• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.140-145
• /
• 2019

In view of environmental considerations, the control of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of important issues in the film and coating industries. Therefore, UV-curable system has been developed due to minimize emissions of VOCs and reduce CO₂ emission due to low energy consumption from fast curing. Also, biodegradable polymers economically are attractive because of environmental and economic concerns associated with huge waste plastics. In this study, UV-curable polyurethane acrylates with different compositions of biodegradable polylactide (PLA) diol and poly(ethylene glycol) as diols were synthesized and curing reaction of their end-capped acrylates was performed by UV exposure. Tensile strength, elongation, and Tg of the UV-cured polyurethane acrylates increased with PLA diol content in the diol while their hydrophilicity and thermal stability increased with the PEG content. These results indicated a property of UV-cured polyurethane acrylates could be controlled by environment-friendly diols.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.100-109
• /
• 2015

Environmental problems from petroleum-based plastic wastes have been rapidly increasing in recent years. The alternative solution is focus on the development of environmental friendly plastic derived from renewable resource. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized from biomass having potential to replace the petroleum-based non-degradable polymers utilizations. PLA can be synthesized by two methods: (1) ring-opening of lactide intermediate and (2) direct polycondensation of lactic acid processes. The latter process has advantages on high yields and high purity of polymer products, materials handling and ease of process treatments. The polymerization process of PLA synthesis has been widely studied in a laboratory scale. However, the mass scale production using direct polycondensation of lactic acid has not been reported. We have investigated the kinetics and scale-up process of direct polycondensation method to produce PLA in a pilot scale. The order of reaction is 2 and activation energy of lactic acid to lactic acid oligomers is 61.58 kJ/mol. The pre-polymer was further polymerized in a solid state polymerization (SSP) process. The synthesized PLA from both the laboratory and pilot scales show the comparable properties such as melting temperature and molecular weight. The appearance of synthesized PLA is yellow-white solid powder.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.558-564
• /
• 2011

The biocompatibility and biodegradability of poly(amino acid) make them ideal candidates for many bio-related applications. Poly(aspartic acid), PASP, is one of synthetic water-soluble polymers with proteinlike structure, and has been extensively explored for the potential industrial and biomedical applications due to its biodegradable, biocompatible and pH-responsive properties. In this work, amino acid-conjugated PASPs were prepared by aminolysis reaction onto polysuccinimide (PSI) using ${\gamma}$-aminobutylic acid(GABA) and ${\beta}$-alanine methyl ester and a subsequent hydrolysis process. Their chemical gels were prepared by crosslinking reaction with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). The hydrogels were investigated for their basic swelling behavior, hydrolytic degradation and morphology. The crosslinked gels showed a responsive swelling behavior, which was dependent on pH and salt concentration in aqueous solution, and relatively fast hydrolytic degradation.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2006

Porous matrices of bioactive polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) or polylactic acid (PLA) can be used as scaffolds in bone tissue growth during bone repair process. These polymers are highly porous and serve as a template for the growth and organization of new bone tissues. We evaluated the effect of PGA and PLA polymers on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell extracellular mineralization. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in a time-dependent manner -1, 15, 25d as appropriate - for the period of bone formation stages in one of the five culture circumstances, such as normal osteogenic differentiation medium, PGA-plated, fetal bovine serum (FBS)-plated, PGA/FBS-coplated, and PLA-plated For the evaluation of bone formation, minerals (Ca, Mg, Mn) and alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for osteoblast differentiation, were measured Alizarin Red staining was used for the measurement of extracellular matrix Ca deposit During the culture period, PGA-plated one was reabsorbed into the medium more easily and faster than the PLA-plated one. At day 15, at the middle stage of bone formation, cellular Ca and Mg levels showed higher tendency in PGA- or PLA-plated treatments compared to non-plated control and at day 25, at the early late stage of bone formation, all three cellular Ca, Mg or Mn levels showed higher tendency as in order of PGA-related treatments and PLA-plated treatments, compared to control even without significance. Medium Ca, Mg or Mn levels didn't show any consistent tendency. Cellular ALP activity was higher in the PGA- or PLA-plated treatments compare to normal osteogenic medium treatment PGA-plated and PGA/FBS-plated treatments showed better Ca deposits than other treatments by measurement of Alizarin Red staining, although PLA-plated treatment also showed reasonable Ca deposit. The results of the present study suggest that biodegradable material, PGA and also with less extent for PLA, can be used as a biomaterial for better extracellular matrix mineralization in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.601-611
• /
• 1998

Ion irradiation is a very promising tool to modify the chemical structure and physical properities of polymers. This study was aimed to evaluate the cellular adhesion to ion beam-irradiated surface of biodegradable poly-l-lactide(PLLA) membrane. The PLLA membrane samples were irradiated by using 35 KeV $Ar^+$ to fluence of $5{\times}10^{13}$, $5{\times}10^{14}$ and $5{\times}10^{15}\;ion/cm^2$. Water contact angles to control and each dose of ion beam-irradiated PLLA membranes were measured. Cultured fetal rat calvarial osteoblasts were seeded onto control and each dose of ion beam-irradiated PLLA membranes and cultured. After 24 hours, each PLLA membranes onto which osteoblasts attached were examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Osteoblasts were removed from each PLLA membrane and then, the vitality and the number of cells were calibrated. Alkaline phosphatase of detached cells from each PLLA membranes were measured. Ion beam-irradiated PLLA membranes showed no significantly morphological change from control PLLA membranes. In the measurement of water contact angle to each membrane, the dose range of ion beam employed in this study reduced significantly contact angles. Among them, $5{\times}10^{14}\;ion/cm^2$ showed the least contact angle. The vitalities of osteoblastes detached from each membranes were confirmed by flow cytometer and well attached cells with their own morphology onto each membranes were observed by SEM. A very strong improvement of the cell adhesion and proliferation was observed for ion beam-irradiated surfaces of PLLA membranes. $5{\times}10^{15}\;ion/cm^2$ exhibited the most strong effect also in cellular adherence. ALPase activities also tended to increase in ion beam-irradiated membranes but statistical differences were not found. These results suggested that ion beam irradiation is an effective tool to improve the adhesion and spreading behaviour of the cells onto the biodegradable PLLA membranes for the promotion of membrane-tissue integration.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.246-250
• /
• 2008

