Development and evaluation of lafutidine solid dispersion via hot melt extrusion:Investigating drug-polymer miscibility with advanced characterisation

In current study,immediate release solid dispersion(SD)formulation of antiulcer drug lafutidine(LAFT)was developed using hot melt extrusion(HME)technique.Amphiphilic Soluplus
used as a primary solubilizing agent,with different concentrations of selected surfactants like PEG 400,Lutrol F127(LF127),Lutrol F68(LF68)were used to investigate their influence on formulations processing via HME.Prepared amorphous glassy solid dispersion was found to be thermodynamically and physicochemically stable.On the contrary,traces of crystalline LAFT not observed in the extrudates according to differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and Raman spectroscopy.Raman micro spectrometry had the lowest detection limit of LAFT crystals compared with XRD and DSC.Atomic Force microscopy(AFM)studies revealed drugpolymer molecular miscibility and surface interaction at micro level.1HeCOSY NMR spectroscopy confirmed miscibility and interaction between LAFT and Soluplus
,with chemical shift drifting and line broadening.MD simulation studies using computational modelling showed intermolecular interaction between molecules.Dissolution rate and solubility of LAFT was enhanced remarkably in developed SD systems.Optimized ratio of polymer and surfactants played crucial role in dissolution rate enhancement of LAFT SD.The obtained results suggested that developed LAFT has promising potential for oral delivery and might be an efficacious approach for enhancing the therapeutic potential of LAFT.

Development and Characterisation of Natamycin Mini-Matrices Prepared by Hot-Melt Extrusion for Vaginal Delivery

In this study, bioadhesive mini-matrices of natamycin were prepared for vaginal application by hot-melt extrusion. In addition, melt viscosity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, in vitro drug release studies and in vitro mucoadhesion test were performed. High molecular weight grades of KlucelTM hydroxypropylcellulose were used as a thermoplastic polymer. TEC and PEG 400 were chosen as plasticizer. According to the obtained results of melt viscosity measurements, the maximum torque of extrudates prepared using PEG 400 increased with increasing drug loading. The thermo-gravimetric analyses showed that natamycin is stable up to 198℃ and this result gives the opportunity to hot melt extrussion process at 90℃. In vitro drug release results showed that the release was extended up to 72 hours and drug release rate increased with increasing drug loading. In respect to the in vitro mucoadhesion test results, the values of work of mucoadhesion were found high as 771,977 mN.mm, 753,199 mN.mm, 686,356 mN.mm for the prepared hot melt extruded mini-matrices. Our results showed that the developed formulations were found worthy of further studies.

Development of Gelatin-Based Active Packaging and Its Application in Bread Preservation

The issue of plastic pollution has attracted widespread social attention.Gelatin is valued as a degradable bio-based material,especially as an edible active packaging material.However,the commonly used solution-casting filmforming technology limits the mass production of gelatin films.In order to improve the production efficiency and enhance the commercial value of gelatin films,in this study,fish gelatin(FG)particles were successfully blended with essential oils(EOs)to prepare active films by melt extrusion technique,a common method for commercial plastics,and applied to bread preservation.FG and EOs showed good compatibility with each other.The elongation at break was enhanced in all samples of films containing EOs.The addition of EOs weakened the oxygen barrier properties of the FG films.The gelatin films containing clove EO showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging rate of 39.38%.The films containing oregano EO showed the highest antibacterial activity,with 98.84%and 99.86% against S.aureus and E.coli,respectively.The bread preservation results showed a slower microbial growth rate in the samples preserved by the active films.The bread samples preserved in commercial PE film showed mold on day 3,and the bread samples preserved in active gelatin film showed mold visible to the naked eye by day 7.This study demonstrates the potential of gelatin-based activated films for commercial application in baked goods preservation.

Development of lunar regolith-based composite for in-situ 3D printing via high-pressure extrusion system

To fully utilize the in-situ resources on the moon to facilitate the establishment of a lunar habitat is significant to realize the long-term residence of mankind on the moon and the deep space exploration in the future.Thus,intensive research works have been conducted to develop types of 3D printing approach to adapt to the extreme environment and utilize the lunar regolith for in-situ construction.However,the in-situ 3D printing using raw lunar regolith consumes extremely high energy and time.In this work,we proposed a cost-effective melting extrusion system for lunar regolith-based composite printing,and engineering thermoplastic powders are employed as a bonding agent for lunar regolith composite.The high-performance nylon and lunar regolith are uniformly pre-mixed in powder form with different weight fractions.The high-pressure extrusion system is helpful to enhance the interface affinity of polymer binders with lunar regolith as well as maximize the loading ratio of in-situ resources of lunar regolith.Mechanical properties such as tensile strength,elastic modulus,and Poisson’s ratio of the printed specimens were evaluated systematically.Especially,the impact performance was emphasized to improve the resistance of the meteorite impact on the moon.The maximum tensile strength and impact toughness reach 36.2 MPa and 5.15 kJ/m2,respectively.Highpressure melt extrusion for lunar regolith composite can increase the effective loading fraction up to 80 wt.% and relatively easily adapt to extreme conditions for in-situ manufacturing.

