User:Moira M. Esson/Notebook/CHEM-581/2013/02/15

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  1. Prepare PVA-clay microspheres.
  2. Run diffusion tests on hydrogels prepared on 2013/01/30 with Rhodamine 6G dye added on 2013/02/08.

Microsphere Preparation

  • Due to the relatively unsuccessful preparation of PVA/clay microspheres(the prepared spheres were either larger than a micrometer or did not appear at all), a new method was used for the preparation of PVA/clay microspheres.

General Protocol:

  1. The desired ratio of PVA and clay was measured out. The total mass was ~1g.
  2. The PVA/clay was placed in a 50mL beaker with a magnetic stir bar. 25mL distilled H2O were added to the beaker and the solution was heated to ~100°C and allowed to stir until complete dissolution of PVA/clay.
  3. The magnetic stir bar was removed and 25mL of mineral oil was added to the beaker.
  4. The contents of the beaker were poured into a blender to homogenize the solution and create an emulsion of the aqueous and organic layer in the attempt to create a suspension of microspheres.
  5. The blender was turned on a low setting for 5 minutes.
  6. The contents of the blender were poured into a beaker and the appropriate amount of DMSO/Rhodamine 6G solution was added.
  7. The microsphere solution was placed in a freezer at -20°C for 24 hours and then removed and allowed to thaw for 24 hours.
  8. Repeat this freeze-thaw cycle three times.

Preparation of Microspheres:

  • New calculations for the amount of DMSO/Rhodamine to be added:

For a 90:10 ratio:


For a 50:50 ratio:

  • Information about prepared microspheres:

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