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Potential Measurements (potential + measurement)
Kinds of Potential Measurements Selected AbstractsZeta Potential Measurement in Catalyst PreparationsCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 2 2005J. B. Stelzer Abstract Oxide surfaces are covered with hydroxyl groups. In contact with water, positive or negative surface charges can be developed. The surface charge of oxide particles can be fine-tuned by changing the calcination temperature of the oxides before dispersion in water or by variation of the suspension pH. Strong negative or positive surface charges stabilize a suspension and avoid particle aggregation. Nano-structured catalysts suspended in water show surface charges different from those of compact TiO2. For spray drying, the cationic or anionic additives used have to be strongly attached via electrostatic forces to the surface of the suspended oxide particles. When noble metal complexes have to be brought to the support surface, the positively or negatively charged complexes must have an opposite charge relative to the surface charge. Zeta potential measurements can solve these problems. [source] Surface characterization of flax, hemp and cellulose fibers; Surface properties and the water uptake behaviorPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2002Alexander Bismarck The surface characteristics of several natural fibers,flax, hemp and cellulose,were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, BET-surface area and zeta (,-) potential measurements. ,-Potential measurements using the streaming potential method were performed in order to study the water uptake behavior as well as the surface properties of several natural fibers. The influence of different flax-fiber separation methods and several modifications, like industrial purification, and such a treatment followed by alkaline purification as well as polypropylene grafting on the fiber surface morphology, surface area and time- and pH-depending ,-potentials were studied. The time-dependence of the ,-potential, measured in 1 mM KCl solution, offeres and alternative possibility to estimate the water uptake behavior for nearly all investigated natural fibers. The water uptake data derived from the ,-potential measurements (, = f(t)) were compared with data from conventional water adsorption studies for some chosen examples. [source] Conditioning polymers in today's shampoo formulations , efficacy, mechanism and test methodsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2000Hössel Synopsis Today's shampoo formulations are beyond the stage of pure cleansing of the hair. Additional benefits are expected, e.g. conditioning, smoothing of the hair surface, improvement of combability and lather creaminess. Cationic polymers play an important role in providing many of those features. Therefore, within the last few years their use in shampoos has increased greatly. In the only last two decades, shampoo designation has gradually changed from ,2-in-1' to ,3-in-1' and then to ,multifunctional', as at present. The consumer demands products which live up to their promises. Modern shampoos contain a wide variety of ingredients such as co-surfactants, vitamins and pro-vitamins, protein derivatives, silicones, natural-based plant extracts and other ,active ingredients', but there is still a need for conditioning polymers. The specific objective of this study is to assess the conditioning efficacy of cationic polymers and to investigate their mechanisms in a shampoo system. The investigations were carried out on formulations that contained sodium lauryl ether sulphate and different cationic polymers, e.g. Polyquaternium 7, 10, 11, cationic guar gum and Luviquat Care (Polyquaternium 44), a new branched copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and quaternized vinylimidazolium salts (QVI). We used test methods relevant to the applications in question, such as combing force measurements, the feel of the hair and the creaminess of the lather, to assess the efficacy. Atomic force microscopy and electrokinetics (streaming potential) were used to detect polymer residues on treated hair. All the polymers under investigation improved the overall performance of the shampoo formulations. This was demonstrated by means of combing force measurements, sensorial tests and analytical methods, namely zeta potential measurement and atomic force microscopy. Polyquaternium 44 exhibited the best conditioning properties on wet hair without sacrificing removability or absence of build-up. The latter are the most striking weaknesses of cationic Guar Gum-based polymers. Polyquaternium 10 can also be removed from the hair after rinsing with anionic surfactant but it does not perform as well as Polyquaternium 44 in the fields of wet combability and sensorial criteria such as lather creaminess and feel of the hair. We postulate that the outstanding properties of Polyquaternium 44 as a conditioning agent for shampoos are due to its tailor-made ,branched' structure. There is a clear correlation between the molecular weight and the efficacy of the new copolymers of VP and QVI. Only cationic polymers with a very high molecular weight are effective as conditioners in shampoos based on anionic surfactants. Surprisingly, they do not have to have a high