Dual function of gellan gum-infused polyurethane foam for remediation of methylene blue dye and sustainable acoustic protection

The growing scarcity of water resources, coupled with the pressing need to alleviate the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, underscores the importance of developing sophisticated wastewater treatment systems that can deliver high-quality effluent. This study presents an innovative approach to address these interconnected issues via fabrication of modified flexible polyurethane (PU) foam adsorbent through the incorporation of varying concentrations (1-5 wt%) of gellan gum (GLG) bio-filler. The objective is to enhance the mechanical durability of the adsorbent while simultaneously tackling two critical environmental concerns; cleanup of methylene blue (MB) dye from aquatic systems and mitigation of noise pollution. The physicochemical attributes of the prepared composites were comprehensively conducted using FTIR, XRD, TGA, gel fraction analysis, rheological studies, density, stress-strain compression testing, SEM, and pore size distribution measurements. The loading capacity of the PU/GLG5 composite for MB dye was rigorously inspected under diverse experimental conditions of initial pH (e.g., 2.1-10.3), PU/GLG5 concentration (e.g., 0.5-5 g L-1), MB concentration (e.g., 10-1000 mg L-1), residence time (e.g., 180 min), temperature (e.g., 298-328 K), and several interfering ions (e.g., 5-45 g L-1). The results demonstrated about 10.88 %, and 34.23 % improvement in the density, and compression strength of PU/GLG5, respectively, compared to the pristine foam. Moreover, the sorption process of MB onto PU/GLG5 was pH-dependent with 98.38 % efficiency under optimized pH ∼10.3. Meanwhile, kinetic studies indicated that adsorption process conformed closely to PSORE model, while isotherm data were well-correlated with the Langmuir assumption, demonstrating a maximum loading capacity of 476.19 mg g-1. The adsorption process was characterized as exothermic, and the recyclability of the spent adsorbent was effectively maintained over 10th cycles, achieving above 84 % efficiency. The sorption characteristics of PU/GLG5 towards spiked tap water and wastewater were 86.8 %, and 80.4 %, respectively. Moreover, the treated wastewater became nearly colorless, achieving approximately 95 % color removal. Additionally, the COD decreased significantly from 350 mg L-1 to just 26 mg L-1, demonstrating the effectiveness of the PU/GLG5 sorbent in addressing wastewater contamination. Significantly, PU/GLG5 composites exhibited outstanding sound absorption performance, achieving sound absorption coefficient (SAC) up to 0.98 at high frequencies. Furthermore, the spent sorbent demonstrated enhanced SAC in the low-frequency range compared to the untreated foam. Based on the cost analysis, the total cost per kg of foam is approximately $7.01/kg, making it a highly cost-effective material for environmental applications. This research highlights the dual functionality of the developed material, contributing to the remediation of water pollution and the promotion of sustainable practices in the face of pressing global challenges.

A kaolin/calcium incorporated shape memory and antimicrobial chitosan-dextran based cryogel as an efficient haemostatic dressing for uncontrolled hemorrhagic wounds

Increased mortalities associated with uncontrolled and excessive bleeding is still of paramount concern in the clinics, caregivers and military medics. Herein, we designed a shape memory cryogel based on chitosan (C) and functionalized-dextran (D), incorporated with Kaolin (K) and calcium (Ca²⁺) as haemostatic agents. The developed cryogel (CDKCa) exhibits a uniform interconnected porous architecture with profound fluid absorption ability, rapid blood clotting, stable clot formation and good antibacterial activity. The CDKCa elucidates significantly less clotting time (~30 s; in-vitro) and increased aggregation and activation of platelets/red blood cells in comparison to the control groups and commercial dressings (Axiostat and QuikClot). The developed CDKCa also significantly reduced the aPTT and PT values by ~58 % and 31 % respectively, leading to the activation of intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation cascades. The CDKCa cryogel displays enhanced mechanical stability, flexibility and a good shape memory, a property quintessential to cease uncontrolled bleeding in irregular and non-compressible wounds. Further, the Kaolin and Ca²⁺ incorporated shape memory CDKCa cryogel demonstrates a rapid blood coagulation and stable clot formation in different compressible and non-compressible rat liver and femur hemorrhagic models. In summary, the endorsed results of CDKCa suggest that the design, fabrication and excellent clotting ability may attribute to high haemostatic efficiency of CDKCa dressing and have a great potential to prevent uncontrollable hemorrhages.

The synthesis and properties of isocyanate-based polyimide foam composites containing MWCNTs of various contents and diameters

Polyimide foams (PIFs) were synthesized using in situ polymerization from poly((phenyl isocyanate)-co-formaldehyde) (PAPI), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 wt%) functionalized with –OH; the diameters were 10–20 nm, 20–30 nm, and >50 nm. The morphology, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of the composites made from MWCNTs with different contents and diameters were studied. The effects of different contents of MWCNT on the properties of composites were compared. SEM results show that the pore morphology of PIF was not damaged when the content of the MWCNTs was low due to crosslinking between MWCNTs and amide bonds. When the content of the MWCNTs was high, the vacuoles of PIF became large and uneven. Compared to pure PIF, mwCNT-1 (0.2% MWCNT content) significantly increased the compressive strength (330%) and compression modulus (210%) of PI. Due to the significant thermal stability of PIF/MWCNTs, the degradation temperature of PIF/MWCNT-1 (0.2% MWCNT content) was increased from 302 °C to 321.5 °C upon addition of MWCNTs. The effects of different diameters of MWCNTs on the morphology and properties of the PIF/MWCNT composites were also compared. The morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composites containing smaller MWCNTs were higher than those of composites containing larger MWCNTs. This is because MWCNTs act as nucleating agents to promote the formation and growth of bubbles. Smaller diameters of MWCNTs lead to higher MWCNT contents in the unit volume and more nucleation points of MWCNTs in the PIF. An increasing MWCNT diameter leads to a gradually decreasing number of bubbling nucleation centers. The LOI of PIF/MWCNTS increased with increasing MWCNT due to the nitrogen heterocyclic interaction between the PIF and MWCNTS. The diameter of MWCNTS had only a minor effect on the flame retardancy.

