Showing papers by "Cabot Corporation published in 2013"

Polymer nanocomposite foams

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposite foams, polymer foams with nanoparticles, are an intriguing class of materials with unique structure and properties The shape, size and surface chemistry of nanoparticles can be tailored to control the foam structure, and therefore, foam properties Nanoparticles also add functionality to polymer foams In this paper, we briefly review the recent developments in polymer nanocomposites and nanocomposite foams This is followed by an extensive discussion regarding the role of nanoparticles in foam morphology and properties Finally, the current and future trends of polymer nanocomposite foams are summarized Both challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed

Particle size distributions by transmission electron microscopy: an interlaboratory comparison case study

Abstract: This paper reports an interlaboratory comparison that evaluated a protocol for measuring and analysing the particle size distribution of discrete, metallic, spheroidal nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study was focused on automated image capture and automated particle analysis. NIST RM8012 gold nanoparticles (30 nm nominal diameter) were measured for area-equivalent diameter distributions by eight laboratories. Statistical analysis was used to (1) assess the data quality without using size distribution reference models, (2) determine reference model parameters for different size distribution reference models and non-linear regression fitting methods and (3) assess the measurement uncertainty of a size distribution parameter by using its coefficient of variation. The interlaboratory area-equivalent diameter mean, 27.6 nm ± 2.4 nm (computed based on a normal distribution), was quite similar to the area-equivalent diameter, 27.6 nm, assigned to NIST RM8012. The lognormal reference model was the preferred choice for these particle size distributions as, for all laboratories, its parameters had lower relative standard errors (RSEs) than the other size distribution reference models tested (normal, Weibull and Rosin-Rammler-Bennett). The RSEs for the fitted standard deviations were two orders of magnitude higher than those for the fitted means, suggesting that most of the parameter estimate errors were associated with estimating the breadth of the distributions. The coefficients of variation for the interlaboratory statistics also confirmed the lognormal reference model as the preferred choice. From quasi-linear plots, the typical range for good fits between the model and cumulative number-based distributions was 1.9 fitted standard deviations less than the mean to 2.3 fitted standard deviations above the mean. Automated image capture, automated particle analysis and statistical evaluation of the data and fitting coefficients provide a framework for assessing nanoparticle size distributions using TEM for image acquisition.

Oil Emulsification Using Surface-Tunable Carbon Black Particles

Abstract: Emulsification of oil from a subsurface spill and keeping it stable in the water is an important component of the natural remediation process. Motivated by the need to find alternate dispersants for emulsifying oil following a spill, we examine particle-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. Emulsions that remain stable for months are prepared either by adding acid or salt to carboxyl-terminated carbon black (CB) suspension in water to make the particles partially hydrophobic, adding the oil to this suspension and mixing. When naphthalene, a model potentially toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is added to octane and an emulsion formed, it gets adsorbed significantly by the CB particles, and its transport into the continuous water is markedly reduced. In contrast to an undesirable seawater-in-crude oil emulsion produced using a commercially used dispersant, Corexit 9500A, we demonstrate the formation of a stable crude oil-in-seawater emulsion using the CB particles (with no added acid or salt), important f...

Rough nanoparticles at the oil–water interfaces: their structure, rheology and applications

Abstract: A two dimensional suspension is used as a model system to study structural and dynamical responses of weakly attractive particles. An attractive glassy monolayer is produced by spreading carbon black particles at the interface, with attractive interactions between the particles stemming from lateral capillary forces caused by the surface roughness and the subsequent contact line undulations. By controlling the surface concentration, strong and elastic interfacial layers are formed which wrinkle reversibly upon compression. The rheological properties of the resulting monolayers can be described by the framework of the ‘soft glassy rheology’ model. For example, the effects of concentration for a given type of particle on the frequency dependence of the moduli can be scaled. Data for two types of particles with different surface roughness reveal the effect of the interaction strength on the elasticity. The monolayers are also observed to ‘age’ as a function of time, with the elasticity increasing over time. Based on the soft glassy rheology model, a master-curve can be obtained using a time–concentration superposition procedure, where the effect of interaction strength also can be scaled and evaluated indirectly.

Mercury removal from flue gas streams using treated sorbents

Abstract: A method for modifying the properties of a sorbent comprising washing a sorbent with a washing solution so as to achieve an exchange of ions between the sorbent and the washing solution, and applying a halogen compound to the sorbent that has been washed with the washing solution to achieve a predetermined concentration of the halogen on the sorbent.

