Photo-Fenton removal of water-soluble polymers

This paper presents the results of experiments carried out in a laboratory-scale photochemical reactor on the photodegradation of different polymers in aqueous solutions by the photo-Fenton process. Solutions of three polymers, polyethyleneglicol (PEG), polyacrylamide (PAM), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were tested under different conditions. The reaction progress was evaluated by sampling and analyzing the total organic carbon concentration in solution (TOC) along the reaction time. The behavior of the different polymers is discussed, based on the evolution of the TOC–time curves. Under specific reaction conditions, the formation and coalescence of solid particles was visually observed. Solids formation occurred simultaneously to a sharp decrease in the TOC of the liquid phase. This may be favorable for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing polymers, since the photodegradation process can be coupled with solid separation systems, which may reduce the treatment cost.     

Characteristics of polyvinylpyrrolidone-layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by attrition ball milling

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/sodium montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites prepared via the solution intercalation method were investigated by UV/vis, SEM, X-ray diffraction, TEM, FT-IR and PLM (polarized light microscopy). PVP/MMT nanocomposites show exfoliation below 20 wt% MMT and intercalation above this concentration. Nanocomposites retain good optical clarity and increased thermal resistance with MMT content. The compatibility between PVP and MMT and their enhanced properties may be explained by hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, the nanocomposites prepared under more rigorous mixing conditions show better transparency because the smaller particle sizes are induced. In addition, the study on optically clear PVP/MMT suspensions helps one to understand how optical anisotropy of MMT is affected by the existence of polymer in aqueous solution.     

Enhancement of the Dissolution and Permeation Rates of Meloxicam by Formation of Its Freeze-dried Solid Dispersions in Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30

ABSTRACT

Freeze-drying (FD) and solvent evaporation (SE) were used to prepare solid dispersions (SDs) of meloxicam (MX) in polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP). The SDs were prepared at different ratios, namely 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5 MX:PVP weight ratio. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR), and x-ray powder diffractometry (XPD) were utilized to characterize the physicochemical properties of the SDs. Meloxicam (MX) in the solid dispersions appeared with less crystallinity form and was present in a complete amorphous form at higher PVP ratio. Dissolution rates of MX as a pure drug, physical mixtures (PMs), and SDs indicated a marked increase of the dissolution rate of MX in presence of PVP. The increase in the dissolution rate was dependent on the ratio of PVP and the method of preparation. In addition, the permeability of the drug through standard cellophane membrane and hairless mouse skin was also evaluated. The permeation rate of MX was significantly increased in the case of SDs and was dependent on the ratio of PVP. The results were primarily due to increase wettability, the solubilization of the drug by the carrier, and formation of MX amorphous form.     

Effect of using different precursors on electrospinning of CaCu3Ti4O12

In this study, the rheological behavior of electrospinning solutions containing different copper and calcium salts (Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, CuCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and CaCl₂) were investigated. To find out the suitable electrospinning solution for producing the high purity CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ nanofibers, solutions containing different copper and calcium salts were prepared and CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ fibers with different morphological and size were produced. The results showed that the nature of the metals complexes in the ceramic solutions had an obvious effect on the rheological behavior of the electrospinning solutions. FTIR spectras of the electrospinning solutions demonstrated that the interaction between the metal ions and carbonyl groups in the polyvinylpyrrolidone unit occurred and the polyvinylpyrrolidone chains underwent conformational variations. Intensity of the interaction between the metal ions and polymer chains in chloride salts solutions is more than nitrate salts solutions in order to the viscosities of chloride solutions that are more than nitrate solutions. So, thinner high purity polycrystalline CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ nanofibers with diameters ranging <200 nm were successfully synthesized by selecting a novel solution containing copper and calcium nitrates after sintering at 900 °C for 4 h.     

Polyethersulfone (PES)–silver composite UF membrane: Effect of silver loading and PVP molecular weight on membrane morphology and antibacterial activity

Polyethersulfone–silver composite membranes were fabricated via a simple phase inversion method by using silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as an antibacterial agent and polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) of molecular weight 10,000, 40,000 and 360,000 Da as dispersant in the dope formulation. The effect of AgNO₃ loading on the resulting membrane was studied using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The silver loss during fabrication and pure water filtration was measured using inductive-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). From XPS and EDX examinations, it was observed that the resulting membrane prepared from 2 wt.% AgNO₃ and PVP of 360,000 Da exhibited high concentration of Ag mainly due to the high Ag-particle entrapment in the membrane structure. The uniform distribution of Ag particles has contributed significantly to 100% inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth within 24 h incubation. In addition, the results of pure water filtration test showed minimum silver loss during operation, indicating better stability of membrane produced in terms of Ag-entrapment in membrane structure. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that PES–silver composite membrane with PVP of 360,000 MW offers huge potential membrane for bacteria removal and disinfection.     

