Photodegradation of Caffeic Acid in W/O/W Emulsions in the Absence and in the Presence of TiO2

Caffeic acid, a natural phenol with antioxidant and sunscreen activity, can undergo photooxidation upon UV irradiation. The photodegradation of caffeic acid at different concentrations was assessed in water, at pH 4.0 and 6.0, without and with TiO₂. The study was then carried out on W/O/W emulsions entrapping the phenolic acid either in the inner or in the outer aqueous phase in the absence and in the presence of TiO₂, added in the external phase (pH 6.0 or 7.0). The degradation of caffeic acid followed a pseudo-zero order kinetic with an inverse dependence from its initial concentration; at increasing pH of the medium caffeic acid degraded faster. The addition of TiO₂ increased the initial photodegradation rate. Compared with water, W/O/W emulsions protected the phenol towards both the photodegradation and the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. Multiple systems allowed to incorporate caffeic acid and TiO₂ in the same formulation avoiding any catalytic interactions.     

Fat crystals: A tool to inhibit molecular transport in W/O/W double emulsions

Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsions are a promising technology for encapsulation applications of water soluble compounds with respect to functional food systems. Yet molecular transport through the oil phase is a well-known problem for liquid oil-based double emulsions. The influence of network crystallization in the oil phase of W/O/W globules was evaluated by NMR and laser light scattering experiments on both a liquid oil-based double emulsion and a solid fat-based double emulsion. Water transport was assessed by low-resolution NMR diffusometry and by an osmotically induced swelling or shrinking experiment, whereas manganese ion permeation was followed by means of T₂-relaxometry. The solid fat-based W/O/W globules contained a crystal network with about 80% solid fat. This W/O/W emulsion showed a reduced molecular water exchange and a slower manganese ion influx in the considered time frame, whereas its globule size remained stable under the applied osmotic gradients. The reduced permeability of the oil phase is assumed to be caused by the increased tortuosity of the diffusive path imposed by the crystal network. This solid network also provided mechanical strength to the W/O/W globules to counteract the applied osmotic forces.     

Citric acid-loaded W1/O/W2 multiple emulsions efficiently remove colonic ammonia both in vitro and in vivo

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by chronic and acute liver diseases. It is believed that ammonia played an important role on the pathogenesis of the disease. Herein, acid-loaded water-in-oil-in-water (W₁/O/W₂) multiple emulsions with over 95% encapsulation efficiency were prepared and used to absorb colonic ammonia. The study of citric acid release from W₁ to W₂ in bulk deionized water indicated that only 17% acid released in 8 hours, which proved the stability of the multiple emulsions and hence prevented the intestine from being irritated by acid burst release. In vitro, the W₁/O/W₂ emulsion could remove around 90% ammonia in 1.5 hours from either the 3 mmol/L ammonia solution or the artificial colonic fluid with 1 and 0.5 mmol/L ammonia without acidifying the artificial colonic fluid. In vivo, compared with lactulose, W₁/O/W₂ emulsions could efficiently reduce the blood ammonia to the similar level in the rat models with HE without increasing the water content in feces. All these results indicated a potential application of W₁/O/W₂ multiple emulsions for the treatment of HE.     

The effects of emulsifier type,phase ratio,and homogenization methods on stability of the double emulsion

The double emulsion technology has a potential effect on the development of diversity and quality of functional foods by means of decreasing oil or salt concentration, encapsulating and controlling release of valuable components. In this study, it was aimed to formulate stable double emulsions to be used in food systems. W1/O ratios of primary emulsions, stabilized by polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), were designed as 2:8 and 4:6, and (W1/O)/W2 ratios of the double emulsions were used as 2:8 and 4:6. W/O/W phase ratios, homogenization methods applied to primary emulsion (high-speed homogenization, ultrasonic homogenization), and emulsifier types used in W2 phase [sodium caseinate (SC), xanthan gum, lecithin-whey protein concentrate] were used as independent variables. Particle size and distributions, stability, encapsulation efficiency (EE), rheological properties, long-term stability, and morphological properties of the double emulsions were investigated.

