On preventing sugar-coated tablets from browning

The phenomenon of browning occurs gradually in the white sugar-coating layer (comprised of sucrose, talc, and powdered acacia) when the coating is applied on a large scale. We found that this phenomenon is negligible on sugar-coated tablets when they are prepared on a small scale. The smoothing layer prepared on a small scale is nearly as opaque as the subcoating layer. Conversely, the smoothing layer produced on a larger scale is semitransparent. In large-scale operations, the conditions required to make the smoothing layer opaque were established, and it was demonstrated that this method can restrict the browning phenomenon. It is considered that the nitrogen-containing contaminants in powdered acacia may react with heat-inverted sucrose (the Maillard reaction) to make brown substances in the smoothing layer and that the opaque appearance of the layer conceals the color accumulation of the brown substances in the smoothing layer and therefore restricts the browning phenomenon.     

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride sustained-release pellets prepared by a combination of hot-melt subcoating and polymer coating

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is an active very highly water soluble substance. In order to control release of a drug with this property, we developed the application of a combination of hot-melt subcoating and polymer coating was developed. The main objective was to investigate the influence of this combination on the release of highly water soluble drug and how it works. Hot-melt subcoating was achieved by using a coating pan. Subsequently, the outer polymer coating was prepared by fluidized bed, and the drug release was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) method. Hot-melt subcoating can form a barrier between the drug-loaded pellets and the polymer coating layer, which prevents migration of the drug during film application. Consequently, the level of polymer coating can be reduced significantly, and the effectiveness of the polymer coating increased. In this study, the release profile of pellets with a 10% hot-melt subcoating and 5% polymer coating weight gain met the dissolution requirement of USP29 for pseudoephedrine hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Compared with pellets only polymer coated (10% level), the polymer coating level of pellets prepared by this technology was reduced by half due to hot-melt subcoating. By means of this hot-melt subcoating and polymer coating, sustained-release pellets containing pseudoephedrine hydrochloride were successfully prepared.     

Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Pellets Prepared by a Combination of Hot-Melt Subcoating and Polymer Coating

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is an active very highly water soluble substance. In order to control release of a drug with this property, we developed the application of a combination of hot-melt subcoating and polymer coating was developed. The main objective was to investigate the influence of this combination on the release of highly water soluble drug and how it works. Hot-melt subcoating was achieved by using a coating pan. Subsequently, the outer polymer coating was prepared by fluidized bed, and the drug release was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) method. Hot-melt subcoating can form a barrier between the drug-loaded pellets and the polymer coating layer, which prevents migration of the drug during film application. Consequently, the level of polymer coating can be reduced significantly, and the effectiveness of the polymer coating increased. In this study, the release profile of pellets with a 10% hot-melt subcoating and 5% polymer coating weight gain met the dissolution requirement of USP29 for pseudoephedrine hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Compared with pellets only polymer coated (10% level), the polymer coating level of pellets prepared by this technology was reduced by half due to hot-melt subcoating. By means of this hot-melt subcoating and polymer coating, sustained-release pellets containing pseudoephedrine hydrochloride were successfully prepared.     

Degradation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) by anodic Fenton treatment

Degradation of MTBE, a common fuel oxygenate, was investigated using anodic Fenton treatment (AFT) and by comparison with classic Fenton treatment (CFT). The AFT system provided an ideal pH environment (2.5-3.5) for the Fenton reaction and utilized gradual delivery of ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide, which was more efficient than batch CFT to degrade MTBE and its breakdown products. The optimized ratio of ferrous iron to hydrogen peroxide for AFT was determined to be 1:5 (in mmol). Depending on the initial concentration, MTBE was completely degraded by the optimized AFT in 4-8 min. The breakdown products found during the treatment of MTBE were acetone, t-butyl formate, t-butanol, methyl acetate, acetic acid, and formic acid, which were all completely degraded by the optimized AFT in 32 min. Based on the experimental results and other work reported in the literature, degradation mechanisms of MTBE and its breakdown products in AFT and CFT were proposed. Generally, reactions are initiated by H-abstraction by *OH, generating carbon-centered radicals which undergo various reactions including alpha/beta-scission within the radical, combination with oxygen, oxidation by ferric ion, and reduction by ferrous ion before generating the final oxidation products. Radical combination with oxygen (and the reactions thereafter) and radical oxidation by ferric ion are believed to be the most important pathways in the overall fate of the generated radicals, while radical reduction by ferrous ion is the least important. By elucidating the reaction kinetics and mechanisms of MTBE degradation in the anodic Fenton system, this study offers a potential remediation technique for treating MTBE-contaminated wastewater.     

