Lim klassificeras som ett ämne som kan hålla ihop två ytor så att de motstår separation. Dagens lim kan anpassas efter vilken applikation de ska användas till och kan ha ett stort antal olika egenskaper. De fysikaliska och kemiska egenskaperna av limmet är de viktigaste faktorerna för att bilda en bra limbindning. I stort sett alla syntetiska lim består idag av polymerer, varav de flesta är petroleumbaserade. För att skapa ett mer miljövänligt alternativ undersökte denna studie tillämpningen av poly(3-hydroxibutyrat- co-3-hydroxivalerat), PHBV med 36 eller 56 vikt% HV, som huvudkomponent i ett lim. Huvudfokus ligger på hur väl PHBV är lämpligt för användning som lim och hur olika tillsatser kan förbättra dess egenskaperna. Flera olika limblandningar innehållande PHBV, mjukgörare (sebacinsyra, dimetylsebacat, etylbutanoat eller tributylcitrat) och förtjockningsmedel (Abalyn eller Foralyn) skapades och undersöktes. Ett single lap skjuvtest utfördes med kopieringspapper, filterpapper och träpinnar som vidhäftningsmaterialet, medan ett avskalningstest undersökte användningen av kopieringspappersetiketter och plastetiketter på en glasflaska samt frukt.  Båda testen visar att kopieringspapper har de mest lovande egenskaperna som en adherent för användningen av ett PHBV-baserat lim, både för PHBV innehållande 36 vikts% och 56 vikts% HV. Denna slutsats kunde dras då kopieringspapperet påvisade den starkaste bindningen med limmet. Ren PHBV uppvisade lovande häftstyrka och vidhäftning som ett smältlim. Tillsatsen av sebacinsyra tillsammans med Abalyn eller dimetylsebacat med Foralyn ökade limmets häftstyrka ytterligare. Vi fann också att lim som skapats med PHBV med 36 vikt% HV ger bättre hållfasthetsegenskaper. Framtida arbete innefattar mer exakta mätmetoder för att bestämma egenskaperna hos limblandningarna. / An adhesive is classified as a substance that holds two surfaces together and resists separation. Today’s adhesives can be modified according to various application demands, obtaining a large variety of properties. The most important factors of forming a good adhesive bond are the physical and chemical properties. Essentially all synthetic adhesives consist of polymers, most of them being petroleum-based. To obtain a more environmentally friendly option, this study investigated the use of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), PHBV with 36 or 56 wt% HV, as the main component in an adhesive. The main focus was to investigate on how well PHBV is suited for use as an adhesive and how different additives can improve the adhesive properties. Several different adhesive formulations containing PHBV, plasticizers (sebacic acid, dimethyl sebacate, ethyl butyrate, or tributyl citrate) and tackifiers (Abalyn or Foralyn) were created and investigated using various tests, such as single lap shear test, peel test, tackiness determination, optical analysis, and application testing. Single lap shear tests were performed using printing paper, filter paper, and wooden sticks as adherents, while peel tests explored the use of printing paper labels and plastic labels on a glass bottle and on fruit. It was determined that two PHBV adhesives, containing 36 wt% and 56 wt% of HV, performed best using printing paper as adherent. This conclusion could be drawn based on the good interaction between the adherent and the adhesive, thereby creating a strong bond. Pure PHBV with 36 or 56 wt% showed promising strength and tackiness properties as a hot-melt adhesive. The addition of sebacic acid together with Abalyn or dimethyl sebacate with Foralyn further increased the adhesive’s strength. It was also found that adhesive formulations created using a PHBV with a lower amount of HV (around 36 wt% of HV) yields better strength properties when used as an adhesive for paper labels. Future work involves more precise measurement methods to determine the properties of the adhesive formulations.

