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Polymers
Special Issues
Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their...
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Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2023) | Viewed by 8333

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Lopresti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 6, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: scaffolds for regenerative medicine; electrospinning; thermally induced phase separation; hydrogels; bioprinting; organ-on-chip; bionanocomposites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Vincenzo La Carrubba

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: polymer processing; polymer characterization; polymer solutions, phase separation-based methods; scaffolds technologies for tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The present Special Issue is devoted to “Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites”.

In recent years, the demands for biocompatible and biodegradable polymers and their composites have exponentially increased.

Several processing strategies have been developed and customized to address the challenging requirements of Biocompatible and Biodegradable polymeric devices for different applications, ranging from biomedical to food packaging. In many cases, the use of micro or nanometric fillers enables improvements in the final properties of a material.

Biocompatible polymers are widely explored for the development of devices for biomedical applications such as advanced disposable devices, biosensors, and controlled drug release. Biodegradable polymers have been widely explored as alternative materials for commercial and engineering applications due to their potential sustainability from an economic and ecological point of view.

In some applications, including regenerative medicine, polymers have to be simultaneously biocompatible and biodegradable.

Therefore, potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Processing–structure–property relationships of biocompatible/biodegradable polymers;
  • Bulk/surface modifications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable polymers;
  • Green composites;
  • Scaffold for biomedical applications;
  • Drug loading and release;
  • Biocompatible/biodegradable biomedical devices;
  • Biodegradable packaging.

Dr. Francesco Lopresti
Prof. Dr. Vincenzo La Carrubba
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Keywords

  • biopolymer
  • biodegradable
  • packaging
  • biocompatible
  • controlled drug release
  • regenerative medicine
  • tissue engineering
  • green composites
  • point-of-care devices
  • sensors

