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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Comparing the Pressure-Induced Structural Behavior of CuCr 2 O 4 and CuCr 2 Se 4 Spinels

We have conducted high-pressure measurements on the CuCr 2 O 4 and CuCr 2 Se 4 spinels to unravel the structural systematics of these materials under compression. Our studies have revealed diverse structural behavior in these two compounds. In particular, CuCr 2 O 4 retains its ambient-pressure I4 1 /amd structure up to 50 GPa. Close inspection of the lattice and interatomic parameters reveals a compressibility change near 23 GPa, which is accompanied by an expansion of the apical Cr–O bond distances. We speculate that an outer Cr 3+ 3d orbital reorientation might be at play in this system, manifesting as the change in compressibility at that pressure point. On the other hand, CuCr 2 Se 4 undergoes a structural transformation from the starting Fd3¯m phase toward a monoclinic structure initiated at ~8 GPa and completed at ~20 GPa. Furthermore, this high-pressure behavior resembles that of ZnCr 2 Se 4 , and it appears that, unlike similar chalcogenide Cr spinels, steric effects take a leading role in this pressure-induced Fd3¯m → monoclinic transition. Close comparison of our results with the reported literature yields significant insights behind the pressure-induced structural systematics of this important family of materials, thus both allowing for the careful manipulation of the structural/physical properties of these systems by strain and promoting our understanding of similar pressure-induced effects in relevant systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tracking the Progression of Anion Reorientational Behavior between α-Phase and β-Phase Alkali-Metal Silanides, MSiH 3 , by Quasielastic Neutron Scattering

Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements over a wide range of energy resolutions were used to probe the reorientational behavior of the pyramidal SiH 3 - anions in the monoalkali silanides (MSiH 3 , where M = K, Rb, and Cs) within the low-temperature ordered β-phases, and for CsSiH 3 , the high-temperature disordered α-phase and intervening hysteretic transition region. Maximum jump frequencies of the β-phase anions near the β-α transitions range from around 10 9 s -1 for β-KSiH 3 to 10 10 s -1 and higher for β-RbSiH 3 and β-CsSiH 3 . The β-phase anions undergo uniaxial 3-fold rotational jumps around the anion quasi-C 3 symmetry axis. CsSiH 3 was the focus of further studies to map out the evolving anion dynamical behavior at temperatures above the β-phase region. As in α-KSiH 3 and α-RbSiH 3 , the highly mobile anions (with reorientational jump frequencies approaching and exceeding 10 12 s -1 ) in the disordered α-CsSiH 3 are all adequately modeled by H jumps between 24 different locations distributed radially around the anion center of gravity, although even higher anion reorientational disorder cannot be ruled out. QENS data for CsSiH 3 in the transition region between the α- and β-phases corroborated the presence of dynamically distinct intermediate ( i -) phase. The SiH 3 - anions within i -phase appear to undergo uniaxial small-angular-jump reorientations that are more akin to the lower-dimensional β-phase anion motions rather than to the multidimensional α-phase anion motions. Moreover, they possess orientational mobilities that are an order-of-magnitude lower than those for α-phase anions but also an order-of-magnitude higher than those for β-phase anions. Combined QENS and neutron powder diffraction results strongly suggest that this i -phase is associated chiefly with the more short-range-ordered, nanocrystalline portions (invisible to diffraction) that appear to dominate the CsSiH 3 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dynamical and phase behavior of a phospholipid membrane altered by an antimicrobial peptide at low concentration

Here we discuss that the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides is traditionally attributed to the formation of pores in the lipid cell membranes of pathogens, which requires a substantial peptide to lipid ratio. However, using incoherent neutron scattering, we show that even at a concentration too low for pore formation, an archetypal antimicrobial peptide, melittin, disrupts the regular phase behavior of the microscopic dynamics in a phospholipid membrane, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). At the same time, another antimicrobial peptide, alamethicin, does not exert a similar effect on the DMPC microscopic dynamics. The melittin-altered lateral motion of DMPC at physiological temperature no longer resembles the fluid-phase behavior characteristic of functional membranes of the living cells. The disruptive effect demonstrated by melittin even at low concentrations reveals a new mechanism of antimicrobial action relevant in more realistic scenarios, when peptide concentration is not as high as would be required for pore formation, which may facilitate treatment with antimicrobial peptides.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Confinement-mediated phase behavior of hydrocarbon fluids: Insights from Monte Carlo simulations

