Biodegradable nanocomposites based on poly(ester-urethane) and nanosized hydroxyapatite: Plastificant and reinforcement effects. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Navarro-Baena, Iván; Arrieta, Marina P.; Sonseca, Agueda; Torre, Luigi; López, Daniel; Giménez, Enrique; Kenny, José M.; Peponi, Laura
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 121(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 179
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Mechanical properties -- Phase morphology -- Nanocomposite -- Poly(lactide) -- Biodegradable -- Poly(ester-urethane); DMA dynamic-mechanical analysis -- DSC differential scanning calorimetry -- FE-SEM field emission electron microscopy -- HA hydroxyapatite -- HDI hexamethylene diisocyanate -- nHA nanosized hydroxyapatite -- PU poly(ester-urethane) -- PU+0.5 HA nanocomposite of poly(ester-urethane) with 0.5 wt % of HA -- PU+1 HA nanocomposite of poly(ester-urethane) with 1 wt % of HA -- PU+3 HA nanocomposite of poly(ester-urethane) with 3 wt % of HA -- PCL poly(ε-caprolactone) -- PLLA poly(l-lactic acid) -- TEM transmission electron microscopy -- Tg glass transition temperature -- TGA thermogravimetric analysis -- Tm melting temperature -- WCA water contact angle; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Abstract: The processing and characterization of biodegradable nanocomposites based on poly(ester-urethane) reinforced with different amounts (0.5, 1 and 3 wt %) of nanosized hydroxyapatite (nHA) are reported. The selected poly(ester-urethane) was synthesized starting from a tri-block copolymer based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(l -lactic acid) (PLLA). The nanocomposites were prepared by extrusion and by press molding. Several techniques were applied to investigate the properties of the nanocomposites. Electron microscopy revealed that the poly(ester-urethane) matrix is able to phase separate and that the addition of well-dispersed nanofillers modifies the dimension of the segregated phase. The thermal stability of the PU matrix, regulated by the PLLA block, decreased when low contents of nHA (0.5 and 1 wt %) were added, even if the thermal stability of the PCL-block was increased for each nHA amount. The good mechanical response of the nanocomposites confirmed the absence of agglomerates in the dispersion of the nanofillers in the polymeric matrix. The nHA presence also increased the surface hydrophilicity. Furthermore, rheology measurements, mechanical and thermal tests demonstrated the different behavior induced by the addition of nHA in different amounts. In fact, nHA acts as plasticizer at low concentrations (0.5, 1 wt %) and as reinforcement at a higher nHA amount (3 wt %). In vitro degradation tests were performed using a phosphate buffer solution. The results reported here are relevant for the development of nanocomposites based on a biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric matrix reinforced with small amounts of biocompatible nanofillers for different applications, especially in the biomedical field.