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 6693 KiB  
Article
The Phenotype of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell and Articular Chondrocyte Cocultures on Highly Porous Bilayer Poly-L-Lactic Acid Scaffolds Produced by Thermally Induced Phase Separation and Supplemented with Hydroxyapatite
by Wally Ferraro, Aurelio Civilleri, Clemens Gögele, Camilla Carbone, Ilenia Vitrano, Francesco Carfi Pavia, Valerio Brucato, Vincenzo La Carrubba, Christian Werner, Kerstin Schäfer-Eckart and Gundula Schulze-Tanzil
Polymers 2024, 16(3), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16030331 - 25 Jan 2024
Viewed by 760
Abstract
Bilayer scaffolds could provide a suitable topology for osteochondral defect repair mimicking cartilage and subchondral bone architecture. Hence, they could facilitate the chondro- and osteogenic lineage commitment of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with hydroxyapatite, the major inorganic component of bone, stimulating osteogenesis. [...] Read more.
Bilayer scaffolds could provide a suitable topology for osteochondral defect repair mimicking cartilage and subchondral bone architecture. Hence, they could facilitate the chondro- and osteogenic lineage commitment of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with hydroxyapatite, the major inorganic component of bone, stimulating osteogenesis. Highly porous poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds with two layers of different pore sizes (100 and 250 µm) and hydroxyapatite (HA) supplementation were established by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) to study growth and osteogenesis of human (h) MSCs. The topology of the scaffold prepared via TIPS was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a microCT scan, pycnometry and gravimetric analysis. HMSCs and porcine articular chondrocytes (pACs) were seeded on the PLLA scaffolds without/with 5% HA for 1 and 7 days, and the cell attachment, survival, morphology, proliferation and gene expression of cartilage- and bone-related markers as well as sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) synthesis were monitored. All scaffold variants were cytocompatible, and hMSCs survived for the whole culture period. Cross-sections revealed living cells that also colonized inner scaffold areas, producing an extracellular matrix (ECM) containing sGAGs. The gene expression of cartilage and bone markers could be detected. HA represents a cytocompatible supplement in PLLA composite scaffolds intended for osteochondral defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites)
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16 pages, 10640 KiB  
Article
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Reprocessed Polylactide/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites for Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing
by Saltanat Bergaliyeva, David L. Sales, José María Jiménez Cabello, Pedro Burgos Pintos, Natalia Fernández Delgado, Patricia Marzo Gago, Ann Zammit and Sergio I. Molina
Polymers 2023, 15(16), 3458; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15163458 - 18 Aug 2023
Viewed by 971
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer that can replace petroleum-based polymers and is widely used in material extrusion additive manufacturing (AM). The reprocessing of PLA leads to a downcycling of its properties, so strategies are being sought to counteract this effect, such [...] Read more.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer that can replace petroleum-based polymers and is widely used in material extrusion additive manufacturing (AM). The reprocessing of PLA leads to a downcycling of its properties, so strategies are being sought to counteract this effect, such as blending with virgin material or creating nanocomposites. Thus, two sets of nanocomposites based respectively on virgin PLA and a blend of PLA and reprocessed PLA (rPLA) with the addition of 0, 3, and 7 wt% of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) were created via a double screw extruder system. All blends were used for material extrusion for 3D printing directly from pellets without difficulty. Scanning electron micrographs of fractured samples’ surfaces indicate that the nanoparticles gathered in agglomerations in some blends, which were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The thermal stability and degree of crystallinity for every set of nanocomposites have a rising tendency with increasing nanoparticle concentration. The glass transition and melting temperatures of PLA/TiO2 and PLA/rPLA/TiO2 do not differ much. Tensile testing showed that although reprocessed material implies a detriment to the mechanical properties, in the specimens with 7% nano-TiO2, this effect is counteracted, reaching values like those of virgin PLA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites)
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17 pages, 57138 KiB  
Article
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Polycaprolactone (PCL) Based Blends for Tissue Engineering and Bone Medical Applications Processed by FDM 3D Printing
by Štěpán Krobot, Veronika Melčová, Přemysl Menčík, Soňa Kontárová, Michala Rampichová, Věra Hedvičáková, Ema Mojžišová, Andrej Baco and Radek Přikryl
Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102404 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2156
Abstract
In the presented work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)–PHB-based composite blends for bone medical applications and tissue engineering are prepared and characterized. PHB used for the work was in two cases commercial and, in one case, was extracted by the chloroform-free route. PHB was then blended with [...] Read more.
In the presented work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)–PHB-based composite blends for bone medical applications and tissue engineering are prepared and characterized. PHB used for the work was in two cases commercial and, in one case, was extracted by the chloroform-free route. PHB was then blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL) and plasticized by oligomeric adipate ester (Syncroflex, SN). Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) particles were used as a bioactive filler. Prepared polymer blends were processed into the form of 3D printing filaments. The samples for all the tests performed were prepared by FDM 3D printing or compression molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was conducted to evaluate the thermal properties, followed by optimization of printing temperature by temperature tower test and determination of warping coefficient. Tensile test, three-point flexural test, and compression test were performed to study the mechanical properties of materials. Optical contact angle measurement was conducted to determine the surface properties of these blends and their influence on cell adhesion. Cytotoxicity measurement of prepared blends was conducted to find out whether the prepared materials were non-cytotoxic. The best temperatures for 3D printing were 195/190, 195/175, and 195/165 °C for PHB-soap/PLA-SN, PHB/PCL-SN, and PHB/PCL-SN-TCP, respectively. Their mechanical properties (strengths ~40 MPa, moduli ~2.5 GPa) were comparable with human trabecular bone. The calculated surface energies of all blends were ~40 mN/m. Unfortunately, only two out of three materials were proven to be non-cytotoxic (both PHB/PCL blends). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites)
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18 pages, 6070 KiB  
Article
Behavior of Calcium Phosphate–Chitosan–Collagen Composite Coating on AISI 304 for Orthopedic Applications
by Claudio Zanca, Bernardo Patella, Elisa Capuana, Francesco Lopresti, Valerio Brucato, Francesco Carfì Pavia, Vincenzo La Carrubba and Rosalinda Inguanta
Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5108; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235108 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1638
Abstract
Calcium phosphate/chitosan/collagen composite coating on AISI 304 stainless steel was investigated. Coatings were realized by galvanic coupling that occurs without an external power supply because it begins with the coupling between two metals with different standard electrochemical potentials. The process consists of the [...] Read more.
Calcium phosphate/chitosan/collagen composite coating on AISI 304 stainless steel was investigated. Coatings were realized by galvanic coupling that occurs without an external power supply because it begins with the coupling between two metals with different standard electrochemical potentials. The process consists of the co-deposition of the three components with the calcium phosphate crystals incorporated into the polymeric composite of chitosan and collagen. Physical-chemical characterizations of the samples were executed to evaluate morphology and chemical composition. Morphological analyses have shown that the surface of the stainless steel is covered by the deposit, which has a very rough surface. XRD, Raman, and FTIR characterizations highlighted the presence of both calcium phosphate compounds and polymers. The coatings undergo a profound variation after aging in simulated body fluid, both in terms of composition and structure. The tests, carried out in simulated body fluid to scrutinize the corrosion resistance, have shown the protective behavior of the coating. In particular, the corrosion potential moved toward higher values with respect to uncoated steel, while the corrosion current density decreased. This good behavior was further confirmed by the very low quantification of the metal ions (practically absent) released in simulated body fluid during aging. Cytotoxicity tests using a pre-osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cell line were also performed that attest the biocompatibility of the coating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites)
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15 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Preparation, Characterization, and Anti-Adhesive Activity of Sulfate Polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera against Helicobacter pylori
by Bao Le, Duy Thanh Do, Hien Minh Nguyen, Bich Hang Do and Huong Thuy Le
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4993; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224993 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
In the gastric mucosa, chronic inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection promotes gastrocarcinogenesis. Polysaccharides of Caulerpa lentillifera are well-characterized by broad antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the low molecular sulfate polysaccharides of C. lentillifera (CLCP) [...] Read more.
In the gastric mucosa, chronic inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection promotes gastrocarcinogenesis. Polysaccharides of Caulerpa lentillifera are well-characterized by broad antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the low molecular sulfate polysaccharides of C. lentillifera (CLCP) exhibit any anti-adhesive activity against H. pylori. After a hot water extraction and purification process, two purified polysaccharide fractions (CLCP-1 and CLCP2) were studied based on structural characterization and bioactivity determination. The results implied that except for the molar ratio, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 contain high sulfate, mannose, galactose, xylose, glucose levels, and low protein levels. The molecular weight and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) assays confirmed that CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 are sulfate polysaccharides with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 963.15 and 648.42 kDa, respectively. In addition, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against H. pylori. CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 could significantly promote macrophage proliferation and decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO) through downregulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Meanwhile, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 in this study showed efficiently protected gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells against H. pylori with the inhibition of the IL-8/NF-κB axis. These findings suggested the effect of Caulerpa lentillifera polysaccharides on H. pylori adhesion, a potential supply of nutrients for eradication therapy through the reduction of cell count and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing and Applications of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites)
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