Development of nanofibrillar cellulose materials for wound dressing applications

• Grant number: 16/22954-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 16, 2017
• End date: July 15, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana da Silva Bernardes
• Grantee: Juliana da Silva Bernardes
• Host Investigator: Aji Pallikunnel Mathew
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Stockholm University, Sweden

Abstract

Cellulose particles with widths in the nanometer range are biomaterials with distinctive potentially useful features. Nowadays, a strong research effort is being made to find new methodologies for the isolation of such nanomaterials from wood, cotton and agriculture biomass wastes, and for their advanced characterization, in order to recommend the best final application for these nanoparticles. Depending on the chosen extraction process, micro and nanofibrillated cellulose (MFC, CNF) or nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) can be obtained. These nanoparticles, when dispersed in water at very low concentrations, form gels that have potential application in several fields, such as paper and paperboard, composite and packing, rheology modifier in paints and coating food, foams, concrete strengthening additives, sensor and devices, cosmetic and textile industry and biomedical.The aim of this project is to use cellulose nanofibers (CNF) extracted from sugarcane bagasse to prepare biomaterials with potential application as wound dressing. Within the nontoxic polymeric matrices, glutathione molecules (NO-donors) will be incorporated by electrostatic interactions in order to create an environment that enhances the wound healing due controlled release of NO. Mechanical and morphological characterization of the composites materials, prepared by different methodologies (solvent casting, filtration, freeze drying), will be evaluated. Furthermore, in vitro GSNO release from selected CNF/GSNO materials will be monitored using a Franz diffusion cell.