Search Results (32)

This study developed a sustainable super-disintegrant derived from Dioscorea hispida Dennst. var. hispida starch for use in immediate-release pharmaceutical tablets. Native starch (NS) was extracted and chemically modified via carboxymethylation to obtain carboxymethyl starch (CMS), followed by phosphate cross-linked to yield modified starch (MS). Physicochemical properties demonstrated that MS exhibited superior water uptake, swelling, and viscosity compared to NS and CMS. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed smaller and more uniform granules in MS, confirming enhanced structural modification. Preliminary tablet trials with dicalcium phosphate showed that 4% w/w MS achieved the fastest disintegration (16.5 s). In paracetamol tablets prepared by wet granulation, MS significantly improved hydration and disintegration performance relative to NS and CMS. Although commercial sodium starch glycolate (SSG) provided slightly faster disintegration, dissolution profiles of tablets containing MS and SSG were statistically equivalent (f₁ = 7, f₂ = 63), confirming comparable efficacy. Porosity analysis using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography (SR-XTM) indicated that wet-granulated tablets possessed higher intra- and inter-granular porosity than direct compression tablets, facilitating rapid water penetration and disintegration. In contrast, denser direct compression tablets exhibited greater friability and lower mechanical integrity. Modified Dioscorea hispida starch demonstrated excellent disintegration efficiency, eco-friendliness, and local availability, presenting a promising natural alternative to synthetic super-disintegrants in immediate-release tablet formulations. Full article

Wound healing is a complicated process that involves hemostasis, antibacterial defense, and tissue regeneration. Conventional treatment methods, such as surgical suturing, have inherent limitations, necessitating the exploration of new ones. Hydrogels can create a moist environment that facilitates wound healing, making them an ideal material for wound healing. In this study, a procoagulant polysaccharide mixture (carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate/fucoidan; CAF) was designed. Hydrogels were prepared using CAF and an oxidized starch/tannic acid blend (OT) at different ratios. Through comprehensive evaluations, such as gelation time, swelling capacity, and antibacterial efficacy, an optimal hydrogel (COT) was identified. This COT hydrogel was formed by mixing 3% CAF and OT solutions at a ratio of 2:1 (v/v). The associated gelation process occurred rapidly within 13 s. COT hydrogel exhibited self-healing properties, and a high swelling rate (~3109 ± 74%). It also demonstrated high antibacterial activity, facilitating enhanced protection against infection. Additionally, COT hydrogel exhibited biocompatibility and biosafety. COT hydrogel demonstrated low cytotoxicity on mice fibroblast cells (L929) and good hemocompatibility in vitro. Moreover, in vivo evaluations revealed that it did not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Importantly, COT hydrogel significantly outperformed the commercially available hydrogel with its hemostatic and wound healing performance (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Full article

Niobium (Nb), a transition element, has been applied mainly as steel additive, among other cutting-edge applications. Nb is mainly produced from pyrochlore-containing ores, dominated by mines at Araxá, Catalão (both from Brazil), and Niobec (Saguenay Region, QC, Canada). At these plants, flotation is employed as the main beneficiation method that all plants apply direct pyrochlore flotation; Catalão and Niobec apply additional reverse flotation prior to pyrochlore flotation. During flotation, depressants are added to improve selectivity, which highlights their importance to Nb mineral flotation. However, most of the available studies related to Nb mineral flotation focus on collectors; the knowledge on depressants is limited. In the present work, various depressants, including sodium silicate, oxalic acid, F100, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and chitosan, are compared for pyrochlore flotation at pH 7 in the presence of sodium oleate and dodecylamine (DDA) collectors. The results are compared with common gangue minerals, including dolomite, calcite, and hematite. It was observed that the performance of depressants is related to the collector applied, which was justified by the mineral surface charge after depressant adsorption and the charge of the collector. Among the tested combinations, 5 kg/t F100 + 2 kg/t DDA and 5 kg/t CMC + 2 kg/t DDA showed potential selectivity toward pyrochlore and hematite, whereas both carbonate minerals could be successfully depressed. Zeta potential measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to understand the interaction between depressants and the model minerals. Full article

