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Basalt fibers, similarly to other silicate fibers, can be introduced into both thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer matrices. In this work some basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were investigated. The fiber‐matrix adhesion was improved by commercial and non‐commercial maleic anhydride derivatives. The latter types, called reactive surfactants, were prepared in laboratory scale and the progress of the syntheses was determined by Raman microscopy. The additives allowed performing reactive interface modification during the compounding process. Due to the interface modification with the additives in low concentration the mechanical properties improved. The boundary layers on the surface of the reinforcing fibers were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

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Interface modifications optimized for fire retardancy require detailed research. Confocal Raman microscopy was used to analyze the degradation locally in the area of the nanotube and clay additives. The double‐walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT), containing Co catalyst residue, accelerates the deacetylation process of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinylacetate) (EVA) considerably, while the montmorillonite (MMT) has no significant influence under static circumstances. The compounding process influences the effect of MMT, which causes partial crosslinking in EVA during the compounding. This mechanochemical reaction is catalyzed by uncovered MMT particles, while organophillized MMT promotes the charring process. Inorganic surface modification with various metal ions has also some stabilizing effect. Spray drying of MMT results in microparticles of increased surface area and improved thermal stability of the EVA system. The lowest rate of flame spreading was achieved using uncoated MMT, while coating with cationic surfactant was most efficient for hindering dripping. The rate of heat release (RHR) of the organically modified and the spray dried MMT was approximately the same. The combined organic‐inorganic modified clay moderates both the dripping and the flame spreading in the EVA. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Extraction of 25 different binary mixtures of racemic acids [2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid, cis- and trans-chrysanthemic, and -permetric acid] and various chiral bases with supercritical carbon dioxide permitted the conclusion that molecular chiral differentiation in a supercritical fluid is more efficient than in conventional solvents. In the majority of cases, however, complete separation could not be achieved. In five cases, remarkable partial resolutions were realized (30-75% ee) and resolution was possible on a preparative scale. The pair cis-chrysanthemic acid and (S)-(+)-2-(benzylamino)-1-butanol was studied in detail. Pressure, temperature, time, as well as the molar ratio of base and acid had a marked influence on the quantity and quality of the products. Increasing pressure or decreasing temperature resulted in higher ee values. (-)-cis-Chrysanthemic acid in 99% ee was obtained from the raffinate in a single extraction step. Multiple extractions produced the (+)-cis-acid in 90% ee.