L’Hydroxypropyle méthylcellulose (HPMC) constitue un des polymères les plus utilisés pour la production de films destinés aux applications pharmaceutiques (gélules, comprimés, etc.). Afin de contrôler les propriétés physico-chimiques de films HPMC, des additifs sont fréquemment incorporés pendant la formulation du film: ce sont dans la plupart des cas un lubrifiant hydrophobe (acides gras) ou un plastifiant hydrophile (le polyéthylène glycol). L’objectif principal de ce travail est d’étudier les propriétés physico-chimiques en volume et en surface des films HPMC formulés aux échelles nanoscopique et macroscopique. Les propriétés volumiques concernent l’isotherme de sorption de l’eau, le taux de transmission de la vapeur d’eau, les propriétés thermiques et mécaniques des films. Les caractéristiques de surface ont été exploitées en termes de structuration, morphologie, séparation de phase, énergie de surface, adhésion et friction de films HPMC formulés. A l’échelle nanoscopique, la microscopie à force atomique en mode contact et en mode friction est un outil puissant pour étudier la nanoadhésion et la nanofriction. A l’échelle macroscopique, le test de tack et le tribomètre ont permis d’accéder aux propriétés d’adhésion et tribologiques. La présente étude souligne que les propriétés de films HPMC dépendent fortement de la nature et de la concentration de l’additif, et/ou de l’affinité avec l’eau. Elle montre aussi que la compatibilité HPMC-additif semble un facteur intéressant pour la variation des propriétés de surface de films HPMC formulés, et que la formulation est un moyen efficace pour contrôler les propriétés physico-chimiques de films à base de biopolymères. / Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) constitutes one of the most dedicated polymers used in the production of film coatings for pharmaceutical applications (capsules, tablets, etc.). In order to control the physicochemical properties of HPMC films, additives are frequently incorporated during film formulation: these are in most cases hydrophobic lubricant (like fatty acids) or hydrophilic plasticizer (like polyethylene glycol). The main objective of this work is to study the bulk and the surface physicochemical properties of HPMC formulated films at nanoscopic and macroscopic scales. Bulk properties include moisture sorption isotherms, barrier properties, thermal and mechanical properties. The surface characteristics have been explored in terms of structuration, surface morphologies, surface phase separation, surface energy, adhesion, and friction properties of HPMC-formulated films. At nanoscale, atomic force microscopy in contact mode and in friction mode is a powerful tool for studying nanoadhesion and nanofriction. At macroscale, tack test and pin-on-disk tribometer were conducted to access adhesion and tribological properties. The present study underlines the strong dependence of film properties on additive nature, concentration, and/or water sensitivity. It also shows that first the HPMC-additive compatibility seems to be an interesting factor behind the variation of surface properties of HPMC-formulated films, and second that formulation is an effective way to tune physicochemical properties of biopolymer-based films.

Das Verlangen nach neuen Materialien mit Eigenschaften, die noch vor zwanzig Jahren für die Wissenschaft und Industrie unerreichbar waren, hat neue Perspektiven für die technische Keramik eröffnet. Auf Grund niedriger Aufheizraten und hohem Beschädigungsrisiko der Probe, ist das Entbindern das schwierigste und vor allem ein sehr teueres Verfahren. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird eine mathematische Beschreibung des Entbinderungs-Prozesses geliefert und verschiedene Bindersysteme auf die Möglichkeit ihres Einsatzes bei MW-unterstütztem Entbindern von Keramiken untersucht. Um die rechnerischen Aussagen zu überprüfen, wurde eine Reihe von Versuchen in der auf dem thermogravimetrischen Prinzip basierenden Anlage zum Entbindern von Keramik durchgeführt. Aus den Versuchsergebnissen wurden Schlussfolgerungen gezogen und mit theoretischen Aussagen verglichen.

