Particles In Solution Research Articles

Toward an Understanding of Uric Acid Particle Dissolution: Surface and Bulk-Driven Water Activity.

Uric acid particles contribute to kidney stones, and natural processes for the elimination of stones depend on solute-solvent interactions. The process of uric acid dissolution has previously been understood via the lens of solubility; however, for pure and mixed salt solutions, these approaches do not provide a comprehensive picture of nanoscale particle solution thermodynamics. Unlike solubility measurements, water activity measurements provide us with information about the chemical potential responsible for the migration of water molecules driving the dissolution of particles. In this work, we used in situ experimental tools to estimate water activity values for pure uric acid aqueous droplets at different stages of droplet growth. The process of cloud formation, i.e., water condensation on a solute particle resulting in aqueous droplet formation, was leveraged to compare the water affinity for nanosized uric acid particles with a well-studied inorganic salt, sodium chloride. Specifically, we investigated microscopic uric acid particles (nanoparticles <300 nm, amorphous and super micron particles >5 μm, crystalline) and the mechanism of water uptake. The growth of droplet volume (Growth Factor, GF) for uric acid particles is experimentally observed for supermicrometer crystalline particles (>1 μm) at subsaturated humidity conditions (<100% RH). In addition, the water activity of submicrometer-size uric acid particles is estimated under subsaturated and supersaturated humidity conditions. These measurements provide us with information about the volume growth of droplets as water condenses in particles exposed to different humidity conditions. Our observations under subsaturated humidity conditions show that the uric acid particles have limited volume growth (<1% change per volume and <10% change per volume for crystalline and amorphous measurement, respectively). From the experimental data, the affinity of uric acid solute with water as a solvent is quantified in terms of water activity.

Measurements of Spontaneous and External Stimuli Molecular Release Processes from a Single Optically Trapped Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid Microparticle and a Liposome Containing Gold Nanospheres.

We investigated the single particle kinetics of the molecular release processes from two types of microcapsules used as drug delivery systems (DDS): biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and a light-triggered-degradable liposome encapsulating gold nanospheres (liposome-GNP). To optimize the design of DDS capsules, it is highly desirable to develop a method for real-time monitoring of the release process. Using a combination of optical tweezers and confocal fluorescence microspectroscopy we successfully analyzed a single optically trapped PLGA particle and liposome-GNPs in solution. From temporal decay profiles of the fluorescence intensity, we determined the time constant τ of the release processes. We demonstrated that the release rate of spontaneously degradable microcapsules (PLGA) decreased with increasing size, while conversely, the release rate of external stimuli-degradable microcapsules (liposome-GNPs) increased in proportion to their size. This result is explained by the differences in the disruption mechanisms of the capsules, with PLGA undergoing hydrolysis and the GNPs in the liposome-GNP undergoing a photoacoustic effect under nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation. The present approach offers a way forward to an alternative microanalysis system for single drug delivery nanocarriers.

Evolution of the Microstructure, Phase Composition and Thermomechanical Properties of the CuZnIn Alloys, Achieved by Thermally Controlled Phase Transitions

Ternary alloys with CuZnIn compositions based on the binary CuZn diagram and the modeled ternary system solidus projection were investigated. The as-cast alloys, hot-rolled sheets, and samples annealed at low temperature were examined. It was found that the α-CuZn solution phase, with minor indium additions (1–2% at.), was the primary phase crystallizing during casting and remained stable at low temperatures. The ternary phase with an approximate composition of Cu8(In,Zn)4.5 and a structure analogous to the high-temperature γ-Cu9In4 phase crystallized from the liquid state and remained stable at low temperatures. This behavior results from the stabilization against peritectoidal decomposition by the Zn atoms when substituting In in the structure. A new phase γ*-Cu9(In,Zn)4 with a modified structure was identified, characterized by a reduced unit cell and an altered electronic structure. The hot-rolling process preserves the phase composition and forms a composite-like structure, with the matrix composition of γ* and large ellipsoidal α-CuZn solution particles. On a microscale, the γ* matrix exhibited a specific structure resulting from segregation processes and was composed of micrometer-sized α-CuZn(In) solution particles and nano-sized β-CuZn phase precipitates. Low-temperature annealing intensifies the γ* matrix decomposition through binary phase precipitation.

