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Mozetič M. Aging of Plasma-Activated Polyethylene and Hydrophobic Recovery of Polyethylene Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4668. [PMID: 38139920 PMCID: PMC10748196 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Available literature on the aging of plasma-activated polyethylene due to hydrophobic recovery has been reviewed and critically assessed. A common method for the evaluation of hydrophobic recovery is the determination of the static water contact angle, while the surface free energy does not reveal significant correlations. Surface-sensitive methods for the characterization of chemical composition and structure have limited applicability in studying the aging phenomenon. Aging is driven by thermodynamics, so it is observed even upon storage in a vacuum, and hydrophobic recovery increases with increasing temperature. Storage of plasma-activated polyethylene in the air at ambient conditions follows almost logarithmic behavior during the period studied by most authors; i.e., up to one month. The influence of the storage medium is somehow controversial because some authors reported aging suppression by storing in polar liquids, but others reported the loss of hydrophilicity even after a brief immersion into distilled water. Methods for suppressing aging by hydrophobic recovery include plasma treatment at elevated temperature followed by brief treatment at room temperature and application of energetic ions and photons in the vacuum ultraviolet range. Storing at low temperatures is a trivial alternative, but not very practical. The aging of plasma-activated polyethylene suppresses the adhesion of many coatings, but the correlation between the surface free energy and the adhesion force has yet to be addressed adequately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Keobounnam AN, Lenert-Mondou C, Kubik A, Hawker MJ. Evaluating hydrophobic recovery of N 2 and H 2O(g) plasma modified silk fibroin films aged at ambient and elevated temperatures. JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. A, VACUUM, SURFACES, AND FILMS : AN OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY 2023; 41:050401. [PMID: 37476330 PMCID: PMC10356174 DOI: 10.1116/6.0002803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Silk fibroin is a naturally derived polymer with great potential for biomedical use due to its strength, lack of immune response, and ability to biodegrade. The relatively hydrophobic nature of silk, however, can cause challenges with cell adhesion in vivo. Therefore, modification must be performed to improve the surface hydrophilicity, enhancing silk utility in the biomedical space. Low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment is an established method for polymer modification and has the benefits of being a solvent-free, adaptable process. N2 and H2O(g) LTP treatments are both well-documented as strategies to enhance polar functional groups on a polymer's surface. However, many polymers tend to revert to their original hydrophobic state upon aging, reversing the effects of LTP modification. The hydrophobic recovery of N2 and H2O(g) LTP-modified silk has not been previously studied but has important implications for the uses and longevity of silk substrates in biomedical contexts. The goal of this study was to systematically evaluate the hydrophobic recovery of N2 and H2O(g) LTP-treated silk films. Films were LTP-modified using optimized plasma parameters (applied power, pressure, treatment time) and aged under both ambient and elevated temperature conditions up to 6 weeks after the initial treatment. Silk film surface properties were evaluated immediately after treatment and throughout the aging process using both water contact angle goniometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. LTP-treated silk films demonstrated a significant decrease in hydrophobicity compared to the untreated controls. Remarkably, both N2 and H2O(g) LTP modifications resulted in surfaces that retained hydrophilic properties over the 6 week aging period. Our findings represent a departure from what has been previously demonstrated in most LTP-modified synthetic polymers, suggesting that the secondary structure of silk fibroin plays a critical role in resisting hydrophobic recovery.
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Primc G, Mozetič M. Hydrophobic Recovery of Plasma-Hydrophilized Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14122496. [PMID: 35746070 PMCID: PMC9227887 DOI: 10.3390/polym14122496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen plasma is widely used for enhancing the wettability of numerous polymers, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The treatment with plasma containing oxygen will cause surface functionalization with polar functional groups, which will, in turn, improve the wettability. However, the exact mechanisms leading to the hydrophilic or even super-hydrophilic surface finish are still insufficiently explored. The wettability obtained by plasma treatment is not permanent, since the hydrophobic recovery is usually reported. The mechanisms of hydrophobic recovery are reviewed and explained. Methods for suppressing this effect are disclosed and explained. The recommended treatment which assures stable hydrophilicity of PET samples is the treatment with energetic ions and/or vacuum ultraviolet radiation (VUV). The influence of various plasma species on the formation of the highly hydrophilic surface finish and stability of adequate wettability of PET materials is discussed.
