pH-dependent release from ethylcellulose microparticles containing alginate and calcium carbonate

Ethylcellulose microparticles containing alginate and calcium carbonate nanoparticles were prepared by spray drying water-in-oil emulsion. Alginate solution (3%) in distilled water was used as an aqueous phase, ethylcellulose solution (5%) in dichloromethane as an oil phase, and sorbitan sesquioleate as an emulsifier. The nanoparticles of calcium carbonate were dispersed into the emulsion. By spray-drying the emulsion, ethylcellulose microparticles containing alginate and calcium carbonate were obtained. When the ratios of alginate to calcium carbonate were 4:1 and 2:1, the pH dependency of the release was marked and the degree of release was suppressed in acidic conditions. When the ratio increased to 1:2, the degree of release increased while the pH-dependent release profiles were maintained. Cavities created by the dissolution of calcium carbonate could account for the increased release.     

Active corrosion protection of various aluminium alloys by lithium-leaching coatings

This study presents the active protective properties of lithium-leaching coatings for a range of aluminium alloys. Coatings with and without lithium carbonate as leachable inhibitor were applied on the aluminium alloys, artificially damaged and exposed to the neutral salt spray. A combined approach of scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements revealed that the lithium carbonate leaching coating provided effective corrosion inhibition on AA2024, AA7075, AA5083, and AA6014 by the formation of a protective layer in the defect area and preventing local corrosion processes despite the different intrinsic electrochemical activity of the alloys.     

Unprecedented formation of metastable monoclinic BaCO3 nanoparticles

Barium carbonate nanoparticles (50-100 nm) were prepared by flame spray pyrolysis. The rapid quenching during the preparation process resulted in the unprecedented formation of pure monoclinic BaCO₃. The as-prepared materials were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction as well as by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses. At ambient conditions the metastable monoclinic phase transformed easily into the thermodynamically stable orthorhombic BaCO₃ (witherite) within a few days.     

Calibration of ion spray mass spectra using cluster ions

Mass calibration for ion spray mass spectrometry can be achieved by using cluster ions formed by flow injection of solutions of alkali metal salts in aqueous acetonitrile into the liquid flowing to the ion spray needle. Source contamination is thereby reduced to a minimum. For quadrupole mass analyzers, sodium iodide provides an ideal compromise between undesirable spectral complexity and spacings between calibrant mass peaks sufficiently close that interpolation errors are negligible. When much closer spacings are required, protonated water clusters provide an excellent calibration up to about m/z 1000. If higher mass ranges are required with a large number of calibrant peaks, a solution of mixed alkali metal iodides does provide the expected spectra but intensities are poor at higher m/z values. For liquid chromatography with on-line mass spectrometry (LC/MS) the mass calibration may be checked without changing the mobile phase by post-column flow injection of a cesium carbonate solution, since the carbonate anion is wholly displaced by the anion of the mobile phase acid modifier, resulting in no mixed clusters. The metal salt calibrants have the additional advantage of being useful over a wide range of tuning parameters in the atmospheric pressure ionization source, covering those appropriate to both relative molecular mass determinations of large proteins and to LC/MS of small analyte species.     

A Model for Simultaneous Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nucleation in the Case of Slow Reaction Rate

(Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu [x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0] phosphor particles with 6 at.% Eu dopant of total concentration were prepared using spray pyrolysis. The effects of composition on the morphology, crystallinity, and photoluminescence characteristics of composite particles were investigated. The morphological control of (Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu particles in spray pyrolysis was also attempted by using colloidal and aqueous solutions. The particles prepared from colloidal solutions containing small amounts of Gd or Y hydroxy carbonate sol as seed material had spherical and filled morphology after the post-treatment at high temperature. On the other hand, the (Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu particles prepared from aqueous solutions were hollow and porous after post-treatment in all compositions. Particles prepared from colloidal solutions had photoluminescence emission intensities higher than those of particles prepared from aqueous solutions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

A noble method for molten carbonate fuel cells electrolyte manufacturing

An economic process for manufacturing of molten carbonate fuel cells was developed. This process consisted of fabricating the matrix by simply cutting it from a highly porous part with the geometry like an insulator brick, brush painting of the cathode layer followed by sintering and deposition of anode layer through thermal spray process. In order to manage the electrolyte content in the matrix and electrodes, coating of outer surfaces of the produced matrix with alumina slurry provided the required pores with small size at the interfaces with the electrodes. The polarization curves of the cells with alumina slurry coating and without it were not significantly different. The produced layer with small pores at the matrix outer surfaces caused the vaporization of the molten carbonate salt electrolyte to be reduced from 22.9% to 14.4% of initially infiltrated in salt weight content within 100 h of heat treating at 650 °C. This is at the same time to have the benefit of larger supply of electrolyte due to the application of highly porous matrix.     