Ce travail de recherche consiste à étudier les relations structure-propriétés de mélanges biopolymères à base de poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) et poly(butylène succinate) (PBS). Il est divisé en trois parties. La première partie est consacrée à l'étude des propriétés des mélanges PHBV/PBS préparés par voie fondue en fonction de la composition en termes de morphologie et de propriétés rhéologiques, mécaniques, thermiques et barrières. Les résultats obtenus ont été discutés par rapport aux polymères de base. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la compatibilisation des mélanges PHBV/PBS et l'amélioration des interactions à l'interface. Les effets de l'incorporation de la sépiolite à 5% en masse et du PHBV greffé par de l’anhydride maléique (PHBV-g-MA) à 5% en masse ont été étudiés en termes de changements morphologiques montrant un effet synergique entre le compatibilisant et la nanocharge sur les l’ensemble des propriétés des mélanges PHBV/PBS. Enfin, une étude sur le recyclage a été menée à travers une évaluation des effets du nombre de cycles d'extrusion sur les propriétés des matériaux. Elle révèle qu'après 6 cycles d'extrusion, la dégradation thermo-mécanique du PHBV est significativement réduite en présence du PBS. / The main objective of this work was to study the structure-properties relationships of biopolymerblends based on poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polybutylene succinate (PBS). The work was devised into three parts. The first part was devoted to the study of the properties of PHBV/PBS blends prepared by melt compounding at different weight ratio in terms of morphology and properties. The results obtained were discussed in terms of properties and compared with the neat polymers. The second part was devoted to the study of compatibility of PHBV/PBS blends aiming to improve the interactions at the interface between the two components. The effects of both sepiolite (5% wt.) and PHBV-g-MA (5% wt.) were studied in terms of properties. The results showed a synergistic effect between the compatibilizer PHBV-g-MA and the nanofiller sepiolite though an increase in thermal, mechanical and rheological properties. The last part dealing with the recyclability of PHBV/PBS through the study of the effects of repeated extrusion cycles on the properties of materials. The results showed that after 6 reprocessing cycles the thermo-mechanical degradation of PHBV is significantly reduced in the presence of PBS.

Sustainable polymeric materials put emphasis on mastering the whole life-cycle of polymeric materials. This includes the choice of raw materials, selection of synthesis and processing, environmental impact during long-term use followed by detailed knowledge about recycling and waste management.  Within this large efforts are put in the design and development of new biocomposites using renewable fibres instead of inert ones. The thesis deals with surface modifications of agricultural fibres and the design of biocomposites with optimal long-term properties balancing the potential risk for biodegradation.  The first part of this thesis involved surface modifications of oil palm fibres and production of biocomposites with PP as matrix. The chemical surface modifications of oil palm fibres explored propionylation, PPgMA grafting via solution modification and reactive blending and vinyltrimethoxy silanization as methods. All modified fibre/PP biocomposites showed improvements in the mechanical properties followed also by an improvement of water resistance. In comparison with unmodificed fibres/PP matrix the highest water resistance after the surface modifications of oil palm fibres were observed for silanization followed by PPgMA modified,  PPgMA blending and  propionylation. The second part aimed at producing fully biodegradable biocomposites and analysing the resulting properties with respect to potential risk for biodegradation. Sisal fibres were incorporated in PLA and PHBV and the resulting risk for biodegradation using a fungus, Aspergillus niger, monitored. Neat PLA and PHBV were compared with the corresponding biocomposites and already without fibres both polymers were notably biodegraded by Aspergillus niger. The degree of biodegradation of PLA and PHBV matrices was related to the extent of the growth on the material surfaces. Adding sisal fibres gave a substantial increase in the growth on the surfaces of the biocomposites. Correlating the type of surface modification of sisal fibres with degree of biodegradation, it was demonstrated that all chemically modified sisal/PLA biocomposites were less biodegraded than unmodified sisal biocomposites.  Propionylated sisal/PLA demonstrated the best resistance to biodegradation of all biocomposites while sisal/CA/PLA demonstrated high level of biodegradation after severe invasion by Aspergillus niger. In general, the biodegradation correlated strongly with the degree of water absorption and surface modifications that increase the hydrophobicity is a route to improve the resistance to biodegradation. Designing new biocomposites using renewable fibres and non-renewable and renewable matrices involve the balancing of the increase in mechanical properties, after improved adhesion between fibres and the polymer matrix, with the potential risk for biodegradation. / <p>QC 20130325</p>