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Fonseca JDM, Alves MJDS, Soares LS, Moreira RDFPM, Valencia GA, Monteiro AR. A review on TiO 2-based photocatalytic systems applied in fruit postharvest: Set-ups and perspectives. Food Res Int 2021; 144:110378. [PMID: 34053562 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a photocatalytic material used to degrade ethylene, and it has been studied as an alternative postharvest technology. Although several studies have indicated the effective action of TiO2 photocatalysis for delaying the fruit ripening, photocatalytic systems need to be well-designed for this application. Fruit is susceptible to environmental conditions like temperature, relative humidity, atmosphere composition and exposure to UV-light. This fragility associated with its variable ethylene production rate over its maturation stage limits the photocatalysis parameters optimization. Thus, this review aims to detail the reaction mechanisms, set-up, advantages, and limitations of TiO2 photocatalytic systems based on polymers-TiO2 nanocomposites and reactors containing TiO2 immobilized into inorganic supports designed for fruit applications. It is expected that this review can elucidate the fundamental aspects that should be considered for the use of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica de Matos Fonseca
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | - Maria Jaízia Dos Santos Alves
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | - Lenilton Santos Soares
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | | | - Germán Ayala Valencia
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil.
| | - Alcilene Rodrigues Monteiro
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil.
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Fonseca JDM, Pabón NYL, Valencia GA, Nandi LG, Dotto MER, Moreira RDFPM, Monteiro AR. Ethylene scavenging properties from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-TiO 2 and gelatin-TiO 2 nanocomposites on polyethylene supports for fruit application. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 178:154-169. [PMID: 33639189 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Several technologies have been proposed to preserve fruits and to avoid postharvest losses. The degradation of ethylene produced by the fruits using TiO2 photocatalysis has shown to be a good option to delay the ripening of fruits. This paper proposed a new application of biopolymers-TiO2 nanocomposites developed to extend the shelf-life of fruits. Photocatalytic coatings were applied on the expanded polyethylene foam nets to degrade ethylene. Gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HMPC) were tested as hydrophobic and hydrophilic matrices for the TiO2 incorporation. First, nanocomposite films prepared by casting were evaluated with regards to their photocatalytic properties. Both matrices, which were loaded with 1 wt% TiO2, degraded 40% of the ethylene injected in a batch reactor. By Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, ethylene degradation using gelatin-TiO2 films (kapp = 0.186 ± 0.021 min-1) was faster than the HPMC-TiO2 films (kapp = 0.034 ± 0.003 min-1). Then, gelatin-TiO2 dispersion was applied as a coating on the foam nets by dip coating. The gelatin-TiO2 bilayer exhibited higher concentration of ethylene degraded per photocatalytic area and photocatalyst mass unit (13.297 ± 0.178 ppmv m2 [Formula: see text] ) than its film form (18.212 ± 1.157 ppmv m2 [Formula: see text] ), which makes gelatin-TiO2/foam nets a promising composite design for fruit postharvest application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica de Matos Fonseca
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil.
| | - Nelson Yurako Londoño Pabón
- Laboratory of Heat Pipes, Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | - Germán Ayala Valencia
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | - Leandro Guarezi Nandi
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | - Marta Elisa Rosso Dotto
- Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Anisotropic Systems, Physics Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil
| | | | - Alcilene Rodrigues Monteiro
- Laboratory of Physical Properties of Foods, Chemical and Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Brazil.