The phase behavior of hydrocarbon fluids confined in porous media has been discussed to deviate significantly from that in the bulk environment due to the existence of sub-10nm pores. Though experiments and simulations have measured the bubble/dew points and sorption isotherms of hydrocarbons confined in both natural and synthetic nanopores, the confinement effects in terms of the strength of fluid-pore interactions tuned by surface wettability and chemistry have received comparably less discussion. More significantly, the underlying physics of confinement-induced phenomena remain obfuscated. In this work, we studied the phase behavior and capillary condensation of n-hexane to understand the effects of confinement at the molecular level. To systematically investigate the pore effects, we constructed two types of wall confinements; one is a structureless virtual wall described by the Steele potential and the other one is an all-atom amorphous silica structure with surface modified by hydroxyl groups. Our numerical results demonstrated the importance of fluid-pore interaction, pore size, and pore morphology effects in mediating the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) properties of hydrocarbons. The most remarkable finding of this work was that the saturation pressure predicted from the van der Waals-type adsorption isothermal loop could be elevated or suppressed relative to the bulk phase, as illustrated in the graphical abstract. As the surface energy (i.e., fluid-pore interaction) decreased, the isothermal vapor pressure increased, indicating a greater preference for the fluid to exist in the vapor state. Sufficient reduction of the fluid-pore interactions could even elevate the vapor pressure above that of the bulk fluid.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

On the Interfacial Behavior of Catenated Poly(l-lactide) at the Air–Water Interface

Interfacial properties of polymeric materials are significantly influenced by their architectural structures and spatial features, while such a study of topologically interesting macromolecules is rarely reported. Here, we reported, for the first time, the interfacial behavior of catenated poly(l-lactide) (C-PLA) at the air–water interface and compared it with its linear analogue (L-PLA). The isotherms of surface pressure–area per repeating unit showed significant interfacial behavioral differences between the two polymers with different topologies. Isobaric creep experiments and compression–expansion cycles also showed that C-PLA demonstrated higher stability at the air–water interface. Interestingly, when the films at different surface pressures were transferred via the Langmuir–Blodgett method, successive atomic force microscopy imaging displayed distinct nanomorphologies, in which the surface of C-PLA exhibited nanofibrous structures, while that of the L-PLA revealed a smoother topology with less fiber-like structures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Wetting Behavior of A -block- (B- random -C) Copolymers with Equal Block Surface Energies on Surfaces Functionalized with B- random -C Copolymers

To form nanopatterns with self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs), it is desirable to have through-film domains that are oriented perpendicular to the substrate. The domain orientation is determined by the interfacial interactions of the BCP domains with the substrate and with the free surface. Here, we use thin films of two different sets of BCPs with A-block-(B-random-C) architecture matched with a corresponding B-random-C copolymer nanocoating on the substrate to demonstrate two distinct wetting behaviors. The two sets of A-b-(B-r-C) BCPs are made by using thiol–epoxy click chemistry to functionalize polystyrene-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) with trifluoroethanethiol (TFET) and either 2-mercaptopyridine (2MP) or methyl thioglycolate (MTG). For each set of BCPs, the composition ratio of the two thiols in the BCP (φ 1 ) is found that results in the two blocks of the modified BCP having equal surface energies (Δγ air = 0). The corresponding B-r-C random copolymers were synthesized and used to modify the substrate, and the composition ratio (φ 2 ) values that resulted in the two blocks of the BCP having equal interfacial energy with the substrate (Δγ sub = 0) were determined with scanning electron microscopy. The correlation between each block’s γ sub value and the interaction parameter, χ, is employed to explain the different wetting behaviors of the two sets of BCPs. For the thiol pair 2MP and TFET, the values of φ 1 and φ 2 that lead to Δγ air = 0 and Δγ sub = 0, respectively, are significantly different. A similar difference was observed between the φ 1 and φ 2 values that lead to Δγ air = 0 and Δγ sub = 0 for the BCPs made with the thiol pair MTG and TFET. In the latter case, for Δγ sub = 0 two windows of φ 2 are identified, which can be explained by the thermodynamic interactions of the specific thiol pair and the A-b-(B-r-C) architecture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Surface Mechanical and Rheological Behaviors of Biocompatible Poly((D,L-lactic acid-ran-glycolic acid)-block-ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) and Poly((D,L-lactic acid-ran-glycolic acid-ran-ε-caprolactone)-block-ethylene glycol) (PLGACL-PEG) Block Copolymers at the Air-Water Interface

