The present study aims at developing crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes using boric acid as the crosslinker. The physico-chemical changes in the structure of the PVA membranes as a function of the boric acid were investigated. The membrane hydrophilicity was determined using water contact angle measurements, which showed a significant increase from 49.3 degrees for pristine PVA membrane to 83.0 degrees for crosslinked PVA-BA membrane, due to a reduction in the available hydroxyl groups of PVA. A characteristic peak in the FTIR spectrum at 1274 cm-1 attributed to B & horbar;O & horbar;C stretching vibrations, provided strong evidence of the crosslinking reaction between PVA and BA. The mechanical strength and the modulus of the crosslinked membranes were found to increase with an increase in the BA content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and XRD demonstrated decrease in crystallinity with the increase in the BA concentration. The nature of water in the PVA-BA membranes was investigated using low-temperature DSC studies in the range of -40 degrees C to 20 degrees C. Water management in membranes showed that a fraction of water behaves in a different manner and does not show any freezing transition. The optimized membranes can be further used in combination with bioactive agents for water disinfection.

ABSTRACT Plasma grafting of itaconic acid ontopolypropylene (PP) surface was carried out to investigate the nature of the graft‐initiating sites in the system. It has been observed that the grafting is initiated by three mechanisms: peroxy, alkoxy, and alkyl linkages. The relative contribution of the three routes shows that the alkoxy linkage plays a significant role in graft initiation. The investigations were carried out using different techniques, such as Energy‐ Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and the results support the findings., Although a small fraction of grafting was initiated by alkyl and peroxide linkages, the observations highlighted the prominence of the alkoxy route.. The study presents an interesting aspect of graft functionalization on polymeric materials to design the material surfaces for specific applications. Almost 68% of the grafts follow the hydroperoxide decomposition route, giving alkoxy linkage.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric was functionalized by carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) plasma treatment to introduce carboxyl (–COOH) functionality on its surface. The presence of hydrophilic groups increased the hydrophilicity and decreased the water drop absorption time as the plasma exposure time increased from 30 to 120 s. The maximum carboxyl content of 1.9 μg cm −2 was achieved within 60 s exposure time, with 80 W discharge power and 40 cm 3 min −1 gas flow rate. The surface chemistry of untreated and plasma‐treated PET fabrics was analyzed using attenuated total reflectance ‐ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface morphology was monitored as a function of exposure time using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and atomic force spectroscopy (AFM). The colony count method was used to study the Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacterial adhesion on the surface. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (molecular weight 1000) was used to immobilize the plasma‐treated surface. The results showed a significant reduction in the bacterial adhesion to the functionalized PET fabric compared to untreated fabric. However, the immobilization of PEG on the PET surface inhibited bacterial adherence significantly and imparted antifouling behavior on the fabric surface. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage and infection significantly increase the mortality from traumatic injuries. Therefore, this study focuses on developing biobased hemostatic dressings that ensure both rapid blood clotting and effective infection control to improve trauma care outcomes. Cotton fabric was first immobilized with nanosilver-embedded carboxymethyl cellulose gel (NG) to confer antimicrobial properties. Subsequently, a blend of sodium alginate and glycerol (SG) with varying concentrations of aqueous extracts from Choerospondias axillaris (CA) and Mesua ferrea (MF) was coated onto the NG-functionalized cotton fabric to develop NGSG-CA and NGSG-MF hemostatic dressings, respectively. The infection-resistant activity of the dressings demonstrated more than a 97% reduction in viable colonies of S. aureus and E. coli. Cytotoxicity studies revealed >85% cell viability. In vitro blood clotting studies indicated rapid blood clot formation with the ability to aggregate blood components on the dressings' surface. In vivo hemostatic potential of the dressings suggested that the formulation containing nanosilver-embedded CMC gel and sodium alginate:glycerol blend with 3% CA extract (hereafter referred to as NGSG-CA3) exhibited a rapid blood clotting time of 66.37 +/- 17.32 s and reduced blood loss (0.135 +/- 0.03 g) compared to the control. These findings demonstrate that the developed dressings hold significant potential as multifunctional hemostatic materials for emergency trauma care in the healthcare sector in the near future.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was electrospun to create a bioactive nanofibrous web suitable for wound healing applications. A nanocomposite structure was developed by incorporating lecithin–clove oil into the PVA, resulting in nanogels that remain embedded in the PVA web matrix. The parameters used during the spinning process significantly affected the morphology of the nanofibers, which varied from beaded structures to smooth fibers. The web demonstrated excellent antimicrobial properties against both E. coli and S. aureus . In vivo studies using a mouse model indicated that the nanofibrous web promoted faster healing compared to the control PVA web. This promising material demonstrates great potential for use as a wound dressing. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

