° can be obtained on paper surfaces

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Kaolinite Nanocomposite Platelets Synthesized by Intercalation and Imidization of Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)

A synthesis route is presented for the subsequent intercalation, exfoliation and surface modification of kaolinite (Kln) by an imidization reaction of high-molecular weight poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) or SMA in the presence of ammonium hydroxide. In a first step, the intercalation of ammonolyzed SMA by guest displacement of intercalated dimethylsulfoxide has been proven. In a second step, the imidization of ammonolyzed SMA at 160 °C results in exfoliation of the kaolinite layers and deposition of poly(styrene-co-maleimide) or SMI nanoparticles onto the kaolinite surfaces. Compared with a physical mixture of Kln/SMI, the chemically reacted Kln/SMI provides more efficient exfoliation and hydrogen bonding between the nanoparticles and the kaolinite. The kaolinite nanocomposite particles are synthesized in aqueous dispersion with solid content of 65 wt %. The intercalation and exfoliation are optimized for a concentration ratio of Kln/SMI = 70:30, resulting in maximum intercalation and interlayer distance in combination with highest imide content. After thermal curing at 135 °C, the imidization proceeds towards a maximum conversion of the intermediate amic acid moieties. The changes in O–H stretching and kaolinite lattice vibrations have been illustrated by infrared and FT-Raman spectroscopy, which allow for a good quantification of concentration and imidization effects

Mechanism for Tuning the Hydrophobicity of Microfibrillated Cellulose Films by Controlled Thermal Release of Encapsulated Wax

Although films of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) have good oxygen barrier properties due to its fine network structure, properties strongly deteriorate after absorption of water. In this work, a new approach has been followed for actively tuning the water resistance of a MFC fiber network by the inclusion of dispersed organic nanoparticles with encapsulated plant wax. The modified pulp suspensions have been casted into films and were subsequently cured at 40 to 220 °C. As such, static water contact angles can be specifically tuned from 120 to 150° by selection of the curing temperature in relation with the intrinsic transition temperatures of the modified pulp, as determined by thermal analysis. The appearance of encapsulated wax after curing was followed by a combination of morphological analysis, infrared spectroscopy and Raman mapping, showing balanced mechanisms of progressive release and migration of wax into the fiber network controlling the surface properties and water contact angles. Finally, the appearance of nanoparticles covered with a thin wax layer after complete thermal release provides highest hydrophobicity

Quality of Brazilian vegetable oils evaluated by (modulated) differential scanning calorimetry

Vegetable oils are increasingly replacing fossil-oil-based polymers, and therefore aimed at being used in polymerization reactions from -20 to 100 A degrees C. Therefore, phase transitions and heat capacities in this temperature range should be well characterized to optimize processing conditions and energy inputs. By using the DSC analysis, only small primary correspondence or divergence between different oil types are seen as a function of their degree of unsaturation, but it does not clearly distinguish detailed features such as shoulder bands related to the separate melting processes of single fatty acid components. By using modulated DSC analysis, the combined analysis of reversing and non-reversing heat signals provides better results. The latter confirms that the melting is not a physical one-step process, but equilibrates between phase transitions and enthalpic reorganizations of the fatty acids that can be monitored separately. The specific heat capacities measured during modulated DSC are somewhat lower than traditional calorimetric measurements, but relate to the degree of unsaturation. The thermal behavior of palm-, soy-, sunflower-, corn-, castor-, and rapeseed-oil is discussed in relation to their composition, by applying a first or second heating scan

How thermal curing of an organic paper coating changes topography, chemistry, and wettability

Celluloses are preferred renewable substrates, but hydrophilicity and porosity disfavor their water resistance. We present here an ecofriendly application of imidized nanoparticles and a method to flexibly tune the surface wettability of papers. The soft nanostructured coating is sensitive to thermal curing, which affects both the surface chemistry and morphology. The thermal stability of the coating is first investigated with conventional and modulated differential scanning calorimetry, revealing influences of the imide content and an endotherm reaction below the glass transition temperature at 120–150 °C. The latter is studied in detail for an appropriate selection of the copolymer precursors. According to diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV/vis spectroscopy, the endotherm corresponds to an imidization reaction. The morphology of the coatings is followed at various scale levels by contactless roughness measurements and atomic force microscopy. Finally, the experimental values are fitted to the parameters of the Wenzel wetting model, and so-called calibration curves for the relation between contact angles, surface roughness, and surface chemistry are presented. They allow the prediction of the water contact angle of coated papers from the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic range, with a maximum in hydrophobicity after increasing the imide content at 120–150 °C curing