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Lekkala S, Inverardi N, Yuh J, Wannomae KK, Tierney P, Sekar A, Muratoglu OK, Oral E. Antibiotic-Loaded Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylenes. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300389. [PMID: 38095273 PMCID: PMC11018474 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) after total joint replacement constitutes a great burden for the patients and the healthcare system. Antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is often used in temporary spacers during antibiotic treatment. PMMA is not a load-bearing solution and needs to be replaced by a functional implant. Elution from the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) bearing surface for drug delivery can combine functionality with the release of clinically relevant doses of antibiotics. In this study, the feasibility of incorporating a range of antibiotics into UHMWPE is investigated. Drug stability is assessed by thermo-gravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Drug-loaded UHMWPEs are prepared by compression molding, using eight antibiotics at different loading. The predicted intra-articular concentrations of drugs eluted from UHMWPE are above minimum inhibitory concentration for at least 3 weeks against Staphylococci, which are the major causative bacteria for PJI. The antibacterial efficacy is confirmed for samples covering 2% of a representative knee implant in vitro over 72 h, showing that a small fraction of the implant surface loaded with antibiotics may be sufficient against Staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashank Lekkala
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nicoletta Inverardi
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jean Yuh
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Keith K. Wannomae
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Peyton Tierney
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Amita Sekar
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Orhun K. Muratoglu
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ebru Oral
- Harris Orthopaedic Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Yao S, Qin L, Ma L, Zhang X, Jiang H, Zhang J, Zhou C, Wu J. Novel antimicrobial and self-healing dental resin to combat secondary caries and restoration fracture. Dent Mater 2023; 39:1040-1050. [PMID: 37777432 DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dental resin composites have been the most popular materials for repairing tooth decay in recent years. However, secondary caries and bulk fracture are the major hurdles that affect the lifetime of dental resin composites. This current study synthesized a novel antimicrobial and self-healing dental resin containing nanoparticle-modified self-healing microcapsules to combat secondary caries and restoration fracture. METHODS Multifunctional dental resins containing 0-20% nanoparticle-modified self-healing microcapsules were prepared. The water contact angle, antimicrobial properties, mechanical properties, cell toxicity, and self-healing capability of the dental resins were tested. RESULTS A novel multifunctional dental resin was synthesized. When the microcapsule mass fraction was 10%, the resin presented a strong bacteriostasis rate (80.3%) and excellent self-healing efficiency (66.1%), while the hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and cell toxicity were not affected. SIGNIFICANCE The novel antimicrobial self-healing dental resin is a promising candidate for use in clinical practice, which provides a simple and highly efficient strategy to combat secondary caries and restoration fracture. This novel dental resin also gives the inspiration to prolong the service life of dental restorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yao
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ludan Qin
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhang
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - He Jiang
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chuanjian Zhou
- Research Institute of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
| | - Junling Wu
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan 250012, China.
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Menikheim S, Leckron J, Duffy M, Zupan M, Mallory A, Lien W, Lavik E. Biocompatible Nanocapsules for Self-Healing Dental Resins and Bone Cements. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:31726-31735. [PMID: 36120077 PMCID: PMC9476208 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bone cements and dental resins are methacrylate-based materials that have been in use for many years, but their failure rates are quite high with essentially all dental resins failing within 10 years and 25% of all prosthetic implants will undergo aseptic loosening. There are significant healthcare costs and impacts on quality of life of patients. Self-healing bone cements and resins could improve the lifespan of these systems, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes, but they have been limited by efficacy and toxicity of the components. To address these issues, we developed a self-healing system based on a dual nanocapsule system. Two nanocapsules were synthesized, one containing an initiator and one encapsulating a monomer, both in polyurethane shells. The monomer used was triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The initiator capsules synthesized contained benzoyl peroxide and butylated hydroxytoluene. Resins containing the nanocapsules were tested in tension until failure, and the fractured surfaces were placed together. 33% of the samples showed self-healing behaviors to the point where they could be reloaded and tested in tension. Furthermore, the capsules and their components showed good biocompatibility with Caco-2 cells, a human epithelial cell line suggesting that they would be well tolerated in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Menikheim
- Department
of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
| | - Joshua Leckron
- Department
of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
| | - Michael Duffy
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
| | - Marc Zupan
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
| | - Amber Mallory
- Naval
Medical Research Unit SA, 3650 Chambers Pass Bldg #3610, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Houston, Texas 78234, United States
| | - Wen Lien
- 59th
Medical Wing, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas 78236, United States
