Graphene scavenges free radicals to synergistically enhance structural properties in a gamma-irradiated polyethylene composite through enhanced interfacial interactions

A unique strategy for scavenging free radicals in situ on exposure to gamma irradiation in polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites is presented. Blends of ultra-high molecular weight PE and linear low-density PE (PEB) and their nanocomposites with graphene (GPEB) were prepared by melt mixing to develop materials for biomedical implants. The effect of gamma irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties was systematically investigated. The neat blend and the nanocomposite were subjected to gamma-ray irradiation in order to improve the interfacial adhesion between PE and graphene sheets. Structural and thermal characterization revealed that irradiation induced crosslinking and increased the crystallinity of the polymer blend. The presence of graphene further enhanced the crystallinity via crosslinks between the polymer matrix and the filler on irradiation. Graphene was found to scavenge free radicals as confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Irradiation of graphene-containing polymer composites resulted in the largest increase in modulus and hardness compared to either irradiation or addition of graphene to PEB alone. This study provides new insight into the role of graphene in polymer matrices during irradiation and suggests that irradiated graphene-polymer composites could emerge as promising materials for use as articulating surfaces in biomedical implants.

Stimuli-responsive weak polyelectrolyte multilayer films: A thin film platform for self triggered multi-drug delivery

Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) thin film composed of weak polyelectrolytes was designed by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) for multi-drug delivery applications. Environmental stimuli such as pH and ionic strength showed significant influence in changing the film morphology from pore-free smooth structure to porous structure and favored triggered release of loaded molecules. The film was successfully loaded with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CH) by modulating the porous polymeric network of the film. Release studies showed that the amount of release could be easily controlled by changing the environmental conditions such as pH and ionic strength. Sustained release of loaded molecules was observed up to 8 h. The fabricated films were found to be biocompatible with epithelial cells during in-vitro cell culture studies. PEM film reported here not only has the potential to be used as self-responding thin film platform for transdermal drug delivery, but also has the potential for further development in antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory coatings on implants and drug-releasing coatings for stents. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enzymatic degradation of polycaprolactone-gelatin blend

Blends of polycaprolactone (PCL), a synthetic polymer and gelatin, natural polymer offer a optimal combination of strength, water wettability and cytocompatibility for use as a resorbable biomaterial. The enzymatic degradation of PCL, gelatin and PCL-gelatin blended films was studied in the presence of lipase (Novozym 435, immobilized) and lysozyme. Novozym 435 degraded the PCL films whereas lysozyme degraded the gelatin. Though Novozym 435 and lysozyme individually could degrade PCL-gelatin blended films, the combination of these enzymes showed the highest degradation of these blended films. Moreover, the enzymatic degradation was much faster when fresh enzymes were added at regular intervals. The changes in physico-chemical properties of polymer films due to degradation were studied by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. These results have important implications for designing resorbable biomedical implants.

Enzymatic degradation of polycaprolactone-gelatin blend

Blends of polycaprolactone (PCL), a synthetic polymer and gelatin, natural polymer offer a optimal combination of strength, water wettability and cytocompatibility for use as a resorbable biomaterial. The enzymatic degradation of PCL, gelatin and PCL-gelatin blended films was studied in the presence of lipase (Novozym 435, immobilized) and lysozyme. Novozym 435 degraded the PCL films whereas lysozyme degraded the gelatin. Though Novozym 435 and lysozyme individually could degrade PCL-gelatin blended films, the combination of these enzymes showed the highest degradation of these blended films. Moreover, the enzymatic degradation was much faster when fresh enzymes were added at regular intervals. The changes in physico-chemical properties of polymer films due to degradation were studied by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. These results have important implications for designing resorbable biomedical implants.

3D scaffold alters cellular response to graphene in a polymer composite for orthopedic applications

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites are being studied for biomedical applications. Polymer nanocomposites can be processed differently to generate planar two-dimensional (2D) substrates and porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. The objective of this work was to investigate potential differences in biological response to graphene in polymer composites in the form of 2D substrates and 3D scaffolds. Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating 1% of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). GO increased modulus and strength of PCL by 44 and 22% respectively, whereas RGO increased modulus and strength by 22 and 16%, respectively. RGO increased the water contact angle of PCL from 81 degrees to 87 degrees whereas GO decreased it to 77 degrees. In 2D, osteoblast proliferated 15% more on GO composites than on PCL whereas RGO composite showed 17% decrease in cell proliferation, which may be attributed to differences in water wettability. In 3D, initial cell proliferation was markedly retarded in both GO (36% lower) and RGO (55% lower) composites owing to increased roughness due to the presence of the protruding nanoparticles. Cells organized into aggregates in 3D in contrast to spread and randomly distributed cells on 2D discs due to the macro-porous architecture of the scaffolds. Increased cell-cell contact and altered cellular morphology led to significantly higher mineralization in 3D. This study demonstrates that the cellular response to nanoparticles in composites can change markedly by varying the processing route and has implications for designing orthopedic implants such as resorbable fracture fixation devices and tissue scaffolds using such nanocomposites. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 732-749, 2016.

Wear Studies of Hydroxyapatite Composite Coating Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully introduced into hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings using laser surface alloying. It is evident from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations that the CNTs present in the matrix still keep their multi-walled cylinder graphic structure, although they undergo the laser irradiation. Scratching test results indicated that the as-alloyed HA composite coatings exhibit improved wear resistance and lower friction coefficient with increasing the amount of CNTs in the precursor material powders. These composites have potential applications in the field of coating materials for metal implants under high-load-bearing conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.