Hydrophilic Phase Research Articles

Innovative multiphase ultrasonic-assisted method for high-purity, stable, and cost-effective copper nanowire synthesis

The synthesis of copper nanowires (CuNWs) using modified polyols with hexadecylamine or octadecylamine as capping agents, known for their ease of operation, rapid reaction, and suitability for mass production, often encounters challenges such as the presence of copper particles, numerous copper nanorods, difficulty in purifying organic compounds, and air instability as by-products. In addressing these issues, this study introduces an innovative multiphase ultrasonic-assisted separation method. By utilizing ultrasound to accelerate the dissolution of hexadecylamine and facilitate the separation movement of CuNWs and by-products in hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases, the aim of achieving high purification of CuNWs is realized. Through the introduction of an ultra-thin hexadecylamine layer (~ 3.5 nm) on the surface of CuNWs and leveraging the active adsorption of silver seed crystals, combined with the control CuNWs reaction concentration, silver-coated CuNWs with a dense and uniform surface thickness of 12–15 nm are obtained. By enhancing purity, stability, and cost-effectiveness, this research represents a significant advancement in the field of one-dimensional nanowires and their devices.

Four-liquid-phase system for simultaneous extraction and separation method of various active components in Antarctic krill crude oil extract

A four-liquid-phase system (FLPS) was serendipitously discovered when appropriate amounts of Antarctic krill crude oil extract (AKCOE), salt, water, a hydrophilic solvent, and a hydrophobic solvent were mixed. The system contained two hydrophobic phases and two hydrophilic phases, so the four main components of AKCOE (astaxanthin, phospholipids, proteins, and saccharides) could be simultaneously extracted into the various phases in a single step. For example, in a Na2CO3/ethanol/isooctane FLPS, 97.53% of phospholipids (the most important components) partitioned into the weakly hydrophobic phase, and astaxanthin, proteins, and saccharides simultaneously separated into the other three phases, with high yields (approximately 80%). Furthermore, the AKCOE phospholipids have been demonstrated to be key factors in FLPS formation, which provides an important reference for future designs of new FLPSs. This novel method is simple to operate and has the potential to scale-up; therefore, it may serve as a simple and efficient method for the separation and purification of biological mixtures containing many different polar components.

Early silicone oil opacification in the absence of emulsification is caused by an increased level of silicone dioxide.

In October 2023, other cases with early silicone oil opacification within hours after intraocular implantation in the absence of emulsification occurred. While multiple, small series of this phenomenon are now documented during the last decade, the cause was never unmasked. In this study, we analyzed explanted patient samples, unused samples of the affected, and a control batch of the same silicone oil. The oils were examined on their optical and viscosimetric properties, interfacial tension and for presence of particles. Contamination was investigated using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry, thermogravimetric analyses, and Raman-spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity examination in ARPE-19 cells was performed. The oil's effect on pH-changes of aqueous solutions and the oil's defoaming ability were analyzed. The affected batch passed all regulatory limits. However, the affected batch showed an elevated turbidity already before implantation. 3000-fold magnification revealed dispersed particles only in the affected batch. Contamination analyses revealed the absence of other elements indicating a silicon-containing contamination. The affected batch showed no in-vitro cytotoxicity but altered viscosimetric properties and a lower pH of the hydrophilic phase after inducing emulsification. Both batches did not show relevant defoaming properties. The results obtained combined with information from suppliers and the manufacturer suggest an elevated level of silica particles as the cause of the opacification. Based on these results, the manufacturer and suppliers of the latest affected batch adjusted cut-off values for turbidity measurements and introduced turbidity measurements of the raw material prior to distillation. Other manufacturers should follow these preventive measures.

The role of lignin as interfacial compatibilizer in designing lignocellulosic-polyester composite films

Advancing nanocomposites requires a deep understanding and careful design of nanoscale interfaces, as interfacial interactions and adhesion significantly influence the physical and mechanical properties of these materials. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as interfacial compatibilizer between hydrophilic cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and a hydrophobic polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL). In this context, we conducted a detailed analysis of surface-to-bulk interactions in both wet and dry conditions using advanced techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), and inverse gas chromatography (IGC).QCM-D was employed to quantify the adsorption behavior of LNPs on CNF and PCL surfaces, demonstrating LNPs’ capability to interact with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases, thereby enhancing composite material properties. LNPs showed extensive adsorption on a CNF model film (1186 ± 178 ng.cm−2) and a lower but still significant adsorption on a PCL model film (270 ± 64 ng.cm−2). In contrast, CNF adsorption on a PCL model film was the lowest, with a sensed mass of only 136 ± 35 ng.cm−2. These findings were further supported by comparing the morphology and wettability of the films before and after adsorption, using AFM and WCA analyses. Then, to gain insights into the molecular-level interactions and molecular mobility within the composite in dry state, BDS was employed. The BDS results showed that LNPs improved the dispersion of PCL within the CNF network. To further investigate the impact of LNPs on the composites’ interfacial properties, IGC was employed. This analysis showed that the composite films containing LNPs exhibited lower surface energy compared to those composed of only CNF and PCL. The presence of LNPs likely reduced the availability of surface hydroxyl groups, thus modifying the physicochemical properties of the interface. These changes were particularly evident in the heterogeneity of the surface energy profile, indicating that LNPs significantly altered the interfacial characteristics of the composite materials.Overall, these findings emphasize the necessity to control the interfaces between components for next-generation nanocomposite materials across diverse applications.

Microencapsulation of a Flaxseed and Avocado Oil Blend: Influence of Octenyl Succinic Anhydride (OSA)-Modified Starch and Rice and Pea Proteins on Powder Characterization and Oxidative Stability

This work investigated the influence of the OSA-modified starch, pea protein, and rice protein combination in the microencapsulation process of a blend of avocado and flaxseed oil (25–75%, w/w) by freeze-drying, focusing on emulsions and powders characteristics and oxidative stability. Four different ratios between the mixture of vegetable proteins (1:1) and the OSA-modified starch were analyzed, using a fixed ratio between the oils blend and the combined encapsulant agents of 1:3. Based on the creaming index, the separation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases was not observed. The results demonstrated a tendency to increase the droplet mean diameter with increased protein content (4.71–19.36 μm). An increase in the encapsulation efficiency was verified with the increase in the OSA-modified starch content (51.33–60.32%). Powders presented low moisture content and hygroscopicity, and an oxidative induction time value varying from 0.86 to 1.18 h. The increase in the vegetable protein content increased the powders’ oxidative stability, which could be associated with the antioxidant capacity of rice and pea proteins.

Silk Fibroin-Based Multiple-Shape-Memory Organohydrogels.

Organohydrogels (OHGs) are intriguing materials due to their unique composition of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. This antagonistic nature endows the OHGs with several remarkable properties, making them highly versatile for various applications. We present here a simple and inexpensive approach to fabricate silk fibroin (SF)-based OHGs with multistage switching mechanics and viscoelasticity. The continuous hydrophilic phase of the OHG precursor consists of an aqueous SF solution, while the hydrophobic droplet phase consists of a crystallizable n-octadecyl acrylate (C18A) monomer and several long-chain saturated hydrocarbons (HCs) with various chain lengths between 14 and 32 carbon atoms, namely, n-tetradecane, n-octadecane, n-docosane, n-dotriacontane, and 1-docosanol. After the addition of a C18A/HC mixture containing Irgacure photoinitiator into the continuous aqueous SF phase under stirring, a stable oil-in-water emulsion was obtained, which was then photopolymerized at 23 ± 2 °C to obtain nonswelling OHGs with multiple-shape-memory behavior. By changing the chain length and mass proportion of HCs, a series of OHGs with tunable transition temperatures could be obtained, meeting various applications. OHGs containing dimer, trimer, and quadruple combinations of in situ-formed poly(C18A) and HC microinclusions exhibit effective triple- or quintuple-shape memory whose shape-recovery temperatures could be adjusted over a wide range, e.g., between 7 and 70 °C.

