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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 September 2021) | Viewed by 53876

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel López

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Guest Editor

CSIC - Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymer science; composites and nanocomposites; smart materials and stimuli-responsive polymers; polymer gels; multifunctional polymers; antimicrobial polymers
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Dr. Coro Echeverría

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Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC) & Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, SusPlast-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymeric micro/nanogels; smart polymers; antimicrobial polymers, rheology; cellulosic liquid crystalline polymers; natural polymers, electrospinning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Águeda Sonseca

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Guest Editor

Instituto de Tecnología de Materiales, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
Interests: green polymer chemistry; enzymatic catalysis; polymer functionalization; shape-memory polymers; smart polymers; biomedical materials and applications; (nano)composites; thermoplastic elastomers; 3D printing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concern for the environmental issues facing society has raised a high interest in recent years. The reduction of damages resulting from both industrial and domestic waste has become a key topic as a means to address environmental problems and the exhaustion of natural resources. Likewise, the use of materials of polymeric origin in applications such as tissue regeneration, controlled release of medicines, packaging, soil remediation, etc., makes the development of materials biodegradable in biological media increasingly important.

Recently, significant progress has been made in the creation of biodegradable polymeric formulations with functionalities similar to those of non-biodegradable polymers, both of natural and of synthetic origin, extending their applicability to fields like food packaging, production of health-related materials, agriculture, etc. In this context, biodegradable nanocomposites offer new and exciting possibilities.

Therefore, this Special Issue invites manuscripts dealing with the development of functional polymer nanocomposites that can undergo biodegradation in different media, including biological systems, soils, landfills, etc.

Original articles covering all aspects of polymer science and technology, such as synthesis, processing, characterization, properties, and applications of functional biodegradable nanocomposites will be considered for publication. Hence, it is our pleasure to invite you to submit manuscripts for this Special Issue.

Dr. Daniel López
Dr. Coro Echeverría
Dr. Águeda Sonseca
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. Nanomaterials 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 2400 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

Biodegradable nanocomposites
Functional polymers
Active nanofillers
Packaging
Biomaterials
Biopolymers
Bioapplications
Stimuli-responsive polymers

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 204 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites

by Agueda Sonseca, Coro Echeverría and Daniel López

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2500; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142500 - 21 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1457

Abstract

Over 367 million tons of plastics are produced annually worldwide, and the growth of plastic pollution has become a global concern [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

Research

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25 pages, 5147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biodegradable PLA/PBSA Multinanolayer Nanocomposites: Effect of Nanoclays Incorporation in Multinanolayered Structure on Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties

by Tiphaine Messin, Nadège Follain, Quentin Lozay, Alain Guinault, Nicolas Delpouve, Jérémie Soulestin, Cyrille Sollogoub and Stéphane Marais

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122561 - 20 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3587

Abstract

Biodegradable PLA/PBSA multinanolayer nanocomposites were obtained from semi-crystalline poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) nanolayers filled with nanoclays and confined against amorphous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanolayers in a continuous manner by applying an innovative coextrusion technology. The cloisite 30B (C30B) filler incorporation in nanolayers was considered to be an improvement of barrier properties of the multilayer films additional to the confinement effect resulting to forced assembly during the multilayer coextrusion process. 2049-layer films of ~300 µm thick were processed containing loaded PBSA nanolayers of ~200 nm, which presented certain homogeneity and were mostly continuous for the 80/20 wt% PLA/PBSA composition. The nanocomposite PBSA films (monolayer) were also processed for comparison. The presence of exfoliated and intercalated clay structure and some aggregates were observed within the PBSA nanolayers depending on the C30B content. A greater reduction of macromolecular chain segment mobility was measured due to combined effects of confinement effect and clays constraints. The absence of both polymer and clays interdiffusions was highlighted since the PLA glass transition was unchanged. Besides, a larger increase in local chain rigidification was evidenced through RAF values due to geometrical constraints initiated by close nanoclay contact without changing the crystallinity of PBSA. Tortuosity effects into the filled PBSA layers adding to confinement effects induced by PLA layers have caused a significant improvement of water barrier properties through a reduction of water permeability, water vapor solubility and water vapor diffusivity. The obtaining barrier properties were successfully correlated to microstructure, thermal properties and mobility of PBSA amorphous phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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23 pages, 6820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Stretchable and Flexible Melt Spun Thermoplastic Conductive Yarns for Smart Textiles

by G. M. Nazmul Islam, Stewart Collie, Muhammad Qasim and M. Azam Ali

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2324; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122324 - 24 Nov 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6989

