The effect of nano-sized filler particles on the crystalline-amorphous interphase and thermal properties in polyester nanocomposites

Recent Advances in Polyurethane/POSS Hybrids for Biomedical Applications

Advanced organic-inorganic materials-composites, nanocomposites, and hybrids with various compositions offer unique properties required for biomedical applications. One of the most promising inorganic (nano)additives are polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS); their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and phase separation ability that modifies the material porosity are fundamental properties required in modern biomedical applications. When incorporated, chemically or physically, into polyurethane matrices, they substantially change polymer properties, including mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and bioactivity. Hence, this review is dedicated to POSS-PU composites that have recently been developed for applications in the biomedical field. First, different modes of POSS incorporation into PU structure have been presented, then recent developments of PU/POSS hybrids as bio-active composites for scaffolds, cardiovascular stents, valves, and membranes, as well as in bio-imaging and cancer treatment, have been described. Finally, characterization and methods of modification routes of polyurethane-based materials with silsesquioxanes were presented.

Effect of Alkyl Chain Length in POSS Nanocage on Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behavior of PCL/Amino-POSS Nanocomposites

The study of the non-isothermal crystallization behavior of polymers is of great importance due to the effect of degree of crystallinity and crystallization process on the polymer properties. The effect of aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (APIBPOSS) and aminopropylisooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (APIOPOSS) on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) crystallization is studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under non-isothermal conditions and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The crystallization kinetics is analyzed using the Avrami and Mo models, and effective activation energies are evaluated by the Friedman isoconversional method. The results show that the compatibility between polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and PCL and POSS loading affect the crystallization process. A higher crystallization temperature, a narrower size distribution of crystallite, and a faster crystallization rate are obtained in the presence of all the studied contents of APIBPOSS and at lower contents of APIOPOSS. At APIOPOSS contents higher than 2 wt %, the crystallization temperature is lowered, the size distribution of crystallite is broadened, and the crystallization process is retarded. The presence of POSS leads to an increase in the number of nucleation sites, and a reduction in the size of the crystallite and the overall degree of crystallinity, as a result of the confinement of PCL chains caused by POSS nanoparticles.

Characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone)-based nanocomposites containing hydroxytyrosol for active food packaging

Antioxidant nanobiocomposites based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared by incorporating hydroxytyrosol (HT) and a commercial montmorillonite, Cloisite30B (C30B), at different concentrations. A full structural, thermal, mechanical, and functional characterization of the developed nanobiocomposites was carried out. The presence of the nanoclay and HT increased PCL crystallinity, whereas some decrease in thermal stability was observed. TEM analyses corroborated the good dispersion of C30B into the PCL macromolecular structure as already asserted by XRD tests, because no large aggregates were observed. A reduction in oxygen permeability and an increase in elastic modulus were obtained for films containing the nanoclay. Finally, the presence of the nanoclay produced a decrease in the HT release from films due to some interaction between HT and C30B. Results proved that these nanobiocomposites can be an interesting and environmentally friendly alternative for active food packaging applications with antioxidant performance.