Functionalized chitosan mediated stereocomplexation of poly(lactic acid): Influence on crystallization, oxygen permeability, wettability and biocompatibility behavior. (25th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Arvind; Mulchandani, Neha; Shah, Manisha; Kumar, Sachin; Katiyar, Vimal
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 142(2018)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 2018-04-25
• Subjects: Stereocomplex -- Poly(lactic acid) -- Chitosan -- Modified chitosan -- BHK-21 -- Biocompatibility; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.12.064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: The current research focuses on the usage of modified chitosan as facilitator to influence the stereocomplexation of high molecular weight poly(d -lactic acid)/poly(l -lactic acid) (PDLA/PLLA) blend. Solution cast films of PDLA/PLLA blend with varying amount of modified chitosan (MCH) yields the formation of stereocomplex crystallites and diminishes the content of homocrystallites in the PDLA/PLLA blend confirmed by several techniques such as DSC, FTIR and XRD. The melting point is found to be more than 205 °C with the heat of fusion as 50 J g −1 . However, the degree of crystallinity of the stereocomplex crystallites, is observed to be more than 56% with MCH loading of 3%. The prepared biocomposite films have been analyzed for oxygen permeability in order to explore their probable application in the packaging industry. Improved stereocomplexation reduces the oxygen permeability and the reduction has been found to be 56% for 3 wt% MCH loading w.r.t sPLA and a reduction of 84% was observed when compared to pristine PLA. Formation of the stereocomplex crystallites into the matrix also enhances the hydrophobicity of the prepared film. Further, the MTT assay is conducted using BHK-21 cells which confirms the adhesion and proliferation of cells on the developed films indicating the biocompatible nature of the films. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: MCH explored as a facilitator to influence the stereocomplexation of high molecular weight PDLA/PLLA blend in solution phase. The melting point of the prepared biocomposite is found to be more than 205 °C with the heat of fusion 50 J g −1 . Addition of MCH into the blend leads to 84% reduction in the oxygen permeability when compared to pristine PLA. Formation of the stereocomplex crystallites into the polymer matrix enhances the hydrophobicity of the prepared film. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the fabricated biocomposite is biocompatible in nature.