Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raasti Naseem, Giorgia Montalbano, Matthew J. German, Ana M. Ferreira, Piergiorgio Gentile, Kenneth Dalgarno
Summary: This paper explores the thermal, mechanical, and processing properties of ternary blends of PCL, PHBV, and PLLA for orthopaedic applications. The study demonstrates that blending PCL and PHBV with PLLA can improve the modulus, strength, and elongation at break of the materials, with PHBV having the greatest impact on the modulus and strength, and PCL affecting creep behavior and viscosity.
Article
Polymer Science
Hedayatollah Sadegh Ghari, Hossein Nazockdast
Summary: The toughening efficiency of differently plasticized thermoplastic starches in PLA/TPS blend was studied. The addition of citric acid as a co-agent significantly reduced the viscosity and melt elasticity of TPS, leading to smaller particle size and enhanced toughness. The addition of dynamically cross-linked EVA in PLA/TPS ternary blends resulted in a special matrix-disperse morphology, enabling the blends to exhibit remarkably higher toughness.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Han Yang, Bin Hu, Fulu Chang, Lun Chen, Xianwu Cao, Guangjian He
Summary: In this study, starch was chosen as a biomass nucleating agent to enhance the crystalline properties of PLA without affecting its biodegradability. PLA/starch composites were prepared using a unique UV-induced reactive extrusion technique with the synergistic effect of GMA and TMPTA. The modified PLA showed improved compatibility with starch and the presence of starch promoted PLA crystallization, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of the composite.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Anna Kowalewska, Agata S. Herc, Joanna Bojda, Maria Nowacka, Mariia Svyntkivska, Ewa Piorkowska, Witold Kaczorowski, Witold Szymanski
Summary: In this study, ternary blends of polylactide (PLA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with functionalized polysilsesquioxanes (LPSQ-R) were investigated for their effects on the structure and properties of the blends using various analytical techniques. The results clearly showed that the LPSQ-R modulated the structure and properties of the blends, demonstrating a potential for tailored modification of PLA/PMMA blends.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
R. Arrigo, A. D'Anna, A. Frache
Summary: Ternary immiscible blends based on PLA as major phase and PBS and PHBHH as minor phases were prepared through melt blending to achieve fully biobased materials with enhanced ductility and toughness. Thermodynamic calculations predicted partial encapsulation between the domains of the minor components in the PLA matrix. Rheological characterization showed higher melt viscosity and elasticity for all the blends, with growing interfacial interactions when more PBS was incorporated. Morphological observations confirmed an improved homogeneous microstructure in blends containing 30 and 40 wt% of PBS. The strong interfacial interactions and uniform morphology resulted in significant increments in ductility, tensile toughness, and impact strength for all ternary blends, especially those with 30 or 40 wt% of PBS, while maintaining satisfactory stiffness and tensile strength.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jose Herminsul Mina Hernandez
Summary: The study investigated the effects of incorporating PCL into TPS at different ratios, finding that mechanical properties improved with increased PCL content; both retrogradation and plasticization processes coexisted simultaneously, with retrogradation prevailing in the short term; TPS/PCL interactions were not strong enough to affect structural changes in TPS; relative humidity during storage had a greater impact on retrogradation phenomenon than PCL content in the binary blend.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nara S. Soares, Luciana M. Hollanda, Conceicao M. V. Elias, Marleane M. F. Azevedo, Francisco Eroni P. Santos, Anderson O. Lobo, Fernanda R. Marciano
Summary: This study reported the antibacterial effect of electrospun blends modified with quaternary amine group, which increased the positive charge and killed more bacteria.
Article
Polymer Science
Leonardo G. Engler, Naiara C. Farias, Janaina S. Crespo, Noel M. Gately, Ian Major, Romina Pezzoli, Declan M. Devine
Summary: This study aimed to modify the mechanical and degradation properties of biodegradable polymers by blending different polymers. It was found that poly(lactic acid) (PLA) exhibited the highest tensile strength (67 MPa), while the addition of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and polycaprolactone (PCL) increased the flexibility of the samples. Moreover, the degradation of the blends in seawater occurred through bulk and surface erosion mechanisms.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Janset Oztemur, Suzan Ozdemir, Ipek Yalcin-Enis
Summary: This study examines the morphological, chemical, and thermal properties of electrospun fibrous surfaces made of different ratios of PLA/PCL and PLLA/PCL blends. The results show that the surfaces have appropriate fiber diameter and porosity, and the surfaces produced with organic solvent systems do not have solvent residue, indicating the elimination of the harmful effect of solvents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS AND POLYMERIC BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Laura Aliotta, Vito Gigante, Ruben Geerinck, Maria -Beatrice Coltelli, Andrea Lazzeri
Summary: This study investigates the influence of PCL content on the micromechanical deformation processes and fracture mechanisms of PLA/PCL blends. Dilatometric uniaxial tests and SEM analysis were used to analyze the deformation behavior and morphology of the blends.
Article
Polymer Science
Bianka Nagy, Norbert Miskolczi, Zoltan Eller
Summary: The aim of this study was to improve the compatibility between PLA and starch using vegetable oil-based additives. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the blends were enhanced, especially the Charpy impact strength and elongation at break, with the use of these additives.SEM images confirmed the improved compatibility between the components.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Meifeng He, Jian Wang, Zhenhua Wang, Jiangyang Mo, Junqing Zhang, Xiao-zhen Fan, Wenyong Dong, Yongjin Li
Summary: The study found that the PMMA side chains have a significant impact on improving the interfacial adhesion of PLLA/ABS. Increasing the number of side chains in the comb-like compatibilizers can linearly enhance the morphology of the blends while also improving their mechanical properties.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Abril Fonseca-Garcia, Brayan Hernandez Osorio, Rocio Yaneli Aguirre-Loredo, Heidy Lorena Calambas, Carolina Caicedo
Summary: This study evaluated the miscibility of blends of thermoplastic Achira Starch (AS) and polylactic acid (PLA) and the reduction of surface tension in the mixture using amphiphilic triblock copolymer Pluronic(R) F127. The results showed that PLA and AS can be miscible and can be used to produce films for packaging, pharmaceutical, or biomedical applications.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Lucas Henrique Staffa, An-Sofie Huysecom, Silvia Helena Prado Bettini, Paula Moldenaers, Marcelo Aparecido Chinelatto
Summary: The influence of multiblock copolymers derived from epsilon-caprolactone and ethylene glycol on the morphology, interfacial tension, and thermal properties of immiscible PLA/PCL blends were studied. The addition of multiblock copolymers reduced the interfacial tension and changed the fracture mode, leading to improved adhesion and crystallinity of the blends.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Carlos Alberto Avila-Orta, Carlos Andres Covarrubias-Gordillo, Heidi Andrea Fonseca-Florido, Leticia Melo-Lopez, Rodolfo Radillo-Ruiz, Edith Gutierrez-Montiel
Summary: Blends of PLA and TS with and without chemical modification were obtained by melt extrusion and used to produce non-woven fabrics by melt-blowing. Chemical modification of TS improved blending and resulted in more homogeneous morphologies, while unmodified TS showed phase separation. The diameter, thickness, and grammage of non-woven fabrics were influenced by viscosity differences and the stretching effect of hot air during melt-blowing.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Nikhilesh Bappoo, Lachlan J. Kelsey, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Barry Doyle
Summary: The air trap plays a crucial role in regulating air bubbles and clots in hemodialysis systems, and the quality of the micro-filter inside it affects the risk of emboli transmission to patients. This study aims to optimize the injection molding process of a dialysis micro-filter to maximize part quality by minimizing shrinkage, weight, and clamping force. Through CT diagnosis and simulation using AMA, the injection molding process was fine-tuned, with injection time identified as the most influential factor. Multi-response optimization yielded ideal settings for reduced shrinkage, weight, and clamp force, enhancing overall part quality and patient safety.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pariya Zare, Mohamad Pezeshki-Modaress, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Hadi Chahsetareh, Sara Simorgh, Negin Asgari, Mohammad Amin Haramshahi, Rafieh Alizadeh, Zohreh Bagher, Mohamad Farhadi
Summary: This study used fused deposition modeling method to fabricate a poly e-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold, and filled it with Alginate (Alg): Alginate-Sulfate (Alg-Sul) hydrogel to create a biomimetic environment and mimic the structure of glycosaminoglycans. Different concentrations of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) were added to enhance chondrogenesis. Cellular analyses showed that the scaffold with 1% dECM exhibited better viscosity, cell viability, and proliferation. Mechanical characterization and chondrogenic differentiation tests demonstrated that the optimized scaffold (1% dECM) had similar mechanical properties to native nasal cartilage tissue and appropriate biochemical features.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Hossein Ebrahimi, Farhad Sharif, S. A. Ahmad Ramazani
Summary: In this study, the incorporation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles into the polymeric matrix was explored to obtain nanocomposites with improved functionality. The modified TiO2 nanoparticles with varying weight fractions and concentrations of coupling agents were used as initiators for in-situ grafting ring-opening polymerization. The results showed that samples with higher concentrations of the coupling agents exhibited superior thermal and mechanical properties compared to neat polylactide.
IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinchen Ye, Antonio J. Capezza, Saeed Davoodi, Xin-Feng Wei, Richard L. Andersson, Andrei Chumakov, Stephan V. Roth, Maud Langton, Fredrik Lundell, Mikael S. Hedenqvist, Christofer Lendel
Summary: In this study, whey protein nanofibrils (PNFs) were assembled into microfibers using flow-focusing, and the mechanical properties of the final fiber were significantly improved by adding the cross-linker genipin. The addition of genipin resulted in increased fiber strength, stiffness, elongation at break, and energy at break. The study also highlighted the role of nanostructure in the assembly process by comparing fibers spun from different classes of nanofibrils.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Amir Mokhtare, Hooman Torabi, Mojtaba Enayati, Ted Deisenroth, Toan Van Pho, Liangliang Qu, Katrin-Stephanie Tuecking, Alireza Abbaspourrad
Summary: Enzymatic degradation of PBAT microparticles was studied using a microfluidic device. The degradation process in both bulk and microfluidic methods was found to be similar, with degradation occurring on aliphatic and soft segments of PBAT. The microfluidic method provides easy and time-resolved degradation analysis, with comparable results to conventional bulk methods.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Rui Ruan, Ebrahim Vahabli, Peilin Chen, Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo, Minghao Zheng, Barry Doyle
Summary: Tendon and ligament injuries affect millions of people annually. Biopolymers play a significant role in TL tissue repair. Many different types of biopolymers have been studied in TL regeneration, but most have not been used clinically.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vajihehsadat Cheraghchi, Behzad Shiroud Heidari
Summary: In this study, four types of non-woven filters with different thicknesses were fabricated and their performance was evaluated using a vacuum cake filtration apparatus. The bonding points between fiber webs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis indicated the presence of calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide in the filter cake. Measurements from constant pressure filtration tests revealed that the Type D filter with the highest thickness showed the lowest total filtration resistance, indicating the best performance among the other types of filters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melissa B. Agustin, Mari Lehtonen, Marianna Kemell, Panu Lahtinen, Erfan Oliaei, Kirsi S. Mikkonen
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption potential of nanostructured wood-based adsorbents for different pharmaceuticals. The results show that the adsorbents exhibit varying selectivity and efficiency in removing pharmaceuticals due to their differing properties. By functionalizing and crosslinking the nanocellulose network, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents is improved. Furthermore, the adsorbents show good regeneration and reusability in adsorption-desorption experiments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miaad Dastjerdi, Arman Mohammad-Ali Dastjerdi, Pegah Mohammad-Ali Dastjerdi, Javad Dastjerdi, Heriberto Garcia, Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Seyed Mohammad Davachi
Summary: Developing water-saving technologies like Groasis Waterboxx (GW) using environmentally friendly materials has emerged as a robust strategy to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment and society. In this study, injection molding of green GWs made of poly-lactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) was simulated, and the performance of the parts in harsh conditions was analyzed. The simulation results showed that PLA had faster production speed compared to polypropylene (PP), while PBS demonstrated mechanical qualities similar to PP and provided a high safety factor. Despite consuming more energy for injection, substituting PP with PBS is justified considering its efficiency and eco-friendliness.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Emma Muinos Lopez, Emma Harrington, Rui Ruan, Peilin Chen, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Benjamin Allardyce, Rangam Rajkhowa, Rodney Dilley, Froilan Granero-Molto, Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo, Minghao Zheng, Barry Doyle
Summary: The addition of 5% silk increases the miscibility between PDO and LCL phases, as well as the surface roughness and hydrophilicity. In vitro experiments show that the silk improves the attachment and proliferation of tendon-derived stem cells, while in vivo studies indicate that it can reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A promising biocomposite was selected and a prototype TL graft was created using extruded fibers, which show suitable tensile properties for ACL repair applications.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Emma Muinos Lopez, Peilin Chen, Rui Ruan, Ebrahim Vahabli, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Froilan Granero-Molto, Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo, Minghao Zheng, Barry Doyle
Summary: This study aims to develop novel hybrid nanocomposites for tendon-bone interface repair. By adding different proportions of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, the properties of the nanocomposites can be improved. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that increasing the nanoparticle content can affect cell activity and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Evelyn Collier, Brooke Maitland, Rowan W. Sanderson, Behzad Shiroud Heidari, Christopher Lamb, Matt S. Hepburn, Paul D. Dalton, Qi Fang, Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo, Brendan F. Kennedy
Summary: This study describes an in situ method using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to characterize the 3D microstructure of melt electrowritten (MEW) scaffolds. A custom algorithm is used to perform calculations on OCT data, showing close correspondence with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 3D capabilities of OCT enable nondestructive characterization of scaffolds with depth-varying microstructures. Integration of the OCT scanner within an MEW printer allows for in situ evaluation and optimization of scaffold microstructure.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abolfazl Salehi Moghaddam, Zahra Salehi Moghaddam, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Einolah Sarikhani, Saba Nemati Mahand, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Zohreh Bagher, Nureddin Ashammakhi
Summary: The development of organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems is a creative method to effectively model human drug responses in preclinical research. These systems simulate the complexity of human tissues and offer accurate screening results, which are often missing in traditional screening tools. Microfluidics and microfabrication techniques are powerful tools for designing systems that accurately simulate in vivo microenvironments for drug delivery, discovery, development, and screening. This approach has the potential to study cell responses to pharmacological and mechanical stimuli in a more biologically effective manner.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
