Showing papers by "Ashok M. Raichur published in 2019"
01 Nov 2019
TL;DR: In this article, a layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes to multilayer hollow capsules (PMCs) with a core-shell structure is described.
Abstract: Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolytes to multifunctional polyelectrolyte multilayer hollow capsules (PMCs) with a core–shell structure is now a well-established method. PMCs have been s...
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites were improved by using poly (allyl amine) (PAA) grafted graphene oxide (GO) as a toughening agent.
Abstract: The mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites were improved by using poly (allyl amine) (PAA) grafted graphene oxide (GO) as a toughening agent. The GO was first converted to GO-COOH where all the hydroxyl groups on the basal plane were converted to COOH containing groups. GO-COOH was reacted with PAA to yield GO-g-PAA. The effect of PAA grafted GO nanosheets as fillers on mechanical and thermal properties of aerospace grade epoxy was studied. Epoxy nanocomposites containing graphene oxide (GO) and GO-g-PAA nanosheets were fabricated by incorporating 0.35 to 1.4 wt% of filler. GO-g-PAA modified epoxy nanocomposites showed excellent improvement in flexural, compression and fracture properties compared to neat epoxy and GO modified epoxy. Fracture toughness increased from 0.94 MPa m to 1/2 for neat epoxy to 1.75 MPa m-1/2 (87%) for epoxy nanocomposites modified with 0.7 wt% of GO-g-PAA nanosheets. The temperature for 5% weight loss showed drastic improvement of 24 °C for epoxy nanocomposites modified with 0.7 wt% of GO-g-PAA nanosheets. The examination of fractured surfaces of modified epoxy nanocomposites showed better interaction of GO-g-PAA nanosheets with epoxy compared to GO nanosheets.
45 citations
TL;DR: Results from cell experiments combined with film characteristics after crosslinking indicate that crosslinked freestanding films made of ALG and CHI may be interesting candidates for wound dressings.
Abstract: Freestanding multilayer films prepared by layer-by-layer technique have attracted interest as promising materials for wound dressings. The goal is to fabricate freestanding films using chitosan (CHI) and alginate (ALG) including subsequent crosslinking to improve the mechanical properties of films while maintaining their biocompatibility. Three crosslinking strategies are investigated, namely use of calcium ions for crosslinking ALG, 1-ethyl-3-(-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide combined with N-hydroxysuccinimide for crosslinking ALG with CHI, and Genipin for crosslinking chitosan inside the films. Different characteristics, such as surface morphology, wettability, swelling, roughness, and mechanical properties are investigated showing that films became thinner, exhibited rougher surfaces, had lower water uptake, and increased mechanical strength after crosslinking. Changes of wettability are moderate and dependent on the crosslinking method. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell attachment studies with human dermal fibroblasts show that freestanding CHI-ALG films represent a poorly adhesive substratum for fibroblasts, while studies using incubation of plastic-adherent fibroblast beneath floating films show no signs of cytotoxicity in a time frame of 7 days. Results from cell experiments combined with film characteristics after crosslinking, indicate that crosslinked freestanding films made of ALG and CHI may be interesting candidates for wound dressings.
20 citations