PIFs were synthesized using in situ polymerization from PAPI, PMDA, and MWCNTs (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 wt%) functionalized with –OH; the diameters were 10–20 nm, 20–30 nm, and >50 nm.

Hemostatic and antibacterial PVA/Kaolin composite sponges loaded with penicillin-streptomycin for wound dressing applications

Hemorrhage is the major hindrance over the wound healing, which triggers microbial infections and might provoke traumatic death. Herein, new hemostatic and antibacterial PVA/Kaolin composite sponges were crosslinked using a freeze-thawing approach and boosted by penicillin-streptomycin (Pen-Strep). Physicochemical characteristics of developed membranes were analyzed adopting Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, the impacts of kaolin concentrations on porosity, swelling behavior, gel fraction, and degradation of the membranes were investigated. SEM analyses revealed a spongy-like structure of hydrogels associated with high dispersion of kaolin inside PVA matrix. The thermal characteristics of PVA/Kaolin were significantly ameliorated compared to the prime PVA. Moreover, the results exhibited significant variations of swelling performance, surface roughness and pore capacity due to the alterations of kaolin contents. Besides, the adhesive strength ability was manifestly enhanced for PVA-K0.1 sponge. Biomedical evaluations including antibacterial activity, blood clotting index and thrombogenicity of the membranes were studied. The contact of PVA/Kaolin to blood revealed notable augmentation in blood clotting. Furthermore, the incorporation of kaolin into PVA presented mild diminution in antibacterial activities. Moreover, PVA/Kaolin composites illustrated no cellular toxicity towards fibroblast cells. These remarkable features substantiate that the PVA-K0.1 sponge could be applied as a multifunctional wound dressing.

Recent Overviews in Functional Polymer Composites for Biomedical Applications

Composite materials are considered as an essential part of our daily life due to their outstanding properties and diverse applications. Polymer composites are a widespread class of composites, characterized by low cost, facile processing methods, and varied applications ranging from daily-use issues to highly complicated electronics and advanced medical combinations. In this review, we focus on the most important fabrication techniques for bioapplied polymer composites such as electrospinning, melt-extrusion, solution mixing, and latex technology, as well as in situ methods. Additionally, significant and recent advances in biomedical applications are spotlighted, such as tissue engineering (including bone, blood vessels, oral tissues, and skin), dental resin-based composites, and wound dressing.

Improved mechanical, thermal and flame resistant properties of flexible isocyanate-based polyimide foams by graphite incorporation

In order to improve the mechanical, thermal and flame-resistant properties of polyimide foams (PIFs), in the present study, flexible polyimide (PI)/graphite composite foams were prepared with dianhydride and isocyanate as the starting materials and graphite as the filler. The experimental results showed that most cells of PIFs possessed an open cell structure, and the open cell content decreased by graphite incorporation. While with the increase in graphite, the distribution of cellular size became uneven and the size distribution became broad. The compressive strength increased initially and then decreased and reached the maximum value of 26.4 kPa when the graphite content was 1.98 wt%, but all the composite foams exhibited higher strength than the neat PIF. In addition, the limiting oxygen index increased from 31% to 34.8% with the increase in graphite from 0 wt% to 3.25 wt%. The peak heat release rate of composite foams was 2.3% to 24.7% lower than the neat PIF and reached a minimum value of 42.36 kW m−2 with the graphite content of 1.98 wt%. Considering the above analysis, it is feasible to improve mechanical properties, thermal stability and flame-resistant properties of PIFs by graphite addition.

Hemostatic kaolin-polyurethane foam composites for multifunctional wound dressing applications

There are numerous challenges associated with the acute care of traumatic limb injuries in forward military settings. A lack of immediate medical facilities necessitates that the wound dressing perform multiple tasks including exudate control, infection prevention, and physical protection of the wound for extended periods of time. Here, kaolin was incorporated into recently developed robust polyurethane (PU) hydrogel foams at 1-10wt% in an effort to impart hemostatic character. ATR-IR and gel fraction analysis demonstrated that the facile, one-pot synthesis of the PU hydrogel was unaffected by kaolin loading, as well as the use of a non-toxic catalyst, which significantly improved cytocompatibility of the materials. Kaolin was generally well dispersed throughout the PU matrix, though higher loadings exhibited minor evidence of aggregation. Kaolin-PU composites exhibited burst release of ciprofloxacin over 2h, the initial release rates of which increased with kaolin loading. Kaolin loading imparted excellent hemostatic character to the PU foams at relatively low loading levels (5wt%). This work demonstrates the simple and inexpensive synthesis of robust, hemostatic, and absorptive kaolin-PU foams that have promising potential as multifunctional wound dressing materials.