Classical Simulations on Quantum Computers: Interface-Driven Peptide Folding on Simulated Membrane Surfaces

Background:Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial in the fight against infections and play significant roles in various health contexts, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and aging. A key aspect of AMP functionality is their selective interaction with pathogen membranes, which often exhibit altered lipid compositions. These interactions are thought to induce a conformational shift in AMPs from random coil to alpha-helical structures, essential for their lytic activity. Traditional computational approaches have faced challenges in accurately modeling these structural changes, especially in membrane environments, thereby opening and opportunity for more advanced approaches. Method:This study extends an existing quantum computing algorithm, initially designed for peptide folding simulations in homogeneous environments, to address the complexities of AMP interactions at interfaces. Our approach enables the prediction of the optimal conformation of peptides located in the transition region between hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases, resembling lipid membranes. The new method was tested on three 10-amino-acid-long peptides, each characterized by distinct hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or amphipathic properties, across different media and at interfaces between solvents of different polarity. Results:The developed method successfully modeled the structure of the peptides without increasing the number of qubits required compared to simulations in homogeneous media, making it more feasible with current quantum computing resources. Despite the current limitations in computational power and qubit availability, the findings demonstrate the significant potential of quantum computing in accurately characterizing complex biomolecular processes, particularly AMP folding at membrane models. Conclusions:This research highlights the promising applications of quantum computing in biomolecular simulations, paving the way for future advancements in the development of novel therapeutic agents. We aim to offer a new perspective on enhancing the accuracy and applicability of biomolecular simulations in the context of AMP interactions with membrane models.

Effect of anionic groups in zwitterionic hydrophilic stationary phases on their chromatographic characteristics

The structure of zwitterion has great impact on the separation properties of zwitterionic hydrophilic stationary phases. To better understand the role of anionic groups of zwitterions, a novel carboxybetaine-based zwitterionic monolithic column was first prepared through thermo-initiated copolymerization of functional monomer (3-acrylamidopropyl)-dimethyl-(2-carboxymethyl) ammonium (CBAA) and crosslinker ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) within 100 μm ID capillary. The optimal poly(CBAA-co-EDMA) monolithic column exhibited satisfactory mechanical and chemical stability, good repeatability, high column efficiency (96,000 plates/m), and excellent separation performance for different classes of polar compounds (i.e., phenols, monophosphate nucleotides, urea and allantoin). A comparative study was then performed among three zwitterionic hydrophilic stationary phases containing different anionic groups, i.e. poly(CBAA-co-EDMA) (carboxybetaine), poly(2-{2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyldimethylammonium}ethyl n-butyl phosphate-co-EDMA) (phosphocholine), and poly(N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-methacrylamidopropyl)-N-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium betaine-co-EDMA) (sulfobetaine) using benzoic acid derivatives, amine compounds, nucleobases and nucleosides as model analytes. The carboxybetaine-based monolithic column exhibited much higher positive zeta-potential and hydrophilicity, which endows it with a stronger retention capacity for acidic and neutral compounds, but sulfobetaine-based monolithic column exhibited much higher selectivity and retention capacity for the amines. Moreover, their enrichment efficiencies for N-glycopeptides were also evaluated based on their different hydrophilicity, and it was observed that the poly(CBAA-co-EDMA) monolithic material captured 4-8 times more N-glycopeptides compared to the other two materials.

Exchange of Thiol Ligands on CuInS2 Quantum Dots in High Boiling Solvents.

As-prepared quantum dots are covered with long-chain ligands to prevent aggregation. When quantum dots are used in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and QD-LED, ligand exchange is necessary to replace long-chain ligands with short-chain ones to increase the efficiency of charge transfer from the quantum dots to the electrode. In this study, we successfully exchanged 1-dodecanethiol (DDT) ligands on CuInS2 quantum dots with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) ligands by using a two-phase system of high-boiling hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents. The ligand exchange to MPA was achieved by using diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG) as the hydrophilic phase and tetradecane as the hydrophobic phase. The ligand exchange rate increased with increasing ligand exchange temperature. When quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were fabricated using the ligand-exchanged quantum dots, a positive correlation was observed between the progress of ligand exchange and short-circuit current density. This is because charge transfer efficiency from the quantum dots to the TiO2 electrode was improved by the ligand exchange. This work has shown that QDs synthesized using DDT can be applied to optoelectronic devices.