Twin screw wet granulation has been proved as a feasible alternative for traditional batch granulation process due to its continuous processing feature; considered as a significant processing method especially in the pharmaceutical industry. This thesis will explore the processibility of twin screw wet granulation with various formulations. The first section of the thesis focused on examining the processibility of wet granulation in a twin screw while using various grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as an extended-release excipient. The method to find the processibility was by modifying the liquid-to-solid ratio for each formulation. The process window was defined by examining the amount of granules that fall in a pre-determined acceptable size range. This part focused on three substitution types of HPMC (Type 2910, Type 2208, and Type 2906) that varied in molecular weights. It was found that only Type 2910 HPMC showed a shift in the process window (also known as granulation range) in relation to the molecular weight of the formulations. A higher demand for binder liquid was found for higher molecular weight Type 2910 HPMC in order to form granules with acceptable sizes. The second part of this thesis was focused on understanding the process variables that might influence the processibility of the HPMC formulations. This part examined the impact of feed rate on the granulation range of Type 2910 HPMC specifically was examined. Multiple feed rates were tested, and it was found that the granulation range for lower molecular weight Type 2910 HPMC was easier to shrink when higher feed rates were applied. A transition in the granule formation method from liquid-bridging to compaction with respect to the feed rate was found for low molecular weight HPMC, whereas the high molecular weight HPMC always formed granules through compaction at all feed rates due to strong water retainability. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Different strategies were used to improve physical properties of corn starch based films, with glycerol (30%) as plasticizer, based on increasing their hydrophobic character in order to reduce the materials' water sensitivity. Starch was blended with different components (surfactants and more hydrophobic polymers), with and without compatibilizers, to obtain blend films through different processing techniques (casting, melt blending, compression molding and extrusion). Bilayer film formation by compression molding with starch and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) was also studied. The addition of surfactants to starch films obtained by casting gave rise to a decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP), but an increase in the film fragility was observed. Surfactants with lower hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), solid at room temperature, promoted a fine microstructure in the matrix with smaller lipid particle, which enhanced water vapor barrier properties. Thermo-processing was used to obtain the other films due to its broader industrial application. Starch blends with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) showed an HPMC dispersed phase in the starch matrix and better water barrier properties, but they were more permeable to oxygen, especially when they contained citric acid (CA) as compatibilizer. CA induced cross-linking in the polymeric matrix, thus slightly increasing film hardness, but decreasing its extensibility. The incorporation of PCL in different ratios to starch films obtained by compression molding gave rise to polymer phase separation, although a small PCL miscibility in the starch rich phase was detected, which reduced the glass transition temperature of the starch phase. The structural heterogeneity and lack of interfacial adhesion between polymers gave rise to fragile films. Nevertheless, small amounts of PCL (10%) reinforced the matrix (increase in the elastic modulus). When the PCL ratio increased, WVP was reduced but oxygen permeability increased. The incorporation of CA as compatibilizer of these blends provoked an increase in the water solubility of the films, by hydrolysis, and improved the mechanical properties of the films when PCL ratio was low (10%), but it did not affect the film barrier properties. The incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) to the blends with a low proportion of PCL did not imply an improvement in the film properties, since it promoted phase separation. Starch-PCL blends with 1:0.05 mass ratio, without compatibilizer, were