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Štěpánková K, Ozaltin K, Sáha P, Vargun E, Domincová-Bergerová E, Vesel A, Mozetič M, Lehocký M. Carboxymethylated and Sulfated Furcellaran from Furcellaria lumbricalis and Its Immobilization on PLA Scaffolds. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:720. [PMID: 38475404 DOI: 10.3390/polym16050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This study involved the creation of highly porous PLA scaffolds through the porogen/leaching method, utilizing polyethylene glycol as a porogen with a 75% mass ratio. The outcome achieved a highly interconnected porous structure with a thickness of 25 μm. To activate the scaffold's surface and improve its hydrophilicity, radiofrequency (RF) air plasma treatment was employed. Subsequently, furcellaran subjected to sulfation or carboxymethylation was deposited onto the RF plasma treated surfaces with the intention of improving bioactivity. Surface roughness and water wettability experienced enhancement following the surface modification. The incorporation of sulfate/carboxymethyl group (DS = 0.8; 0.3, respectively) is confirmed by elemental analysis and FT-IR. Successful functionalization of PLA scaffolds was validated by SEM and XPS analysis, showing changes in topography and increases in characteristic elements (N, S, Na) for sulfated (SF) and carboxymethylated (CMF). Cytocompatibility was evaluated by using mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Štěpánková
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Kadir Ozaltin
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Sáha
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Elif Vargun
- Department of Chemistry, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Kotekli, 48000 Mugla, Turkey
| | - Eva Domincová-Bergerová
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marian Lehocký
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic
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2
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Huskić M, Kepić D, Kleut D, Mozetič M, Vesel A, Anžlovar A, Bogdanović DB, Jovanović S. The Influence of Reaction Conditions on the Properties of Graphene Oxide. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2024; 14:281. [PMID: 38334554 PMCID: PMC10856647 DOI: 10.3390/nano14030281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The present study focuses on correlations between three parameters: (1) graphite particle size, (2) the ratio of graphite to oxidizing agent (KMnO4), and (3) the ratio of graphite to acid (H2SO4 and H3PO4), with the reaction yield, structure, and properties of graphene oxide (GO). The correlations are a challenge, as these three parameters can hardly be separated from each other due to the variations in the viscosity of the system. The larger the graphite particles, the higher the viscosity of GO. Decreasing the ratio of graphite to KMnO4 from 1:4 to 1:6 generally leads to a higher degree of oxidation and a higher reaction yield. However, the differences are very small. Increasing the graphite-to-acid-volume ratio from 1 g/60 mL to 1 g/80 mL, except for the smallest particles, reduced the degree of oxidation and slightly reduced the reaction yield. However, the reaction yield mainly depends on the extent of purification of GO by water, not on the reaction conditions. The large differences in the thermal decomposition of GO are mainly due to the bulk particle size and less to other parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Huskić
- Faculty of Polymer Technology, 2380 Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
| | - Dejan Kepić
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (S.J.)
| | - Duška Kleut
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (S.J.)
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alojz Anžlovar
- National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | | | - Svetlana Jovanović
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (S.J.)
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3
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Simonič M, Slapničar Š, Trček J, Matijašić BB, Lorbeg PM, Vesel A, Zemljič LF, Peršin Fratnik Z. Probiotic Lactobacillus paragasseri K7 Nanofiber Encapsulation Using Nozzle-Free Electrospinning. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:6768-6789. [PMID: 36920716 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can have beneficial effects on humans. Encapsulation offers them a better chance of survival. Therefore, nozzle-free electrospinning was introduced for their embedding in nanofibrous material. Probiotic Lactobacillus paragasseri K7 in lyophilized and fresh form, with and without inulin as prebiotic, was added to a polymer solution of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and polyethylene oxide (PEO). Conductivity, viscosity, pH, and surface tension were determined to define the optimal concentration and volume ratio for smooth electrospinning. The success of the formed nanoscale materials was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), while the entrapment of probiotics in the nanofibrous mats was detected by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Spontaneous diffusion of bacteria from electrospun samples in PBS buffer pH 7.4 was studied by plate counting on MRS agar. By exposing polymer solutions containing L. paragasseri K7 and inulin to a high electric field, the nanofilm was formed on a polypropylene substrate, used as collecting material. When polymer solutions without inulin were used, the bead-like nanofibers may have become visible. The SEM results suggest that inulin, in addition to K7 strain, additionally lowers the conductivity of spinning macromolecular solution and hinders the nanofiber formation. The results of ATR-FTIR confirmed the presence of L. paragasseri K7 embedded in nanocomposites by the appearance of characteristic peaks. The samples containing the probiotic regardless of its form with inulin had similar surface composition, except that the sodium content was higher in the samples with fresh probiotic, probably due to greater and thus less easy embedding of the bacteria in NaAlg. Within 2 h, the largest amount of probiotic strain K7 was spontaneously released from the electrospun sample containing the inulin and probiotic in freeze-dried form (44%), while the amount released from the nanofibrous sample, which also contained the inulin and probiotic in fresh form, was significantly lower (21%). These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of nozzle-free electrospinning technology for the development of probiotic delivery systems for short-term use, such as feminine hygiene materials (tampons, pads, napkins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjana Simonič
- Laboratory of Water Physics and Membrane Processes, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, 20000, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Špela Slapničar
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Trček
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Bogovič Matijašić
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1230, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Petra Mohar Lorbeg
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1230, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Institut "Jožef Stefan", 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Zdenka Peršin Fratnik
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.
