Layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte coating of low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles

Low molecular weight (M(w)) poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles were coated with polyelectrolytes (PEs) by layer-by-layer (LbL) technique using a filtration approach. Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) were applied as PEs in coating. LbL coating is aimed to use in producing (nano)particulate drug delivery systems with improved biocompatibility and sustained or targeted release of drug substances. Nanoparticles of rapidly biodegradable polymers, like the low M(w) PLA, open up a possibility to control the release of the encapsulated substance by the coating, but set challenges to the coating process due to increased aggregation tendency and degradation rate of the polymer. When the core PLA nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation, surface properties of the nanoparticles were affected by solvent selection. Successful LbL coating of the PLA nanoparticles was obtained only with chloroform, but not with dichloromethane as the solvent during nanoprecipitation. Reason for this was found to be the more charged surface of the nanoparticles prepared with chloroform compared to the nanoparticles prepared with dichloromethane.     

Effect of microfibrillated cellulose and fines on the drainage of kraft pulp suspension and paper strength

Different types of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and fines suspensions were produced, characterized, and then added to a papermaking pulp suspension. High and medium molar mass cationic polyelectrolytes were used as fixatives. The drainage behavior of the pulp suspensions with additives were evaluated against the strength properties of hand sheets made thereof. The effects of salt concentration, pH, fixative type, dosage and type of fibrillar material on drainage were examined. All the MFC and fines samples produced had clearly different properties due to their dissimilar production methods, and they also introduced specific responses on the measured drainage and paper strength. Generally, the addition of MFC decreased the drainage rate of pulp suspension and increased the strength of paper. However, it was shown that by optimum selection of materials and process conditions an enhancement of the strength properties could be achieved without simultaneously deteriorating the drainage.     

Qualitative and quantitative end-group analysis of a small molecular weight polyester by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used for qualitative and quantitative end-group analysis of a small molecular weight polyester, poly(2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propylene phthalate). The presence of carboxyl-terminated linear and cyclic polyester oligomers was confirmed with the help of simple sample preparation methods. The presence of carboxyl end-groups in the polyester chains was verified through their formation of carboxylate salts with alkali metal cations. Cyclic oligomers were identified through deuterium exchange of the exchangeable protons of the polyester. Various inorganic salts were tested for salt formation of the carboxyl end-groups, but only the alkali metal salts proved effective. The influence of the alkali metal salts on the results of the quantitative end-group analysis was also studied. The relative amounts of differently terminated and cyclic oligomers were calculated when the alkali metal salts were used with different matrices. The results showed that both the salts and the matrices used in sample preparation can have a marked effect on the quantitative results of the end-group analysis. The measurements were carried out using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 1,8, 9-trihydroxyanthracene (dithranol), and 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) as matrix compounds. Dithranol and HABA repeatably exhibited similar results, and these results differed from those obtained with DHB probably because of the different ionization mechanisms in the MALDI process. Copyright-Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acid strength distributions in the Mo?Al?Si and the Ni?Mo?Al oxide systems determined by ammonia adsorption

Acid strength distributions of Mo–Al–Si and Ni–Mo–Al oxide systems have been found by means of a relationship that gives pK_a values from amounts of ammonia adsorption. Molybdenum is suggested to cause a homogenization in the acid strength distribution of alumina but a heterogenization in silicaalumina, whereas nickel is found to neutralize strong acid sites inherent to molybdenum.

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Mo–Al–Si Ni–Mo–Al , . , , .

     

The sesquiterpenoid nootkatone and the absolute configuration of a di­bromo derivative

Nootkatone, or (4R,4aS,6R)‐4,4a,5,6,7,8‐hexa­hydro‐4,4a‐di­methyl‐6‐(1‐methyl­ethenyl)­naphthalen‐2(3H)‐one, C₁₅H₂₂O, a sesquiterpene with strong repellent properties against Formosan subterranean termites and other insects, has the valencene skeleton. The di­bromo derivative (1S,3R,4S,4aS,6R,8aR)‐1,3‐di­bromo‐6‐iso­propyl‐4,4a‐di­methyl‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octa­hydro­naphthalen‐2‐one, C₁₅H₂₄Br₂O, has two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, which differ in the rotation of the iso­propyl group with respect to the main skeleton. The C—Br distances are in the range 1.950 (4)–1.960 (4) Å. Both independent molecules form zigzag chains, with very short intermolecular carbonyl–carbonyl interactions, having the perpendicular motif and O⋯C distances of 2.886 (6) and 2.898 (6) Å. These chains are flanked by intermolecular Br⋯Br interactions of distances in the range 4.067 (1)–4.218 (1) Å. The absolute configuration of the di­bromo derivative was determined, from which that of nootkatone was inferred.