Fabrication and Characterization of Semi-Crystalline and Amorphous Dielectric Polymer Films for Energy Storage

Dielectric polymer films are energy storage materials that are used in pulse power operations, power electronics and sustainable energy applications. This paper reviews energy storage devices with focus on dielectric film capacitors. Two prominent examples of polymer dielectrics Polyetherimide (PEI) and Poly (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride) (THV) have been discussed. Polyetherimide (PEI) is an amorphous polymer recognized for its high-temperature capability, low dielectric loss and high dielectric strength. THV is a semi-crystalline polymer with high dielectric constant, high-temperature capability and charge-discharge efficiency. The primary focus of this paper is to introduce the reader to the fabrication procedures and characterization techniques used in research labs for processing of dielectric polymers. The fabrication and characterization process of both polymers has been discussed in detail to shed the light on experimental process in this area of research.

Preparation of Polystyrene/Triphenyl Phosphate Composites by Suspension Polymerization and Melt Extrusion Method A Comparative Study

Polystyrene （PS）/triphenyl phosphate （TPP） composites were prepared by both suspension polymerization and melt extrusion, and a comparative study of the flame retardance and mechanical properties was carried out. The results showed that suspension polymerization was a better technique than melt extrusion for obtaining good dispersity of the PS/TPP composite. The TPP nanoparticles, which were approximately 50 nm in size, were homogenously and uniformly dispersed in the PS matrix by suspension polymerization in one-step. However, the PS/TPP composite was partially agglomerated, exhibiting irregularly shaped micron-scale particles as a result of melt extrusion. In contrast to the melt extrusion, the limited oxygen index （LOI） of the PS/TPP nanocomposite by suspension polymerization increased to 22.6% from 21.8%, and time to ignition （TTI） increased by 12.3%, the peak heat release rate （PHRR） decreased by 8.5%, and the total heat release （THR） decreased by 11.0%. The mechanical properties of the PS/TPP nanocomposite by suspension polymerization also increased. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and flexural strength increased by 36.4%, 8.5%, and 108%, respectively.

One-step and Continuous Fabrication of Coaxial Piezoelectric Fiber for Sensing Application

Although there has been rapid advancement in piezoelectric sensors,challenges still remain in developing wearable piezoelectric sensors by a one-step,continuous and environmentally friendly method.In this work,a 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber was directly fabricated by melt extrusion molding,whose core and sheath layer are respectively slender steel wire(i.e.,electrode)and PVDF(i.e.,piezoelectric layer).Moreover,such 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber possesses short response time and high sensitivity,which can be used as a selfpowered sensor for bending and vibration sensing.More interestingly,such 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber(1D-PFs)can be further endowed with 3D helical structure.Moreover,a wearable and washable motion monitoring system can be constructed via braiding such 3D helical piezoelectric fiber(3D-PF)into commercial textiles.This work paves a new way for developing 1D and 3D piezoelectric fibers through a one-step,continuous and environmentally friendly method,showing potential applications in the field of sensing and wearable electronics.

Morphological, Structural, Thermal and Tensile Properties of High Density Polyethylene Composites Reinforced with Treated Argan Nut Shell Particles

High Density Polyethylene （HDPE） composites reinforced with treated bio-filler from Argan-Nut Shell （ANS） at various filler contents are prepared by extrusion and injection molding processes. The microstructures of the composites are charac- terized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy （FTIS） and Scanning Electron Microscopy （SEM）; the thermal stability is analyzed by Thermogravimetric Analysis （TGA）, and their mechanical properties are investigated by dynamical mechanical analysis and rheological testing. The morphological and structural results indicate an improvement in adhesion between the ANS fillers and HDPE matrix upon alkali treatment. The mechanical properties of the composites show a significant increase in young＇s modulus with the addition of filler, a gain of 58% is marked compared to neat polymer, Thermal analysis reveals that the incorporation of bio-filler in polymer results in a decrease in decomposition temperatures. This research offers an ecological alternative to upgrade the valorization of abundant and unexploited Moroccan resources. In addition, the possibility of finding uses for ANS in composite manufacturing will help open new markets for what is normally considered waste or for use in low value products.

3D additive manufactured composite scaffolds with antibiotic-loaded lamellar fillers for bone infection prevention and tissue regeneration

Bone infections following open bone fracture or implant surgery remain a challenge in the orthopedics field.In order to avoid high doses of systemic drug administration,optimized local antibiotic release from scaffolds is required.3D additive manufactured(AM)scaffolds made with biodegradable polymers are ideal to support bone healing in non-union scenarios and can be given antimicrobial properties by the incorporation of antibiotics.In this study,ciprofloxacin and gentamicin intercalated in the interlamellar spaces of magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxides(MgAl)andα-zirconium phosphates(ZrP),respectively,are dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer by melt compounding and subsequently processed via high temperature melt extrusion AM(~190◦C)into 3D scaffolds.The inorganic fillers enable a sustained antibiotics release through the polymer matrix,controlled by antibiotics counterions exchange or pH conditions.Importantly,both antibiotics retain their functionality after the manufacturing process at high temperatures,as verified by their activity against both Gram+and Gram-bacterial strains.Moreover,scaffolds loaded with filler-antibiotic do not impair human mesenchymal stromal cells osteogenic differentiation,allowing matrix mineralization and the expression of relevant osteogenic markers.Overall,these results suggest the possibility of fabricating dual functionality 3D scaffolds via high temperature melt extrusion for bone regeneration and infection prevention.