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    Proteolytic ceramic capillary membranes for the production of peptides under flow
    In this study, we investigate the effect of membrane surface functionalization on the immobilization of the protease subtilisin A and its performance in the production of peptides from the model protein casein under flow. The surface of tubular ceramic membranes was silanized to yield carboxylated and aminated supports for enzyme immobilization via non-covalent and carbodiimide activated binding. The protease density correlated with electrostatic interactions between the positively charged enzyme and the supports, with the highest enzyme density reached on negatively charged, carboxylated membranes (0.019 molecules/nm², noncovalent approach). Enzyme leaching was reduced by covalent binding of protease to carboxylated supports (5% leached) and slightly improved by binding to aminated membranes (46%) over non-covalent binding to unfunctionalized reference capillaries (66%). Regarding carbodiimide activated immobilization, protease on unfunctionalized and aminated supports exhibited a significantly larger specific activity (0.99 μmol/min/mg) than enzymes on carboxylated surfaces (0.15 μmol/min/mg), which suggests preferred enzyme orientation. In protein hydrolysis, these differences in surface-enzyme interactions were reflected by variations in peptide composition and degree of hydrolysis. Accordingly, we demonstrate that surface functionalization critically determines the surface properties of protease support materials for the production of peptides under flow and allows tailoring the performance of proteolytic capillary membranes.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
      119  97
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    Effect of divalent versus monovalent cations on the MS2 retention capacity of amino-functionalized ceramic filters
    Ceramic capillary membranes conditioned for virus filtration via functionalization with n-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine (TPDA) are analyzed with respect to their virus retention capacity when using feed solutions based on monovalent and divalent salts (NaCl, MgCl2). The log reduction value (LRV) by operating in dead-end mode using the model bacteriophage MS2 with a diameter of 25 nm and an IEP of 3.9 is as high as 9.6 when using feeds containing MgCl2. In contrast, a lesser LRV of 6.4 is observed for feed solutions based on NaCl. The TPDA functionalized surface is simulated at the atomistic scale using explicit-solvent molecular dynamics in the presence of either Na+ or Mg2+ ions. Computational prediction of the binding free energy reveals that the Mg2+ ions remain preferentially adsorbed at the surface, whereas Na+ ions form a weakly bound dissolved ionic layer. The charge shielding between surface and amino groups by the adsorbed Mg2+ ions leads to an upright orientation of the TPDA molecules as opposed to a more tilted orientation in the presence of Na+ ions. The resulting better accessibility of the TPDA molecules is very likely responsible for the enhanced virus retention capacity using a feed solution with Mg2+ ions.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
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      121  101
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    Supercritical CO2 deposition and foaming process for fabrication of biopolyester–ZnO bone scaffolds
    Subsequent supercritical CO2-assisted deposition and foaming process followed by in situ synthesis was used to fabricate functional polylactide (PLA) and polylactide–poly(E-caprolactone) (PLA–PCL) bone scaffolds. Deposition of zinc bis(2-thenoyltri- fluoroacetonate) as a ZnO precursor onto biopolyester substrates (30 MPa; 110 8C) was followed by fast depressurization to create cellular structure. Contact time was optimized regarding the deposition yield (2 h), while PCL content in PLA was varied (1–10 wt %). Scaffolds impregnated with the precursor were treated with hydrazine alcoholic solution to obtain biopolyester–ZnO composites. Precursor synthesis and deposition onto the scaffolds was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared. Processed scaffolds had micron-sized pores (d50  20 lm). High open porosity (69–77%) and compressive strength values (2.8–8.3 MPa) corresponded to those reported for trabecular bone. PLA blending with PCL positively affected precursor deposition, crystallization rate, and compressive strength of the scaffolds. It also improved PLA surface roughness and wettability which are relevant for cell adhesion. ZnO improved compressive strength of the PLA scaffolds without significant effect on thermal stability. Analysis of structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of biopolyester–ZnO scaffolds testified a great potential of the obtained platforms as bone scaffolds. Proposed processing route is straightforward and ecofriendly, fast, easy to control, and suitable for processing of thermosensitive polymers.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
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      101  116
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    Hydrophobic ceramic capillary membranes for versatile virus filtration
