Anionic clays containing anti-inflammatory drug molecules: comparison of molecular dynamics simulation and measurements

Three representative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug molecules, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, and Indomethacin, have been intercalated within the galleries of an anionic clay, Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopy and (13)C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning NMR have been used to characterize the confined drug molecules, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to probe the interlayer structure, arrangement, orientation, and geometry of the intercalated species. All three drug molecules are arranged as bilayers in the interlamellar space of the anionic clay. But while the structure of the intercalated Ibuprofen is identical to that of the molecule outside the layers, spectroscopy as well as MD simulation shows that there is a change in the geometry of Diclofenac and Indomethacin upon confinement within the galleries of the LDH. The change in geometry of Diclofenac and Indomethacin upon intercalation is shown to originate from the electrostatic interaction between the electronegative chlorine atoms on the drug molecule and the positively charged metal hydroxide sheets of the anionic clay. It is shown that these changes in the geometry of the intercalated drug molecules allow for the observed interlayer spacing to be realized without the bilayers having to interdigitate, which would otherwise have been necessary if the structure of the drug molecules had remained identical to that outside the layers. Comparisons of experimental measurements with simulation have provided a more detailed understanding of the geometry and organization of flexible drug molecules confined in the anionic clay.     

Layer-by-layer composite of anionic and cationic clays by metathesis

An alternately stacked layer-by-layer composite of oppositely charged layered solids was obtained by solvothermal treatment of the monolayer colloidal dispersions of dodecylsulfate intercalated nickel aluminum LDH and cetyl trimethylammonium intercalated smectite in 1-octanol. This composite shows altered thermal decomposition behavior compared to the parent solids. On heating the LDH component of the composite decomposes to NiO, while the layer structure of the cationic clay is retained up to 800°C.     

Graphene oxide dispersions in organic solvents

The dispersion behavior of graphene oxide in different organic solvents has been investigated. As-prepared graphite oxide could be dispersed in N, N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, and ethylene glycol. In all of these solvents, full exfoliation of the graphite oxide material into individual, single-layer graphene oxide sheets was achieved by sonication. The graphene oxide dispersions exhibited long-term stability and were made of sheets between a few hundred nanometers and a few micrometers large, similar to the case of graphene oxide dispersions in water. These results should facilitate the manipulation and processing of graphene-based materials for different applications.     

Intercalation of paracetamol into the hydrotalcite-like host

Hydrotalcite-like compounds are often used as host structures for intercalation of various anionic species. The product intercalated with the nonionic, water-soluble pharmaceuticals paracetamol, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, was prepared by rehydration of the Mg-Al mixed oxide obtained by calcination of hydrotalcite-like precursor at 500 °C. The successful intercalation of paracetamol molecules into the interlayer space was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements. Molecular simulations showed that the phenolic hydroxyl groups of paracetamol interact with hydroxide sheets of the host via the hydroxyl groups of the positively charged sites of Al-containing octahedra; the interlayer water molecules are located mostly near the hydroxide sheets. The arrangement of paracetamol molecules in the interlayer is rather disordered and interactions between neighboring molecules cause their tilting towards the hydroxide sheets. Dissolution tests in various media showed slower release of paracetamol intercalated in the hydrotalcite-like host in comparison with tablets containing the powdered pharmaceuticals.     

带相反电荷胶体颗粒混和悬浮体的流变学性能

研究了带相反电荷的粘土颗粒和MMH(铝、镁混合金属氢氧化物)颗粒形成的混和悬浮体的流变学性能,考察了盐对混合体系流变学性能的影响.结果表明,当粘土质量分数为1%时,悬浮体为牛顿型流体;当质量分数升至2%时,悬浮体表现出固体的弹性响应;特定粘土含量的悬浮体中,随着MMH量的增加,混合体系的屈服值和弹性模量亦增加,表明凝胶结构增强.向混合体系中加入NaCl,弹性模量、屈服值和粘度等流变参数均降低.与单组分粘土悬浮体或MMH悬浮体相比,双组分混合体系的结构恢复很快.     

