Abstract
Objective
 This study aims to synthesize and characterize the
 nanocomposite films incorporating unmodified and
 modified nanoparticles within the poly(lactic acid)
 matrix, and to investigate their usage as an alternative
 scaffold for tissue engineering.
 Materials and Methods
 Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were firstly
 grafted by L-lactic acid oligomer (LA-g-TiO2) and the
 mixture of propionic acid/hexylamine (AA-g-TiO2),
 respectively. Then the unmodified and modified
 nanoparticles were incorporated within the poly(lactic
 acid) matrix via the solvent casting method to produce
 the PLA/TiO2, PLA/LA-g-TiO2, and PLA/AA-g-TiO2
 nanocomposite films. The chemical, thermal and
 mechanical structures of these synthesized films were
 subsequently characterized.
 Results
 The attenuated total reflectance (ATR) results
 demonstrated that the surface modification of the
 nanoparticles was accomplished. The results of
 differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis
 showed that the crystallization of the PLA was
 partly increased by the incorporation of modified
 nanoparticles. The results of thermogravimetric
 analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of LA-g-TiO2
 into the polymer matrix improved the thermal stability
 of PLA/LA-g-TiO2 nanocomposite film more than the
 addition of AA-g-TiO2 into the polymer matrix. The
 first and second decomposition temperatures of the
 nanocomposites containing LA-g-TiO2 were 348.3 oC
 and 392 oC, respectively, which were 6% greater than
 those of the neat PLA. The micrograph of atomic force
 microscopy (AFM) of the nanocomposites indicated
 that LA-g-TiO2 and AA-g-TiO2 were homogeneously
 dispersed in polymer matrices. The results of dynamic
 mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that the
 most efficient bonding and compatibility were obtained
 in PLA/LA-g-TiO2 nanocomposite compared to the
 other nanocomposites.
 Conclusion
 These grafted nanoparticles, LA-g-TiO2 and AA-g-
 TiO2, enhanced the thermal and mechanical properties
 of the nanocomposites owing to their uniform
 distribution in the matrix and good interactions with the
 polymeric matrix. Therefore, these nanocomposites
 can be utilized as alternative scaffolds in bone tissue
 engineering.
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