Preparation of Microcapsules Coating and the Study of Their Bionic Anti-Fouling Performance

Development of itraconazole ocular delivery system using β-cyclodextrin complexation incorporated into dissolving microneedles for potential improvement treatment of fungal keratitis

Itraconazole (ITZ) is one of the broad-spectrum antifungal agents for treating fungal keratitis. In clinical use, ITZ has problems related to its poor solubility in water, which results in low bioavailability when administered orally. To resolve the issue, we formulated ITZ into the inclusion complex (ITZ-IC) system using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), which can potentially increase the solubility and bioavailability of ITZ. The molecular docking study has confirmed that the binding energy of ITZ with the β-CD was -5.0 kcal/mol, indicating a stable conformation of the prepared inclusion complex. Moreover, this system demonstrated that the inclusion complex could significantly increase the solubility of ITZ up to 4-fold compared to the pure drug. Furthermore, an ocular drug delivery system was developed through dissolving microneedle (DMN) using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as polymeric substances. The evaluation results of DMN inclusion complexes (ITZ-IC-DMN) showed excellent mechanical strength and insertion ability. In addition, ITZ-IC-DMN can dissolve rapidly upon application. The ex vivo permeation study revealed that 75.71% (equivalent to 3.79 ± 0.21 mg) of ITZ was permeated through the porcine cornea after 24 h. Essentially, ITZ-IC-DMN exhibited no signs of irritation in the HET-CAM study, indicating its safety for application. In conclusion, this study has successfully developed an inclusion complex formulation containing ITZ using β-CD in the DMN system. This approach holds promise for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of ITZ through ocular administration.

Characterization and Release Mechanisms of Aerogel-Encapsulated Biocide Crystals for Low-Loading and High-Utilization Antifouling Coatings

Silica aerogel-encapsulated biocide crystals can potentially enhance the protection efficiency of antifouling coatings, thereby lowering the impact on nontarget aquatic life. In the present study, copper pyrithione (CuPT) crystals are encapsulated by silica aerogel to obtain loadings of 50-80 wt % CuPT. For optimal design of the heterogeneous particles and mapping of the underlying biocide release mechanisms, the aerogel-encapsulated biocide crystals are characterized by scanning (transmission) electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, mercury intrusion porosity, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and light scattering. The microscopic examination demonstrates that the elongated CuPT crystals are encapsulated by a thin highly porous silica layer. When varying the CuPT loading of the aerogels, it is possible to tune the particle size, pore volume, and specific surface area of the aerogels. Furthermore, this study suggests that the hydrophilic aerogel-encapsulated CuPT, when used in antifouling coatings, attracts seawater and contributes to an efficient controlled release of active CuPT.

Preparation of Tung Oil Microcapsule and Its Effect on Wood Surface Coating

Through the optimized preparation of tung oil microcapsules, five kinds of microcapsules containing different core material content were obtained to explore the influence of microcapsules on water-based paint film and the self-healing ability of microcapsules. The results showed that the microcapsules had good appearance, and the microcapsules were successfully prepared. The color difference in the paint film increased with the increase in microcapsule content, and the gloss decreased gradually. The mechanical test showed that adding microcapsules increased the toughness of the paint film to a certain extent, and the performance of the paint film was unchanged or better. The results showed that paint film with the core–wall ratio of 0.78:1 had the best performance and self-healing function when microcapsules were added.

Composite Slow-Release Fouling Release Coating Inspired by Synergistic Anti-Fouling Effect of Scaly Fish

Inspired by the antifouling properties of scaly fish, the conventional silicone coating with phenylmethylsilicone oil (PSO/PDMS) composite coating was fabricated and modified with single layer polystyrene (PS) microsphere (PSO/PDMS-PS) arrays. The fish scale like micro-nano structures were fabricated on the surface of bio-inspired coating, which can reduce the contact area with the secreted protein membrane of fouling organisms effectively and prevent further adhesion between fouling organisms and bio-inspired coating. Meanwhile, PSO exuded to the coating surface has the similar function with mucus secreted by fish epidermis, which make the coating surface slithery and will be polished with the fouling organisms in turbulent waters. Compared to PSO/PDMS coating without any structure and conventional silicone coating, PSO/PDMS-PS showed better antiadhesion activity against both marine bacteria and benthic diatom (Navicula sp.). Additionally, the existence of PS microspheres can reduce the release rate of PSO greatly, which will extend the service life of coating. Compared to PSO/PDMS coating, the sustained release efficiency of PSO/PDMS-PS coating can reach 23.2%. This facile method for fabricating the bio-inspired composite slow-release antifouling coating shows a widely fabricating path for the development of synergistic anti-fouling coating.

Preparation and Sustained-Release Performance of PLGA Microcapsule Carrier System

Microcapsules have been widely studied owing to their biocompatibility and potential for application in various areas, particularly drug delivery. However, the size of microcapsules is difficult to control, and the size distribution is very broad via various encapsulation techniques. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain microcapsules with uniform and tailored size for the construction of controlled-release drug carriers. In this study, emulsification and solvent evaporation methods were used to prepare a variety of ovalbumin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microcapsules to determine the optimal preparation conditions. The particle size of the PLGA microcapsules prepared using the optimum conditions was approximately 200 nm, which showed good dispersibility with an ovalbumin encapsulation rate of more than 60%. In addition, porous microcapsules with different pore sizes were prepared by adding a varying amount of porogen bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the internal water phase. The release curve showed that the rate of protein release from the microcapsules could be controlled by adjusting the pore size. These findings demonstrated that we could tailor the morphology and structure of microcapsules by regulating the preparation conditions, thus controlling the encapsulation efficiency and the release performance of the microcapsule carrier system. We envision that this controlled-release novel microcapsule carrier system shows great potential for biomedical applications.