Abstract

This study demonstrates a scalable fabrication process for producing biodegradable, highly stretchable and wearable melt spun thermoplastic polypropylene (PP), poly(lactic) acid (PLA), and composite (PP:PLA = 50:50) conductive yarns through a dip coating process. Polydopamine (PDA) treated and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) coated conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA yarns generated electric conductivity of 0.75 S/cm, 0.36 S/cm and 0.67 S/cm respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the interactions among the functional groups of PP, PLA, PP/PLA, PDA, and PEDOT:PSS. The surface morphology of thermoplastic yarns was characterized by optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties of yarns were also assessed, which include tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus and elongation at break (%). These highly stretchable and flexible conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA yarns showed elasticity of 667%, 121% and 315% respectively. The thermal behavior of yarns was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Wash stability of conductive yarns was also measured. Furthermore, ageing effect was determined to predict the shelf life of the conductive yarns. We believe that these highly stretchable and flexible PEDOT:PSS coated conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA composite yarns fabricated by this process can be integrated into textiles for strain sensing to monitor the tiny movement of human motion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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16 pages, 2793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biodegradable and Antimicrobial PLA–OLA Blends Containing Chitosan-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles with Shape Memory Properties for Potential Medical Applications

by Agueda Sonseca, Salim Madani, Alexandra Muñoz-Bonilla, Marta Fernández-García, Laura Peponi, Adrián Leonés, Gema Rodríguez, Coro Echeverría and Daniel López

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061065 - 30 May 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3634

Abstract

To use shape memory materials based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) for medical applications is essential to tune their transition temperature (T_trans) near to the human body temperature. In this study, the combination of lactic acid oligomer (OLA), acting as a plasticizer, together with chitosan-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgCH-NPs) to create PLA matrices is studied to obtain functional shape memory polymers for potential medical applications. PLA/OLA nanocomposites containing different amounts of AgCH-NPs were obtained and profusely characterized relating their structure with their antimicrobial and shape memory performances. Nanocomposites exhibited shape memory responses at the temperature of interest (near physiological one), as well as excellent shape memory responses, shorter recovery times and higher recovery ratios (over 100%) when compared to neat materials. Moreover, antibacterial activity tests confirmed biocidal activity; therefore, these functional polymer nanocomposites with shape memory, degradability and biocidal activity show great potential for soft actuation applications in the medical field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 10065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional PLA Blends Containing Chitosan Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Thermal, Mechanical, Antibacterial, and Degradation Properties

by Agueda Sonseca, Salim Madani, Gema Rodríguez, Víctor Hevilla, Coro Echeverría, Marta Fernández-García, Alexandra Muñoz-Bonilla, Noureddine Charef and Daniel López

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10010022 - 20 Dec 2019

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 5937

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most commonly employed synthetic biopolymers for facing plastic waste problems. Despite its numerous strengths, its inherent brittleness, low toughness, and thermal stability, as well as a relatively slow crystallization rate represent some limiting properties when packaging is its final intended application. In the present work, silver nanoparticles obtained from a facile and green synthesis method, mediated with chitosan as a reducing and stabilizing agent, have been introduced in the oligomeric lactic acid (OLA) plasticized PLA in order to obtain nanocomposites with enhanced properties to find potential application as antibacterial food packaging materials. In this way, the green character of the matrix and plasticizer was preserved by using an eco-friendly synthesis protocol of the nanofiller. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results proved the modification of the crystalline structure as well as the crystallinity of the pristine matrix when chitosan mediated silver nanoparticles (AgCH-NPs) were present. The final effect over the thermal stability, mechanical properties, degradation under composting conditions, and antimicrobial behavior when AgCH-NPs were added to the neat plasticized PLA matrix was also investigated. The obtained results revealed interesting properties of the final nanocomposites to be applied as materials for the targeted application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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14 pages, 2922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Way to Predict Gold Nanoparticles/Polymer Hybrid Microgel Agglomeration Based on Rheological Studies

by Coro Echeverría and Carmen Mijangos

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1499; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101499 - 21 Oct 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3301

Abstract

In this work, a detailed rheological study of hybrid poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) P(AAm-co-AAc) aqueous microgel dispersions is performed. Our intention is to understand how the presence of gold nanoparticles, AuNP, embedded within the microgel matrix, affects the viscoelastic properties, the colloidal gel structure formation, and the structure recovery after cessation of the deformation of the aqueous microgel dispersions. Frequency sweep experiments confirmed that hybrid microgel dispersions present a gel-like behavior and that the presence of AuNP content within microgel matrix contributes to the elasticity of the microgel dispersions. Strain sweep test confirmed that hybrid microgels aqueous dispersion also form colloidal gel structures that break upon deformation but that can be recovered when the deformation decreases. The fractal analysis performed to hybrid microgels, by applying Shih et al. and Wu and Morbidelli’s scaling theories, evidenced that AuNP significantly affects the colloidal gel structure configuration ending up with the formation of agglomerates or microgel clusters with closer structures in comparison to the reference P(AAm-co-AAc) aqueous microgel dispersions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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Review

