Article
Chemistry, Applied
Aoi Nakashima, Kaho Kohori, Kazuya Yamamoto, Jun-ichi Kadokawa
Summary: Chitin hexanoate-graft-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (ChHex-g-PCL) was found to be thermoplastic, and the thermoplasticity was confirmed by the formation of a melt-pressed film. Chitin hexanoates were prepared by hexanoylation of chitin and then the surface-initiated ring-opening graft polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone was conducted to graft PCL chains onto the hydroxy groups of chitin hexanoates. The molar substitution and degree of polymerization of the PCL graft chains were influenced by the catalyst, reaction time, and degree of substitution.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Victoria J. Barber, Meredith A. Borden, Jill W. Alty, Ly D. Tran, Hilmar Koerner, Luke A. Baldwin, Erik J. Alexanian, Frank A. Leibfarth
Summary: There is an increasing demand for degradable polymers in sustainable plastics and medical implants. To improve their usability, it is necessary to have a better understanding of degradation factors and develop new tools for modulation. In this study, poly(caprolactone) was modified through C-H xanthylation, resulting in changes in material properties and slower degradation. The interplay between molecular and materials characteristics was found to impact the degradation rate.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Reyhan Ozdogan Tasci, Mehmet Arslan, Mehmet Atilla Tasdelen
Summary: Utilizing click chemistry for the fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites shows great promise in improving the structure-property relationship of materials. This study successfully prepared poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites via Diels-Alder click reaction, demonstrating excellent performance.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Karolis Norinkevicius, Jeppe Madsen, Line Elmstrom Christiansen, Sebastian Meier, Andreas Horner, Radoslaw Gorecki, Torsten Hoybye Bak Regueira, Anders Egede Daugaard
Summary: The synthesis of block copolymers based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) was reported. PEG-b-PCL diblock copolymers were prepared using enzymatic and tin-mediated ring-opening polymerization. Well-defined PEG-b-PCL-b-PEG triblock copolymers were synthesized through the coupling of PEG-b-PCL diblock copolymers. The aggregation behavior of diblock and triblock copolymers was studied using a direct hydration technique. The inclusion of amine-functional diblock copolymer favored cylindrical micelle formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eloy Rodriguez-deLeon, Moustapha Bah, Jose E. Baez, Maria T. Hernandez-Sierra, Karla J. Moreno, Alejandro Nunez-Vilchis, Jose Bonilla-Cruz, Kenneth J. Shea
Summary: In this study, three xanthophylls were used for the first time as initiators in the synthesis of sustainable xanthophyll-containing poly(epsilon-caprolactone). The obtained polyesters were characterized and evaluated for their use as additives in green lubricants. The results showed that xanthophylls-PCL exhibited better tribological behavior than current additives, indicating their potential as future commercial materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Charalampos Pronoitis, Minna Hakkarainen, Karin Odelius
Summary: By rational design of the microstructure of PHUs and utilizing solubility as an enabling tool, complex architectures can be realized with benign reagents and atom-economical reactions, without harsh reaction conditions and solvents. This approach expands the synthetic intricacy for PHUs and could potentially broaden their applications and opportunities in the future.
Article
Polymer Science
Rodolfo M. de Moraes, Layde T. de Carvalho, Ana Julia R. M. Teixeira, Simone F. Medeiros, Amilton M. dos Santos
Summary: In this study, thermosensitive micelles were prepared using amphiphilic copolymers as potential candidates for drug delivery systems. The influence of PNIPAAm and PCL segmental lengths on the capacity of micelles formation was investigated. The polymers were characterized for their chemical composition, molecular weight, thermal and crystallinity properties. It was found that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the copolymers and the critical solution temperature (LCST) of the micelles increased with the increase in PNIPAAm segmental length, while decreased with the increase in PCL segmental length. Additionally, the size of the micelles increased with the increase of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments.
IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evi Christodoulou, Maria Notopoulou, Eirini Nakiou, Margaritis Kostoglou, Panagiotis Barmpalexis, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Summary: This study evaluates the use of novel branched poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)-based copolymers for the preparation of anticancer nanoparticle (NP)-based formulations. The NP formulations prepared using oil-in-water emulsion showed small size, high encapsulation efficiency, and enhanced drug dissolution rate and solubility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Shengmiao Zhang, Pan Zhou, Yan Sun, Yun Zhu, Ka Zhang
Summary: In this study, tough and recyclable PS based polyHIPEs were prepared using 4-vinyl-arm star-shaped poly (e-caprolactone) as the cross-linker, showing improved mechanical properties and 3 times higher impact strength compared to traditional PS/DVB cross-linked PolyHIPEs. By removing the cross-linker, the PolyHIPEs can be recycled, and they exhibit excellent oil absorption performance when used as oil absorbents.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Krzysztof Kaluzynski, Julia Pretula, Piotr Lewinski, Slawomir Kazmierski, Stanislaw Penczek
Summary: Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and polylactide are biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, with existing methods of functionalization based on copolymerization or introducing special end groups. This study presents a method where special end groups are introduced through chain polymerization to achieve functionalization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pancy Ang, Srinivasa Reddy Mothe, Lohitha Rao Chennamaneni, Farhan Aidil, Hsien Hui Khoo, Praveen Thoniyot
Summary: PCL synthesis methods were compared, with the low-temperature acid-catalyzed Route A showing more power-efficient and less hazardous properties compared to Routes B and C. Route A demonstrated significant reductions in environmental impacts and is considered the most environmentally sustainable method for PCL production.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Lidong Feng, Sheng Xiang, Yanlong Liu, Xinchao Bian, Gao Li, Xuesi Chen
Summary: An analytical method using gas chromatography with an internal standard was developed to quantitatively determine residual monomers in PLCL, which showed high precision with RSD less than 5.6% and 4.3% for LA and CL measurements, respectively. The recovery rate of standard addition for LA and CL in PLCL was between 96.5%-101.5% and 98.4%-104.2%, with RSD not exceeding 2.0%, indicating the method was sufficiently accurate.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Keziban Huner
Summary: Conductive polymers (P3ANA and PEDOT:PSS) were mixed with biocompatible and biodegradable PCL to prepare electrospun nanofibers. The nanofibers containing 10% P3ANA showed the highest antioxidant activity and were non-toxic to cells. The nanofiber with the highest amount of P3ANA also had a higher anodic current value than other P3ANA nanofibers.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Rezvan Mohamadinooripoor, Soheila Kashanian, Kobra Omidfar
Summary: Electrospun composite mats of PCL/PEE were used to fabricate PCL-PEE sutures with desirable mechanical and antibacterial properties. The sutures showed promising characteristics including sustained drug release, high tensile strength, antifungal effects, and accelerated wound healing.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hongwen Sun, Jiachun Feng
Summary: The study investigated the nucleation effect of the synthesized nucleating agent Ca-HHPA on PCL by different thermal treatments. The results showed that Ca-HHPA80-200 had a significantly improved nucleation efficiency compared to Ca-HHPA80 under similar dosages.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nedjma Tazibt, Mustapha Kaci, Nadjet Dehouche, Mohamed Ragoubi, Leonard Ionut Atanase
Summary: The effect of hydroxyapatite (HAp) synthesized by the chemical precipitation process on the morphology and properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites was investigated. It was found that the addition of 5 wt% HAp led to a slight improvement in the thermal stability and tensile properties of the composite material compared to neat PLA and other composite samples. The study also highlighted the potential use of HAp as a reinforcement in PLA composite materials.
Review
Polymer Science
Maria Celina Sanchez-Cervino, Codrin Paul Fuioaga, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Gustavo A. A. Abraham, Guadalupe Rivero
Summary: The development of accurate drug delivery systems is a major challenge in the biomedical field. Various structures have been proposed as carriers for bioactive agents, with the goals of precision in administration and dosage, safety, and bioavailability. This review discusses the use of electrohydrodynamic techniques for the immobilization and synthesis of vesicles in a non-conventional way. The state of the art, advantages and limitations of electrospun and electrosprayed amphiphilic structures as precursor templates, and the perspectives and challenges of combined strategies for advanced drug delivery systems are analyzed.
