Lattice Model of Multilayer Adsorption of Particles with Orientation Dependent Interactions at Solid Surfaces

A simple lattice model has been used to study the formation of multilayer films by fluids with orientation-dependent interactions on solid surfaces. The particles, composed of two halves (A and B) were allowed to take on one of six different orientations. The interaction between a pair of differently oriented neighboring particles was assumed to depend on the degrees to which their A and B parts overlap. Here, we have assumed that the AA interaction was strongly attractive, the AB interaction was set to zero, while the BB interaction was varied between 0 and −1.0. The ground state properties of the model have been determined for the systems being in contact with non-selective and selective walls over the entire range of BB interaction energies between 0 and −1.0. It has been demonstrated that the structure of multilayer films depends on the strengths of surface potential felt by differently oriented particles and the interaction between the B halves of fluid particles. Finite temperature behavior has been studied by Monte Carlo simulation methods. It has been shown that the bulk phase phase diagram is qualitatively independent of the BB interaction energy, and has the swan neck shape, since the high stability of the dense ordered phase suppresses the possibility of the formation of disordered liquid-like phase. Only one class of non-uniform systems with the BB interaction set to zero has been considered. The results have been found to be consistent with the predictions stemming form the ground state considerations. In particular, we have found that a complete wetting occurs at any temperature, down to zero. Furthermore, the sequences of layering transitions, and the structure of multilayer films, have been found to be the same as observed in the ground state.

A Comprehensive Investigation into the Effect of a Low Surface Energy Treatment on Gas Hydrate, Asphaltene, and Wax Formation, Deposition, and Adhesion

Summary The formation/precipitation and deposition of pipeline solids, such as gas hydrates, asphaltenes, and waxes have long plagued production fields. Given the vast differences in chemistries of these solids, any current prevention or mitigation strategy, particularly for cases in which multiple issues are a concern, is likely to involve an extensive assortment of chemical additives that are both costly and add complexity to the system. Surface treatments (coatings), on the other hand, present a relatively viable option for management strategies. A chemically and physically robust surface treatment with the ability to address deposition issues for multiple pipeline solids could not only decrease the operating expenditures for a field through material cost savings and obviation of downstream separation, but could also simplify produced fluids by eliminating additional chemicals from the mixture. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of a particular surface treatment as part of a solids management strategy. This work used an omniphobic surface treatment to probe its effects on gas hydrate, asphaltene, and wax deposition. Specifically, an interfacial tensiometer (IFT) collected contact angle measurements for wettability studies. High-pressure rocking cells studied gas hydrate nucleation and deposition. A bench-scale flow loop quantified the deposition of oil and asphaltenes after a set time period. Finally, a mechanical shear device measured the adhesion force of wax deposits on untreated/treated surfaces. Static contact angle results showed that the omniphobic surface treatment had reduced surface interaction with water droplets in air, altering from the complete wetting on corroded surfaces to slightly hydrophobic conditions of greater than 100°. In addition, rocking-cell tests indicated that these omniphobic surface treatments may prevent gas hydrate deposition for up to 72 hours. The gas hydrate rocking-cell tests also demonstrated possible increases in induction time and occasional elimination of hydrate nucleation with the surface treatment. Finally, the surface treatment application, which also decreased surface roughness, showed that crude oil and asphaltene particles deposition, as well as the shear required to remove solidified wax deposits, could be reduced by a large factor. Overall, promising results were recorded for all major flow-assurance solids in the presence of the surface treatment.

Process Optimization for the Continuous Production of a Gastroretentive Dosage Form Based on Melt Foaming

Several drugs have poor oral bioavailability due to low or incomplete absorption which is affected by various effects as pH, motility of GI, and enzyme activity. The gastroretentive drug delivery systems are able to deal with these problems by prolonging the gastric residence time, while increasing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Previously, we developed a novel technology to foam hot and molten dispersions on atmospheric pressure by a batch-type in-house apparatus. Our aim was to upgrade this technology by a new continuous lab-scale apparatus and confirm that our formulations are gastroretentive. At first, we designed and built the apparatus and continuous production was optimized using a Box–Behnken experimental design. Then, we formulated barium sulfate-loaded samples with the optimal production parameters, which was suitable for in vivo imaging analysis. In vitro study proved the low density, namely 507 mg/cm3, and the microCT record showed high porosity with 40 μm average size of bubbles in the molten suspension. The BaSO4-loaded samples showed hard structure at room temperature and during the wetting test, the complete wetting was detected after 120 min. During the in vivo study, the X-ray taken showed the retention of the formulation in the rat stomach after 2 h. We can conclude that with our device low-density floating formulations were prepared with prolonged gastric residence time. This study provides a promising platform for marketed active ingredients with low bioavailability.

