Abstract

Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) is a linear unsaturated polyester which has been widely investigated for tissue engineering due to its good biocompatibility and biodegradability. In order to extend the range of possible applications and enhance its mechanical properties, current approaches consist in the incorporation of various fillers or obtaining blends with other polymers. In the current study we designed a reinforcing agent based on carboxylated graphene oxide (GO-COOH) grafted with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (GO@HEMA) for poly(propylene fumarate)/poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PPF/PEGDMA), in order to enhance the nanofiller adhesion and compatibility with the polymer matrix, and in the same time to increase the crosslinking density. The covalent modification of GO-COOH was proved by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. The mechanical properties, water uptake capacity, morphology, biodegradability, mineralization and in vitro cytotoxicity of PPF/PEGDMA hybrid materials containing GO@HEMA were investigated. A 14-fold increase of the compressive modulus and a 2-fold improvement in compressive strength were observed after introduction of the nanofiller. Moreover, the decrease in sol fraction and solvent swelling in case of the hybrid materials containing GO@HEMA suggests an increase of the crosslinking density. SEM images illustrate an exfoliated structure at lower nanofiller content and a tendency for agglomeration at higher concentrations. Finally, the synthesized hybrid materials proved non-cytotoxic to murine pre-osteoblast cells and induced the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals under mineralization conditions.

Details

Title
Hema-Functionalized Graphene Oxide: a Versatile Nanofiller for Poly(Propylene Fumarate)-Based Hybrid Materials
Author
Eugeniu Vasile 1 ; Pandele, Andreea M 2 ; Andronescu, Corina 3 ; Selaru, Aida 4 ; Dinescu, Sorina 4 ; Costache, Marieta 4 ; Hanganu, Anamaria 5 ; Raicopol, Matei D 6 ; Teodorescu, Mircea 7 

 Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
 Advanced Polymer Materials Group, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
 Chemical Technology III, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany; CENIDE Center for Nanointegration, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany 
 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
 Department of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
 Costin Nenitzescu” Department of Organic Chemistry, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
 Department of Bioresources and Polymer Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 
Pages
1-15
Publication year
2019
Publication date
Dec 2019
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2323444814
Copyright
© 2019. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.