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Paul D, Mozetič M, Zaplotnik R, Ekar J, Vesel A, Primc G, Đonlagić D. Loss of Oxygen Atoms on Well-Oxidized Cobalt by Heterogeneous Surface Recombination. Materials (Basel) 2023; 16:5806. [PMID: 37687497 PMCID: PMC10488784 DOI: 10.3390/ma16175806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Calorimetry is a commonly used method in plasma characterization, but the accuracy of the method is tied to the accuracy of the recombination coefficient, which in turn depends on a number of surface effects. Surface effects also govern the kinetics in advanced methods such as atomic layer oxidation of inorganic materials and functionalization of organic materials. The flux of the reactive oxygen atoms for the controlled oxidation of such materials depends on the recombination coefficient of materials placed into the reaction chamber, which in turn depends on the surface morphology, temperature, and pressure in the processing chamber. The recombination coefficient of a well-oxidized cobalt surface was studied systematically in a range of temperatures from 300 to 800 K and pressures from 40 to 200 Pa. The coefficient increased monotonously with decreasing pressure and increasing temperature. The lowest value was about 0.05, and the highest was about 0.30. These values were measured for cobalt foils previously oxidized with oxygen plasma at the temperature of 1300 K. The oxidation caused a rich morphology with an average roughness as deduced from atomic force images of 0.9 µm. The results were compared with literature data, and the discrepancy between results reported by different authors was explained by taking into account the peculiarities of their experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domen Paul
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Ekar
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Primc
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Denis Đonlagić
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Koroska Cesta 46, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Recek N, Zaplotnik R, Vesel A, Primc G, Gselman P, Mozetič M, Holc M. Germination and Growth of Plasma-Treated Maize Seeds Planted in Fields and Exposed to Realistic Environmental Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6868. [PMID: 37047840 PMCID: PMC10094815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we applied an inductively coupled, radio frequency oxygen plasma to maize seeds and investigated its effects on seedling emergence, plant number at tasseling, and crop yield of maize in realistic field conditions. Maize seeds of seven different hybrids were treated over two harvest years. In addition to plasma-treated seeds, a control sample, fungicide-treated seeds, an eco-layer, and a plasma and eco-layer combination, were planted. Seedling emergence, plant number at tasseling (plants/m2), and yield (kg/ha), were recorded. In the first harvest year, results were negatively affected by the presence of an insect pest. In the second harvest year, plant number and yield results were more uniform. In both years, for two and three hybrids, respectively, the highest yield arose from plants from plasma-treated seeds, but the differences were only partially significant. Considering our results, plasma treatment of maize seeds appears to have a positive effect on the yield of the plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Primc
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Miran Mozetič
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Holc
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Plohl O, Kokol V, Filipić A, Fric K, Kogovšek P, Fratnik ZP, Vesel A, Kurečič M, Robič J, Gradišnik L, Maver U, Zemljič LF. Screen-printing of chitosan and cationised cellulose nanofibril coatings for integration into functional face masks with potential antiviral activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 236:123951. [PMID: 36898451 PMCID: PMC9995302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Masks proved to be necessary protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they provided a physical barrier rather than inactivating viruses, increasing the risk of cross-infection. In this study, high-molecular weight chitosan and cationised cellulose nanofibrils were screen-printed individually or as a mixture onto the inner surface of the first polypropylene (PP) layer. First, biopolymers were evaluated by various physicochemical methods for their suitability for screen-printing and antiviral activity. Second, the effect of the coatings was evaluated by analysing the morphology, surface chemistry, charge of the modified PP layer, air permeability, water-vapour retention, add-on, contact angle, antiviral activity against the model virus phi6 and cytotoxicity. Finally, the functional PP layers were integrated into face masks, and resulting masks were tested for wettability, air permeability, and viral filtration efficiency (VFE). Air permeability was reduced for modified PP layers (43 % reduction for kat-CNF) and face masks (52 % reduction of kat-CNF layer). The antiviral potential of the modified PP layers against phi6 showed inhibition of 0.08 to 0.97 log (pH 7.5) and cytotoxicity assay showed cell viability above 70 %. VFE of the masks remained the same (~99.9 %), even after applying the biopolymers, confirming that these masks provided high level of protection against viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivija Plohl
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Vanja Kokol
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Arijana Filipić
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Katja Fric
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Polona Kogovšek
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Zdenka Peršin Fratnik
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Teslova 30, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Manja Kurečič
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Jure Robič
- Omega Air d.o.o Ljubljana, Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Lidija Gradišnik
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Uroš Maver
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
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Paul D, Mozetic M, Zaplotnik R, Primc G, Đonlagić D, Vesel A. A Review of Recombination Coefficients of Neutral Oxygen Atoms for Various Materials. Materials (Basel) 2023; 16:1774. [PMID: 36902889 PMCID: PMC10004365 DOI: 10.3390/ma16051774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Relevant data on heterogeneous surface recombination of neutral oxygen atoms available in the scientific literature are reviewed and discussed for various materials. The coefficients are determined by placing the samples either in non-equilibrium oxygen plasma or its afterglow. The experimental methods used to determine the coefficients are examined and categorized into calorimetry, actinometry, NO titration, laser-induced fluorescence, and various other methods and their combinations. Some numerical models for recombination coefficient determination are also examined. Correlations are drawn between the experimental parameters and the reported coefficients. Different materials are examined and categorized according to reported recombination coefficients into catalytic, semi-catalytic, and inert materials. Measurements from the literature of the recombination coefficients for some materials are compiled and compared, along with the possible system pressure and material surface temperature dependence of the materials' recombination coefficient. A large scattering of results reported by different authors is discussed, and possible explanations are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domen Paul
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Primc
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Denis Đonlagić
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Koroska cesta 46, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Primc G, Zaplotnik R, Vesel A, Mozetič M. Mechanisms Involved in the Modification of Textiles by Non-Equilibrium Plasma Treatment. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27249064. [PMID: 36558196 PMCID: PMC9780991 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27249064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Plasma methods are often employed for the desired wettability and soaking properties of polymeric textiles, but the exact mechanisms involved in plasma-textile interactions are yet to be discovered. This review presents the fundamentals of plasma penetration into textiles and illustrates mechanisms that lead to the appropriate surface finish of fibers inside the textile. The crucial relations are provided, and the different concepts of low-pressure and atmospheric-pressure discharges useful for the modification of textile's properties are explained. The atmospheric-pressure plasma sustained in the form of numerous stochastical streamers will penetrate textiles of reasonable porosity, so the reactive species useful for the functionalization of fibers deep inside the textile will be created inside the textile. Low-pressure plasmas sustained at reasonable discharge power will not penetrate into the textile, so the depth of the modified textile is limited by the diffusion of reactive species. Since the charged particles neutralize on the textile surface, the neutral species will functionalize the fibers deep inside the textile when low-pressure plasma is chosen for the treatment of textiles.
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Vesel A, Recek N, Zaplotnik R, Kurinčič A, Kuzmič K, Zemljič LF. A Method for the Immobilization of Chitosan onto Urinary Catheters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315075. [PMID: 36499399 PMCID: PMC9736697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A method for the immobilization of an antibacterial chitosan coating to polymeric urinary medical catheters is presented. The method comprises a two-step plasma-treatment procedure, followed by the deposition of chitosan from the water solution. In the first plasma step, the urinary catheter is treated with vacuum-ultraviolet radiation to break bonds in the polymer surface film and create dangling bonds, which are occupied by hydrogen atoms. In the second plasma step, polymeric catheters are treated with atomic oxygen to form oxygen-containing surface functional groups acting as binding sites for chitosan. The presence of oxygen functional groups also causes a transformation of the hydrophobic polymer surface to hydrophilic, thus enabling uniform wetting and improved adsorption of the chitosan coating. The wettability was measured by the sessile-drop method, while the surface composition and structure were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Non-treated samples did not exhibit successful chitosan immobilization. The effect of plasma treatment on immobilization was explained by noncovalent interactions such as electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Nina Recek
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Katja Kuzmič
- Institute for Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Institute for Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Benčina M, Junkar I, Vesel A, Mozetič M, Iglič A. Nanoporous Stainless Steel Materials for Body Implants-Review of Synthesizing Procedures. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:2924. [PMID: 36079962 PMCID: PMC9457931 DOI: 10.3390/nano12172924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the inadequate biocompatibility, medical-grade stainless steel materials have been used as body implants for decades. The desired biological response of surfaces to specific applications in the body is a highly challenging task, and usually not all the requirements of a biomaterial can be achieved. In recent years, nanostructured surfaces have shown intriguing results as cell selectivity can be achieved by specific surface nanofeatures. Nanoporous structures can be fabricated by anodic oxidation, which has been widely studied for titanium and its alloys, while no systematic studies are so far available for stainless steel (SS) materials. This paper reviews the current state of the art in the anodisation of SS; correlations between the parameters of anodic oxidation and the surface morphology are drawn. The results reported by various authors are scattered because of a variety of experimental configurations. A linear correlation between the pores' diameter anodisation voltage was deduced, while no correlation with other processing parameters was found obvious. The analyses of available data indicated a lack of systematic experiments, which are recommended to understand the kinetics of pore formation and develop techniques for optimal biocompatibility of stainless steel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metka Benčina
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ita Junkar
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Iglič
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Holc M, Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Paul D, Primc G, Mozetič M, Gselman P, Recek N. Surface Modifications of Wheat Cultivar Bologna upon Treatment with Non-Equilibrium Gaseous Plasma. Plants 2022; 11:plants11121552. [PMID: 35736703 PMCID: PMC9228685 DOI: 10.3390/plants11121552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Seeds of wheat cultivar Bologna were treated with a low-pressure, inductively coupled, radio frequency oxygen plasma. E-mode and H-mode plasma at the real powers of 25 and 275 W, respectively, was used at treatment times of 0.1–300 s. Plasma affected seed surface chemistry, determined by XPS, and surface topography, visualized by SEM. The combined effects of functionalization and etching modified seed surface wettability. The water contact angle (WCA) exponentially decreased with treatment time and correlated with the product of discharge power and treatment time well. Super-hydrophilicity was seen at a few 1000 Ws, and the necessary condition was over 35 at.% of surface oxygen. Wettability also correlated well with O-atom dose, where super-hydrophilicity was seen at 1024–1025 m−2. A relatively high germination percentage was seen, up to 1000 Ws (O-atom dose 1023–1024 m−2), while seed viability remained unaffected only up to about 100 Ws. Extensively long treatments decreased germination percentage and viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Holc
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Domen Paul
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Primc
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Peter Gselman
- Interkorn Ltd., Gančani 94, 9231 Beltinci, Slovenia;
| | - Nina Recek
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (D.P.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Primc G, Mozetič M, Katan T, Kargl R, Mohan T, Kleinschek KS. Rapid Functionalization of Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) Surfaces with Nitrogen Functional Groups. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:4301. [PMID: 34960856 PMCID: PMC8708819 DOI: 10.3390/polym13244301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The biocompatibility of body implants made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is inadequate; therefore, the surface should be grafted with biocompatible molecules. Because PTFE is an inert polymer, the adhesion of the biocompatible film may not be appropriate. Therefore, the PFTE surface should be modified to enable better adhesion, preferably by functionalization with amino groups. A two-step process for functionalization of PTFE surface is described. The first step employs inductively coupled hydrogen plasma in the H-mode and the second ammonia plasma. The evolution of functional groups upon treatment with ammonia plasma in different modes is presented. The surface is saturated with nitrogen groups within a second if ammonia plasma is sustained in the H-mode at the pressure of 35 Pa and forward power of 200 W. The nitrogen-rich surface film persists for several seconds, while prolonged treatment causes etching. The etching is suppressed but not eliminated using pulsed ammonia plasma at 35 Pa and 200 W. Ammonia plasma in the E-mode at the same pressure, but forward power of 25 W, causes more gradual functionalization and etching was not observed even at prolonged treatments up to 100 s. Detailed investigation of the XPS spectra enabled revealing the surface kinetics for all three cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.Z.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.Z.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Gregor Primc
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.Z.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.Z.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Tadeja Katan
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria; (T.K.); (R.K.); (T.M.); (K.S.K.)