quite homogenous and exhibited good mechanical properties and stability. In order to incorporate greater amounts of PCL, thus improving film hydrophobicity and stability, PCL was chemically modified by grafting glycidyl methacrylate or glycidyl methacrylate and maleic anhydride (PCL-g), to be used as compatibilizers. Films with 20 % PCL and 2.5 or 5 % of PCL-g showed very good mechanical and barrier properties and stability, inhibiting starch retrogradation. Their barrier properties met the food packaging requirements for a wide number of food products. Bilayer films obtained by compression molding of starch (or starch with 5% PCL) and PCL layers showed very low WVP and oxygen permeability and adequate mechanical properties. The adhesion of bilayers was greatly improved by the application of ascorbic acid and, especially, potassium sorbate, as aqueous solutions, at the interface before compression molding. These compounds, in turn, imparted antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, respectively, to the films, thus improving their potential use as active packaging material for food uses. / [ES] Se han utilizado diversas estrategias para mejorar las propiedades físicas de films a base de almidón de maíz, con glicerol (30 %) como plastificante, basadas en el incremento de su carácter hidrofóbico, para reducir su sensibilidad al agua. El almidón se mezcló con diferentes compuestos (surfactantes y polímeros más hidrofóbicos), con y sin compatilizadores, para la obtención de films mixtos por diferentes técnicas de procesado (casting, mezclado en fundido, moldeo por compresión y extrusión). Se estudió también la formación de films bicapa almidón-poli-e-caprolactona (PCL) mediante moldeo por compresión. La adición de surfactantes a los films de almidón elaborados por casting dio lugar a una disminución de su permeabilidad al vapor de agua (WVP), pero aumentó su fragilidad. Los surfactantes con menor balance hidrófilo-lipófilo (HLB), y sólidos a temperatura ambiente, proporcionaron una microestructura de los films con menor tamaño de partícula, que potenció las propiedades barrera al vapor de agua. Por su mayor aplicabilidad industrial, se emplearon técnicas de termo-procesado para la obtención del resto de films estudiados. Los obtenidos por mezcla con hidroxipropil metilcelulosa (HPMC) presentaron una fase dispersa de HPMC en la matriz de almidón y mejores propiedades barrera al vapor de agua, pero fueron algo más permeables al oxígeno, sobre todo cuando se incorporó ácido cítrico (CA) como compatibilizador. Este provocó entrecruzamiento en la matriz polimérica, incrementado ligeramente su dureza y reduciendo su extensibilidad. La incorporación de PCL en diferentes proporciones a los films de almidón obtenidos por termo-compresión, dio lugar a la separación de fases polímericas, detectándose una pequeña miscibilidad de la PCL en la fase rica en almidón que redujo la temperatura de transición vítrea de la fase amilácea. La heterogeneidad de su estructura y la falta de adhesión entre fases dio lugar a films demasiado frágiles, aunque en pequeña proporción (10%), la PCL reforzó la matriz (aumentó el módulo de elasticidad). Al aumentar la proporción de PCL, disminuyó la WVP de los films, pero aumentó la permeabilidad al oxígeno. La incorporación de CA como compatibilizador de estas mezclas aumentó la solubilidad en agua de los films por efecto de hidrólisis y supuso una mejora en las propiedades mecánicas de los films con baja proporción de PCL (10 %), pero no afectó a sus propiedades barrera. La incorporación de polietilenglicol (PEG 4000) a las mezclas con baja proporción de PCL no mejoró las propiedades de los films, potenciando la separación de fases. Las mezclas almidón:PCL con proporción másica 1:0.05, sin compatibilizador, fueron bastante homogéneas y exhibieron buen comportamiento mecánico y estabilidad. Para incorporar una mayor proporción de PCL, y mejorar la hidrofobicidad y estabilidad de los films, se modificó la PCL por reacción con glicidil metacrilato o anhídrido maleico y glicidil metacrilato (PCL-g), para su uso como compatibilizadores. Los films con 20% de PCL y 2.5 y 5 % de los PCL-g presentaron muy buenas propiedades mecánicas y de barrera al vapor de agua y a los gases y buena estabilidad al inhibir la retrogradación del almidón. Sus propiedades de barrera cumplieron con los requisitos de envasado de un número importante de productos alimentarios. La obtención de films bicapa por termo-compresión a partir de almidón (o almidón con 5% PCL) y PCL proporcionó un material con muy baja