Modulation of crystallinity through radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in PLLA/magnetic nanoparticles composites: A proof of concept

To modulate the properties of degradable implants from outside of the human body represents a major challenge in the field of biomaterials. Polylactic acid is one of the most used polymers in biomedical applications, but it tends to lose its mechanical properties too quickly during degradation. In t...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Multigner, Marta, Morales, Irene, Giacomone, Fernando, Presa Muñoz De Toro, Patricia Marcela De La, Benavente, Rosario, Torres, Belén, Mantovani, Diego, Rams, Joaquín
Format: article
Publication Date:2021
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/5066
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/5066
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:538.9
Magnetic nanoparticles
Heating efficiency
Hyperthermia
Stability
Size
Biodegradable nanocomposite
PLLA
Radiofrequency electromagnetic field
Física de materiales
Física del estado sólido
2211 Física del Estado Sólido
Description
Summary:To modulate the properties of degradable implants from outside of the human body represents a major challenge in the field of biomaterials. Polylactic acid is one of the most used polymers in biomedical applications, but it tends to lose its mechanical properties too quickly during degradation. In the present study, a way to reinforce poly-L lactic acid (PLLA) with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that have the capacity to heat under radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) is proposed. As mechanical and degradation properties are related to the crystallinity of PLLA, the aim of the work was to explore the possibility of modifying the structure of the polymer through the heating of the reinforcing MNPs by EMF within the biological limit range f center dot H < 5 center dot x 10_(9) Am_(-1) center dot s_(-1). Composites were prepared by dispersing MNPs under sonication in a solution of PLLA. The heat released by the MNPs was monitored by an infrared camera and changes in the polymer were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry and nanoindentation techniques. The crystallinity, hardness, and elastic modulus of nanocomposites increase with EMF treatment.