Mixture Of PCL Research Articles

Multiscale porosity in mesoporous bioglass 3D-printed scaffolds for bone regeneration

In order to increase the bone forming ability of MBG-PCL composite scaffold, microporosity was created in the struts of 3D-printed MBG-PCL scaffolds for the manufacturing of a construct with a multiscale porosity consisting of meso- micro- and macropores. 3D-printing imparted macroporosity while the microporosity was created by porogen removal from the struts, and the MBG particles were responsible for the mesoporosity. The scaffolds were 3D-printed using a mixture of PCL, MBG and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) particles, subsequently leached out. Microporous-PCL (pPCL) as a negative control, microporous MBG-PCL (pMBG-PCL) and non-microporous-MBG-PCL (MBG-PCL) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry and micro-computed tomography demonstrated that the PBS removal resulted in the formation of micropores inside the struts with porosity of around 30% for both pPCL and pMBG-PCL, with both constructs displaying an overall porosity of 8090%. In contrast, the MBG-PCL group had a microporosity of 6% and an overall porosity of 70%. Early mineralisation was found in the pMBG-PCL post-leaching out and this resulted in the formation a more homogeneous calcium phosphate layer when using a biomimetic mineralisation assay. Mechanical properties ranged from 5 to 25 MPa for microporous and non-microporous specimens, hence microporosity was the determining factor affecting compressive properties. MC3T3-E1 metabolic activity was increased in the pMBG-PCL along with an increased production of RUNX2. Therefore, the microporosity within a 3D-printed bioceramic composite construct may result in additional physical and biological benefits.

Processing and characterization of natural Bentonite from Aceh, Indonesia as filler of Poly-Caprolactone/Poly-Lactic Acid/Chitosan, (PCL/PLA/Chitosan) nanocomposites

The formation of composite from polymer mixture PCL / PLA / Chitosan bentonite was carried out through the melt intercalation method using an extruder at 180 °C with a holding time of 20 minutes. Bentonite is obtained from Kab. North Aceh which has been modified with CTAB surfactant. The sample formulations used were single PCL and PCL polymers each given 3, 5 and 8 % chitosan fillers. A mixture of PCL / PLA (50: 50) was given 3, 5 and 8 % chitosan / bentonite fillers. The sample is a white plastic rod (bone) material which is tested for its nature through several types of characterization. Modified bentonite and chitosan have an effect on increasing the mechanical and thermal properties of PCL, PLA and mixture polymers both based on the results of tensile test, TGA test (thermal) and bacterial test. PCL / PLA 50:50 with the addition of 8 % bentonite-chitosan filler is the most perfect composition which provides the best test value.

Sciatic nerve repair using poly(ε-caprolactone) tubular prosthesis associated with nanoparticles of carbon and graphene.

IntroductionInjuries to peripheral nerves generate disconnection between spinal neurons and the target organ. Due to retraction of the nerve stumps, end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy is usually unfeasible. In such cases, autologous grafts are widely used, nonetheless with some disadvantages, such as mismatching of donor nerve dimensions and formation of painful neuromas at the donor area. Tubulization, using bioresorbable polymers, can potentially replace nerve grafting, although improvements are still necessary. Among promising bioresorbable synthetic polymers, poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) are the most studied. Carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets have been proposed, however, as adjuvants to improve mechanical and regenerative properties of tubular prostheses. Thus, the present work evaluated nerve tubulization repair following association of PCL with nanoparticles of carbon (NPC) and graphene (NPG).MethodsFor that, adult Lewis rats were subjected to unilateral sciatic nerve tubulization and allowed to survive for up to 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery.ResultsNanocomposites mechanical/chemical evaluation showed that nanoparticles do not alter PCL crystallinity, yet providing reinforcement of polymer matrix. Thus, there was a decrease in the enthalpy of melting when the mixture of PCL + NPC + NPG was used. Nanocomposites displayed positive changes in molecular mobility in the amorphous phase of the polymer. Also, the loss modulus (E”) and the glass transition exhibited highest values for PCL + NPC + NPG. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that PCL + NPC + NPG prostheses showed improved cell adhesion as compared to PCL alone. Surgical procedures with PCL + NPC + NPG were facilitated due to improved flexibility of the prosthesis, resulting in better stump positioning accuracy. In turn, a twofold increased number of myelinated axons was found in such repaired nerves. Consistent with that, target muscle atrophy protection has been observed.ConclusionOverall, the present data show that nanocomposite PCL tubes facilitate nerve repair and result in a better regenerative outcome, what may, in turn, represent a new alternative to pure PCL or PLLA prostheses.

