Spontaneously formed trans-anethol/water/alcohol emulsions: mechanism of formation and stability

We studied the spontaneous emulsification and droplet growth mechanism in trans-anethol/water/ethanol solutions, also known as the beverage ouzo, using dynamic light scattering spectroscopy. This simple ternary mixture is a generic example of a system that forms microemulsions spontaneously when brought into the two-phase region. The volume fraction of the dispersed phase was found to profoundly affect the growth rates of the droplets, which is a new finding that has not been predicted by the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory. Time-dependent measurements show that the droplet growth is governed by Ostwald ripening (OR), and no coalescence was observed. Furthermore, the OR rates increase with increasing oil concentration at low alcohol content. We attribute this behavior to enhanced droplet-droplet interactions. At high ethanol concentrations, we found that the measured rates decreased as the oil concentration increased. The OR growth mechanism completely correlates with changes in droplet size. The kinetics of droplet growth shows that the ripening has a saturation limit at a droplet radius of about 1.5 mum. Thus, formed emulsions remain stable for months.     

What is the ‘Solvent’ effect on the electronic spectra of a solute in a polymer matrix?

The theory of solvent-induced shifts of the absorption and fluorescence band spectra of a solute is well known and has been tested for a multitude of systems. However, there are only few applications to polymers. By a direct comparison of the spectral shifts in liquid solvents with those in polymers it is possible to determine the microenvironment of the solutes in polymers within the frame of this theory. Polyethylene terephthalate as fabric and film was chosen as model polymer. The spectral shifts of 15 fluorescing solutes in this polymer as well as in 10 solvents with widely differing refractive indices n and permittivities ? were measured and fitted to the equations given by the theory of the solvent effect. It is found that interactions with the permanent dipoles of polyethylene terephthalate may be neglected within the limits of accuracy attainable for this polymer and the chosen solutes. Dispersion forces dominate the solvent effect. The refractive indices effective at the site of the solute molecules are n = 1.66 for the fabric and n = 1.70 for the film.     

Conformational effects on the performance and selectivity of a polymeric pseudostationary phase in electrokinetic chromatography

The effect of the conformation of a polymeric pseudostationary phase on performance and selectivity in electrokinetic chromatography was studied using an amphiphilic pH-responsive polymer that forms compact intramolecular aggregates (unimer micelles) at low pH and a more open conformation at high pH. The change in conformation was found to affect the electrophoretic mobility, retention, selectivity, and separation efficiency. The low-pH conformer has higher electrophoretic mobility and greater affinity for most solutes. The unimer micelle conformation was also found to provide a solvation environment more like that of micelles and other amphiphilic self-associative polymers studied previously. It was not possible to fully characterize the effect of conformation on efficiency, but very hydrophobic solutes with long alkyl chains appeared to migrate with better efficiency when the unimer micelle conformation was employed. The results imply that polymers with a carefully optimized lipophilic-hydrophilic balance that allow self-association will perform better as pseudostationary phases. In addition, the results show that electrokinetic chromatography is a useful method for determining the changes in solvation environment provided by stimuli-responsive polymers with changes in the conditions.     

Acrolein polymerization: Monodisperse,homo, and hybrido microspheres,synthesis, mechanism,and reactions

Monodisperse polyacrolien (PA) microspheres were obtained by a single step process via two mechanisms: (a) aqueous polymerization of acrolein under alkaline conditions and (b) aqueous radical polymerization of acrolein by irradiation with a cobalt source. The diameter of the former microspheres can be varied from 0.04 up to 8 μm. The monodispersity of the system is also discussed. The diameter of the latter microspheres can be varied up to 0.2 μm. Hybrido PA microspheres were formed by grafting PA microspheres of average diameter of 0.1 μm obtained by irradiation onto the surface of PA microspheres produced by the alkaline mechanism. The aldehyde content of the microspheres prepared by irradiation is much higher than those of the microspheres formed under alkaline conditions. The aldehyde groups were used for the covalent binding of ligands containing primary amino groups, such as proteins and drugs, in a single step under physiological pH.     

4H-Chromenone Glycosides from Eranthis hyemalis (L.) SALISBURY

Investigation of the tubers of Eranthis hyemalis (Ranunculaceae) afforded six chromenone glycosides. Their structures have been elucidated mainly by spectroscopic (FAB-MS, 2D-NMR techniques) and chemical methods (acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis) as 9-{[(β-D -glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one ( 1 ), 9-{[(β-D -gentiobiosyl)oxy]methyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one( 2 ), 9-{[(β-D -glucopyranosvl)oxy]melhyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxy-methyl)-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one( 3 ), 8-{(2E)-4-[(β-D -glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3-methylbut-2-enyl}-5,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 4 ), 8-{(2E)-4-[(β-D -glucopyranosyi)oxy]-3-methylbut-2-enyl}-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 5 ), and 7-{[(β-D -glucopyranosy1)oxy]methyl}-2,3-dihydro-2-(l-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4-methoxy-5H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-5-one ( 6 ). Compound 2 exhibited negative inotropic activity.     