permeabilidad al vapor de agua y al oxígeno y buenas propiedades mecánicas. La adhesión entre las capas mejoró en gran medida con la incorporación de ácido ascórbico, y sobre todo de sorbato potásico, en la interfase en forma de disolución acuosa antes de la termo-compresión. Estos compuestos impartieron, a su vez, propiedades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas, respectivamente, a los films, mejorando su uso potencial para el envasad / [CA] S'han utilitzat diverses estratègies per a millorar les propietats físiques de films a base de midó de dacsa, amb glicerol (30 %) com plastificant, basades en l'increment del seu caràcter hidrofòbic, per a reduir la seua sensibilitat a l'aigüa. El midó es va mesclar amb diferents compostos (surfactants i polímers més hidrofòbics), amb i sense compatibilitzadors, per l'obtenció de films mixtos mitjançant diferents tècniques de processat (càsting, mesclat en fos, modelatge per compressió i extrusió). Es va estudiar també la formació de films bicapa midó-poli-e-caprolactona (PCL) mitjançant modelatge per compressió. L'addició de surfactants als films de midó elaborats per càsting va donar lloc a una disminució de la seua permeabilitat al vapor d'aigüa (WVP), però va augmentar la seua fragilitat. Els surfactants amb menor balanç hidròfil-lipòfil (HLB), i sòlids a temperatura ambient, varen proporcionar una microestructura dels films amb menor grandària de partícula, que varen potenciar les propietats barrera al vapor d'aigüa. Per la seua major aplicabilitat industrial, es van emprar tècniques de termo-processat per l'obtenció de la resta de films estudiats. Aquells obtinguts per mescla amb hidroxipropil-metilcellulosa (HPMC) varen presentar una fase dispersa de HPMC en la matriu de midó i millors propietats barrera al vapor d'aigüa, però varen ser un poc més permeables a l'oxigen, sobretot quan es va incorporar àcid cítric (CA) com compatibilitzador. Aquest va provocar entrecreuament en la matriu polimérica, incrementant lleugerament la seua duresa i reduïnt la seua extensibilitat. La incorporació de PCL en diferents proporcions als films de midó obtinguts per termo-compressió, va donar lloc a la separació de fases polimèriques, detectant-se una xicoteta miscibilitat de la PCL en la fase rica en midó que va reduir la temperatura de transició vítria de la fase amilàcea. L'heterogeneïtat de la seua estructura i la falta d'adhesió entre fases va donar lloc a films massa fràgils, encara que en xicoteta proporció (10%), la PCL va reforçar la matriu (augmentant el mòdul d'elasticitat). Al augmentar la proporció de PCL, va disminuir la WVP dels films, però va augmentar la permeabilitat a l'oxigen. La incorporació de CA com compatibilitzador d'aquestes mescles va augmentar la solubilitat en aigüa dels films per efecte d'hidròlisi i va suposar una millora en les propietats mecàniques dels films amb baixa proporció de PCL (10 %), però no va afectar les propietats barrera. La incorporació de polietilenglicol (PEG 4000) a les mescles amb baixa proporció de PCL no va millorar les propietats dels films, potenciant la separació de fases. Les mescles midó:PCL amb proporció màssica 1:0.05, sense compatibilitzador, varen ser prou homogènies i varen exhibir un bon comportament mecànic i una bona estabilitat. Per a incorporar una major proporció de PCL i millorar l'hidrofobicitat i estabilitat dels films, es va modificar la PCL per reacció amb glicidil metacrilat o anhídrid maleic i glicidil metacrilat (PCL-g), per al seu ús com compatibilitzadors. Els films amb 20% de PCL i 2.5 i 5 % dels PCL-g varen presentar molt bones propietats mecàniques i de barrera al vapor d'aigüa i als gasos i bona estabilitat al inhibir la retrogradació del midó. Les seues propietats de barrera varen complir amb els requisits d'envasament d'un nombre important de productes alimentaris. L'obtenció de films bicapa per termo-compressió a partir de midó (o midó amb 5% PCL) i PCL va proporcionar un material amb molt baixa permeabilitat al vapor d'aigüa i al oxigen i bones propietats mecàniques. L'adhesió entre les capes va millorar en gran mesura amb l'incorporació d'àcid ascòrbic, i sobretot de sorbat de potassi, en la interfase en forma de dissolució aquosa abans de la termocompressió. Aquestos compostos varen impartir, a la vegada, propietats antioxidants i antimicrobianes, respec / Ortega Toro, R. (2015). DESARROLLO Y CARACTERIZACION DE PELÍCULAS DE ALMIDÓN DE MAÍZ POR MEZCLADO CON COMPUESTOS MÁS HIDROFÓBICOS [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/52521 / Compendio