cationic charge. On the basis of all our results, our postulation is that the polymer residue which is responsible for conditioning does not form a flat layer on the hair. Rather, the polymer residue adsorbs with the few cationic moieties, while the uncharged part of the polymer forms loops, which are orientated away from the hair and which are responsible for the reduced friction between hairs. Résumé Les formulations actuelles de shampoing font plus qu'un simple nettoyage des cheveux. On en attend un intérêt supplémentaire, par exemple après-shampoing, lissage de la surface du cheveu, amélioration de la coiffabilité et aspect crémeux du savon. Les polymères cationiques jouent un rôle important dans l'apport de nombre de ces caractéristiques. Par conséquent, ces quelques dernières années leur utilisation a considérablement augmenté dans les shampoings. Dans les seules deux dernières décades, l'appellation du shampoing est progressivement passée de "2 en 1"à"3 en 1" puis ensuite à"multifonctionnel", comme actuellement. Le consommateur recherche des produits qui tiennent leurs promesses. Les shampoings modernes contiennent une grande diversité d'ingrédients tels que des co-tensioactifs, des vitamines et des provitamines, des dérivés de protéines, des silicones, des extraits à base de plantes naturelles et autres "ingrédients actifs", mais il existe toujours un besoin pour des polymères d'après shampoing. L'objectif spécifique de cette étude est d'évaluer l'efficacité comme après-shampoing de polymères cationiques et de rechercher leurs mécanismes dans le système de shampoing. Les recherches ont été menées sur des formulations qui contiennent du sulfate de lauryl éther sodium et différents polymères cationiques, par exemple du Polyquaternium 7, 10, 11, de la gomme de guar cationique et du Luviquat Care (Polyquaternium 44), un nouveau copolymère ramifié de vinylpyrrolidone (VP) et de sels quaternaires de vinylimidazolium (QVI). Nous avons utilisé les procédés de contrôle appropriées aux applications en question, tels que les mesures de force de coiffage, le toucher du cheveu et l'aspect crémeux du savon, pour évaluer l'efficacité. La microscopie atomique et l'électrocinétique (potentiel d'écoulement) ont été utilisées pour détecter les résidus de polymère sur le cheveu traité. Tous les polymères étudiés améliorent le comportement global des formulations de shampoing. Ceci est démontré au moyen des mesures de force de coiffage, des tests sensoriels et des méthodes analytiques, en l'occurrence la mesure du potentiel zêta et la microscopie atomique. Le Polyquaternium 44 présente les meilleures propriétés d'après-shampoing sur cheveu mouillé sans diminuer sa capacité d'élimination ou l'absence d'accumulation. Ces dernières sont les faiblesses les plus frappantes des polymères à base de gomme de guar cationique. Le Polyquaternium 10 peut aussi être éliminé du cheveu après rinçage avec un tensioactif anionique mais il ne se comporte pas aussi bien que le Polyquaternium 44 dans les domaines de la coiffabilitéà l'état mouillé et des critères sensoriels tels que l'aspect crémeux du savon et du toucher du cheveu. Nous supposons que les propriétés exceptionnelles du Polyquaternium 44 comme agent après-shampoing pour shampoings sont dues à sa structure "ramifiée" conçue sur mesure. Il existe une corrélation claire entre le poids moléculaire et l'efficacité des nouveaux copolymères de VP et QVI. Seuls les polymères cationiques avec un poids moléculaire très élevé sont efficaces comme après shampoings dans des shampoings à base de tensioactifs anioniques. Etonnamment, ils n'ont pas besoin d'avoir une charge cationique élevée. Sur la base de tous nos résultats, notre hypothèse est que le fragment de polymère qui est responsable du traitement ne forme pas une couche plate sur le cheveu. Le fragment de polymère adsorbe plutôt les quelques fragments cationiques, tandis que la partie non chargée du polymère forme des boucles, qui sont orientées à l'extérieur du cheveu et qui sont responsables de la friction réduite entre les cheveux. [source] Streaming potential characterization of LBL membranes on porous ceramic supportsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Yiwei Chen Abstract An in-situ characterization of the growth of the self-assembled polyelectrolyte membranes on the porous support was conducted by applying transmembrane streaming potential measurement via surface charge monitoring. The membranes were prepared by layer-by-layer alternative deposition of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) and poly (styrenesulfonate) on porous ceramic supports. The surface charge variations of membranes as functions of different top-assembled materials and numbers of deposited cycles were investigated. Different top-assembled materials make isoelectric points of the as-prepared membranes drift in opposite directions and also lead to symmetrical signal changes of zeta-potential in salt solutions at the isoelectric points of the supports. Ex-situ characterizations, including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, also confirm the alternative deposition of polyelectrolytes. It is demonstrated that the transmembrane streaming potential measurement is effective in studying the growth of layer-by-layer membranes on porous support. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007 [source] Effect of Oligosaccharide Alcohol Addition to Alumina Slurry and Translucent Alumina Produced by Slip CastingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 5 2003Yuji Hotta A slurry used to produce dense green compacts by slip casting should exhibit low viscosity, high solids content, and good dispersion. Slurries with good characteristics were produced in the present study by adding oligosaccharide alcohol to an Al2O3 slurry with an NH4+ salt of poly(methacrylic acid) (NH4+ -PMA). The role of NH4+ -PMA and oligosaccharide alcohol in the Al2O3 slurry was examined by DTA, ,-potential measurement, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and viscometry. The viscosity of the slurry with NH4+ -PMA and oligosaccharide alcohol was lower than that of the slurry with NH4+ -PMA at a high solids content. Oligosaccharide alcohol did not interact with the Al2O3 surface. However, the Al2O3 slurry with NH4+ -PMA was influenced by the addition of oligosaccharide alcohol. We found that the dispersibility of the slurry was greatly improved by adding oligosaccharide alcohol. The transmittance of the Al2O3 ceramics produced by slip casting using the slurry with both NH4+ -PMA and oligosaccharide alcohol was higher than that of ceramics produced by slip casting using the slurry with NH4+ -PMA alone. The increased optical property resulted from low viscosity, which was attributed to the addition of oligosaccharide alcohol, at a high solids content. [source] Towards Fast Measurement of the Electron Temperature in the SOL of ASDEX Upgrade Using Swept Langmuir ProbesCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 9 2010H.W. Müller Abstract On ASDEX Upgrade first experiments were made using single probes with a voltage sweep frequency up to 100kHz. Possibilities and limitations using fast swept probes with a standard diagnostic and analysis tools are discussed. A good agreement between the data derived from fast swept single probe characteristics and floating as well as saturation current measurements was found. In a stationary (non ELMing) plasma the data of the fast swept probe are compared to standard slow swept probes (kHz range) showing an improvement of the measurement by faster sweeping. While ELM filaments already could be resolved the access of electron temperature fluctuations in small scale turbulence still has to be improved. Further comparisons are done in ELMy H-mode with combined ball-pen probe/floating potential measurements which can deliver electron temperatures with 25 , s time resolution at reduced spatial resolution compared to pin probes. During ELMs the electron temperatures derived from the ball-pen probe and fast swept single probes agreed (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Streaming potential dependence on water-content in Fontainebleau sandGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010V. Allègre SUMMARY The electrokinetic potential results from the coupling between the water flow and the electrical current because of the presence of ions within water. The electrokinetic coefficient is well described in fluid-saturated media, however its behaviour under unsaturated flow conditions is still discussed. We propose here an experimental approach to investigate streaming potential variations in sand at unsaturated conditions. We present for the first time continuous records of the electrokinetic coefficient as a function of water content. Two drainage experiments have been performed within a column filled with a clean sand. Streaming potential measurements are combined with water pressure and water content measurements every 10 cm along the column. In order to model hydrodymanics during the experiments, we solve Richards equation coupled with an inverse problem to estimate the hydraulic parameters of the constitutive relations between hydraulic conductivity, water pressure and water content. The electrokinetic coefficient C shows a more complex behaviour for unsaturated conditions than it was previously reported and cannot be fitted by the existing models. The normalized electrokinetic coefficient increases first when water saturation decreases from 100 to about 65,80 per cent, and then decreases as the water saturation decreases, whereas all previous works described a monotone decrease of the normalized electrokinetic coupling as water saturation decreases. We delimited two water saturation domains, and deduced two different empirical laws describing the evolution of the electrokinetic coefficient for unsaturated conditions. Moreover, we introduce the concept of the electrokinetic residual saturation, Sr,ekw, which allows us to propose a new model derived from the approach of the relative permeability used in hydrodynamics. [source] Contrasting soil respiration in young and old-growth ponderosa pine forestsGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2002J. IRVINE Abstract Three years of fully automated and manual measurements of soil CO2 efflux, soil moisture and temperature were used to explore the diel, seasonal and inter-annual patterns of soil efflux in an old-growth (250-year-old, O site) and recently regenerating (14-year-old, Y site) ponderosa pine forest in central Oregon. The data were used in conjunction with empirical models to determine which variables could be used