This study evaluates ground mandarin peel (MP) as a low-cost modifier for sodium-bentonite water-based drilling fluids. Formulations with 2% (w/w) MP and 1–4% bentonite were prepared to locate the composition break point using segmented regression with the Davies test; the threshold was 2.5% bentonite (B/MP ≈ 1.25). Below this level, yield stress drops sharply, and American Petroleum Institute (API) fluid loss increases nonlinearly. Two 3% bentonite muds were then compared: a polymer-stabilized reference (0.3% xanthan gum (XCD), 1% low-viscosity carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC LV), 1% modified starch) and the same package plus 2% MP. Twelve-speed rheometry and API tests showed that adding MP left plastic viscosity essentially unchanged, increased yield stress to ~3.4 Pa, reduced API fluid loss from 9 to 5.5 mL per 30 min, and thinned the filter cake from 0.30 to 0.10 mm. Because MP is a zero-price waste stream, material cost remained essentially unchanged while performance improved. These results support a practical dosing window for MP and a polymer adjustment pathway; high temperature and high-salinity stability require further verification. Full article

The production of bionanocomposite films based on carboxymethyl derivatives of starch and cellulose with sodium montmorillonite (MMT-Na) as a filler was described. The developed films with high absorbency can be used in the preparation of adhesive dressings for wounds oozing as a result of abrasions or tattoos. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and potato starch were used as the raw materials for film manufacturing. Citric acid was used as a crosslinking agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. The following parameters were evaluated for the obtained films: solubility in water, swelling behavior, moisture absorption, and mechanical durability (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus). This study revealed that filler concentration has a significant influence on the stability, durability, and moisture absorption parameters of films. The best nanocomposite with a high absorption capacity was a two-component film CMS/CMC containing 5 pph of sodium montmorillonite and can be used as a base material for wound dressing, among other applications. Full article

The textile industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices due to the significant environmental impacts associated with fiber production, including high energy consumption, water usage, and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The recycling of textile waste, particularly cotton, is a promising solution that has the potential to reduce landfill waste and decrease the demand for virgin fibers. However, mechanically recycled cotton fibers frequently demonstrate diminished mechanical properties compared to virgin fibers, which limits their potential for high-quality textile applications. This study explores the use of cross-linking agents (citric acid (CA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP)), polymers (polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan (CH), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starch (ST)), and silicas (anionic (SA) and cationic (SC)) to enhance the mechanical properties of recycled cotton fibers. The treatments were then subjected to a hierarchical ranking, with the effectiveness of each treatment determined by its impact on enhancing fiber tenacity. The findings of this research indicate that the most effective treatment was starck (ST_50), which resulted in an enhancement of tenacity from 14.63 cN/tex to 15.34 cN/tex (+4.9%), closely followed by CA-SHP_110/110, which also reached 15.34 cN/tex (+4.6%). Other notable improvements were observed with CMC_50 (15.23 cN/tex), PEG_50 (14.91 cN/tex), and CA_50 (14.89 cN/tex), all in comparison to the control. In terms of yarn quality, the CA-SHP_110/110 treatment yielded the most substantial reductions in yarn irregularities, including thin places, thick places, and neps with decreases of 36%, 10%, and 7%, respectively. Furthermore, CA_50 exhibited moderate enhancements in yarn regularity, thin places (−12%), thick places (−6.1%), and neps (−8.9%). The results of this study demonstrate that combining CA with SHP, particularly when preceded by the heating of the solution before the addition of the fibers, results in a substantial enhancement of the structural integrity, strength, and overall quality of recycled cotton fibers. This approach offers a viable pathway for the improvement of the performance of recycled cotton, thereby facilitating its wider utilization in high-quality textile products. Full article