Beim Tissue Engineering ist die Vaskularisierung von größeren Zell-Matrix-Konstrukten nach Implantation bis heute ein großes Problem. Durch das initiale Fehlen eines mikrovaskulären Netzwerkes kommt es zu einem raschen Zellsterben im Scaffold. Aufgrund dessen war das Ziel dieser Arbeit, im Sinne des in situ-Tissue Engineering ein Scaffold auf Basis von mineralisiertem Kollagen zu entwickeln, welches mit dem angiogenen Wachstumsfaktor VEGF funktionalisiert wird, um den Prozess der Vaskularisierung – die Einsprossung von Blutgefäßen – zu fördern und gleichzeitig durch Chemoattraktion in vivo Zellen aus dem umliegenden Knochengewebe in das Innere des Scaffolds migrieren zu lassen, so dass eine beschleunigte Defektheilung erzielt wird. Poröse Scaffolds aus mineralisiertem Kollagen wurden durch zwei unterschiedliche Strategien funktionalisiert und durch in vitro-Testungen charakterisiert. Die erste Strategie umfasste die Heparin-Modifizierung der gesamten Scaffolds, während die zweite Strategie die Injizierung eines zentralen VEGF-haltiges Depots in das Scaffoldinnere darstellte. Neben der Charakterisierung der Scaffolds wurde die Freisetzungskinetik des Modellwachstumsfaktors VEGF aus den modifizierten Scaffolds untersucht und die biologische Aktivität des freigesetzten Faktors auf Endothelzellen getestet. Zusätzlich wurde bei der 2. Strategie, der Injizierung eines Wirkstoffdepots, die Ausbildung eines Wirkstoffgradienten und die zielgerichtete Migration von Endothelzellen in Richtung des Wirkstoffdepots analysiert.

Beim Tissue Engineering ist die Vaskularisierung von größeren Zell-Matrix-Konstrukten nach Implantation bis heute ein großes Problem. Durch das initiale Fehlen eines mikrovaskulären Netzwerkes kommt es zu einem raschen Zellsterben im Scaffold. Aufgrund dessen war das Ziel dieser Arbeit, im Sinne des in situ-Tissue Engineering ein Scaffold auf Basis von mineralisiertem Kollagen zu entwickeln, welches mit dem angiogenen Wachstumsfaktor VEGF funktionalisiert wird, um den Prozess der Vaskularisierung – die Einsprossung von Blutgefäßen – zu fördern und gleichzeitig durch Chemoattraktion in vivo Zellen aus dem umliegenden Knochengewebe in das Innere des Scaffolds migrieren zu lassen, so dass eine beschleunigte Defektheilung erzielt wird. Poröse Scaffolds aus mineralisiertem Kollagen wurden durch zwei unterschiedliche Strategien funktionalisiert und durch in vitro-Testungen charakterisiert. Die erste Strategie umfasste die Heparin-Modifizierung der gesamten Scaffolds, während die zweite Strategie die Injizierung eines zentralen VEGF-haltiges Depots in das Scaffoldinnere darstellte. Neben der Charakterisierung der Scaffolds wurde die Freisetzungskinetik des Modellwachstumsfaktors VEGF aus den modifizierten Scaffolds untersucht und die biologische Aktivität des freigesetzten Faktors auf Endothelzellen getestet. Zusätzlich wurde bei der 2. Strategie, der Injizierung eines Wirkstoffdepots, die Ausbildung eines Wirkstoffgradienten und die zielgerichtete Migration von Endothelzellen in Richtung des Wirkstoffdepots analysiert.

In this thesis, the incorporation of drug loaded mesoporous magnesium carbonate as an excipient for the additive manufacturing of oral tablets by fused deposition modeling was investigated. Cinnarizine, a BCS class II drug, was loaded into the pores of the mesoporous material via a soaking method, corresponding to a drug loading of 8.68 wt%. DSC measurements on the loaded material suggested that the drug was partially crystallized after incorporation, meanwhile the XRD diffractogram implied that the drug was in a state lacking long range order. The drug loaded material was combined with two pharmaceutical polymers, Aquasolve LG and Klucel ELF, and extruded into filaments with a single screw extruder. Filaments of Klucel ELF and drug loaded Upsalite (30:70 wt% ratio) were successfully implemented for the printing oral tablets, in contrast to the Aquasolve LG based filaments which were difficult to print due to thickness variations and non-uniform material distributions. The drug content obtained by TGA suggested drug loadings of 7.71 wt% and 2.23 wt% in the drug loaded Upsalite and tablets respectively. Dissolution studies using an USP II apparatus showed a slower API-release from the tablets in comparison to the crystalline drug, most probably due to slow diffusion of drug species through the polymeric matrix. For future studies, pharmaceutical polymers with higher aqueous solubility should be investigated in order to thoroughly examine the potential of utilizing the immediate release property of Upsalite.