Modeling Injection of Dense Liquid Sprays in Radio Frequency Inductively Coupled Plasmas

A spray model and a droplet collision model are implemented into a radio frequency inductively coupled plasma model. The discrete parcel technique combined with the stochastic Monte Carlo method is used to solve the spray equation and determine the outcomes of droplet collisions in dense sprays. Plasma--spray interactions are considered by adding source terms to the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy of the plasma phase. Two types of the outcomes of water droplets collisions, coalescence and grazing, are predicted and compared to the experimental and analytical results. The agreement is quite good. The effects of droplet collisions on droplet size distribution of the spray and the spray evaporation are investigated. It is found that the droplet collisions can increase the average droplets size of the spray. For the mono-disperse spray, the collisions can lead to a delay on the spray evaporation. However, for the poly-disperse spray, the effect of droplet collisions on the spray evaporation could not be predicted before the calculation due to the randomness of droplet collisions.     

Automated orthogonal control system for electrospray ionization

Low-flow electrospray ionization is typically a purely electrostatic method, used without supporting sheath-gas nebulization. Complex spray morphology results from a large number of possible spray emission modes. Spray morphology may assume the optimal Taylor cone-jet spray mode under equilibrium conditions. When coupling to nanobore gradient elution chromatography, however, stability of the Taylor cone-jet spray mode is compromised by the gradient of mobile phase physiochemical properties. The common spray modes for aqueous/organic mobile phases were characterized using orthogonal (strobed illumination) transmitted light and (continuous illumination) scattered light imaging. Correlation of image sets from these complementary illumination methods provides the basis for spray mode identification using qualitative and quantitative image analysis. An automated feedback-controlled electrospray source was developed on a computer capable of controlling electrospray potential using an image-processing based algorithm for spray mode identification. The implementation of the feedback loop results in a system that is both self-starting and self-tuning for a specific spray mode or modes. Thus, changes in mobile phase composition and/or flow rate are compensated in real-time and the source is maintained in the cone-jet or pulsed cone-jet spray modes.     

Comparison of several spray chambers operating at very low liquid flow rates in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Four different spray chambers were evaluated in ICP-AES at very low liquid flow rates: a double-pass (Scott type), a conventional cyclonic, and two low-volume cyclonic-type spray chambers (i.e., Cinnabar and Genie). A glass concentric pneumatic micro nebulizer (Atom Mist) was used in conjunction with all four chambers. The liquid flow rate was varied from 10 to 160 microL min(-1). The conventional cyclonic spray chamber gave rise to coarser tertiary aerosols, higher analyte and solvent transport rates, higher sensitivity and lower limits of detection than the remaining ones. The low-volume spray chambers afforded analytical figures of merit similar to the double-pass one, despite their very different designs. However, these spray chambers exhibited shorter wash-out times. The matrix effects were significant only for the double-pass. This fact allowed the analysis of reference samples by employing aqueous standards at a minimum level of sample consumption. The recoveries obtained for the cyclonic spray chambers and several certified samples were close to 100%, being always lower in the case of the double-pass spray chamber.     

Atmospheric Plasma Spraying Evolution Since the Sixties Through Modeling,Measurements and Sensors

This paper presents, through examples, the evolutions of atmospheric plasma spraying since the sixties. The drastic improvement of the spray conditions and coatings reproducibility during more than 50 years was linked both to researches in laboratories and developments of spray equipment’s (plasma torches, computerized control panels, robots to spray coatings on complex parts, sensors working in the harsh environment of spray booths…). This evolution is illustrated through the following topics: (1) plasma forming gas thermodynamic and transport properties either at local thermodynamic equilibrium or more recently at two temperatures; (2) evolution of plasma spray torches since the nineties; (3) plasma jet and in-flight particle measurements with laboratory equipment’s and then sensors in spray booths; (4) plasma jets and torches modeling as well as heat and momentum transfer to particles; (5) splats formation and layering.     

