R. Hasanzadeh, S. Fathi, T. Azdast, M. Rostami,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Heat transfer in foams consists of conduction through solid and gaseous phases, convection within the cells as well as radiation through the whole medium. Radiation thermal conduction affects the overall thermal conductivity by 40% in a high porosity. Therefore, the investigation of that term seems to be necessary. Radiation thermal conduction depends on the extinction coefficient which its determination is experimentally complex. In this study, this coefficient is theoretically estimated using Glicksman model for polyolefin foams and is verified in comparison with the experimental data. Extinction coefficient which plays an effective role in the radiation thermal conduction depends on the morphological properties including foam and solid densities, cell and strut diameters. The results demonstrate that the radiation thermal conduction decreases by reducing cell size and increasing foam density and strut diameter. An L25 orthogonal array of Taguchi approach is used for optimization of radiation thermal conduction respect to foam density, cell and strut diameters as variable parameters. The analysis of variance results illuminate that foam density and cell diameter with 58 and 32% contribution are the most effective parameters on the radiation thermal conduction, respectively. At optimum conditions according to the prediction tool of Taguchi approach, the radiation thermal conduction significantly decreases to 1.0908 mW/mK.
Salma Bessalah, Samira Jbahi, Mouldi Zagrouba, Hajji Sawsen, Amel Raoufi, Mustpha Hidouri,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Abstract
In this research, Gelatine (GEL)/ Chitosan (CH) wound dressing was prepared and irradiated with gamma rays from 60Co source for wound healing applications. GEL-CH composite characterization and functional properties were determined. The structural changes occurring after γ-irradiation at doses from 5 to 25 kGy were reported by physico-chemical techniques such as Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The antioxidant capacity was studied using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical) scavenging and the antibacterial activities of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were observed using liquid medium. Results revealed that EPR spectroscopy of un-irradiated GEL-CH showed 2 paramagnetic centers correspond to g=2.077 and g= 2.079. After irradiation, no active centre was appeared. A dose-dependent decrease in the central signal intensity was detected, then the EPR signal intensity almost disappears at 20 kGy. Gamma rays caused a slight increase in ion conductivity. FTIR suggest a slightly crosslinking phenomenon at 20 kGy. The XRD analysis does not show peak indicating crystallinity between a range of 2θ (15–30°). Moreover, γ-irradiation elevated the Scavenging DPPH radical activity (0.75 ± 0.07%). Gamma rays did not affect the antibacterial activity of GEL-CH wound dressing against pathogenic bacteria. The innovative results showed that the required γ-radiation for sterilization was ranged from 5 to 25 kGy. It permits to improve the physico-chemical and biological properties and maintain the native structural integrity of the GEL/ COL wound dressing