High structure carbon blacks

Abstract: Disclosed herein are high structured carbon blacks, methods of synthesis and treatment, and dispersions and inkjet ink formulations prepared therefrom. The carbon black can have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and STSA ranging from 160 to 220 m 2 /g. The carbon black can also have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and a ratio of STSA/BET surface area ranging from 0.7 to 1.

Flexible insulating structures and methods of making and using same

Abstract: A flexible insulating structure includes a batting and a mixture of aerogel-containing particles and a binder, the aerogel-containing particles impregnating at least one layer of the batting. A method for preparing a flexible insulating structure comprises applying a mixture including aerogel-containing particles and a binder to a batting having one or more batting layers; and drying or allowing the binder to dry, thereby forming the flexible insulating structure.

Siloxane removal from gases using lignite-enhanced activated carbons and adsorbent media used therefor

Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas stream includes flowing the gas stream that carries siloxanes through an adsorbent media to remove at least part of the siloxanes from the gas stream, wherein the adsorbent media comprises lignite-based activated carbon. A spent adsorbent media is provided that contains the lignite-based activated carbon through which a gas stream containing siloxanes has been at least partially purified, and which may be regenerated.

Phosphoric acid treatment of carbonaceous material prior to activation

Abstract: A method of producing an activated carbon, comprising selecting a raw material for direct-activation, applying a solution of at least 50% phosphoric acid by weight at a ratio of from 0.01 pounds to 0.3 pounds of phosphoric acid solution per pound to the raw material selected for direct activation to produce a phosphoric acid treated raw material, and direct-activating the phosphoric acid treated raw material via a gas activation process to produce an activated carbon.

Modified carbon blacks having low pah amounts and elastomers containing the same

Abstract: Modified carbon blacks, such as rubber blacks, having a low PAH concentration are described. Furthermore, elastomeric or rubber compositions containing the modified carbon black of the present invention are further described, as well as methods of making modified carbon black having a low PAH concentration.

Active material compositions comprising high surface area carbonaceous materials

Abstract: Disclosed herein are negative active material compositions, comprising: a carbonaceous material (6') having a surface area of at least 250 m2/g; and an organic molecule expander (4'), wherein the ratio of carbonaceous material to expander ranges from 5:1 to 1:1, and wherein the composition has a median pore size ranging from 0.8 μιη to 4 μm. Also disclosed are electrodes and batteries comprising such compositions, and methods of making thereof.

Magnetic Field Induced Morphological Transitions in Block Copolymer/Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Composites

Abstract: This two-dimensional computational study investigates the effect of external magnetic fields on thin film nanocomposites comprised of superparamagnetic nanoparticles dispersed within block copolymer melts, which display a variety of morphological transitions based on the field orientation, nanoparticle loading, and selectivity of the nanoparticles for the blocks. In-plane magnetic fields lead to chaining of the nanoparticles; when selective for the minority block in a hexagonal block copolymer nanostructure, this chaining results in the formation of stripe phases oriented parallel to the magnetic field. When selective for the majority block of the hexagonal structure, nanoparticle chains of sufficient persistence length drive the orientation of the hexagonal morphology with the ⟨100⟩ direction oriented parallel to the magnetic field. Out-of-plane magnetic fields induce repulsive dipolar interactions between the nanoparticles that annihilate the defects in the hexagonal morphology of the block copolymer wh...

Porous carbon monoliths templated by pickering emulsions

Abstract: Porous carbon monoliths are prepared using emulsions stabilized by carbonaceous particles or aggregates. An illustrative porous carbon monolith comprises carbon black, including any graphitized carbon black particles, carbonized binder and porosity. The porosity includes first pores having a pore size within the range of from about 0.5 μm to about 100 μm and second pores having a pore size within the range of from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. The pore size distribution of the first pores does not overlap with a pore size distribution of the second pores.

Oxidized carbon blacks treated with polyetheramines and coating compositions comprising same

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and compositions comprising: an oxidized carbon black having a BET surface area ranging from 50 to 700 m2/g, a DBP oil adsorption number ranging from 50 to 200 mL/100 g, and a primary particle size ranging from 7 to 30 nm; and a polyetheramine comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide monomers, wherein the polyetheramine coats the oxidized carbon black. Also disclosed are coatings and coating compositions comprising these materials and methods of making the same.