This work introduces a controlled fabrication approach for developing porous polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes with tunable architecture and reinforced mechanical properties, utilizing a nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) methodology. Chloroform was employed as the primary solvent, and the nonsolvent phase consisted of ethanol-water mixtures in varying proportions to manipulate phase dynamics during membrane formation. The impact of nonsolvent composition on the structural, thermal, and mechanical attributes of the membranes was rigorously assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and tensile testing. The results reveal that the nonsolvent ratio plays a decisive role in determining pore uniformity and polymer crystallization. A 50:50 ethanol-to-water composition yielded membranes with the most consistent pore distribution and peak surface roughness (3.9 nm), alongside the highest degree of crystallinity observed. Mechanical testing confirmed that this formulation achieved the most favorable performance, with a tensile strength of 1.83 MPa and elongation at break reaching 62.03%. These insights establish a straightforward yet effective route to tailor the properties of PCL membranes for diverse biomedical applications such as regenerative scaffolds and controlled therapeutic delivery.

The surgical repair of hernias, a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide, has traditionally relied on polypropylene (PP) mesh due to its favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, postoperative infections remain a significant complication, underscoring the need for the development of infection-resistant hernia meshes. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of current advancements and innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the infection resistance of PP mesh. It presents an overview of various research efforts focused on the integration of antimicrobial agents, surface modifications, and the development of bioactive coatings to prevent bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. Additionally, the synergistic effects of novel material designs and the role of nanotechnology in optimizing the anti-infective properties of PP mesh are explored. Recent clinical outcomes and in vitro studies are critically examined, highlighting challenges and potential future directions in the development of next-generation hernia meshes. Emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing surgical materials with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes in hernia repair.

Polyurethane (PU) has a diverse array of customized physical, chemical, mechanical, and structural characteristics, rendering it a superb option for biomedical applications. The current study involves modifying the polyurethane surface by the process of aminolysis (aminolyzed polyurethane; PU-A), followed by covalently immobilizing Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) polymer utilizing Schiff base chemistry. Oxidation of CMC periodically leads to the creation of dialdehyde groups along the CMC chain. When the aldehyde groups on the OCMC contact the amine group on a modified PU surface, they form an imine bond. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques are employed to analyze and confirm the immobilization of OCMC on aminolyzed PU film (PU-O). The OCMC gel incorporates Nitrofurantoin (NF) and immobilizes it on the PU surface (PU-ON), creating an antibacterial PU surface. The confirmation of medication incorporation is achieved using EDX analysis. The varying doses of NF have demonstrated concentration-dependent bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, in addition to sustained release. The proposed polyurethane (PU-ON) surface exhibited excellent infection resistance in in vivo testing. The material exhibited biocompatibility and is well-suited for biomedical applications.