to predict soil efflux in forests of contrasting ages and disturbance histories. Both stands experienced similar meteorological conditions with moderately cold wet winters and hot dry summers. Soil CO2 efflux at both sites showed large inter-annual variability that could be attributed to soil moisture availability in the deeper soil horizons (O site) and the quantity of summer rainfall (Y site). Seasonal patterns of soil CO2 efflux at the O site showed a strong positive correlation between diel mean soil CO2 efflux and soil temperature at 64 cm depth whereas diel mean soil efflux at the Y site declined before maximum soil temperature occurred during summer drought. The use of diel mean soil temperature and soil water potential inferred from predawn foliage water potential measurements could account for 80% of the variance of diel mean soil efflux across 3 years at both sites, however, the functional shape of the soil water potential constraint was site-specific. Based on the similarity of the decomposition rates of litter and fine roots between sites, but greater productivity and amount of fine litter detritus available for decomposition at the O site, we would expect higher rates of soil CO2 efflux at the O site. However, annual rates were only higher at the O site in one of the 3 years (597 ± 45 vs. 427 ± 80 g C m,2). Seasonal patterns of soil efflux at both sites showed influences of soil water limitations that were also reflected in patterns of canopy stomatal conductance, suggesting strong linkages between above and below ground processes. [source] Observation of Unusual Homoepitaxy in Ultrathin Pentacene Films and Correlation with Surface Electrostatic PotentialADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 30 2009Vivek Kalihari Pentacene second layer grows with a twist (,76,°) on the first layer, while the third and subsequent layers show commensurism with their respective underlayers. The preferred twisting of the second layer on the first layer gives rise to epitaxial and non-epitaxial domains which also reflect in the surface electrostatic potential measurements. [source] Physicochemical properties of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coliJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005L. Rivas Abstract Aims:, To investigate the physicochemical surface properties, such as cellular surface charge, hydrophobicity and electron donor/acceptor potential of a selection of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates grown in broth and agar culture. Methods and Results:, Cellular surface charge was determined using zeta potential measurements. Hydrophobicity of the isolates was determined using bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons assay, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and contact angle measurements. Microbial adhesion to solvents was used to determine the electron donor/acceptor characteristics. No differences of surface charge measurements were found between broth and agar grown cultures. Isolates belonging to serogroup O157 and serotypes O26:H11 and O111:H- were significantly (P < 0·05) less negatively charged than other STEC serotypes tested. All strains were hydrophilic with most methods and demonstrated a lower hydrophobicity in agar culture compared with broth culture. All strains demonstrated a strong microbial adhesion to chloroform indicating that STEC possess an electron donor and basic character. A relationship between serogroup O157 and other STEC serotypes was apparent using principal-component analysis (PCA). Conclusions:, Combining the results for physicochemical properties using PCA differentiated between strains belonging to the O157 serogroup and other STEC/non-STEC strains. PCA found similar results for broth and agar grown cultures. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Particular serotypes of STEC possess similar physicochemical properties which may play a role in their pathogenicity or potential attachment to various surfaces. [source] Preparation of monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol)- g -chitosan copolymers with various degrees of substitution: Their ability to encapsulate and condense plasmid DNAJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Wei Zhang Abstract Chitosan (CS) has great potential as a nonvirus gene delivery vector, but its application is limited because of poor water solubility. Monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)- graft -CS copolymers were synthesized by the reaction of mPEG,aldehyde (oxidized mPEG) with amino groups on CS chains; they showed enhanced solubility in water. Copolymers with various mPEG degrees of substitution (DS) and CS molecular weights were obtained, and their capabilities of DNA encapsulation were compared through gel retardation assay and particle size and , potential measurements. The effects of different ratios of primary amines on CS to the phosphate groups on DNA (N/P ratios), DS, and molecular weights on particle size and encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The results show that high N/P ratios and proper DS were necessary for the formation of well-distributed complex particles. Among all of these samples, mPEG (3.55),CS (50 kDa)/DNA complexes [where the parentheses following mPEG indicate DS (%), and the parentheses following CS