Use of Thermoplastic Starch in Continuous Pharmaceutical Process

Controlled release formulations of thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix were prepared by extrusion granulation and injection molding of tablets. The compositions contained glycerol, water and on occasion urea plasticizers, glycerol-monostearate; Ca-stearate lubricants and Na-benzoate drug representing component, in addition to the starch. The lubricants and especially the urea reduce the complex viscosity of the TPS considerably facilitating the injection molding process-ability. DSC thermal analysis demonstrated, the urea is in a molecular dispersed form in the extruded granules and Raman microscopic mapping showed an under micron sized dispersion of Na-benzoate in injection molded tablets. Both the extrusion and the injection molding processing resulted retard release character of the active component.     

Flame retardancy of fibre-reinforced epoxy resin composites for aerospace applications

The applicability of phosphorus-containing reactive amine, which can be used in epoxy resins both as crosslinking agent and as flame retardant, was compared in an aliphatic and an aromatic epoxy resin system. In order to fulfil the strong requirements on mechanical properties of the aircraft and aerospace applications, where they are mostly supposed to be applied, carbon fibre-reinforced composites were prepared. The flame retardant performance was characterized by relevant tests and mass loss type cone calorimeter. Besides the flame retardancy, the tensile and bending characteristics and interlaminar shear strength were evaluated. The intumescence-hindering effect of the fibre reinforcement was overcome by forming a multilayer composite, consisting of reference composite core and intumescent epoxy resin coating layer, which proved to provide simultaneous amelioration of flame retardancy and mechanical properties of epoxy resins.     

Development of flame retarded self-reinforced composites from automotive shredder plastic waste

Multilayered self-reinforced composites were developed from a density-separated light fraction of automotive shredder waste of high polyolefin content, which can fulfil the current technical, safety and environmental requirements of structural materials. The significantly enhanced mechanical properties of the recycled composites were ensured by polypropylene fabric reinforcement; meanwhile, reduced flammability was obtained by modifying the matrix layers, made of secondary raw materials, with phosphorous-containing flame retardant additive. The results of the new flame retarded composite systems allowed the discussion of a novel mechanistic observation. The mechanical and flammability properties of the prepared self-reinforced composites are compared to conventional glass fabric reinforced composites and to compounds without reinforcement.     

Displacement processes on hydrophilic/hydrophobic surfaces in methanol-water mixtures

The adsorption from methanol/water and the enthalpy of displacement of methanol by water were studied on K-60 silica gel, on graphitized PRINTEX-80, and onn-alkylammonium vermiculites. The adsorption between the hydrophobized silicate layers was followed by x-ray measurements. The excess isotherms of alkylammonium vermiculites in methanol/water exhibit two maxima corresponding to the two steps of the individual isotherm. The equilibrium constant of the exchange of water by methanol is calculated. For calculating the adsorption capacities and molar adsorption potentials, a new equation is proposed which combines the adsorption excess quantities with free energy and enthalpy functions.     

A study on the selective phosphorylation and phosphinylation of hydroxyphenols

By choice of appropriate reaction conditions, the phosphorylation of hydroquinone by diethyl chlorophosphate gave predominantly the monophosphate ( 2 ). A similar reaction of phloroglucinol led to the mixture of the possible products ( 6, 7 , and 8 ). The monophosphinylation of the above hydroxyphenols by diphenylphosphinyl chloride could be accomplished with a good selectivity to give product 4 or 9 , the yields, however, being variable. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:126–130, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10006     

Self-extinguishing polypropylene with a mass fraction of 9% intumescent additive II – Influence of highly oriented fibres

Recently, noticeably enhanced flame retardancy of multilayered self-reinforced composites, flame retarded with common ammonium polyphosphate based intumescent system, was described. In this paper the observed novel flame retardant synergism between intumescent additive system and highly oriented polymer fibres is further studied. The ignitability and combustion behaviour of flame retarded multilayer self-reinforced composites were compared to flame retardant compounds, prepared by simple melt compounding, of identical low additive contents, both when the heat was applied parallel (UL-94 tests) and perpendicular (cone calorimetric tests) with the direction of the embedded oriented tapes in self-reinforced composites. SEM and EDS analyses supported the different foaming process of the two types of samples to be understood, while the structure and character of the finally (after combustion) obtained charred layers were examined by compression tests. Considering the results of all the applied testing methods, the complex picture of the mechanism behind the enhanced flame retardant efficiency of flame retarded self-reinforced composites could be clarified.     

Progress in interface modifications: from compatibilization to adaptive and smart interphases

Common consideration and classification of surface and interface phenomena in wide areas of material science are discussed through three examples: basalt fiber reinforced composite; flame retarded polypropylene and polyorganosiloxane nanocomposite. Interface-related characteristics of polymer composites and biomaterials are discussed using uniform principles. A new classification of the interphases is introduced including the compatible, adaptive and smart interfacial layers. In case of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene reactive interface modification is performed in a new and economic way using reactive surfactants. These additives accomplish the compatibilization of the phases during reactive compounding/processing. The fire retardancy of polypropylene system containing ammonium polyphosphate and clay nanoparticles is enhanced by adaptive polysiloxane interphase. Clay additive provides thermal and pH responsive character to silicone based biomaterial thus it can be applied for forming smart interphases.     

Testing the performance of pure spectrum resolution from Raman hyperspectral images of differently manufactured pharmaceutical tablets

Chemical imaging is a rapidly emerging analytical method in pharmaceutical technology. Due to the numerous chemometric solutions available, characterization of pharmaceutical samples with unknown components present has also become possible. This study compares the performance of current state-of-the-art curve resolution methods (multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares, positive matrix factorization, simplex identification via split augmented Lagrangian and self-modelling mixture analysis) in the estimation of pure component spectra from Raman maps of differently manufactured pharmaceutical tablets. The batches of different technologies differ in the homogeneity level of the active ingredient, thus, the curve resolution methods are tested under different conditions. An empirical approach is shown to determine the number of components present in a sample. The chemometric algorithms are compared regarding the number of detected components, the quality of the resolved spectra and the accuracy of scores (spectral concentrations) compared to those calculated with classical least squares, using the true pure component (reference) spectra. It is demonstrated that using appropriate multivariate methods, Raman chemical imaging can be a useful tool in the non-invasive characterization of unknown (e.g. illegal or counterfeit) pharmaceutical products.