Stabilized Micronised Particles via pH-Controlled Zeta Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for particle size reduction of organic compounds often require stabilizers to prevent sedimentation, which can be costly, environmentally unfriendly, and not suitable for all applications, as they may not fully prevent aggregation and sedimentation of small particles.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing stable suspensions of micronized particles without stabilizers by adjusting the pH during wet grinding to achieve a zeta potential of 10 mV or higher or -20 mV or lower, ensuring the intrinsic surface charge of the particles maintains suspension stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizers are added to prevent particle aggregation and sedimentation, then suspension stability is improved, but cost increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the stabilizer component from the suspension system. By adjusting the pH to specific ranges (pH 2-4 or pH 6-8), the particles acquire sufficient surface charge (zeta potential ≥10 mV or ≤-10 mV) to provide self-stabilization, making external stabilizers unnecessary and thereby reducing cost and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The particles themselves provide the stabilization function through their intrinsic surface charge. By controlling pH to ensure adequate zeta potential, the particles repel each other electrostatically, achieving self-stabilization without requiring external stabilizing agents, thus eliminating the associated costs and environmental concerns.
2Stability of the object's composition
If particle size is reduced to prevent sedimentation, then suspension stability is improved, but particle aggregation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter of the suspension to specific ranges (pH 2-4 or pH 6-8). This parameter change modifies the surface charge characteristics of the particles, increasing the zeta potential to ≥10 mV or ≤-10 mV. The enhanced electrostatic repulsion prevents aggregation of micronized particles, allowing them to remain suspended stably without settling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizers are used to maintain particle dispersion, then homogeneity is improved, but complexity of the formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes stabilizing agents from the formulation entirely. By relying on pH-controlled electrostatic repulsion (zeta potential ≥10 mV or ≤-10 mV) to maintain particle dispersion and homogeneity, the formulation becomes simpler with fewer components, eliminating the complexity associated with stabilizer selection, optimization, and compatibility management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in stable suspensions that remain stable for long periods without the need for stabilizers, preventing particle aggregation and sedimentation, even at various pH values, and allows for the production of stable suspensions on an industrial scale.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the natamycin to wet grinding at distinct pH values to obtain suspensions of micronised particles
Implementation Method 2
measuring the zeta potential of the obtained suspensions and determining which of the obtained suspensions has a zeta potential of 10 mV or higher or -20 mV or lower
Implementation Method 3
the intrinsic surface charge of the size-reduced organic compound is sufficient to keep the suspension stable
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a suspension of micronised particles of a solid organic compound, which method comprises subjecting the solid organic compound to size reduction by wet grinding under pH conditions wherein the intrinsic surface charge of the size-reduced organic compound is sufficient to keep the suspension stable.