The objective of this work was to fabricate nanofibres composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and kappa-carrageenan (kC) by employing an anionic surfactant, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT). This study examined the role of the surfactant in PCL/kC/AOT (hybrid) nanofibre preparation using SEM, AFM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD and DSC. The wettability and water uptake percentage of the nanofibres were investigated. An antimicrobial study was conducted against bacterial strains using a colony-counting assay, and changes in bacterial morphology were monitored using TEM. The results demonstrated that the hybrid nanofibres had a uniform and smooth structure, which might be attributed to the improved compatibility between polymers in the presence of the surfactant. The incorporation of AOT in the matrix resulted in a reduction in the mean fibre diameter and surface roughness. The hybrid nanofibres increased water absorbency is evidence of their high hydrophilicity, which can be explained by the simultaneous impact of kC and AOT. The hybrid nanofibres exhibited effective activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. (c) 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. Schematic representation of the preparation of nanofibres and properties achieved by adding sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in polycaprolactone (PCL)/kappa-carrageenan (kC) nanofibre. image

Polypropylene (PP) is an unflinching element of biomaterials for human healthcare, leading to enormous possibilities for their functional development within a broad range of biocompatible and bioreceptive materials. Plasma grafting of itaconic acid was carried out on a PP surface by oxygen plasma activation. The variation of grafting parameters, such as monomer concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time, as a function of the degree of grafting was investigated. The graft distribution and surface homogeneity of the PP surfaces were evaluated using confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. These surface characterizations led to information about the impact of grafts on the material surface. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

PVA was crosslinked with glyoxal (GLY), and the physico-chemical changes in the structure were investigated as a function of the crosslinker content. The membranes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), to find out the crystalline changes occurring in membranes. The swelling as well as the gel content of membranes were also evaluated. Swelling diminished to 100

It aims to prepare the chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) hydrogel membranes with different CS/PEO blend ratios (100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30) via solvent casting. The physicochemical properties of these membranes were investigated using various characterization techniques: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), contact angle, and tensile testing. The interaction of PEO and chitosan was investigated by DSC in terms of freezing bound, freezing free, and non-freezing PEO fraction. The cross-sectional surface morphology of membranes displayed a smoother surface with increasing PEO content up to 20 %, beyond which nonhomogeneity on the surface was visible. The antifouling behavior of membranes was investigated by bacterial adherence study, which showed an enhanced antifouling nature of membranes with the increase in the PEO content. The peeling strength of the membranes was measured using a 90° angle peeling test, and it was found that 20 % and more PEO content promotes easy removal from the gelatin slab. In addition to this, live/ dead assay of the CS was performed to visualize the presence of live and dead bacteria on the surface. The CS/PEO blend with 20 % PEO content has properties makes it suitable for use as a protective layer on wound dressings to prevent bacterial growth. It's use in wound dressings has the potential to reduce the pain during the time of dressing removal and improve patient outcomes. The present investigation leads to the development of a CS hydrogel matrix which exhibits very interesting interaction with the PEO moiety along with its innovative feature of antifouling and antimicrobial nature.

Polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) catheter was functionalized by γ-irradiation process to develop infection-resistant antimicrobial material. A two-step approach was used to develop antimicrobial catheter. The catheter was immobilized with the nanosilver nanogel (nSnG) using the irradiation process. The nSnG was prepared by γ –irradiation of water-in-oil nanoemulsion. The catheter was irradiated in the presence of the nSnG so that in-situ grafting of nSnG takes pace in catheter. The functionalized catheter showed excellent antimicrobial nature in terms of biocidal effect against E. Coli and S. aureus.

Development of the efficient hemostatic materials is an essential requirement for the management of hemorrhage caused by the emergency situations to avert most of the casualties. Such injuries require the use of external hemostats to facilitate the immediate blood clotting. A variety of commercially available hemostats are present in the market but most of them are associated with limitations such as exothermic reactions, low biocompatibility, and painful removal. Thus, fabrication of an ideal hemostatic composition for rapid blood clot formation, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial nature presents a real challenge to the bioengineers. Benefiting from their tunable fabrication properties, alginate-based hemostats are gaining importance due to their excellent biocompatibility, with >85 % cell viability, high absorption capacity exceeding 500 %, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, studies have estimated that wounds treated with sodium alginate exhibited a blood loss of 0.40 +/- 0.05 mL, compared to the control group with 1.15 +/- 0.13 mL, indicating its inherent hemostatic activity. This serves as a solid foundation for designing future hemostatic materials. Nevertheless, various combinations have been explored to further enhance the hemostatic potential of sodium alginate. In this review, we have discussed the possible role of alginate based composite hemostats incorporated with different hemostatic agents, such as inorganic materials, polymers, biological agents, herbal agents, and synthetic drugs. This article outlines the challenges which need to be addressed before the clinical trials and give an overview of the future research directions.