A study on the evolution of microstructure of soil-rock mixtures based on the electrochemical conductive paths model under different rock and moisture content conditions

ABSTRACT To further improve the understanding of the evolution law of the microstructure of SRM in road engineering under moisture and rock content, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test under different moisture and rock conditions was carried out. This paper proposed an electrochemical model of different conductive paths based on different cementation states. The impact of rock and moisture content on the characteristic parameters of the conductive path model was analyzed. The results indicated the impedance spectrum curves became more pronounced with the continuous decrease in moisture content and increase in rock content. There was a well-defined exponential relationship between total impedance and both moisture and rock content. The total impedance decreased continuously with increasing moisture content and increased with increasing rock content. The characteristic parameters had practical significance in representing the microscopic structure. The moisture content primarily influenced the variation trends of the representation parameters by altering the channel width, length, and quantity of the continuous pore water solution pathways and the discontinuous rock-soil bonded bodies. The rock content affected the changes by compressing the external and internal pore water solution and soil particles, altering the compression and support between the continuous pore water solution pathways and the block rock framework.

Marangoni-driven deterministic formation of softer, hollow microstructures for sensitivity-enhanced tactile system

Microengineering the dielectric layers with three-dimensional microstructures has proven effective in enhancing the sensitivity of flexible pressure sensors. However, the widely employed geometrical designs of solid microstructures exhibit limited sensitivity over a wide range of pressures due to their inherent but undesired structural compressibility. Here, a Marangoni-driven deterministic formation approach is proposed for fabricating hollow microstructures, allowing for greater deformation while retarding structural stiffening during compression. Fluid convective deposition enables solute particles to reassemble in template microstructures, controlling the interior cavity with a void ratio exceeding 90%. The hollow micro-pyramid sensor exhibits a 10-fold sensitivity improvement across wider pressure ranges over the pressure sensor utilizing solid micro-pyramids, and an ultra-low detect limit of 0.21 Pa. With the advantages of facilitation, scalability, and large-area compatibility, such an approach for hollow microstructures can be expanded to other sensor types for superior performance and has considerable potential in robotic tactile and epidermal devices.

The Role of the Spatial Network of Hydrogen Bonds in the Motibilities of Particles of Aqueous Solutions of Aliphatic Amino Alcohols

The Role of the Spatial Network of Hydrogen Bonds in the Motibilities of Particles of Aqueous Solutions of Aliphatic Amino Alcohols

Spreading dynamics of a microgel particle-laden thermosensitive polymer drop along smooth and nanofiber surfaces

The research focuses on the influence of 300-μm microgel particles in an aqueous solution of a thermosensitive biopolymer on the spreading and deformation of 3.7-mm drops. The drops impact a smooth hydrophilic and a rough hydrophobic surface. A mass fraction of microgel particles varies in a range of 0–0.2. A universal physical model of the spreading of thermosensitive polymer drops laden with microgel particles along surfaces with significantly different roughness is proposed. It explains the strong inhomogeneity of the contact line stretching due to the deceleration of the continuous phase flow by microgel particles and the increased flow vorticity because of the addition of the surface roughness factor. The validity of the proposed physical model is proven by qualitative and quantitative assessments of the contact line deformation when spreading. An empirical expression for the maximum spreading factor is derived, taking into account the properties of liquids, wall roughness, and microgel particle concentration; it reliably predicts when Re≈110−3100, the surface roughness is 0.5–125 nm, Ca=4.5×10−7, and the number of microgel particles in drops is up to 100. The expression was successfully tested during the modeling of arbitrary surface roughness and the increased concentration of microgel particles relative to those considered in experiments during the formation of a biopolymer layer. When developing the method of additive manufacturing of a functional layer, a practical correlation was established between the volume content of microgel particles, acting as potential containers for living cells, in a drop and the area of the biopolymer layer.

Effects of salinity on naphthalene adsorption and toxicity of polyethylene microparticles on Artemia salina

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is increasing and plastic particles may adsorb and transport a diverse array of contaminants, thereby increasing their bioavailability to biota. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of varying polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) and naphthalene (NAPH) concentrations on the survival and feeding rates of the model organism, Artemia salina, as well as NAPH adsorption to microplastics at different salinity levels (17, 75, 35.5 and 52.75 g L−1) under selected climate change scenarios. Survival (48 h) and feeding rates (6 h) of A. salina were also monitored, revealing that the presence of higher PE and NAPH concentrations lead to decreased survival rates while also increasing the number and size of microplastic particles in the saline solutions. Higher PE concentrations negatively affected A. salina feeding rates and NAPH concentrations were positively correlated with particle number and size, as well as with NAPH and PE adsorption rates in solution. Our findings demonstrate that the co-occurrence of microplastics and NAPH in aquatic environments can result in detrimental zooplankton survival and feeding rate effects. Furthermore, this interaction may contribute to the accumulation of these contaminants in the environment, highlighting the need to simultaneously monitor and mitigate the presence of microplastics and organic pollutants, like NAPH, in aquatic environments.