Anti-Corrosion Performance of Polyaniline Coated Basalt Rockwool Wastes/Epoxy Resin Coatings

Basalt rockwool wastes with large output, which are toxic and require expensive environmental treatment, are produced during the production of rock wool. Hence, it is urgent to find an effective method to reuse these materials. In this study, polyaniline (PANI)-coated basalt rockwool wastes (BRWs) were prepared as fillers to serve in coatings for the anticorrosion study. Results show that the PANI-coated BRW (PANI@BRW) had enhanced dispersion stability in several conventional solvents and improved the anticorrosion performance of the epoxy resin coating. A high protection efficiency of 97.7% could be obtained from the coating with 5% fillers after immersion for 30 days. This study not only provides a promising method of solving the issues caused by BRW, but also turns these wastes into valuable substances.

Microfluidic Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Antifouling Biocides in Calcium Alginate Hydrogels for Controllable Release

Microencapsulation of biocides is used in long-life antifouling coating paints for marine applications and building materials. Here, we report the microfluidic production of calcium alginate (Ca-alginate) hydrogel particles to modulate the release of the encapsulated drug Irgarol (N-cyclopropyl-N'-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), which is a hydrophobic and specifically phytotoxic antifoulant that inhibits photosystem II in aquatic plant species. We first encapsulated the drug inside the highly spherical Ca-alginate hydrogels of an average diameter ∼160 μm with a coefficient of variation of less than 4% and an average roundness of more than 0.96. The release speeds of the encapsulated and nonencapsulated drugs in pure water were measured separately by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. A stable and controllable release rate of the loaded drug was achieved by hydrophilic encapsulation. In addition, cellulose fibers were incorporated to enhance the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. Finally, the antifouling effect of the encapsulated drug was demonstrated using water grass (Bacopa monnieri).

Effect of Microcapsules with Different Core–Wall Ratios on Properties of Waterborne Primer Coating for European Linden

Waterborne acrylic-resin-filled urea–formaldehyde-based microcapsules with core–wall ratios of 0.42:1, 0.50:1, 0.58:1, 0.67:1, 0.75:1, 0.83:1 and 0.92:1 were prepared via in situ polymerization. Microcapsules were added into the primer to investigate the optical and mechanical properties of the coating on European linden. The results indicated that under the condition of the same core–wall ratio, chroma differences increased gradually with increasing concentration. The coating gloss decreased with increasing concentration. The hardness of 10.0–15.0% microcapsules increased more obviously, with the highest elongations at the break of the coating. At the 0.58:1 core–wall ratio and the 10.0% concentration, the coating adhesion was level 1 and the impact resistance was 10.0 kg cm. Microcapsule concentration did not affect the coating’s liquid resistance. The coating with 10.0% microcapsules added at a 0.58:1 core–wall ratio had a better self-healing property, a good stability and aging resistance. This paper lays a technical basis for the manufacturing and utilization of self-healing waterborne wood coatings.

Preparation of Microcapsules of Urea Formaldehyde Resin Coated Waterborne Coatings and Their Effect on Properties of Wood Crackle Coating

Urea formaldehyde coated waterborne acrylic resin microcapsules with core-wall ratios of 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, 0.67, and 0.75, and mass fractions of 1.0%, 4.0%, 7.0%, 10.0%, 13.0%, and 16.0% were prepared by in situ polymerization. Their micro morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope and infrared spectrum measurements. The gloss, color difference, adhesion, hardness, and impact resistance of the coating surface were investigated in detail. The influence of the core-wall ratio on the performance of the waterborne crackle coating on the wood surface and the self-healing performance were examined. The results showed that when the core-wall ratio of microcapsules was 0.67, an evenly dispersed powder state with particle size of about 3 μm microcapsules was obtained, and the highest coverage was achieved. When the mass fraction of the microcapsule was 4.0%, it had the optimum effect on surface performance. The adhesion was grade two, gloss was 10.9%, impact resistance was 15 kg·cm, chromatic aberration was 1.0, hardness was H, and it had the best effect on the healing of microcracks in the wood coating. As the coating added with microcapsules can inhibit the microcracks of the coating and plays a protective role for the substrate to achieve a self-healing effect, this study lays a technical foundation for the self-healing of surface cracks in coatings for wood.

Research Strategies to Develop Environmentally Friendly Marine Antifouling Coatings

There are a large number of fouling organisms in the ocean, which easily attach to the surface of ships, oil platforms and breeding facilities, corrode the surface of equipment, accelerate the aging of equipment, affect the stability and safety of marine facilities and cause serious economic losses. Antifouling coating is an effective method to prevent marine biological fouling. Traditional organic tin and copper oxide coatings are toxic and will contaminate seawater and destroy marine ecology and have been banned or restricted. Environmentally friendly antifouling coatings have become a research hotspot. Among them, the use of natural biological products with antifouling activity as antifouling agents is an important research direction. In addition, some fouling release coatings without antifoulants, biomimetic coatings, photocatalytic coatings and other novel antifouling coatings have also developed rapidly. On the basis of revealing the mechanism of marine biofouling, this paper reviews the latest research strategies to develop environmentally friendly marine antifouling coatings. The composition, antifouling characteristics, antifouling mechanism and effects of various coatings were analyzed emphatically. Finally, the development prospects and future development directions of marine antifouling coatings are forecasted.