Air–water interfacial monolayers of poly((d,l-lactic acid-ran-glycolic acid)-block-ethylene glycol) (PLGA–PEG) exhibit an exponential increase in surface pressure under high monolayer compression. In order to understand the molecular origin of this behavior, a combined experimental and theoretical investigation (including surface pressure–area isotherm, X-ray reflectivity (XR) and interfacial rheological measurements, and a self-consistent field (SCF) theoretical analysis) was performed on air–water monolayers formed by a PLGA–PEG diblock copolymer and also by a nonglassy analogue of this diblock copolymer, poly((d,l-lactic acid-ran-glycolic acid-ran-caprolactone)-block-ethylene glycol) (PLGACL–PEG). The combined results of this study show that the two mechanisms, i.e., the glass transition of the collapsed PLGA film and the lateral repulsion of the PEG brush chains that occur simultaneously under lateral compression of the monolayer, are both responsible for the observed PLGA–PEG isotherm behavior. Upon cessation of compression, the high surface pressure of the PLGA–PEG monolayer typically relaxes over time with a stretched exponential decay, suggesting that in this diblock copolymer situation, the hydrophobic domain formed by the PLGA blocks undergoes glass transition in the high lateral compression state, analogously to the PLGA homopolymer monolayer. In the high PEG grafting density regime, the contribution of the PEG brush chains to the high monolayer surface pressure is significantly lower than what is predicted by the SCF model because of the many-body attraction among PEG segments (referred to in the literature as the “n-cluster” effects). The end-grafted PEG chains were found to be protein resistant even under the influence of the “n-cluster” effects.

Kim, Hyun Chang↗
DOE OSTI2016

Crowding-induced mixing behavior of lipid bilayers: Examination of mixing energy, phase, packing geometry, and reversibility

In an effort to develop a general thermodynamic model from first-principles to describe the mixing behavior of lipid membranes, we examined lipid mixing induced by targeted binding of small (Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and large (nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs)) structures to specific phases of phase-separated lipid bilayers. Phases were targeted by incorporation of phase-partitioning iminodiacetic acid (IDA)-functionalized lipids into ternary lipid mixtures consisting of DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol. GFP and NLPs, containing histidine tags, bound the IDA portion of these lipids via a metal, Cu 2+ , chelating mechanism. In giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), GFP and NLPs bound to the Lo domains of bilayers containing DPIDA, and bound to the Ld region of bilayers containing DOIDA. At sufficiently large concentrations of DPIDA or DOIDA, lipid mixing was induced by bound GFP and NLPs. The validity of the thermodynamic model was confirmed when it was found that the statistical mixing distribution as a function of crowding energy for smaller GFP and larger NLPs collapsed to the same trend line for each GUV composition. Moreover, results of this analysis show that the free energy of mixing for a ternary lipid bilayer consisting of DOPC, DPPC, and cholesterol varied from 7.9 × 10 –22 to 1.5 × 10 –20 J/lipid at the compositions observed, decreasing as the relative cholesterol concentration was increased. It was discovered that there appears to be a maximum packing density, and associated maximum crowding pressure, of the NLPs, suggestive of circular packing. A similarity in mixing induced by NLP1 and NLP3 despite large difference in projected areas was analytically consistent with monovalent (one histidine tag) versus divalent (two histidine tags) surface interactions, respectively. In addition to GUVs, binding and induced mixing behavior of NLPs was also observed on planar, supported lipid multibilayers. Furthermore, the mixing process was reversible, with Lo domains reappearing after addition of EDTA for NLP removal.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Comparing Experimental Phase Behavior of Ion-Doped Block Copolymers with Theoretical Predictions Based on Selective Ion Solvation

