Papia Haque

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, bioresorbable and hydrophobic synthetic polymer used in many commercial biomedical applications. In biomedical engineering, the hydrophobicity of polymers induces protein and lipid interactions, whereas hydrophilicity adds antifouling characteristics. This study focused on modifying commercial PLA using lithium tetrahydridoaluminate (LiAlH ₄ ) and vinyl acetate to reduce the hydrophobicity of PLA. From gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, it is observed that around 4% of the vinyl groups used were grafted on the modified PLA. A new bond of C═C and an increase of ─C═O groups in the modified PLA are noticed from FTIR and NMR analyses. Increased T _g value suggests more crosslinking in the structures of modified PLA. T _m , crystallinity and crystallite sizes are also decreased due to modifications. The reduced average water contact angle (a decrease of 6° from pristine PLA) indicates a reduction in hydrophobicity of the PLA, which may arise from a more accessible amorphous polar region. Proposed modifications could provide alternative ways to synthesize PLA‐based biomaterials applicable to tissue regeneration and the controlled release of bioactive molecules, where the hydrophobic‐hydrophilic balance is a primary concern.

The deployment of magnetically responsive and polymeric materials to remove dyes that are hazardous in aquatic environments has profoundly revolutionized environmental sustainability. This study focuses on removing the hazardous cationic Malachite Green (MG) dye from solutions, employing a novel magnetic composite film as an adsorbent, designated as Ag_0.2Co_0.8 Fe₂O₄ (ACFCeP). The composite was synthesized via solvent casting, incorporating Ag_0.2Co_0.8 Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles and CeO₂ into a cellulose acetate/polyvinylpyrrolidone (CA/PVP) polymer matrix. The Ag_0.2Co_0.8Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Comprehensive characterization of the synthesized composite was conducted using techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The Ag-doped cobalt ferrite component retained a strong hysteresis loop within the final composite, even when blended with the CA/PVP polymer, preserving the robust magnetic properties that facilitate the easy removal of the composite post-treatment without secondary pollution. Additionally, the mesoporous structure of the composite effectively aids in the adsorption mechanism. The isothermal study shows that both linear Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm are well fitted with R² values of 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. The linear Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity, q_max, is 45.66 mg g⁻¹ at pH 7. The kinetic studies of the composite resemble the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, reaching adsorption equilibrium within 70 min for a 100 ppm MG dye concentration. The composite film exhibits excellent reusability, maintaining high removal efficiency over three cycles. Overall, the ACFCeP composite film showcases excellent dye removal capabilities, a fast adsorption rate, and satisfactory magnetic properties and offers a sustainable solution for environmental pollution, thus contributing to ecosystem preservation through efficient recycling and reuse in dye adsorption applications.

The core–sheath bi‐polymeric scaffold has been proven as an encouraging material based on the requirement of scaffolds. This study aims to prepare electrospun core–sheath scaffolds by using acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) as core material and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or PLA‐g‐VAc as sheath material to get the most in combination from a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic polymer. ASC is extracted from waste Tilapia fish skin conserving the triple helix structure of the α1 (130 kDa) chain, and a α2 (120 kDa) chain cross‐linked with the β (280 kDa) chain confirmed by amino acid profile, sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PLA‐g‐VAc is prepared by grafting vinyl acetate (VAc) onto the PLA chain using benzoyl peroxide as the initiator. FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR of PLA‐g‐VAc reveal that grafting occurs between the double bond of VAc and the methine group of PLA. The morphology of the scaffolds is determined by the field emission scanning electron microscope. FT‐IR, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, XRD, and water contact angle measurements are used for further characterization of scaffolds. In vivo, cytotoxicity analysis on the Vero cell line exposes that scaffolds are biocompatible. Application of scaffolds to the surgically produced wounding of skin in a rat model followed by histological assay indicates the enhanced properties of core–sheath scaffolds rather than the single polymeric scaffolds.

A Semi Interpenetrating Polymer Network (semi-IPN) hydrogel was prepared and loaded with an antibiotic drug, gentamicin, to investigate the wound healing activity of this system. The semi-IPN hydrogel was synthesized by combining natural polymer cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and synthetic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly (N,N′-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMAA), which was initially added as a monomer dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA). CNC was prepared from locally obtained jute fibers, dispersed in a PEG-NaOH solvent system and then mixed with monomer DMAA, where polymerization was initiated by an initiator potassium persulphate (KPS) and cross-linked by N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA). The size, morphology, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, thermal and swelling properties of the hydrogel were investigated by different characterization techniques. The biocompatibility of the hydrogel was confirmed by cytotoxicity analysis, which showed >95% survival of the BHK-21, Vero cell line. The drug loaded hydrogel showed antimicrobial property by forming 25 and 23 mm zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative) bacteria, respectively, in antimicrobial analysis. At pH 5.5, 76% of the drug was released from the hydrogel within 72 h, as observed in an in vitro drug release profile. In an in vivo test, the healing efficiency of the drug loaded hydrogel was examined on a mice model with dorsal wounds. Complete healing of the wound without any scar formation was achieved in 12 days, which revealed excellent wound healing properties of the prepared drug loaded semi-IPN hydrogel. These results showed the relevance of such a system in the rapid healing of acute wounds.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing green biocomposite for industrial wastewater treatment. In this study, prawn-shell-derived chitosan (CHT) and kaolinite rich modified clay (MC) were used to fabricate biocomposite beads with different compositions. Prepared composite beads were characterized by FTIR, and XRD, and SEM. The possible application of the beads was evaluated primarily by measuring the adsorption efficiency in standard models of lead (II) and methylene blue (MB) dye solution, and the results show a promising removal efficiency. In addition, the composites were used to remove Cr (VI), Pb (II), and MB from real industrial effluents. From tannery effluent, 50.90% of chromium and 39.50% of lead ions were removed by composites rich in chitosan and 31.50% of MB was removed from textile effluent by a composite rich in clay. Moreover, the composite beads were found to be activated in both acidic and basic media depending on their composition, which gives a scope to their universal application in dye and heavy metal removal from wastewater from various industries.

Both gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol polymers have good biocompatibility to be used in biomedical applications. Cell adhesion and growth activity of gelatin have made it unique in artificial cartilage preparation. Two separate solutions of them are prepared by mixing 10% (w/v) of each one in water. These two solutions are then mixed at a temperature range of 70–90°C, and a pH value of 2 is maintained and finally it is cast into films. The dried films are gamma irradiated (using ⁶⁰Co) at different doses. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the films shows the presence of amide linkages formed in them. It is observed from thermogravimetric analysis that 2.6% of non-irradiated and 20% of irradiated samples retain after heating them up to 600°C. Mechanical properties of the irradiated films show better properties than that of non-irradiated one. The irradiated films show a decrease in water uptake than that of the non-irradiated films. Scanning electron microscopy does not show any significant difference in morphology of the films with increasing radiation doses.