Preparation and characterization of structural nanocomposites of biocompatible polymer with TiO2 nanoparticles for use in Tissue Engineering

• Grant number: 13/14954-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: October 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Henrique Cristovan
• Grantee: Natália Ferreira Braga
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The difficulty in finding a material with properties of biocompatibility with human body constitutes in a major challenge for the researchers in the new materials field. The current trend of these studies is to develop materials that have chemical and mechanical similar properties to those existing in the body (biomaterial). Among the biomaterials, polymeric materials are highlighted in relation with metals and ceramics because of its versatility, molding processing and it can be synthesized with different mechanical properties. One family of such polymers that may be good candidates for this application is that of poly (3-hidroxialcanoatos) (PHA), among them poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), which are biocompatible and biodegradable. A promising alternative in the field of biomaterials is the preparation of nanocomposites that can associate the good properties of polymers with the mechanical strength of bioactive ceramics such as titanium oxide nanoparticles, which in addition to allow greater mechanical strength provides the best interaction between bone tissue and the biomaterial. Thus, this project will prepare PHBV nanocomposites with titanium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal method seeking to obtain biocompatible materials for use as scaffolds in Tissue Engineering for medical/dental applications. Therefore, titanium oxide nanoparticles will be synthesized by hydrothermal method and subsequently incorporated into the polymer matrix by simple mixing of the components. It will be study the best conditions for synthesis of the nanoparticles as well as the best conditions for synthesis of nanocomposites and will be processed by electrospinning techniques and Spin Coating forming films and nanomembranes respectively. Nanoparticles and nanocomposites are characterized morphologically and structurally by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The materials will be also characterized for its thermal and thermo-mechanical by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TGA) and Dynamic-Mechanical Tests (DMA). Finally, the bioactivity of the polymer nanocomposites will be tested by cell adhesion and growth. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BRAGA, NATALIA F.; DA SILVA, ANA PAULA; ARANTES, TATIANE MORAES; LEMES, ANA PAULA; CRISTOVAN, FERNANDO HENRIQUE. Physical-chemical properties of nanocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS, v. 5, n. 1, JAN 2018. (13/14954-6)