Biocompatible epoxy modified bio-based polyurethane nanocomposites: mechanical property, cytotoxicity and biodegradation

Waste brewed tea leaf derived cellulose nanofiber reinforced fully bio-based waterborne polyester nanocomposite as an environmentally benign material

Bio-resources have carved a unique niche for the ever-increasing thrust of the global scientific community to impart green credentials to various research outputs along with the demands for advanced materials. In this milieu, the authors wish to fabricate a fully bio-based waterborne polyester nanocomposite as an advanced material using different bio-based reactants and cellulose nanofibers as the nanomaterial. Three different compositions of the nanocomposite were prepared at different loadings of cellulose nanofibers (0.25, 0.5 and 1 weight%) which were isolated from waste brewed green tea leaves. The structural attributes of the nanocomposites were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic studies. The nanocomposites were further cured with glycerol based epoxy and fatty acid based poly(amido amine) as the hardener to obtain the respective thermosets. The significant improvements in mechanical properties including tensile strength (13.71–22.33 MPa), elongation at break (128–290%), toughness (15.65–45.18 MJ m⁻³) and scratch hardness (8 to >10 kg) were observed for the thermosetting nanocomposites and the thermogravimetric analysis supports their high thermostability (234–265 °C). Further, the thermosetting nanocomposites were found to be highly biodegradable by Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains, hemocompatible with the erythrocytes present in RBCs and showed antioxidant properties. Thus, this nanocomposite could be used as a promising eco-friendly material for different related applications.

A fully bio-based waterborne polyester/cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite was fabricated by an environmentally benign route as a safe and biodegradable material.

Effect of organoclay on structure, morphology, thermal behavior and coating performance of Jatropha oil based polyesteramide

Jatropha oil (JO) is an inedible oil mainly used in biodiesel. We have attempted to prepare a JO-based polyesteramide/clay composite using a one-pot, two-step reaction, for application as a protective coating. The aim of the work is to utilize JO for its value-added application by preparing a JO polyesteramide/clay composite, to investigate the potential of the prepared composite as a protective coating, and also to study the effect of loaded clay on the structure, morphology, thermal stability and coating properties of the composite. The formation of composites was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) studies. The coating properties were studied by standard physico-mechanical and corrosion resistance tests in corrosive media (3.5 wt% HCl, 3.5 wt% NaCl and tap water). The thermal stability was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analyses. The coatings showed good physico-mechanical and corrosion resistance performance and can be safely used up to 275°C. The approach paves way towards an alternate value addition to a non-edible oil.

Antibacterial nanohydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffolds with silver phosphate particles for bone regeneration

Solving the issue of infection associated with implanted bone substitutes is one of the modern challenges of the biomedical engineering field. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel porous scaffold with sufficient antibacterial activity for bone repair or regeneration. Porous nanohydroxyapatite/polyurethane (n-HA/PU) composite scaffolds containing different amounts of silver phosphate particles were prepared through the in situ foaming method. Subsequently, their physicochemical properties, antibacterial abilities, and preliminary cytocompatibilities were evaluated. The results indicated that the porosity and mechanical properties of the n-HA/PU scaffolds incorporated with Ag3PO4 did not change significantly compared to n-HA/PU scaffold without Ag3PO4. The release of Ag(+) was time and concentration dependent, increasing with the immersion time and Ag3PO4 percentage in the scaffolds. A continuous Ag(+) release can last more than 3 weeks. The antibacterial tests and cytocompatibility evaluation revealed that n-HA/PU scaffolds with 3 wt% Ag3PO4 (n-HA/PU3) exhibit stronger antimicrobial effects as well as satisfactory cytocompatibility. The n-HA/PU3 scaffolds may hold great potential for application in the field of bone regeneration, especially for infection-associated bone defect repair.

Conducting poly(o-anisidine) nanofibre dispersed epoxy-siloxane composite coatings: synthesis, characterization and corrosion protective performance

Tartaric acid–dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid doped poly(o-anisidine) dispersed epoxy–siloxane nanocomposites exhibited promising application as new generation smart anti-corrosive coating materials.

The effect of the preparation process on the swelling behavior of silk fibroin-polyurethane composite hydrogels using a full factorial experimental design

Polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) was synthesized by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) as the soft segments, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as the hard segment and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and diethylene glycol (DEG) as chain extenders. Silk fibroin (SF)-PU composite hydrogels were prepared by SF and PUP through chemical crosslinking and physical crosslinking interactions. A full factorial experimental design with four factors and four levels was applied to optimize the craft of preparing SF-PU composite hydrogels. The molecular weight of PEG, IPDI/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio), PEG/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio) and SF/(SF+PU) (mass ratio) were the factors. The swelling behavior of hydrogels was tested in deionized water at 30°C. The results showed that the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) was the largest by tuning the molecular weight of PEG to 4000, IPDI/(PEG+PPG)(molar ratio) to 3, PEG/(PEG+PPG) (molar ratio) to 40% and SF/(SF+PU) (mass ratio) to 2%. Fickian diffusion played a dominant role in the initial stage of swelling. For the whole process, the results fitted well into the Schott second-order kinetic equation.

Aerobic biodegradation of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride-acrylic-acrylamide-hydroxyethyl acrylate/ZnO nanocomposite in an activated sludge system

Biodegradation studies of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride-acrylic-acrylamide-hydroxyethyl acrylate/ZnO (P(DMDAAC-AA-AM-HEA)/ZnO) nanocomposite were performed in a simulated aerobic activated sludge system.

