The Influence of Viscosity and Non-freezing Water Contents Bounded to Different Hydroxypropyl Celluloses (HPC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcelluloses (HPMC) on Stability of Acetylsalicylic Acid

Water-Responsive Self-Repairing Superomniphobic Surfaces via Regeneration of Hierarchical Topography

Superomniphobic surfaces that can self-repair physical damage are desirable for sustainable performance over time in many practical applications that include self-cleaning, corrosion resistance, and protective gears. However, fabricating such self-repairing superomniphobic surfaces has thus far been a challenge because it necessitates the regeneration of both low-surface-energy materials and hierarchical topography. Herein, a water-responsive self-repairing superomniphobic film is reported by utilizing cross-linked hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) composited with silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles (HPC-SiO₂) that is treated with a low-surface-energy perfluorosilane. The film can repair physical damage (e.g., a scratch) in approximately 10 s by regenerating its hierarchical topography and low-surface-energy material upon the application of water vapor. The repaired region shows an almost complete recovery of its inherent superomniphobic wettability and mechanical hardness. The repairing process is driven by the reversible hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl (-OH) groups which can be dissociated upon exposure to water vapor. This results in a viscous flow of the HPC-SiO₂ film into the damaged region. A mathematical model composed of viscosity and surface tension of the HPC-SiO₂ film can describe the experimentally measured viscous flow with reasonable accuracy. Finally, we demonstrate that the superomniphobic HPC-SiO₂ film can repair physical damage by a water droplet pinned on a damaged area or by sequential rolling water droplets.

Interaction between mucoadhesive cellulose derivatives and Pluronic F127: Investigation on the micelle structure and mucoadhesive performance

Systems composed of bioadhesive and thermoresponsive polymers can combine in situ gelation with bio/mucoadhesion, enhancing retention of topically applied drugs. The effect of bioadhesive sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose cellulose (HPMC) on the properties of thermoresponsive Pluronic® F127 (F127) was explored, including micellization and the mucoadhesion. A computational analysis between these polymers and their molecular interactions were also studied, rationalising the design of improved binary polymeric systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The morphological characterization of polymeric systems was conducted by SEM. DSC analysis was used to investigate the crystallization and micellization enthalpy of F127 and the mixed systems. Micelle size measurements and TEM micrographs allowed for investigation into the interference of cellulose derivatives on F127 micellization. Both cellulose derivatives reduced the critical micellar concentration and enthalpy of micellization of F127, altering hydrodynamic diameters of the aggregates. Mucoadhesion performance was useful to select the best systems for mucosal application. The systems composed of 17.5% (w/w) F127 and 3% (w/w) HPMC or 1% (w/w) NaCMC are promising as topical drug delivery systems, mainly on mucosal surfaces. They were biocompatible when tested against Artemia salina, and also able to release a model of hydrophilic drug in a controlled manner.