Microchannel emulsification using gelatin and surfactant-free coacervate microencapsulation

In this study, we investigated the use of microchannel (MC) emulsifications in producing monodisperse gelatin/acacia complex coacervate microcapsules of soybean oil. This is considered to be a novel method for preparing monodisperse O/W and W/O emulsions. Generally, surfactants are necessary for MC emulsification, but they can also inhibit the coacervation process. In this study, we investigated a surfactant-free system. First, MC emulsification using gelatin was compared with that using decaglycerol monolaurate. The results demonstrated the potential use of gelatin for MC emulsification. MC emulsification experiments conducted over a range of conditions revealed that the pH of the continuous phase should be maintained above the isoelectric point of the gelatin. A high concentration of gelatin was found to inhibit the production of irregular-sized droplets. Low-bloom gelatin was found to be suitable for obtaining monodisperse emulsions. Finally, surfactant-free monodisperse droplets prepared by MC emulsification were microencapsulated with coacervate. The microcapsules produced by this technique were observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Average diameters of the inner cores and outer shells were 37.8 and 51.5 microm; their relative standard deviations were 4.9 and 8.4%.     

A new modified low-energy emulsification method for preparation of water-in-diesel fuel nanoemulsion as alternative fuel

In this research, 24 of water-in-diesel fuel nanoemulsions were prepared using mixed nonionic surfactants of sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate (MTS). The emulsions were formed using a new modified low-energy method at hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 10 and a working temperature of 20°C. Five HLB values of 9.6, 9.8, 10, 10.2, and 10.4 were prepared to identify the optimum value that gives low water droplet size at working conditions as: 5 wt% of water contents, 10 wt% of mixed surfactant concentration, and a temperature of 20°C. The effect of mixed surfactant concentration and water content on the droplet size for 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days has been studied. Droplet size of the prepared nanoemulsions was determined by dynamic light scattering and the nanoemulsion stability was assessed by measuring the variation of the droplet size as a function of time. Results show that the mean droplet sizes were formed between 26.23 and 277.1 nm depending on the surfactant concentrations, water contents, and storage time.     

A new approach to anodic substitution reaction using acoustic emulsification

We have developed a novel electrolytic system for anodic substitution reactions using acoustic emulsification. This new system involves the generation of a carbocation by anodic oxidation of a substrate, and then its reaction with a nucleophile droplet formed by ultrasonication. In this system, even if the oxidation potential of the nucleophile is lower than that of the substrate, the substrate was predominantly oxidized to give the corresponding cation intermediate because the nucleophile phase, which was insoluble in the electrolytic medium, was electro-inactive. In addition, the overoxidation of the desired products was considerably suppressed by the extraction of products from the electrolyte solution into the nucleophile phase. As a result, the anodic substitution reaction of several carbamates with allyltrimethylsilane was carried out to provide the corresponding products in good to moderate yields.     

Development of an anodic substitution reaction system using acoustic emulsification

The anodic substitution reaction proceeded smoothly without affecting the oxidation of the nucleophile in a one-step electrochemical operation using acoustic emulsification.     

Electropolymerization of an immiscible monomer in aqueous electrolytes using acoustic emulsification

This paper reports on the novel electropolymerization of an immiscible monomer, such as 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), in aqueous electrolytes using acoustic emulsification. This new methodology has many practical advantages and characteristics: (a) the formation of stable monomer droplets in aqueous electrolytes without added surfactants using ultrasonic treatment; (b) very smooth electropolymerization in aqueous electrolytes via the direct electron transfer between the electrode and the immiscible monomer droplets; (c) good conductivity after doping of the polymer film formed.     

Flexible and transparent graphene films as acoustic actuator electrodes using inkjet printing

Flexible and transparent graphene films have been fabricated via inkjet printing and vapor deposition (VDP) methods, and the graphene-based acoustic actuator could be used as an extremely thin and lightweight loudspeaker.     

