The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube

The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube is investigated by applying the Brownian dynamics simulation method in the present paper. Two different geometric structures, the parabolic constricted tube (PCT) and the sinusoidal constricted tube (SCT), are adopted. The effect of various types of the total interaction energy curves of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, and of the shadow area cast by those deposited particles, on the particles’ collection efficiencies are also examined. For the PCT structure, under the same interaction energy curve, it is found that the non-Brownian particles always own a higher collection efficiency than that of the Brownian particles. Since the deposition location moves closer to the constriction part of the tube, the collection efficiencies of the Brownian/non-Brownian particles increase with the decrease of flow velocity. The SCT behaves differently, it is found that the collection efficiencies of non-Brownian particles are only slightly higher than those of Brownian particles when SCT is adopted. The steep slope of the tube wall near the constriction part of SCT dominates the whole deposition process of Brownian/non-Brownian particles. In comparison with the available experimental data, it is found that the present method can give a good simulation result.     

Separation of nanocolloids driven by dielectrophoresis: A molecular dynamics simulation

The nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) method was used to model the nanocolloids and the solvent particles. By introducing a non-uniform electric field, colloids were polarized to have opposite polarities. Separation of colloids driven by dielectrophoresis (DEP) could be seen clearly under a strong electric field at low temperatures. Analyzing the ratio of DEP velocities of colloids to thermal velocities of neutral solvent particles showed that when the ratio was correspondingly big, collision between colloids and solvent particles would be intense, making the DEP velocity of colloids fluctuate frequently. By changing the electric field strength, it was found that the enhancement of electric field strength would quicken the separation of colloids. But when the electric field strength increased to a certain degree, the separation motion would be slow because of the strong friction resistance of the solvent particles to the colloids. Moreover, studying the separation reason of colloids based on the potential energy showed that after colloids were polarized, the attractive potential energy among the colloids would be weaker than before, while the increase of temperature would reduce the attractive potential energy and increase the repulsive potential energy, which accorded with the DLVO theory. Supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Derelopment Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA04Z351) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50675033, 30770553)     

黄铁矿微生物浸出体系中的表面热力学和扩展DLVO理论

根据Young s方程的推导公式结合接触角的测定结果计算黄铁矿和氧化亚铁硫杆菌的表面能参数。结果表明,氧化亚铁硫杆菌的表面能明显高于黄铁矿的表面能。应用热力学计算氧化亚铁硫杆菌在黄铁矿表面吸附的自由能,发现其吸附自由能为正值,无法解释氧化亚铁硫杆菌在黄铁矿表面的吸附现象,而通过扩展DLVO理论建立的Lifshitz-van der Waals(LW)、Lewis acid-base(AB)和静电(EL)作用自由能与作用距离(d)之间的势能曲线,能够准确的预言氧化亚铁硫杆菌在黄铁矿表面的吸附现象。     

Drug self-assembly: A phenomenon at the nanometer scale with major impact in the structure–biological properties relationship and the treatment of disease

Under water-rich conditions, small amphiphilic and hydrophobic drug molecules self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures. Thus, substantial modifications in their interaction with cellular structures and the ability to reach intracellular targets could happen. Additionally, drug aggregates could be more toxic than the non-aggregated counterparts, or vice versa. Moreover, since self-aggregation reduces the number of effective “monomeric” molecules that interact with the target, the drug potency could be underestimated. In other cases, the activity could be ascribed to the non-aggregated molecule while it stems from its aggregates. Thus, drug self-assembly could mislead from drug throughput screening assays to advanced preclinical and clinical trials. Finally, aggregates could serve as crystallization nuclei. The impact that this phenomenon has on the biological performance of active compounds, the inconsistent and often controversial nature of the published data and the need for recommendations/guidelines as preamble of more harmonized research protocols to characterize drug self-aggregation were main motivations for this review. First, the key molecular and environmental parameters governing drug self-aggregation, the main drug families for which this phenomenon and the methods used for its characterization are described. Then, promising nanotechnology platforms investigated to prevent/control it towards a more efficient drug development process are briefly discussed.     

Impact of gypsum supersaturated process water on the interactions between silica and zinc sulphide minerals

Flotation recovery and selectivity problems have been reported in the flotation of fine sulphide minerals in gypsum supersaturated process water. In this study, the effect of gypsum supersaturated solution on the interactions between silica and sphalerite (ZnS) minerals was examined by observing deposition behaviour of silica nanoparticles on sphalerite surface using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Significant deposition of silica nanoparticles on ZnS coated sensor surface was observed in the gypsum supersaturated solution, indicating consequential slime coating of silica fines on sphalerite mineral surface. Substantial deposition of silica nanoparticles on SiO₂ coated surface was also observed suggesting strong homo-aggregation of silica fines in the gypsum supersaturated solution. The interaction behaviour between silica–sphalerite and silica–silica is mainly attributed to the high calcium concentration of the gypsum supersaturated solution. Similar deposition behaviour of silica nanoparticles onto ZnS or SiO₂ coated sensor surface was observed in 800 ppm calcium solution, which is similar to the calcium concentration of the gypsum supersaturated solution. Colloidal force measurement between a silica particle and a fractured sphalerite surface or a silica wafer surface by an atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed attractive van der Waals force between the mineral particles in both gypsum supersaturated solution and 800 ppm calcium solution. The high calcium concentration of the gypsum supersaturated solution induced the hetero-aggregation between silica and sphalerite, accounting for the observed decrease in flotation selectivity.     

