Evaluation of the material and tablet formation properties of modified forms of Dioscorea starches

Starches obtained from four different Dioscorea species—namely, White yam (Dioscorea rotundata), Bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorum), Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia), and Water yam (Dioscorea alata)—were modified by cross-linking, hydroxypropylation, and dual modification—cross-linking followed by hydroxypropylation. The physicochemical, material, and tablet properties of the modified starches were investigated with the aim of understanding their properties to determine their potential use for different applications. The tablet formation properties were assessed using 3D modeling, the Heckel equation, and force-displacement profiles. The analyzed tablet properties were elastic recovery, compactibility, and disintegration. The result indicates that the modifications generally increased the swelling power for all the starches in the rank order hydroxypropyl > hydroxypropylated cross-linked > cross-linked (CL) while the solubility did not show a clear-cut pattern. This indicates that hydroxypropylation generally showed the strongest effects on swelling. Furthermore, hydroxypropylation improved the hot water swelling of the CL starches. The modifications did not cause any detectable morphological change in the starch granules shape or size although slight rupture was observed in some granules. CL starch had the lowest water sorption capacity and hydroxypropylation increased the sorption capacity of the CL starches. The material property results indicate that hydroxypropylation and cross-linking did not significantly improve the flowability and compressibility but improved bonding, which resulted in an increased compaction and higher tablet crushing force even though they all disintegrated rapidly. Thus, the modified Dioscorea starches showed potentials for development as new excipients in solid dosage form design, and they could be useful as disintegrants or for Soft tableting.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of orientated thermoplastic starches

Effect of orientation on microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastic starches with different amylose/amylopectin ratios was studied to understand the relationship between structure and properties in starch-based materials. Hydrogen bonds and the highly branched microstructure in amylopectin resist the orientation of the polymer chains. The unique microstructures of amylopectin form gel-balls and super-globes after gelatinization. A gel-ball contains mainly the chains from same sub-main chain in amylopectin, and remains in regular pattern and keeps a certain memory. The gel-balls and super-globes can be deformed under shear stress. However, the deformation does not alter the orientation ofthe polymer chains inside the gel-balls significantly. Orientation increases both modulus and yield stress but decreases the elongation, which is mainly contributed to by the orientation of amorphous phase. The oriented super-globe has large interior stress after retrogradation (crystallization) that results in micro-cracks and poor mechanical properties.     

Influence of cationic flocculant properties on the flocculation of yeast suspensions

In this study four different cationic polyelectrolytes of different molecular weight and charge densities were used to flocculate yeast suspensions to determine the effect of flocculant dose, molecular weight and charge density on the resulting floc size, morphology and charge. The zeta potential of the negatively charged yeast flocs was observed to increase with flocculant dose. As the flocculant dose was increased the charge of the floc was observed to reverse; the actual dose at which charge reversal occurs being dependent on the flocculant charge density and molecular weight. Floc size and morphology, measured with a video camera, showed that higher molecular weight flocculants produced larger flocs for the same dose. The results obtained here suggest that that flocculants may be screened by determining the charge, size and morphology of the resulting floc particles which is less time-consuming.     

Specific ion effects on the properties of cationic Gemini surfactant monolayers

The effects of some anions of the Hofmeister series and different divalent cations of alkaline earth metals on the properties of Langmuir monolayers of the cationic Gemini surfactant ethyl-bis (dimethyl octadecylammonium bromide) have been investigated. Surface pressure and potential isotherms at the air-water interface were obtained on aqueous subphases containing sodium salts with several anions of the Hofmeister series (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, ClO₄⁻, and SCN⁻). The influence of the investigated anions on the monolayer properties can be ordered according to the Hofmeister series with a change in the order between bromide and nitrate anions. On the other hand, for a given anion, the cation of the salt also influences the surface properties of the Langmuir films. The monolayers can be transferred onto mica by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and then the Langmuir-Blodgett films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM images show that the molecules become more closely packed and nearly vertical to the surface when anions screen the electric charge of the surfactant molecules.     

Evaluation of giga-cycle fatigue properties of some maraging steels by intermittent ultrasonic fatigue testing

ABSTRACT In evaluating the giga-cycle fatigue strength of some high strength steels, information on the size distribution of nonmetallic inclusions contained in the material is indispensable. To save time and effort of obtaining such data concerning the inclusions, a convenient dissolution method to evaluate the maximum inclusion size is proposed, in place of a conventional method of measuring the inclusion sizes on many cross-sectional areas. Meanwhile, to save time-consuming work of obtaining giga-cycle fatigue properties of some metallic materials, an intermittent ultrasonic fatigue testing method has also been developed. In the present paper, these two newly developed methods were successfully combined to assess the long life fatigue properties of maraging steels as a function of inclusion size.     