Research and Prediction of Wettability of Irregular Square Column Structure on Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Surface Prepared by Femtosecond Laser

Based on the contact angle prediction model of a traditional square column structure, the prediction models for wettability of a parallelogram square column structure (PSCS) on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) surface prepared by femtosecond laser were established. An experiment was conducted to analyze the rationality of the established complete wetting model and incomplete wetting model. It was found that the incomplete wetting prediction model of the square column structure was more in line with the actual situation. For PSCS, the length of both the long and short sides of the boss and the width of the groove exerted an impact on the contact angle prediction results. Under the condition that the length of the long and short sides of the boss remained unchanged and the groove width increased, the contact angle increased under complete wetting and incomplete wetting. In contrast, under the condition that the long side length of the boss and the groove width remained unchanged and the short side length of the boss increased, the contact angle increased under complete wetting but decreased under incomplete wetting. The maximum contact angle reached 135.65°, indicating that PSCS on PMMA surface enhanced the surface hydrophobicity of the material.

Oxygen Plasma Treated-Electrospun Polyhydroxyalkanoate Scaffolds for Hydrophilicity Improvement and Cell Adhesion

Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) with differing material properties, namely, the homopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), the copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), with a 3HV content of 25 wt.% and a medium chain length PHA, and mcl-PHA, mainly composed of 3-hydroxydecanoate, were studied as scaffolding material for cell culture. P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) were individually spun into fibers, as well as blends of the mcl-PHA with each of the scl-PHAs. An overall biopolymer concentration of 4 wt.% was used to prepare the electrospinning solutions, using chloroform as the solvent. A stable electrospinning process and good quality fibers were obtained for a solution flow rate of 0.5 mL h−1, a needle tip collector distance of 20 cm and a voltage of 12 kV for P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) solutions, while for the mcl-PHA the distance was increased to 25 cm and the voltage to 15 kV. The scaffolds’ hydrophilicity was significantly increased under exposure to oxygen plasma as a surface treatment. Complete wetting was obtained for the oxygen plasma treated scaffolds and the water uptake degree increased in all treated scaffolds. The biopolymers crystallinity was not affected by the electrospinning process, while their treatment with oxygen plasma decreased their crystalline fraction. Human dermal fibroblasts were able to adhere and proliferate within the electrospun PHA-based scaffolds. The P(3HB-co-3HV): mcl-PHA oxygen plasma treated scaffold highlighted the most promising results with a cell adhesion rate of 40 ± 8%, compared to 14 ± 4% for the commercial oxygen plasma treated polystyrene scaffold AlvetexTM. Scaffolds based on P(3HB-co-3HV): mcl-PHA blends produced by electrospinning and submitted to oxygen plasma exposure are therefore promising biomaterials for the development of scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Smart Surfaces with Tunable Wettability

Modification of surface wettability (ranging from complete wetting to complete non-wetting) of various surfaces is often required in many applications. Conventionally, it is done using a coating of suitable materials as per the requirement. In this approach, the old coating needs to be replaced every time by a new appropriate one. Alternatively, smart responsive surfaces can show tunable wettability with external stimulus. Electric field, temperature, light, pH, mechanical strain, etc. can be effectively used as external stimuli, and a suitable coating can be incorporated, which responses to the respective stimulus. These surfaces can be used to tune the surface wettability to any extent based on the magnitude of the stimulus. The primary role of the external stimulus is to vary the liquid-solid interfacial energy, which subsequently changes the surface wettability. The biggest advantage of this approach is that the surface wettability can be reversibly tuned. Each of the techniques mentioned above has many advantages along with certain limitations, and the combination of advantages and limitations helps users to choose the right technique for their work. Many recent studies have used this approach to quantify the tuning of the surface wettability and have also demonstrated its potential in various applications.

