Biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) and lactic acid oligomer-grafted bacterial cellulose: It's preparation and characterization

This work demonstrates the synthesis of lactic acid oligomer-grafted-untreated bacterial cellulose (OLLA-g-BC) by in situ condensation polymerization which increased compatibilization between hydrophobic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and hydrophilic BC, thus enhancing various properties of PLA-based bionanocomposites, indispensable for stringent food-packaging applications. During the synthesis of OLLA-g-BC, hydrophilic BC is converted into hydrophobic due to structural grafting of OLLA chains with BC molecules. Subsequently, bionanocomposites films are fabricated using solution casting technique and characterized for structural, thermal, mechanical, optical, and gas-barrier properties. Morphological images showed uniform dispersion of BC nanospheres in the PLA matrix, which shows strong filler–matrix interaction. The degradation temperatures for bionanocomposites films were above PLA processing temperature indicating that bionanocomposite processing can be industrially viable. Bionanocomposites films displayed decrease in glass transition (T g ) and ~20% improvement in elongation with 10 wt % fillers indicating towards plasticization of PLA. PLA/OLLA-g-BC films showed a slight reduction in optical transparency but had excellent UV-blocking characteristics. Moreover, dispersed BC act as blocking agents within PLA matrix, reducing the diffusion through the bionanocomposite films which showed ~40% improvement in water-vapor barrier by 5 wt % filler addition, which is significant. The reduced T g , improved elongation combined with improved hydrophobicity and water-vapor barrier make them suitable candidate for flexible food-packaging applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47903. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Tailoring surface properties, biocompatibility and corrosion behavior of stainless steel by laser induced periodic surface treatment towards developing biomimetic stents

Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) holds great potential for regenerative biomedicine. Creating highly precise LIPSS enables to generate biomimetic implant surfaces with improved properties. The present study focuses on the fabrication and investigation of laser-treated stainless steel samples with applied linear LIPSS patterns with grooves made by means of a picosecond laser system using wavelengths of 1064 nm and 532 nm. To investigate properties of the laser-treated surfaces and to understand the basics of cell-surface interactions between the LIPSS and human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCMSC), flat stainless steel samples with various applied nanopatterns were used. Such LIPSSs demonstrated higher surface roughness, good biocompatibility, lower wettability and higher corrosion resistance compared to the untreated (polished) spec-imens. The surface roughness of laser-treated samples was in microscale that enabled adhesion and migration of endothelial cells, thus increasing the likelihood for endothelialisation. This thereby could reduce the chances for the development of Late Stent Thrombosis (LST) and In-Stent Restenosis (ISR). Furthermore, laser textured surfaces demonstrated an environment supportive for cell attachment, proliferation and alignment with the nanogroves. Therefore, application of the biomimetic nanopatterns could help to overcome frequent post-surgery complications after the stent implantation

MXenes—A New Class of Two-Dimensional Materials: Structure, Properties and Potential Applications

A new class of two-dimensional nanomaterials, MXenes, which are carbides/nitrides/carbonitrides of transition and refractory metals, has been critically analyzed. Since the synthesis of the first family member in 2011 by Yury Gogotsi and colleagues, MXenes have quickly become attractive for a variety of research fields due to their exceptional properties. Despite the fact that this new family of 2D materials was discovered only about ten years ago, the number of scientific publications related to MXene almost doubles every year. Thus, in 2021 alone, more than 2000 papers are expected to be published, which indicates the relevance and prospects of MXenes. The current paper critically analyzes the structural features, properties, and methods of synthesis of MXenes based on recent available research data. We demonstrate the recent trends of MXene applications in various fields, such as environmental pollution removal and water desalination, energy storage and harvesting, quantum dots, sensors, electrodes, and optical devices. We focus on the most important medical applications: photo-thermal cancer therapy, diagnostics, and antibacterial treatment. The first results on obtaining and studying the structure of high-entropy MXenes are also presented

Fast LIPSS based texturing process of dental implants with complex geometries

In the present work, the generation of Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) by using femtosecond laser source is investigated in the surface texturing of Ti grade 5 dental implants. The proposed procedure permits a fast treatment of dental implants characterized by complex shape through the combined and synchronous use of a galvo scanner and of workpiece movements. The obtained surface micro- and nanostructures are characterized from a morphological point of view while in-vitro essays are performed to evaluate cellular proliferation. The results indicate the effectiveness of the LIPSS as method to increase cell viability and the efficiency of the proposed procedure to treat complex geometries as dental implants

Cell and Tissue Response to Modified by Laser-induced Periodic Surface Structures Biocompatible Materials for Dental Implants

The use of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) for dental implants surface modification for improving cell adhesion and proliferation is reported. Results demonstrated higher response of cells on modified surface compared to untreated ones

Surface chemistry of biological apatites in mineralized tissues (on the example of spongy bone tissue).

Background. It is well known that poorly crystallized carbonate apatite is the main mineral component of the normal calcified hard tissues of human skeleton. However, some attributes and characteristics of bioapatites in physiologically mineralized tissue remain undefined. It is thought that structural imperfections and surface properties of the bioapatite nanocrystals govern the crystal chemistry and therefore should be crucial factors in formation, resorption and remodeling behavior of the biominerals. The biocrystal surface plays an exceptional role as a boundary between mineral and organic components and location of the main processes. The correlations between structural defects and content of labile ions on the crystal surface may reflect some ultrastructural features of bioapatite and ability to ion exchange. Objective. The aim of the research was to study the crystal-chemical characteristics of bio-related calcium apatites. Methods. In our research we used pyrolysis and subsequent ultrasonication in aqueous medium. Because apatite solubility is minor at normal conditions, the free ions can be removed in aqueous solution, keeping unaffected apatite structure, and then their concentration can be determined by atomic spectroscopy (AS). Results. 60-70 % of Mg present in bone seems to be incorporated in bioapatite structure substituting Ca, while the remaining Mg is located on the bone mineral crystal surface where it is easily available and could be removed by ultrasonic treatment. Also we got evidence that Mg and Na in bone apatite can be both in structurally bounded (substituting calcium in lattice) and in labile state (localizing on the crystal surface), while K is not able to join the apatite structure in significant amount or to be chemically bounded to it