indicate the molecular weight of CS] raised the , potential from negative to positive most quickly, yielded the smallest particle size, and were retarded in agarose gel at the lowest N/P ratio; this indicated the best efficiency of DNA encapsulation. On the contrary, mPEG (0.80),CS (50 kDa)/DNA complexes raised the , potential to positive most slowly, fluctuated around the value 0 from N/P ratios of 15 : 1 to 30 : 1, and were retarded in agarose gel at the highest N/P ratio; this indicated the lowest efficiency of encapsulating plasmids. Copolymers with desirable efficiencies of DNA encapsulation could be promising gene carriers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Factor analysis of spectroelectrochemical reduction of FAD reveals the pKa of the reduced state and the reduction pathwayJOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS, Issue 12 2007Edmund R. Malinowski Abstract The free flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor is known to exhibit a pH-dependent midpoint potential involving a simultaneous two-electron transfer step (n,=,2). Uv-vis spectroelectrochemical reductions of FAD at constant pH, ranging from 5 to 9, were recorded and analyzed by factor analysis. Principal factor analysis was used to determine the number of species present at each pH. The results indicate that only two composite forms of FAD are present: the oxidized and the reduced forms. Window factor analysis was used to extract the concentration profiles of the controlling species. The oxidized form was found to be a single pH-independent species, whereas the reduced form consists of two species. The pH-dependent spectroscopic changes of reduced FAD were best modeled by a single proton transfer step involving two different ionization states with an apparent pKa,=,6.3. This value compares favorably with those obtained from NMR and from midpoint potential measurements. At pH 6, the reduction of FAD was found to be first order, whereas at pH 9 the reduction is zero order; these observations are explained in terms of the reaction pathway involving xanthine oxidase, its substrate, and the pH. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Involvement of vH+ -ATPase in synaptic vesicle swellingJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010Leah Shin Abstract Secretory vesicle swelling is central to cell secretion, but the underlying mechanism of vesicle swelling, particularly synaptic vesicles, is not completely understood. The G,i3 -PLA2-mediated involvement of water channel AQP-1 in the regulation of secretory vesicle swelling in exocrine pancreas and the G,o -mediated AQP-6 involvement in synaptic vesicle swelling in neurons have previously been reported. Furthermore, the role of vH+ -ATPase in neurotransmitter transport into synaptic vesicles has also been shown. Using nanometer-scale precision measurements of isolated synaptic vesicles, the present study reports for the first time the involvement of vH+ -ATPase in GTP-G,o -mediated synaptic vesicle swelling. Results from this study demonstrate that the GTP-G,o -mediated vesicle swelling is vH+ -ATPase dependent and pH sensitive. Zeta potential measurements of isolated synaptic vesicles further demonstrate a bafilomycin-sensitive vesicle acidification, following the GTP-G,o -induced swelling stimulus. Water channels are bidirectional and the vH+ -ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin decreases both the volume of isolated synaptic vesicles and GTP-mastoparan stimulated swelling, suggesting that vH+ -ATPase is upstream of AQP-6, in the pathway leading from G,o -stimulated swelling of synaptic vesicles. Vesicle acidification is therefore a prerequisite for AQP-6-mediated gating of water into synaptic vesicles. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Drug adsorption in human skin: A streaming potential studyJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2003Johanna Raiman Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the drug adsorption process in human skin using in vitro streaming potential measurements. Streaming potential is an electrokinetic phenomenon, which reflects both the charge density and the pore size of a membrane. Thus, the adsorption of charged solutes on the pore walls can be detected as a change of streaming potential, viz., as a change in the slope ,E/,P. In these streaming potential measurements, hydrophilic nadolol and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and lipophilic propranolol and Nafarelin were used as model drugs. As could be expected, the hydrophilic drugs did not change the slope. The more lipophilic propranolol and Nafarelin, instead, changed the slope. Propranolol changed the slope gradually from negative to positive when the concentration was increased from 1 to 10 mM. With Nafarelin, a straight line with a slope of about 0 was obtained at pH 7.3 and an ascending curve at pH 4.2. These results indicate that the negative charges on the pore walls of human skin are blocked by adsorption of the lipophilic cations. The adsorption of lipophilic cations in the skin alters the permselectivity of the skin, which, in turn, may lead to the inhibition of electroosmotic flow across the skin during iontophoresis and to the shut down of transdermal drug permeation of higher molecular weight drugs. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:2366,2372, 2003 [source] Characterization of the interactions between polymethacrylate-based aqueous polymeric dispersions and aluminum lakesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2001Nasser Nyamweya Abstract Instability in film coating formulations can arise from interactions between aluminum lake pigments and aqueous polymeric dispersions. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interactions between three polymethacrylate-based aqueous polymeric dispersions (Eudragit® RS 30 D, Eudragit® L 30 D-55, and Eudragit® NE 30 D) and aluminum lakes. Particle size measurements, pH stability profiles, zeta potential measurements, and microscopy were used to study mixed dispersions of the polymeric latices and the lakes. Interactions leading to dispersion instability were related to the surface charge of the components in the formulation. Interactions between the ionic polymers and the lakes arose from instability of the lakes outside a certain pH range resulting in the release of electrolytes, which led to aggregation of the polymeric particles. Interactions between the nonionic polymer and the lakes were related to the polymer modifying the surface charge of the lakes, resulting in aggregation of the pigment particles. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 90:1937,1947, 2001 [source] Cytotoxic evaluation of injectable cyclodextrin nanoparticlesJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 5 2006Erem Memisoglu-Bilensoy Nanoparticles were prepared using ,-CDC6, which is an amphiphilic , -cyclodextrin derivative modified on the secondary face with 6C aliphatic esters. A nanoprecipitation technique was used to prepare the blank nanoparticles without any surfactant and nanoparticles containing Pluronic F68 as surfactant in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1%. Nanoparticle formulations were characterized by particle size distribution and zeta potential measurements. Entrapment efficiency and in-vitro release profiles were determined and the cytotoxicity of these injectable nanospheres was evaluated against mouse fibroblast L929 cell line and human polymorphonuclear cells by methlythiazolyltetrazolium assay. As far as particle size and zeta potential are concerned, there is a relationship between surfactant presence and nanoparticle characteristics. However, these effects are not significant. It was also found that surfactant presence has no effect on model drug nimodipine encapsulation but accelerates the in-vitro release of the drug. Cell culture studies on mouse fibroblasts and human polymorphonuclear cells revealed a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity more pronounced in fibroblast cells. This led to the conclusion that the use of surfactants in injectable nanoparticles prepared from amphiphilic ,-cyclodextrins may lead to altered in-vitro properties and impaired safety for the drug delivery system. [source] Ca2+ -Mediated Interaction Between Microsilica and Polycarboxylate Comb Polymers in a Model Cement Pore SolutionJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2010Matthias Lesti Interaction between polycarboxylate (PCE) comb polymers and microsilica suspended in a highly alkaline, Ca2+ -loaded model cement pore solution was studied via zeta potential, adsorption, and paste flow experiments. Zeta potential measurements reveal that in an alkaline suspension, microsilica possesses a negative surface charge stemming from deprotonated silanolate groups. Addition of soluble calcium salts (e.g., CaCl2) was found to cause a charge reversal to positive, owing to the adsorption of Ca2+ ions forming a monolayer on the microsilica surface. Further experiments demonstrate that through Ca2+ mediation, anionic PCE graft polymers adsorb in high amount on the microsilica surface. Polymers possessing a stronger anionic character exhibit a higher affinity to the positive microsilica surface, and consequently, exercise a more powerful dispersing effect than PCE showing less anionic character. A model summarizing the processes occurring at the surface of microsilica in this fluid system is proposed. The study suggests that the high fluidity of concrete containing microsilica depends on the effective dispersion of microsilica, and not of cement. [source] Y2O2S:Eu Red Phosphor Powders Coated with SilicaJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2000Jau-Ho Jean Y2O2S:Eu red phosphor powders were coated with silica (SiO2), using sol,gel and heterocoagulation techniques. Phosphor powders were dispersed in ethanol with tetraethyl orthosilicate and water. Hydrochloric acid was used to catalyze the sol,gel reaction, and an amorphous film 10,20 nm thick was observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Colloidal SiO2 powders 10,70 nm in size were used, and the SiO2 powder coating was made by controlling pH values in the range of 4.5,8, in which a negatively charged surface of SiO2 powder and a positively charged surface of red phosphor powder were formed. Then, SiO2 powders were adsorbed electrically onto the phosphor powder surface, as evidenced by TEM, dissolution, and zeta potential measurements. Chemical bonding in the coating was studied using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. [source] Systematic Approach for Dispersion of Silicon Nitride