Preparation and Properties of CA/γ-Poly(glutamic acid)/ZnO Electrospun Membranes.

Cellulose acetate (CA) fibrous membranes blended with poly-(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and ZnO were produced via electrospinning. The performance of the obtained composite membrane was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, tensile test, water contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis. The corn plant height, leaf area and SPAD (soil and plant analyzer development) were compared with plants covered with CA/γ-PGA and CA/γ-PGA/ZnO fibrous membranes at room temperature. Simultaneously, the water absorption and degradation rate were also studied. The results obtained indicate the potential use of these fibrous membranes for mulching film applications. The fibrous membranes could also find potential use as a material for food packing, facial mask and as antimicrobial films for wound dressing.

Enhancing the mechanical performance of poly(ether ether ketone)/zinc oxide nanocomposites to provide promising biomaterials for trauma and orthopedic implants.

Poly(ether ether ketone)/zinc oxide (PEEK/ZnO) composites were manufactured by using the injection molding technique. Before blending with the PEEK resin matrix, some ZnO nanoparticles were modified by γ-aminopropyltriethoxylsilane (APTES). The effect of surface modification of ZnO nanoparticles by amino groups and Si-O bonds was investigated. PEEK/ZnO composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron micrographs showed that ZnO nanoparticles were encapsulated in the PEEK phase; within this phase, the nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed. Mechanical and tribological properties were measured by tensile strength, flexural strength, coefficient of friction, and wear rate. It was shown that the interfacial compatibility between ZnO nanoparticles and PEEK matrix was significantly enhanced due to the amino and Si-O bonds decorated on the ZnO nanoparticles. More importantly, the thermal stability of PEEK improved upon the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into this matrix. Cell viability studies with mouse osteoblasts demonstrated that cell growth on PEEK and PEEK/ZnO was significantly enhanced. On the basis of the obtained results, PEEK/ZnO composites are recommended as promising candidates for orthopaedic materials and trauma implants.