Promoting photothermal catalytic N2 reduction through dynamic mass transfer and accelerated charge transfer dynamics

The effective adsorption and mass transfer of N2 at the catalytic active site, along with efficient photogenerated charge transfer at the interface are the prerequisites for the photothermal catalysis N2 reduction. Here, the hydrophobic-hydrophilic biphasic heterojunction Bi2WO6/ Bi2Sn2O7 (BWSO-20) was prepared by solvothermal method, and a strong interfacial internal electric field (IEF) was formed. The effects of N2 dynamic mass transfer and interface charge transfer kinetics on the performance of photothermal catalytic N2 reduction (PTC-NRR) was investigated. The results from in-suit DRIFTS, DFT, and molecular dynamics simulations (MD) indicated that a biphasic structure enhanced the dynamic mass transfer of N2 in the hydrophobic phase (BSO) and H2O in the hydrophilic phase (BWO) simultaneously. Additionally, the IEF that accelerates the transfer kinetics of photo-generated charges. Therefore, more photo-generated electrons and holes could transfer to the surface of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic phase catalyst and undergo redox semi-reactions with N2 and H2O. The PTC-NRR reached 366.1 μmoL·g−1 when using BWSO-20 without adding sacrificial agent. This work provides a new way to achieve efficient photothermal N2 reduction based on the interfacial charge transfer kinetics accelerated by the interfacial internal electric field and the dynamic mass transfer enhanced by hydrophobic – hydrophilic two-phase heterojunction.

Multi-hierarchical assemble nano-fibrous dressing for burn wound ultra-fast healing with dynamical exudate regulation, thermal management, and non-leaching sterilisation

To endow the nano-fibrous wound dressing with moisture-absorption, moisture-retention, thermal-management and anti-bacterial performances, a multi-hierarchical assemble process including electro-micro-encapsulation, electro-interpenetration and electro-deposition was used to create a structural integration including core–shell structure, interpenetrated structure and in-situ coating. First, a phase-transition thermal-management electro-spun consisting of PVDF shell and n-hexadecane core was fabricated from the coaxial electro-spinning, the heat-absorbing effect from n-hexadecane melting offers a cool feeling to make burn wounds feel comfortable. Second, an interpenetration process between PVA electro-spun and PVDF@n-hexadecane core–shell electro-spun was carried out by a heterologous co-electro-spinning device. By regulating the area density and the continuity of the hydrophilic phase and hydrophobic phase as well, the moisture-absorption and the moisture-retention performances can be manipulated. Third, a nano-capsule consisting of PCL outer shell and dual-component anti-bacterial agents as core was obtained from coaxial electrospray and then was further electro-deposited on the surface of the obtained interpenetrated membrane. After the melting of the PCL outer shell, not only the in-situ immobilization of anti-bacterial particles on the membrane surface (non-leaching sterilisation) was carried out, but also the exposure of anti-bacterial components. Owing to the collaborative integration of multiple functional ingredients and various structural elements, this composite nano-fibrous dressing displays a good moisture-absorption performance for removing exudate, a desired moisture-retention performance for offering wet surrounding to promote tissue regeneration, a comfortable absorption-heat effect and an excellent anti-bacterial performance. Combined with cytotoxicity and animal experiment evaluations, this multi-functional dressing presents a quicker healing period for second-degree burn compared to existed commercial fibrous dressing.

Diels-Alder Network Blends as Self-Healing Encapsulants for Liquid Metal-Based Stretchable Electronics.

Two dynamic covalent networks based on the Diels-Alder reaction were blended to exploit the properties of the dissimilar polymer backbones. Furan-functionalized polyether amines based on poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) FD4000 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) FS5000 were mixed in a common solvent and reversibly cross-linked with the same bismaleimide DPBM. The morphology of the phase-separated blends is primarily controlled by the concentration of backbones. Increasing the PDMS content of the blends results in a dilute droplet morphology at 25 wt %, with a growing size and concentration of droplets and the formation of two separate PPO- and PDMS-rich layers at 50 wt %. Further increasing the PDMS content to 75 wt % leads to larger droplets and a thicker layer of the secondary phase. The hydrophobic PDMS phase creates a barrier against water, while the more hydrophilic PPO phase enhances the resistance against oxygen diffusion. Lowering the maleimide-to-furan stoichiometric ratio resulted in a decrease in cross-link density and thus more flexible and stretchable encapsulants. Changes in the stoichiometric ratio also affected the phase morphology due to resulting changes in phase separation and network formation kinetics. Lowering the stoichiometric ratio also resulted in enhanced self-healing properties of 96% at room temperature as a consequence of the increased chain mobility in the blended networks. The self-healing blends were used to encapsulate liquid metal circuits to create stretchable strain sensors with a linear electro-mechanical response without much drift or hysteresis, which could be efficiently recovered by 90% after the damage-healing cycles.

Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography for the Analysis of Pharmaceutical Formulations

Abstract: For a long time, Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography (RPLC) was the most dominant technique for the analysis of pharmaceutical compounds, but with poor efficiency in the separation of small polar molecules. From the efforts to solve the problem of insufficient retention of these molecules, during the last decades, a mode of liquid chromatography named Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) has experienced vast expansion. It is based on the use of a highly hydrophilic stationary phase along with an aqueous mobile phase with high organic modifier content. In this review, the characteristics of stationary and mobile phases used in HILIC are described, and corresponding separation mechanisms are discussed. An overview of recently published papers dealing with the application of HILIC in analyzing pharmaceuticals in biological and non-biological samples is provided. Besides, the application of HILIC systems in the determination of the physicochemical properties of compounds is described.

Synergistic Interaction of Ionic Liquid Grafted Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) and Carbon Nanotubes to Construct Water Treatment Membranes with Multiple Separation Properties.

In this study, the dual strategy of 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid (IL) grafting and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposition was applied to modify poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based membranes. The highly hydrophilic/oleophobic and fouling-resistant PVDF-g-IL/CNTs membranes with excellent separation efficiency were obtained by the nonsolvent-induced phase separation method with ethanol-water mixed solution as the coagulation bath. The grafted IL not only generated hydrophilic groups on PVDF chains but also acted together with the CNTs to induce the formation of hydrophilic β-crystalline phase of PVDF, which significantly improved the hydrophilicity and pore structure of the modified PVDF membranes. As a result, the pure water flux of the optimal membrane increased up to 294.2 L m-2 h-1, which was 5.2 times greater than that of the pure PVDF membrane. Simultaneously, the electrostatic interaction of the positive IL and the integration of CNTs enhanced adsorption sites of the membranes, producing exceptional retention and adsorption of dye wastewater and oil-water emulsion. This study presents a straightforward and efficient approach for fabricating PVDF separation membranes, which have potential applications in the purification of various polluted wastewater.

Efficient ionic transport over wide temperature range in oxide enabled by interfacial reaction of molten carbonate

The development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operated at low and intermediate temperatures is limited by the poor performance of inorganic ionic conductors. Oxide-based ion conductors have attracted much attention due to their excellent stability and tunable ion conduction behavior. In this study, we propose a new approach for the construction of regulated ionic transport pathways in a composite oxide ionic conductor made of WO3/ZrO2 (WZ) and (Li0.68K0.32)2CO3. The interfacial reaction between WO3/ZrO2 and (Li0.68K0.32)2CO3 is used to enhance the interaction between the oxide and carbonate interfaces and introduce hydrophilic phases for water retention, thus achieving ultra-high ionic conductivity of the oxide/carbonate composites at low and intermediate temperatures. The optimal ionic conductor, 13WZ-30(Li0.68K0.32)2CO3 (13WZ-30C), has a superior ionic conductivity of 25.8-6.28 mS cm−1 from room temperature to 250 °C. The ion conduction mechanism of the composite is investigated. This study emphasizes the significance of interfacial chemistry regulation between oxides and carbonates for achieving superior ion conduction performance.