Antibiotic use is a vital method for the treatment of most diseases involving bacterial infections. Unfortunately, in certain cases these agents are not effective in treatments against diseases for either some limitation in antibiotic usage because of the side effects or some distribution problems caused by physiological or pathological barriers in the body. Such problems are thought to be minimized by development of controlled release systems which involve implantation of antibiotic loaded polymeric systems directly to the site of infection. Present study involves Vancomycin, a very strong antibiotic with a wide spectrum of activity, and two biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-valerate) PHBV and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA, in the construction of rod shaped controlled release systems designed for the aim of local treatment of osteomyelitis. Vancomycin carrying rods of either PHBV 8 or PLGA (50:50) polymers were prepared by the use of cold paste and hot extrusion methods in two different loading ratios (2:1 and 1:1 P:V). In situ release kinetics of each type of rod was determined by spectrophotometric measurement of vancomycin concentration. For determination of drug content of the controlled release rods initially and at the end of the release experiments, extraction and IR (infrared) studies were carried out. The efficacy of the system was measured in vitro on the bacterial strain, B. subtilis. Characterization of the rods was made by the use of stereomicroscopy and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). In situ release results of the controlled Vancomycin release formulations revealed that for both polymer types, hot extrusion process enabled the formation of a more compact system that provided slower release of the agent compared to the cold paste method. With the combined effect of variable loading proportion and polymer type the most prolonged release was obtained by PHBV rods having 2:1, P:V, ratio (prepared by hot extrusion method). In general, the release kinetics from the rods obeyed the Fickian diffusion kinetics except for PLGA rods prepared by cold paste method with 1:1 and 2:1 (P:V) loading ratios, which had a first order rate of drug release. According to in vitro bioactivity assays, all the groups effectively inhibited bacterial growth with the first day release samples. On the seventh day, however, only two cold paste samples, PHBV:Vancomycin 1:1 and PLGA:Vancomycin 1:1 had drug content barely sufficient for MEC while the others were in the ineffective range. The IR and grinding-extraction studies proved that Vancomycin was still present within the rods after a ten day release period. The PHBV rods with 2:1 (P:V) ratio prepared by hot extrusion method seem to be the most promising drug delivery system in terms of providing prolonged release as an implantable drug delivery system for the treatment of bacterial infections of the bone, namely osteomyelitis.

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Mariselma Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências e Materiais Avançados, 2016. / Este trabalho investigou as condições de eletrofiação do poli(3-hidroxibutirato-co-3- hidroxivalerato), o PHBV, com o objetivo de produzir mantas eletrofiadas de PHBV com fibras sem contas e com diâmetros na escala nanométrica. Os parâmetros de eletrofiação estudados foram: tensão de eletrofiação, distância de trabalho e concentração da solução, nesta ordem. Para a realização deste estudo foram preparadas soluções de PHBV e clorofórmio. O primeiro estudo foi o da tensão de eletrofiação, para realiza-lo foram eletrofiadas três amostras, cada uma com uma tensão (15 kV, 20 kV e 25 kV) mantendo fixas as concentrações de PHBV na solução e a distância de trabalho. Para o estudo da distância de trabalho fixou-se a tensão e a concentração. Foram utilizadas cinco distâncias de trabalho diferentes, 8, 10, 12, 15 e 20 cm. Para o estudo da concentração fixou-se a tensão e a distância de trabalho. Foram preparadas quatro amostras para o estudo da concentração em massa do PHBV na solução, uma com 10 %, outra 15 %, outra com 20 % e outra com 25 % (m/m). Desse modo foi possível decidir qual a melhor combinação destes três fatores. As amostras foram observadas ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura e concluiu-se que as melhores condições foram: tensão = 25 kV, distância de trabalho = 15 cm e concentração = 15 % (m/m) de PHBV. Em um segundo momento foi feito um estudo alterando o solvente das soluções, o clorofórmio se manteve como o solvente principal e adicionou-se 10 % acetona para uma amostra, 10 % de metanol para outra, 5% de acetona e 5 % de metanol para outra, 1 % de acetato de etila para outra e 1% de 1,2-dicloroetano para outra. Todas essas amostras foram eletrofiadas com uma tensão de 25 kV e uma distância de trabalho de 15 cm. Através do exame no microscópio eletrônico de varredura, concluiu-se que a melhor combinação foi a de clorofórmio com 10 % de metanol. Por último, se fez um novo estudo de tensões com esta solução: ela foi eletrofiada com 20, 22 e 25 kV. Com essa mistura de solventes e esse novo estudo foi possível encontrar ao menos uma região de uma manta eletrofiada que não apresentou contas e foi composta por fibras na escala manométrica, a da amostra contendo 10 % de metanol eletrofiada com 20 kV. Essa descoberta avança um pouco mais o trabalho de Tong e Wang (2011) já que eles conseguiram diminuir o diâmetro médio de 3310 nm para 822 nm com a adição de sal à solução, enquanto