Natural polymer-based biomaterials and its properties

Abstract

Natural polymers such as PLA- and chitosan (CS)-based biocomposites as biomaterials have proven its potential in biomedical area, including wound dressing, drug delivery system, tissue engineering scaffolds, and so on. In this chapter, the effect of chitosan and various chemical treatments on physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of PLA-based composites was discussed. The interaction between polymer and CS is weak; thus, various techniques are required to improve the adhesion and compatibility between these natural polymers. Generally, PLA- and CS-based natural polymer composites are prepared through a solution casting method. The effect of epoxy natural rubber (ENR) on the properties of PLA/CS composites was investigated and found to be improved its properties after incorporated. The morphological properties of various biocomposites were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy analysis. The chemical structure of the fabricated composites was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of composites in terms of tensile strength and tensile modulus were significantly changed by the addition of CS and ENR into the matrix. Moreover, both tensile strengths and tensile modulus of the composites showed an increasing trend with increasing CS filler content. However, while the CS content was increased up to a certain level, the tensile strength and tensile modulus reduced slightly. The fracture surfaces of composites were also recorded using SEM, and it was indicated smooth and homogeneous texture throughout the surface of composites. Nevertheless, phase segregation and poor adhesion between the polymers were observed for higher wt.% of CS content composites.