The solvent casting method was used for five types of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite film preparation. The effect of nanofillers in PVDF nanocomposite films on the structural, phase, and friction and mechanical properties was examined and compared with that of the natural PVDF film. The surface topography of PVDF nanocomposite films was investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and correlative imaging (CPEM, combinate AFM and SEM). A selection of 2D CPEM images was used for a detailed study of the spherulitic morphologies (grains size around 6-10 μm) and surface roughness (value of 50-68 nm). The chemical interactions were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Dominant polar γ-phase in the original PVDF, PVDF_ZnO and PVDF_ZnO/V, the most stable non-polar α-phase in the PVDF_V_CH nanocomposite film and mixture of γ and α phases in the PVDF_V and PVDF_ZnO/V_CH nanocomposite films were confirmed. Moderately hydrophilic PVDF nanocomposite films with water contact angle values (WCA) in the range of 58°-69° showed surface stability with respect to the Zeta potential values. The effect of positive or negative Zeta-potential values of nanofillers (ζn) on the resulting negative Zeta-potential values (ζ) of PVDF nanocomposite films was demonstrated. Interaction of PVDF chains with hydroxy groups of vermiculite and amino and imino groups of CH caused transformation of γ-phase to α. The friction properties were evaluated based on the wear testing and mechanical properties were evaluated from the tensile tests based on Young's modulus (E) and tensile strength (Rm) values. Used nanofillers caused decreasing of friction and mechanical properties of PVDF nanocomposite material films.
- Klíčová slova
- PVDF nanocomposite films, Zeta-potential values, chlorhexidine, correlative imaging, friction and mechanical properties, nanofillers, surface roundness, vermiculite, zinc oxide,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Infection with pathogenic microorganisms is of great concern in many areas, especially in healthcare, but also in food packaging and storage, or in water purification systems. Antimicrobial polymer nanocomposites have gained great popularity in these areas. Therefore, this study focused on new approaches to develop thin antimicrobial films based on biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) with clay mineral natural vermiculite as a carrier for antimicrobial compounds, where the active organic antimicrobial component is antifungal ciclopirox olamine (CPX). For possible synergistic effects, a sample in combination with the inorganic antimicrobial active ingredient zinc oxide was also prepared. The structures of all the prepared samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, FTIR analysis and, predominantly, by SEM. The very different structure properties of the prepared nanofillers had a fundamental influence on the final structural arrangement of thin PCL nanocomposite films as well as on their mechanical, thermal, and surface properties. As sample PCL/ZnOVER_CPX possessed the best results for antimicrobial activity against examined microbial strains, the synergic effect of CPX and ZnO combination on antimicrobial activity was proved, but on the other hand, its mechanical resistance was the lowest.
- Klíčová slova
- antimicrobial activity, nanocomposites, polycaprolactone, thin films, vermiculite,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Despite the obvious benefits of using ureteral stents to drain the ureters, there is also a risk of complications from 80-90%. The presence of a foreign body in the human body causes disturbances in its proper functioning. It can lead to biofilm formation on the stent surface, which may favor the development of urinary tract infections or the formation of encrustation, as well as stent fragmentation, complicating its subsequent removal. In this work, the effect of the polymeric coating containing the active substance-papaverine hydrochloride on the functional properties of ureteral stents significant for clinical practice were assessed. Methods: The most commonly clinically used polyurethane ureteral Double-J stent was selected for the study. Using the dip-coating method, the surface of the stent was coated with a poly(D,L-lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) coating containing the papaverine hydrochloride (PAP). In particular, strength properties, retention strength of the stent ends, dynamic frictional force, and the fluoroscopic visibility of the stent during X-ray imaging were determined. Results: The analysis of the test results indicates the usefulness of a biodegradable polymer coating containing the active substance for the modification of the surface of polyurethane ureteral stents. The stents coated with PLGA+PAP coating compared to polyurethane stents are characterized by more favorable strength properties, the smaller value of the dynamic frictional force, without reducing the fluoroscopic visibility.
- Klíčová slova
- PLGA with papaverine hydrochloride coatings, break strength, dynamic frictional force, radiopacity, retention strength, ureteral stent,
- MeSH
- biokompatibilní materiály farmakologie MeSH
- kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- obstrukce močovodu metabolismus chirurgie terapie MeSH
- papaverin metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- polyurethany chemie MeSH
- stenty uvolňující léky * MeSH
- vstřebatelné implantáty MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- biokompatibilní materiály MeSH
- kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné MeSH
- papaverin MeSH
- polyurethany MeSH