Cleavable surfactants to tune the stability of W/O miniemulsions.

Recently, there has been growing interest towards the formation and use of miniemulsions as nanoreactors for polymerization and precipitation reactions. Regarding precipitation reactions in miniemulsions, emulsifiers are required that on the one hand stabilize droplets in a size range <1 μm and on the other hand allow break-up of the miniemulsion into its two initial phases after particle synthesis for purification reasons. In this work we report the synthesis and emulsifying abilities of low-mass cleavable emulsifiers based on monoesters of oxalic and malonic acids for the stabilization of water-in-oil miniemulsions.

Mass transport characteristics of alkyl amines in a water/n-decane system.

Water-in-decane emulsions can be applied as reaction system for the precipitation of nanoparticles. Herein the precipitation reaction is induced once an oil as well as water soluble compound (here: alkyl amines) diffuses from the continuous oil phase into a water based droplet, loaded with the reaction partner. Thus, the mass transfer and adsorption characteristics of the alkyl amine at the interface are key parameters to understand particle formation in emulsion droplets.

Platelets display potent antimicrobial activity and release human beta-defensin 2.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a potent agent that improves soft tissue and bone healing. By the release of growth factors and cytokines, PRP is believed to locally boost physiologic healing processes. Recently, antimicrobial activity of PRP has been demonstrated against S.