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Coppola B, Menotti F, Longo F, Banche G, Mandras N, Palmero P, Allizond V. New Generation of Osteoinductive and Antimicrobial Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1668. [PMID: 38932017 PMCID: PMC11207319 DOI: 10.3390/polym16121668] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
With respect to other fields, bone tissue engineering has significantly expanded in recent years, leading not only to relevant advances in biomedical applications but also to innovative perspectives. Polycaprolactone (PCL), produced in the beginning of the 1930s, is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Due to its mechanical and physicochemical features, as well as being easily shapeable, PCL-based constructs can be produced with different shapes and degradation kinetics. Moreover, due to various development processes, PCL can be made as 3D scaffolds or fibres for bone tissue regeneration applications. This outstanding biopolymer is versatile because it can be modified by adding agents with antimicrobial properties, not only antibiotics/antifungals, but also metal ions or natural compounds. In addition, to ameliorate its osteoproliferative features, it can be blended with calcium phosphates. This review is an overview of the current state of our recent investigation into PCL modifications designed to impair microbial adhesive capability and, in parallel, to allow eukaryotic cell viability and integration, in comparison with previous reviews and excellent research papers. Our recent results demonstrated that the developed 3D constructs had a high interconnected porosity, and the addition of biphasic calcium phosphate improved human cell attachment and proliferation. The incorporation of alternative antimicrobials-for instance, silver and essential oils-at tuneable concentrations counteracted microbial growth and biofilm formation, without affecting eukaryotic cells' viability. Notably, this challenging research area needs the multidisciplinary work of material scientists, biologists, and orthopaedic surgeons to determine the most suitable modifications on biomaterials to design favourable 3D scaffolds based on PCL for the targeted healing of damaged bone tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartolomeo Coppola
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy; (B.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Francesca Menotti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (N.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Fabio Longo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (N.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Giuliana Banche
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (N.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Narcisa Mandras
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (N.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Paola Palmero
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy; (B.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Valeria Allizond
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (N.M.); (V.A.)
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Menotti F, Scutera S, Maniscalco E, Coppola B, Bondi A, Costa C, Longo F, Mandras N, Pagano C, Cavallo L, Banche G, Malandrino M, Palmero P, Allizond V. Is Silver Addition to Scaffolds Based on Polycaprolactone Blended with Calcium Phosphates Able to Inhibit Candida albicans and Candida auris Adhesion and Biofilm Formation? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2784. [PMID: 38474027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052784] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. periprosthetic joint infections are rare but difficult-to-treat events, with a slow onset, unspecific symptoms or signs, and a significant relapse risk. Treatment with antifungals meets with little success, whereas prosthesis removal improves the outcome. In fact, Candida spp. adhere to orthopedic devices and grow forming biofilms that contribute to the persistence of this infection and relapse, and there is insufficient evidence that the use of antifungals has additional benefits for anti-biofilm activity. To date, studies on the direct antifungal activity of silver against Candida spp. are still scanty. Additionally, polycaprolactone (PCL), either pure or blended with calcium phosphate, could be a good candidate for the design of 3D scaffolds as engineered bone graft substitutes. Thus, the present research aimed to assess the antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of PCL-based constructs by the addition of antimicrobials, for instance, silver, against C. albicans and C. auris. The appearance of an inhibition halo around silver-functionalized PCL scaffolds for both C. albicans and C. auris was revealed, and a significant decrease in both adherent and planktonic yeasts further demonstrated the release of Ag+ from the 3D constructs. Due to the combined antifungal, osteoproliferative, and biodegradable properties, PCL-based 3D scaffolds enriched with silver showed good potential for bone tissue engineering and offer a promising strategy as an ideal anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm tool for the reduction in prosthetic joints of infections caused by Candida spp. by using antimicrobial molecule-targeted delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Menotti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Scutera
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Eleonora Maniscalco
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Coppola
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bondi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Costa
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Fabio Longo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Narcisa Mandras