Nano particle distribution in blood via electroosmotic peristaltic flow in a non-uniform wavy membrane base capillaries

ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this article is to undertake a mathematical investigation into the electro osmotically thermally driven transport of solute particles, which are typically on a micro to nano-meter scale, suspended in blood. The study is conducted within a non-uniform porous channel for a Williamson fluid. The main objective of this research is to explore the interactions and consequences of solute particles and nanoparticles in the Esophagus, particularly regarding their potential applications in drug delivery and biomedical engineering, especially in the context of electroosmotic non-Newtonian fluids. SignificanceThis research also has significant implications for microscale physiological phenomena. In this investigation, blood serves as the base fluid, and a nanofluid is created by introducing Nickel and Cobalt nanoparticles into the blood. Both nanoparticles have critical medical applications, especially in drug delivery and cancer treatment. To delve deeper into the study of nanomedicine delivery, Nickel and Cobalt nanoparticles are introduced into the blood alongside other smaller solute particles. MethodologyThe mathematical modeling is conducted in a rectangular coordinate system, and the governing flow equations are linearized using approximations that consider low Reynolds numbers and large wavelengths. The numerical solution is computed for a coupled set of nonlinear equations that describe the profiles of fluid-particle velocity, temperature, and fluid-particle composition. The study explores the influence of various key parameters and presents these effects through graphical representations. FindingsIt is observed that an increase in the suspension concentration and the Williamson fluid parameter leads to higher fluid velocity, while the temperature distribution exhibits the opposite trend. The introduction of nanoparticles into the fluid decelerates the flow and raises the temperature.

Enhancement of fracture toughness of sol-gel silica glass coating by small amount of silver particle dispersion

Glass coatings find application across diverse fields, offering chemical resistance, insulation, and hardness to substrates. Toughness enhancement of glass coatings is strongly required to maintain these functions in the practical applications. In this study, we propose a novel approach to improve fracture toughness of glass coating by incorporating silver particles into it prepared via the sol-gel method. Samples with 0–2.0 vol% of 73 nm and 730 nm Ag particles in the precursor solution were obtained. The resulting samples exhibited high transparency, minimal change in Young's modulus, and considerably improved fracture toughness. At 73 nm and 730 nm, the maximum fracture toughness occurred at 0.5 vol% and 1.0 vol%, respectively, with a 1.4- and 1.8-fold increase compared to the original coating. This approach shows promise for enhancing glass coating toughness with minimal additive amounts and negligible loss of coating properties.

Monodisperse polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles as self-sticky and bio-resorbable tissue adhesives

Monodisperse nanoparticles of biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) polymers, copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB), are synthesized using a membrane-assisted emulsion encapsulation and evaporation process for biomedical resorbable adhesives. The precise control over the diameter of these PHA particles, ranging from 100 nm to 8 μm, is achieved by adjusting the diameter of emulsion or the PHA concentration. Mechanical properties of the particles can be tailored based on the 3HB to 4HB ratio and molecular weight, primarily influenced by the level of crystallinity. These monodisperse PHA particles in solution serve as adhesives for hydrogel systems, specifically those based on poly(N, N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA). Semi-crystalline PHA nanoparticles exhibit stronger adhesion energy than their amorphous counterparts. Due to their self-adhesiveness, adhesion energy increases even when those PHA nanoparticles form multilayers between hydrogels. Furthermore, as they degrade and are resorbed into the body, the PHA nanoparticles demonstrate efficacy in in vivo wound closure, underscoring their considerable impact on biomedical applications.

Spiky Magnetic Microparticles Synthesized from Microrod-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion.

Tailoring the microstructure of magnetic microparticles is of vital importance for their applications. Spiky magnetic particles, such as those made from sunflower pollens, have shown promise in single cell treatment and biofilm removal. Synthetic methods that can replicate or extend the functionality of such spiky particles would be advantageous for their widespread utilization. In this work, a wet-chemical method is introduced for spiky magnetic particles that are templated from microrod-stabilized Pickering emulsions. The spiky morphology is generated by the upright attachment of silica microrods at the oil-water interface of oil droplets. Spiky magnetic microparticles with control over the length of the spikes are obtained by dispersing hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles in the oil phase and photopolymerizing the monomer. The spiky morphology dramatically enhances colloidal stability of these particles in high ionic strength solutions and physiologic media such as human saliva and saline-based biofilm suspension. To demonstrate their utility, the spiky magnetic particles are applied for magnetically controlled removal of oral biofilms and retrieval of bacteria for diagnostic sampling. This method expands the toolbox for engineering microparticle morphology and could promote the fabrication of functional magnetic microrobots.