Mechanochemical synthesis of dispersed layer composites on the basis of talc and a series of biological active species

Interaction of mineral talc as an inert carrier with bioactive species (salicylic acid, glycerol, olive oil) in a mechanochemical process was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Reaction of the talc silicate hydroxyls with carboxyl or alcohol moieties was observed for all the species studied. Dispersed layered composites, built from the silicate (talc) matrix, to which a bioactive component is bound, are formed in this interaction on the time scale of 1–5 min. The formation of new materials viz. layered dispersed mechano-composites proceeds due to etherification or esterification of the active sites on the silicate surface with acids or alcohols.     

Photothermal Characteristics of Novel Flexible Black Silicon for Solar Thermal Receiver

In this article, a novel type of flexible black silicon used for enhancing the absorption of a solar thermal receiver is reported. The optical absorption properties of this kind of flexible black silicon with three different sizes of conical microstructure are analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and the heat transfer properties are studied using the COMSOL multiphysics heat transfer solver. The results show that flexible black silicon with small-size microstructure has the highest optical absorptance and heat transfer speed. A commercial silicon-on-insulator wafer is irradiated by an auto-scanning femtosecond laser system and then split by etching out its middle layer in 52?% hydrofluoric acid to fabricate the flexible black silicon. The obtained flexible black silicon presents very good flexibility, and its photothermal characteristics are investigated. The optical absorption spectrum test results indicate that the absorptance of the flexible black silicon is as high as 97?% in the visible spectral region and is higher than that of anodized aluminum in a broad spectral range from 250?nm to 2500?nm. The light radiation heating experiment results show that the energy absorption efficiency of the water covered with flexible black silicon is improved 13?% compared with that of the water covered with anodized aluminum. It is confirmed that as a light-absorbing and heat-transferring layer the flexible black silicon has an important potential application in exploring solar energy.     

Integrated Process for Purification of Low Grade Talc Ores

This study examines the development of an integrated process for separation and purification of low grade talc ores. This procedure involves leaching with HCl to dissolve gangue minerals and to purify a low purity talc ore containing up to 40% gangue minerals. Also, all cations from gangue minerals are recovered as hydroxides via selective precipitation. The effects of acid concentration, talc/acid solution ratio, time, and reaction temperature on talc purification were studied and the optimal conditions were determined. Laboratory-scale tests revealed that the resulting talc is free of gangue minerals, consisting of small particles with nanometric thicknesses. Reactants are fully consumed during dissolution and byproducts like ammonium chloride could be recirculated and reused. Resulting hydroxides can be used as a coagulation aid for water treatment.     

Comparative Studies with Kollicoat MAE 30 D and Kollicoat MAE 30 DP in Aqueous Spray Dispersions and Enteric Coatings on Highly Swellable Caffeine Cores

A film formulation containing Kollicoat MAE 30 D, Kollidon 30, Sicovit Rot 30, titanium dioxide, talc, and a plasticizer for the aqueous manufacture of enteric coatings was studied for the coagulations occurring with certain plasticizers and for differences in resistance on highly swellable caffeine cores. Also included in these investigations were the latices Kollicoat MAE 30 DP and Eudragit L 30 D-55. The coagulations occurring with all three film latices can be attributed to the presence of Kollidon 30 together with certain excipients. Preparations with Kollidon 30, but without color pigments, showed no tendency to coagulate. The advantage of propylene glycol (PG) compared to other plasticizers such as triethyl citrate (TEC) is that no coagulations occurred, even in the presence of Kollidon 30 and color pigments. Among the Kollidon 30–free film formulations examined, a plasticizer content of 10–15% PG or TEC gave the best results. Optimal pigment distribution in the coat originally produced by Kollidon 30 can optionally be achieved by prolonged stirring of the pigment suspension. The resistance can be further improved by inclusion of a subcoating with Kollidon VA 64. Kollicoat MAE 30 D and MAE 30 DP and Eudragit L 30 D-55 showed identical behavior in this study.     