| | - Rupert Kargl
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria; (T.K.); (R.K.); (T.M.); (K.S.K.)
| | - Tamilselvan Mohan
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria; (T.K.); (R.K.); (T.M.); (K.S.K.)
| | - Karin Stana Kleinschek
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria; (T.K.); (R.K.); (T.M.); (K.S.K.)
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13
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Ajdnik U, Luxbacher T, Vesel A, Štern A, Žegura B, Trček J, Fras Zemljič L. Polysaccharide-Based Bilayer Coatings for Biofilm-Inhibiting Surfaces of Medical Devices. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:4720. [PMID: 34443242 PMCID: PMC8398363 DOI: 10.3390/ma14164720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chitosan (Chi) and 77KS, a lysine-derived surfactant, form polyelectrolyte complexes that reverse their charge from positive to negative at higher 77KS concentrations, forming aggregates that have been embedded with amoxicillin (AMOX). Dispersion of this complex was used to coat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films, with an additional layer of anionic and hydrophilic hyaluronic acid (HA) as an outer adsorbate layer to enhance protein repulsion in addition to antimicrobial activity by forming a highly hydrated layer in combination with steric hindrance. The formed polysaccharide-based bilayer on PDMS was analyzed by water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface zeta (ζ)-potential. All measurements show the existence and adhesion of the two layers on the PDMS surface. Part of this study was devoted to understanding the underlying protein adsorption phenomena and identifying the mechanisms associated with biofouling. Thus, the adsorption of a mixed-protein solution (bovine serum albumin, fibrinogen, γ-globulin) on PDMS surfaces was studied to test the antifouling properties. The adsorption experiments were performed using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and showed improved antifouling properties by these polysaccharide-based bilayer coatings compared to a reference or for only one layer, i.e., the complex. This proves the benefit of a second hyaluronic acid layer. Microbiological and biocompatibility tests were also performed on real samples, i.e., silicone discs, showing the perspective of the prepared bilayer coating for medical devices such as prostheses, catheters (balloon angioplasty, intravascular), delivery systems (sheaths, implants), and stents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urban Ajdnik
- Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | | | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Alja Štern
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.Š.); (B.Ž.)
| | - Bojana Žegura
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.Š.); (B.Ž.)
| | - Janja Trček
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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14
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Korica M, Peršin Z, Fras Zemljič L, Mihajlovski K, Dojčinović B, Trifunović S, Vesel A, Nikolić T, Kostić MM. Chitosan Nanoparticles Functionalized Viscose Fabrics as Potentially Durable Antibacterial Medical Textiles. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:3762. [PMID: 34279332 PMCID: PMC8269808 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This research proposed two pretreatments of viscose fabrics: oxidation with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy radical (TEMPO) and coating with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCN), to introduce functional groups (COOH and CHO) suitable for irreversible binding of chitosan nanoparticles without and with embedded zinc (NCS and NCS + Zn, respectively) and consequently achieving washing durable antibacterial properties of the chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics. The characterizations of pretreated and chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics were performed by FTIR and XPS spectroscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy, determination of COOH and CHO groups content, and antimicrobial activity under dynamic contact conditions. Influence of pretreatments on NCS and NCS + Zn adsorption, chemical, electrokinetic, and antibacterial properties as well as morphology, and washing durability of NCS and NCS + Zn functionalized fabrics were studied and compared. Washing durability was evaluated through changes in the chitosan and zinc content, zeta potential, and antibacterial activity after 1, 3, and 5 washing cycles. Pretreatments improved washing durability of antibacterial properties of chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics. The NCS and NCS + Zn functionalized pretreated fabrics preserved antibacterial activity against S. aureus after five washing cycles, while antibacterial activity against E. coli was preserved only after one washing cycle in the case NCS + Zn functionalized pretreated viscose fabrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Korica
- Innovation Center of Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zdenka Peršin
- Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Mihajlovski
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Dojčinović
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Nikolić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana M Kostić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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15
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Recek N, Holc M, Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Gselman P, Mozetič M, Primc G. Germination of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Seeds after a Short Treatment with a Powerful RF Plasma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136672. [PMID: 34206400 PMCID: PMC8268350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), of the Etna variety, were treated with low-pressure oxygen plasma sustained by an inductively coupled radiofrequency discharge in the H-mode for a few seconds. The high-intensity treatment improved seed health in regard to fungal contamination. Additionally, it increased the wettability of the bean seeds by altering surface chemistry, as established by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and increasing surface roughness, as seen with a scanning electron microscope. The water contact angle at the seed surface dropped to immeasurably low values after a second of plasma treatment. Hydrophobic recovery within a month returned those values to no more than half of the original water contact angle, even for beans treated for the shortest time (0.5 s). Increased wettability resulted in accelerated water uptake. The treatment increased the bean radicle length, which is useful for seedling establishment in the field. These findings confirm that even a brief plasma treatment is a useful technique for the disinfection and stimulation of radicle growth. The technique is scalable to large systems due to the short treatment times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Matej Holc
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Peter Gselman
- Interkorn Ltd., Gančani 94, 9231 Beltinci, Slovenia;
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Gregor Primc
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.H.); (A.V.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (G.P.)