Colloidal stability of the biodegradable nanoparticle was characterized by measuring the variation of particle size with time using photon correlation spectroscopy. Three kinds of polymers, namely, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA), PLGA/poly(L-lactide) blends, and PLGA/poly(L-lactide)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) blends were used as matrix material for nanoparticle preparation. Nanoparticles were prepared with or without using poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) as suspension stabilizer to evaluate the condition of preparation. Nanoparticles from the blend of amphiphilic graft copolymer with short poly(ethylene glycol) chain and PLGA maintained suspension for 1 day when protein stock solution was introduced. This is somewhat improvement in colloidal stability against protein adsorption compared with that of nanoparticles without PEG moiety. Suspension stabilizer, PVA, had a significant effect on the colloidal stability against freezing and protein adsorption which led to coagulation of nanoparticles. It is important to consider effect of suspension stabilizer as well as materials used to prepare nanoparticle on the colloidal stability.

• Fibers and Polymers
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.372-379
• /
• 2006

The surface topography, tensile properties, and thermal properties of ramie fibers were investigated as reinforcement for fully biodegradable and environmental-friendly 'green' composites. SEM micrographs of a longitudinal and cross sectional view of a single ramie fiber showed a fibrillar structure and rough surface with irregular cross-section, which is considered to provide good interfacial adhesion with polymer resin in composites. An average tensile strength, Young's modulus, and fracture strain of ramie fibers were measured to be 627 MPa, 31.8 GPa, and 2.7 %, respectively. The specific tensile properties of the ramie fiber calculated per unit density were found to be comparable to those of E-glass fibers. Ramie fibers exhibited good thermal stability after aging up to $160^{\circ}C$ with no decrease in tensile strength or Young's modulus. However, at temperatures higher than $160^{\circ}C$ the tensile strength decreased significantly and its fracture behavior was also affected. The moisture content of the ramie fiber was 9.9 %. These properties make ramie fibers suitable as reinforcement for 'green' composites. Also, the green composites can be fabricated at temperatures up to $160^{\circ}C$ without reducing the fiber properties.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.243-249
• /
• 2013

Fibers of microbial polyesters, poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxy butyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (HB-co-HV) were prepared by electrospinning method. The obtained fibers were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and oil absorption. The formation of fibers was strongly dependent on a concentration of solution. At a low concentration, the fibers contained beads which is from aggregation of polymer due to short evaporation time. The fine fibers with $2-5{\mu}m$ diameter were obtained at 20 wt% concentration. The contact angle measurement showed that the fiber had higher water contact angle than the film due to the lotus-like effect. Oil absorbency showed that the fiber had higher than the film. Specially, the HB-co-HV fiber which was spinned from 20 wt% absorbed 65% oil which is much higher than that of a normal polypropylene-based oil paper.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2016

Absorbable plates are used widely for fixation of facial bone fractures. Compared to conventional titanium plating systems, absorbable plates have many favorable traits. They are not palpable after plate absorption, which obviates the need for plate removal. Absorbable plate-related infections are relatively uncommon at less than 5% of patients undergoing fixation of facial bone fractures. The plates are made from a mixture of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-DL-lactic acid or poly-DL-lactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and the ratio of these biodegradable polymers is used to control the longevity of the plates. Degradation rate of absorbable plate is closely related to the chance of infection. Low degradation is associated with increased accumulation of plate debris, which in turn can increase the chance of infection. Predisposing factors for absorbable plate-related infection include the presence of maxillary sinusitis, plate proximity to incision site, and use of tobacco and significant amount of alcohol. Using short screws in fixating maxillary fracture accompanied maxillary sinusitis will increase the rate of infection. Avoiding fixating plates near the incision site will also minimize infection. Close observation until complete absorption of the plate is crucial, especially those who are smokers or heavy alcoholics. The management of plate infection is varied depending on the clinical situation. Severe infections require plate removal. Wound culture and radiologic exam are essential in treatment planning.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2016

As one of traditional packaging materials, paper and paperboard are being more popular and beneficial thanks to their environmental sustainability and have been widely used in packaging applications, from light weight infusible tissue for tea/coffee bags to heavy duty boards for the distribution. Papermakers have to design the products having a desired customized function with their paper machine. Globally, the use of filler and pigment in papermaking is now a very common practice to meet the needs of customers. Many benefits can be achieved as a result of filler addition, which mainly includes cost and energy savings. The replacement of traditional mineral fillers and pigments with biodegradable and renewable carbohydrate polymers is a very interesting and promising research topic due to the concern of environmental impact. In this review paper, the use of traditional and novel carbohydrate fillers and pigments in cellulosic paper is highlighted. It is noteworthy that there are still some challenges and technical barriers associated with the use of these organic materials in point of structural stabilities and manufacturing costs, although most of them are available in market as the commercialized products. With the emerging nanotechnologies, it is believed that the use of carbohydrate-based filler and pigment for papermaking will increase and bring technical advantages to industry.