| | - Erin Lavik
- Department
of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
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Del Prado-Audelo ML, Caballero-Florán IH, Mendoza-Muñoz N, Giraldo-Gomez D, Sharifi-Rad J, Patra JK, González-Torres M, Florán B, Cortes H, Leyva-Gómez G. Current progress of self-healing polymers for medical applications in tissue engineering. IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13726-021-00943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Menikheim SD, Lavik EB. Self-healing biomaterials: The next generation is nano. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 12:e1641. [PMID: 32359015 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that there are over 1 million total hip and total knee replacements each year in the U.S. alone. Twenty five percent of those implants will experience aseptic loosening, and bone cement failure is an important part of this. Bone cements are based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) systems that are strong but brittle polymers. PMMA-based materials are also essential to modern dental fillings, and likewise, the failure rates are high with lifetimes of 3-10 years. These brittle polymers are an obvious target for self-healing systems which could reduce revision surgeries and visits to dentist. Self-healing polymers have been described in the literature since 1996 and examples from Roman times are known, but their application in medicine has been challenging. This review looks at the development of self-healing biomaterials for these applications and the challenges that lie between development and the clinic. Many of the most promising formulations involve introducing nanoscale components which offer substantial potential benefits over their microscale counterparts especially in composite systems. There is substantial promise for translation, but issues with toxicity, robustness, and reproducibility of these materials in the complex environment of the body must be addressed. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney D Menikheim
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Erin B Lavik
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Sanders P, Young AJ, Qin Y, Fancey KS, Reithofer MR, Guillet-Nicolas R, Kleitz F, Pamme N, Chin JM. Stereolithographic 3D printing of extrinsically self-healing composites. Sci Rep 2019; 9:388. [PMID: 30675014 PMCID: PMC6344598 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate for the first time the direct stereolithographic 3D printing of an extrinsically self-healing composite, comprised of commercial photocurable resin modified with anisole and PMMA-filled microcapsules. The composites demonstrate solvent-welding based autonomous self-healing to afford 87% recovery of the initial critical toughness. This work illustrates the potential of stereolithographic printing to fabricate self-healing composites with user-defined structures, avoiding the need for extensive rheological optimization of printing inks, like in direct-write 3D printing. Importantly, this work also demonstrates the inclusion of microcapsules into 3D printing resins to incorporate additional functionality into printed composites, which could be adapted for applications beyond self-healing materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polly Sanders
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J Young
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin S Fancey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R Reithofer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Rémy Guillet-Nicolas
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry - Functional Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Freddy Kleitz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry - Functional Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Pamme
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Min Chin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom. .,Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Zhai Q, Han F, He Z, Shi C, Zhou P, Zhu C, Guo Q, Zhu X, Yang H, Li B. The "Magnesium Sacrifice" Strategy Enables PMMA Bone Cement Partial Biodegradability and Osseointegration Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1746. [PMID: 29895809 PMCID: PMC6032233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based bone cements are the most commonly used injectable orthopedic materials due to their excellent injectability and mechanical properties. However, their poor biocompatibility and excessive stiffness may cause complications such as aseptic implant loosening and stress shielding. In this study, we aimed to develop a new type of partially biodegradable composite bone cement by incorporating magnesium (Mg) microspheres, known as "Mg sacrifices" (MgSs), in the PMMA matrix. Being sensitive to the physiological environment, the MgSs in PMMA could gradually degrade to produce bioactive Mg ions and, meanwhile, result in an interconnected macroporous structure within the cement matrix. The mechanical properties, solidification, and biocompatibility, both in vitro and in vivo, of PMMA⁻Mg bone cement were characterized. Interestingly, the incorporation of Mg microspheres did not markedly affect the mechanical strength of bone cement. However, the maximum temperature upon setting of bone cement decreased. This partially biodegradable composite bone cement showed good biocompatibility in vitro. In the in vivo study, considerable bony ingrowth occurred in the pores upon MgS degradation. Together, the findings from this study indicate that such partially biodegradable PMMA⁻Mg composite may be ideal bone cement for minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingpan Zhai
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Fengxuan Han
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Zhiwei He
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Chen Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583 Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Pinghui Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Caihong Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Qianping Guo
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Xuesong Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Huilin Yang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Bin Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Orthopaedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
- China Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou 310000, China.
