Sharif Digital Repository

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel is a biocompatible material, which has been widely applied in drug delivery applications. Microspheres, nanospheres, and other types of particle-based drug delivery vehicles have proven capacity for long-term release. There is growing interest to overcoming the inherent pharmacological limitations of hydrogels by formulating particulate systems into the hydrogel matrix to form new delivery platforms. We here describe a simple composite system based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels containing entrapped drug-loaded poly (lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres for controlled delivery over extended period of time. Gamma-Irradiation and freeze-thawing was... 

Poly (vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF)/organoclay nanocomposite films were prepared via melt mixing, solution casting and Co-precipitation techniques. The effects of different kinds of nanoclay, sample preparation techniques and electron beam irradiation on PVDF/Nanoclay nanocomposite are reported in this research project. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study thermal properties and crystallinity of the PVDF and its nanocomposites. The chemical and crystalline structure of the samples was analysed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the mechanical properties of the PVDF nanocomposite were characterized by stress strain test. The degree of... 

Oxygen barrier properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) films were improved by blending it with hydrolyzed poly (vinyl acetate). Poly (vinyl acetate-co-vinyl alcohol) with vinyl alcohol contents of 0, 5, 10 and 15% was prepared using acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of poly (vinyl acetate). The Blend films of PLA/poly (VAc-co-VA) containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% of the copolymer with various degree of hydrolysis was prepared by solution-casting method. Effect of gamma irradiation on the films was examined by exposing them to radiation doses of 0, 20, 35 and 50 kGy. The films remained colorless and transparent after irradiation. Morphology of the samples characterized by optical microscopy displayed not... 

Nanocomposites of PLA/Ag, PLA/PEG/Ag and PLA/PEG/Oleic acid were synthesized via chemical reduction of AgNO3.The formation of nano-silver particles (Ag-NPs) started in the aqueous phase (using NaBH4 as a reducing agent) followed by transfer of the silver nanoparticles into the organic phase (PLA solution in chloroform) due to the presence of van der waals interactions between the hydroxyl groups of the PLA and the particles charges surrounded in the surface of the Ag-NPs. The nanocomposites films were prepared by the solution casting method. The XRD patterns and UV-Vis spectra of the nanocomposites demonstrated face–centered cubic (fcc) silver crystals and spherical nanoparticles... 

Poly vinyl alcohol/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites were made through solution casting method. The nanocomposite were characterized by XRD , FTIR , FESEM , DSC and mechanical measurements. Graphene oxide was irradiated by gamma ray at 35 KGy in a 50/50 water-ethanol solution and then added to PVA aqueous solution in various GO concentrations (0.3 , 0.7 , 1 wt%) and sonicated. The resulting suspensions were cast into petri dishes to make thin films. Also PVA/GO Hydrogels were prepared by gamma irradiation at 20 KGy. It was observed that GO uniformly dispersed within PVA indicating strong interaction through forming hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups of PVA and GO surface. Tensile... 

Polyvinylalcohol/MWCNT nanocomposite films were fabricated via solution casting method. Glycerol was added to the polymer matrix as plasticizer in order to improve the flexibility and toughness of resultant films. Surface modification of MWCNTs were carried out by subjecting to gamma irradiation of 60Co source to total doses of 50.0 and 75 kGy in pure ethanol and in a solution with equal volume fraction of water and ethanol. The produced nanocomposites in each case which contain different type of modified MWCNTs were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and electrical measurements. The... 

Biocompatible porous polymeric scaffolds provide a suitable 3-D environment for proliferation of stem cells in human body. For instance, growth and proliferation concurrent with differentiation of stem cells in such scaffolds can regenerate the tissues or organs. In this attitude we fabricated a porous Gelatin-based scaffold using both of freeze-drying and freeze-extraction methods.Also, effect fo gamma irradiation on microstructure of scaffolds was investigated. In addition, poly(ethylene glycol) was employed to make the scaffold softer. Moreover, effects of various parameters including freezing temperature, cross-linking agent concentration, gelatin and PEG concentrations and their... 

The goal of this research project was to prepare gelatin/PVA porous scaffolds by chemical and gamma irradiation methods to be used for human dermal fibroblast cell culture. First, the polymers were dissolved in hot water and mixed properly to achieve a homogenous solution. The mixture was then frozen at -200C and immersed in ethanol/ glutaraldehyde solution at -200C for 48 hours in order to extract ice crystals and also form chemical crosslinks in gelatin by glutaraldehyde. After being rinsed with distilled water the samples were lyophilized. The effects of polymers solution concentration, gelatin/PVA ratio and glutaraldehyde /gelatin ratio were investigated on characteristics of the... 

The nucleus pulposus, which is a part of intervertebral disc, is normally hydrated and gel-like to maintain normal biomechanical functions of the disc through intradiscal pressures. In a degenerated disc, however, water content of nucleus is significantly reduced, resulting in an abnormal stress state of the annulus. Surgical interventions cannot restore the biomedical function to vertebral segment. One approach to restore the normal biomechanics of an intervertebral disc is to replace the nucleus with a prosthetic material which leads to a restoration of the behavior of the disc. The mechanical behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) and nanodiamond hydrogel may provide a material suitable for... 