Effects of film forming and hydrophobic properties of starches on surface sized packaging paper

The effect on mechanical and barrier properties upon addition of glycerol to temperature‐responsive hydrophobically modified (HM) potato starch was studied on free films. The addition of glycerol lowered the glass transition temperature, the storage modulus, and the water vapor permeability (WVP) for the HM starch films. The HM starch phase separates upon cooling below an upper critical temperature into a solid and a liquid phase. Adding glycerol to the warm starch solution had an inhibiting effect on the particulate precipitation. Substrates surface sized with HM starch with various amounts of glycerol were investigated with respect to barrier properties; WVP, contact angle and Cobb values. Hydroxypropylated starch was used as a reference. Cobb values and WVP results on surface‐sized substrates indicated that the film formation properties of the starches were of great importance for the final surface properties. Good film formation properties were essential for the gas barrier and water resistance while they were less important for high contact angles. The WVP decreased as the glycerol content of the sizes increased, but no sufficient water vapor barrier could be obtained. The HM starches investigated in this work provided good oxygen barrier and the contact angles indicated a hydrophobic character of the surface. The role of the precipitate was investigated, and surface sizing with the precipitate gave low WVP and high contact angles despite its poor film‐forming properties under the experimental conditions. Cobb60 values were slightly improved for HM starch with increasing glycerol content over glycerol‐free sizing. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of crosslinker on the swelling and adsorption properties of cationic superabsorbent

In the present study, superabsorbents (SAPs) of cationic monomer [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride have been prepared by free radical solution polymerization with different crosslinkers. They were subjected to repeated cycles of swelling and de-swelling in deionized water and NaCl solution. The conductivity of the swelling medium was measured and related to the swelling/de-swelling characteristics of the SAPs. The swelling capacity was also determined in saline solution. The swelling and de-swelling processes were described by first-order kinetics. The SAPs exhibited varied swelling capacity for crosslinkers of the same functionality as well as different functionality. The SAPs were used to adsorb the dye Orange G at different initial concentrations of the dye. The equilibrium adsorption data followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The SAPs were also used to adsorb three other dyes, namely, Congo red, Amido black and Alizarin cyanine green. They exhibited different adsorption capacities for different dyes. The adsorption phenomenon was found to follow first-order kinetics.     

阳离子全氟烷基水性聚氨酯涂膜表面性能的研究

以异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯(IPDI)、聚四氢呋喃二醇(PTMG1000)、N-甲基二乙醇胺(MDEA)、1,4-丁二醇(BD0)、三羟甲基丙烷(TMP)等为主要原料,采用全氟乙基辛醇(FEOH)封端改性,制备了含全氟烷基侧链的阳离子含氟水性聚氨酯.通过红外光谱(IR)对聚合物结构进行了表征,测量了涂膜与水和乙二醇的接触角,...     

Geotechnical properties of some organoclays

The engineering characteristics of clay are dependant on its mineral and chemical structure. When the clay soils interacted with water, their volume and shear strength and compressibility properties change gradually. Large amount of decrease in terms of the shear strength of clay soils due to swelling is observed. In order to solve these problems, the stabilization of clay soils using chemical additives is a prevalent subject of research. In view of this, previous research studies have employed surface active surfactants to modify the fundamental properties of soft clays. In this study, surfactant–clay complexes (organoclays) were developed using a raw clay modification with four surfactants and their geotechnical properties were determined in laboratory conditions. Two of the surfactants are cationic (cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, denoted as CTAC and quaternised ethoxylated fatty amine, denoted as QEFA) and the others are anionic (linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid, denoted as LABSA and sodium lauryl ether sulfate, denoted as SLES). The experimental results indicated that the geotechnical properties of organoclays show significant change when compared to those of natural clay. The specific gravities, unconfined compression strengths and maximum dry densities of all organoclays were decreased. Optimum moisture content and swelling pressure values were decreased in cationic surfactant modified clays. However, the optimum moisture content and swelling pressure values of anionic surfactant clays are increased. A direct shear test was performed to determine the shear strength of organoclays. The test results also showed that the internal friction angles of organoclays were increased. Additionally, the change in the hydraulic conductivity was found to be insignificant.     

Preparation and flocculation properties of cationic starch/chitosan crosslinking-copolymer

A novel flocculant (CATCS) based on corn starch and chitosan was prepared and its flocculation behaviors were studied. The synthesis conditions of CATCS were discussed and the production obtained was characterized using Fourier infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy. Flocculation properties of the products were evaluated in terms of transmittance, removal of organic contaminant and solid suspending substances. Influences of temperature, pH and flocculant dosage on flocculation efficiency of CATCS were examined. CATCS had better flocculation performance at lower temperature for the wastewater investigated. CATCS showed better flocculation performance than cationic starch and chitosan in 5 g/L kaolin suspension trended to performance well in acidic and alkaline solution. The comparison of the flocculation performance between CATCS, Fe₂ (SO₄)₃ and polyacrylamide showed CATCS had much efficient flocculation performance. In addition, cationic starch was prepared from corn starch using microwave-assisted method.     