Characterization of spray deposited CdTe films grown under different ambient conditions

CdTe thin film samples are prepared by spray pyrolysis under different ambient conditions and are characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical transmission and Raman scattering studies. Because of the oxidizable nature of Cd and Te ions, the oxygen content of the spray ambient is seen to affect the thin film properties by creating oxides in the film during deposition. By adjusting the amount of oxygen in the spray ambient using suitable attachments to the spray chamber, the possibility of the Cd and Te ions to react with the available oxygen in the spray ambient to form the oxides is controlled. To confirm the role of spray ambient, samples have been prepared over a range of ambient conditions that resulted in the formation of CdTe films with and without oxide phases. A gradual changeover in the chemical environment of the Te ion from Te⁴⁺ state to Te²⁻ state has been observed in the films by suitably changing the spray ambient.     

A Novel [OSSO]-Type Chromium(III) Complex as a Versatile Catalyst for Copolymerization of Carbon Dioxide with Epoxides

A new chromium(III) complex, bearing a bis-thioether-diphenolate [OSSO]-type ligand, was found to be an efficient catalyst in the copolymerization of CO₂ and epoxides to achieve poly(propylene carbonate), poly(cyclohexene carbonate), poly(hexene carbonate) and poly(styrene carbonate), as well as poly(propylene carbonate)(cyclohexene carbonate) and poly(propylene carbonate)(hexene carbonate) terpolymers.     

Characterization of cold spray titanium deposits by X-ray microscopy and microtomography.

Cold gas dynamic spray (cold spray) is a rapid deposition technology in which particles deposit at velocities above the speed of sound (approximately 340 ms-1). Generally, porosity forms in cold spray deposits due to insufficient deformation of particles. In this study, the unique capability of the X-ray microscopy and microtomography is utilized to visualize the internal structure of deposited material. The results show that this characterization technique successfully reveals porosities in the cold spray commercial purity (CP) titanium structure. Furthermore, microtomography images confirmed the experimental results for porosity measurements in which helium (compared with nitrogen) as carrier gas significantly decreases porosity in cold spray CP titanium.     

Comparison of several spray chambers operating at very low liquid flow rates in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Four different spray chambers were evaluated in ICP-AES at very low liquid flow rates: a double-pass (Scott type), a conventional cyclonic, and two low-volume cyclonic-type spray chambers (i.e., Cinnabar and Genie). A glass concentric pneumatic micro nebulizer (Atom Mist) was used in conjunction with all four chambers. The liquid flow rate was varied from 10 to 160 μL min^–1. The conventional cyclonic spray chamber gave rise to coarser tertiary aerosols, higher analyte and solvent transport rates, higher sensitivity and lower limits of detection than the remaining ones. The low-volume spray chambers afforded analytical figures of merit similar to the double-pass one, despite their very different designs. However, these spray chambers exhibited shorter wash-out times. The matrix effects were significant only for the double-pass. This fact allowed the analysis of reference samples by employing aqueous standards at a minimum level of sample consumption. The recoveries obtained for the cyclonic spray chambers and several certified samples were close to 100%, being always lower in the case of the double-pass spray chamber.     

Multifunctional cold spray coatings for biological and biomedical applications: A review

A variety of coating techniques are available for medical devices to be tailored with surface properties aimed at optimizing their performance in biological environments. Cold spray, as a member of the thermal spray family, is now being exploited to efficiently deposit micro- to nanometer sized metallic or non-metallic particles on surgical implants, medical devices and surfaces in the healthcare environment to create functional coatings. Cold spray has attracted attention in the context of biomedical applications due to the fact that multiple materials can be combined easily at the surface of these devices, and that oxygen-sensitive and heat-sensitive organic molecules, including bioactive compounds, can be incorporated in these coatings due to the relatively low temperatures used in the process. The ability to maintain material and chemical properties and the ability to create functional coatings make the cold spray process particularly suitable for applications in the MedTech industry sector.This review explores the fabrication of cold spray coatings including the types of materials that have been used for biomedical purposes, provides a detailed analysis of the factors affecting cold spray coating performance, and gives an overview over the most recent developments related to the technology. Cold spray coatings that have been used until this point in time in biomedical applications can be broadly classified as biocompatible coatings, anti-infective coatings, anti-corrosive coatings, and wear-resistant coatings. In addition, this review discusses how these applications can be broadened, for example by providing antiviral effect against coronavirus (COVID-19). While we highlight examples for multifunctional cold spray coatings, we also explore the current challenges and opportunities for cold spray coatings in the biomedical field and predict likely future developments.     

