Surface characterization and Molecular Dynamics of Nandi flame seed cuticle
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Date
2008
Authors
Kipnusu, W.K.
Katana, G.
Rume, J.
Tsuwi, J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
school of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University
Abstract
Surface Probe Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy have been used to characterize Nandi flame Seed Cuticles
(NFSC). The FTIR has revealed that cuticles are predominantly
composed of Pectin and Cellulose. The surface analysis using Atomic
Force Microscopy (AFM) has shown that the cuticles are porous with
average pore size of O.5nm. The cuticles also have highly oriented
topography with pores concentrated within cavities that are spaced at
regular intervals. Other regions showed intertwined ridges. Isochronal
and Isothermal loss plots of Dielectric Spectroscopy (DS) studies
displayed two dynamical molecular processes that are strongly dependent
on temperature and frequency. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
gave a glass transition temperature of 54SC and crystallization
temperature, (Te) of 352.4 °C. The cuticles were found to be resistant to
common organic solvents
Description
This article was scanned from a hand copy journal.(East Africa Journal of Physical Sciences)
Keywords
molecular dynamics, biomaterial, Nandi flame