neste trabalho se conseguiu um diâmetro médio de 596 nm. Isso pode indicar mais um passo em direção à fabricação de plataformas biológicas de suporte temporário para a engenharia de tecidos. / This work has investigated the electrospinning parameters of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), aiming to produce electrospun mats without beads and with nanometric fibers. The electrospinning parameters studied were: applied voltage, working distance and polymer concentration of solution. The solutions were prepared with chloroform as the solvent. Three samples were produced to study the applied voltage (15, 20 and 25 kV). Five samples were electrospun to study the working distance (8, 10, 12, 15 and 20 cm). Four samples were produced to study the concentration (10, 15, 20 and 25 wt % of PHBV). Each one of those samples were observed at the scanning electron microscope and the best conditions were: applied voltage = 25 kV, working distance = 15 cm and polymer concentration = 15 %. After that the solvent of the solutions was changed, the chloroform was maintained as the main solvent and it was added 10 % of acetone to produce one sample, 10 % of methanol to produce another sample, 5 % of acetone and 5 % of methanol to produce another one, 10 % of ethyl acetate to produce another one and 10 % of 1,2-dichloroethane to produce another one. All those samples were electrospun with an applied voltage of 25 kV and working distance of 15 cm. With the scanning electron microscope, the best combination was found to be the one with chloroform and methanol. At last, this solution containing PHBV, chloroform and methanol was electrospun with three different applied voltage (20, 22 e 25 kV). With that combination of solvents and this new study of applied voltage, it was possible to produce an electrospun mat with no beads and nanometric diameters. This was a little more than the work of Tong and Wang (2011) since they manage to reduce de diameter from 3310 nm to 822 nm with the addition of salt to the solution and here it was produced an average diameter of 596 nm. This could be another step toward the fabrication of scaffolds for the tissue engineering area.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:10:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3487.pdf: 10138404 bytes, checksum: 13b93cd4409d1c88ac70e1d1996e4e50 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-15 / This study aimed to develop and characterize polymer blends using biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymers poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) PHBV with 12% valerate, and poly (&#949;-caprolactone) PCL, in order to make the PHBV less fragile for applications such as osteosynthesis devices. We studied the binary mixture of these polymers in the compositions PHBV / PCL (75/25 and 50/50). The polymer blends were prepared in order to simulate a large-scale industrial process, by extrusion followed by injection. The pure polymers and polymer blends were evaluated and characterized by: Melt Flow Index (MFI), Thermal Analysis (TG, DSC and DMTA), Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermal Test of the Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT), Mechanical Tests (impact, tensile and flexural), Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), analysis of in vitro degradation and Cytotoxicity Analysis, direct and indirect. The results obtained through different techniques indicated the immiscibility of PHBV / PCL blends. In terms of mechanical properties, the polymer blends analyzed indicated better characteristics than copolymer PHBV, presenting a less brittle behavior. In the in vitro study, in phosphate buffered saline solution with pH 7.3, the PHBV and PCL samples indicated a slow degradation behavior when compared to other bioabsorbable polymers. Along the degradation period, the polymers became more rigid, increasing the values of the Tensile Modulus of Elasticity. It was verified that, depending on the degradation period, there was a reduction in the values of molar masses of the samples studied. Through the cytotoxicity analysis, it was found that the pure polymers and the blends studied did not indicate indirect toxicity. However, the results indicated toxicity through the direct contact with the polymers studied, which may be related to the superficial characteristics thereof. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar blendas poliméricas utilizando os polímeros biodegradáveis e biorreabsorvíveis poli(hidroxibutirato-co-valerato) PHBV, com 12% de valerato, e poli(&#949;- caprolactona) - PCL, com a finalidade de tornar o PHBV menos frágil para aplicações tais como dispositivos de osteossíntese. Estudou-se a mistura binária desses polímeros nas composições PHBV/PCL (75/25 e 50/50). As blendas poliméricas foram preparadas de maneira a simular um processo industrial em grande escala, por extrusão seguida de injeção. Os polímeros puros e as blendas poliméricas foram avaliados e caracterizados por: Índice de fluidez (MFI), Análises Térmicas (TG, DSC e DMTA), Microscopia óptica, Microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), Ensaio térmico de temperatura de deflexão ao calor sob carga (HDT), Ensaios mecânicos (impacto, tração e flexão), Cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC), Análise de degradação in vitro e Análise de Citotoxicidade, indireta e direta. Os resultados obtidos através de diversas