<p dir="ltr">Smart windows, dynamically adjusting optical transmittance, face global adoption challenges due to climatic and economic variability. Aiming these issues, we synthesized a methyl cellulose (MC) salt system with high tunability for intrinsic optical transmittance (89.3%), which can be applied globally to various locations. Specifically, the MC window has superior heat shielding potential below transition temperatures while turning opaque at temperatures above the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST), reducing the solar heat gain by 55%. Such optical tunability is attributable to the particle size change triggered by the temperature-induced reversible coil-to-globular transition. This leads to effective refractive index and scattering modulation, making them prospective solutions for light management systems, an application ahead of intelligent fenestration systems. MC-based windows demonstrated a 9°C temperature decrease compared to double-pane windows on sunny days and a 5°C increase during winters in field tests, while simulations predict an 11% energy savings.</p><p dir="ltr">Incorporating MC-based phase change materials in passive solar panels indicated optimized energy efficiency, offering a sustainable alternative. Real-time simulations validate practical applicability in large-scale solar panels. Furthermore, a temperature-responsive sorbent with a dark layer demonstrates an optimal optical and water uptake performance. Transitioning between radiative cooling and solar heating, the sorbent exhibits high water harvesting efficiency in lab and field tests. With an adjustable LCST at 38 ℃, the cellulose-based sorbent presents a potential solution for atmospheric water harvesting, combining optical switching and temperature responsiveness for sustainable water access. Furthermore, the ubiquitous availability of materials, low cost, and ease-of-manufacturing will provide technological equity and foster our ambition towards net-zero buildings and sustainable future.</p>

No / OBJECTIVES: To compare the properties of solid dispersions of felodipine for oral bioavailability enhancement using two different polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), by hot-melt extrusion (HME) and spray drying. METHODS: Felodipine solid dispersions were prepared by HME and spray drying techniques. PVP and HPMCAS were used as polymer matrices at different drug : polymer ratios (1 : 1, 1 : 2 and 1 : 3). Detailed characterization was performed using differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and in-vitro dissolution testing. Dissolution profiles were evaluated in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Stability of different solid dispersions was studied under accelerated conditions (40 degrees C/75% RH) over 8 weeks. KEY FINDINGS: Spray-dried formulations were found to release felodipine faster than melt extruded formulations for both polymer matrices. Solid dispersions containing HMPCAS exhibited higher drug release rates and better wettability than those produced with a PVP matrix. No significant differences in stability were observed except with HPMCAS at a 1 : 1 ratio, where crystallization was detected in spray-dried formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Solid dispersions of felodipine produced by spray drying exhibited more rapid drug release than corresponding melt extruded formulations, although in some cases improved stability was observed for melt extruded formulations.

No / A systematic identification of the degradation products of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) during hot melt extrusion (HME) has been performed. A reverse phase HPLC method was developed for the extrudates of both hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and HPMCP polymers to quantify their thermal hydrolytic products: acetic acid (AA), succinic acid (SA) for HPMCAS and phthalic acid (PA) for HPMCP, without hydrolysing the polymers in strong alkaline solutions. The polymers were extruded in the temperature range of 160-190 degrees C at different screw rotation speeds and hydrolytic impurities were analysed. Investigation of extruded HPMCP showed an additional thermal degradation product, who is structural elucidation revealed to be phthalic anhydride (PAH). Moreover, two environmental analytical impurities, dimethyl phthalate and methyl benzoate formed in situ were recorded on GC-MS and their origin was found to be associated with PAH derivatization. Using the experimental data gathered during this study, a degradation mechanism for HPMCP is proposed.