Talc, as a phyllosilicate mineral, is often associated with sulfides such as copper, molybdenum, and nickel, which severely impact the flotation of target minerals. Micro-flotation experiments combined with SEM, contact angle, FTIR, TOC, and AFM analyses were performed to explore the influence and mechanism of sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na) on the flotation behavior of talc with varying particle sizes in a butyl xanthate system. The flotation results indicate that when CMS-Na is used as a depressant, the recovery of coarse talc particles (−74 + 45 μm) is only about 1%, while fine talc particles (−23 μm) maintain a recovery rate of over 70%. FTIR analysis revealed that the interaction between CMS-Na and talc involves both chemical and physical adsorption mechanisms, with the most pronounced effect observed on fine-grained talc surfaces. TOC, AFM, and contact angle measurements further revealed that the proportion of exposed edge surfaces increases as the talc particle size decreases. These edge surfaces exhibited a higher affinity for CMS-Na, resulting in significant reagent adsorption. Consequently, at an equivalent reagent dosage, the adsorption of CMS-Na on the basal planes was reduced, leading to the retention of high surface hydrophobicity. This phenomenon is considered an important factor contributing to the poor depressive effect on fine-grained talc. Full article

Fertilizers that release nutrients slowly can provide crops with consistent nutrients, while soils with good water-holding capacity can alleviate the impact of droughts on crops. Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl starch sodium/polydopamine/urea (SCPU) is a new kind of slow-release fertilizer with water absorption property. In this study, the Box–Behnken response surface methodology (RSM) was used to reveal the effects of concentrations of sodium alginate, carboxymethyl starch sodium, urea, calcium chloride and dopamine on the encapsulation efficiency and water absorption of SCPU. The results show that the optimum preparation conditions to obtain the highest level of encapsulation efficiency (89.27%) and water absorption (167.05%) are 2.2% sodium alginate, 5% carboxymethyl starch sodium, 30% urea, 1.9% calcium chloride and 0.52% dopamine. Full article

The study aimed to perform a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a newly developed, patent-pending, powder-to-hydrogel, film-forming polymer complex base, which possesses tissue-protective and microbiome-supportive properties, and to compare its characteristics with poloxamer 407. The study used a combination of in vitro assays, including tissue viability and cell migration, and in vivo wound healing evaluations in male diabetic mice. Microbiome dynamics at wound sites were also analyzed. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the polymer complex base was non-cytotoxic and that it enhanced cell migration over poloxamer 407. In vivo, the polymer complex base demonstrated superior wound healing capabilities, particularly in combination with misoprostol and phenytoin, as evidenced by the reduced wound area and inflammation scores. Microbiome analysis revealed favorable shifts in bacterial populations associated with the polymer complex base-treated wounds. The polymer complex base demonstrates clinical significance in wound care, potentially offering improved healing, safety and microbiome support. Its transformative properties and efficacy in drug delivery make it a promising candidate for advanced wound care applications, particularly in chronic wound management. Full article

To enhance the resistant starch (RS) content of corn starch, in this work, carboxymethyl chitosan/corn starch/sodium alginate microcapsules (CMCS/CS/SA) with varying concentrations of SA in a citric acid (CA) solution were designed. As the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the swelling of the CMCS/CS/SA microcapsule decreased from 15.28 ± 0.21 g/g to 3.76 ± 0.66 g/g at 95 °C. Comparatively, the onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c) of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules were higher than those of unencapsulated CS, indicating that the dense network structure of microcapsules reduced the contact area between starch granules and water, thereby improving thermal stability. With increasing SA concentration, the intact and dense network of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules remained less damaged after 120 min of digestion, suggesting that the microcapsules with a high SA concentration provided better protection to starch, thereby reducing amylase digestibility. Moreover, as the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the RS content of the microcapsules during in vitro digestion rose from 42.37 ± 0.07% to 57.65 ± 0.45%, attributed to the blocking effect of the microcapsule shell on amylase activity. This study offers innovative insights and strategies to develop functional starch with glycemic control properties, holding significant scientific and practical value in preventing diseases associated with abnormal glucose metabolism. Full article