Comparative studies with Kollicoat MAE 30 D and Kollicoat MAE 30 DP in aqueous spray dispersions and enteric coatings on highly swellable caffeine cores

A film formulation containing Kollicoat MAE 30 D, Kollidon 30, Sicovit Rot 30, titanium dioxide, talc, and a plasticizer for the aqueous manufacture of enteric coatings was studied for the coagulations occurring with certain plasticizers and for differences in resistance on highly swellable caffeine cores. Also included in these investigations were the latices Kollicoat MAE 30 DP and Eudragit L 30 D-55. The coagulations occurring with all three film latices can be attributed to the presence of Kollidon 30 together with certain excipients. Preparations with Kollidon 30, but without color pigments, showed no tendency to coagulate. The advantage of propylene glycol (PG) compared to other plasticizers such as triethyl citrate (TEC) is that no coagulations occurred, even in the presence of Kollidon 30 and color pigments. Among the Kollidon 30-free film formulations examined, a plasticizer content of 10-15% PG or TEC gave the best results. Optimal pigment distribution in the coat originally produced by Kollidon 30 can optionally be achieved by prolonged stirring of the pigment suspension. The resistance can be further improved by inclusion of a subcoating with Kollidon VA 64. Kollicoat MAE 30 D and MAE 30 DP and Eudragit L 30 D-55 showed identical behavior in this study.     

Effects of dissolved low molecular weight organic acids on oxidation of ferrous iron by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

A few researchers have reported on work concerning bioleaching of heavy-metal-contaminated soil using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, since this acidophile is sensitive to dissolved low molecular weight (LMW) organic acids. Iron oxidation by A. ferrooxidans R2 as well as growth on ferrous iron was inhibited by a variety of dissolved LMW organic acids. Growth experiments with ferrous iron as an oxidant showed that the inhibition capability sequence was formic acid>acetic acid>propionic acid>oxalic acid>malic acid>citric acid. The concentrations that R2 might tolerate were formic acid 0.1mmolL(-1) (2mmolkg(-1)soil), acetic and propionic acids 0.4mmolL(-1) (8mmolkg(-1)soil), oxalic acid 2.0mmolL(-1) (40mmolkg(-1)soil), malic acid 20mmolL(-1) (400mmolkg(-1)soil), citric acid 40mmolL(-1) (800mmolkg(-1)soil), respectively. Although R2 was sensitive to organic acids, the concentrations of LMW organic acids in the contaminated soils were rather lower than the tolerable levels. Hence, it is feasible that R2 might be used for bioleaching of soils contaminated with metals or metals coupled with organic compounds because of the higher concentrations of LMW organic acids to which R2 is tolerant.     

铝合金专用黑色耐磨涂料的研制

针对黑色阳极氧化膜层的修复研制了一种专用耐磨涂料，该涂料可直接喷涂在原阳极氧化膜层上，热固化成膜，膜层硬度高、耐磨性好，具有较优良的综合性能，解决了表面修复的难题，该涂料也可应用在其他金属材料的表面防护上。     

Non-reflective black cathode in organic light-emitting diode

A black conductive electrode with a resistivity of 6.75×10⁻⁴ Ω cm was fabricated by doping silicon monoxide into aluminum by simple thermal evaporation. The relative optical reflectance of such electrode layers within the visible spectral range was between 0.12 and 0.05. The black electrode was incorporated in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) by sequential deposition of α-napthylphenylbiphenyl diamine, tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum and the black layer on indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrates. The black layer reduced the reflection of ambient light entering the device and resulted in a significant increase of the OLED display contrast ratio. The electroluminescence properties of the device incorporating the black layer were investigated.     