The effects of salt-doping on the morphological behavior of block copolymers are well established but remain poorly understood, partially because of the challenge of resolving electrostatics in a heterogeneous medium with low average permittivity. By employing a recently developed field theory, we analyze the phase behavior of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (SEO) copolymers doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts (LiTFSI). Using a single fitting parameter, the ionic solvation radius, we obtain qualitative agreement between our theory and experimental data over a range of polymer molecular weights and copolymer compositions. Such agreement supports and highlights the need of solvation free energy to accurately describe the self-assembly of ion-doped block copolymers and demonstrates that experimentally observed dependence on molecular weight, not present in neutral block copolymers, can be rationalized by solvation effects. Overall, morphological variations are stronger than those predicted by the leading, linear order theory but can be captured by the full model.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of the Self-Assembly Behavior of Statistical Bottlebrush Copolymers via Self-Consistent Field Theory Simulations

Bottlebrush copolymers, a class of high-density side-chain-grafted copolymers with high molecular weights, have recently attracted extensive research attention due to the dramatic reduction of chain entanglement in these copolymers, unique self-assembly behaviors, and distinctive physical properties. In this study, we employ self-consistent field theory simulations to systemically investigate the phase behavior of statistical bottlebrush copolymers A-stat-B, an intriguing subclass of bottlebrush copolymers with random or alternating sequences of A and B side chains. We find that a broader variety of ordered mesophases can be stabilized in the melts of these copolymers relative to the more extensively studied bottlebrush block copolymers. In particular, we observe that these statistical copolymers can stabilize sphere phases over a larger range of species volume fractions than their diblock and tetrablock counterparts but require much higher segregation strength to achieve this. The sphere and hexagonally packed cylinder phases formed by conformationally symmetric statistical bottlebrush copolymers possess interesting discrete core–shell structures with the backbone and lower volume fraction side-chain species forming shells and cores, respectively. Moreover, we uncover a new strategy of stabilizing the Frank–Kasper phase A15 by introducing conformational asymmetry through different side-chain lengths and also observe deflection of order–order phase boundaries and significant mixing between the backbones and short side chains as conformational asymmetry is introduced.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Simulations of Glass Transition and Mechanical Behavior of Off-Stoichiometric Crosslinked Polymers

Here, this work explores the influence of blend composition, network architecture, and hydrogen bonding on the material properties of crosslinked epoxy networks, focusing on the glass transition temperature (T g ) and Young’s modulus (Y). We used coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to simulate varying compositions of stiff and flexible components in epoxy monomer blends with varying excess of curative. We find that, without hydrogen bonding, networks of any composition show a monotonically increasing T g with decreasing excess curative, consistent with theory. In contrast, we find that when hydrogen bonding is introduced, the binary blend networks show significant enhancement in T g for lightly crosslinked systems. This result contributes to an explanation of the anomalous T g behavior observed experimentally in these systems. We further find that Y is generally enhanced by hydrogen bonds, especially below T g , demonstrating that hydrogen bonding has a significant influence on mechanical properties and can allow access to other desirable dynamic behavior, especially self-healing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Insight into the Competitive Adsorption Behavior of Polymer Chains in Silica Nanopores by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Processive hydrogenolysis catalysts, in which a metal nanoparticle (e.g., Pt) embedded at the bottom of a cylindrical silica nanopore can repeatedly cleave polymer chains and produce value-added hydrocarbon products, offer a potential solution for billions of tons of waste plastics. As the chain stays longer near the Pt catalysts, it would have a higher chance of getting cut, and therefore the molecular weight distribution of the product could be affected by the adsorption behavior of virgin chains (long polymers) versus cleaved chains (short polymers) into the nanopores. Further, this work reports a model study to understand the competitive adsorption behavior of the two different molecular weight polymers that are mixed, mimicking the reaction medium in the intermediate stage of the catalytic reaction. This study employs small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), which takes advantage of contrast differences between hydrogenous and deuterated polystyrenes to experimentally observe the relative composition of the two polymers in the silica nanopores. Our results reveal preferential adsorption of longer chains in the silica nanopores, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction in the literature for the case of the enthalpic attraction between polymers and pore walls.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