FEATURES OF GROWTH PROCESSES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF RADISH PLANTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF RETARDANTS

The increase of the plants resistance to unfavorable environmental factors while increasing productivity plants is one of the perspective ways in vegetable growing. The purpose of our research was to highlight the results of studies of the regulation of growth processes and productivity of radish plants under the influence of drugs with retardant action - chlormequatchloride and ethephon. Our studies were performed on radishes of the Zorya variety. Radish plants were treated in the phase of formation of two leaves with 0.25% solution of ethephon and 0.25% solution of chlormequatchloride until complete wetting of the leaves. The control plants were treated with water. During the research the morphometric parameters of plants, leaf surface area, yield and chlorophyll content in plant leaves were determined. The use of retardants ethephon (0.25%) and chlormequatchloride (0.25%) on Zorya radish plants in the phase of 2-leaf formation caused the important changes in plant morphogenesis. It was established that plant height decreased, mass of the leaf and root enlarged, the area of leaf surface increased. Treatment of plants with ethyleneproducent ethephon (0.25%) inhibited growth of plant by 19% in height. The use of retardant chlormequatchloride (0.25%) inhibited growth by 4%. It was investigated that the use of retardants increased the number and weight of leaves in comparison with the control radish plants. Under the action of ethephon (0.25%) these indicators increased by 14% and 5%, accordingly, and under chlormequatchloride (0.25%) treatments - by 14% and 22%. It was found that the use of retardants increased the leaf surface area of radish plants. The leaf area increased by 22% when were treated with chlormequatchloride. The use of ethephon was less effective, because this parameter increased by only 11%. The use of growth regulators had a positive effect on the productivity of radish plants. The application of ethephon increased the weight of radish roots by 15%, the use of chlormequatchloride caused the enlarging weight of radish roots by 28%. Key words: morphogenesis, leaf surface area, productivity, retardants, radishes.

СONCEPT AND CALCULATION OF THE LIMIT TRANSVERSE SIZE OF CAPILLARIES

Porous medium are products of processing in food, agricultural, chemical and many other industries. Calculations of processes with wet porous medium are based on capillary properties of the liquid in a pore space. The capillary properties of liquids in porous media are established in pore models in the form of thin tubes of circular or slit transverse sections. The intensity of the processes occurring in it depends on the nature of the filling of the pore space with liquid. Filling with liquid and the formation of a capillary layer is possible only in small pores. However, there is no analytical justification for the transverse pore size, more than which it cannot be filled with liquid by capillary forces. With this in mind, the concept of the limiting transverse size of a capillary for a liquid under conditions of complete wetting is introduced. The limiting size calculation is based on two conditions: the shape of the axial section of the meniscus surface has the appearance of a semicircle and its extremum point is located at the level of the free surface of the fluid supplying the capillary. A capillary column cannot form in larger pores. The absence of formulas for calculating capillaries of the limiting sizes can introduce a significant error into the analytical calculation of the moisture content in the capillary layer of a liquid in porous media and moisture transfer processes. The aim of the study was to obtain formulas for calculating the limiting (largest) sizes of capillaries of a circular, flat slit section and annular transverse sections with complete wetting of their walls. For the conditions above, it was identified that the limiting distance between the walls was independent from annular capillary diameter. The formulas for the limiting transverse sizes of the flat slit and annular capillaries turned out to be the same under the assumptions above. This indicates a weak dependence of the limiting size of a slit capillary on the curvature of its transverse section. Examples of calculations of capillaries of the limiting sizes are performed.

Investigation of Interfacial Free Energy of Three-Phase Contact on a Glass Sphere in Case of Cationic-Anionic Surfactant Aqueous Mixtures

The wetting of adsorbed surfactants solids is important for various technological applications in particular for the process of foam flotation. The present work aims at calculating the surface tensions of the three phase interfaces at different surfactant concentrations using the Girifalco and Good method. For this purpose, the surface tension and contact angle vs. surfactant concentration of the test substances amines and sulfonates and their mixture were measured for liquid–air interface. Calculated surface tension of solid–air interface vs. concentration for C10 amine and mixed systems are close to those for the liquid–air surface, but are slightly lower. In the case of mixed systems, the graph has a specific structure similar to that of liquid–air surface dependence. In contrast to the solid–air interface results, the solid–liquid surface tension values are significantly lower. In case of the mixed surfactant systems, C10amine/C10 sulfonate, a synergetic effect on the surface tension is observed. The specific behavior of the mixed systems is interpreted with the emergence of aggregates consisting of the anionic and cationic surfactants. It is shown that in the whole area of concentrations complete wetting does not occur.