A green route for the acylation of resorcinol with acetic acid

2',4'-Dihydroxyacetophenone, also known as resoacetophenone, is a commercially important intermediate which is generally prepared by the acylation of resorcinol with acetic acid in the presence of a molar excess of zinc chloride, which leads to waste disposal problems. The most frequently used acylating agents such as acetic anhydride and acetyl chloride have several disadvantages and need to be replaced by cheap and benign agents. In this connection, acetic acid is a better choice but with a non-polluting and reusable catalyst. The synthesis of 2',4'-dihydroxyacetophenone from resorcinol and acetic acid was carried out in the presence of a variety of solid acid catalysts such as montmorillonite clay (K-10), dodecatungstophosphoric acid (DTP) supported on K-10, sulfated zirconia and ion exchange resins. Amongst these catalysts, Amberlyst-36, an ion exchange resin, was found to be the most effective. The effects of various parameters on the rate of reaction and selectivity were investigated to establish the intrinsic kinetics of the reaction. It was possible to deduce the adsorption equilibrium constant and rate constant simultaneously for the reaction including the corresponding energies of activation. The catalyst is reusable. The process is in consonance with the principles of green chemistry. Electronic Publication     

Analysis of dark spots growing in organic EL devices by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Chemical structural analysis of tape-stripped surfaces at dark spots growing in organic electroluminescent (EL) devices during exposure to the atmosphere was done by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (OF-SIMS). The EL devices consist of indium-tin-oxide, triphenylamine-tetramer, tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), and a Mg-Ag cathode deposited in order under vacuum on a glass substrate. It was found that the interface between the Alq3 layer and the Mg-Ag cathode was exposed as a result of tape-stripping, where a large number of dark spots were observed on both sides. Secondary ion images of O-, Mg+, and Alq2+ were observed from the dark spots on the cathode side. On the other hand, Mg+ and O- images with a nucleus in the center were observed from the Alq3 side. It is concluded from the results that the constituent element Mg of the cathode was oxidized at the interface adjacent to the Alq3 layer during exposure to the atmosphere, forming a dark spot with a nucleus in the center. Finally, it was confirmed that the TOF-SIMS analysis of the tape-stripped surface is useful for the analysis of the mechanism of dark spot formation.     

Variation of composition of an enteric formulation based on Kollicoat MAE 30 D

Using a formulation described previously with Kollicoat MAE 30 D as the film-forming agent, the effect of variations in plasticizer type and quantity and talc concentration on the preparation and processing of spray-coating suspensions and the properties of isolated films and film-coated caffeine tablets prepared using them was investigated. In the preparation and processing of spray-coating suspensions, the plasticizers polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, PEG1500, and TEC (triethyl citrate) tended to coagulate at all concentrations investigated, while Cremophor RH 40 coagulated above 10% (expressed as a percentage of the mass of the film-forming agent used). Analogous preparations using propylene glycol (PG), PEG6000, and Lutrol F 68, on the other hand, were found to be stable at all concentrations. The instability was not caused by the Kollicoat MAE 30 D polymer dispersion as such, but by interactions between the finely dispersed pigments and other formulation ingredients. Equivalent nonpigmented preparations are stable and do not coagulate. With all the plasticizers investigated, the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) fell, albeit to differing degrees, as the amount of plasticizer increased. Similarly, the tensile strength of isolated films declined as plasticizer concentration increased, while the reverse was true as regards their elongation at break. Whereas neither the subsequent disintegration time nor the rate of release of active ingredient at pH 6.8 was significantly affected by the various plasticizer additives, the different film-coated tablet formulations with a core containing a powerful disintegrant exhibited varying degrees of permeability to simulated gastric fluid. With PEG6000, permeability increased as the plasticizer concentration increased, while Lutrol F 68 provided an optimum barrier at 20%, and PG provided a good barrier between 10% and 30%. No gastroresistance was obtained with TEC at 10%. Only the best plasticizer formulations were used in the trials with different talc concentrations, namely, those formulations with 20% PEG6000, 20% Lutrol F 68, 20% PG, and 10% PG. When talc was added, the MFT rose, reaching its maximum at 13% talc (as a proportion of the film-forming agent). In the test for gastroresistance, film-coated caffeine tablets without talc absorbed distinctly more acid than those containing talc. Above 27% talc, the acid resistance improved only insignificantly. On the other hand, during this test, only a maximum of 3% of the active ingredient was released into the gastric juice. Of the variants investigated, the formulation with 20% PG and 27% talc performed best.     