Solid dispersions of diflunisal-PVP: polymorphic and amorphous states of the drug

Coprecipitates of diflunisal and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K15, K30, and K90) and physical mixtures were studied using x-ray diffraction analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and hot-stage microscopy. X-ray diffraction results revealed an almost amorphous state, even in coprecipitates with a high content of drug, next to 70%, which was independent of the polymer molecular weight. The IR spectra of 70:30 drug-PVP solid dispersions suggest the formation of diflunisal-PVP hydrogen bonds. For 70:30 drug-polymer ratio, the physical mixture showed linear dissolution kinetics of free crystals, but the corresponding coprecipitates exhibit two different dissolution processes. When the 25:75 drug-polymer dispersion is analyzed by hot-stage microscopy, only solid plates of PVP are observed; the absence of drug particles may be due to a molecular dispersion of the drug into the polymer. Moreover, polymorphic changes of diflunisal were detected in the solid dispersions in comparison with the corresponding physical mixtures, which are always formed by polymorph II. At high concentrations of drug (75:25 and 80:20), x-ray diffraction patterns of solid dispersions showed the partial recrystallization of the drug, displaying the main diffraction peaks of polymorph I when ethanol was used as coprecipitation solvent, whereas diflunisal form IV was obtained in chloroform.     

Increasing the aqueous solubility of acetaminophen in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone and investigation of the mechanisms involved

It was shown that the aqueous solubility of acetaminophen in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) increased. The solubility at 25°C increased from 14.3 mg mL^-1 in the absence of PVP, to 19.7 mg mL^-1 in the presence of 4% w/v PVP, and to 26.7 mg mL^-1 in the presence of 8% w/v PVP. Dialysis studies indicated that there is a potential of binding between PVP and acetaminophen in their aqueous solutions. Dialysis studies also revealed that the nature of interaction between PVP and acetaminophen is physical and reversible, and there was no strong binding between PVP and acetaminophen in their solutions. Infrared spectroscopy of acetaminophen/PVP solid dispersion indicated that the mechanism of interaction between PVP and acetaminophen is via hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the increase in solubility of acetaminophen in the presence of PVP is probably attributed to its ability to form a water-soluble complex with PVP.     

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of uniformly cubic Co3O4 nanocrystals

Cubic Co₃O₄ nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal reaction in the presence of the oxidant KClO₃ and the capping reagent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The as-prepared Co₃O₄ NCs were uniformly cubic with sharp edges and good crystallinity and showed flat surfaces with {100} facets. The capped PVP could be removed without losing cubic shape by heating the NCs at 300 °C.     

不同分子量聚乙烯吡咯烷酮对四氢呋喃水合物形成及生长的影响

聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(以下简称PVP)作为一种抑制能力较强、应用较成熟的水合物动力学抑制剂(以下简称KHIs),一直是国内外学者关注和研究的焦点,但对于不同分子量PVP对水合物形成的影响情况还存在着争议。为此,在常压、变温条件下进行了四氢呋喃(以下简称THF)水合物形成模拟实验,研究了相同加量条件下、不同分子量的PVP对THF水合物形成及生长的影响,并从宏观现象、介观结构和微观机制3个层面对影响机理进行了分析和探讨。结果表明:(1)对于THF水合物的形成,PVP的抑制能力随分子量的增大逐渐增强;(2)对于THF水合物的生长,PVP分子量介于8 000~58 000时,抑制效果较接近且相对较弱,但抑制作用稳定,PVP分子量介于270 000~1 500 000时,在THF水合物生长初始阶段PVP的抑制效果较好,但整个实验过程THF水合物形成的平均速率相对较快,且PVP分子量越大这一现象越明显;(3)PVP的存在增强了THF水合物聚集体的聚集强度。结论认为,该研究成果对于KHIs的研发和实际应用均具有较重要的参考价值。     

Synthesis of three-dimensional graphene architectures by using an environmental-friendly surfactant as a reducing agent

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) modified reduced graphene aerogel (PVP-GA) was prepared through hydrothermal reduction and chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of PVP. The structure of PVP-GA was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET specific surface area. The results showed that GO was reduced effectively in the presence of PVP and the PVP molecules were absorbed onto the basal plane of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through non-covalent interactions. The preparation process was carried out in aqueous media at 120 °C for 10 h without using any toxic reducing agent, thereby making it a facile, environmental-friendly and economical approach for the synthesis of a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected graphene macrostructure. The as-prepared monolithic 3D graphene exhibits a loose and high porous structure, which may find potential applications for adsorbent, shock absorber, catalyst carrier and hydrogen storage materials. In addition, it confirmed that simultaneous hydrothermal reduction and chemical reduction routes would be of value for preparing 3D nonporous graphene-based materials via the use of cheap and environmentally-friendly PVP as a reducing agent.