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16
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Karakurt I, Ozaltin K, Vargun E, Kucerova L, Suly P, Harea E, Minařík A, Štěpánková K, Lehocky M, Humpolícek P, Vesel A, Mozetic M. Controlled release of enrofloxacin by vanillin-crosslinked chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol blends. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2021; 126:112125. [PMID: 34082942 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In transdermal drug delivery applications uniform drug distribution and sustained release are of great importance to decrease the side effects. In this direction in the present research, vanillin crosslinked chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend based matrix-type transdermal system was prepared by casting and drying of aqueous solutions for local delivery of enrofloxacin (ENR) drug. Subsequently, the properties including the morphology, chemical structure, thermal behavior, tensile strength, crosslinking degree, weight uniformity, thickness, swelling and drug release of the CS-PVA blend films before and after crosslinking were characterized. In vitro drug release profiles showed the sustained release of ENR by the incorporation of vanillin as a crosslinker into the CS-PVA polymer matrix. Furthermore, the release kinetic profiles revealed that the followed mechanism for all samples was Higuchi and the increase of vanillin concentration in the blend films resulted in the change of diffusion mechanism from anomalous transport to Fickian diffusion. Overall, the obtained results suggest that the investigated vanillin crosslinked CS-PVA matrix-type films are potential candidates for transdermal drug delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilkay Karakurt
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic.
| | - Kadir Ozaltin
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic.
| | - Elif Vargun
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Kotekli, 48000 Mugla, Turkey.
| | - Liliana Kucerova
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavol Suly
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic.
| | - Evghenii Harea
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic; Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, 76001 Zlín, Czech Republic.
| | - Antonín Minařík
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic; Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, 76001 Zlín, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Štěpánková
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic.
| | - Marian Lehocky
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic; Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, 76001 Zlín, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Humpolícek
- Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic; Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, 76001 Zlín, Czech Republic.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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17
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Oseli A, Vesel A, Žagar E, Perše LS. Mechanisms of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Network Formation and Its Configuration in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alen Oseli
- Faculty for Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory of Experimental Mechanics, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva ulica 6, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova ulica 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Ema Žagar
- Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova ulica 19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Slemenik Perše
- Faculty for Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory of Experimental Mechanics, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva ulica 6, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Primc G, Mozetič M. A Review of Strategies for the Synthesis of N-Doped Graphene-Like Materials. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E2286. [PMID: 33218129 PMCID: PMC7698902 DOI: 10.3390/nano10112286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Methods for synthesizing nitrogen-doped graphene-like materials have attracted significant attention among the scientific community because of the possible applications of such materials in electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, supercapacitors and batteries, as well as nanoelectronics and sensors. The aim of this paper is to review recent advances in this scientific niche. The most common synthesis technique is nitridization of as-deposited graphene or graphene-containing carbon mesh using a non-equilibrium gaseous plasma containing nitrogen or ammonia. A variety of chemical bonds have been observed, however, it is still a challenge how to ensure preferential formation of graphitic nitrogen, which is supposed to be the most favorable. The nitrogen concentration depends on the processing conditions and is typically few at.%; however, values below 1 and up to 20 at.% have been reported. Often, huge amounts of oxygen are found as well, however, its synergistic influence on N-doped graphene is not reported. The typical plasma treatment time is several minutes. The results reported by different authors are discussed, and future needs in this scientific field are summarized. Some aspects of the characterization of graphene samples with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are presented as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.Z.); (G.P.); (M.M.)
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19
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Amornkitbamrung L, Bračič D, Bračič M, Hribernik S, Malešič J, Hirn U, Vesel A, Kleinschek KS, Kargl R, Mohan T. Comparison of Trimethylsilyl Cellulose-Stabilized Carbonate and Hydroxide Nanoparticles for Deacidification and Strengthening of Cellulose-Based Cultural Heritage. ACS Omega 2020; 5:29243-29256. [PMID: 33225155 PMCID: PMC7676302 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Herein, colloidal dispersions of alkaline nanoparticles (NPs: CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2) are stabilized by trimethylsilyl cellulose (TMSC) in hexamethyldisiloxane and employed to treat historical wood pulp paper by an effortless dip-coating technique. Both alkaline NPs exhibit high stability and no size and shape changes upon stabilization with the polymer, as shown by UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The long-term effect of NP/TMSC coatings is investigated in detail using accelerated aging. The results from the pH-test and back-titration of coated papers show a complete acid neutralization (pH ∼ 7.4) and introduction of adequate alkaline reserve even after prolonged accelerated aging. Scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared and water contact angle measurements showed the introduction of a thin and smooth hydrophobic NP/TMSC coating on the paper fibers. Acid-catalyzed desilylation of TMSC was observed by declining C-Si infrared absorbance peaks upon aging. The CaCO3 coatings are superior to Mg(OH)2 with respect to a reduced yellowing and lower cellulose degradation upon aging as shown by colorimetric measurements and degree of polymerization analysis. The tensile strength and folding endurance of coated and aged papers are improved to 200-300 and 50-70% as illustrated by tensile strength and double folding endurance measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lunjakorn Amornkitbamrung
- Renewable
Energy Business Group, Mitr Phol Bio-Power
Co., Ltd., 2 Ploenchit
Center, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, 10110 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Doris Bračič
- Laboratory
for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Matej Bračič
- Laboratory
for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Silvo Hribernik
- Laboratory
for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Institute
of Automation, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 46, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Jasna Malešič
- National
and University Library, Turjaška 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ulrich Hirn
- Institute
of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, Graz
University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 23, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department
of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Karin Stana Kleinschek
- Institute
for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems (IBioSys), Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Rupert Kargl
- Institute
for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems (IBioSys), Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Tamilselvan Mohan
- Laboratory
for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Institute
for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems (IBioSys), Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
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20
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Potrč S, Kraševac Glaser T, Vesel A, Poklar Ulrih N, Fras Zemljič L. Two-Layer Functional Coatings of Chitosan Particles with Embedded Catechin and Pomegranate Extracts for Potential Active Packaging. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1855. [PMID: 32824930 PMCID: PMC7565671 DOI: 10.3390/polym12091855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Two-layer functional coatings for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) films were developed for the active packaging concept. Prior to coating, the polymer films were activated by O2 and NH3 plasma to increase their surface free energy and to improve the binding capacity and stability of the coatings. The first layer was prepared from a macromolecular chitosan solution, while the second (upper) layer contained chitosan particles with embedded catechin or pomegranate extract. Functionalized films were analyzed physico-chemically to elemental composition using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and XPS. Further, oxygen permeability and wettability (Contact Angle) were examined. The antimicrobial properties were analyzed by the standard ISO 22196 method, while the antioxidative properties were determined with an ABTS assay. Functionalized films show excellent antioxidative and antimicrobial efficacy. A huge decrease in oxygen permeability was achieved in addition. Moreover, a desorption experiment was also performed, confirming that the migration profile of a compound from the surfaces was in accordance with the required overall migration limit. All these properties indicate the great potential of the developed active films/foils for end-uses in food packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Potrč
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (S.P.); (T.K.G.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tjaša Kraševac Glaser
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (S.P.); (T.K.G.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Nataša Poklar Ulrih
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (S.P.); (T.K.G.)
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Vesel A, Primc G. Investigation of Surface Modification of Polystyrene by a Direct and Remote Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet Treatment. Materials (Basel) 2020; 13:ma13112435. [PMID: 32466398 PMCID: PMC7321248 DOI: 10.3390/ma13112435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Localized functionalization of polymer surface with an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet was investigated at various treatment conditions. Polystyrene samples were treated with the plasma jet sustained in argon under direct or remote conditions. The two-dimensional evolution of surface wettability and the spot size of the treated area was determined systematically by measuring apparent water contact angles. Modification of surface chemistry and the formation of functional groups were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The saturation of surface wettability and functional groups was observed even after a second of treatment providing the sample was placed close to the exhaust of the discharge tube. The spot diameter of the modified area increased logarithmically with increasing treatment time. However, it decreased linearly when increasing the distance. At the edge of the glowing plasma, however, the modification of surface properties was more gradual, so even 30 s of treatment caused marginal effects. With a further increase in the distance from the edge of the glowing plasma, however, there were no further treatment effects. The results are explained by significant axial as well as radial gradients of reactive species, in particular hydroxyl radicals.