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HASSAN A, ABD EL AAL SA, SHEHATA MM, EL-SAFTAWY AA. PLASMA-ETCHING AND MODIFICATION OF POLYETHYLENE FOR IMPROVED SURFACE STRUCTURE, WETTABILITY AND OPTICAL BEHAVIOR. SURFACE REVIEW AND LETTERS 2019; 26:1850220. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218625x18502207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In the present paper, the surface modification of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer is done by plasma-etching to tune its surface structure, wettability and optical behavior to make it useful for technical applications. For this purpose, two gasses (N[Formula: see text] and (O[Formula: see text] are used as the discharge precursors in a home-built plasma reactor. The plasma-treated LDPE surface etch-rate (control other surface properties) is high at the beginning and slows down as the treatment time increases due to surface restructuring. The etched surfaces are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicate greater surface changes due to O2 plasma compared to that of N2. Also, the surface hardness is slightly low at the first treatment time and increases rapidly at higher exposure durations. Besides, the friction coefficient is significantly changed by plasma treatment, suggesting the formation of cohesive surface skin. The obtained X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the plasma-treated LDPE samples suffer disordering and structural changes which increase with raising the treatment duration. Surface restructuring is attributed to the combined effects of active species (from plasma) bombardments and surface oxidation. Also, the surface chemistry changes are evaluated using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy which reveals chain scission after N2 plasma treatment. Whereas, the O2 plasma-treated samples suffer surface oxidation and formation of polar groups which offer some surface oxidation coatings. Furthermore, the surface wettability has been determined by the sessile drop method and shows enhancement upon plasma treatment due to the combined influence of surface chemistry and morphology. Also, the surface free energy (SFE) and adhesion are found to increase with the plasma exposure time due to surface activation. The optical behavior of LDPE is studied using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer which indicates that the optical bandgap performance depends on the amorphous or crystalline nature of the polymer. Also, the conjugated carbon atoms were examined and correlated to the reduced bandgap. In conclusion, the studied home-built glow discharge plasma reactor could be utilized efficiently to tune polymer surface properties to be used in high technology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. HASSAN
- Accelerators & Ion Sources Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority 13759, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S. A. ABD EL AAL
- Central Lab. for Elemental & Isotopic Analysis, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority 13759, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M. M. SHEHATA
- Central Lab. for Elemental & Isotopic Analysis, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority 13759, Cairo, Egypt
- Radiation Chemistry Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, 11787, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A. A. EL-SAFTAWY
- Accelerators & Ion Sources Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority 13759, Cairo, Egypt
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Liu X, Wang G, Liu J, Zhang J, Liu S, Wang C, Yang Z, Sun J, Song J. Influence of water addition on the modification of polyethylene surface by nitrogen atmospheric pressure plasma jet. J Appl Polym Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/app.47136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- X. Liu
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - G. Wang
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - J. Liu
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - J. Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - S. Liu
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - C. Wang
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - Z. Yang
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - J. Sun
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
| | - J. Song
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non‐traditional Machining Technology of the Ministry of EducationDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Major Machine Manufacturing in LiaoningDalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 People's Republic of China
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Meng JY, Wang YY, Wang YP, Ding ZQ. Effect of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on hydrophilic properties of fluorosilicone rubber. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.6053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-yan Meng
- Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing, Ministry of Education; Nanchang Hangkong University; Nanchang 330063 China
| | - Yun-ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing, Ministry of Education; Nanchang Hangkong University; Nanchang 330063 China
| | - Yun-ping Wang
- Xi'an Aviation Power Control Co., Ltd.; Xi'an 710079 China
| | - Zu-Qun Ding
- AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group; Chengdu 610092 China
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10
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Castellano D, Blanes M, Marco B, Cerrada I, Ruiz-Saurí A, Pelacho B, Araña M, Montero JA, Cambra V, Prosper F, Sepúlveda P. A comparison of electrospun polymers reveals poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) fiber as a superior scaffold for cardiac repair. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:1479-90. [PMID: 24564648 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of biomaterials for myocardial tissue engineering requires a careful assessment of their performance with regards to functionality and biocompatibility, including the immune response. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), silk, poly-lactic acid (PLA), and polyamide (PA) scaffolds were generated by electrospinning, and cell compatibility in vitro, and immune response and cardiac function in vitro and in vivo were compared with a noncrosslinked collagen membrane (Col) control material. Results showed that cell adhesion and growth of mesenchymal stem cells, cardiomyocytes, and cardiac fibroblasts in vitro was dependent on the polymer substrate, with PHB and PCL polymers permitting the greatest adhesion/growth of cells. Additionally, polymer substrates triggered unique expression profiles of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Implantation of PCL, silk, PLA, and PA patches on the epicardial surface of healthy rats induced a classical foreign body reaction pattern, with encapsulation of polymer fibers and induction of the nonspecific immune response, whereas Col and PHB patches were progressively degraded. When implanted on infarcted rat heart, Col, PCL, and PHB reduced negative remodeling, but only PHB induced significant angiogenesis. Importantly, Col and PHB modified the inflammatory response to an M2 macrophage phenotype in cardiac tissue, indicating a more beneficial reparative process and remodeling. Collectively, these results identify PHB as a superior substrate for cardiac repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Castellano
- 1 Regenerative Medicine and Heart Transplantation Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe , Valencia, Spain
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Pascual M, Calvo O, Sanchez-Nácher L, Bonet MA, Garcia-Sanoguera D, Balart R. Optimization of adhesive joints of low density polyethylene (LDPE) composite laminates with polyolefin foam using corona discharge plasma. J Appl Polym Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/app.30906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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López R, Sanchis R, García D, Fenollar O, Balart R. Surface characterization of hydrophilic coating obtained by low-pressure CH4O2plasma treatment on a polypropylene film. J Appl Polym Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/app.29324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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