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Pagano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Lorenza Cavallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuliana Banche
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Mery Malandrino
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Palmero
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Allizond
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
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Razavi SZ, Saljoughi E, Mousavi SM, Matin MM. Polycaprolactone/cress seed mucilage based bilayer antibacterial films containing ZnO nanoparticles with superabsorbent property for the treatment of exuding wounds. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128090. [PMID: 37979764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
In this research, a novel double-layer film based on polycaprolactone and cress seed mucilage containing zinc oxide nanoparticles (0.5-2 %) was synthesized using solution casting technique, as an interactive multi-functional wound dressing. The bilayer films were characterized by measuring moisture content, contact angle parameter, porosity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), color attributes and opacity, swelling, degradation, mechanical properties, cell viability, and antimicrobial activity, as well as using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the film containing 1.5 % zinc oxide nanoparticles had the best performance, with high swelling ability (3600 %) and 25 % degradation within 24 h of placement in a wound simulator solution. Its mechanical properties, including tensile strength and elongation at break, were 9 MPa and 5.53 %, respectively. In investigating the antimicrobial activity of the optimal film against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the diameter of the inhibition zone was observed to be 39.33 and 42 mm, respectively. Moreover, increasing the number of ZnO-NPs hindered the growth of NIH/3T3 cells, but the 1.5 % ZnO-NP loaded film showed a high percentage of cell viability in 1 day (90 %) and 3 days (93 %), which is suitable for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zeynab Razavi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saljoughi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam M Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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Menotti F, Scutera S, Coppola B, Longo F, Mandras N, Cavallo L, Comini S, Sparti R, Fiume E, Cuffini AM, Banche G, Palmero P, Allizond V. Tuning of Silver Content on the Antibacterial and Biological Properties of Poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/Biphasic Calcium Phosphate 3D-Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3618. [PMID: 37688244 PMCID: PMC10489712 DOI: 10.3390/polym15173618] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in tissue engineering, in which biomaterials play a pivotal role in promoting bone regeneration. Furthermore, smart functionalization can provide biomaterials with the additional role of preventing orthopedic infections. Due to the growing microbial resistance to antimicrobials used to treat those infections, metal ions, such as silver, thanks to their known wide range of bactericidal properties, are believed to be promising additives in developing antibacterial biomaterials. In this work, novel poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based 3D scaffolds have been designed and developed, where the polymer matrix was modified with both silver (Ag), to supply antibacterial behavior, and calcium phosphates (biphasic calcium phosphate, BCP) particles to impart bioactive/bioresorbable properties. The microstructural analysis showed that constructs were characterized by square-shaped macropores, in line with the morphology and size of the templating salts used as pore formers. Degradation tests demonstrated the important role of calcium phosphates in improving PCL hydrophilicity, leading to a higher degradation degree for BCP/PCL composites compared to the neat polymer after 18 days of soaking. The appearance of an inhibition halo around the silver-functionalized PCL scaffolds for assayed microorganisms and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in both adherent and planktonic bacteria demonstrate the Ag+ release from the 3D constructs. Furthermore, the PCL scaffolds enriched with the lowest silver percentages did not hamper the viability and proliferation of Saos-2 cells. A synergic combination of antimicrobial, osteoproliferative and biodegradable features provided to 3D scaffolds the required potential for bone tissue engineering, beside anti-microbial properties for reduction in prosthetic joints infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Menotti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Sara Scutera
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Bartolomeo Coppola
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy; (B.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Fabio Longo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Narcisa Mandras
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Lorenza Cavallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Sara Comini
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Rosaria Sparti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Elisa Fiume
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy; (B.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Anna Maria Cuffini
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Giuliana Banche
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
| | - Paola Palmero
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy; (B.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Valeria Allizond
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.M.); (S.S.); (F.L.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (R.S.); (A.M.C.); (V.A.)
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Castro JI, Araujo-Rodríguez DG, Valencia-Llano CH, López Tenorio D, Saavedra M, Zapata PA, Grande-Tovar CD. Biocompatibility Assessment of Polycaprolactone/Polylactic Acid/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Composites under In Vivo Conditions for Biomedical Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2196. [PMID: 37765166 PMCID: PMC10535598 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for non-invasive biocompatible materials in biomedical applications, driven by accidents and diseases like cancer, has led to the development of sustainable biomaterials. Here, we report the synthesis of four block formulations using polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for subdermal tissue regeneration. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the composition of the composites. Additionally, the interaction of ZnO-NPs mainly occurred with the C=O groups of PCL occurring at 1724 cm-1, which disappears for F4, as evidenced in the FT-IR analysis. Likewise, this interaction evidenced the decrease in the crystallinity of the composites as they act as crosslinking points between the polymer backbones, inducing gaps between them and weakening the strength of the intermolecular bonds. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed that the ZnO-NPs bind to the carbonyl groups of the polymer, acting as weak points in the polymer backbone from where the different fragmentations occur. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the increase in ZnO-NPs facilitated a more compact surface due to the excellent dispersion and homogeneous accumulation between the polymeric chains, facilitating this morphology. The in vivo studies using the nanocomposites demonstrated the degradation/resorption of the blocks in a ZnO-NP-dependant mode. After degradation, collagen fibers (Type I), blood vessels, and inflammatory cells continue the resorption of the implanted material. The results reported here demonstrate the relevance and potential impact of the ZnO-NP-based scaffolds in soft tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Iván Castro
- Laboratorio SIMERQO, Departamento de Química, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 No. 100-00, Cali 76001, Colombia;
| | - Daniela G. Araujo-Rodríguez
- Grupo de Investigación de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Universidad del Atlántico, Carrera 30 Número 8-49, Puerto Colombia 081008, Colombia;
| | - Carlos Humberto Valencia-Llano
- Grupo Biomateriales Dentales, Escuela de Odontología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B # 36-00, Cali 76001, Colombia; (C.H.V.-L.); (D.L.T.)
| | - Diego López Tenorio
- Grupo Biomateriales Dentales, Escuela de Odontología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B # 36-00, Cali 76001, Colombia; (C.H.V.-L.); (D.L.T.)
| | - Marcela Saavedra
- Grupo de Polímeros, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170020, Chile; (M.S.); (P.A.Z.)
| | - Paula A. Zapata
- Grupo de Polímeros, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170020, Chile; (M.S.); (P.A.Z.)
| | - Carlos David Grande-Tovar
- Grupo de Investigación de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Universidad del Atlántico, Carrera 30 Número 8-49, Puerto Colombia 081008, Colombia;
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Overview of Antimicrobial Biodegradable Polyester-Based Formulations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032945. [PMID: 36769266 PMCID: PMC9917530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As the clinical complications induced by microbial infections are known to have life-threatening side effects, conventional anti-infective therapy is necessary, but not sufficient to overcome these issues. Some of their limitations are connected to drug-related inefficiency or resistance and pathogen-related adaptive modifications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for advanced antimicrobials and antimicrobial devices. A challenging, yet successful route has been the development of new biostatic or biocide agents and biomaterials by considering the indisputable advantages of biopolymers. Polymers are attractive materials due to their physical and chemical properties, such as compositional and structural versatility, tunable reactivity, solubility and degradability, and mechanical and chemical tunability, together with their intrinsic biocompatibility and bioactivity, thus enabling the fabrication of effective pharmacologically active antimicrobial formulations. Besides representing protective or potentiating carriers for conventional drugs, biopolymers possess an impressive ability for conjugation or functionalization. These aspects are key for avoiding malicious side effects or providing targeted and triggered drug delivery (specific and selective cellular targeting), and generally to define their pharmacological efficacy. Moreover, biopolymers can be processed in different forms (particles, fibers, films, membranes, or scaffolds), which prove excellent candidates for modern anti-infective applications. This review contains an overview of antimicrobial polyester-based formulations, centered around the effect of the dimensionality over the properties of the material and the effect of the production route or post-processing actions.
