POSTER ABSTRACTS
develop a method of monitoring the polymerization process of nanocomposites in situ. The initial investigation is to characterize nanocomposites’ physical properties. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and extent of reaction of a thermoset (Epon 828 cured with 4,4‐ diaminodiphenylmethane) and three nanocomposites (Epon 828, DDM, and 1, 3, and 5% weight of Nanomer I.28E) were examined using Differential Scanning Calorimetery at two different stochiometric ratios. The data from both ratios indicate that longer isothermal cure times yield higher initial Tgs. The 3.7:1 ratio yielded higher Tgs and a faster cure rate for both thermosets and nanocomposites. The second investigation examined the degree of exfoliation (uniform dispersion of the nanoclay throughout the polymer composite). Past research has indicated that only minimal percent loadings of nanoclay (not exceeding 5%) are needed and that sonication is an effective method of achieving exfoliation. For these reasons, 1, 3, and 5% were used and sonication was utilized to prepare the nanocomposites. The separation of tactoid layers of cured nanocomposites were compared to that of pure untreated nanoclay using X‐Ray Diffraction. When examining the nanocomposites at the 5:1 ratio, the 3% nanocomposite exfoliated much more than the 1 and 5%. Currently, the experiment is being repeated also using the 3.7:1 ratio to ensure that the results from the 5:1 ratio are reproducible. It can also suggest which ratios produce a better exfoliated product. Future work will entail use of the Dielectric Analyzer to determine the dielectric loss and coefficient for thermosets and nanocomposites. This data could potentially be utilized to develop a method of monitoring the polymerization process in situ. Supported by HBCU‐ UP Program NSF 0505066 and NSF HRD‐0627276.
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“Heating Profiles Of Microwave Irradiated Emulsions” Sarah A. Addae, Dr. Alvin P. Kennedy* Morgan State University, Chemistry Department, Baltimore, MD Abstract The underlying mechanisms involved in the heating of microwave irradiated emulsion systems have not been completely understood. The environment within the micelle and the micelle interface are considered to affect the microwave heating of various liquid emulsions. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the heating profiles of oil in water (O/W) emulsions in real time and determine radiation properties and behavior within these emulsions. Oil in water (O/W) emulsions of various water and hexane compositions were prepared and irradiated in a CEM MDS‐2100 microwave for six minutes and their heating profiles were obtained. The percentage water composition of
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