Powder in Organic Media: I, Surface Chemistry of the PowderJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2000Liwu Wang To develop novel dispersants for submicrometer-sized Si3N4 powder, the surface chemistry of a powder has been investigated using thermodesorption, carrier-gas heat extraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and zeta potential measurements. This study indicates that the powder surface is composed mainly of silanol groups and exhibits acidic behavior. Furthermore, the interaction affinity of various surface probe molecules with the powder surface has been studied using adsorption isotherms. The detailed description of the surface chemistry can be used as a guide for designing efficient dispersants, as will be presented in part II. [source] Evaluation of corrosion inhibitors for cooling water systems operating at high concentration cyclesMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 5 2009E. A. de Souza Abstract The present work aimed at evaluating AISI 1020 carbon steel corrosion resistance of a 6:4:1:1 (MoO/HEDP/PO/Zn2+) inhibitor mixture present in a solution which simulates an industrial cooling water system operating at high concentration cycles (1050 ppm Cl, and 450 ppm Ca2+). High concentration cycles are desirable, because system purge and treated water consumption are decreased. On the other hand, a high number of concentration cycles can increase the concentration of salts and dissolved impurities, causing corrosion, incrustations, and deposits inside the pipes, heat exchangers, and cooling towers. Thus, the chloride (Cl,) and calcium (Ca2+) ions aggressiveness was studied on the proposed inhibiting mixture, at the temperatures of 40 and 60,°C, through electrochemical techniques like open circuit potential measurements, anodic and cathodic polarization, and weight loss. The results showed that the inhibitor mixture conferred adequate protection to carbon steel in low concentrations, even in high aggressive media. [source] Corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys in Ringer's solutionMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 12 2008A. Robin Abstract Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been widely used in restorative surgery due to its high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, some studies showed that V and Al release in the organism might induce cytotoxic effects and neurological disorders, which led to the development of V-free alloys and both V- and Al-free alloys containing Nb, Zr, Ta, or Mo. Among these alloys, Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy is promising due to its better biomechanical compatibility than Ti-6Al-4V. In this work, the corrosion behavior of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys (x,=,5, 13, and 20) was evaluated in Ringer's solution (pH 7.5) at 37,°C through open-circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Spontaneous passivity was observed for all materials in this medium. Low corrosion current densities (in the order of 10,7 A/cm2) and high impedance values (in the order of 105 ,cm2 at low frequencies) indicated their high corrosion resistance. EIS results showed that the passivating films were constituted of an outer porous layer (very low resistance) and an inner compact layer (high resistance), the latter providing the corrosion resistance of the materials. There was evidence that the Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys were more corrosion resistant than both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V in Ringer's solution. [source] Surface characterization of flax, hemp and cellulose fibers; Surface properties and the water uptake behaviorPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2002Alexander Bismarck The surface characteristics of several natural fibers,flax, hemp and cellulose,were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, BET-surface area and zeta (,-) potential measurements. ,-Potential measurements using the streaming potential method were performed in order to study the water uptake behavior as well as the surface properties of several natural fibers. The influence of different flax-fiber separation methods and several modifications, like industrial purification, and such a treatment followed by alkaline purification as well as polypropylene grafting on the fiber surface morphology, surface area and time- and pH-depending ,-potentials were studied. The time-dependence of the ,-potential, measured in 1 mM KCl solution, offeres and alternative possibility to estimate the water uptake behavior for nearly all investigated natural fibers. The water uptake data derived from the ,-potential measurements (, = f(t)) were compared with data from conventional water adsorption studies for some chosen examples. [source] Fluorene and phenanthrene uptake by Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17514: Kinetics and physiological aspectsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 3 2005Ana C. Rodrigues Abstract Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17514 was used as a model strain to investigate the characteristics of bacterial growth in the presence of solid fluorene and phenanthrene. Despite the lower water-solubility of phenanthrene, P. putida degraded this polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) at