Acute particulate hexavalent chromium exposure induces DNA double-strand breaks and activates homologous recombination repair in rat lung tissue.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is an established human lung carcinogen, but the carcinogenesis mechanism is poorly understood. Chromosome instability, a hallmark of lung cancer, is considered a major driver of Cr(VI)-induced lung cancer. Unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks are the underlying cause, and homologous recombination repair is the primary mechanism preventing Cr(VI)-induced DNA breaks from causing chromosome instability. Cell culture studies show acute Cr(VI) exposure causes DNA double-strand breaks and increases homologous recombination repair activity. However, the ability of Cr(VI)-induced DNA breaks and repair impact has only been reported in cell culture studies. Therefore, we investigated whether acute Cr(VI) exposure could induce breaks and homologous recombination repair in rat lungs. Male and female Wistar rats were acutely exposed to either zinc chromate particles in a saline solution or saline alone by oropharyngeal aspiration. This exposure route resulted in increased Cr levels in each lobe of the lung. We found Cr(VI) induced DNA double-strand breaks in a concentration-dependent manner, with females being more susceptible than males, and induced homologous recombination repair at similar levels in both sexes. Thus, these data show this driving mechanism discovered in cell culture indeed translates to lung tissue in vivo.

Solvation Properties of Neutral Gold Species in Supercritical Water Studied By THz Spectroscopy

AbstractSupercritical water provides distinctly different solvation properties compared to what is known from liquid water. Despite its prevalence deep in the Earth's crust and its role in chemosynthetic ecosystems in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents, molecular insights into its solvation mechanisms are still very scarce compared to what is known for liquid water. Recently, neutral metal particles have been detected in hydrothermal fluids and proposed to explain the transport of gold species to ore deposits on Earth. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we elucidate the solvation properties of small gold species at supercritical conditions. The neutral metal clusters themselves contribute enormous THz intensity not because of their intramolecular vibrations, but due to their pronounced electronic polarization coupling to the dynamical supercritical solvent, leading to a continuum absorption up to about 1000 cm−1. On top, long‐lived interactions between the gold clusters and solvation water leads at these supercritical conditions to a sharp THz resonance that happens to be close to the one due to H‐bonding in liquid water at ambient conditions. The resulting distinct resonances can be used to analyse the solvation properties of neutral metal particles in supercritical aqueous solutions.

Solvation Properties of Neutral Gold Species in Supercritical Water Studied By THz Spectroscopy.

Supercritical water provides distinctly different solvation properties compared to what is known from liquid water. Despite its prevalence deep in the Earth's crust and its role in chemosynthetic ecosystems in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents, molecular insights into its solvation mechanisms are still very scarce compared to what is known for liquid water. Recently, neutral metal particles have been detected in hydrothermal fluids and proposed to explain the transport of gold species to ore deposits on Earth. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we elucidate the solvation properties of small gold species at supercritical conditions. The neutral metal clusters themselves contribute enormous THz intensity not because of their intramolecular vibrations, but due to their pronounced electronic polarization coupling to the dynamical supercritical solvent, leading to a continuum absorption up to about 1000 cm-1. On top, long-lived interactions between the gold clusters and solvation water leads at these supercritical conditions to a sharp THz resonance that happens to be close to the one due to H-bonding in liquid water at ambient conditions. The resulting distinct resonances can be used to analyse the solvation properties of neutral metal particles in supercritical aqueous solutions.

A simple model for density anomaly and excess thermodynamic properties of alcohol-like in water-like mixture

ABSTRACT Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to gain insights into the density anomaly and excess thermodynamic properties of a binary mixture composed of a solvent resembling water and a solute resembling alcohol. In our model, both fluids were represented by spherical particles interacting through effective potentials: a two-length scale potential for the solvent–solvent interaction while purely repulsive potentials were used for the solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions. The temperature of maximum density (TMD) present in the pure solvent system is also observed in our mixture. The TMD exhibits a positive deviation in the mixture when compared to the pure solvent fluid under high-pressure conditions, while it shows a negative deviation under low-pressure conditions what is consistent with experiments. The excess volume, enthalpy and isobaric heat capacity show extreme values at x ≈ 0.4 . Using the radial distribution function and the translational order parameter we suggest that this behaviour can be explained in terms of solute particles caged in solvent network.

