Jin Wang Kwek

Particulate Templates and Ordered Liquid Bridge Networks in Evaporative Lithography

We investigate the properties of latex particle templates required to optimize the development of ordered liquid bridge networks in evaporative lithography. These networks are key precursors in the assembly of solutions of conducting nanoparticles into large, optically transparent, and conducting microwire networks on substrates (Vakarelski, I. U.; Chan, D. Y. C.; Nonoguchi, T.; Shinto, H.; Higashitani, K. Phys. Rev. Lett., 2009, 102, 058303). An appropriate combination of heat treatment and oxygen plasma etching of a close-packed latex particle monolayer is shown to create open-spaced particle templates which facilitates the formation of ordered fully connected liquid bridge networks that are critical to the formation of ordered microwire networks. Similar results can also be achieved if non-close-packed latex particle templates with square or honeycomb geometries are used. The present results have important implications for the development of the particulate templates to control the morphology of functional microwire networks by evaporative lithography.

Anomalous Particle Size Shift During Post-milling Storage

PurposeTo investigate the anomalous phenomenon of particle size shift during post-milling storage.Materials and MethodsCrystallised and ball-milled adipic acid were stored under different humidity conditions. Analyses were carried out to characterise changes in particle size distribution (laser diffraction), morphology (SEM), bulk flow properties (annular shear tester), surface adhesion forces (AFM) and crystallinity (PXRD and DVS).ResultsIt was observed that the particle size distribution of milled adipic acid can shift to finer fractions, remain unchanged, or even shift to coarser fractions depending on storage conditions. SEM analysis showed that milled adipic acid is composed of agglomerates, which can undergo de-aggregation or further agglomeration via re-crystallisation. Empirical analysis ruled out the effects of electrostatic charges on the particle size shift. In addition, an improvement in powder flow in terms of bulk tensile strength was seen for milled adipic acid stored under high relative humidity but not under low humidity.ConclusionsStorage of milled adipic acid below the critical relative humidity led to localised disintegration from the agglomerate surface and particle size reduction, which was not influenced by moisture sorption or loss. This evidence supports that “stress relaxation” mechanism behind particle breakage of post-milled particles. Appropriate storage conditions are important in maintaining the stability of milled powders.

Visualizing powder de-agglomeration upon impact with simultaneous flowing charge behaviour

The effectiveness of the dry powder inhaler (DPI) in treating respiratory diseases lies in its ability to deliver consistent and reliable drug dosage with each actuation. From aerosolization upon actuation to throat impaction, the deagglomeration with subsequent detachment of the drug from the carrier particles depend on the interaction forces, including electrostatic contributions, between the particles themselves or with the inhaler wall and the extent of which could depend on the surface roughness of the carrier particles. In this study, we have simultaneously investigated the contributions of the electrostatic forces while visualizing the de-agglomeration and impaction behaviours of carrier powders in an impaction throat model using a non-contact vibrating capacitive probe and a high speed camera respectively. Rough and smooth carrier particles were obtained by spray drying and then aerosolized at 60 L/min in the model. Higher flowing charges were observed for the rough aerosolized carrier particles w...