The double emulsions prepared with SC and (W1/O)/W2 ratio of 4:6, were found to have the higher stability values, higher apparent viscosity, and lower particle size. High-speed homogenization applied to primary emulsion reduced particle size of the double emulsion and increased apparent viscosity, but did not affect stability and EE of the double emulsions, significantly.     

超微镍粉的微乳液法制备研究

采用水（溶液）／二甲苯／SDS／正戊醇反相微乳液体系,用水合肼还原硫酸镍制备了纳米级（15－100nm)镍微粒,采用XRD、TEM等法对产物进行了鉴定与表征,考察了微乳液体系诸构成因素对纳米级镍制备的影响规律。     

Incomplete phase inversion W/O/W emulsion and formation mechanism from an interfacial perspective

Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion can be prepared by incomplete phase inversion method using both medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and isopropyl myristate (IPM) as oil phase, Span 85-Tween 80 (HLB values of 2.5-3.0) as mixed emulsifiers. The preparation method was simple, and the final double emulsions were proved of good microstructure and particle size distribution. Owning to the addition of Tween 80 to Span 85, interfacial tension, interfacial viscosity and modulus decreased, which contributed to the phase inversion. Furthermore, formation of reverse micelles under high-speed dispersion may be a hypothesis to explain the incomplete phase inversion phenomenon.     

Polyols,High Pressure,and Refractive Indices Equalization for Improved Stability of W/O Emulsions for Food Applications

Mixtures of polyols (glycerol, propylene glycol, glucose) and water were emulsified in oil (isopropyl myristate (IPM), medium chain triglycerides (MCT), long chain triglycerides (LCT), and d-limonene) under elevated pressures and homogenization, in the presence of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), glycerol monooleate (GMO), and their mixture as emulsifiers to form water-in-oil emulsions. High pressures was applied to: a) the emulsion, b) the aqueous phase and c) the oil phase in the presence of the emulsifiers (PGPR and GMO). Under optimal pressure (2000 atms) applied to the ready-made emulsion or to the aqueous phase prior to its emulsification, and with optimal composition (30wt% polyol in the aqueous phase and MCT as the oil phase), the aqueous droplets were stable for months and submicron in size (0.1 μm). Moreover, due to equalization of the oil and the aqueous phases refractive indices, the emulsions were almost transparent. Pressure and polyols have synergistic effects on the emulsions stability. During preparation, surface tensions and interfacial tensions were dramatically reduced until an optimal water/polyols ratio was achieved, which allows rupturing of the droplets to submicronal size (0.1 μm) without recoalescence and fast diffusion to the interface. These unique W/O emulsions are suitable for preparing W/O/W double emulsions for sustained release of active materials for food applications.     

Stability of W/O Emulsions Encapsulating Polysaccharides

In the frame of formulation of W/O emulsions entrapping polysaccharides devoted to agricultural applications, the aim of this work was to study the stability over time of these emulsions, stabilized with either soybean lecithin or polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as emulsifiers. Emulsifiers were dissolved in oil phase, and polysaccharides (carboxymethycellulose (CMC), guar, xanthan) in ultrapure water. Emulsions stability was studied through natural aging tests and accelerated aging tests, using bottle tests, microscopy and calorimetry. Experiments showed that PGPR was more efficient than lecithin to stabilize emulsions containing the polysaccharides studied, and that emulsions prepared with CMC showed the best stability.     

Preparation of W1/O/W2 emulsion to limit the diffusion of Fe3+ in the Fricke gel 3D dosimeter

The irradiation of tumors in radiotherapy requires accurate 3D dosimetry. The Fricke 3D dosimeters, which were considered to be high potential of application in 3D dosimetry, suffer from a reduced temporal integrity of dose distribution caused by Fe³⁺ ions diffusion. To overcome the drawback, we firstly synthesized a kind of amphiphilic molecules with critical micelle concentration of 0.45 g/L and hydrophile‐lipophile balance value of 10, then prepared multiple emulsions by self‐assembling those molecules in Fricke solution under liquid paraffin, and finally obtained Fricke hydrogel embedded with the multiple emulsions. The diffusion coefficient of Fe³⁺ ions in the embedded Fricke hydrogel was measured to be 0.17 mm²/h. The hydrogel dosimeter exhibits considerable potential for use in dose verification applications.     

