Poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d,l</Emphasis>-lactic acid) nanoparticle preparation and colloidal characterization

Nano size-ranged poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) particles were obtained from 2 and 10 w% PLA solution in water-saturated ethyl acetate by the emulsification-diffusion method. An increase in the PLA solution concentration resulted in an increase of the particle mean size from ca 260 nm to 530 nm with a broadening of the distribution. After fractionation by centrifugation, the particle mean size was 980 nm. The Pluronic F68 used in the formulations at concentration ranging from 0.5 to 5% w/v, was shown to adsorb at the interface at 0.5 mg/m ² for both particle sizes. The molecular occupied area of 24 nm ²/molecule suggested an expanded conformation of the surfactant at the interface, though an incomplete coverage could not be excluded. Coagulation kinetics measurements revealed a critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of 1.5 M sodium chloride, indicating a steric stabilization of the colloids by the adsorbed triblock copolymer. Nonetheless, variations in zeta potential with increasing salt concentration were observed, suggesting that the surface carboxylate groups were still accessible for further modifications.     

Structure of adsorbed n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside layers on hematite

The composition, structure, and thickness of n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside self-assembled layers on hematite have been evaluated using infrared external reflection spectroscopy and spectral simulation techniques. From the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the reflection spectra of the same sample recorded at different specific angles of incidence and two polarizations, the orientation of the sugar ring and hydrocarbon chain were obtained. Both of these molecular groups are positioned parallel to hematite surface, the adsorbed molecules being at low (2.2-nm-thick layer) as well as higher (11-nm) coverages. The maltoside is adsorbed through interaction of sugar ring OH groups with hematite surface hydroxyl groups. The adsorption of maltoside is not very strong and desorption takes place easily from acidic and low-basic solutions but with more difficulty from strong-basic solution.     

Sorption of uranium (VI) species on zircon: structural investigation of the solid/solution interface

This work is an investigation of the mechanisms of interaction between uranium (VI) ions and zirconium silicate. The speciation of uranium (VI) sorbed on zircon was studied using four complementary techniques as probes of the local structure around the uranium atom: laser spectrofluorimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transformed (DRIFT) spectroscopy, and EXAFS spectroscopy. The sorption of uranyl on zirconium oxide was also studied to allow structural comparisons. Spectrofluorimetry and XPS results allowed an identification of the silicate sorption sites on the solid. These methods associated with spectrofluorimetry and DRIFT led to a characterization of the sorbed surface complexes, taking into account the influence of the nature of the background salt and of the pH on the structure of the U(VI) surface species. EXAFS measurements, either on air-dried samples or in situ, were then carried out on well-characterized samples and allowed identification of the sorption mechanism on zircon as the formation of an inner-sphere polydentate surface complex.     

Impact of defects on the surface chemistry of ZnO(0001 macro)-O

Scanning tunneling microscopy and core level photoelectron spectroscopy measurements have been used to investigate the morphology of ZnO(0001 macro)-O, and its reactivity with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as a function of surface preparation. Real space images of the surface indicate that increasing the substrate anneal temperature during preparation significantly reduces the surface step density. Surface defect concentration is also monitored by employing formic acid as a chemical probe, which is shown to adsorb dissociatively (HCOOH --> [HCOO](-) + H(+)) only on zinc cations at step edges. Carbon 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra show that carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide both react to form surface carbonate species. Spectra, recorded both as a function of surface preparation and following coadsorption, demonstrate that the carbonate formed from either reactant molecule is located at oxygen vacancies at step edges, evidencing the significant role that defects can play in the surface chemistry of ZnO(0001 macro)-O.     

The influence of the structure of thin antimony films on their electrical conductivity

The eletrical conductivity of antimony films of different thicknesses was studied at different temperatures. For small thicknessd, whereL is the electron mean-free path, the film resistances varies asd ^?n , wheren=2. However, ford?L the value ofn becomes smaller than 2 which is in agreement with the theory.     

Recent advances in solid-state beyond lithium batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - As battery technologies are in continuous development, and especially due to the rapid growth in vehicle electrification, which requires large (e.g.,...     

Catalyzed Autoxidation of Hydrogensulfite by Cobalt(II) (2,3,9,10-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraaza-cyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene) (H 2 O) 2 2+

The catalytic autoxidation of hydrogensulfite (hydrogentrioxosulfate(1-)) in the presence of Co(tim)(H 2 O) 2 2+ (tim=2,3,9,10-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene) was studied. Dioxygen reacts with excess sulfite in the presence of Co(tim)(H 2 O) 2 2+ in a complex process (a minimum of five kinetic steps can be identified) to produce Co(tim)(SO 3 ) x (3 m 2 x )+ ( x =1 or 2) ( u max at 350 nm) and sulfate. Seventy turnovers over 4 h were attained in a system where dioxygen and sulfite were supplied constantly. The Co(III) product formed reacts only slowly with dioxygen to produce sulfate. A mechanistic analysis of the results implies the involvement of a Co(tim)-dioxygen adduct, stabilized by an axial sulfite ligand.     

Preformulation study of nicergoline solid dispersions

Nicergoline, a semisynthetic ergot derivative, which, in its crystalline state, is insoluble in water, was dispersed in polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) to improve drug particle dissolution. Preformulation studies were carried out initially by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction in order to predict the conditions and the possibility to actually obtain solid dispersions by mixing the two components at different proportions. Solid dispersions were finally prepared by dissolving nicergoline and PVP K30 in chloroform that was next evaporated under reduced pressure. Under these conditions, an amorphous powder was recovered in every proportion of the two components. Nicergoline demonstrated to be physically and chemically stable for 1 year. The dissolution studies revealed a very high dissolution rate of nicergoline from solid dispersions only lower than the pure amorphous form. This is the consequence of the molecular dispersion of nicergoline in the polymer that enhances the rate of drug release from the polymer.     

Characterization of cross-linked poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) microgel latexes

 This article reports the colloidal and physicochemical characterization of crosslinked poly (N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (poly[NIPMAM]) latexes. The latex particles were first characterized by determining the lowest critical solubility temperature by measuring the optical density variation as a function of temperature. In addition, the electrophoretic mobility behaviors of all latexes were examined as a function of pH and temperature. Finally, the colloidal stability was investigated by determining the critical coagulation concentration and the critical flocculation temperature, and the corresponding results were discussed by taking into account both the effect of salinity and temperature on the solvency of poly[NIPMAM]. Received: 25 March 1999 Accepted: 5 May 1999