THE EFFECT OF CLAY DISPERSION ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION AND MORPHOLOGY OF POLYPROPYLENE／CLAY COMPOSITES

PP/clay composites with different dispersions, namely, exfoliated dispersion, intercalated dispersion and agglomerates and particle-like dispersion, were prepared by direct melt intercalation or compounding. The effect of clay dispersion on the crystallization and morphology of PP was investigated via PLM, SAXS and DSC. Experimental results show that exfoliated clay layers are much more efficient than intercalated clay and agglomerates of clay in serving as nucleation agent due to the nano-scale dispersion of clay, resulting in a dramatic decrease in crystal size (lamellar thickness and spherulites) and an increase of crystallization temperature and crystallization rate. On the other hand, a decrease of melting temperature and crystallinity was also observed in PP/clay composites with exfoliated dispersion, due to the strong interaction between PP and clay. Compared with exfoliated clay layers, the intercalated clay layers have a less important effect on the crystallization and crystal morphology. No effect is seen for samples with agglomerates and particle-like dispersion, in regard to melting temperature, crystallization temperature, crystal thickness and crystallinity.     

Langmuir-Blodgett assembly of graphite oxide single layers

Single-layer graphite oxide can be viewed as an unconventional type of soft material and has recently been recognized as a promising material for composite and electronics applications. It is of both scientific curiosity and technical importance to know how these atomically thin sheets assemble. There are two fundamental geometries of interacting single layers: edge-to-edge and face-to-face. Such interactions were studied at the air-water interface by Langmuir-Blodgett assembly. Stable monolayers of graphite oxide single layers were obtained without the need for any surfactant or stabilizing agent, due to the strong electrostatic repulsion between the 2D confined layers. Such repulsion also prevented the single layers from overlapping during compression, leading to excellent reversibility of the monolayers. In contrast to molecular and hard colloidal particle monolayers, the single layers tend to fold and wrinkle at edges to resist collapsing into multilayers. The monolayers can be transferred to a substrate, readily creating a large area of flat graphite oxide single layers. The density of such films can be continuously tuned from dilute, close-packed to overpacked monolayers of interlocking single layers. For size-mismatched single layers, face-to-face interaction caused irreversible stacking, leading to double layers. The graphite oxide monolayers can be chemically reduced to graphene for electronic applications such as transparent conducting thin films.     

Electrochemically active films of negatively charged molecules,surfactant and synthetic clays

The electrochemical behavior of anionic molecules such as hexacyanoferrate and vitamin B₁₂ hexacarboxilate intercalated into clay–surfactant films is investigated. The results indicate that composites of surfactant cetyltrymethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and synthetic clay facilitate the permeation of the charged molecules through the film. By heating the modified electrode at 120°C for 1 h, the charged molecules, depending on hydrophobic and coulombic forces, are able to accommodate inside the film. Coulombic forces retain the anionic molecules in the clay–CTAB composite. The films are stable with good electroactivity.     

Functional colloidal particles stabilized by layered silicate with hydrophilic face and hydrophobic polymer brushes

In this study, we describe a new strategy for producing narrowly dispersed functional colloidal particles stabilized by a nanocomposite with hydrophilic clay faces and hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) brushes on the edges. This method involves preparation of polymer brushes on the edges of clay layers and Pickering suspension polymerization of styrene in the presence of the nanocomposites. PS brushes on the edges of clay layers were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization. X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that PS chains were grafted to the edges of clay platelets. Transmission electron microscope results showed that different morphologies of clay‐PS particles could be obtained in different solvents. In water, clay‐PS particles aggregated together, in which PS chains collapsed forming nanosized hydrophobic domains and hydrophilic clay faces stayed in aqueous phase. In toluene, clay‐PS particles formed face‐to‐face structure. Narrowly dispersed PS colloidal particles stabilized by clay‐PS were prepared by suspension polymerization. Because of the negatively charged clay particles on the surface, the zeta potential of the PS colloidal particles was negative. Positively charged poly(2‐vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) chains were adsorbed to the surface of PS colloidal particles in aqueous solution at a low pH value, and gold nanoparticles were prepared in P2VP brushes. Such colloidal particles may find important applications in a variety of fields including waterborne adhesives, paints, catalysis of chemical reactions, and protein separation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1535–1543, 2009     

Humic and other negatively charged colloids of iron and copper in river water

Iron and copper present as humic and other negatively charged colloids are studied by sorption on indium-treated XAD-2 resin and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 anion exchanger and by filtration. The iron species include colloidal particles consisting of hydrated iron(III) oxide, clay and humic substances and smaller amounts of hydrated iron(III) oxide-clay or -silica aggregates, whereas most of the copper exists as humic complexes.     