Non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and bioadhesive, characteristics, of natural polysaccharides, are widely recognized and well accepted. Their usage in dietary, medicinal, biomedical, and cosmetic, applications is due to their unique and fascinating attributes. Xanthan gum, a microbial polysaccharide possesses diverse-wonderful features. It is a naturally occurring heteropolysaccharide, with large molecular weight, derived from the Gram-negative bacteria, Xanthomonas Campestris. This biopolymer has been studied extensively as a matrix for tablets, nanoparticles, microparticles, hydrogels, and various other formulation types. However, indigenous xanthan gum has its own set of restrictions, which may be overcome by chemical modification, to fine-tune the characteristics of the native gum, for attaining unmet demands. This approach has huge potential in the drug delivery and numerous other promising applications. The objective of this review is to provide a consolidated source of information on xanthan gum-based gastroretentive systems. Several approaches of floating techniques, with recent research avenues and patents, utilizing the natural polysaccharide xanthan gum is also discussed.

Systematic sampling method was used to study ground vegetation diversity and phytosociology of chir pine silvipasture (SPCP), mixed-trees silvipasture (SPM), ban oak silvipasture (SPBO) and grasslands (Gr) in the western Himalaya, India along an altitudinal gradient viz., E1 (< 850 m), E2 (851–1150 m), E3 (1151–1450 m), E4 (1451–1750 m) and E5 (>1751 m). Ground vegetation belonging to 36 families, 106 genera, and 122 species were recorded, of which 68.85% of species belong to herbs and 31.15% belong to shrubs. Shannon-Wiener and Shannon evenness indices varied from 1.51 (Gr at E2) to 2.86 (SPM at E5), 0.46 (Gr at E2) to 0.80 (SPM at E4), for herbs; 1.91 (Gr at E1) to 2.78 (SPM at E5), 0.79 (SPCP at E1) to 0.92 (SPM at E3), for shrubs, respectively. The density and basal area of herbs were higher in grassland as compared to silvipasture systems, while it was vice-versa in the case of shrubs. These phytosociological characteristics of herbs and shrubs typically declined with elevation in all the land-use systems. Thus, silvipasture systems showed higher ground species diversity than grasslands. The phytosociological parameters of herbs were better in grasslands as compared to silvipastures. However, shrubs showed better growth parameters under silvipasture systems as compared to grasslands.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a biocompatible, and nontoxic, FDA-approved thermoplastic polyester, which has been extensively used in biomedical applications. However, its inertness and hydrophobic feature has stimulated the surface functionalization of PET, without compromising its bulk properties via chemical and plasma processing. Plasma processing has emerged as an interesting sustainable approach for the generation of desired chemical functionalities on the PET surface by the proper selection of the gas. This process of functionalization is chemical-free that takes less time for the surface modification without any hazardous effluent generation. Thus, it has become the approach of choice for the fabrication of functional biomaterials via modulating the surface chemistry and properties. Additionally, such plasma assisted surface functionalization facilitates the covalent immobilization of biopolymers and biologically active substrates rendering the reactive surfaces for various bio-interfacial applications, such as wound dressings, sutures, infection-resistant skin-contacting devices, and scaffolds for tissue engineering. This chapter focuses on the functionalization of PET surface so that immobilization of biologically active molecules converts the inert nature of PET to a biologically active PET surface finding distinct applications in healthcare sector. This chapter offers an interesting dimension of plasma processing for bioimmobilization to engineer infection resistant surfaces and tissue engineering applications.