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Zaplotnik R, Vesel A. Effect of VUV Radiation on Surface Modification of Polystyrene Exposed to Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12051136. [PMID: 32429313 PMCID: PMC7284952 DOI: 10.3390/polym12051136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise tailoring of surface properties by gaseous plasma treatments remains a key scientific challenge, especially when adequate surface wettability should be laterally distributed, and sharp interfaces between hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas are desirable. The evolution of surface wettability and functional groups on polystyrene (PS) upon treatment with argon plasma jet was monitored by water contact angles and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). An array of water droplets was deposited on PS samples treated either directly by the plasma jet or only VUV radiation arising from the plasma. Rather sharp interfaces between the activated and not-affected regions were observed in both cases. The functionalization with highly-oxidized carbon functional groups, as determined by high-resolution C1s XPS spectra, was by far more efficient using the VUV radiation only. In contrast, the optimal wettability was achieved using direct plasma treatment. The results were explained by different mechanisms involved in the interaction of radiation and reactive plasma species with the polymer surface.
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Zemljič LF, Plohl O, Vesel A, Luxbacher T, Potrč S. Physicochemical Characterization of Packaging Foils Coated by Chitosan and Polyphenols Colloidal Formulations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E495. [PMID: 31941018 PMCID: PMC7014365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this research, antimicrobial polysaccharide chitosan was used as a surface coating for packaging material. The aim of our research was to establish an additive formulation of chitosan and antioxidative plant extracts as dispersion of nanoparticles. Chitosan nanoparticles with embedded thyme, rosemary and cinnamon extracts were synthesized, and characterized for this purpose. Two representative, commercially used foils, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), previously activated by UV/ozone to improve coating adhesion, were functionalized using chitosan-extracts nanoparticle dispersions. The foils were coated by two layers. A solution of macromolecular chitosan was applied onto foils as a first layer, followed by the deposition of various extracts embedded into chitosan nanoparticles that were attached as an upper layer. Since active packaging must assure bioactive efficiency at the interface with food, it is extremely important to understand the surface characteristics and phenomena of functionalized foils. The physico-chemical analyses of functionalized foils were thus comprised of surface elemental composition, surface charge, wettability, as well as surface morphology. It has been shown that coatings were applied successfully with an elemental composition, surface charge and morphology that should enable coating stability, homogeneity and consequently provide an active concept of the packaging surface in contact with food. Moreover, the wettability of foils was improved in order to minimize the anti-fogging behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Olivija Plohl
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | | | - Sanja Potrč
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (S.P.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Primc G, Mozetič M. Evolution of the Surface Wettability of PET Polymer upon Treatment with an Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12010087. [PMID: 31947830 PMCID: PMC7023642 DOI: 10.3390/polym12010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A useful technique for pre-treatment of polymers for improved biocompatibility is surface activation. A method for achieving optimal wettability at a minimal thermal load and unwanted modifications of the polymer properties is elaborated in this paper. Samples of polyethylene terephthalate polymer were exposed to an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet created by a high-impedance low-frequency discharge in wet argon. Different treatment times and distances from the end of the glowing discharge enabled detailed investigation of the evolution of surface activation. A rather fast saturation of the surface wettability over the area of the order of cm2 was observed upon direct treatment with the glowing discharge. At a distance of few mm from the glowing discharge, the activation was already two orders of magnitude lower. Further increase of the distance resulted in negligible surface effects. In the cases of a rapid activation, very sharp interphase between the activated and unaffected surface was observed and explained by peculiarities of high-impedance discharges sustained in argon with the presence of impurities of water vapor. Results obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the activation was a consequence of functionalization with oxygen functional groups.
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Mohan T, Čas A, Bračič M, Plohl O, Vesel A, Rupnik M, Zemljič LF, Rebol J. Highly Protein Repellent and Antiadhesive Polysaccharide Biomaterial Coating for Urinary Catheter Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:5825-5832. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamilselvan Mohan
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Alja Čas
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Matej Bračič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Olivija Plohl
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Maja Rupnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
- National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Prvomajska ulica 1, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
| | - Janez Rebol
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cervical and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska ulica 5, Maribor 2000, Slovenia
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Chouhan RS, Žitko G, Fajon V, Živković I, Pavlin M, Berisha S, Jerman I, Vesel A, Horvat M. A Unique Interactive Nanostructure Knitting based Passive Sampler Adsorbent for Monitoring of Hg 2+ in Water. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:s19153432. [PMID: 31387298 PMCID: PMC6696128 DOI: 10.3390/s19153432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This work reports the development of ultralight interwoven ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) nanosheets for use as a potential adsorbent in a passive sampler (PAS) designed to bind Hg2+ ions. The g-CN nanosheets were prepared from bulk g-CN synthesised via a modified high-temperature short-time (HTST) polycondensation process. The crystal structure, surface functional groups, and morphology of the g-CN nanosheets were characterised using a battery of instruments. The results confirmed that the as-synthesized product is composed of few-layered nanosheets. The adsorption efficiency of g-CN for binding Hg2+ (100 ng mL−1) in sea, river, rain, and Milli-Q quality water was 89%, 93%, 97%, and 100%, respectively, at natural pH. Interference studies found that the cations tested (Co2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Bi3+, Na+, and K+) had no significant effect on the adsorption efficiency of Hg2+. Different parameters were optimised to improve the performance of g-CN such as pH, contact time, and amount of adsorbent. Optimum conditions were pH 7, 120 min incubation time and 10 mg of nanosheets. The yield of nanosheets was 72.5%, which is higher compared to other polycondensation processes using different monomers. The g-CN sheets could also be regenerated up to eight times with only a 20% loss in binding efficiency. Overall, nano-knitted g-CN is a promising low-cost green adsorbent for use in passive samplers or as a transducing material in sensor applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuraj S Chouhan
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Žitko
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Surface Engineering, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Majda Pavlin
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Ivan Jerman
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Surface Engineering, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- Institute "Jožef Stefan", Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Glaser TK, Plohl O, Vesel A, Ajdnik U, Ulrih NP, Hrnčič MK, Bren U, Fras Zemljič L. Functionalization of Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Material Using Chitosan Nanoparticles with Incorporated Resveratrol as Potential Active Packaging. Materials (Basel) 2019; 12:E2118. [PMID: 31266201 PMCID: PMC6651377 DOI: 10.3390/ma12132118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present paper reports a novel method to improve the properties of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymer foils suitable for applications in food packaging. It relates to the adsorption of chitosan-colloidal systems onto untreated and oxygen plasma-treated foil surfaces. It is hypothesized that the first coated layer of chitosan macromolecular solution enables excellent antibacterial properties, while the second (uppermost) layer contains a network of polyphenol resveratrol, embedded into chitosan nanoparticles, which enables antioxidant and antimicrobial properties simultaneously. X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed successful binding of both coatings onto foils as confirmed by gravimetric method. In addition, both attached layers (chitosan macromolecular solution and dispersion of chitosan nanoparticles with incorporated resveratrol) onto foils reduced oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle of foils; the latter indicates good anti-fog foil properties. Reduction of both oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle is more pronounced when foils are previously activated by O2 plasma. Moreover, oxygen plasma treatment improves stability and adhesion of chitosan structured adsorbates onto PP and PE foils. Foils also exhibit over 90% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and over 77% reduction of Escherichia coli as compared to untreated foils and increase antioxidant activity for over a factor of 10. The present method may be useful in different packaging applications such as food (meat, vegetables, dairy, and bakery products) and pharmaceutical packaging, where such properties of foils are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Kraševac Glaser
