Sonochemical coating as an effective method of polymeric nonwovens functionalization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polymeric nonwovens require surface modification for advanced applications like medical devices and filtration.
• Existing surface modification techniques often face challenges with scalability and polymer compatibility.
• Developing efficient and scalable methods for nonwoven functionalization is crucial for broader industrial adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a one-step, scalable process for functionalizing poly(l-lactide-co-glicolide) (PLGA) nonwovens.
• To coat PLGA nonwovens with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp) using ultrasonic processing.
• To evaluate the impact of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle coating on the structural, hydrophobic, and biocompatible properties of PLGA nonwovens.

Main Methods:

• Poly(l-lactide-co-glicolide) (PLGA) nonwovens were fabricated using the electrospinning technique.
• Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp) were coated onto the PLGA nonwovens via ultrasonic processing (sonochemical functionalization).
• Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the coated nonwovens, assessing structural integrity and surface properties.

Main Results:

• Successful attachment of a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle layer onto PLGA nonwovens was confirmed.
• The structural integrity of both the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and the PLGA nonwoven scaffold was preserved post-coating.
• The surface analysis revealed a significant decrease in hydrophobicity and enhanced biocompatibility of the coated nonwovens.

Conclusions:

• Sonochemical functionalization offers an effective and economical method for modifying polymeric nonwovens.
• The developed process enhances the surface properties of electrospun nonwovens, particularly for biomedical applications.
• This technique provides a scalable route to producing advanced functionalized nonwoven materials.