Low thermalconductive,transparent and hydrophobic ambient pressure dried silica aerogels with various preparation conditions using sodium silicate solutions

The experimental results on the preparation of low thermal conductivity and transparent ambient pressure dried silica aerogels with the sodium silicate solution, TMCS silylating agent with methanol, isopropyl alcohol, hexane and xylene solvents, are reported. This study is focussed on the effect of preparation conditions such as varying the number of preparation steps, pH of the hydrosol and hydrogel ageing temperature, for the production of the low thermal conductive silica aerogels and the results are analysed. Density, thermal conductivity, % of optical transmission and contact angle of the aerogels were measured. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies revealed the presence of Si–C and C–H along with the Si–O–Si and OH bonds and their intensities strongly depend on the processing steps, pH of the hydrosol and gel ageing temperature. The UV–Visible spectra indicated the % of optical transmission of the aerogels decreased with increasing the number of processing steps, increase in the pH of the hydrosol from 3 to 8 and decreased for ageing temperature up to 50 °C. Further increase in temperature >50 °C, the % of optical transmission of the aerogels increased. The TGA-DTA data showed the thermal stability of the aerogels with respect to hydrophobicity is 325 °C. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed the nanostructure of the aerogels. The porosity of the aerogels was studied using the pore size distribution. Silica aerogels with low density (0.051 g/cc), low thermal conductivity (0.049 W/m K), optical transmission (65%), high hydrophobicity (159°) and resistance to humid atmosphere >1 year was obtained in the present studies.     

Highly efficient deprotection of aromatic acetals under neutral conditions using beta-cyclodextrin in water

Aromatic acetals have been deprotected to the corresponding aldehydes under biomimetic conditions for the first time using beta-cyclodextrin in water under neutral conditions, thereby overcoming many of the drawbacks associated with earlier methodologies. This method, apart from being simple with regard to recycling of the catalyst, also has the potential for industrial applications.     

Highly regioselective N-alkylation of benzotriazole under solvent-free conditions

An efficient, simple and solvent-free method for highly regioselective N-alkylation of benzotriazole in the presence of SiO₂, K₂CO₃ and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) under thermal and microwave conditions has been described. In this method, 1-alkyl benzotriazoles were obtained regioselectively in moderate to high yields and short reaction times.     

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct aldol reaction under solvent-free conditions

An efficient, solvent-free protocol for the asymmetric aldol reaction between aldehydes and ketones using prolinamides 1–4 as organocatalysts is reported. Catalysts 2–4, in the presence of TFA (the ratio of catalyst and TFA = 1/1.5), proved to be excellent catalysts, giving the aldol products between aromatic aldehydes and ketones with nearly perfect diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr and >99% ee). This catalytic system can also be applied in the cross-aldol reaction of isatin with ketones and the Michael reaction between cyclohexane and nitroalkenes. A mechanism is proposed to account for the formation of the major enantiomer in this reaction.     

Highly conducting and transparent sprayed indium tin oxide

Spray pyrolysis process has been used to deposit highly transparent and conducting films of tin doped indium oxide onto glass substrates. The electrical, optical and structural properties have been investigated as a function of various deposition parameters namely dopant concentrations, temperature and nature of substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns have shown that deposited films are polycrystalline without second phases and have preferred orientation [400]. Indium tin oxide layers with small resistivity value around 7.10⁻⁵Ω.cm and transmission coefficient in the visible and near IR range of about 85–90 % have been easily obtained.     

Fragmentation pathways of sulphonamides under electrospray tandem mass spectrometric conditions

Sulphonamides are antibacterial compounds used extensively in farming and veterinary practice. Residues are commonly found in meat and milk. The growing concern about antibiotic resistance of bacteria led to a lowering of the legal concentration limits of sulphonamides in food. A range of analytical methods, employing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM), have been developed to allow screening at the limit of detection (LOD) levels. Interest was drawn to the fragment ions produced by the sulphonamides, some involving complex rearrangements that have not previously been looked at. Here we report an investigation into the fragmentation pattern of sulphonamides under electrospray (ES) MS/MS conditions using ion trap and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers. Structures are proposed for the main fragment ions observed for a range of sulphonamides, the effects of the functional groups in the dissociation pathway of the compounds are investigated, and the mechanisms leading to the main fragment ions are explored.     

Indium triflate mediated tandem acetalisation-acetal exchange reactions under solvent-free conditions

Acyclic acetals and ketals undergo exchange reactions in the presence of catalytic quantities of indium(III) triflate and diols to generate the corresponding cyclic acetals and ketals in excellent yield. The protocol is rapid, employs mild conditions and can be adapted to employ solvent-free reaction conditions. We have further developed this methodology to encompass a tandem acetalisation-acetal exchange protocol which provides facile access to cyclic ketals from unreactive ketones also under very mild, solvent-free reaction conditions.     

Development of a novel environmentally friendly electropolymerization of water-insoluble monomers in aqueous electrolytes using acoustic emulsification

Electropolymerization of water-insoluble monomers, such as 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), 3,4-dimethylthiophene (3,4-DiMeTh), 3-methylthiophene (3-MeTh), and 3-ethylthiophene (3-EtTh), proceeded successfully in aqueous electrolytes using acoustic emulsification. Ultrasonication to the water-insoluble monomer/aqueous electrolyte mixtures allowed the formation of very stable emulsions having the characteristic of giving narrow monomer droplet size distributions in the submicrometer range in aqueous electrolytes without added surfactants, and the smooth electropolymerization in the emulsions took place via direct electron transfer between the electrode and the water-insoluble monomer droplets. In this kind of electron-transfer system, the supporting electrolyte should be dissolved not only in the aqueous phase but also in the monomer droplets and contribute to the formation of an electric bilayer inside the droplets. The properties of a polymer EDOT film obtained by the present method were also investigated.     

Highly efficient and catalyst-free synthesis of unsymmetrical thioureas under solvent-free conditions

A highly efficient and simple synthesis of unsymmetrical thioureas is reported based on the reaction of readily synthesized dithiocarbamates with amines, without using any catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The short reaction time, high yields, and solvent-free conditions are advantages of this method. We did not observe the formation of any symmetric disubstituted thiourea, under these reaction conditions.     

Chemoselective and scalable preparation of alkyl tosylates under solvent-free conditions

The improved method for the efficient tosylation of alcohols has been reported using two procedures (A and B). Procedure A: methanol, ethanol, benzyl alcohols, and valuable ethylene glycols can be converted into their corresponding alkyl tosylates in very fast, simple, and efficient grinding method using potassium carbonate as solid base. Other primary and secondary alcohols need to add potassium hydroxide to reaction mixture (procedure B). High selectivity of tosylation was observed for these two procedures. Scale up ability was found in this method even in 100 mmol of substrate. The present method is the example of solid-state tosylation using tosyl chloride, and is a green chemical process due to solvent-free conditions.     

Block copolymer preparation by atom transfer radical polymerization under emulsion conditions using a nanoprecipitation technique

Living‐radical polymerization of acrylates were performed under emulsion atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conditions using latexes prepared by a nanoprecipitation technique previously employed and optimized for the polymerization of styrene. A macroinitiator of poly(n‐butyl acrylate) prepared under bulk ATRP was dissolved in acetone and precipitated in an aqueous solution of Brij 98 to preform latex particles, which were then swollen with monomer and heated. Various monomers (i.e. n‐butyl acrylate, styrene, and tert‐butyl acrylate) were used to swell the particles to prepare homo‐ and block copolymers from the poly(n‐butyl acrylate) macroinitiator. Under these conditions latexes with a relatively good colloidal stability were obtained. Furthermore, amphiphilic block copolymers were prepared by hydrolysis of the tert‐butyl groups and the resulting block copolymers were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The bulk morphologies of the polystyrene‐b‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate) and poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) copolymers were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 625–635, 2008     

Highly efficient oxidation of alcohols using Oxone as oxidant catalyzed by ruthenium complex under mild reaction conditions

Aromatic and alkyl alcohols were oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones at room temperature with high conversion and selectivity using Oxone （2KHSOs-KHSO4.K2SO4） as oxidant catalyzed by ruthenium complex Quin-Ru-Quin （where Quin = 8-hydroxyquinoline）. The reaction time is very short and the preparation of complex is simple.     

Quantitative preparation of allyl telechelic polyisobutylene under reflux conditions

Allyl telechelic polyisobutylene (allyl‐PIB‐allyl) is of great commercial and scientific interest produced by living polymerization of isobutylene followed by functionalization (allylation with allyltrimethylsilane) under external cooling, typically to ?78 °C. Cooling is cumbersome and costly, and temperature control is far from ideal. Herein we describe the quantitative preparation of allyl‐PIB‐allyl under ideal internal temperature control at ～?40 °C using refluxing propane/methyl chloride mixtures. The exact composition of the nonpolar/polar solvents and polymerization time crucially affect product quality. Well‐defined allyl‐PIB‐allyl is obtained using 60/40 (v/v) refluxing propane/methyl chloride and terminating not more than 5 min after monomer depletion. In pure refluxing propane or methyl chloride, or at longer reaction times, byproducts form that compromise product quality. A mechanism is presented to explain the observations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 1784–1789