Characterization and Aggregation Behaviors of Mixed DDAB/SDS Solution With and Without Poly(4-styrenesulfonic Acid-Co-Maleic Acid) Sodium

Synthetic vesicles are formed by cationic and anionic surfactants, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The morphology, size, and aqueous properties of cationic/anionic mixtures are investigated at various molar ratios between cationic and anionic surfactants. The charged vesicular dispersions made of DDAB/SDS are contacted or mixed with negatively charged polyelectrolyte, poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) sodium (PSSAMA), to form complexes. Depending on DDAB/SDS molar ratio or PSSAMA/vesicle charge ratio, complexes flocculation or precipitation occur. Characterization of the cationic/anionic vesicles or complexes formed by the catanionic vesicles and polyelectrolytes is performed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), conductivity, turbidity, and zeta potential measurements. The size, stability, and the surface charge on the mixed cationic/anionic vesicles or complexes are determined.     

Microscopic structures of adsorbed cationic porphyrins on clay surfaces: molecular alignment in artificial light-harvesting systems

The intercalation behavior of cationic porphyrin derivatives within the interlayer spaces of nano-layered clay minerals has been investigated. The porphyrins were successfully intercalated by the newly adopted method of repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The absorption spectra of the porphyrins were compared in the solution phase, adsorbed onto the exfoliated clay nano-sheets, intercalated within the interlayer spaces of clay sheets dispersed in water and intercalated in dry films. Substantial red shifts of the λ_max values in the absorption spectra of the porphyrins were observed on the exfoliated clay sheets, and further red shifts were induced within the interlayer space. The dry films of the intercalated samples exhibited the largest red shifts. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the clearance space between the layers in these intercalated hybrid compounds is only large enough for the porphyrins to be rigidly packed parallel to the clay layer. For the exfoliated clay nano-sheets, theoretical calculations were carried out on the correlation between the dihedral angle of the meso-substituted pyridiniumyl plane vs. the porphyrin ring and the λ_max of the porphyrin Soret band. An extrapolation of the experimental λ_max value to the correlation curve, afforded the dihedral angle to be 61.6°. The microscopic structure of the adsorbed state of the cationic porphyrins on the exfoliated clay nano-sheets was, thus, proposed to involve an orientation parallel to the clay surface, with a distance of 0.15 nm from the surface, which implies the expulsion of the solvent water molecules.     

Freestanding sulfonated graphene oxide paper: a new polymer electrolyte for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Sulfonated graphene oxide paper was fabricated by vacuum filtration of a colloidal solution of sulfonated graphite oxide. Layer by layer assembly of graphene oxide nano sheets interconnects the conduction paths and therefore sulfonated graphene oxide exhibits good proton conductivity and fuel cell performance.     

Cryo-SEM studies of latex/ceramic nanoparticle coating microstructure development

Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) was used to investigate microstructure development of composite coatings prepared from dispersions of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles (approximately 30 nm) or indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (approximately 40 nm) and latex particles (polydisperse, D(v): approximately 300 nm). Cryo-SEM images of ATO/latex dispersions as-frozen show small clusters of ATO and individual latex particles homogeneously distribute in a frozen water matrix. In contrast, cryo-SEM images of ITO/latex dispersions as-frozen show ITO particles adsorb onto latex particle surfaces. Electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged ATO and negatively charged latex particles stabilizes the ATO/latex dispersion, whereas in ITO/latex dispersion, positively charged ITO particles are attracted onto surfaces of negatively charged latex particles. These results are consistent with calculations of interaction potentials from past research. Cryo-SEM images of frozen and fractured coatings reveal that both ceramic nanoparticles and latex become more concentrated as drying proceeds; larger latex particles consolidate with ceramic nanoparticles in the interstitial spaces. With more drying, compaction flattens the latex-latex particle contacts and shrinks the voids between them. Thus, ceramic nanoparticles are forced to pack closely in the interstitial spaces, forming an interconnected network. Finally, latex particles partially coalesce at their flattened contacts, thereby yielding a coherent coating. The research reveals how nanoparticles segregate and interconnect among latex particles during drying.     

