Abstract In this study we evaluated the use of eucalyptus lignin as a stabilizer in combination with other stabilizers in a vulcanized elastomeric based on natural rubber. The stabilizers tested were 6PPD (N-1,3-dimethyl-butyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine), TMQ (oligomerized 2,2,4-trimethylquinoline), paraffin wax and eucalyptus lignin. At predetermined time intervals, samples were taken from aging conditions and the mechanical properties and additive content were determined. The sample with a combination of wax and lignin in the same formulation showed the greatest resistance to oxidative degradation. In samples with only one stabilizer, the migration test indicated greater diffusion of lignin to the surface. Samples exposed to thermo-oxidative aging showed greater loss in the mechanical properties of tear strength and 6PPD consumption. In the accelerated aging with ozone, all showed a behavior more resistant to aging. We concluded that lignin can be used as a substitute for synthetic stabilizers, without impairing the performance of natural rubber compounds.

RESUMO A obtenção de scaffolds bioativos a partir da blenda polimérica de poli (ácido láctico-co-glicólico) (PLGA) e poliisopreno (IR) com diferentes adições de Hidroxiapatita (HAp) é proposta como uma alternativa à engenharia de tecidos. Para o preparo das soluções poliméricas, a blenda de PLGA/IR e a HAp foram dissolvidas em clorofórmio. Posteriormente, o scaffold foi processado por electrospinning, variando-se a distância entre a seringa e o coletor. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto a composição química e estrutural por potencial zeta, difração de raios-X (DRX) e espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Para avaliação da morfologia usou-se a microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e para o comportamento citotoxicológico utilizou-se a metodologia de analises de viabilidade celular. O valor de potencial zeta da HAp foi de -22 mV e o FTIR e DRX foram condizentes com a literatura. As imagens de MEV permitiram a análise do tamanho médio e desvio padrão das fibras obtidas, comprovando uma diferença significativa entre as amostras. O ensaio de citotoxicidade mostrou que o produto obtido é biocompatível, porém as amostras com menor formação de fibras são menos biocompatíveis. Os resultados demonstraram a ampla influência da distância entre o coletor e a ponta da seringa e da relação blenda/HAp, sendo que o scaffold obtido com a maior distância coletor/seringa e maior relação HAp/blenda apresentou fibras com tamanho médio menores e maior homogeneidade e baixa citotoxicidade celular.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is the obtainment of bioactive scaffolds from poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polyisoprene (IR) polymer blends with different additions of hydroxyapatite (HAp) as an alternative for tissue engineering. For the preparation of the polymer solutions, the PLGA/IR blend and the HAp were dissolved in chloroform. Subsequently, the scaffold was processed by electrospinning, varying the dis-tance between the syringe and the collector. Scaffolds chemical and phase composition were characterized by zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphology and for the cytotoxic behavior the cellular viability analysis methodology was used. The zeta potential value of the HAp was -22 mV and the FTIR and XRD were consistent with the literature. The SEM images allowed the analysis of the mean size and standard deviation of the obtained fibers, demonstrating a significant difference among the samples. The results showed the great influence of the distance between the collector and the tip of the syringe and the blend/HAp ratio, and the scaffold obtained with the largest collector/ syringe distance and the highest HAp/blend ratio showed fibers with a smaller mean size and greater homogeneity and low cellular cytotoxicity.

In this study, bioactive hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were prepared by two different methods: wet chemical precipitation and biomimetic precipitation. The aim was to evaluate the morphology, particle-size, crystallinity and phases of the powders obtained by traditional wet chemical precipitation and the novel biomimetic precipitation using a supersaturated calcium solution. The nanoparticles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that the nanoparticles were formed by hydroxyapatite with a high crystallinity and controlled morphology. Additionally, it was found that the shape and size of the nanoparticles can be modified with each preparation method.

En este trabajo se prepararon cementos óseos acrílicos de poli(metacrilato de metilo) (PMMA) modificados con 30, 55 y 80 % en peso de dos tipos de hidroxiapatita: CORALINA® Porosa HAP-200 y nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita con un tamaño promedio de 66 ± 7 µm y 57 ± 4 nm respectivamente. Las nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita se sintetizaron mediante precipitación química por vía húmeda y fueron caracterizadas mediante Espectroscopia Infrarroja, Difracción de Rayos X y Microscopia Electrónica de Transmisión. Las formulaciones fueron sometidas a ensayos mecánicos estáticos, obteniéndose valores máximos de resistencia a compresión axial y a tracción de 95,5 ± 0,9 MPa y 32,4 ± 0,1 MPa respectivamente. Se evidenció que a medida que aumenta el contenido de relleno inorgánico en los cementos disminuyen los valores de ambas propiedades en comparación con un cemento convencional. Las formulaciones que contienen un 55 y 80 % de relleno presentaron resultados satisfactorios de temperaturas máximas de polimerización, pues las mismas no excedieron los 90 ºC

In this work, acrylic bone cements of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were prepared. The formulations were modified with 30, 55 and 80 % in weight of two types of hydroxyapatite: CORALINA® Porous HAP-200 and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with an average size of 66 ± 7 µm and 57 ± 4 nm respectively. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical precipitation and were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The formulations were subjected to static mechanical testing, obtaining maximum values of axial compressive strength and tensile strength of 95.5 ± 0.9 MPa and 32.4 ± 0.1 MPa respectively. The study showed that with increasing the cement inorganic filler content, both values of mechanical properties diminished in comparison with a conventional cement. The formulations containing 55 and 80 % filler showed satisfactory results in the polymerization temperatures, since they do not exceed 90 ºC