Using slow-release fertilizer is one of the sustainable strategies to improve the effectiveness of fertilizers and mitigate the environmental pollution caused by excess usage of fertilizer. In this study, a slow-release urea fertilizer with water retention and photosensitivity properties was prepared by a two-step method. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and an infrared camera. This fertilizer can prolong the release period of urea, improve water-retention capacity of soil, and carry out photothermal conversion under illumination. Comparing four release kinetics models, the Ritger–Peppas model was the best fitting model for releasing behavior in soil, and diffusion followed the Fickian mechanism. The application of fertilizer on winter wheat was carried out to intuitively evaluate the fertilizer’s effects on promoting plant growth and resisting water stress. Thus, this study provides a new strategy for improving fertilizer utilization rate and maintaining soil moisture, which will be beneficial for sustainable agriculture. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dough proofing degree (1.1, 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 mL/g) and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) on the quality of frozen dough steamed bread (FDSB). As the dough proofing degree was increased from 1.1 to 1.7 mL/g, the specific volume of FDSB initially increased and then decreased, with the maximum at 1.3 mL/g, and then dramatically decreased at 1.5 and 1.7 mL/g, accompanied by a harder texture and secession of crust and crumb, which were the detrimental effects brought by over-proofing. The optimal amount of CMC-Na effectively alleviated the deterioration associated with over-proofing, and the proofing tolerance of FDSB was increased from 1.3 mL/g to 1.7 mL/g. Fermentation analysis showed that CMC-Na significantly improved the extensibility and gas-holding capacity of the dough by increasing the maximum height of the dough (H_m) and the emergence time (T₁) of H_m. Frequency sweep tests indicated that CMC-Na improved the plasticity of proofed dough by increasing loss factor tan δ. Significant reductions were found in peak viscosity and complex modulus G* in pasting properties tests and temperature sweep measurements, respectively, suggesting that CMC-Na influenced starch gelatinization and dough stiffening during steaming, which promoted the extension of the network structure, thus facilitating gas expansion and diffusion. These property changes theoretically explained the improvement in the proofing tolerance of FDSB by CMC-Na. Full article

The field of nanotechnology has shown promise in addressing major problems and improving drilling effectiveness. An overview of the difficulties encountered during oil and gas well drilling operations and the demand for creative solutions opens the debate. This review explores how nanotechnology is transforming the oil industry and enhancing performance as a whole. The evaluation of the uses of nanotechnology for better oil recovery, real-time monitoring, innovative materials, drilling fluids, and reservoir characterization are extensively discussed in this review. The primary function of additives is to improve the fundamental characteristics of drilling fluids. The variety of fluid additives available is a reflection of the complex drilling–fluid systems that are currently being used to enable drilling in increasingly difficult subsurface conditions. Common additives used in water- and oil-based drilling fluids include lubrication, shale stability, filtration control, rheology control, viscosification, and pH regulation. Drilling fluids frequently contain filtration control additives such as starch, polyanionic cellulose (PAC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and nanoparticles (NP). Commonly used rheology-modifier additives are xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, guar gum powder, and, more recently, salt-responsive zwitterionic polymers that were used as viscosifiers to water-based drilling fluids. The three main additives that regulate pH are citric acid monohydrate, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide. Additives that stabilize shale, such as potassium and sodium salts and asphaltenes, are often used. A wide range of materials are included in the category of lubricating additives, including polymers, asphaltenes, glass beads, oils of various grades, and oil-surfactants. Various fibrous materials, including wood, cotton, fibrous minerals, shredded tires from vehicles, and paper pulp, are used as additives to control circulation. Furthermore, shredded cellophane, bits of plastic laminate, plate-like minerals like mica flakes, granulated inert materials such as nut shells, and nano-polymers are used in wellbores to reduce fluid loss. The incorporation of nanoparticles into drilling fluids has produced upgraded fluids with better features, including improved lubricity, thermal stability, and filtering capacities. These developments aid in lowering friction, enhancing wellbore stability, and enhancing drilling efficiency. This paper also emphasizes how nanotechnology has made enhanced drilling equipment and materials possible. Drilling equipment’s longevity and performance are increased by nanocomposite materials that have been reinforced with nanoparticles due to their improved mechanical strength, wear resistance, and thermal stability. Advanced reservoir characterisation tools, including nanoparticle tracers and nanoscale imaging methods, can help locate the best drilling sites and increase production effectiveness. On the other hand, nanofluids and nanoemulsions can potentially increase oil recovery because they enhance fluid mobility, lower interfacial tension, and alter rock wettability. Although nanotechnology has many advantages, there are also issues that need to be resolved. For an implementation to be effective, factors including nanoparticle stability, dispersion, and potential environmental effects must be carefully taken into account. This review highlights the need for future research to create scalable manufacturing procedures, improve nanoparticle behaviour, and determine nanomaterials’ long-term environmental effects. In conclusion, this in-depth analysis illustrates the use of nanotechnology in transforming the process of drilling oil and gas wells. Full article

