Silybin-Functionalized PCL Electrospun Fibrous Membranes for Potential Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications.

Silybin is a natural flavonolignan with potential anticancer, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. In the present study, various loadings of silybin (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were encapsulated in poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fibers by electrospinning, in order to produce new pharmaceutical composites with improved bioactive and drug delivery properties. The morphological characteristics of the composite fibrous structures were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the encapsulation efficiency and the release rate of silybin were quantified using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer.

Desolvation Inability of Solid Hydrates, an Alternative Expression for the Gibbs Free Energy of Solvation, and the Myth of Freeze-Drying.

The term "desolvation inability" is proposed in order to describe the alteration of the original chemical structure of a solute ("decomposition") prior to the solvent's full removal upon the heating of the solvate. This behavior has been sporadically reported; however, it is much more frequent, and it is the basis of various, seemingly unrelated, effects/processes, e.g.

Simulation and Experimental Study of the Isothermal Thermogravimetric Analysis and the Apparent Alterations of the Thermal Stability of Composite Polymers.

Composite polymers are an interesting class of materials with a wide range of applications. Among the properties of polymers which are currently being enhanced via the development of composite materials is their thermal stability, which is typically evaluated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In this work, a paradox is recognized regarding the considered relationship between the polymer-filler interactions leading to a good dispersion of the filler and the improvement of thermal stability.

Cellulose Acetate-Ionic Liquid Blends as Potential Polymers for Efficient CO Separation Membranes.

CO capture, applied in CO separation from natural gas or in CO/N separation from power plant flue gas streams, is of great importance for technical, economic, and environmental reasons. The latter seems important because CO, as a greenhouse gas, is considered the main contributor to global warming. Using polymeric membranes for CO separation presents several advantages, such as low energy demand, small equipment volume, and the absence of liquid waste.

Properties Optimization of Polypropylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Drawn Fibers.

In this study, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of composite polypropylene (PP) drawn fibers with two different organically modified montmorillonites were experimentally investigated and optimized using a response surface methodology. Specifically, the Box-Behnken Design of Experiments method was used in order to investigate the effect of the filler content, the compatibilizer content, and the drawing temperature on the tensile strength and the onset decomposition temperature of the PP composite drawn fibers. The materials were characterized by tensile tests, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction.