RESUMO

Nanostructured films of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) and nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc) were layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled to achieve a synergistic effect considering the distinct properties of both materials. Prior to LbL growth, the effect of NiTsPc on the structure of DODAB vesicles in aqueous medium was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Therefore, DODAB/NiTsPc LbL films were prepared using NiTsPc at concentrations below and above the limit concentration of vesicle formation according to our DSC experiments. As a result, LbL films with distinct nanostructures were obtained, which were studied at micro and nanoscales by micro-Raman and atomic force microscopy, respectively. A linear growth of the LbL films was observed by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. However, the bilayer thickness and the surface morphology of the LbL films were radically affected depending on NiTsPc concentration. The electrostatic interaction between DODAB and NiTsPc was identified via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy as the main driving force responsible for LbL growth. Because LbL films have been widely applied as transducers in sensing devices, DODAB/NiTsPc LbL films having distinct nanostructures were tested as proof-of-principle in preliminary sensing experiments toward dopamine detection using impedance spectroscopy (e-tongue system). The real capacitance vs. dopamine concentration curves were treated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and an equivalent electric circuit, revealing the role played by the LbL film nanostructure and the possibility of building calibration curves.

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RESUMO

Thin films of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) were deposited onto solid substrates through physical vapor deposition (PVD) by thermal evaporation up to 60 nm thick to determine their molecular architecture and electrical properties. The growth was monitored using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, revealing a linear increase for absorbance versus thickness. PVD films were found in the crystalline alpha phase and with the CoPc molecules forming ca. 45 degrees in relation to the substrate surface. The film surface was fairly homogeneous at the micro and nanoscales, with the roughness at ca. 3 nm. DC and AC electrical measurements were carried out for devices built with distinct structures. Perpendicular contact was established by depositing 60 nm CoPc PVD films between indium tin oxide (ITO) and Al, forming a sandwich-type structure (ITO/CoPc/Al). The current versus DC voltage curve indicated a Schottky diode behavior with a rectification factor of 4.2. The AC conductivity at low frequencies increased about 2 orders of magnitude (10(-9) to 10(-7) S/m) with increasing DC bias (0 to 5 V) and the dielectric constant at 1 kHz was 3.45. The parallel contact was obtained by depositing 120 nm CoPc PVD film onto interdigitated electrodes, forming an IDE-structured device. The latter presented a DC conductivity of 5.5 x 10(-10) S/m while the AC conductivity varied from 10(-9) to 10(-1) S/m between 1 Hz and 1 MHz, respectively, presenting no dependence on DC bias. As proof-of-principle, the IDE-structured device was applied as gas sensor for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

RESUMO

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de desenvolver um excipiente específico para cápsula de nifedipina preparada magistralmente, o qual permita o cumprimento dos requisitos farmacopéicos e legais, conforme preconiza a RDC nº 87 de 21 de novembro de 2008. Para isso, foram propostas 6 formulações contendo 10mg de nifedipina, sendo, quatro destas, denominadas A, B, C e D, baseadas na composição de um medicamento industrializado, enquanto as formulações, E e F baseadas em sugestões opcionais de excipientes em função do Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutico. Em seguida, estas foram submetidas aos testes de uniformidade de conteúdo e de dissolução utilizando absorção por espectrofotometria na região da ultravioleta (λ = 236nm) para obtenção dos resultados. As amostras (n = 3) se comportaram de forma adequada no teste de uniformidade de conteúdo, entretanto, no teste de dissolução, as formulações não apresentaram uma quantidade satisfatória de ativo dissolvido em 20 min. Pode-se observar uma evolução das formulações quanto à presença de Tween 80 na E, e na F. Entretanto, o aumento na concentração deste agente, não ampliou o perfil de dissolução da nifedipina, pois não houve diferença significativa deste parâmetro entre as duas (E e F). Dentre as fórmulas propostas neste trabalho, concluiu-se que não foi possível determinar uma, que fosse adequada para a aprovação do produto, com a liberação de apenas 20 a 40% do ativo, indicando que há necessidade de novos estudos.

The objective of this study was to develop a specific excipient for extemporaneously compounded nifedipine capsules, which would comply with the specifications of the pharmacopoeia and the legal requisites, set out in Brazilian Health Regulation RDC 87 of November 21, 2008. To this end, 6 formulations for capsules containing 10mg of nifedipine were proposed, the first four (A, B, C and D) being based on the composition of a manufactured medicine, while formulations E and F were based on an alternative excipient, suggested in accordance with the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. After preparation, the formulated capsules were subjected to content uniformity and dissolution tests, using UV absorption spectrophotometry (λ = 236nm) to assay the drug. The samples (n = 3) were found to have adequate content uniformity; however, in the dissolution test, the formulations did not show a satisfactory quantity of dissolved drug in 20 minutes. The formulations E and F were designed with differing amounts of Tween 80. However, increasing the concentration did not improve the dissolution profile of the nifedipine, as there was no significant difference in this parameter between E and F. It was concluded that none of the formulations proposed in this paper could be indicated as suitable for product approval, given that only 20 to 40% of the active component was released, indicating that there is a need for further studies.

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RESUMO

The possibility of generating distinct film properties from the same material is crucial for a number of applications, which can only be achieved by controlling the molecular architecture. In this paper we demonstrate as a proof-of-principle that ultrathin films produced from iron phthalocyanine (FePc) may be used to detect trace amounts of copper ions in water, where advantage was taken of the cross sensitivity of the sensing units that displayed distinct electrical properties. The ultrathin films were fabricated with three methods, namely physical vapor deposition (PVD), Langmuir-Blodgett (LB), and electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) techniques, where for the latter tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine was used (FeTsPc). PVD and LB films were more homogeneous than the LbL films at both microscopic and nanoscopic scales, according to results from micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. From FTIR spectroscopy data, these more homogeneous films were found to have FePc molecules oriented preferentially, tilted in relation to the substrate surface, while FeTsPc molecules were isotropically distributed in the LbL films. Impedance spectroscopy measurements with films adsorbed onto interdigitated gold electrodes indicated that the electrical response depends on the type of film-forming method and varies with incorporation of copper ions in aqueous solutions. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we were able to exploit the cross sensitivity of the sensing units and detect copper ions (Cu(2+)) down to 0.2 mg/L, not only in ultrapure water but also in distilled and tap water. This level of sensitivity is sufficient for quality control of water for human consumption, with a fast, low-cost method.