    In this study, we present hydrophobic yttria-stabilized zirconia capillary membranes conditioned for virus filtration. These macroporous ceramic filters (d50 = 150 nm) efficiently extract viruses regardJess of their surface charge with high throughput rates. For hydrophobic functionalization of the ceramic membranes we used two different silanes, n-hexyltriethoxysilane (HTS, C6-chain) and n-octyltriethoxysilane (OTS, C8-chain), in three different molarities. The virus retention of the membranes is tested in dead-end mode by intracapillary virus feeding using two small bacteriophages as model species: MS2 and PhiX174. Virus retention increases most strongly for hydrophobic capillaries functionalized with 0.05 M OTS, showing a virtually complete retention with log-reduction values (LRVs) of - 9 for both bacteriophages compared to the non-functionalized membrane with LRVs of 0.3 ± 0.1 for MS2 and 3.4 ± 0.2 for PhiXl 74. The functionalized membranes allow a high membrane flux of - 150 L/(m2hbar), with throughput rates up to - 400 L/(m2 h) while maintaining high filtration efficiency. Even under varying feed conditions using only mono- or divalent salt ions or pH values ranging from 3 to 9, retention capacities of the capillary membranes are high. Accordingly, such hydrophobic ceramic membranes offer a versatile alternative to conventional polymeric membranes for virus removal with greatly improved membrane flux.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
      120  166
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    The influence of the functional group density on gas flow and selectivity: Nanoscale interactions in alkyl-functionalized mesoporous membranes
    Mesoporous inorganic structures with mean pore diameters of 26 nm are prepared by extrusion based on a yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowder. The sintered capillary membranes serve as model structures to investigate the influence of an alkyl-chain (C16) surface functionalization on the gas diffusion kinetics of argon (Ar), nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in mesopores. The density of the C16 alkyl-chains immobilized on the membrane surface has an effect on both, gas flow as well as gas selectivity. For low functional group densities (<4 groups nm−2), the gas flow is reduced without having an effect on the selectivity. In contrast, for high alkyl-chain densities (>4 groups nm−2) the mean distance between the C16-chains is reduced to the order of magnitude of the gas molecules leading to a reduction in gas flow and a significant change of the gas selectivity. The selectivity is found to be influenced depending on the molecular diameter of the gas species, being more evident for CO2 compared to Ar and N2, suggesting a separation mechanism more comparable to molecular sieving than to surface diffusion.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
      145  124
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    Vibrational Spectroscopy as a Promising Toolbox for Analyzing Functionalized Ceramic Membranes
    Ceramic materials find use in many fields including the life sciences and environmental engineering. For example, ceramic membranes have shown to be promising filters for water treatment and virus retention. The analysis of such materials, however, remains challenging. In the present study, the potential of three vibrational spectroscopic methods for characterizing functionalized ceramic membranes for water treatment is evaluated. For this purpose, Raman scattering, infrared (IR) absorption, and solvent infrared spectroscopy (SIRS) were employed. The data were analyzed with respect to spectral changes as well as using principal component analysis (PCA). The Raman spectra allow an unambiguous discrimination of the sample types. The IR spectra do not change systematically with functionalization state of the material. Solvent infrared spectroscopy allows a systematic distinction and enables studying the molecular interactions between the membrane surface and the solvent.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
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      110  112
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    A comparative experimental study on the deviation of the ideal selectivity in HDTMS-functionalized and untreated ceramic structures with pores in the upper mesoporous range
    Mesoporous ceramic capillary membranes with mean pore sizes of about 20 nm are prepared as model structures to investigate the influence of an altered surface chemistry on the flow behavior of gases. To modify the membrane surface, a wet chemical silanization process with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) is used to gain an alkyl-functionalized surface. Structural and surface characterizations show that the surface chemistry is altered without affecting the mean pore diameter. For the non-functionalized membrane, single gas permeation measurements at 20 °C reveal ideal permselectivities which are in good agreement with the Knudsen theory. In contrast, the HDTMS-functionalized membrane shows permselectivities regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) which deviate about 20% from Knudsen theory. The gas permeation measurements further indicate a relative flow enhancement for CO2 in comparison to nitrogen (N2), argon (Ar) and methane (CH4). Adsorption and desorption isotherms of CO2 and N2 at 20 °C show a decreased specific adsorption capacity for both gases, while the adsorption selectivity for CO2/N2 is increased. This indicates a weaker interaction of gas molecules and membrane surface due to HDTMS functionalization. This weaker gas–solid interaction along with the increased adsorption selectivity is proposed as reason for the experimentally observed deviation of the permselectivities from Knudsen theory.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
