Shell-formation mediated surface composition of uniform two-component microparticles fabricated by micro-fluidic spray drying: Effect of component size and solubility

This work is aimed to study the effects of component size and solubility on the surface composition of spray dried (SD) uniform two-component particles fabricated by micro-fluidic spray dryer. Various precursor liquid consisting of small molecular of methionine (Met, 33 g/L) or lysine (Lys, 739 g/L) and large-sized silica (12 nm) were prepared by adjusting the mass ratio of components. X-ray energy dispersive results showed that the respective enrichment degree (De) of Met and Lys on the surface of SD-M1S9 and -L1S9 prepared at 150 degrees C were 182 +/- 9% and 125 +/- 14%. The De of hydrophobic Met for SD-M1S1 and -M9S1 were 46 +/- 9% and 4 +/- 2%, respectively, whereas relative hydrophilic Lys mainly distributed internal of the particle meanwhile the De of silica on the surface for SD-L1S1 and -L9S1 were 17 +/- 4% and 12 +/- 1%, respectively. Drying temperature (120 and 180 degrees C) showed more apparent effect on the De of amino acid for the particles of less amino acid. The possible formation mechanism of surface composition and the surface composition impact on the wettability of particles were explored. These results provide new guidance for manufacturing functional SD powders with various components. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the impact of component size and solubility on the surface composition of uniform two-component particles fabricated by a micro-fluidic spray dryer. Results showed different enrichment degrees of components on the particle surfaces, and discussed the potential formation mechanism and effects of surface composition on particle wettability, providing new guidance for manufacturing functional spray dried powders with various components.