Preparation of Compositional Gradient Polymeric Films Based on Gradient Mesh Template.

Honglei Teng,Zhaosheng Hou,Linru Han,Tianduo Li,Xilu Yan,Jing Li,Jing Xu

doi:10.3390/polym10060677

Honglei Teng, Zhaosheng Hou + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10060677

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Abstract

In this paper, a template-filling method was found to prepare composition gradient gelatin films by incorporating α-[3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyl]-ω-butyl-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS–E) grafted gelatin (PGG) into a gradient gelatin mesh template. The method can be used to prepare other composition gradient biopolymer films. Gradient mesh template prepared by the methacrylic anhydride cross-linked gelatin under temperature gradient field. The porosity of the template decreased from 89 to 35% which was accompanied by decrease in average pore size from 160 to 50 µm. Colloidal particles about 0.9~10 µm were formed from PGG after adding them to a mixed solvent system of 9:1 (v/v) of ethanol/water, which were filled in the mesh template under vacuum (0.06 MPa). A gradient film was obtained after drying at room temperature for 48 h. The results of scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray combined with freezing microtome and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that the distribution of the Si element along the thickness showed a typical gradient pattern, which led to hydrophilic/hydrophobic continuous changing along the thickness of film. The water vapor permeability, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical tensile results show that the gradient films had excellent water vapor permeability and flexibility, and hence could be used as biomimetic materials and leather finishing agents.

Highlights

Gelatin, a proteinaceous material obtained by the hydrolytic degradation of naturally occurring collagen, shows the main advantages of natural macromolecules but no synthetic equivalent which is usually available in biomaterials [1,2,3,4]
Results of elemental mapping by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-EDS were as shown in Figure 6a, abscissa is on behalf of the Results of elemental mapping by SEM-EDS were as shown in Figure 6a, abscissa is on behalf of the thickness, and ordinate shows the change of the concentration of Si element along the thickness
Gradient films were prepared by incorporating PDMS components into a gradient gelatin mesh template

Summary

Introduction

A proteinaceous material obtained by the hydrolytic degradation of naturally occurring collagen, shows the main advantages of natural macromolecules but no synthetic equivalent which is usually available in biomaterials [1,2,3,4]. Applications of gelatin are significantly limited, due to its poor mechanical properties and water-resistant [5,6]. The chemical and physical properties of gelatin, can be tuned by introducing a mono epoxy terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-E) macromonomer [7,8] which is a polymer that exhibits special low surface free energy, super-hydrophobic, low glass transition temperature, biocompatibility, excellent gas permeability and exceptional elasticity when lightly cross–linked [9,10]. The effect of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions on the solid-state structure of PDMS-E grafted gelatin (PGG) was studied. Based on these studies, we expected to overcome the inherent water-resistance and mechanical

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Conclusion