Influence of backbone chain length and functional groups of organic modifiers on crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of intercalated clay-polycaprolactam nanocomposites

Nanoclays mediate stem cell differentiation and mineralized ECM formation on biopolymer scaffolds

“…[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Investigation of PCNs by our group through several experimental and simulation studies led to development of ''Altered Phase Theory of PCNs'' that postulates that molecular interactions between polymer, clay, and modifier lead to formation of an ''altered phase'' around clay particles in PCNs of the scale of 10 s of nanometers, which has significantly different physical properties than the polymer. 39 Our modeling studies have indicated the potential of amino acids to be intercalated into clay galleries. 38 Also, one of our previous studies showed that a modifier's backbone chain length and its functional groups affect MMT clay d-spacing and nanomechanical properties of PCNs.…”

“…38 Also, one of our previous studies showed that a modifier's backbone chain length and its functional groups affect MMT clay d-spacing and nanomechanical properties of PCNs. 39 Our modeling studies have indicated the potential of amino acids to be intercalated into clay galleries. 40 Further, medicinal properties, 41 reported use for pharmaceutical applications [42][43][44][45][46][47] and ability to be excreted from the body 48 seem to make MMT suitable for use in tissue engineering studies.…”

“…55 Longer backbone chain length of these acids as compared with the natural amino acids 40 based on our previous study showing the effect of backbone chain length of modifiers on mechanical behavior 39 and their reported antimicrobial activity were considered as the selection criteria. 55 Longer backbone chain length of these acids as compared with the natural amino acids 40 based on our previous study showing the effect of backbone chain length of modifiers on mechanical behavior 39 and their reported antimicrobial activity were considered as the selection criteria.…”

“…Our prior studies related to use of MMT clay for bone tissue engineering applications involved use of three unnatural amino acids for modifying MMT clay. 55 Longer backbone chain length of these acids as compared with the natural amino acids 40 based on our previous study showing the effect of backbone chain length of modifiers on mechanical behavior 39 and their reported antimicrobial activity were considered as the selection criteria. MMT clays modified with these unnatural amino acids showed an increase in interlayer spacing and were found to be biocompatible with human osteoblasts.…”

Tissue-engineered nanoclay-based 3Din vitrobreast cancer model for studying breast cancer metastasis to bone

“…Our group has previously investigated nanoclays for preparation of bone tissue engineering scaffolds (Ambre, Katti, & Katti, ; Ambre et al, ; Katti, Katti, & Dash, ). These studies are based on a simulation‐based design methodology for design of polymer clay nanocomposites (Sikdar, Katti, & Katti, ; Sikdar et al, ; Sikdar, Katti, Katti, & Mohanty, ; Sikdar, Pradhan, Katti, Katti, & Mohanty, ).…”