正极材料Li_(0.99)Nb_(0.01)Fe_(1-x)Mg_xPO_4/C的制备及电化学性能的研究

采用两步固相反应合成了锂、铁双位掺杂的锂离子电池正极材料Li0.99Nb0.01Fe1-xMgxPO4/C(x=0,0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04)。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)以及恒电流充放电测试,研究了复合材料的晶体结构、形貌以及电化学性能。实验结果表明,制备的Li0.99Nb0.01Fe1-xMgxPO4/C(x=0,0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04)为纯相,掺杂适量的Nb5+、Mg2+离子可减小材料的晶粒尺寸,当Nb离子掺杂量为1mol%、Mg离子掺杂量为3mol%时,Li0.99Nb0.01Fe0.97Mg0.03PO4/C的电化学性能最佳。室温下,0.2C、1C、2C、4C(1C=170mA·g-1)倍率充放电其首次放电比容量分别为153.7、149.7、144.6、126.4mAh·g-1,即使在8C倍率下放电其放电比容量也有92.2mAh·g-1,并表现出良好的循环性能。     

Encapsulation and Prolonged Release Behaviour of W/O/W Type Multiple Emulsions

W/O/W type multiple emulsions were prepared by two step emulsification procedures using an oily lymphographic agent, lipiodol, as an inner oil phase and Pluronic F-68 as a hydrophilic emulsifier contained in the outer aqueous phase. Span 80, Pluronic L-64 and HCO-60 were used as emulsifiers incorporating them into the inner oil phase. The phase volume of the inner and outer aqueous phases and the yield of the w/o/w type multiple emulsions were studied. The dissolution behaviour of the w/o/w type multiple emulsions were determined by a dialysis method employing cellulose tubing. The effect of emulsifier type and the amount of HCO-60 on the stability and prolonged release behavior of the w/o/w type multiple emulsions with or without lecithin, was also examined. The results indicate the HCO-60 is a better emulsifier than Span 80 or Pluronic L-64. Its use improves the stability and the prolonged release behavior of w/o/w type multiple emulsions.     

具有18电子结构的Mg2CoH5纳米晶制备及其储氢性能研究

本文研究了Mg2CoH5纳米晶的制备及其储氢性能。在室温和氩气气氛下,以MgH2和纳米Co为原料,采用球磨法制备了Mg2CoH5纳米晶。对所制备Mg2CoH5的组成、结构和形貌进行了表征,并且对Mg2CoH5的储氢性能进行了研究。实验结果表明,通过该种方法制备了纯度较高(产物纯度为79%)的四方结构Mg2CoH5纳米晶,其形貌呈球形且分布较均匀,最频粒径为80 nm。制备的Mg2CoH5纳米晶具有较低的活化能和较好的吸放氢动力学性能,其放氢的脱附焓和脱附熵分别为-115.0 kJ.mol-1H2和-193.6.1 J.mol-1.K-1H2。再氢化时,在543 K时仅7 min内其吸氢量就达到1.5wt%。     

