Objectives
- Prepare PVA(MW 130,000) microspheres through suspension cross-linking of a polymeric solution with glutaraldehyde.
- Remove prepared MW 130,000 PVA hydrogels from freezer and begin soaking in water.
- Finish preparing PVA(MW 130,000) hydrogels for freeze-thaw method.
- Filter prepared clay exchanges.
- Prepared DSC samples of all used clays.
PVA Microspheres
General Protocol:
- Reaction should be carried out using a reflux condenser and a thermostatic water bath of 55°C.
- Dissolve 1g total of PVA and clay additive in 5mL hot,deionized water.
- Acidify the solution using 0.25mL 0.5M H2SO4.
- Dissolve 0.6g Cellulose acetate butyrate in 25mL 1,2-dichloroethane.
- Pour the acidified PVA solution into the 25mL 1,2-dichloroethane solution.
- Stir the water/1,2-dichlorethane solution for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes stirring, add 0.75mL glutaraldehyde to the solution.
- After the addition of glutaraldehyde, allow the reaction to carry out for 3 additional hours at 55°C.
- Filter the produced microspheres from the solution using a a sintered glass filter and a vacuum.
- Wash the collected microspheres using the following solvents in the following order:
- 1,2-dichloroethane
- acetone
- hot water
- cold water
- methanol
- Dry the microspheres at 60°C overnight.
- The following procedure was adapted from the article Poly(vinyl alcohol) microspheres with pH- and thermosensitive properties as temperature-controlled drug delivery [1]
1,2-dichlorethane safety:
- 1,2-dichloroethane is highly flammable. Care must be used at all times when dealing with 1,2-dichloroethane
- Avoid all 1,2-dichloroethane skin contact by wearing gloves and googles.
- Avoid any 1,2-dichlorethane contact with extreme heat, open flame, or electrical sparks.
- 1,2-dichloroethane should be kept in the flammable storage safety cabinet when not in use.
- When in use, 1,2-dichloroethane should be kept in the fume hood.
PVA Microsphere information:
Preparation of Microspheres using PVA MW 146,000-186,000
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'
|
Amount of PVA added(g) |
0.9001
|
Amount of Lamponite clay added(g) |
0.1004
|
Amount of cellulose acetate butyrate added(g) |
0.6066
|
Amount of GA added(mL) |
0.75
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Amount of H2SO4 added(mL) |
0.25
|
Observations:
- The dispersion agent(hereout referred to as CAB), lamponite clay and PVA formed a sort of suspension in the water/organic solvent solution. It did not appear to fully dissolve. Used a spatula to scrape the side of the RB flask in order to try and break up the large chunks.
- After addition to heat, the large chunks generally broke apart. Small spheres seemed to be forming after approximately an hour spinning.
Hydrogel Preparation
- The general protocol described on January 30th was followed.
Clay Filtration
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