Today, tissue engineering research is expanding to a large extent, so tissue engineering has the ability to build artificial organs and tissues. In this project, we have used two polymers of polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl chloride, which are used for network irradiation. After irradiation, these polymers were made by drying the freewheeling porous scaffolds and the effect of different parameters on the structure of these scaffolds was investigated. To investigate the effect of different factors on gelation, swelling, tensile test, degradability and finally the conditions of fibroplast cell growth on scaffolds were investigated. The results of the gel test showed that the gel was higher... 

Nowadays, the use of processed conductive polymers for conducting matrix polymers, as well as improving other properties for planting in the body, is very common. In this project, the fabrication and identification of electrically conductive films and fibers from biocompatible poly lactic acid and conductive polyAniline polymer in the form of nano-fibers or nanoparticles was intended. These fibers and films have been made in form of a plate or tube then, have been used as biosensors. These polymeric prostheses should be sterilized before planting in human body. Gamma rays are the best sterilization methods and are used at low doses (25 kGy) to sterilize plastic medical supplies. On the other... 

The present work investigates a novel approach for improving the oxygen-barrier property of PLA-based film using vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer [Poly(VAc-co-VA)] and the nanoclay Nanolin DK4. The permeability, thermal and mechanical properties are studied. To synthesize poly(VAc-co-VA), the hydrolysis of PVAc was done. The nanocomposite blend of PLA/Poly(VAc-co-VA)/Nanolin DK4 was prepared by the solution casting method. The prepared nanocomposite films were optically transparent regardless of poly(Vac-co-VA) and Nanolin DK4 concentrations. The gamma irradiated Poly(VAc-co-VA) was incorporated in the PLA films to probe the effect of cross-linked copolymer on the permeability of the... 

In this research, polyvinyl alcohol/ sodium alginate/ nano silver nanocomposite films were fabricated by solution casting method via gamma irradiation. The purpose of using gamma radiation was reduction of silver nitrate and synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Formation of silver nanoparticles was proved by ultra violet- visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study morphology, size and distribution of silver nanoparticles. Chemical structure, thermal behavior and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential... 

In this research, porous polyvinyl¬ alcohol (PVA)/Montmorillonite nanoclay and polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/Montmorillonite nanoclay nanocomposite sponges (foams) were fabricated by freeze-drying method. The foams were crosslinked using gamma irradiation. The pore size and interconnectivity of nanocomposites characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed bimodal pore size distribution resulting from preparation method.
SEM micrographs displayed that addition of PVP ( wt% of total solid polymer) to the PVA sponges increased the pore size and interconnectivity, due to the optimal number of hydrogen bonds between functional groups of polymeric matrices.... 

In many industrial processes there is an urgent need for flocculation of suspensions that can’t flocculate easily through the time so flocculants are wildly used in these industries. Polymeric flocculants because of less needed dose are economically used. Polymeric flocculants divided to three categories: nonionic, anionic and cationic those are almost from polyacrylamide group. Studying mechanisms of flocculation, one of the main factors that enhance flocculation is molecular weight of polymer. Hence one of the goals of this work is to improve molecular weights of synthesized polymers as much as possible that is followed by viscometery, NMR, DSC and FTIR studies and ended with jar test.... 

A series of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)-based hot melt adhesives containing either a raw rosin or a hydrogenated rosin ester have been prepared to investigate variation of viscosity, softening point and peel adhesion with composition. Adhesion of the prepared hot melt adhesive to the substrate was characterized by T-peel strength test. Increasing rosin had a prominent effect on the adhesion. Viscosity decreased and softening point increased as the wax content increased. Addition of zinc borate as a flame retardant decreased T-peel energy and increased the viscosity and softening point of the samples. Higher peeling strength accompanied with a good softening point and viscosity... 

Polyvinylalcohol/magnetite nanocomposite films were fabricated via solution casting. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared by means of co-precipitation method and modified by citric acid. The nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and mechanical measurement. The results reveal that magnetite nanoparticles have a spherical shape with an average diameter of 19.7nm and are superparamagnetic at room temperature. The nanoparticles are observed to be uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix due to a strong interaction between the... 

Today, hydrogels have various biomedical applications as three-dimensional networks with the ability to absorb and retain water and biological fluids. This study aimed to prepare nanocomposite hydrogels from polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, and barium titanate nanoparticles. Gamma radiation at irradiation doses of 25 and 35 kGy was used as the hydrogel's crosslinking agent. The effects of gamma irradiation dose, percentage of polyethylene glycol, and barium titanate composition on the swelling ratio and gel content were investigated. It was observed that the amount of gel content with the addition of polyethylene glycol and barium titanate nanoparticles reduces the gel content and... 

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible polymer that could be used for biomedical applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have excellent mechanical strength and modulus and also are electrically conductive. Inclusion of CNT in PLA could improve mechanical and electrical properties of PLA and find applications as biomaterials in biomedical engineering. The success of the resulted nanocomposites of PLA/CNT depends on uniform dispersion of CNT within PLA and good interfacial adhesion between the nanotubes and the matrix PLA. Chemical modification of CNT surface by grafting maleic anhydride has been reported. However, for biomedical applications chemical agents may prove harmful and should be...