A channel-homogenized micro gas chromatography column for light alkane separation with uniform HKUST-1 stationary phase

BackgroundThe micro gas chromatography column (μGCC) is one of the key components of the miniaturized gas chromatography system. However, light alkanes are difficult to be separated by a micro gas chromatography column, especially for methane and ethane, because the length of μGCC is limited by the area of a silicon substrate. More importantly, the heterogeneous microchannel surface formed by silicon glass bonding causes uneven stationary phase coating and the forces between the untreated microchannel surfaces and the stationary phase materials are weak, which will prevent the improvement of separation performance. ResultsIn this paper, a micro gas chromatography column (μGCC) with uniform HKUST-1 stationary phase is reported. Significantly, an alumina film prepared by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique is used to homogenize the heterogeneous microchannels. The alumina is a hydrophilic material and the alumina made by the ALD technique is uniform. The forces between hydrophilic alumina film and HKUST-1 are strong, which can greatly improve the coating uniformity of the hydrophilic stationary phase HKUST-1. The test results show that the μGCC could baseline separate the light alkane mixtures (CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and C4H10) at the high testing temperature of 120 °C. The maximum resolution of the difficult-separated methane and ethane reached 19.2, which is 108 % higher than the μGCC using the same stationary phase without homogenizing the microchannel inner surface. SignificanceThe μGCC uses ALD alumina film to homogenize the microchannel inner surface; meanwhile, hydrophilic ALD alumina has a strong electrostatic attraction with the hydrophilic stationary phase HKUST-1. Homogeneous microchannel surface and strong electrostatic attraction are favorable to obtain uniform stationary phase which greatly improves the separation performance, resulting in a large resolution for methane and ethane. The μGCC has broad application prospects in light alkane separation.

Simultaneous and selective extraction of different polarity bioactive substances from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus based on a designable biphasic deep eutectic solvent

Most plants contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive compounds, traditional organic solvent extraction processes can often only extract one of the components, resulting in a cumbersome process and a waste of resources. To make full use of the active resources in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, a biphasic deep eutectic solvent (DES) system was established. By adjusting the polarity, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) were enriched in the hydrophobic phase, and flavonoids and procyanidine (PAC) in the hydrophilic phase, respectively. Established with a 1:1 vol ratio of hydrophobic DES MIA (DL-menthol: isopropyl alcohol, 1:1) and hydrophilic DES CBE (choline chloride: betaine: ethylene glycol, 1:1:2). The biphasic system had the highest extraction rate. The response surface method was used to further optimize the extraction conditions. After optimization, the extraction yields of OA and UA were 10.96 ± 0.35 mg/g and 11.67 ± 0.26 mg/g in the MIA phase, and the extracted yields of flavonoids and PAC in the CBE phase were 77.38 ± 0.62 mg/g and 5.20 ± 0.03 mg/g, respectively. Compared with the conventional single-phase extraction with organic solvents, the biphasic system provided higher extraction rate and selectivity and the extracts showed stronger antioxidant activity. Compared to the single-phase extraction utilizing conventional organic solvents, the results demonstrated significant improvement. Consequently, by adjusting the polarity of the biphasic DES system, this study supplies an argument for increasing the extraction efficiency of plant resources. This expands the application of the biphasic DES system and contributes to the high-value exploitation of natural commodities.

