Nano-colloid printing of functionalised PLA-b-PEO copolymers: Tailoring the surface pattern of adhesive motif and its effect on cell attachment

n this study, we investigate the preparation of surface pattern of functional groups on poly(lactide) (PLA) surfaces through the controlled deposition of core-shell self-assemblies based on functionalized PLA-b-PEO amphiphilic block copolymers from selective solvents. Through grafting RGDS peptide onto the functionalized copolymer surface, the presented approach enables to prepare PLA surfaces with random and clustered spatial distribution of adhesive motifs. The proposed topography of the adhesion motif was proved by atomic force microscopy techniques using biotin-tagged RGDS peptide grafted on the surface and streptavidin-modified gold nanospheres which bind the tagged RGDS peptides as a contrast agent. The cell culture study under static and dynamic conditions with MG63 osteosarcoma cell line showed that the clustered distribution of RGDS peptides provided more efficient initial cell attachment and spreading, and resistance to cell detachment under dynamic culture compared to randomly distributed RGDS motif when with the same average RGDS peptide concentration

Avaliação da eficiência de caulinita intercalada com dimetilsulfóxido em adsorção com o Zn(II) em meio aquoso: cinética do processo de adsorção Evaluation of intercaled kaolinite efficiency with dimetilsulfoxide in adsorption with Zn(II) in aqueous medium: kinetics of the adsorption process

Amostras de caulinita oriundas da região do Rio Capim, estado do Pará, Brasil, foram intercaladas com dimetilsulfóxido - DMSO. As amostras de caulinita naturais e intercaladas foram utilizadas em processo de adsorção com Zn(II) em meio aquoso em pH 5,0 e temperatura controlada de 298 ± 1K. As propriedades físico-químicas das amostras de caulinita foram otimizadas pelo processo de intercalação, como: área superficial de 14,74 para 91,72 m²g-1 (A1) e diâmetro de poros de 2,79 para 10,72 nm (A1). A análise dos resultados experimentais de adsorção foi feita pelos modelos de Langmuir, Temkin e Freundlich. O modelo de Langmuir apresentou melhor aproximação com os dados experimentais de adsorção. Estes resultados foram bem representados pelo modelo cinético de segunda ordem de Lagergren, com a taxa constante K2 no intervalo de 4,76x10-3 a 11,81x10-3 g(mmol.min)-1 (A2). O processo de adsorção foi considerado rápido alcançando o equilíbrio em 180 min.<br>The kaolinite clay samples from Capim River region, Pará state, Brazil, were intercalated with dimethylsulfoxide - DMSO. The natural and intercalated kaolinite were used in adsorption process with Zn(II) in aqueous medium at pH 5.0 and controlled temperature of 298 ± 1K. The physical-chemical properties of kaolinite samples were optimized for the intercalation process, such as: specific area of 14.74 to 91.72 m²g-1 (A1) and pore diameter of 2.79 to 10.72 nm (A1). The adsorption experimental results were analyzed for Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich models, the Langmuir model has been presented best approximation with experimental adsorption isotherms data. These results best fitted the second order kinetic of Lagergren model with rate constant K2, in the range of 4.76x10-3 to 11.81x10-3 g(mmol.min)-1 (A2). The adsorption process was very fast and equilibrium was approached within 180 min

Microscopic morphology of chlorinated polyethylene nanocomposites synthesized from poly(e-caprolactone)/clay masterbatches

Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) nanocomposites were synthesized by melt blending clay-rich/poly( -caprolactone) (PCL) masterbatches to CPE matrices. The masterbatches were prepared following two synthetic routes: either PCL is melt-blended to the clay or it is grafted to the clay platelets by in situ polymerization. The microscopic morphology of the nanocomposites was characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry. When using free PCL, intercalated composites are formed, with clay aggregates that can have micrometric dimensions and a morphology similar to that of the talc particles used as fillers in commercial CPE. PCL crystallizes as long lamellae dispersed in the polymer matrix. When using grafted PCL, the nanocomposite is intercalated/exfoliated, and the clay stacks are small and homogeneously dispersed. PCL crystallizes as lamellae and smaller crystals, which are localized along the clay layers. Thanks to the grafting of PCL to the clay platelets, these crystalline domains are thought to form a network with the clay sheets, which is responsible for the large improvement of the mechanical properties of these materials