técnicas indicaram a imiscibilidade das blendas PHBV/PCL. Em termos das propriedades mecânicas, as blendas poliméricas estudadas apresentaram características melhores que o copolímero PHBV, apresentando comportamento menos frágil. No estudo in vitro, em solução tampão de fosfato salino com pH 7.3, as amostras de PHBV e de PCL mostraram um comportamento de degradação lenta quando comparados a outros polímeros biorreabsorvíveis. Em função do tempo de degradação os polímeros tornaram-se mais rígidos, aumentando assim os valores dos módulos de elasticidade em tração. Comprovou-se que, em função do tempo de degradação, houve uma redução nos valores das massas molares das amostras estudadas. Através da análise de citotoxicidade constatou-se que os polímeros puros e as blendas estudados não apresentaram toxicidade indireta. Porém, os resultados mostraram toxicidade por contato direto com os polímeros estudados, o que pode estar relacionado às características superficiais dos mesmos.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:11:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2137.pdf: 7766711 bytes, checksum: 88d3e36866e5f75e39203419471c46e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-05 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The concept of environmentally correct products has been exhaustively discussed and, today, the use of biodegradable polymers appears as a feasible alternative for the problem of inadequate disposal of plastic waste products. Poly(hydroxybutyrate) PHB and the copolymer poly(hydroxybutyrate-cohydroxyvalerate) PHBV are among the main members of the class of biodegradable polymers, which are thermoplastic polymers produced from a renewable source and 100% biodegradable. However, PHB and PHBV still present several limitations, such as stiffness and brittleness, low thermal stability, and a narrow process window. However, the thermal and mechanical performance of PHB and PHBV can be improved through the use of additives. In view of this fact, the objective of this study was to produce materials with properties optimized through the incorporation of a plasticizer, nucleant and thermal stabilizer to the PHBV copolymer. The formulations were subjected to the following tests: tensile and notched Izod impact tests, melt flow index, differential exploratory calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Additivation of the copolymers proved effective, usually resulting in adequate processability due to the presence of the nucleant and the improved physicomechanical properties provided by the plasticizer. The thermal stabilizer proved dispensable since the stability of the PHBV was not improved. A comparison was made of the results obtained in some properties for the two copolymers with different hydroxyvalerate contents. The copolymer containing more HV proved better than the other, even displaying greater compatibility with the most efficient additives. The biodegradability was evaluated based on mass loss, alterations in the mechanical tensile properties, and SEM analysis after 180 days in organic soil. The additivated formulations presented higher mass loss than the pure copolymer, indicating the feasibility of producing a copolymer with adequate physical and mechanical properties combined with the desired biodegradability. / Atualmente, quando o conceito de ambientalmente correto vem sendo amplamente discutido, o uso de polímeros biodegradáveis aparece como uma alternativa viável para o problema do descarte inadequado de produtos plásticos. O poli(hidroxibutirato) PHB e o copolímero poli(hidroxibutirato-cohidroxivalerato) estão entre os principais membros da classe dos polímeros biodegradáveis: são polímeros termoplásticos produzidos a partir de fonte renovável e 100% biodegradáveis. No entanto, o PHB e o PHBV ainda apresentam algumas limitações como rigidez e fragilidade, baixa estabilidade térmica e estreita janela de processamento. Uma melhora no desempenho térmico e mecânico do PHB e do PHBV podem ser obtidos por meio da utilização de aditivos. Diante disto, o presente trabalho buscou a obtenção de materiais com propriedades otimizadas através da incorporação de plastificante, nucleante e estabilizante térmico ao copolímero PHBV. As formulações foram submetidas a ensaios de tração e de impacto Izod com entalhe, índice de fluidez, Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC) e Termogravimetria (TG). A aditivação dos copolímeros mostrou-se eficiente resultando, em geral, em uma processabilidade adequada devido à presença de nucleante e em melhores propriedades físico-mecânicas proporcionada pela ação do plastificante. O estabilizante térmico utilizado não tornou o PHBV mais estável, revelando-se dispensável. Foi possível também a comparação dos resultados obtidos em algumas propriedades para os dois copolímeros com diferentes teores de hidroxivalerato. O copolímero com maior quantidade de HV mostrou-se superior ao outro, apresentando até mesmo maior compatibilidade com os aditivos selecionados como mais eficientes. Uma avaliação da biodegradabilidade foi realizada através da perda de massa, alterações nas propriedades mecânicas de tração e observação em MEV após 180 dias em solo orgânico. As formulações aditivadas apresentaram perdas de massa superior ao copolímero puro. Assim, verificou-se a possibilidade de obter um copolímero com características físico-mecânicas apropriadas mantendo a desejável biodegradabilidade.