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8
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Wang W, Lu D, Zhu M, Saunders JM, Milani AH, Armes SP, Saunders BR. Highly deformable hydrogels constructed by pH-triggered polyacid nanoparticle disassembly in aqueous dispersions. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:3510-3520. [PMID: 29671461 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm00325d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Most hydrogels are prepared using small-molecule monomers but unfortunately this approach may not be feasible for certain biomaterial applications. Consequently, alternative gel construction strategies have been established, which include using covalent inter-linking of preformed gel particles, or microgels (MGs). For example, covalently interlinking pH-responsive MGs can produce hydrogels comprising doubly crosslinked microgels (DX MGs). We hypothesised that the deformability of such DX MGs was limited by the presence of intra-MG crosslinking. Thus, in this study we designed new nanoparticle (NP)-based gels based on pH-swellable NPs that are not internally crosslinked. Two polyacid NPs were synthesised containing methacrylic acid (MAA) and either ethyl acrylate (EA) or methyl methacrylate (MMA). The PMAA-EA and PMAA-MMA NPs were subsequently vinyl-functionalised using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) prior to gel formation via free-radical crosslinking. The NPs mostly disassembled on raising the solution pH but some self-crosslinking was nevertheless evident. The gels constructed from the EA- and MMA-based NPs had greater breaking strains than a control DX MG. The effect of varying the solution pH during curing on the morphology and mechanical properties of gels prepared using PMAA-MMA-GMA NPs was studied and both remarkable deformability and excellent recovery were observed. The gels were strongly pH-responsive and had tensile breaking strains of up to 420% with a compressive strain-at-break of more than 93%. An optimised formulation produced the most deformable and stretchable gel yet constructed using NPs or MGs as the only building block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Wang
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Dongdong Lu
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Mingning Zhu
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jennifer M Saunders
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Amir H Milani
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Steven P Armes
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, UK
| | - Brian R Saunders
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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9
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Polymers with autonomous life-cycle control. Nature 2017; 540:363-370. [PMID: 27974778 DOI: 10.1038/nature21002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The lifetime of man-made materials is controlled largely by the wear and tear of everyday use, environmental stress and unexpected damage, which ultimately lead to failure and disposal. Smart materials that mimic the ability of living systems to autonomously protect, report, heal and even regenerate in response to damage could increase the lifetime, safety and sustainability of many manufactured items. There are several approaches to achieving these functions using polymer-based materials, but making them work in highly variable, real-world situations is proving challenging.
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Zhang H, Wang C, Zhu G, Zacharia NS. Self-Healing of Bulk Polyelectrolyte Complex Material as a Function of pH and Salt. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:26258-26265. [PMID: 27599096 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b06776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Self-healing materials are an emerging class of modern materials gaining importance due to environmental and energy concerns. Materials based on the complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, usually in the form of coatings and films, have been shown to have water activated self-healing properties. In this work, the self-healing of bulk branched poly(ethylene imine) and poly(acrylic acid) (BPEI/PAA) complex is studied as a function of the aqueous solutions used to activate the self-healing. Specifically, exposure to different salt solutions and solutions of different pH was examined including sodium and copper ion containing solutions as well as acidic and basic solutions. By applying NaCl treatment, especially followed by exposure to DI water, the self-healing ability of the BPEI/PAA complex was enhanced. In contrast, after treated by CuCl2, the BPEI/PAA complex lost its self-healing ability, showing an ability to modulate the ability to self-heal as a function of external stimulus. In addition to improving the ability to self-heal using salt as compared to using DI water alone, acidic and basic solutions can also improve the ability to self-heal. The self-healing is caused by chain mobility at the cut interface of the polyelectrolyte complex material which is controlled by charge density along the polyelectrolyte backbone as well as ionic cross-link density, and correlation between this mobility to rheological behavior is made. Tensile testing and determination of fracture toughness were used to characterize self-healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Geyunjian Zhu
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Nicole S Zacharia
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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