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Olivija Plohl
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Teslova 30, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urban Ajdnik
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Poklar Ulrih
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Knez Hrnčič
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Urban Bren
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
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Mrlik M, Ilcikova M, Osicka J, Kutalkova E, Minarik A, Vesel A, Mosnacek J. Electrorheology of SI-ATRP-modified graphene oxide particles with poly(butyl methacrylate): effect of reduction and compatibility with silicone oil. RSC Adv 2019; 9:1187-1198. [PMID: 35517996 PMCID: PMC9059573 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra08518h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) was used to modify graphene oxide (GO) particles with poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) chains. This procedure facilitated the single-step fabrication of a hybrid material with tailored conductivity for the preparation of a suspension in silicone oil with enhanced sedimentation stability and improved electrorheological (ER) activity. PBMA was characterized using various techniques, such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis through on-line investigation of the Fourier transform infrared spectra, together with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, were successfully used to confirm GO surface modification. The ER performance was investigated using optical microscopy images and steady shear rheometry, and the mechanism of the internal chain-like structure formation was elucidated. The dielectric properties confirmed enhanced ER performance owing to an increase in relaxation strength to 1.36 and decrease in relaxation time to 5 × 10−3 s. The compatibility between GO and silicone oil was significantly influenced by covalently bonded PBMA polymer brushes on the GO surface, showing enhanced compatibility with silicone oil, which resulted in the considerably improved sedimentation stability. Furthermore, a controlled degree of reduction of the GO surface ensured that the suspension had improved ER properties. Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) was used to modify graphene oxide (GO) particles with poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) chains.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Mrlik
- Centre of Polymer Systems
- University Institute
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin
- 760 01 Zlin
- Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Ilcikova
- Centre of Polymer Systems
- University Institute
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin
- 760 01 Zlin
- Czech Republic
| | - Josef Osicka
- Centre of Polymer Systems
- University Institute
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin
- 760 01 Zlin
- Czech Republic
| | - Erika Kutalkova
- Centre of Polymer Systems
- University Institute
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin
- 760 01 Zlin
- Czech Republic
| | - Antonin Minarik
- Centre of Polymer Systems
- University Institute
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin
- 760 01 Zlin
- Czech Republic
| | | | - Jaroslav Mosnacek
- Polymer Institute
- Slovak Academy of Sciences
- 845 41 Bratislava 45
- Slovakia
- Department of Polymer Engineering
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29
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Recek N, Zhou R, Zhou R, Te'o VSJ, Speight RE, Mozetič M, Vesel A, Cvelbar U, Bazaka K, Ostrikov KK. Improved fermentation efficiency of S. cerevisiae by changing glycolytic metabolic pathways with plasma agitation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8252. [PMID: 29844402 PMCID: PMC5974074 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Production of ethanol by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a process of global importance. In these processes, productivities and yields are pushed to their maximum possible values leading to cellular stress. Transient and lasting enhancements in tolerance and performance have been obtained by genetic engineering, forced evolution, and exposure to moderate levels of chemical and/or physical stimuli, yet the drawbacks of these methods include cost, and multi-step, complex and lengthy treatment protocols. Here, plasma agitation is shown to rapidly induce desirable phenotypic changes in S. cerevisiae after a single treatment, resulting in improved conversion of glucose to ethanol. With a complex environment rich in energetic electrons, highly-reactive chemical species, photons, and gas flow effects, plasma treatment simultaneously mimics exposure to multiple environmental stressors. A single treatment of up to 10 minutes performed using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet was sufficient to induce changes in cell membrane structure, and increased hexokinase 2 activity and secondary metabolite production. These results suggest that plasma treatment is a promising strategy that can contribute to improving metabolic activity in industrial microbial strains, and thus the practicality and economics of industrial fermentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.,Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Renwu Zhou
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Rusen Zhou
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | | | - Robert E Speight
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Uros Cvelbar
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Kateryna Bazaka
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia. .,CSIRO-QUT Joint Sustainable Processes and Devices Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, P. O. Box 218, Lindfield, NSW 2070, Australia.
| | - Kostya Ken Ostrikov
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia. .,CSIRO-QUT Joint Sustainable Processes and Devices Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, P. O. Box 218, Lindfield, NSW 2070, Australia.
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Huskić M, Bolka S, Vesel A, Mozetič M, Anžlovar A, Vizintin A, Žagar E. One-step surface modification of graphene oxide and influence of its particle size on the properties of graphene oxide/epoxy resin nanocomposites. Eur Polym J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Vukušić T, Vesel A, Holc M, Ščetar M, Jambrak AR, Mozetič M. Modification of Physico-Chemical Properties of Acryl-Coated Polypropylene Foils for Food Packaging by Reactive Particles from Oxygen Plasma. Materials (Basel) 2018; 11:ma11030372. [PMID: 29510480 PMCID: PMC5872951 DOI: 10.3390/ma11030372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This investigation was focused on the influence of long-living neutral reactive oxygen species on the physico-chemical properties of acryl-coated polypropylene foils for food packaging. Reactive species were formed by passing molecular oxygen through a microwave discharge and leaking it to a processing chamber of a volume of 30 L, which was pumped by a rotary pump. The density of neutral O-atoms in the chamber was tuned by adjustment of both the effective pumping speed and the oxygen leak rate. The O-atom density was measured with a catalytic probe and was between 3 × 1018 and 5 × 1019 m−3. Commercial foils of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) coated with acrylic/ poly(vinylidene chloride) (AcPVDC) were mounted in the chamber and treated at room temperature by O atoms at various conditions, with the fluence between 1 × 1021 and 3 × 1024 m−2. The evolution of the surface wettability versus the fluence was determined by water contact angle (WCA) measurements, the formation of functional groups by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the morphology by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The WCA dropped from the initial 75° to approximately 40° after the fluence of a few 1022 m−2 and remained unchanged thereafter, except for fluences above 1024 m−2, where the WCA dropped to approximately 30°. XPS and AFM results allowed for drawing correlations between the wettability, surface composition, and morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislava Vukušić
- Department of Food Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (T.V.); (M.Š.); (A.R.J.)
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Matej Holc
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Mario Ščetar
- Department of Food Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (T.V.); (M.Š.); (A.R.J.)
| | - Anet Režek Jambrak
- Department of Food Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (T.V.); (M.Š.); (A.R.J.)