Orientador: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T01:42:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lucchesi_Carolina_M.pdf: 3174282 bytes, checksum: b63549c83e46027b51da37ffd45ad2d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O copolímero Poli(hidroxibutirato-co-hidroxivalerato) (PHBV) tem sido intensamente estudado como substrato para a engenharia de tecidos, sendo conhecido como um poliéster hidrofóbico. A modificação da superfície por plasma é uma técnica efetiva e econômica para os materiais e tem ganhado crescente interesse da engenharia biomédica, por melhorar a biocompatibilidade da superfície. Neste estudo, avaliou-se as vantagens da modificação da superfície de membranas de PHBV tratadas por plasma de Oxigênio e Nitrogênio a fim de acelerar o processo de adesão e proliferação celular. O PHBV foi dissolvido em c1oreto de metileno à temperatura ambiente. Membranas de PHBV foram submetidas ao tratamento de plasma de Oxigênio e Nitrogênio, através de um gerador de plasma. As membranas foram esterilizadas por radiação UV por 30 min e colocadas em placas de 96 poços. Células Vero foram semeadas sobre as membranas, sendo determinada a proliferação celular sobre as matrizes, a citotoxicidade e adesão celular. Após 2, 24,48 e 120h de incubação, o crescimento e proliferação dos fibroblastos foram observados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As análises das membranas indicaram que o tratamento por plasma aumentou o ângulo de contato e a rugosidade, alterando a morfologia da superfície, e conseqüentemente, melhorou ocomportamento hidrofílico do polímero. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura das células Vero mostrou que as modificações da superfície proporcionaram melhor adesão, espalhamento e proliferação celular. O tratamento da superfície do polímero somado às suas propriedades químicas é um caminho para obtenção de estruturas aplicáveis a engenharia de tecido / Abstract: The copolymers poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) are being intensely studied as a tissue engineering substrate. It is know that Poly(hydroxybutic) (PHB) and their copolymers are quite hydrophobic polyesters. Plasma-surface modification is an effective and economical surface treatment technique for many materiaIs and of growing interest in biomedical engineering. In this study we investigate the advantages of oxygen and nitrogen plasma treatment to modify the PHBV surface to enable the acceleration of Vero cell adhesion and proliferation. PHBV was dissolved in methylene chloride at room temperature. The PHBV membranes were modified by oxygen or nitrogen-plasma treatments using a plasma generator. The membranes were sterilized by UV irradiation for 30 min and placed in 96-well plates. Vero cells were seeded onto the membranes and their proliferation onto the matrices was also determined by cytotoxicity and cell adhesion assay. After 2, 24, 48 and 120h of incubation, growth of fibroblasts on matrices was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analyses of the membranes indicated that the plasma treatment increased the contact angle and their roughness, it also changed the surface morphology, and consequently, enhanced the hydrophilic behavior of PHBV polymers. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of Vero cell adhered to plasma treated PHBV showed that the modified surface had allowed better cell attachment, spreading and growth than the untreated membrane. This combination of surface treatment and polymer chemistry is a valuable guide to prepare appropriated surface for tissue engineering application / Mestrado / Histologia / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

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