用石墨原子化法测定铝阳极氧化电解着色膜中的铜、镍、锡

了解着色膜中铜、镍、锡的沉积情况,是研究铝阳极氧化电解着色机理的前提.采用硝酸与醋酸褪除着色膜,并将标准曲线法运用于石墨原子吸收分光光度的测定中,从而测定褪除液中的铜、镍、锡含量.所测曲线的线性相关系数分别为 0.999 5,0.999 2和0.995 1;测定试液的加标回收率范围为 93.0%～103.4%;测试结果的相对标准偏差范围为 0.44%～3.70%.试验表明,用硝酸与醋酸褪膜,不仅能有效地去除着色膜,而且还有利于石墨原子化,此法所测结果对铝阳极氧化电解着色的研究具有一定的参考价值.     

Eggshell, a new bio-filler for polypropylene composites

Chicken eggshell (ES) is an industrial byproduct containing 95% calcium carbonate, and its disposal constitutes a serious environmental hazard. Different proportions of chicken eggshell as bio-filler for polypropylene (PP) composite were compared with different particle sizes and proportions of commercial talc and calcium carbonate fillers by tensile test. The Young's modulus (E) was improved with the increment of ES content, and this bio-filler was better than all types of carbonate fillers with different particle sizes used in this study. Although ES composites showed lower E values than talc composites, talc filler could be replaced by up to 75% with ES while maintaining a similar stiffness and E compared to the talc composites. Scanning electron microscopy showed an improved interfacial bonding on the tensile fractured surface. The improvement in the mechanical properties was attributed to a better ES/matrix interface related to the geometric ratio of the ES particles similar to talc particles.     

原板夹杂物诱发镀锡板点腐蚀缺陷分析

原板高强减薄和锡量降低是镀锡板发展的重要趋势,直接对原板夹杂物和镀锡板表面缺陷控制提出了更为严格的技术要求。通过对夹杂物含量异常的钢坯进行全流程加工得到的1.1/1.1 g/m2规格镀锡成品卷的研究,发现经过10 d在库测试,镀锡板表面产生点腐蚀缺陷。利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜和电子能谱等方法就镀锡板点腐蚀缺陷进行了深入分析,结果发现黄褐色腐蚀产物元素成分为O、Fe,源于基体腐蚀,并伴有原板夹杂物存在。通过金相切片确认典型点腐蚀缺陷样品夹杂物尺寸为96.82μm×50.00μm×8.86μm,属于原板表面嵌入型夹杂,其成分特征为主要含Al、O元素。夹杂物的存在改变了局部区域的原板轧制纹理和镀层形貌,产生近似椭圆白点缺陷,锡层沉积量由缺陷中心外延逐步增加,整体在11.02%～28.08%范围内波动。根据夹杂物伴随点腐蚀缺陷特征,其诱发镀锡板腐蚀行为与夹杂物形成的原板晶体结构缺陷、锡层差异沉积与夹杂物导电性和硬度直接相关。通过研究,清晰地描述了原板表面夹杂物对后续镀锡板成品的表面质量影响关系,为更好控制原板夹杂物提升镀锡板产品表面质量提供了实际数据支撑。     

The Effect of Lubricants on the Properties of Chloroquine Phosphate Tablets

Abstract

The properties of tablets prepared from different size fractions of chloroquine phosphate granules using different lubricants were evaluated. Lubricants used were magnesium stearate, stearic acid and talc, tablet properties studied include weight variation, crushing strength, friability and disintegration time

The effects obtained were largely dependent on the type and concentration of lubricant. Generally, as granule size increased, tablets were found to show increased weight variation, decreased hardness and increased friability. With tablets containing talc as lubricant, disintegration time was shown to decrease with increase in granule size.

There appears to be an optimum lubricant concentration for the compression of different granule size fractions.     

Electroless copper deposition on aluminum-seeded ABS plastics

We report a method of converting non-conductive plastic surfaces into conductive by coating either aluminum or aluminum-carbon black containing enamel pastes onto acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastics to create aluminum-seeded surfaces for a subsequent copper deposition. Through a simple electroless procedure, copper ions were reduced on the Al seeds and deposited on the ABS surface to develop a conductive layer in about 10-min deposition time. We demonstrate that addition of carbon black particles to the pastes shorten the time to reach the maximum conductivity and enhance the adhesion of electrolessly deposited copper layer to the ABS substrate surface. The electroless copper deposition process developed in this study may open up a new route of plating on plastics (POP) for printed circuit boards, electromagnetic interference shielding, and many other applications.