Influence of various starch types on PCL/starch blends anaerobic biodegradation

Research concentrated on the biodegradable capability of PCL blends with various types of starch in an anaerobic aqueous environment of mesophilic sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. For blend preparation, use was made of a native starch Meritena from maize, another from Waxy – a genetically modified type of maize, as well as Gel Instant, a gelatinized starch, and an amaranth starch. Additional PCL/starch blends were prepared from the same starch types, but these were initially plasticized with glycerol. The biodegradability tests were supplemented with thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); morphology was identified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), plus mechanical properties were also tested. While mixtures of PCL with starches plasticized with glycerol exhibited improved mechanical properties and a higher degree of biodegradation in the anaerobic environment, mixtures of PCL with pure forms of starch were ascertained as rather resistant to the anaerobic aqueous environment. TGA and DSC analysis confirmed the removal of starch and glycerol from the PCL matrix. SEM then proved these results through the absence of starch grains in the samples following anaerobic biodegradation.

The effect of controlled release of PDGF-BB from heparin-conjugated electrospun PCL/gelatin scaffolds on cellular bioactivity and infiltration

Heparin-conjugated electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/gelatin scaffolds were developed to provide controlled release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and allow prolonged bioactivity of this molecule. A mixture of PCL and gelatin was electrospun into three different morphologies. Next, heparin molecules were conjugated to the reactive surface of the scaffolds. This heparin-conjugated scaffold allowed the immobilization of PDGF-BB via electrostatic interaction. In vitro PDGF-BB release profiles indicated that passive physical adsorption of PDGF-BB to non-heparinized scaffolds resulted in an initial burst release of PDGF-BB within 5 days, which then leveled off. However, electrostatic interaction between PDGF-BB and the heparin-conjugated scaffolds gave rise to a sustained release of PDGF-BB over the course of 20 days without an initial burst. Moreover, PDGF-BB that was strongly bound to the heparin-conjugated scaffolds enhanced smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. In addition, scaffolds composed of 3.0 μm diameter fibers that were immobilized with PDGF-BB accelerated SMC infiltration into the scaffold when compared to scaffolds composed of smaller diameter fibers or scaffolds that did not release PDGF-BB. We concluded that the combination of the large pore structure in the scaffolds and the heparin-mediated delivery of PDGF-BB provided the most effective cellular interactions through synergistic physical and chemical cues.

Supernucleation and crystallization regime change provoked by MWNT addition to poly(ε-caprolactone)

In this work, the nucleation and crystallization behavior of melt mixed PCL/CNT nanocomposites has been studied. The mixtures of PCL and pristine MWNTs were prepared by extrusion with different nanofiller contents: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 and 3%. Standard DSC measurements demonstrated pronounced nucleation effects as well as increases in PCL crystallinity. The nucleation effect saturates at only 0.5% (a value much lower than those previously reported in the literature for similar nanocomposites) indicating that the dispersions obtained were excellent. This was corroborated by both TEM observations and by the determination of a very low dielectric percolation threshold (i.e., 0.3%). In self-nucleation experiments, supernucleation effects were obtained up to a maximum of approximately 200% efficiency. This is the first time that supernucleation effects of this order have been reported for PCL filled with untreated MWNTs, a result that we attribute to the excellent dispersion achieved. Isothermal crystallization experiments performed by DSC showed an increase in the crystallization kinetics of PCL with increases in MWNT content as a consequence of the supernucleation effect. The Avrami equation successfully described the overall crystallization kinetics and while neat PCL exhibited Avrami indexes close to 3, indicating that instantaneously nucleated spherulites were formed, the nanocomposite yielded mostly Avrami index values close to 2, as expected for axialites instantaneously nucleated on the surface of the MWNTs. Remarkably, the temperature dependence of the overall crystallization rate exhibited a dramatic change with MWNT content. This novel effect was described as a crystallization regime change (i.e., from Regime II to Regime III) induced by the presence of the MWNTs in terms of the Lauritzen and Hoffman theory.