Electrode formulations comprising graphenes

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathode formulations comprising graphenes. One embodiment provides a cathode formulation comprising an electroactive material, and graphene interspersed with the electroactive material, wherein a ratio of (mean electroactive material domain size) / (mean graphene lateral domain size) ranges from 3:2 to 15:1. Also disclosed are cathodes comprising such materials and methods of making such cathodes.

Treated fumed silica

Abstract: Disclosed herein are treated fumed silica particles comprising a modified polydialkylsiloxane on the surface thereof, a method for preparing treated fumed silica particles, and a rheological system comprising a polar liquid and treated fumed silica particles. Also disclosed are toner compositions comprising toner particles and treated fumed silica particles comprising a modified polydialkylsiloxane.

Surface modification of pigments and compositions comprising the same

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a modified pigment, comprising: reacting, under Mitsunobu conditions: (a) a first reactant comprising a protonated nucleophile having a pK a <15, and (b) a second reactant comprising a hydroxyl-containing organic group, wherein a pigment is attached to either the first or second reactant. The method further comprises forming the modified pigment having attached an organic species comprising the nucleophile bonded to the organic group, with the net elimination of a proton and a hydroxyl. Also disclosed herein are modified pigments, which can have applications in chemical toners, inkjet ink and electrophoretic ink compositions, black matrix materials, color filters, and coatings.

Ink compositions comprising surfactants having limited solubility

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ink compositions comprising a self-dispersed pigment in a liquid vehicle. The liquid vehicle can comprise a solvent/water mixture in which the composition further comprises a surfactant system having limited solubility/compatibility with the liquid vehicle. Also disclosed are surfactant systems comprising at least a first and a second surfactant, where the first surfactant is selected from alkoxylated alkyne-containing alkylene diols and N-alkyl pyrrolidones, and wherein the first surfactant has a solubility of less than 0.5% in a 5% glycerol/water mixture, and where the a second surfactant is selected from acetylene alcohols comprising linear or branched C1-C14 alkyls, and alkoxylated phosphate esters.

Advancements in meeting new regulations with activated carbon: Results from full scale cement plant field tests

Abstract: Throughout 2011–2012, Norit (now part of Cabot Corporation) performed five full-scale field trials at cement plants within North America. Despite differences in kiln configuration, raw mix composition, activated carbon injection (ACI) location, flue gas temperature, and particulate control systems, results show that test activated carbons significantly reduced mercury emissions. The test programs discussed in this report were developed to assist cement plants in meeting pending regulations for mercury emissions in a cost-effective and reliable manner. Several new carbon sorbents were evaluated with either improved mercury removal performance, concrete compatible characteristics, or both. Depending on the plant locations, EPA Method 30B and/or mercury CEMS were used to determine the mercury removal across the particulate control system. All carbon sorbents tested in the United States reduced mercury emissions to less than 55-lb mercury per million tons of clinker for all cases, thus meeting the cement emissions regulations for existing kilns. Carbon sorbents tested outside of the United States targeted mercury reduction requirements as mandated by the applicable regulating body.

Molten Aluminium Purification

Abstract: Engineering principles important for the purification of liquid aluminium have been reviewed. Kinetic and chemical factors are given which describe the removal of dissolved impurities using purge gas, vacuum, or reactive gases. The model employs the engineering concepts of mass transfer coefficient, interfacial contact area, total pressure and vapor pressure. It is shown that - except for hydrogen - gas purging and vacuum treatment are rate limited by the equilibrium (the vapor pressure of the dissolved species). With reactive gases removal is limited by liquid-film mass transfer. A relation is given for the maximum concentration of reactive component in the purge gases that can be absorbed and utilised.

Hoch strukturierte Ruße

Abstract: Offenbart sind hoch strukturierte Ruse, Herstellungsverfahren und Oberflachenbehandlungen, und Dispersionen und Inkjet (Tintenstrahl) Tintenzusammensetzungen, welche aus diesen hergestellt werden. Der Rus kann die folgenden Eigenschaften aufweisen: OAN ≥ 170 ml/100 g; und STSA von 160 bis 220 m 2 /g. Der Rus kann auch die folgenden Eigenschaften aufweisen: OAN ≥ 170 ml/100 g; und ein Verhaltnis von STSA/BET von 0,7 bis 1.