      122  119
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    Supercritical CO2 impregnation of PLA/PCL films with natural substances for bacterial growth control in food packaging
    Biodegradable polymers with antibacterial properties are highly desirable materials for active food packaging applications. Thymol, a dietary monoterpene phenol with a strong antibacterial activity is abundant in plants belonging to the genus Thymus. This study presents two approaches for supercritical CO2 impregnation of poly(lactic acid)(PLA)/poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) blended films to induce antibacterial properties of the material: (i) a batch impregnation process for loading pure thymol, and (ii) an integrated supercritical extraction-impregnation process for isolation of thyme extract and its incorporation into the films, operated in both batch or semi-continuous modes with supercritical solution circulation. The PCL content in films, impregnation time and CO2 flow regime were varied to maximize loading of the films with thymol or thyme extract with preserving films' structure and thermal stability. Representative film samples impregnated with thymol and thyme extract were tested against Gram (-) (Escherichia coli) and Gram(+) (Bacillus subtilis) model strains, by measuring their metabolic activity and re-cultivation after exposure to the films. The film containing thymol (35.8 wt%) showed a strong antibacterial activity leading to a total reduction of bacterial cell viability. Proposed processes enable fast, controlled and organic solvent-free fabrication of the PLA/PCL films containing natural antibacterial substances at moderately low temperature, with a compact structure and a good thermal stability, for potential use as active food packaging materials.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
      111  138
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    Porous ceramics with tailored pore size and morphology as substrates for coral larval settlement
    The growing demand for stony corals as ornamental aquarium animals requires defined aquacultural breeding strategies. For the sexual propagation of corals, material substrates are needed, that attract larvae and support their settlement and development. In this study, five types of highly porous ceramic materials were developed following the example of coral skeleton. The applicability of these settlement substrates was tested using larvae of the stony coral Pocillopora damicornis. Partial sintering of pressed clay pellets, freeze casting of clay and alumina-mullite based slurries and direct foaming of high alkane phase emulsified suspensions (HAPES) using alumina were employed. By the addition of mm-sized spherical polystyrene beads as sacrificial templates during freeze casting (alumina-mullite), superficial pores in the size of the larvae were created. The inorganic substrates featured open porosities between 35% (pressed clay) and 83% (foamed alumina), pore sizes ranging from nm to mm-scale and pore morphologies dominated by interparticle porosity (pressed), lamellar pores (freeze casting) and cellular pore types (direct foaming). The ceramic substrates were incubated in artificial sea water for 3 months to induce necessary biofilm formation and algae growth. Afterwards, individual substrates were exposed to 5 coral larvae, and their settlement behavior was monitored over 14 days. At the end of this period, all ceramic materials were successfully accepted as settlement substrates, with a mean settlement rate of 46.2%, and no significant differences between the substrate types. On samples with large surface superficial pores, a significantly reduced survival of settled larvae (79%) compared to the other porous materials (93–98%) was determined, suggesting a non-ideal surface topography. While alumina foam samples (HAPES) exhibit the most promising results in terms of settlement and survival of larvae, clay-based substrates provide a more economic solution for the sexual propagation of corals in aquaculture.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    Band:
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      121  172
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    Gel casting of large area micro- and sub-micropatterned thin ceramic tapes
    In this study an easy-to-use ceramic processing technique based on temperature-controlled ionotropic gelation of alginate is presented. This method is the breakthrough for simultaneously large scale tape casting and high quality patterning of thin ceramic tapes. Alumina powder (d50¼ 205 nm) is used to cast flexible and on demand shapeable tapes. Compared to conventional ceramic micropatterning, ionotropic gelation combines complexity of the patterned structure over large-scale areas, a high pattern resolution down to sub-mm regime (400 nm) and tape thickness below 300 mm. Obtained green and sintered (1350 1C) micro- and sub-micropatterns are characterized by SEM and quantitative 3D-profilometry focusing on both, pattern quality and pattern aspect ratio. The results show that reproducible thin ceramic tapes featuring positive and negative patterns maintain their aspect ratios after demolding, drying and sintering. This processing route represents a versatile tool for designing tailored ceramics for e.g. microelectromechanical engineered systems, biomaterial or microfluidic applications.
    Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
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      98  90