Rapid flocculation-sedimentation of microalgae with organosilane-functionalized halloysite

Microalgae is a promising feedstock of biofuel for alternating fossil fuels. The major challenge of microalgal biofuels for commercial applications is in designing an efficient harvesting method with high economic feasibility. In this study, a rapid flocculation-sedimentation harvesting method induced by organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant was achieved for Scenedesmus dimorphus harvest. The harvesting efficiency was significantly influenced by the pH of microalgal dispersion and the dosage of flocculant. The optimized harvesting condition was pH 3.0 with flocculant dosage of 1.0 g.g(-1) cell dry mass. Under the optimized harvesting condition, microalgae rapidly reached 93% harvesting efficiency within 0.5 min of settling time, and reached 98% harvesting efficiency within 2 min of settling time. The rapid flocculation was attributed to the charge neutralization of the negatively-charged microalgae cells by the positively-charged organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant and to the sweep flocculation by organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant. The organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant did not affect the lipid extraction of microalgae, and not contaminate the extracted residuals. The organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant is of high efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, makes it be of promising application for commercial microalgae harvesting.</p

Selective loading of 5-fluorouracil in the interlayer space of methoxy-modified kaolinite for controlled release

Methoxy-modified kaolinite was used as a novel carrier for anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The selective loading of 5FU into the interlayer space of methoxy-modified kaolinite was achieved because the weakly bonded 5FU on the external surface was removed off by facile water rinse. The intercalated 5FU has strong affinity (electrostatic force and hydrogen bonding) with the interlayer surface of kaolinite, and its release was controlled because of the diffusion restriction of the kaolinite lamellar layers and the strong affinity between 5FU and kaolinite. The controlled release of 5FU from methoxy-modified kaolinite in simulated colonic fluid (pH 5.5) makes it be of potential use to administer an oral formulation of 5FU for colon specific delivery

Selective Loading and Prolonged Release of 5-Fluorouracil in the Nanoconfined Interlayer Space of Montmorillonite

Montmorillonite was used as a carrier for the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The selective loading of 5FU into the nanoconfined interlayer space of montmorillonite was achieved by rinsing off the weakly bonded 5FU from the external surface. The 5FU loading content in montmorillonite was 3.2 mass%. The intercalated 5FU was in an amorphous state and might be arranged as a roughly vertical monolayer in the interlayer space of montmorillonite. The intercalated 5FU showed a high thermal stability due to the protection of the montmorillonite layers. The release profiles of the intercalated 5FU were well fitted with the modified Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The montmorillonite exhibited a prolonged release of 5FU due to the restriction of the outward diffusion of intercalated 5FU. The 5FU/montmorillonite system has promising potential for oral administration for colonspecific delivery