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anca N. Cadinoiu, Marcel Popa
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eva Hlavatovicova, Roberto Fernandez-Alvarez, Katarzyna Bys, Sami Kereiche, Tarun K. Mandal, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Miroslav Stepanek, Mariusz Uchman
Summary: Stimuli-responsive copolymers were synthesized by post-polymerization quaternization of a poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) block of a triblock terpolymer. Stable micelles were prepared using a self-assembly protocol, and their characterization was performed using light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The encapsulation and release of a model drug were studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy, showing selective response to specific geminal diols. This study presents a reproducible method for preparing stimuli-responsive systems with potential for targeted drug delivery, especially for cancer treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Delia Mihaela Rata, Anca Niculina Cadinoiu, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Gabriela Calin (Mihalache), Marcel Popa
Summary: In this study, Dexamethasone-loaded carboxylated chitosan (CCS)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based microcapsules were prepared for inhalation administration in the treatment of lung diseases. The crosslinking between PVA and CCS was activated by DMT-MM and the FTIR results confirmed the formation of ester bonds. The size of the microcapsules was affected by the ratio between the polymers and the concentration of the DMT-MM activator. The amount of PVA in the system significantly influenced various properties, such as swelling degree, encapsulation efficiency, drug release, biodegradation, and protein adsorption. The microcapsules exhibited controlled and sustained drug release and were hemocompatible.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohamed Ragoubi, Morgan Lecoublet, Mehdi Khennache, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Christophe Poilane, Nathalie Leblanc
Summary: This study investigates the effect of retting on the mechanical properties of flax biobased materials. It is found that the retting level affects the smoothness and individualization of technical fibers, leading to a decrease in ultimate modulus and maximum stress. Additionally, the retting process results in biochemical alterations and an increase in the elastic modulus of biocomposites. The porosity content also increases with fiber content, and the optimized processing protocol allows for the highest fiber fraction with the lowest porosity.
Article
Polymer Science
Fathia Rahmani, Omar Larbi Bouamrane, Amina Ben Bouabdallah, Leonard I. Atanase, Abdelkader Hellal, Aurelian Nichita Apintiliesei
Summary: Chitosan films coated with calcium phosphate were studied to mimic the formation of nanohydroxyapatite. Various testing methods confirmed the induction and control of the calcium phosphate coating. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the phosphorylated derivatives of chitosan was evaluated, showing potential use as dental substitute materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Elena Simona Bacaita, Delia Mihaela Rata, Anca Niculina Cadinoiu, Vlad Ghizdovat, Maricel Agop, Alina-Costina Luca
Summary: The present study examines the drug release process from nanoparticles and its inclusion in cream-type formulations. The cream allows for targeted delivery of the drug to tumor epithelial cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment effectiveness. The process of obtaining these formulations is simple and reproducible. The theoretical model considers the system as complex, utilizing multifractal dimensions and functions to analyze microscopic characteristics and system complexity.
Article
Polymer Science
Katherina Fernandez, Aylen Llanquileo, Monserrat Bustos, Valentina Aedo, Isleidy Ruiz, Sebastian Carrasco, Mauricio Tapia, Miguel Pereira, Manuel F. Melendrez, Claudio Aguayo, Leonard I. Atanase
Summary: A conductive composite material for wound dressing was developed using graphene oxide (GO), nanocellulose (CNF), and tannins (TA) reduced with polydopamine (PDA). The composite material was characterized using SEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and TGA, and its conductivity, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and in vitro wound healing were evaluated. Successful physical interaction between CNF, TA, and GO was achieved. Increasing CNF amount improved the strength, cytotoxicity, and wound healing performance, while reducing thermal properties, surface charge, and conductivity. Slight reduction in cell viability and migration was observed with TA incorporation, possibly due to dosage and chemical composition. However, the in vitro results demonstrated the potential of these composite materials for wound healing.
Article
Polymer Science
Iulia Babutan, Otto Todor-Boer, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Adriana Vulpoi, Ioan Botiz
Summary: In this study, we utilized solvent vapor annealing as a polymer processing method to condense a large amount of solvent vapors onto thin films of block copolymers, promoting their self-assembly into ordered nanostructures. Atomic force microscopy revealed the successful generation of a periodic lamellar morphology of poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-polybutadiene and an ordered morphology comprised of hexagonally-packed structures made of poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) on solid substrates.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Iulia Babutan, Otto Todor-Boer, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Adriana Vulpoi, Ioan Botiz
Summary: In this study, a solvent vapor annealing method was used to swell and promote the crystallization of thin films of polybutadiene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers. It was found that thin films with a short poly(ethylene oxide) block were unable to crystallize without swelling, while films with a longer poly(ethylene oxide) block could crystallize both before and after swelling in solvent vapors.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Delia Mihaela Rata, Anca Niculina Cadinoiu, Oana Maria Daraba, Luiza Madalina Gradinaru, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Daniela Luminita Ichim
Summary: This study successfully prepared a new antibiocomposite hydrogel with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties for accelerating burn wound healing. The incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles into the hydrogel influenced its morphology and swelling behavior, and exhibited some cytotoxic effects. However, hydrogels containing zinc oxide nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity.