A novel polycaprolactone‐grafted‐carbon black nanocomposite‐based sensor for detecting solvent vapors

AbstractA novel vapor sensor is fabricated with polycaprolactone‐grafted‐carbon black (CB‐g‐PCL) as sensing materials. The influence of PCL with different grafting contents and solvents with various solubility and concentrations including benzene, deionized water, epoxy chloropropane (ECP), ethanol, toluene, and tetrahydrofuran on the response of electric resistance was investigated. When compared with mixture of PCL and carbon black, the CB‐g‐PCL‐based sensor shows high sensitivity and good reproducibility. Sensor with moderate content of grafting PCL showed high sensitivity to vapors. The electric resistance of sensor drastically increased in ECP, ethanol, and deionized water with similar solubility with PCL and showed slight increase in benzene, toluene, and tetrahydrofuran with different solubility. The study on the response of electric resistance of CB‐g‐PCL to different vapors confirmed the swelling‐induced sensing mechanism of sensor based on polymer‐grafted‐conductive nanomaterials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Synthesis and properties of biodegradable elastomeric epoxy modified polyurethanes based on poly( ε-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol)

Biodegradable polyurethane elastomers with potential for applications in medical implants with tunable degradation rate and physical properties were synthesized from reaction of epoxy terminated polyurethanes (EUP) with 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) as curing agent. Poly( ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as well as 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) were used for preparation of isocyanate terminated polyurethanes which were subsequently blocked with glycidol to prepare EUPs. All materials were characterized by conventional methods, and their properties were studied fully. Results showed that elastomers based on PEG exhibit superior degradation rate and inferior mechanical properties in comparison to elastomers based on PCL. Optimum degradation rate and mechanical properties were obtained from elastomers made from mixture of PCL and PEG base EUPs.

CR(III) removal by macroreticular chelating ion exchange resins

The poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) beads were synthesized by suspension polymerization using benzoylperoxide as an initiator and i -octane as a diluent. The copolymer beads with a particle size range of 32-60 mesh were selected. Chloromethylation was performed with chloromethylether at 0°C using tetrachloroethane as swelling agent and AlCl 3 as catalyst. The phosphorylation of copolymer beads (RS) and its chloromethylated derivative (RCS) was carried out using a mixture of PCl 3 and AlCl 3 under the reflux. The phosphorylated resins (RSP) were further oxidized using concentrated HNO 3 to obtain the oxidized form of RSP resins (RSPO). The removal of Cr(III) by the resins RSP, RSPO, and RCSP containing phosphinic, phosphonic, and methylenephosphonic groups, respectively, was investigated by batch and column methods. The results were compared with that of Diaion CRP-200 resin having methylenephosphonic functional groups. These resins exhibited a high affinity for Cr(III). The percent removal of Cr(III) reached a plateau with almost a 100% of removal at pH range between 2 and 2.5. The breakthrough capacity decreased in the order RCSP>RSPO>Diaion CRP-200>RSP.

Biodegradabilidade e propriedades mecânicas de novas misturas poliméricas

O plástico tem sido cada vez mais usado em nosso cotidiano em diversos tipos de produtos: garrafas, embalagens, automóveis, etc. Diversas alternativas têm sido buscadas para minimizar o impacto ambiental causado pelos polímeros convencionais. Uma importante alternativa é o uso de polímeros biodegradáveis, que podem ser degradados pela ação de microorganismos, tais como bactérias, fungos ou algas. As aplicações tecnológicas de polímeros biodegradáveis normalmente requerem melhorias nas suas propriedades mecânicas. Neste contexto, novas misturas poliméricas vêm sendo obtidas para aplicações inovadoras e mais baratas. Neste trabalho, será apresentada a metodologia de preparação de novas misturas poliméricas, contendo diferentes teores de amido, com Policaprolactona (PCL), Polihidróxibutirato (PHB) e um copolímero Poli(hidróxibutirato-co-valerato) (PHBV). A resistência à tração das blendas com 50% em massa de amido é 35% e 60% menor do que a dos polímeros PCL e PHBV puros, respectivamente. Quando expostas a microorganismos em lodo ativado, as misturas de PCL ou PHBV com maiores dosagens de amido apresentam maiores taxas de degradação.

Synthesis of some 10-, 11-, and 12-atom phosphaboranes. Crystal structure of 2-(trimethylamine)-1-PB11H10

The heteroboranes 1,2-PAsB 10 H 10 and 1,2-PSbB 10 H 10 were prepared in low yield by reaction of B 10 H 14 with triethylamine and mixtures of PCl 3 and AsCl 3 or PCl 3 and SbI 3 , respectively. From the product mixture in the related synthesis of 1,2-P 2 B 10 H 10 , the phosphaborane anion 2-PB 9 H 9 - has been isolated. Treatment of 1,2-P 2 B 10 H 10 with excess piperidine formed the 7,8-P 2 B 9 H 10 - ion in good yield