Objectives
- Finish preparation of all microsphere samples.
- Finish decanting microsphere samples prepared 2013/03/22.
- Dry microsphere samples decanted and rinsed with hexanes(2013/03/27) in preparation for DSC and X-ray.
- Consolidate microsphere samples with dye additive and place in new vials in preparation for diffusion testing.
Microsphere Preparation
- The general protocol for microsphere preparation described on 2013/02/20 and 2013/02/22.
- A very small amount of PVA/clay was added to each vial and the vial was filled with safflower oil prior to the rapid freezing in order to achieve a true emulsion of microspheres in the organic safflower oil. This may prevent the formation of hydrogels.
- The four microsphere samples that were dissolved on 2013/03/22 were prepared.
- It was realized that a microsphere sample without clay additive had not been prepared. Two microsphere samples with only PVA were also prepared.
| PVOH MW
|
PVOH Mass(g)
|
| 130,000 |
0.1040
|
| 146,000-186,000 |
0.1022
|
- It was noted that the microsphere emulsion prepared with the microspheres containing only PVA appeared to be more white and to have a smoother consistency after blending with safflower oil in comparison to the microsphere emulsions with PVA and clay.
Decanting of Microspheres
- The decanting of safflower oil and rinsing of the microspheres with hexanes followed the general protocol described on 2013/03/27.
- Decanted samples were placed in to fume hood in order to ensure complete removal of all hexanes.
Drying samples
- Samples rinsed with hexanes on 2013/03/27 were dried using a lyophilizer. These samples still retained some hexane/safflower oil. The samples were further dried for preparation for DSC samples. DSC will be run during the next lab session.
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