A Multiscale Model for the Quasi-Static Thermo-Plastic Behavior of Highly Cross-Linked Glassy Polymers

In this paper, we present experimentally validated molecular dynamics predictions of the quasi- static yield and post-yield behavior for a highly cross-linked epoxy polymer under gen- eral stress states and for different temperatures. In addition, a hierarchical multiscale model is presented where the nano-scale simulations obtained from molecular dynamics were homogenized to a continuum thermoplastic constitutive model for the epoxy that can be used to describe the macroscopic behavior of the material. Three major conclusions were achieved: (1) the yield surfaces generated from the nano-scale model for different temperatures agree well with the paraboloid yield crite- rion, supporting previous macroscopic experimental observations; (2) rescaling of the entire yield surfaces to the quasi-static case is possible by considering Argon’s theoretical predictions for pure compression of the polymer at absolute zero temperature; (3) nano- scale simulations can be used for an experimentally-free calibration of macroscopic con- tinuum models, opening new avenues for the design of materials and structures through multi-scale simulations that provide structure-property-performance relationships.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Phase Behavior of Diblock Copolymer–Homopolymer Ternary Blends: Congruent First-Order Lamellar–Disorder Transition

We have established the existence of a line of congruent first-order lamellar-to-disorder (LAM–DIS) transitions when appropriate amounts of poly(cyclohexylethylene) (C) and poly(ethylene) (E) homopolymers are mixed with a corresponding compositionally symmetric CE diblock copolymer. The line of congruent transitions, or the congruent isopleth, terminates at the bicontinuous microemulsion (BμE) channel, and its trajectory appears to be influenced by the critical composition of the C/E binary homopolymer blend. Blends satisfying congruency undergo a direct LAM–DIS transition without passing through a two-phase region. We present complementary optical transmission, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMS) results that establish the phase behavior at constant copolymer volume fraction and varying C/E homopolymer volume ratios. Adjacent to the congruent composition at constant copolymer volume fraction, the lamellar and disordered phases are separated by two-phase coexistence windows, which converge, along with the line of congruent transitions, at an overall composition in the phase prism coincident with the BμE channel. Hexagonal and cubic (double gyroid) phases occur at higher diblock copolymer concentrations for asymmetric amounts of C and E homopolymers. These results establish a quantitative method for identifying the detailed phase behavior of ternary diblock copolymer–homopolymer blends, especially in the vicinity of the BμE.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phase Behavior and Salt Partitioning in Polyelectrolyte Complex Coacervates

Polyelectrolyte complexes are omnipresent both in nature and in the technological world, including nucleotide condensates, biological marine adhesives, food stabilizers, encapsulants, and carriers for gene therapy. However, the true phase behavior of complexes, resulting from associative phase separation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, remains poorly understood. Here in this study, we rely on complementary experimental and simulation approaches to create a complete quantitative description of the phase behavior of polyelectrolyte complexes that represents a significant advance in our understanding of the underlying physics of polyelectrolyte complexation. Experiments employing multiple approaches with model polyelectrolytes oppositely charged polypeptides poly(L-lysine) and poly(D,Lglutamic acid) of matched chain lengths led to phase diagrams with compositions of the complex and the supernatant that were in excellent agreement with simulation results. Contrary to the widely accepted theory for complexation, we found preferential partitioning of salt ions into the supernatant phase. Additionally, the salt partitioning into the supernatant phase was found to initially increase and then decrease on increasing the salt concentrations, manifesting as a distinct minimum in the salt partition coefficients. These trends were shown by simulations to be strongly influenced by the excluded volume interactions in the complex phase, which were not accounted for in their entirety in earlier theories. Finally, we believe the comprehensive data we present will be conducive to the development of an accurate physical theory for polyelectrolyte complexation with predictive capabilities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Morphology and Flow Behavior of Cellulose Nanofibers Dispersed in Glycols