Assessing the aggregation behaviour of iron oxide nanoparticles under relevant environmental conditions using a multi-method approach

Iron nanoparticles are becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater; however, their mobility and reactivity in subsurface environments are significantly affected by their tendency to aggregate. Assessing their stability under environmental conditions is crucial for determining their environmental fate. A multi-method approach (including different size-measurement techniques and the DLVO theory) was used to thoroughly characterise the behaviour of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃NPs) under environmentally relevant conditions. Although recent studies have demonstrated the importance of using a multi-method approach when characterising nanoparticles, the majority of current studies continue to use a single-method approach.Under some soil conditions (i.e. pH 7, 10 mM NaCl and 2 mM CaCl₂) and increasing particle concentration, Fe₂O₃NPs underwent extensive aggregation to form large aggregates (>1 μm). Coating the nanoparticles with dissolved organic matter (DOM) was investigated as an alternative “green” solution to overcoming the aggregation issue instead of using the more commonly proposed polyelectrolytes. At high concentrations, DOM effectively covered the surface of the Fe₂O₃NPs, thereby conferring negative surface charge on the particles across a wide range of pH values. This provided electrostatic stabilisation and considerably reduced the particle aggregation effect. DOM-coated Fe₂O₃NPs also proved to be more stable under high ionic strength conditions. The presence of CaCl₂, however, even at low concentrations, induced the aggregation of DOM-coated Fe₂O₃NPs, mainly via charge neutralisation and bridging. This has significant implications in regards to the reactivity and fate of these materials in the environment.     

十二胺浮选体系中蓝晶石与石英的交互影响

在十二胺浮选体系中,对蓝晶石和石英进行交互影响的规律研究,运用扩展DLVO理论分析和显微镜观察等手段对浮选交互影响的机理进行分析.结果 表明,在pH值为8,当FeCl3·6H2O用量为30 mg/L、十二胺用量为80 mg/L时,各粒级石英与不同粒级蓝晶石之间存在交互作用,颗粒之间的粘附罩盖是造成蓝晶石与石英浮选过程中...     

Preparation and stability behavior of the colloidal epoxy-1,1-iminodi-2-propanol adducts

Epoxy-amine adduct was prepared by reaction between DGEBA and 1,1-iminodi-2-propanol. The kinetic of the reaction was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a model-free approach. The epoxy-amine adducts were prepared with various molar ratios of amine functionalities. Waterborne dispersions of these resins have been prepared by neutralization of amine functionalities in the epoxy-amine adducts. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and DSC were also used to characterize the prepared epoxy-amine adducts. The stability behavior of the neutralized epoxy-amine adducts has been studied at 25 °C in aqueous solution of acetic acid. In each case, the experimental stability ratios (W) versus electrolyte concentration plots were fitted using the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory and modified Fuch's model. The resulted values of diffuse potentials and Hamaker constants were obtained for the aqueous dispersions of the epoxy-amine adducts. According to the resulted Hamaker values, the applicability of the DLVO theory to the colloidal particles of epoxy amine adducts was investigated. The cathodic electrodeposition behavior of the prepared dispersions were also investigated. It was found that the samples with lower degree of neutralization result in a more efficient film deposition followed by higher dry film thickness although they show lower stability in the electrodeposition bath.     

Influence of reducers on nanostructure and surface energy of silver coatings and bacterial adhesion

The high incidence of infections caused by the use of implanted biomedical devices has a severe impact on human health and health care costs. Many studies suggest a strong antimicrobial activity of silver-coated medical devices. However no studies have been reported on the effect of surface energy of silver coatings on bacterial adhesion. In this paper, 4 types of silver coatings with various surface energies were prepared on stainless steel plates using AgNO₃ based electroless plating solutions with four different reducing agents, formaldehyde, hydrazine, glucose and potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate, respectively. The morphology and surface energy of the silver coatings were characterized with an Atomic Force Microscope and a Dataphysics OCA-20 contact angle analyzer, respectively. The anti-bacterial performance of the silver coatings was evaluated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, which frequently causes medical device-associated infections. The experimental results showed that bacterial adhesion decreased with the total surface energy of the coatings decreasing, but decreased with the electron donor component increasing. All the silver coatings performed much better than stainless steel in reducing bacterial attachment. The extended DLVO theory was used to explain bacterial adhesion behavior.