The relationship between ionic conductivity, morphology, and rheological properties of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers (SEO) doped with a lithium salt, Li[N(SO2CF3)2], is elucidated. We focus on lamellar samples with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) volume fractions, φ, ranging from 0.38 to 0.55, and PEO block molecular weights, M PEO, ranging from 16 to 98 kg/mol. The low-frequency storage modulus (G‘) at 90 °C increases with increasing M PEO from about 4 × 105 to 5 × 107 Pa. Surprisingly, the conductivity of the SEO/salt mixtures with the molar ratio of Li to ethylene oxide moieties of 0.02 σ, also increases with increasing M PEO, from 6.2 × 10-5 to 3.6 × 10-4 S/cm at 90 °C. We compare σ with the conductivity of pure PEO/salt mixtures, σPEO, and find that σ/[φσPEO] of our highest molecular weight sample is close to 0.67, the theoretical upper limit for transport through randomly oriented lamellar grains.

Elevated levels of contaminants in surface and ground water pose serious and adverse health challenges in the twenty-first century. It is imperative that the quality of life of people without safe drinking water is improved by providing safe, clean and affordable water using appropriate purification technology. Natural clay and rice husk-Na 2 CO 3 modified clay were used to produce expanded clay aggregates adsorbents. Characterizations were done using SEM, XRD, XPS and BET to reveal their salient features. Filtration studies were carried out to ascertain the disinfection assay of E. Coli and removal efficiencies of nitrate and phosphate. Batch adsorption experiments were employed to determine the effect of pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage for effective removal of Arsenic (III) and lead (II) including isotherm models. Aluminosilicates and associated minerals with high surface areas between 456.143-566.998 m 2 /g and significant adsorption sites were revealed. Log four bacteria disinfection assay was achieved. Reduction efficiencies for phosphate and nitrate for all adsorbents varied from 27.33% to 76% and 10.67% to 46% respectively. High correlation coefficients made Langmuir isotherm model more favourable than Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities for both lead and

We investigated the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a polycarbonate matrix under varying flow conditions to determine the most eficient dispersion parameter. Distributive mixing was investigated by a flow digitization technique as well as electrical conductivity of the materials. Residence time distribution (RTD) was obtainedfrom an integral of the area under an absorbance-time curve. Total shear strain rate was obtained by multiplying RTD by shear rate. The area ratio of theflller (Ar) was determined by an image analysis technique where fillers less than 0 . 3 6~ were counted as unoccupied area. Area ratio decreased with increasing total shear strain rate, while volume resistivity decreased with decreasing area ratio. We observed an optimum value of Ar for conductiviv, Increasing barrel temperature did not have a dramatic eflect on dispersion. it was observed that the dominant dispersion parameters were shear rate and RTD.