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-477-3405
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Resnik M, Zaplotnik R, Mozetic M, Vesel A. Comparison of SF₆ and CF₄ Plasma Treatment for Surface Hydrophobization of PET Polymer. Materials (Basel) 2018; 11:ma11020311. [PMID: 29466293 PMCID: PMC5849008 DOI: 10.3390/ma11020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The fluorination of the polymer polyethylene terephthalate in plasma created from SF6 or CF4 gas at various pressures was investigated. The surface was analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements, whereas the plasma was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy. The extent of the polymer surface fluorination was dependent on the pressure. Up to a threshold pressure, the amount of fluorine on the polymer surface and the surface hydrophobicity were similar, which was explained by the full dissociation of the SF6 and CF4 gases, leading to high concentrations of fluorine radicals in the plasma and thus causing the saturation of the polymer surface with fluorine functional groups. Above the threshold pressure, the amount of fluorine on the polymer surface significantly decreased, whereas the oxygen concentration increased, leading to the formation of the hydrophilic surface. This effect, which was more pronounced for the SF6 plasma, was explained by the electronegativity of both gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Resnik
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Stoleru E, Zaharescu T, Hitruc EG, Vesel A, Ioanid EG, Coroaba A, Safrany A, Pricope G, Lungu M, Schick C, Vasile C. Lactoferrin-Immobilized Surfaces onto Functionalized PLA Assisted by the Gamma-Rays and Nitrogen Plasma to Create Materials with Multifunctional Properties. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:31902-31915. [PMID: 27933972 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b09069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Both cold nitrogen radiofrequency plasma and gamma irradiation have been applied to activate and functionalize the polylactic acid (PLA) surface and the subsequent lactoferrin immobilization. Modified films were comparatively characterized with respect to the procedure of activation and also with unmodified sample by water contact angle measurements, mass loss, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and chemiluminescence measurements. All modified samples exhibit enhanced surface properties mainly those concerning biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, and furthermore, they are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Lactoferrin deposited layer by covalent coupling using carbodiimide chemistry showed a good stability. It was found that the lactoferrin-modified PLA materials present significantly increased oxidative stability. Gamma-irradiated samples and lactoferrin-functionalized samples show higher antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cell proliferation activity than plasma-activated and lactoferrin-functionalized ones. The multifunctional materials thus obtained could find application as biomaterials or as bioactive packaging films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Stoleru
- "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
| | - Traian Zaharescu
- National Institute for R&D in Electrical Engineering , Bucharest 030138, Romania
| | - Elena Gabriela Hitruc
- "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Emil G Ioanid
- "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
| | - Adina Coroaba
- "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
| | - Agnes Safrany
- Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna 1400, Austria
| | - Gina Pricope
- Veterinary and Food Safety Laboratory, Food Safety Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
| | - Maria Lungu
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences , Bucharest 060031, Romania
| | - Christoph Schick
- Universität Rostock, Institut für Physik , Rostock 18059, Germany
| | - Cornelia Vasile
- "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department, Iasi 700487, Romania
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Recek N, Andjelić S, Hojnik N, Filipič G, Lazović S, Vesel A, Primc G, Mozetič M, Hawlina M, Petrovski G, Cvelbar U. Microplasma Induced Cell Morphological Changes and Apoptosis of Ex Vivo Cultured Human Anterior Lens Epithelial Cells - Relevance to Capsular Opacification. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165883. [PMID: 27832099 PMCID: PMC5104483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inducing selective or targeted cell apoptosis without affecting large number of neighbouring cells remains a challenge. A plausible method for treatment of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) due to remaining lens epithelial cells (LECs) by reactive chemistry induced by localized single electrode microplasma discharge at top of a needle-like glass electrode with spot size ~3 μm is hereby presented. The focused and highly-localized atmospheric pressure microplasma jet with electrode discharge could induce a dose-dependent apoptosis in selected and targeted individual LECs, which could be confirmed by real-time monitoring of the morphological and structural changes at cellular level. Direct cell treatment with microplasma inside the medium appeared more effective in inducing apoptosis (caspase 8 positivity and DNA fragmentation) at a highly targeted cell level compared to treatment on top of the medium (indirect treatment). Our results show that single cell specific micropipette plasma can be used to selectively induce demise in LECs which remain in the capsular bag after cataract surgery and thus prevent their migration (CXCR4 positivity) to the posterior lens capsule and PCO formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sofija Andjelić
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
| | - Nataša Hojnik
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Filipič
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Saša Lazović
- Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Primc
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Hawlina
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Centre of Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Uroš Cvelbar
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Recek N, Primc G, Vesel A, Mozetic M, Avila J, Razado-Colambo I, Asensio MC. Degradation of Albumin on Plasma-Treated Polystyrene by Soft X-ray Exposure. Polymers (Basel) 2016; 8:polym8070244. [PMID: 30974519 PMCID: PMC6431894 DOI: 10.3390/polym8070244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Thin films of human serum albumin (HSA) were immobilized on polystyrene (PS) substrates previously functionalized either with polar or nonpolar functional groups. The functionalization was performed by treatment with cold gaseous plasma created in pure oxygen and tetrafluoromethane (CF4) plasmas, respectively. Samples were examined with soft X-rays in the photon energy range of 520 to 710 eV in the ANTARES beam line at SOLEIL Synchrotron. NEXAFS spectra of O K-edge and F K-edge were collected at different spots of the sample, and measurements at each spot were repeated many times. A strong degradation of the HSA protein was observed. The weakly irradiated samples exhibited strong absorption at 531.5 eV associated with the O 1s→π*amide transitions, and a broad non distinctive peak at 540 eV was attributed to the O 1s→σ*C–O transitions. Both peaks decreased with increasing irradiation time until they were completely replaced by a broad non-distinctive peak at around 532 eV, indicating the destruction of the original protein conformation. The shortage of the amide groups indicated breakage of the peptide bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Primc
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - José Avila
- Synchrotron-SOLEIL & Université Paris-Saclay, Saint-Aubin, BP48, Gif sur Yvette Cedex F91192, France.
| | - Ivy Razado-Colambo
- Synchrotron-SOLEIL & Université Paris-Saclay, Saint-Aubin, BP48, Gif sur Yvette Cedex F91192, France.
| | - Maria C Asensio
- Synchrotron-SOLEIL & Université Paris-Saclay, Saint-Aubin, BP48, Gif sur Yvette Cedex F91192, France.
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Modic M, Mozetic M. Hemocompatibility properties of a polymer surface treated in plasma containing sulfur. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.5965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute; Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute; Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Martina Modic
- Jozef Stefan Institute; Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Jozef Stefan Institute; Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Vesel A, Kovac J, Primc G, Junkar I, Mozetic M. Effect of H₂S Plasma Treatment on the Surface Modification of a Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface. Materials (Basel) 2016; 9:ma9020095. [PMID: 28787895 PMCID: PMC5456499 DOI: 10.3390/ma9020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
H2S plasma created by an electrode-less radio-frequency discharge was used to modify the surface properties of the polymer polyethylene terephthalate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy were used to determine the evolution of the surface functionalities and morphology. A very thin film of chemically bonded sulfur formed on the surface within the first 10 s of treatment, whereas treatment for more than 20 s caused deposition of higher quantities of unbonded sulfur. The sulfur concentration reached a maximum of between 40 and 80 s of plasma treatment; at longer treatment times, the unbonded sulfur vanished, indicating instability of the deposited sulfur layer. Large differences in the surface morphology were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Department of surface engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Janez Kovac
- Department of surface engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Primc
- Department of surface engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Ita Junkar
- Department of surface engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Department of surface engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Kolar M, Mozetič M, Stana-Kleinschek K, Fröhlich M, Turk B, Vesel A. Covalent Binding of Heparin to Functionalized PET Materials for Improved Haemocompatibility. Materials (Basel) 2015; 8:1526-1544. [PMID: 28788016 PMCID: PMC5507051 DOI: 10.3390/ma8041526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The hemocompatibility of vascular grafts made from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is insufficient due to the rapid adhesion and activation of blood platelets that occur upon incubation with whole blood. PET polymer was treated with NHx radicals created by passing ammonia through gaseous plasma formed by a microwave discharge, which allowed for functionalization with amino groups. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization using derivatization with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde indicated that approximately 4% of the –NH2 groups were associated with the PET surface after treatment with the gaseous radicals. The functionalized polymers were coated with an ultra-thin layer of heparin and incubated with fresh blood. The free-hemoglobin technique, which is based on the haemolysis of erythrocytes, indicated improved hemocompatibility, which was confirmed by imaging the samples using confocal optical microscopy. A significant decrease in number of adhered platelets was observed on such samples. Proliferation of both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human microvascular endothelial cells was enhanced on treated polymers, especially after a few hours of cell seeding. Thus, the technique represents a promising substitute for wet-chemical modification of PET materials prior to coating with heparin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metod Kolar
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Plasma Laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Karin Stana-Kleinschek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, Maribor 2000, Slovenia.
| | - Mirjam Fröhlich
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Institute Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
- Educell Ltd., Prevale 9, Trzin 1236, Slovenia.
