Large scale synthesis of copper nickel alloy nanoparticles with reduced compressibility using arc thermal plasma process

Among the various methods employed in the synthesis of nanostructures, those involving high operating temperature and sharp thermal gradients often lead to the establishment of new exotic properties. Herein, we report on the formation of Cu-Ni metallic alloy nanoparticles with greatly enhanced stiffness achieved through direct-current transferred arc-thermal plasma assisted vapour-phase condensation. High pressure synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) at ambient temperature as well as XRPD in the temperature range 180 to 920 K, show that the thermal arc-plasma route resulted in alloy nanoparticles with much enhanced bulk modulus compared to their bulk counterparts. Such a behaviour may find an explanation in the sudden quenching assisted by the retention of a large amount of local strain due to alloying, combined with the perfect miscibility of the elemental components during the thermal plasma synthesis process.

Improving Micromeritic Properties of Ibuprofen: An Agglomeration Approach

Ibuprofen is one of the common NSAIDs having poor water solubility, low dissolution, weak flow properties and reduced compressibility. These downsides of ibuprofen crystal upraise crucial challenges during development of a dosage form. The aim of this present work was to modify the physical form of ibuprofen by changing micromeritic properties. Seven different formulations of ibuprofen agglomerates such as F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6 and F-7 were prepared to convert the needle shaped ibuprofen crystals into agglomerates so that the desired micromeritic properties can be achieved. In this study, agglomerates of ibuprofen were prepared by Quasi emulsion solvent diffusion (QESD) method in association with two surfactants (sodium lauryl sulphateand Tween 80) at three different concentrations for each. The micromeritic properties of the prepared agglomerates were evaluated for bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, angle of repose along with the release behavior of agglomerates. From dissolution study, it was observed that the release of drug was directly proportional to the surfactant concentration. Here, it was also revealed that there was no interaction among ibuprofen and other excipients as evident from DSC and FTIR studies.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 20(1): 90-98, 2017