In this paper, amino-carboxymethyl chitosan (ACC) was prepared through amino carboxymethylation, which introduces -COOH and -NH₂ groups to the chitosan (CS) chains. Meanwhile, dialdehyde starch (DAS) was produced by oxidizing corn starch using sodium periodate. To attain the optimal loading and long-time release of ε-polylysine (ε-PL), the ACC/DAS hydrogels were synthesized through the Schiff base reaction between the amino group on ACC and the aldehyde group in DAS. The molecular structure, microcosmic properties, loading capacity, and bacteriostatic properties of the four types of hydrogels containing different mass concentrations of ACC were investigated. The results showed that the dynamic imine bond C=N existed in the ACC/DAS hydrogels, which proved that the hydrogels were formed by the cross-linking of the Schiff base reaction. With the increasing mass concentration of the ACC, the cross-sectional morphology of the hydrogel became smoother, the thermal stability increased, and the swelling behavior was gradually enhanced. The tight network structure improved the ε-PL loading efficiency, with the highest value of 99.2%. Moreover, the loading of ε-PL gave the hydrogel good antibacterial properties. These results indicate that ACC/DAS hydrogel is potential in food preservation. Full article

The carbonate reservoir in the northern Yishan slope of the Ordos Basin presents significant challenges to gas field exploration and development. With its low pressure, limited porosity, low permeability, and abundance of micro-fractures, the reservoir is resistant to acid dissolution. Once solid particles block these fractures during drilling and completion, serious reservoir damage ensues. To address these obstacles, we engineered an acid-soluble, solid-free drilling fluid system in the lab. This involved incorporating sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, heat-resistant starch, fungicides, and lubricants. Contrasted with the commonly used potassium ammonium based drilling fluid system, our innovative solution showed notable improvements. Specifically, the density decreased by 0.04 to 0.06 g/cm³, and the solid content decreased by 4.0% to 6.50%, while the acid-soluble rate surged from 8.50% to 95.45%. In addition, the reservoir permeability recovery value saw an increase from 51.50% to 95.88%. In practical field application, we employed this novel drilling fluid system in ten horizontal wells. Following acid fracturing and reconstruction, these wells registered a 75.94% increase in gas production compared to nearby wells. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed system effectively mitigates the incursion of solid-phase particles into the reservoir while enhancing acidification during acid fracturing. This results in the swift removal of plugging, restoration of formation permeability, and improved well production. Our research thus introduces a drilling and completion fluid system of high efficiency with superior reservoir protection performance, potentially offering substantial benefits to the development of carbonate rock salt gas reservoirs. Full article