Stability of mixtures of charged silica, silica-alumina, and magnetite colloids

We report experiments on the stability of aqueous mixtures of charged colloidal magnetite and charged silica and silica covered with alumina particles of similar size. First, positively charged magnetite dispersions were mixed with negatively charged silica dispersions at pH 4, at different volume ratios and low colloid volume fractions, producing mixtures which were stable over a period of weeks despite the expected electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged particles. When magnetite particles were mixed with positively charged silica covered with alumina at pH 4 under exactly the same conditions, some of the systems separated to form a magnetite sediment. When the volume fraction of the initial dispersions was increased, the behavior of the mixtures was the opposite: positive magnetite/negative silica mixtures were unstable at intermediate volume ratios. The unexpected behavior of the mixtures was investigated by means of electrophoretic mobility, initial susceptibility, and dynamic light scattering measurements as well as sedimentation experiments.     

影响高浓度氧化石墨烯分散液流变行为的重要因素及群体平衡动力学分析

氧化石墨烯(GO)片的基面和边缘上存在大量的含氧官能团,能很好地分散在水中,因而具有很好的加工性和广阔的应用前景。在较高浓度范围下,GO水分散液中存在着强烈的竞争性相互作用,从而对流变行为产生较大影响。在本文中,通过稳态、动态等流变实验以及理论分析,研究了pH值、温度和不同的有机溶剂对GO分散液流变行为的影响。结果表明,降低pH值、适当增加温度以及加入吡啶均可促进GO水分散液从粘弹性液体到凝胶态的转变。利用DLVO (Deryagin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek)理论,探讨了GO片之间的范德华作用力以及双电层排斥作用的相互关系,及其对流变性能的影响。通过群体平衡模型(PBE)分析了GO分散液的屈服应力与体积分数的正相关关系。同时,通过蠕变和松弛实验发现,高浓度的GO分散液中结构变化及流变行为在很多方面与高聚物相似,利用Poyting-Thomson模型能较好地拟合其粘弹性行为。上述研究结果为深入研究复杂的GO分散体系提供理论支撑和实验依据。     

Hexacyanoferrate-intercalated nickel zinc hydroxy double salts

When anionic clay like nickel zinc hydroxyacetate was subjected to anion exchange reaction with either hexacyanoferrate(II) or hexacyanoferrate(III) ions, the complex anion intercalation was accompanied by auto redox reactions. In both the cases a mixture of hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) ions was found to be intercalated in the anionic clay. The mixed anion intercalated anionic clays could be oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to get pure hexacyanoferrate(III) intercalated anionic clay. Thermal decomposition of the intercalated anionic clays yields mixed oxides of Ni, Zn and Fe.     

PS colloidal particles stabilized by graphene oxide

Exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) sheets with hydrophilic functional groups on the surface were prepared by the oxidation of graphite. Because of the hydrophilic groups on the sheets and the hydrophobic carbon surface, GO sheets were located at the oil-water interface and could be used as a stabilizer in Pickering emulsions. After the Pickering emulsion polymerization of styrene, PS colloidal particles with GO sheets on the surface were prepared. The size of the GO sheets exerts an important influence on the preparation of PS colloidal particles. Small GO sheets located at the liquid-liquid interface and GO-stabilized PS colloidal particles were prepared; however, for large GO sheets, smaller PS colloidal particles prepared on the GO surface were observed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the colloidal particles. TEM, SEM, and XPS results all suggest the successful preparation of GO-stabilized PS colloidal particles.     

Stabilization of solid/liquid suspensions

The stability of colloidal graphite dispersions was investigated. A mixed stabilizer (CELAD) consisting of a non-ionic cellulose derivative and an anionic polymer was used to facilitate the grinding process and to stabilize the aqueous dispersions. Measurements of turbidity, ultramicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to determine the size of the particles. Adherent films were obtained by spraying the dispersions onto glass plates. The 20 μm thick films had an electrical resistance within the 20–40 Ω cm range. They proved to be suitable for spray application onto the exernal glass cone of cathode ray tubes.     

Graphene arrested in laponite-water colloidal glass

Graphene production in water from graphite sources is an important technological route toward harvesting the unique properties of this material. Graphene forms thermodynamically unstable dispersions in water, limiting the use of this solvent due to aggregation. We show that graphene-water dispersions can be controlled kinetically to produce graphene by using laponite clay. Laponite exhibits rapid gelation kinetics when dispersed in water above its gelation concentration, allowing graphene aggregation to be halted after exfoliation in water at ambient conditions. The transparency of laponite colloidal glass and films is important in examining the extent of graphene exfoliation.