Manga are graphic novels that are considered to have the potential to effectively convey concepts and engage readers. The efficacy of manga has been validated for chemical safety education to students in three universities in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. Students were asked to examine a photo to identify hazards and hazardous behaviors that can potentially lead to accidents before and after reading a manga that explains the risk of fires and explosions. The identified hazards/hazardous behaviors were classified into seven categories, and the average number of hazards/hazardous behaviors was determined in each category. The differences before and after the lesson were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of manga as an educational tool. In the students' answers, in all three of the universities, some common features were observed: Subjects easily identified certain hazardous conditions in the photo, particularly noting deficient or unsuitable personal protective equipment. The hazards/hazardous behaviors that can potentially result in ignitions, fires, and explosions were more likely to be identified after the lesson. Many students found the manga a helpful tool for learning chemical safety.
In this study, synthesis and properties of green flame retardant of silane-functionalized expandable graphite (EG) composites were investigated. The coupling agent was used to improve the interface between the matrix and EG. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were adopted to characterize the functionalized EG. It was affirmed that 3-aminopropyltriethoxsilane (APTS) has been grafted on EG. The modified EG composites improved thermal property, corresponding to functionalized EG. 29Si-nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopies were used to study the structure and the morphology property of the modified EG composites. It showed that flake graphite existed in the matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that Si atoms appeared due to APTS grafted on EG. The expanded structures of graphite were formed after burning. The foamed layer demonstrated the mechanism of protection of EG. The results present poly(methylmethacrylate)/silane-modified EG(PMMA, poly(methylmethacrylate) composites that have excellent thermal stability and flame-retardant property compared to pure PMMA resin.
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