Selective lithium extraction employing lithium manganese oxide-loaded polymeric membranes at natural brine pH and room temperature

The current technology for lithium extraction from brines is recognized both for its techno-economic disadvantages and its environmental impacts. We have synthesized, characterized, and evaluated particles based on lithium manganese oxide towards selective lithium recovery from complex media. A solid-state synthesis and a hydrothermal method produced sub-micrometre sized particles that showed diameters of 253 nm and 154 nm, respectively, both with very low polydispersity. 23.7 mgLi/gHMO and 30.7 mgLi/gHMO adsorption capacity values were obtained with solid-state synthetic and hydrothermal oxides. The hydrothermally synthesized sub-micrometre sized particles were incorporated into polymeric membranes aiming at the development of a straightforward technological application. Membranes were prepared from polyacrylonitrile and polyethylene-glycol, and the affinity to lithium was once again evaluated. Membranes showed a high adsorption capacity for lithium (32.7 mgLi/gHMO) with almost identical kinetics and cyclability as the free particles in solution. An excellent selectivity for lithium was confirmed in experiments with a natural lithium-rich brine from the Lithium Triangle. All adsorption experiments were performed at neutral pH and room temperature. An undeniable advantage of membranes vs. sub-micrometre sized particles is that the former do not require centrifugation after successful adsorption/desorption. These three characteristics are fundamental in the perspective of technology scale-up to minimize operational costs.

Reusable saturated synthesis solutions for compact zeolite membranes

Zeolite membranes have excellent application prospects in the separation of mixtures with molecular-level differences; however, the uneven distribution of active ingredients on the support causes defects in the zeolite membranes, limiting their industrial applications. In this study, compact NaX and NaA zeolite membranes with perfect pervaporation performance were prepared in reusable saturated membrane synthesis solutions. These saturated membrane synthesis solutions not only provided sufficient Si/Al components for the even growth of zeolite on the support, but also reduced the random deposition of zeolite particles on the support by reducing the formation of zeolite particles in the bulk solution, improving the quality of the resulting zeolite membranes. The separation factors of the obtained NaA and NaX zeolite membranes were greater than 10000 for the water/ethanol and methanol/MTBE mixtures, respectively. Moreover, the saturated synthesis solutions could be reused multiple times to synthesize zeolite membranes after nutrient supplementation, saving resources and reducing environmental pollution. This study presents reusable solutions for synthesizing compact zeolite membranes, promoting the development of membrane technology for environmental protection and energy conservation.

Microstructural characteristics and wear-resistant mechanisms of WC-TiC-co coatings with varying TiC contents

In this work, the microstructural characteristics and tribological properties of HVOF-sprayed WC-TiC-Co coatings with varying amounts of TiC addition were studied, along with a comparison with those of the traditional WC-Co coating. The incorporated TiC exhibited a diverse presence in the coatings, including (Ti,W)C solid solution particles and interfacial layers, residual TiC particles, as well as Ti-monolayer that induced planar defects within WC grains. The high stability of (Ti,W)C layers at the WC/Co interfaces effectively suppressed the formation of W2C in the WC-TiC-Co coatings. Notably, the coating with 10 wt% TiC demonstrated superior wear resistance owing to the hardening effects of (Ti,W)C particles and interfacial layers. This effectively mitigated the wear mechanisms such as plastic deformation, extrusion, and micro-cutting of the Co binder, which would otherwise lead to the pull-out of WC particles and accelerate the wear process. These findings provide valuable insights into the microstructure design and performance optimization of WC-based coatings.

Effect of CeO2 nanoparticles on hydroxyl radicals in EPR studies of the photodegradation of methylene blue under influence of red light

The antioxidant properties of cerium dioxide nanoparticles synthesized by the hydrothermal method are studied both by optical photometry and by EPR spectroscopy. It was found that with increasing intensity of irradiation of methylene blue with red light, the antioxidant activity of CeO2 nanoparticles improve. The greatest antioxidant activity is achieved at a concentration of CeO2 particles in solution from 5 mM to 10 mM. Increasing a concentration of CeO2 nanoparticles above 20 mM leads to deterioration in their antioxidant properties. It has been shown that in an alkaline medium the antioxidant activity of nanoparticles increases significantly, but with a decrease in pH to 3, CeO2 nanoparticles exhibit weak pro-oxidant properties due to more active generation of O2− radicals.