Hydrophobic Composites Designed by a Nonwoven Cellulose-Based Material and Polymer/CaCO₃ Patterns with Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Herein, we report a simple method to obtain hydrophobic surfaces by surface modification with calcium carbonate via diffusion-controlled crystallization using a cheap, versatile, and super-hydrophilic cellulose-based nonwoven material (NWM) as the substrate. To control the CaCO3 crystal growth, the ammonium carbonate diffusion method was applied in the presence of polyanions [poly­(acid acrylic), poly­(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), and a copolymer which contains 55 mol % 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and 45 mol % acrylic acid] or nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes with polycations [poly­(allylamine hydrochloride) and chitosan] on a pristine NWM and on polycation-treated surfaces. The surface morphology obtained by calcite growth under surface or environmental functional groups’ influence and the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the composite materials were followed and compared to that of the starting material. The obtained composite materials become hydrophobic, having a contact angle in the range of 110–135°. The capacity of tetracycline sorption and release by selected modified surfaces were followed and compared to the untreated NWM. Also, the biological properties were evaluated in terms of biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and antifouling capability.

Zein/Polysaccharide Nanoscale Electrostatic Complexes: Preparation, Drug Encapsulation and Antibacterial Properties

“…As can be seen, the pristine NWM, as well as the samples containing NPECs, had no antibacterial activity due to their excellent biocompatibility properties [ 38 ]. Only the samples with the added antibiotic presented antibacterial activity (up to 27 mm in the inhibition zone in the case of the NPECs with the CSA and ciprofloxacin against E. coli ).…”

Alginate-based Composite Hydrogels Formed by In Situ CaCO3 Crystallization

“…Calcium carbonate is one of the most abundant minerals in the world, that has three anhydrous crystalline polymorphs, namely, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, two hydrated metastable forms (calcium carbonate monohydrate and calcium carbonate hexahydrate), and an unstable amorphous phase. , In our previous work, we have demonstrated that the crystallization of CaCO 3 is in direct correlation with the functional groups present on the surface of a template material [hydrogel, beads, and nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes (NPECs)], along with other important parameters, like the addition protocol of inorganic partners or the carbonate source, influence of the surface crystal growth, and the ammonium diffusion technique yielding more homogeneous CaCO 3 composites. ,− …”