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20 pages, 3406 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biodegradable Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanocomposites for Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing

by Madison Bardot and Michael D. Schulz

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2567; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122567 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 8102

Abstract

3D printing by fused deposition modelling (FDM) enables rapid prototyping and fabrication of parts with complex geometries. Unfortunately, most materials suitable for FDM 3D printing are non-degradable, petroleum-based polymers. The current ecological crisis caused by plastic waste has produced great interest in biodegradable materials for many applications, including 3D printing. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), in particular, has been extensively investigated for FDM applications. However, most biodegradable polymers, including PLA, have insufficient mechanical properties for many applications. One approach to overcoming this challenge is to introduce additives that enhance the mechanical properties of PLA while maintaining FDM 3D printability. This review focuses on PLA-based nanocomposites with cellulose, metal-based nanoparticles, continuous fibers, carbon-based nanoparticles, or other additives. These additives impact both the physical properties and printability of the resulting nanocomposites. We also detail the optimal conditions for using these materials in FDM 3D printing. These approaches demonstrate the promise of developing nanocomposites that are both biodegradable and mechanically robust. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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21 pages, 682 KiB

Open AccessReview

Systemic Review of Biodegradable Nanomaterials in Nanomedicine

by Shi Su and Peter M. Kang

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040656 - 1 Apr 2020

Cited by 224 | Viewed by 10027

Abstract

Background: Nanomedicine is a field of science that uses nanoscale materials for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. It has emerged as an important aspect of the therapeutics, but at the same time, also raises concerns regarding the safety of the nanomaterials involved. Recent applications of functionalized biodegradable nanomaterials have significantly improved the safety profile of nanomedicine. Objective: Our goal is to evaluate different types of biodegradable nanomaterials that have been functionalized for their biomedical applications. Method: In this review, we used PubMed as our literature source and selected recently published studies on biodegradable nanomaterials and their applications in nanomedicine. Results: We found that biodegradable polymers are commonly functionalized for various purposes. Their property of being naturally degraded under biological conditions allows these biodegradable nanomaterials to be used for many biomedical purposes, including bio-imaging, targeted drug delivery, implantation and tissue engineering. The degradability of these nanoparticles can be utilized to control cargo release, by allowing efficient degradation of the nanomaterials at the target site while maintaining nanoparticle integrity at off-target sites. Conclusion: While each biodegradable nanomaterial has its advantages and disadvantages, with careful design and functionalization, biodegradable nanoparticles hold great future in nanomedicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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31 pages, 8483 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Biodegradable and Biocompatible Nanocomposites in Electronics: Current Status and Future Directions

by Haichao Liu, Ranran Jian, Hongbo Chen, Xiaolong Tian, Changlong Sun, Jing Zhu, Zhaogang Yang, Jingyao Sun and Chuansheng Wang

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(7), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9070950 - 29 Jun 2019

Cited by 106 | Viewed by 9686

Abstract

With the continuous increase in the production of electronic devices, large amounts of electronic waste (E-waste) are routinely being discarded into the environment. This causes serious environmental and ecological problems because of the non-degradable polymers, released hazardous chemicals, and toxic heavy metals. The appearance of biodegradable polymers, which can be degraded or dissolved into the surrounding environment with no pollution, is promising for effectively relieving the environmental burden. Additionally, biodegradable polymers are usually biocompatible, which enables electronics to be used in implantable biomedical applications. However, for some specific application requirements, such as flexibility, electric conductivity, dielectric property, gas and water vapor barrier, most biodegradable polymers are inadequate. Recent research has focused on the preparation of nanocomposites by incorporating nanofillers into biopolymers, so as to endow them with functional characteristics, while simultaneously maintaining effective biodegradability and biocompatibility. As such, bionanocomposites have broad application prospects in electronic devices. In this paper, emergent biodegradable and biocompatible polymers used as insulators or (semi)conductors are first reviewed, followed by biodegradable and biocompatible nanocomposites applied in electronics as substrates, (semi)conductors and dielectrics, as well as electronic packaging, which is highlighted with specific examples. To finish, future directions of the biodegradable and biocompatible nanocomposites, as well as the challenges, that must be overcome are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites)

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