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Motelica L, Vasile BS, Ficai A, Surdu AV, Ficai D, Oprea OC, Andronescu E, Jinga DC, Holban AM. Influence of the Alcohols on the ZnO Synthesis and Its Properties: The Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Activities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122842. [PMID: 36559334 PMCID: PMC9783502 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials are used in various health-related applications, from antimicrobial textiles to wound dressing composites and from sunscreens to antimicrobial packaging. Purity, surface defects, size, and morphology of the nanoparticles are the main factors that influence the antimicrobial properties. In this study, we are comparing the properties of the ZnO nanoparticles obtained by solvolysis using a series of alcohols: primary from methanol to 1-hexanol, secondary (2-propanol and 2-butanol), and tertiary (tert-butanol). While the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles is successfully accomplished in all primary alcohols, the use of secondary or tertiary alcohols does not lead to ZnO as final product, underlining the importance of the used solvent. The shape of the obtained nanoparticles depends on the alcohol used, from quasi-spherical to rods, and consequently, different properties are reported, including photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. In the photocatalytic study, the ZnO obtained in 1-butanol exhibited the best performance against methylene blue (MB) dye solution, attaining a degradation efficiency of 98.24%. The comparative study among a series of usual model dyes revealed that triarylmethane dyes are less susceptible to photo-degradation. The obtained ZnO nanoparticles present a strong antimicrobial activity on a broad range of microorganisms (bacterial and fungal strains), the size and shape being the important factors. This permits further tailoring for use in medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Motelica
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Stefan Vasile
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anton Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian-Vasile Surdu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Ficai
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Ecaterina Andronescu
- National Research Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu St., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Corneliu Jinga
- Department of Medical Oncology, Neolife Medical Center, Ficusului Bd. 40, 077190 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Maria Holban
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 077206 Bucharest, Romania
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Vallin A, Battegazzore D, Damonte G, Fina A, Monticelli O. On the Development of Nanocomposite Covalent Associative Networks Based on Polycaprolactone and Reduced Graphite Oxide. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3744. [PMID: 36364519 PMCID: PMC9654163 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the development of nanocomposite systems based on reduced graphite oxide (rGO) was combined with the development of crosslinked materials characterized by dynamic covalent bonds, i.e., a covalent associative network, starting from ad-hoc synthesized hydroxyl terminated polycaprolactone (PCL-OH). The crosslinking reaction was carried out using methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) to create systems capable of bond exchanges via transesterification and transcarbamoylation reactions, in the presence of stannous octoate as a catalyst. The above materials were prepared at two different temperatures (120 and 200 °C) and two PCL-OH:MDI ratios. FT-IR measurements proved the formation of urethane bonds in all the prepared samples. Crosslinking was demonstrated by contacting the samples with a solvent capable of dissolving the star-shaped PCL. These tests showed a significant increase in the crosslinked fraction with increasing the temperature and the PCL-OH:MDI ratio. In order to evidence the effect of crosslinking on rGO dispersion and the final properties of the material, a nanocomposite sample was also prepared using a linear commercial PCL, with the nanofiller mixed under the same conditions used to develop the crosslinked systems. The dispersion of rGO, which was investigated using FE-SEM measurements, was similar in the different systems prepared, indicating that the crosslinking process had a minor effect on the dispersibility of the nanofiller. As far as the thermal properties are concerned, the DSC measurements of the prepared samples showed that the crosslinking leads to a decrease in the crystallinity of the polymer, a phenomenon which was particularly evident in the sample prepared at 200 °C with a PCL-OH: MDI ratio of 1:1.33 and was related to the decrease in the polymer chain mobility. Moreover, rGO was found to act as a nucleating agent and increase the crystallization temperature of the nanocomposite sample based on linear commercial PCL, while the contribution of rGO in the crosslinked nanocomposite samples was minor. Rheological measurements confirmed the crosslinking of the PCL-OH system which generates a solid-like behavior depending on the PCL-OH:MDI ratio used. The presence of rGO during crosslinking generated a further huge increase in the viscosity of the melt with a remarkable solid-like behavior, confirming a strong interaction between rGO and crosslinked PCL. Finally, the prepared nanocomposites exhibited self-healing and recyclability properties, thus meeting the requirements for sustainable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Vallin
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Battegazzore
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino-Sede di Alessandria, Viale Teresa Michel, 5, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Giacomo Damonte
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Fina
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino-Sede di Alessandria, Viale Teresa Michel, 5, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Orietta Monticelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy
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