Stripping Analysis of Trace Metals at a Flow-Through Reticulated Vitreous Carbon Electrode after the Preconcentration by Supported Liquid Membrane Technique

Abstract

The performance of a flow-through mercury coated reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrode in the potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) of trace metals has been examined. A wall-jet glassy carbon cell was used for the comparative experiments. Experimental parameters influencing the stripping signals have been optimised in order to use the stripping analysis after the preconcentration and matrix isolation by supported liquid membrane (SLM) technique. The SLM with di-2-ethylhexyl-phosphoric acid (DEHPA) as the extractant in the membrane liquid for proton driven transport of trace metals across the membrane has been chosen. Results presented for lead determination in river water demonstrate the analytical advantages of coupled technique SLM-PSA.     

Effects of structural properties of silicon carbide-derived carbons on their electrochemical double-layer capacitance in aqueous and organic electrolytes

High surface area silicon carbide-derived carbons (Si-CDCs) synthesized by chlorination of beta silicon carbide (βSiC) with two different particle sizes (6 μm and 50 nm) show different porosities with graphitic structure. Transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) sorption analyses are used to examine the textural properties of the Si-CDCs. The results show that the particle size of the precursor affects the surface area and porosity of carbons. Furthermore, an additional heat treatment of the Si-CDC with 50-nm particle size for 24 h at 1,000 °C results in a collapse of the pore structure and reduces the surface area. The capacitive behaviours are investigated in H₂SO₄ and in tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF₄)/acetonitrile (AN). The electrochemical performance of the Si-CDCs is influenced by the particle size, surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution. The Si-CDCs exhibit capacitances in 1 M H₂SO₄ of up to 179 F g^?1 and very stable charge–discharge performance over 5,000 cycles. This study shows the crucial importance of ultramicropores less than 1 nm combined with nanosized particles for achieving high capacitance in aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, the graphitic degree at the surface of the Si-CDCs enhances considerably the rate capability and stability in both electrolytes.     

Electrochemical Approach for the Production of Layered Double Hydroxides with a Well-Defined Co/MeIII Ratio

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been widely studied for their plethora of fascinating features and applications. The potentiostatic electrodeposition of LDHs has been extensively applied in the literature as a fast and direct method to substitute classical chemical routes. However, the electrochemical approach does not usually allow for a fine control of the M^II/M^III ratio in the synthesized material. By employing a recently proposed potentiodynamic method, LDH films of controlled composition are herein prepared with good reproducibility, using different ratios of the trivalent (Fe or Al) to bivalent (Co) cations in the electrolytic solution. All the obtained materials are shown to be effective oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts, and are thoroughly characterized by a multi-technique approach, including FE-SEM, XRD, Raman, AES and a wide range of electrochemical procedures.     

Thermochemistry of Surfactant-Templating of USY Zeolite

With the aim of understanding the thermochemistry of the introduction of mesoporosity in zeolites by using surfactants, high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry was used to determine the change in the enthalpy of formation of USY zeolite before and after the introduction of mesoporosity. Our results confirm that this process only slightly destabilizes the zeolite by the additional surface area. However, this can be overcome by the stabilizing effect of the interactions between the surfactant and the zeolite framework.     

Characterization of nanochannel delivery membrane systems for the sustained release of resveratrol and atorvastatin: new perspectives on promoting heart health

Novel drug delivery systems capable of continuous sustained release of therapeutics have been studied extensively for use in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The use of these systems holds promise as a means to achieve higher patient compliance while improving therapeutic index and reducing systemic toxicity. In this work, an implantable nanochannel drug delivery system (nDS) is characterized and evaluated for the long-term sustained release of atorvastatin (ATS) and trans-resveratrol (t-RES), compounds with a proven role in managing atherogenic dyslipidemia and promoting cardioprotection. The primary mediators of drug release in the nDS are nanofluidic membranes with hundreds of thousands of nanochannels (up to 100,000/mm²) that attain zero-order release kinetics by exploiting nanoconfinement and molecule-to-surface interactions that dominate diffusive transport at the nanoscale. These membranes were characterized using gas flow analysis, acetone diffusion, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). The surface properties of the dielectric materials lining the nanochannels, SiO₂ and low-stress silicon nitride, were further investigated using surface charge analysis. Continuous, sustained in vitro release for both ATS and t-RES was established for durations exceeding 1 month. Finally, the influence of the membranes on cell viability was assessed using human microvascular endothelial cells. Morphology changes and adhesion to the surface were analyzed using SEM, while an MTT proliferation assay was used to determine the cell viability. The nanochannel delivery approach, here demonstrated in vitro, not only possesses all requirements for large-scale high-yield industrial fabrication, but also presents the key components for a rapid clinical translation as an implantable delivery system for the sustained administration of cardioprotectants.