Understanding the morphology and flow behavior of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) dispersed in organic solvents can improve the process of fabricating new cellulose-based nanocomposites. In this study, jute-based 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized CNFs with two different charge densities (0.64 and 1.03 mmol/g) were dispersed in ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG) using the solvent exchange method. The morphology and dimensions of CNFs in dry and suspension states were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques. The results showed that the cross-sectional dimensions remained the same in different solvents. Rheological measurements showed that CNF suspensions in water or glycol (EG and PG) behaved similar to typical polymer solutions with a solvent-independent overlap concentration corresponding to the crowding factor of about 14. Moreover, a thixotropic behavior was found in the concentrated CNF/glycol systems as determined in typical CNF aqueous suspensions. The fact that TEMPO-oxidized CNFs can be well dispersed in organic solvents opens up new possibilities to improve the CNF–polymer matrix blending, where the use of a viscous solvent can delay the transition to turbulence in processing and improve the control of fiber orientation because of a slower Brownian diffusive motion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dissolution of Danazol Amorphous Solid Dispersions: Supersaturation and Phase Behavior as a Function of Drug Loading and Polymer Type

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) are of great interest as enabling formulations because of their ability to increase the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. However, the dissolution of these formulations under nonsink dissolution conditions results in highly supersaturated drug solutions that can undergo different types of phase transitions. As such, the purpose of this study was to characterize the phase behavior of solutions resulting from the dissolution of model ASDs as well as the degree of supersaturation attained. Danazol was chosen as a poorly water-soluble model drug, and three polymers were used to form the dispersions: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS). Dissolution studies were carried out under nonsink conditions, and solution phase behavior was characterized using several orthogonal techniques. It was found that liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurred following dissolution and prior to crystallization for most of the dispersions. Using flux measurements, it was further observed that the maximum attainable supersaturation following dissolution was equivalent to the amorphous solubility. The dissolution of the ASDs led to sustained supersaturation, the duration of which varied depending on the drug loading and the type of polymer used in the formulation. The overall supersaturation profile observed thus depended on a complex interplay between dissolution rate, polymer type, drug loading, and the kinetics of crystallization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Physical Stability and Dissolution Behavior of Ketoconazole–Organic Acid Coamorphous Systems

In an earlier investigation, coamorphous systems of ketoconazole (KTZ) prepared with each oxalic (OXA), tartaric (TAR), citric (CIT), and succinic (SUC) acid, revealed drug–acid ionic or hydrogen bonding interactions in the solid-state (Fung et al, Mol. Pharmaceutics, 2018, 15 (3), 1052–1061). We showed that the drug–acid interactions in KTZ–TAR were the strongest, followed by KTZ–OXA, KTZ–CIT, and KTZ–SUC. In this study, we investigated the crystallization propensity and dissolution behavior of the KTZ–acid coamorphous systems. When in contact with water (either as water vapor or as aqueous phosphate buffer), while KTZ–CIT and KTZ–TAR were physically stable and resisted crystallization, KTZ–SUC and KTZ–OXA crystallized more readily than KTZ alone. The dissolution performances of the coamorphous systems were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) obtained from the concentration–time profiles. KTZ–OXA exhibited the highest AUC, while it was about the same for KTZ–TAR and KTZ–CIT and the lowest for KTZ–SUC. The enhancement in dissolution appeared to become more pronounced as the strength of the acid (OXA > TAR > CIT > SUC) increased. Coamorphization with acid caused at least a twofold increase in AUC when compared with amorphous KTZ. The decrease in pH of the diffusion layer of the dissolving solid, brought about by the acid, is at least partially responsible for the dissolution enhancement. In addition, the particles of KTZ– OXA, KTZ–TAR, and KTZ–CIT were much smaller than those of KTZ–SUC. The consequent effect on surface area could be another contributing factor to the initial dissolution behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