Palm kernel oil-based polyester polyurethane composites incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for biomedical application

Abstract

Background

In this study, polyurethane (PU) films from palm kernel oil-based polyester (PKO-p) incorporated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared via evaporative casting method. Nanoparticle fluid dispersions containing 0.01, 0.04 and 0.08 % wt. of MWNTs were added into PKO-p-based resin and mixed by digital probe sonicator for 20 min followed by mixing with isocyanate to produce PU-MWNTs composite films. The mechanical properties, water resistance, water vapor transmission rates (WVTR), biocompatibility, and antibacterial activities of the PU-MWNTs composite films were examined.

Results

Results show that PU containing 0.01 wt.  % of MWNTs demonstrated optimum mechanical properties as it possessed high tensile strength, modulus, and good flexibility compared to PU film and other PU-MWNTs composite films. There are no significant difference in swelling values as well as water vapor transmission rates for PU film and PU-MWNTs composite films. All the films showed low swelling values (17–23 %) and WVTR values in the range 181–269 g m⁻² d⁻¹. Cell studies revealed that PU and PU-MWNTs composite films are non-cytotoxic to human skin fibroblast cells (CRL2522) and the cell proliferation was increased after incubation of 72 h. The in vitro qualitative antibacterial results showed both PU and PU-MWNTs composite films exhibited bactericidal effect against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia).

Conclusions

In summary, incorporation of MWNTs improved the mechanical properties of the polyurethane films with no cytotoxic effect against normal human skin fibroblast cells.

Keywords

Polyurethane / Palm kernel oil-based polyester / MWNTs / Biocompatibility / Antibacterial activities / Composites

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Funding

Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(vote no. 59294)