A systematic study and effect of PLA/Al2O3 nanoscaffolds as dental resins: mechanochemical properties

Poly(Propylene Carbonate)-Based Biodegradable and Environment-Friendly Materials for Biomedical Applications

Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) is an emerging "carbon fixation" polymer that holds the potential to become a "biomaterial of choice" in healthcare owing to its good biocompatibility, tunable biodegradability and safe degradation products. However, the commercialization and wide application of PPC as a biomedical material are still hindered by its narrow processing temperature range, poor mechanical properties and hydrophobic nature. Over recent decades, several physical, chemical and biological modifications of PPC have been achieved by introducing biocompatible polymers, inorganic ions or small molecules, which can endow PPC with better cytocompatibility and desirable biodegradability, and thus enable various applications. Indeed, a variety of PPC-based degradable materials have been used in medical applications including medical masks, surgical gowns, drug carriers, wound dressings, implants and scaffolds. In this review, the molecular structure, catalysts for synthesis, properties and modifications of PPC are discussed. Recent biomedical applications of PPC-based biomaterials are highlighted and summarized.

Characterisation of Selected Materials in Medical Applications

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field of science that has developed very intensively in recent years. The first part of this review describes materials with medical and dental applications from the following groups: metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Both positive and negative sides of their application are presented from the point of view of medical application and mechanical properties. A variety of techniques for the manufacture of biomedical components are presented in this review. The main focus of this work is on additive manufacturing and 3D printing, as these modern techniques have been evaluated to be the best methods for the manufacture of medical and dental devices. The second part presents devices for skull bone reconstruction. The materials from which they are made and the possibilities offered by 3D printing in this field are also described. The last part concerns dental transitional implants (scaffolds) for guided bone regeneration, focusing on polylactide-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite due to its unique properties. This section summarises the current knowledge of scaffolds, focusing on the material, mechanical and biological requirements, the effects of these devices on the human body, and their great potential for applications.

Green synthesis of nano-Al2O3, recent functionalization, and fabrication of synthetic or natural polymer nanocomposites: various technological applications

Environmentally friendly fabrication of nano-Al₂O₃, recent functionalization, and preparation of polymer nanocomposites including natural and man-made polymers with various industrial applications are reviewed.

Applications of PLA in modern medicine

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a versatile biopolymer. PLA is synthesized with ease from abundant renewable resources and is biodegradable. PLA has shown promise as a biomaterial in a plethora of healthcare applications such as tissue engineering or regenerative medicine, cardiovascular implants, dental niches, drug carriers, orthopedic interventions, cancer therapy, skin and tendon healing, and lastly medical tools / equipment. PLA has demonstrated instrumental importance as a three-dimensionally (3D) printable biopolymer, which has further been bolstered by its role during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic. As an abundant filament, PLA has created desperately needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator modifications. As polymer chemistry continues to advance, so too will the applications and continued efficacy of PLA-based modalities.

Biobased Materials from Microbial Biomass and Its Derivatives

There is a strong public concern about plastic waste, which promotes the development of new biobased materials. The benefit of using microbial biomass for new developments is that it is a completely renewable source of polymers, which is not limited to climate conditions or may cause deforestation, as biopolymers come from vegetal biomass. The present review is focused on the use of microbial biomass and its derivatives as sources of biopolymers to form new materials. Yeast and fungal biomass are low-cost and abundant sources of biopolymers with high promising properties for the development of biodegradable materials, while milk and water kefir grains, composed by kefiran and dextran, respectively, produce films with very good optical and mechanical properties. The reasons for considering microbial cellulose as an attractive biobased material are the conformational structure and enhanced properties compared to plant cellulose. Kombucha tea, a probiotic fermented sparkling beverage, produces a floating membrane that has been identified as bacterial cellulose as a side stream during this fermentation. The results shown in this review demonstrated the good performance of microbial biomass to form new materials, with enhanced functional properties for different applications.