Testing out the interactions between BPO and water, and between BPO and Heptane

Qui Nguyen

Procedure1. Measure out 4.4 mg of graphite (G2299) into 4 small vials2. Add water into 2 vials and Heptane into 2 vials (4 vials in total)3. Add 15.5 mg of BPO into 1 vial contains water and 15.5 mg of BPO into 1 vial contains Heptane4. Bath sonicate the 4 vials for 30 minutes then compare the results

Before bath sonication

1 2 3 4

1. Graphite + Water + BPO

2. Graphite + Water

3. Graphite + Heptane + BPO

4. Graphite + Heptane

Before bath sonicationGraphite + Water + BPO

Graphite + Water

Before bath sonicationGraphite + Heptane + BPO

Graphite + Heptane

Right after bath sonication1. Graphite + Water + BPO

2. Graphite + Water

3. Graphite + Heptane + BPO

4. Graphite + Heptane

1 2 3 4

Right after bath sonicationGraphite + Water + BPO

Graphite + Water

Right after bath sonicationGraphite + Heptane + BPO

Graphite + Heptane

5 minutes after bath sonication1. Graphite + Water + BPO

2. Graphite + Water

3. Graphite + Heptane + BPO

4. Graphite + Heptane

1 2 3 4

5 minutes after bath sonicationGraphite + Water + BPO

Graphite + Water

5 minutes after bath sonicationGraphite + Heptane + BPO

Graphite + Heptane

30 minutes after bath sonication1. Graphite + Water + BPO

2. Graphite + Water

3. Graphite + Heptane + BPO

4. Graphite + Heptane

12 3 4

30 minutes after bath sonicationGraphite + Water + BPO

Graphite + Water

Conclusion

1. BPO doesn’t dissolve in water.2. BPO stabilizes graphite in heptane.

Procedure for PVDF soaking using DMAC (Dimethylacetamide) 1. Dilute the PVDF solution (contains DMAC) with DMAC at different concentration: ½, ⅕, 1/10.2. Add 4.4 mg of graphite (G2299)3. Add 5 mL of Heptane4. Add a stir bar then stir the solution for 30 seconds.5. Bath sonicated the solution for 30 seconds.6. Stir the solution for 15 minutes.7. Blend the solution for 1 minute.8. Dry the solution using compressed air under the hood.

Others

Surface tension of DMC (Dimethyl Carbonate) is 28.5 dynes/cm

30 minutes after bath sonicationGraphite + Heptane + BPO

Graphite + Heptane