Application of the fractional factorial design in multiple W/O/W emulsions

In presented research, multiple W/O/W emulsions were developed by using experimental design method. A 24-1 fractional factorial design was performed by varying the following input parameters: primary polymeric emulsifier (PEG 30-dipolyhydroxystearate) concentration (0.8% and 2.4%), secondary polymeric emulsifier (Poloxamer 407) concentration (0.8% and 1.2%), electrolyte magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (0.08% and 0.4%) and electrolyte sodium chloride (0.08% and 0.4%). Multiple emulsions were prepared by a two-step emulsification process. Obtained emulsions were characterized with rheological measurements, conductivity and centrifugation tests. Factorial analysis revealed that the concentration of the primary emulsifier was the predominant factor influencing the phase separation, conductivity and maximal apparent viscosity. Additionally, electrolyte magnesium sulfate heptahydrate was more efficient in stabilizing these systems, compared to sodium chloride. The applied fractional factorial design method enabled determination of the optimal concentrations of the primary and secondary emulsifier, as well as the concentration of electrolytes, in order to obtain W/O/W emulsions with desired maximal apparent viscosities, low values of conductivity and without phase separation after centrifugation.     

Preparation and in vitro Release Test of Insulin Loaded W/O Microemulsion

A W/O microemulsion of Tween‐80‐Span‐80/n‐butylalcohol/ethyl‐oleate/H₂O to envelop insulin (INS) was prepared. In order to obtain the maximum solved water, the components of microemulsion to envelop INS were chosen with the pseudo‐ternary phase diagram and the influences of temperature, salinity as well as the pH on microemulsion areas also were investigated. To test the properties of the microemulsion, the conductance was used to divide O/W, W/O and BC regions, the dynamic light scattering to evaluate the particle diameters of microemulsion, the ¹²⁵I isotope tracing method to measure the release rate of INS loaded in W/O microemulsion, and the growth inhibitory effect test to appraise the cytotoxicity on human normal cells. Results show that W/O microemulsion forms when water content below 50% in the microemulsion system. The microemulsion region decreases slightly with the increase of temperature, salinity and the decrease of pH. However, the viscosity measurements along certainly selected dilution lines to the microemulsion indicate that no phase invert occurred. Diameter of microemulsion particle increases with the addition of INS, and the increase is sharp in the first 5 days then very slightly at 68.6 nm within a month. The INS loaded W/O microemulsion possesses eminent sustaining release efficiency and the cytostatic as well as cytotoxic assays illustrate that the microemulsion can be used as drug delivery at small dosage.     

In Vivo Evaluation of the Photoprotective Efficacy of O1/W/O2 Multiple Emulsions with Andiroba Oil (Carapa guianensis)

Stable multiple emulsions containing andiroba oil and sunscreen have been formulated. These were prepared using the two-step procedure. The formulations were characterized and their stability over the time was evaluated by centrifugation, macroscopic, and microscopic analyses, and rheological measurements. The photoprotective efficacy of the O/W and O₁/W/O₂ containing or not andiroba oil was evaluated by in vivo sun protection factor determination according to the FDA method. The formulations exhibited good stability during 30 days after preparation at different temperatures. These presented pseudoplastic flow behaviour and thixotropy. The increase of in vivo SPF value was not observed when andiroba oil was incorporated into emulsions containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. These multiple emulsions can be utilized as an interesting topical vehicle.     

Drop Size Distribution of O/W Emulsions by Drop Immobilization with Agarose

ABSTRACT

A method for the determination of the drop size distribution of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is presented. Water-based coolant emulsions used in rolling mill operations were studied. The emulsions were gelled in agarose so that the oil droplets were immobilized and samples of these gels were measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and image processing. The influence of the addition of CaCl₂ as an emulsion destabilizer on the size distributions was also studied. The experimental data obtained were compared to those obtained using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS).     

Characteristics of Au/MgxAlO hydrotalcite catalysts in CO selective oxidation

Gold catalysts, supported on a solid base of Mg_xAlO hydrotalcite, were prepared by a modified deposition precipitation method for CO selective oxidation. The preparation parameters and pretreatment of the catalysts were investigated. The pH and the HAuCl₄ concentration in the initial solution, and the Mg/Al molar ratio of Mg_xAlO affected the pH in the final solution and determined the actual gold loading of the catalyst. The calcination temperatures of the Mg_xAlO support and the Au/Mg_xAlO catalyst dominated the Au³⁺/Au⁰ ratio on the catalyst. The pretreatment of the catalyst as well as the gold loading and the Au³⁺/Au⁰ ratio, critically determined the activity of the catalyst for CO selective oxidation. Based on XPS and in situ DR-FTIR analyses, a mechanism for CO selective oxidation on 2%Au/Mg₂AlO was proposed. The hydroxyl group on Mg₂AlO also participated in the reaction.     