a maximum observed rate of 1.4 ± 0.1 mg L,1 h,1, higher than the apparent degradation rate of fluorene, 0.8 ± 0.07 mg L,1 h,1. The role of physiological processes on the biodegradation of these PAHs was analyzed and two different uptake strategies were identified. Zeta potential measurements revealed that phenanthrene-grown cells were slightly more negatively charged (,57.5 ± 4.7 mV) than fluorene-grown cells (,51.6 ± 4.9 mV), but much more negatively charged than glucose-grown cells (,26.8 ± 3.3 mV), suggesting that the PAH substrate induced modifications on the physical properties of bacterial surfaces. Furthermore, protein-to-exopolysaccharide ratios detected during bacterial growth on phenanthrene were typical of biofilms developed under physicochemical stress conditions, caused by the presence of sparingly water-soluble chemicals as the sole carbon and energy source for growth, the maximum value for TP/EPS during growth on phenanthrene (1.9) being lower than the one obtained with fluorene (5.5). Finally, confocal laser microscopy observations using a gfp -labeled derivative strain revealed that, in the presence of phenanthrene, P. putida::gfp cells formed a biofilm on accessible crystal surfaces, whereas in the presence of fluorene the strain grew randomly between the crystal clusters. The results showed that P. putida was able to overcome the lower aqueous solubility of phenanthrene by adhering to the solid PAH throughout the production of extracellular polymeric substances, thus promoting the availability and uptake of such a hydrophobic compound. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Polyethylenimine-coated albumin nanoparticles for BMP-2 deliveryBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2008Sufeng Zhang Abstract Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery has gained importance for improving the potency of therapeutic agents. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) NPs, obtained by a coacervation process, was modified by electrostatic adsorption of cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) to NP surfaces for delivery of bone-inducing growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Different concentrations of PEI were utilized for coating BSA NPs to stabilize the colloidal system and to control the release of BMP-2. The NPs were characterized by size and zeta potential measurements, as well as by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency was typically >90% in all NP preparations. In vitro release kinetics showed that the PEI concentration used for coating the NPs efficiently controlled the release of BMP-2, demonstrating a gradual slowing, sustained release pattern during a 10-day study period. The bioactivity of the encapsulated BMP-2 and the toxicity of the NPs were examined by the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction assay and the MTT assay, respectively, using C2C12 cells. The results indicated that PEI was the primary determinant of NP toxicities, and BSA NPs coated with 0.1 mg/mL PEI demonstrated tolerable toxicity, retained the bioactivity of BMP-2, and efficiently slowed the release rate of BMP-2. We conclude that BMP-2 encapsulated in BSA NPs might be an efficient way to deliver the protein for in vivo bone induction. [source] Zeta Potential Measurement in Catalyst PreparationsCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 2 2005J. B. Stelzer Abstract Oxide surfaces are covered with hydroxyl groups. In contact with water, positive or negative surface charges can be developed. The surface charge of oxide particles can be fine-tuned by changing the calcination temperature of the oxides before dispersion in water or by variation of the suspension pH. Strong negative or positive surface charges stabilize a suspension and avoid particle aggregation. Nano-structured catalysts suspended in water show surface charges different from those of compact TiO2. For spray drying, the cationic or anionic additives used have to be strongly attached via electrostatic forces to the surface of the suspended oxide particles. When noble metal complexes have to be brought to the support surface, the positively or negatively charged complexes must have an opposite charge relative to the surface charge. Zeta potential measurements can solve these problems. [source] Growing ZnO Crystals on Magnetite NanoparticlesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 7 2004Rachel Turgeman Abstract We report herein on the oriented growth of ZnO crystals on magnetite nanoparticles. The ZnO crystals were grown by hydrolyzing a supersaturated aqueous solution of zinc nitrate. The seeds for the growth were magnetite nanoparticles with a diameter of 5.7 nm and a narrow size distribution. Hollowed ZnO hexagons of 0.15 ,m width and 0.5 ,m length filled with Fe3O4 particles were obtained. HR-TEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) and selected-area EDS (energy-dispersive spectroscopy) show that the nanoparticles are homogenously spread in the ZnO tubes. Zeta potential measurements were employed to understand the relationship between the nanoparticles and the oriented growth of the ZnO crystals. The results show that the surfactants induced the directional growth of the ZnO crystals. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||