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Institute Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Plasma Laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Recek N, Cheng X, Keidar M, Cvelbar U, Vesel A, Mozetic M, Sherman J. Effect of cold plasma on glial cell morphology studied by atomic force microscopy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119111. [PMID: 25803024 PMCID: PMC4372419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The atomic force microscope (AFM) is broadly used to study the morphology of cells. The morphological characteristics and differences of the cell membrane between normal human astrocytes and glial tumor cells are not well explored. Following treatment with cold atmospheric plasma, evaluation of the selective effect of plasma on cell viability of tumor cells is poorly understood and requires further evaluation. Using AFM we imaged morphology of glial cells before and after cold atmospheric plasma treatment. To look more closely at the effect of plasma on cell membrane, high resolution imaging was used. We report the differences between normal human astrocytes and human glioblastoma cells by considering the membrane surface details. Our data, obtained for the first time on these cells using atomic force microscopy, argue for an architectural feature on the cell membrane, i.e. brush layers, different in normal human astrocytes as compared to glioblastoma cells. The brush layer disappears from the cell membrane surface of normal E6/E7 cells and is maintained in the glioblastoma U87 cells after plasma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Recek
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Plasma laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Xiaoqian Cheng
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Michael Keidar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Uros Cvelbar
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Plasma laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Plasma laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Plasma laboratory, Institute Jozef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jonathan Sherman
- Department of Neurosurgery, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
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Velkova N, Doliška A, Fras Zemljič L, Vesel A, Saake B, Strnad S. Influence of carboxymethylation on the surface physical-chemical properties of glucuronoxylan and arabinoxylan films. POLYM ENG SCI 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.24059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleš Doliška
- Frutarom Etol d.o.o.; Škofja vas 39 SI-3211 Škofja vas Slovenia
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, University of Maribor; 2000 Maribor Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana; SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Bodo Saake
- Chemical Wood Technology; Department of Wood Science; University of Hamburg; 21031 Hamburg Germany
| | - Simona Strnad
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, University of Maribor; 2000 Maribor Slovenia
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Recek N, Mozetic M, Jaganjac M, Milkovic L, Zarkovic N, Vesel A. Adsorption of Proteins and Cell Adhesion to Plasma Treated Polymer Substrates. INT J POLYM MATER PO 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2013.854243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Vesel A, Kolar M, Stana-Kleinschek K, Mozetic M. Etching rates of blood proteins, blood plasma and polymer in oxygen afterglow of microwave plasma. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.5394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Plasma Laboratory; Institute Jozef Stefan; Jamova 39 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Metod Kolar
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School; Jamova 39 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Karin Stana-Kleinschek
- Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; University of Maribor; Smetanova 17 SI-2000 Maribor Slovenia
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Plasma Laboratory; Institute Jozef Stefan; Jamova 39 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Peršin Z, Maver U, Pivec T, Maver T, Vesel A, Mozetič M, Stana-Kleinschek K. Novel cellulose based materials for safe and efficient wound treatment. Carbohydr Polym 2014; 100:55-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.03.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Jaganjac M, Vesel A, Milkovic L, Recek N, Kolar M, Zarkovic N, Latiff A, Kleinschek KS, Mozetic M. Oxygen-rich coating promotes binding of proteins and endothelialization of polyethylene terephthalate polymers. J Biomed Mater Res A 2013; 102:2305-14. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 07/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morana Jaganjac
- Toxicology and Multipurpose; Anti Doping Lab Qatar; Doha State of Qatar
- Divison Molecular Medicine; Rudjer Boskovic Institute; 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Plasma Laboratory; Jozef Stefan Institute; 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Lidija Milkovic
- Divison Molecular Medicine; Rudjer Boskovic Institute; 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Nina Recek
- Plasma Laboratory; Jozef Stefan Institute; 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Metod Kolar
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor; 2000 Maribor Slovenia
| | - Neven Zarkovic
- Divison Molecular Medicine; Rudjer Boskovic Institute; 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Aishah Latiff
- Toxicology and Multipurpose; Anti Doping Lab Qatar; Doha State of Qatar
| | | | - Miran Mozetic
- Plasma Laboratory; Jozef Stefan Institute; 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Peršin Z, Devetak M, Drevenšek-Olenik I, Vesel A, Mozetič M, Stana-Kleinschek K. The study of plasma's modification effects in viscose used as an absorbent for wound-relevant fluids. Carbohydr Polym 2013; 97:143-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Mozetic M. Inductively coupled oxygen plasma in H mode for removal of carbon from mixed a-C:H, W films. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2013.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Pâslaru E, Fras Zemljic L, Bračič M, Vesel A, Petrinić I, Vasile C. Stability of a chitosan layer deposited onto a polyethylene surface. J Appl Polym Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/app.39329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pâslaru
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry; Physical Chemistry of Polymers Department; 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley; 700487; Iasi; Romania
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljic
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering; University of Maribor; Smetanova Ulica 17; SI-2000; Maribor; Slovenia
| | - Matej Bračič
- Institute for Textile Chemistry; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers; University of Maribor; Smetanova Ulica 17; SI-2000; Maribor; Slovenia
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute; Jamova 39; 1000; Ljubljana; Slovenia
| | - Irena Petrinić
- Center of Excellence for Polymer Materials and Technologies; Tehnološki Park 24; 1000; Ljubljana; Slovenia
| | - Cornelia Vasile
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry; Physical Chemistry of Polymers Department; 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley; 700487; Iasi; Romania
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Merchan M, Sedlarikova J, Vesel A, Machovsky M, Sedlarik V, Saha P. Antimicrobial Silver Nitrate-doped Polyvinyl Chloride Cast Films: Influence of Solvent on Morphology and Mechanical Properties. INT J POLYM MATER PO 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2012.670821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Vesel A, Zaplotnik R, Iacono J, Balat-Pichelin M, Mozetic M. A catalytic sensor for measurement of radical density in CO2 plasmas. Sensors (Basel) 2012; 12:16168-81. [PMID: 23443372 PMCID: PMC3571776 DOI: 10.3390/s121216168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A catalytic sensor for the measurement of radical density in weakly ionized CO2 plasmas, created in a low-pressure electrodeless discharge, is presented. The CO2 plasma was created in a 4 cm wide borosilicate glass tube inside a copper coil connected to a radio frequency generator operating at 27.12 MHz with a nominal power of 250 W. The dissociation fraction of the CO2 molecules was measured in the early afterglow at pressures ranging from 10 Pa to 100 Pa, and at distances of up to 35 cm along the gas stream from the glowing plasma. The radical density peaked (2 × 1020 m−3) at 80 Pa. The density quickly decreased with increasing distance from the glowing plasma despite a rather large drift velocity. The dissociation fraction showed similar behavior, except that the maximum was obtained at somewhat lower pressure. The results were explained by rather intense surface recombination of radicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Vesel
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; E-Mails: (A.V.); (R.Z.)
| | - Rok Zaplotnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; E-Mails: (A.V.); (R.Z.)
| | - Jonathan Iacono
- PROMES-CNRS Laboratory, 7 rue du Four Solaire, 66120 Font-Romeu Odeillo, France; E-Mails: (J.I.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Marianne Balat-Pichelin
- PROMES-CNRS Laboratory, 7 rue du Four Solaire, 66120 Font-Romeu Odeillo, France; E-Mails: (J.I.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Miran Mozetic
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; E-Mails: (A.V.); (R.Z.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +386-1-477-3516; Fax: +386-1-477-3440
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Tkavc T, Vesel A, Acero EH, Fras Zemljič L. Comparison of oxygen plasma and cutinase effect on polyethylene terephthalate surface. J Appl Polym Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/app.38526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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