Sustainable aqueous biphasic system created using sugar-based deep eutectic solvents/ethyl lactate for the green extraction of biomolecules

In recent years, the use of green solvents with efficient extraction techniques has gained considerable interest in the research community. This study proposed a novel aqueous biphasic system (ABS) consisting of a hydrophilic sugar-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) and biodegradable ethyl lactate (EL). To understand the phase behaviour of sugar-based DES-EL ABS, at 298.15 K and at an atmospheric pressure, the phase diagrams were determined, and the effects of the structure of different saccharides such as HBDs on the phase separation were discussed. By fitting the effective excluded volume theory (EEV) model to phase diagram data, the ability of the monosaccharide/disaccharide-based DES to induce phase separation was determined. Furthermore, the tie-line length (TLL) was measured and analysed for the stability of DES in both phases at equilibrium. Finally, extraction experiments of such systems for five target biomolecules (eugenol, vanillin, vanillic acid, gallic acid and rutin) were conducted. The results indicated that the hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of biomolecules preferentially drives their partitioning behaviour. Eugenol, vanillin, and vanillic acid preferentially migrated to the more hydrophobic EL-rich phase, whereas gallic acid and rutin entered the hydrophilic DES-rich phase. A combination of factors such as pH, viscosity and TLL of the system can also affect the separation efficiency. The results of the extraction experiments confirmed the good feasibility of the proposed system for biomolecular extraction applications.

Carbon nanotube–cesium tungsten oxide–poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel-based optical writing display

Studies have attempted to improve thermal conductivity by complexing polymers. Via the complexing of photothermal materials with a heat-sensitive polymer, heat can be generated internally, thus resulting in efficient changes in the properties of the heat-sensitive polymer. This study fabricated an optical writing display to locally induce heat generation in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM), which is a heat-responsive material, using the photothermal effect of a near-infrared (NIR) absorbing material. Cesium tungsten oxide (CTO), an NIR-absorbing material, exhibits excellent properties due to its photothermal properties. By mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the photothermal effect caused by NIR rays was strengthened and was more effectively controlled by providing thermal conductivity characteristics. The CNT–CTO hybrid absorbed the NIR laser, converted it into heat, and transmitted it to the adjacent pNIPAM network. When pNIPAM received heat, a hydrophilic–hydrophobic phase transition occurred, and a white pattern was observed owing to a change in the refractive index inside the hydrogel. Upon stopping the application of the NIR laser, rapid cooling occurred due to the high thermal conductivity of the CNTs, and the hydrophobic–hydrophilic phase transition was quickly achieved and restored. Therefore, based on the results of this study, optical writing displays using heat-responsive polymers containing photothermal particles and NIR lasers are expected to be applicable for information transmission in extreme environments, such as aviation, space, and the military, owing to the ability of lasers to travel in a straight line.

Formation of Ethanolamine-Mediated Surfactant-Free Microemulsions Using Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) are emerging as versatile, relatively benign, and inexpensive alternatives to conventional organic solvents in a diverse set of applications. In this context, the formation of microemulsions with HDES replacing the oil phase has become an area of active exploration. Because of recent reports on the undesirable toxicity of many common surfactants, efforts are under way to investigate the formation of surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) using HDES as an oil phase. We present SFME formation using HDESs constituted of n-decanoic acid and five (5) structurally different terpenoids [thymol, l(-)-menthol, linalool, β-citronellol, and geraniol] at a 1:1 molar ratio as the oil phase and water as the hydrophilic phase. Ethanolamine (ETA) exhibited the best potential as a hydrotrope among several other similar small molecules. Results showed a drastic increase in water solubility within the HDESs in the presence of ETA. ETA exerted its hydrotropic action at different extent for each DES system via chemical interaction with the H-bond donor (HBD) constituent of the HDES. The optimum hydrotropic concentration (minimum hydrotrope and maximum water retention, XETAOPT) assigned for each DES/ETA/water system and water loading are reported, and the trends are discussed in detail. Ternary phase diagrams are constructed using visual observation and the dye staining method. The area under the single- and multiple-phase regions (assigned in ternary phase diagrams) was estimated. "Pre-Ouzo" enforced by ETA was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the DES/ETA/water systems at XETAOPT. A systematic growth in nanoaggregates was observed with the subsequent addition of water in DES/ETA systems while continuously changing the existing microstructure. The presence of a core (oil)-shell (water)-like structure as indicated by the fluorescence response of Nile red in the "pre-Ouzo" region is speculated. We were able to prepare a homogeneous solution of [K3Fe(CN)6] salt in "pre-Ouzo" mixtures with no apparent deviation in the Beer-Lambert law.