Effect of compatibilizers on in vitro biocompatibility of PLA–HA bioscaffold

This paper exclusively describes the biocompatibility evaluation of biodegradable PLA–HA-based composites as temporary bone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in orthopaedic applications. For that purpose, a set of composites were prepared using 3D melt-deposition method that comprises a biopolymer namely polylactic acid (PLA), and a bioceramic filler, namely hydroxyapatite (HA) 10 wt%, and compatibilizers, namely poly acrylic acid (PAA) 2 wt% and maleic anhydirde (MAH) 2 wt%. The composite samples were evaluated by in vitro assays and biodegradability tests were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For the in vitro analysis, osteogenic-induced stem cells were seeded onto the composite scaffold. An inverted optical microscope with computerised image analysis system was used to obtain data regarding cell attachment and contact characteristics after seeding for 48 h. Results showed that the PLA–HA-based composites did not induce adverse reactions from the cells, which in addition to their bone-matching mechanical properties makes them promising materials for bone scaffold applications.

Industrial Waste-Derived Nanoparticles and Microspheres Can Be Potent Antimicrobial and Functional Ingredients

Rapeseed oilcake or press-cake is generated as bulk waste during oil extraction from oilseeds. Owing to its high protein content, further processing of oilcakes into vegetable protein generates large quantities of fibrous residue (“oil-and-protein” spent meal) as by-product, which currently has very limited practical utility. Here, we report hydrothermal carbonization of this industrial waste to convert it into carbon nanoparticles, bestowed with multitude of functionalities. We demonstrate that these nanoparticles can be assembled into micrometer-sized spheres when precipitated from water by acetone. These microspheres, with their added feature of hemocompatibility, can be potentially utilized as an encapsulation vehicle for the protection of thermolabile compounds (such as protein); however, the secondary and tertiary features of the protein were marginally perturbed by the encapsulation process. The synthesized carbon nanoparticle was found to be an effective biocidal agent, exhibiting bacterial cellular damage and complex formation with the bacterial plasmid (evident from ethidium bromide exclusion assay), which are critical for cell survival. The results show the ability to convert industrial biowaste into useful nanomaterials for use in food industries and also suggest new scalable and simple approaches to improve environmental sustainability in industrial processes.

Antioxidative, hemocompatible, fluorescent carbon nanodots from an "end-of-pipe" agricultural waste: exploring its new horizon in the food-packaging domain

The attention of researchers is burgeoning toward oilseed press-cake valorization for its high protein content. Protein removal from oil-cakes generates large quantities of fibrous residue (oil-and-protein spent meal) as a byproduct, which currently has very limited practical utility. In the wake of increasing awareness in waste recycling, a simple environmentally benign hydrothermal carbonization process to convert this "end-of-pipe" waste (spent meal) into antioxidative, hemocompatible, fluorescent carbonaceous nanoparticles (FCDs) has been described. In the present investigation, an interesting application of FCDs in fabricating low-cost rapeseed protein-based fluorescent film, with improved antioxidant potential (17.5-19.3-fold) and thermal stability has been demonstrated. The nanocomposite film could also be used as forgery-proof packaging due to its photoluminescence property. For assessing the feasibility of antioxidative FCDs in real food systems, a comparative investigation was further undertaken to examine the effect of such nanocarbon-loaded composite film on the oxidative shelf life of rapeseed oil. Oil samples packed in nanocomposite film sachets showed significant delay in oxidative rancidity compared to those packed in pristine protein-film sachet (free fatty acids, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances reduced up to 1.4-, 2-, and 1.2-fold, respectively). The work presents a new concept of biobased fluorescent packaging and avenues for harnessing this potent waste.

Clay: new opportunities for tissue regeneration and biomaterial design

Seminal recent studies that have shed new light on the remarkable properties of clay interactions suggest unexplored opportunities for biomaterial design and regenerative medicine. Here, recent conceptual and technological developments in the science of clay interactions with biomolecules, polymers, and cells are examined, focusing on the implications for tissue engineering and regenerative strategies. Pioneering studies demonstrating the utility of clay for drug-delivery and scaffold design are reviewed and areas for future research and development highlighted.

Colloidal silver nanoparticles/rhamnolipid (SNPRL) composite as novel chemotactic antibacterial agent

The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles and rhamnolipid are well known individually. In the present research, antibacterial and chemotactic activity due to colloidal silver nanoparticles (SNP), rhamnolipid (RL) and silver nanoparticles/rhamnolipid composite (SNPRL) were evaluated using Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC3160), Escherichia coli (MTCC40), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC8163) and Bacillus subtilis (MTCC441) as test strains. Further, the SNPRL nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The observation clearly indicates that SNPRL shows prominent antibacterial and chemotactic activity in comparison to all of its individual precursor components.

Silver-embedded modified hyperbranched epoxy/clay nanocomposites as antibacterial materials

Silver-embedded modified hyperbranched epoxy/clay nanocomposites were prepared at different wt.% of octadecyl amine-modified montmorillonite at a constant silver concentration (1 wt.%). UV-visible, XRD and TEM studies confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles. Compared to the system without silver and clay, the gloss from 70° to 94°, scratch hardness from 4 to 5.8 kg, impact strength from 60 to 90 cm, tensile strength from 8.5 to 15.5 MPa, adhesive strength from 5 to 7.1 × 10(9)N/m, flexibility from >6 to <4mm, and thermostability from 230 to 260 °C increased for the modified system. Resistance to aqueous 10% HCl, 0.5% NaOH, 10% NaCl also increased. The nanocomposites showed antibacterial activity in well diffusion assays against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC11632), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC11774), Escherichia coli (MTCC40), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC7814) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC10031). The results showed that these nanocomposites have potential to be used as antimicrobial materials.