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In this work, the photoacoustic method is employed to monitor the copolymer formation from ethylene vinyltrimethoxy silane and grafted vinyltrimethoxy silane on low-density polyethylene when cross-linked using water saturated vapour. Photoacoustic spectra at overtones of –CH2–, –CH3– and –OH showed that the cross-linking processes were more efficient when the samples were prepared at 80°C with the catalyst concentration in the range between 5% and 7%. Using different light modulation frequency procedure it was observed that –OH and –CH2– groupings were more concentrated near surface, showing a larger concentration gradient for –CH2– than –OH. In addition, the thermal diffusivity analysis did not present a tendency that could be used for understanding the cross-linking process, although, the average value of the product ρcp were 1.6 (J K cm−3) for the grafted polymer and 2.5 (J K cm−3) for the copolymer, respectively. It is suggested that grafted samples present a higher thermal conductivity.

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In the present work, the rear photoacoustic signal technique is used to determine thermal properties of human nails. The aging process of the human nail is analyzed through its thermal diffusivity and specific heat and using these results, thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity is determined. The study in vitro of this natural polymer showed a minimum for thermal properties to age about 20 years and an increase and possible saturation of them for ages over 50 years. The minimum value found for thermal diffusivity was close to 10 · 10 )4 cm 2 s )1 with saturation near 18 · 10 )4 cm 2 s )1 . Thermal conductivity and effusivity presents the same behavior.

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Adapalene (ADAP) is an important drug widely used in the topical treatment of acne. It is a third-generation retinoid and provides keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseborrhoic action. However, some topical adverse effects such as erythema, dryness, and scaling have been reported with its commercial formula. In this sense, the microencapsulation of this drug using polyesters can circumvent its topical side effects and can lead to the enhancement of drug delivery into sebaceous glands. The goal of this work was to obtain ADAP-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microparticles prepared by a simple emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Formulations containing 10 and 20% of ADAP were successfully obtained and characterized by morphological, spectroscopic, and thermal studies. Microparticles presented encapsulation efficiency of ADAP above 98% and showed a smooth surface and spherical shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results presented no drug-polymer chemical bond, and a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique showed a partial amorphization of the drug. ADAP permeation in the Strat-M membrane for transdermal diffusion testing was evaluated by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) in the spectral region between 225 and 400 nm after 15 min and 3 h from the application of ADAP-loaded PCL formulations. PAS was successfully used for investigating the penetration of polymeric microparticles. In addition, microencapsulation decreased the in vitro transmembrane diffusion of ADAP.

This work presents an add-on result of cross-linking using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) phases in a multivariable process using the phase-resolved photoacoustic (PRPA) method. The method is tested to separate contributions from groupings -OH, -CH(2)-, -CH(3), and Si-OH overtones in the range from 700 to 2600 nm. Samples of the copolymers ethylene vinyltrimethoxysilane (EVS) and grafted vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTS) on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared having concentrations (C) of 3, 5, and 7% of catalyst and temperatures (T) of 70, 80, and 90 degrees C. By considering the condensation reaction, the reduction of -OH groups is monitored. The PRPA analysis was carried out using the surface response methodology and results indicated the optimum point for both answers (signal and phase-resolved) and for both factors of interest (C, T). For the copolymers, it was found that C approximately (5.00 +/- 1.14)% and T approximately (82.4 +/- 4.3) degrees C, while for grafted LDPE PE(g) it was found that C approximately (4.92 +/- 0.85)% and T approximately (80.8 +/- 2.5) degrees C. These results agreed with the chemical analysis for gel content, which showed as the optimum point 5% of catalyst and temperature of 80 degrees C. Further, it is an advantage that the photoacoustic method allows one to per- form a nondestructive analysis.