Evaluation of the Swelling Properties and Sorption Capacity of Maltodextrin-Based Cross-Linked Polymers

Abstract

The development of polymers obtained from renewable sources such as polysaccharides has gained scientific and industrial attention. Cross-linked bio-derived cationic polymers were synthesized via a sustainable approach exploiting a commercial maltodextrin product, namely, Glucidex 2®, as the building block, while diglycidyl ethers and triglycidyl ethers were used as the cross-linking agents. The polymer products were characterized via FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM, elemental analysis, and zeta-potential measurements, to investigate their composition, structure, and properties. Polydispersed amorphous granules displaying thermal stabilities higher than 250 °C, nitrogen contents ranging from 0.8 wt % and 1.1 wt %, and zeta potential values between 10 mV and 15 mV were observed. Subsequently, water absorption capacity measurements ranging from 800% to 1500%, cross-linking density determination, and rheological evaluations demonstrated the promising gel-forming properties of the studied systems. Finally, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate removal tests were performed to assess the possibility of employing the studied polymer products as suitable sorbents for water remediation. The results obtained from the ion chromatography technique showed high sorption rates, with 80% of nitrates, over 90% of sulfates, and total phosphates removal.

Nanocomposite Gels Loaded with Flurbiprofen: Characterization and Skin Permeability Assessment in Different Skin Species

“…FB undergoes a slight shift when interacting with the Sepigel ® 305 matrix and PEG; it has a more pronounced shift when interacting with the TRE formulation. The range of the –C=O– peak is observed between approximately 1850 and 1650 cm −1 , as can be verified in Figure S1 [ 38 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…These values are within the pH range tolerated by human skin 4.1–5.8 [ 36 ]; hence, we would not expect irritation due to the pH of the formulations. On the other hand, the pH value of porcine skin is between 5.3–7.2 and the pH value of bovine udder skin is between 6.3–7.1 [ 38 , 39 ]. These skins tolerate a wider range of pH well, and the formulations could be also used in the veterinary field.…”

“…Flurbiprofen nanoparticles were developed by Ramos et al in previous works [ 10 , 11 ]. Those previous studies on flurbiprofen polymeric nanoparticles, which were prepared by solvent displacement technique, provided specific materials and processes employed to produce two highly reliable formulations [ 12 , 38 ]. Ramos et al used 1 mg/mL of drug, 3.3 mg/mL of PƐCL, 16.6 mg/mL of P188 and 100 mg/mL of TRE; and 1 mg/mL of drug, 3.3 mg/mL of PƐCL, 35.0 mg/mL of P188 and 160 mg/mL of PEG to produce two nanoparticle suspensions.…”

“…The formulations’ surface areas were then measured when various weights (5 g, 10 g, 20 g, 50 g, and 100 g) were placed to the upper plate with a weight of 26 g. The weights were removed after 60 s and the diameter of the spread was recorded. At room temperature, each sample was measured by triplicate for each weight [ 38 , 72 ]. The increased spreading areas were plotted as a function of the increasing weights applied.…”