Chemiluminescence of CdTe quantum dots using K3Fe(CN)6 as oxidant and its capping ligand-dependent effect

Water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped with three different thioalkyl acids (mercaptoacetic acid, cysteine and glutathione) were synthesized in aqueous solution. In basic media, K₃Fe(CN)₆ could directly oxidize the water-soluble CdTe QDs to produce strong CL emission. It was found that the CL intensity depended on the capping ligand and size of CdTe QDs. CL spectra and fluorescence spectra of the system were measured to investigate the CL reaction mechanism. Moreover, the effects of 17 metal ions on the CL system were carefully investigated. Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ could markedly inhibit the CL signal of the K₃Fe(CN)₆–CdTe QDs system, which makes it applicable for the detection of such ions. This work is of importance for gaining a better understanding of the unique optical and physical chemistry properties of QDs, and it is also helpful to find more practical applications of QDs.     

空气中合成固溶体荧光粉Ba2(Zn, Mg)Si2O7:Ce3+,Eu2+,Eu3+及其发光特性

采用高温固相法在空气中合成了Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺系列荧光粉。分别采用X-射线衍射和荧光光谱对所合成荧光粉的物相和发光性质进行了表征。在紫外光330~360 nm激发下,固溶体荧光粉Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu的发射光谱在350~725 nm范围内呈现多谱峰发射,360和500 nm处有强的宽带发射属于Eu²⁺离子的4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷跃迁,590~725 nm红光区窄带谱源于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J=1,2,3,4)跃迁,这表明,在空气气氛中,部分Eu³⁺在Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇基质中被还原成了Eu²⁺;当x=0.1时,荧光粉Ba_1.97Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu的绿色发光最强,表明Eu³⁺被还原成Eu²⁺离子的程度最大。当共掺入Ce³⁺离子后,形成Ba_1.97-yZn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺荧光粉体系,其发光随着Ce³⁺离子浓度的增大由蓝绿区经白光区到达橙红区;发现名义组成为Ba_1.96Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.01Ce³⁺,0.03Eu的荧光粉的色坐标为(0.323,0.311),接近理想白光,是一种有潜在应用价值的白光荧光粉。讨论了稀土离子在Ba₂Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇基质中的能量传递与发光机理。     

Investigation of Structural and Luminescent Properties of Sol-Gel-Derived Cr‑Substituted Mg3Al1−xCrx Layered Double Hydroxides

In the present work, Cr-substituted Mg₃Al_1−xCr_x layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesised through the phase conversion of sol-gel-derived mixed-metal oxides in an aqueous medium. The chromium substitution level in the range of 1 to 25 mol% was investigated. It was demonstrated that all synthesised specimens were single-phase LDHs. The results of elemental analysis confirmed that the suggested synthetic sol-gel chemistry approach is suitable for the preparation of LDHs with a highly controllable chemical composition. The surface microstructure of sol-gel-derived Mg₃Al_1−xCr_x LDHs does not depend on the chromium substitution level. The formation of plate-like agglomerated particles, which consist of hexagonally shaped nanocrystallites varying in size from approximately 200 to 300 nm, was observed. Optical properties of the synthesised Mg₃Al_1−xCr_x LDHs were investigated by means of photoluminescence. All Cr-containing powders exhibited characteristic emission in the red region of the visible spectrum. The strongest emission was observed for the sample doped with 5 mol% Cr³⁺ ions. However, the emission intensity of samples doped with 1–10 mol% Cr³⁺ ions was relatively similar. A further increase in the Cr³⁺ ion concentration to 25 mol% resulted in severe concentration quenching.