RESUMO
Surface properties and morphology of the biomaterial play an essential role in the polymer-material interaction. In this work, laser surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate as a polymer with distinguished mechanical properties was carried out using (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) Nd:YAG laser (1.064 µm) with different output power (0.3, 3, and 6 W). The structural, surface, and dielectric properties of PET before and after laser irradiation have been studied using attenuation total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), dielectric spectroscopy (DS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Moreover, the anticoagulant properties of the laser-irradiated PET was determined through measuring the prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and international normalized ratio (INR). In vitro platelet adhesion test was used to assess the platelets adhered to the surface of the samples; in addition to hematological study. It was found that contact angle (θ) measurements of laser-irradiated PET samples decreased compared to the unirradiated PET. The irradiated samples at 0.3 W have the lowest contact angle which is a clear indication that surface treatment with Nd:YAG laser brought about improving the wettability of the polymer. From the dielectric measurements, both values of permittivity and dielectric loss decrease by increasing the laser power. The electrical conductivity decreases with increasing laser power, but still in the same order 10-14 S/cm. The decrease in electrical conductivity σ may be due to the cross-linking of the polymeric matrix which led to a decrease in the total polarity and consequently decrease in electrical conductivity. The magnitude of σ obtained is highly recommended to be used for insulator purposes in addition to the main purpose that is blood contact.
RESUMO
New blend films based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µL) of chamomile oil (CAO) were prepared. The effect of oil on the dielectric properties, structural and surface properties of PET was studied. The wettability of the blend films was evaluated by contact angle measurements. In vitro platelet adhesion on the surface and coagulation assessment were conducted to evaluate the behavior of the new blends for blood contact applications. Results of the study indicate that the wettability of PET-CAO blends up to 100 µL has been enhanced relative to the pure PET as indicated by the decrease in contact angle measurements. The attenuation total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectra of the blends confirmed the presence of chamomile oil in the polymer matrix and suggested the presence of interaction between them. The permittivity ε' values decreased by increasing oil content upto 100 µL. On the other hand, the values of dielectric loss εⳠwere found to increase by increasing oil content to 100 µL after which it decreased. The delay in partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of the blood would validate the anti-coagulant property of PET-CAO blends. The results demonstrated that the PET-CAO blends with concentration of 100 µL could be considered as a promising candidate material in blood contact application.
RESUMO
Wound infection is a serious infection has been spread worldwide. In order to provide fast aid treatments for such infection, banana peels have been incorporated within chitosan as wound dressing. Banana was collected from Egyptian markets peeled and the dried peels were grounded to powder, Incorporated as nano fillers within chitosan matrix with different concentrations (0, 2, 5 and 10wt%). Glycerol was added as plasticizer and crosslinker to the membranes. The banana peel powder (BPP) particle shape and size were determined using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), The homogeneity and distribution of BPP in the membranes were investigated through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The interaction between BPP and chitosan was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The dielectric properties of chitosan and BPP-chitosan membranes studied via dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity measurements over a frequency range 100Hz up to 100kHz. The curves relating εⳠand the applied frequency are broad enough reflecting more than one relaxation process. These processes may be attributed to the relaxation processes of the main chain and its related motions. The higher values of εⳠat low frequency range may be a combination of the losses due to the electrical conductivity and the interfacial polarization process called "Maxwell Wagner Sillers" effect. By increasing BPP content in the sample a pronounced shift towards lower frequency was noticed. This shift may be due to some sort of polymer/filler interaction which causes an increase in the relaxed units and consequently the relaxation time. The addition of BPP decreases the swelling degree of chitosan matrix. The antimicrobial properties of the membranes were done against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and yeast. The results showed that chitosan/BPP membranes have a synergistic action with the highest activity at 10wt%. Moreover, Candida albicans was the most sensitive strain recorded for these membranes.