Flexible, Biocompatible PET Sheets: A Platform for Attachment, Proliferation and Differentiation of Eukaryotic Cells

Transparent, flexible, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets were modified by bioactive polymer-fibronectin top layers for the attachment of cells and growth of muscle fibers. Towards this end, PET sheets were grafted with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl (DMA) groups from the in situ generated diazonium cation precursor. The arylated sheets served as macro-hydrogen donors for benzophenone and the growth of poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) top layer by surface-confined free radical photopolymerization. The PET-PHEMA sheets were further grafted with fibronectin (FBN) through the 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole coupling procedure. The bioactive PET-PHEMA-I-FBN was then employed as a platform for the attachment, proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells which after a few days gave remarkable muscle fibers, of ~120 µm length and ~45 µm thickness. We demonstrate that PET-PHEMA yields a fast growth of cells followed by muscle fibers of excellent levels of differentiation compared to pristine PET or standard microscope glass slides. The positive effect is exacerbated by crosslinking PHEMA chains with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate at initial HEMA/EGDA concentration ratio = 9/1. This works conclusively shows that in situ generated diazonium salts provide aryl layers for the efficient UV-induced grafting of biocompatible coating that beneficially serve as platform for cell attachment and growth of muscle fibers.

Flexible, Biocompatible PET Sheets: a Platform for Attachment, Proliferation and Differentiation of Eukaryotic Cells

Transparent, flexible, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets were modified by bioactive polymer-fibronectin top layers for the attachment of cells and growth of muscle fibers. Towards this end, PET sheets were grafted with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl (DMA) groups from the in situ generated corresponding diazonium compound. The arylated sheets served as macro-hydrogen donors for benzophenone and the growth of poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) top layer by surface-confined free radical photopolymerization. The PET-PHEMA sheets were further grafted with fibronectin (FBN) through the 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole coupling procedures. The bioactive PET-PHEMA-I-FBN was then employed as a platform for the attachment, proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells which after a few days gave remarkable muscle fibers, of ~120 µm length and ~45 µm thickness. We demonstrate that PET-PHEMA yields a fast growth of cells followed by muscle fibers of excellent levels of differentiation compared to pristine PET or standard microscope glass slides. The positive effect is exacerbated by crosslinking PHEMA chains with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate at initial HEMA/EGDMA concentration ratio = 9/1. This works conclusively shows that in situ generated diazonium salts provide aryl layers for the efficient UV-induced grafting of biocompatible coating that beneficially serve as platform for cell attachment and growth of muscle fibers. Beyond this work, diazonium coupling agents constitute the corner stone of next generation processes for building flexible platforms for cell adhesion and uses thereof.

Study on polyethylene-based carbon fibers obtained by sulfonation under hydrostatic pressure

Polyethylene based carbon fibers were studied using high density polyethylene(HDPE) fibers and linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE) fibers with various melt flow index. The draw ratio of the polyethylene fibers and the sulfonation mechanism were investigated under hydrostatic pressures of 1 and 5 bar in the first time. The influence of the melt flow index of polyethylene and types of polyethylene fibers on the sulfonation reaction was studied. Carbon fibers were prepared through the sulfonation of LLDPE fibers possessing side chains with a high melt flow index. The polyethylene fibers, which exhibited thermoplastic properties and plastic behavior, were cross-linked through the sulfonation process. Their thermal properties and mechanical properties changed to thermoset properties and elastic behavior. Although sulfonation was performed under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar, it was difficult to convert the highly oriented polyethylene fibers because of their high crystallinity, but partially oriented polyethylene fibers could be converted to carbon fibers. Therefore, the effect of fiber orientation on fiber crosslinking, which has not been reported in previous literature, has been studied in detail, and a new method of hydrostatic pressure sulfonation has been successful in thermally stabilizing polyethylene fiber. Hydrostatic sulfonation was performed using partially oriented LLDPE fibers with a melt flow index of 20 at 130 °C for 2.5 h under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar. The resulting fibers were carbonized under the following conditions: 1000 °C, 5 °C/min, and five minutes. Carbon fibers with a tensile strength of 2.03 GPa, a tensile modulus of 143.63 GPa, and an elongation at break of 1.42% were prepared.

Study On Polyethylene-Based Carbon Fibers Obtained by Sulfonation Under Hydrostatic Pressure

Carbon fibers were prepared using polyethylene fibers. The draw ratio of the polyethylene fibers and the sulfonation mechanism were investigated under hydrostatic pressures of 1 and 5 bar. The influence of the melt flow index of polyethylene on the sulfonation reaction was studied. Carbon fibers were prepared through the sulfonation of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) fibers possessing side chains with a high melt flow index. The polyethylene fibers, which exhibited thermoplastic properties and plastic behavior, were cross-linked through the sulfonation process. Their thermal properties and mechanical properties changed to thermoset properties and elastic behavior. Although sulfonation was performed under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar, it was difficult to convert the highly oriented polyethylene fibers because of their high crystallinity, but partially oriented polyethylene fibers could be converted to carbon fibers. Therefore, sulfonation was performed using partially oriented LLDPE fibers with a melt flow index of 20 at 130°C for 2.5 hours under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar. The resulting fibers were carbonized under the following conditions: 1000°C, 5°C/min, and five minutes. Carbon fibers with a tensile strength of 2.03 GPa, a tensile modulus of 143.63 GPa, and an elongation at break of 1.42% were prepared.

Structural evolution and dielectric properties of biaxially oriented polyethylene/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films

The more uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the matrix was caused by the high biaxial drawing ratios. Trace amounts of fillers were added to maintain low dielectric loss while increasing the dielectric properties of the BOPE/MWCNT composite films.