Effects of pigeon pea and plantain starches on the compressional, mechanical, and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets

A study has been made of the effects of pigeon pea starch obtained from the plant Cajanus cajan (L) Millisp. (family Fabaceae) and plantain starch obtained from the unripe fruit of Musa paradisiaca L. (family Musaceae) on the compressional, mechanical, and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets in comparison with official corn starch BP. Analysis of compressional properties was done by using density measurements, and the Heckel and Kawakita equations, whereas the mechanical properties of the tablets were evaluated by using tensile strength (T--a measure of bond strength) and brittle fracture index (BFI--a measure of lamination tendency). The ranking for the mean yield pressure, P(y), for the formulations containing the different starches was generally corn < pigeon pea < plantain starch while the ranking for P(k), an inverse measure of the amount of plasticity, was pigeon pea < plantain < corn starch, which indicated that formulations containing corn starch generally exhibited the fastest onset of plastic deformation, whereas those formulations containing pigeon pea starch exhibited the highest amount of plastic deformation during tableting. The tensile strength of the tablets increased with increase in concentration of the starches while the Brittle Fracture Index decreased. The ranking for T was pigeon pea > plantain > corn starch while the ranking for BFI was corn > plantain > pigeon pea starch. The bonding capacity of the formulations was in general agreement with the tensile strength results. The disintegration time (DT) of the formulation increased with concentration of plantain and corn starches but decreased with concentration of pigeon pea starch. The general ranking of DT values was plantain < pigeon pea < corn starch. Notably, formulations containing pigeon pea starch exhibited the highest bond strength and lowest brittleness, suggesting the usefulness of pigeon pea starch in producing strong tablets with minimal lamination tendency. Plantain starch, on the other hand, would be more useful where faster disintegration of tablet is desired. The results show that the starches could be useful in various formulations depending on the intended use of the tablets with the implication that the experimental starches can be developed for commercial purposes.     

含氟单体对阳离子氟碳无皂乳液性能的影响

采用有机助溶剂法,以甲基丙烯酸六氟丁酯(FA)、甲基丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵(DMC)、苯乙烯(St)、丙烯酸丁酯(BA)为反应单体,在N-甲基吡咯烷酮(NMP)作用下制备出阳离子氟碳丙烯酸酯共聚物无皂乳液(CFE)。通过凝聚率、沉淀量、动态激光光散射(DLS)、透射电镜(TEM)、接触角和吸水率等手段对CFE的稳定性、乳胶粒尺寸及形态、乳胶膜表面性能进行了表征。结果表明含氟单体用量增加,凝聚率明显提高,沉淀量略有下降;乳胶粒尺寸显著增加,粒径分布由单分散向多分散过渡;乳胶膜的表面性能大幅度提高,当m(FA)为20.14%时,吸水率和乳胶膜表面自由能可低至3.26%和21.11mJ/m2。     

Description of the thermomechanical properties of some structural materials

Belorussian Institute of Railroad Transport Engineers, Gomel. Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 4, pp. 11–14, April, 1988.     

Dielectric properties of some berate glasses

The dielectric constant, epsilon', and the dielectric loss, epsilon ", for some selected lead berate glasses within the frequency band 10(5) to 10(7) Hz and the temperature range (20 similar to 50)degreesC were measured. The dielectric dispersion and the dielectric loss absorption bands were observed. the relaxation time, the activation enthalpy and entropy change of the dielectric relaxation were calculated. The results obtained were discussed and correlated to the internal network structure of the glasses studied.     

Structural properties of some ferrierite-type zeolites

The zeolite ferrierite was synthesized from a sodium and tetramethylammonium (TMA) containing gel. Powder X-ray diffraction data show the basic framework for natural and synthetic ferrierite to be similar. X-ray diagrams of natural ferrierite are frequently burdened by effects from preferred orientation of the crystallites. The (110) reflection is generally of much less intensity than expected from pattern simulation based on published crystal structure data. The temperature-induced changes in the unit-cell dimensions of synthetic férrierite (with TMA as template, in the calcined form, and in the H-form) are presented, and the contraction of the unit cell correlates with weight losses as determined thermogravimetrically. The thermally induced changes in the framework of H-ferrierite are discussed.     

Optical properties of some laser crystals

 In the following work the results of temperature dependence refractive indices measurements, thermooptical coefficients and dispersion in a wide range of temperature are presented. For measurements of refractive indices the least deviation method was employed. The measurements were carried out in the temperature region of 20–800° C for BBO crystals and 20–600° C for LBO crystals. It is revealed that the character of the refractive indices change in these crystals is different although the refractive indices of both crystals decrease while temperature increases. Whereas the temperature dependence of refractive indices in Ba B₂O₄ is practically linear, the same temperature dependence in LiB₃O₅ has more complicated character. It contains some particular features of refractive indices dispersion and thermooptical coefficients. Received: 11 January 1999/Reviewed and accepted: 15 January 1999     

Mechanical properties of some plant materials

A study of mechanical properties of some plant materials, particularly vegetable flesh and cultural plant stalks is reported. It is shown that the tensile (compressive) strength, _m, of these and other plant materials is controlled by a relatively close exponential regression relation _m=0.2E ^0.75, where E is Young's modulus (r=0.975). More significant deviations from this relation are explained by the participation of buckling strength in the deformation by compression of the materials consisting of large thin-walled cells filled with air. A marked dependence of Young's modulus and strength of plant tissues on the crude fibre content is also demonstrated.