Analysis of Biological Samples Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry: An Investigation of Impacts by the Substrates, Solvents and Elution Methods

Paper spray has been developed as a fast sampling ionization method for direct analysis of raw biological and chemical samples using mass spectrometry (MS). Quantitation of therapeutic drugs in blood samples at high accuracy has also been achieved using paper spray MS without traditional sample preparation or chromatographic separation. The paper spray ionization is a process integrated with a fast extraction of the analyte from the raw sample by a solvent, the transport of the extracted analytes on the paper, and a spray ionization at the tip of the paper substrate with a high voltage applied. In this study, the influence on the analytical performance by the solvent–substrate systems and the selection of the elution methods was investigated. The protein hemoglobin could be observed from fresh blood samples on silanized paper or from dried blood spots on silica-coated paper. The on-paper separation of the chemicals during the paper spray was characterized through the analysis of a mixture of the methyl violet 2B and methylene blue. The mode of applying the spray solvent was found to have a significant impact on the separation. The results in this study led to a better understanding of the analyte elution, on-paper separation, as well as the ionization processes of the paper spray. This study also helps in establishing a guideline for optimizing the analytical performance of paper spray for direct analysis of target analytes using mass spectrometry.     

How surface tension of surfactant solutions influences the characteristics of sprays produced by hydraulic nozzles used for pesticide application

The sprays produced by hydraulic agricultural nozzles are influenced by the surface tension of the spray liquid, but models of spray formation relate only to pure liquids with constant surface tension. The way surfactant solutions affect spray formation is studied by investigating sprays of pure liquids compared with a range of surfactant solutions. Some surfactants caused changes in the appearance of the liquid sheet produced by the nozzles, which did not occur with pure liquids, and smaller spray drop sizes than pure liquids, suggesting that other surface properties may also be important.     

Morphology control of poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin film made with electrospray

Thin polymer films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) were prepared with electrospray. Effects of solvent, initial spray concentration, temperature, solution conductivity, and polymer size on the film morphology were studied with AFM. The two main factors controlling polymer film morphology are the droplet size of the spray and the viscosity of the solution at deposition. These factors determine the flow of the polymer-solvent mixture over the substrate, the density of the film, and its smoothness. The solvent is a key parameter of the entire process. It affects spray stability, polymer solubility, droplet size of the spray, and viscosity of the solution at deposition. Solvents with a low vapor pressure provide a wider window for optimization of other parameters and are therefore preferred over solvents with high vapor pressure. The viscosity at deposition is mainly controlled with the initial spray concentration, polymer size, temperature, and droplet size. The droplet size is best controlled by the conductivity of the solution and the flow rate of the spray.     

Numerical Simulation of Pressure-Swirl Spray Dispersion by Using Eulerian-Lagrangian Method

To gain a general understanding of atomization and sheet breakup processes, the interaction of pressure-swirl hollow-cone sprays and a quiescent medium was investigated computationally. The spray characteristics of Iso-octane (n-C₈H₁₈) with high pressure-swirl injector in the ambient conditions are modeled. The Linearized Instability Sheet Atomization (LISA) model has been used to describe the primary breakup processes of the spray. Sauter Mean Diameter, sheet thickness and exit velocity were computed as the results of primary breakup. Disintegration of large drops is simulated using Taylor analogy breakup (TAB) model in which the Rosin-Rammler distribution is used. Evaporation and collision models are deactivated in this study. The model considers the transient behavior of the pre-spray and steady-state behavior of the main spray for three various injection pressures and liquid mass flow rates. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the simulated and experimentally measured results were made. The numerical simulations can successfully demonstrate the spray characteristics, such as spray tip penetration, drop sizes and overall spray structure.     

A new HF-resistant tandem spray chamber for improved determination of trace elements and Pb isotopes using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

The use of a new HF-resistant tandem spray chamber arrangement consisting of a cyclonic spray chamber and a Scott-type spray chamber made from PFA and PEEK provides a straightforward approach for improving the performance of inductively coupled-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The characteristics of the tandem spray chamber were critically evaluated against a PEEK cyclonic and a PFA Scott-type spray chamber, respectively. Sensitivity across the entire mass range was increased by about three times compared to the conventional setup utilizing only one spray chamber. Precision of the results, especially at low signal intensities, improved by 160% and 31% compared to the cyclonic and Scott-type spray chamber, respectively. Using the tandem spray chamber, the oxide formation rate was lowered by about 50%. Signals as low as 30 counts could be determined under routine measurement conditions with a RSD of 2.4% thus allowing to precisely quantify small concentration differences at the ng l^− 1 concentration level. The excellent precision (0.02–0.07%) of ²⁰⁶Pb / ²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb / ²⁰⁸Pb ratios determined in pore water samples was rather limited by the instrumental capabilities of the single collector ICP-MS instrument than by the performance of the tandem spray chamber.