Abstract.We have prepared a series of nano-sized aluminium nitride (nano-AlN)/cycloaliphatic epoxy/trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) systems and investigated their morphology, thermal conductivity, thermal stability and curing behavior. Experimental results show that the thermal conductivity of composites increases with the nano-AlN filler content, the maximum value is up to 0.47 W/(m!K). Incorporation of a small amount of the nano-AlN filler into the epoxy/TMPTMA system improves the thermal stability. For instance, the thermal degradation temperature at 5% weight loss of nano-AlN/ epoxy/TMPTMA system with only 1 wt% nano-AlN was improved by 8ºC over the neat epoxy/TMPTMA system. The effect of nano-AlN particles on the cure behavior of epoxy/TMPTMA systems was studied by dynamic differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the addition of silane treated nano-AlN particles does not change the curing reaction mechanism and silane treated nano-AlN particles could bring positive effect on the processing of composite since it needs shorter pre-cure time and lower pre-temperature, meanwhile the increase of glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite improves the heat resistance.
Despite intensive research activities, there are still many major knowledge gaps over the potential adverse effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2‐NPs), one of the most widely produced and used nanoparticles, on human cardiovascular health and the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus test were employed to determine the genotoxic potentials of four sizes (100, 50, 30, and 10 nm) of anatase TiO2‐NPs to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in culture. Also, the intracellular redox statuses were explored through the measurement of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) with kits, respectively. Meanwhile, the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also detected by western blot. The results showed that at the exposed levels (1, 5, and 25 μg/mL), all the four sizes of TiO2‐NPs could elicit an increase of both DNA damage and MN frequency in HUVECs in culture, with a positive dose‐dependent and negative size‐dependent effect relationship (T100 < T50 < T30 < T10). Also, increased levels of intracellular ROS, but decreased levels of GSH, were found in all the TiO2‐NP‐treated groups. Intriguingly, a very similar manner of dose‐dependent and size‐dependent effect relationship was observed between the ROS test and both comet assay and MN test, but contrary to that of GSH assay. Correspondingly, the levels of Nrf2 protein were also elevated in the TiO2‐NP‐exposed HUVECs, with an inversely size‐dependent effect relationship. These findings indicated that induction of oxidative stress and subsequent genotoxicity might be an important biological mechanism by which TiO2‐NP exposure would cause detrimental effects to human cardiovascular health.
Understanding the dissolution of hemicellulose in ionic liquids (ILs) is important in order to explore efficient utilization of ILs for fractionating lignocellulose and extracting hemicellulose. In this study, three ILs, namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazol-ium bromide (BmimBr), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (BmimI), were used as solvents to dissolve bamboo hemicellulose over the temperature range of 80 °C to 150 °C. Representative hemicellulose with a solubility higher than 9.0 g/100 g IL was regenerated and characterized. The interaction between the hemicellulose and ILs was evaluated using carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. The results showed that the solubility of hemicellulose in the ILs was in the following order: BmimCl > BmimBr > BmimI. Though moderate degradation of the hemicellulose possibly occurred during dissolution, the main chain of the hemicellulose was almost unchanged. The enhanced solubility of the hemicellulose was because of the formation of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl proton of the hemicellulose and anion of the ILs.
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