| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
da Silva, Laura C. E.
;
Plivelic, Tomas S.
;
Goncalves, Maria do Carmo
Total Authors: 3
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Journal of Materials Science; v. 57, n. 11, p. 16-pg., 2022-03-11. |
| Abstract | |
Organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid nanocomposites have already been widely investigated in the optoelectronic industry and are emerging in the biomedical field. In both cases, a thorough knowledge of the O-I hybrid morphology is key for reaching tailored properties of the devices; however, up to now little is known on this matter. Herein, we used advanced X-ray scattering and microscopy techniques to investigate in detail the morphology and nanostructure of a biocompatible, ternary, and semicrystalline O-I hybrid nanocomposite made up of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), cross-linked by in situ-generated silsesquioxane structures (SS). Results showed that phase separation occurred at all length scales. At the microscale, irreversible PCL /PEG phase separation generated a globular morphology, where PEG-rich spherical domains were uniformly distributed within a PCL-rich matrix. At the nanoscale, partial organic/inorganic phase segregation resulted in the formation of polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles in both matrix and domains. Finally, an unusual crystalline behaviour was observed for the ternary O-I hybrid nanocomposite, PCL-PEG/SS, where PCL crystallization was anticipated and PEG crystallization was delayed in comparison with the binary PCL /SS and PEG /SS O-I hybrids as well as to a blend of the uncross-linked PCL and PEG precursors. These results provide new insights on how the competing processes of phase separation, crystallization, and inorganic cross-linking affect the overall morphology and nanostructure of O-I hybrid nanocomposites and, therefore, might be useful for establishing relevant structure-property relationships. [GRAPHICS] . (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/50274-0 - Structural characterization of multicomponent biodegradable polymeric systems by synchrotron X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy |
| Grantee: | Maria do Carmo Gonçalves |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/02414-5 - Topical and absorbable biomaterials for the local nitric oxide release |
| Grantee: | Marcelo Ganzarolli de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |