In this study, we prepared Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/Nitrocellulose (NC) polymer blend by the solution casting technique. The structural properties and decreased interplanar spacing and crystalline nature of the PVC/NC blends were confirmed by an XRD technique. Basic chemical fingerprint regions of PVC/NC blends were confirmed by the Fourier transform IR method. Optical properties correlated with a decreased direct and indirect bandgap energy of PVC/NC were estimated using UV–visible spectra. They exhibited a shift in the absorption spectra towards the longer wavelength region due to process of charge transfer in the blend system. An increased microporous nature of the blends was demonstrated by SEM. Based on the Maxwell–Wagner model the dielectric constant and relative loss were found to have a maximum in the low frequency region which may be contributed by the polar nature of NC. We confirmed the hydrophilic nature of the PVC/NC blends due to the presence of hydroxyl groups by the goniometer technique. The thermophysical properties of the blends were measured by Lee's disc method. NC loading in the blend system increased the thermal conductivity from 0.12 to 0.18 W/(m.K). The Shore A softness test of the blends exhibited an 18% increase. We quantified structure, bandgap, morphology, and dielectric, surface and thermal properties as a function of NC blending. This new emerging blend may be a remedy for various engineering applications. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

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Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer blends were more in demand due to their wide range of applications. We overcome the restricted low thermal stability and poor strength for deployable blend. In the present study, we prepared PAN and nitrocellulose (NC) polymer blends by solution casting method to overcome the low loss, low dielectric properties as alternative blend for cladding purpose in communication domain. C≡N bond exclusively demonstrated the impact on blending was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and Raman microscopy measurement. Semicrystalline nature of polymer blends as a function of NC loading was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Optical polarizing microscopy (OPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis illustrated an appearance of micro flocculated spherulites. Blending ratio of PAN/NC demonstrated the decreased direct band gap identified by Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV). PAN/NC proved excellent alternative as low dielectric constant and low loss as cladding medium. Blending of NC with PAN exhibited an increased hydrophilicity was confirmed by surface goniometer. Increased thermal stability of polymer blends was mapped by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Blend melting temperature and glass transition temperature was increased from 322°C to 334°C and 88°C to 102°C confirmed by Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Thermal conductivity was increased from ~0.13 to ~0.34 W/m. k for PAN/NC determined by Lee's disc probe method. Mechanical properties of blends were measured using universal testing machine (UTM). Tensile strength and Young's modulus was increased up to ~23%, and ~ 56%, whereas elongation break was decreased up to ~71% for PAN/NC blends compared to host PAN system. PAN/NC may suit promising candidate as cladding blend for communication engineering due to low loss and low dielectric constant.

The present work studies the microbial load reduction in sapota and beet root by three different drying methods i.e. Open Sun Drying (OSD), Solar Conduction Drying (SCD) and a modified SCD with filters (SCDF). Parameters analyzed were water activity, moisture content, drying kinetics, Total Viable Counts, Total Fungal Counts and ash content. It was found that the samples dried in SCDF showed least microbial counts, faster drying times and lower ash content as comparison to OSD. This study shows that SCD and its modification provide a better alternative for low cost drying of fruits and vegetables for quality retention. Keywords: Microbial reduction; SCD Filters; Sapota; Beetroot