This work reports the versatility of polydopamine (PD) when applied as a particle coating in a composite of polylactide (PLA). Polydopamine was observed to increase the particle–matrix interface strength and facilitate the adsorption of drugs to the material surface. Here, barium sulfate radiopaque particles were functionalized with polydopamine and integrated into a polylactide matrix, leading to the formulation of a biodegradable and X-ray opaque material with enhanced mechanical properties. Polydopamine functionalized barium sulfate particles also facilitated the adsorption and release of the antibiotic levofloxacin. Analysis of the antibacterial capacity of these composites and the metabolic activity and proliferation of human…
Random poly (vinyl chloride-co-butyl acrylate) and poly (vinyl chloride-co-2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymers obtained by single electron transfer-degenerative chain transfer living radical polymerization (SET- DTLRP) are investigated as potential candidates for 3D Printing. The analysis of the rheological implications of 3D Printing process allows establishing the basic viscoelastic conditions that the samples should fulfil to be printable, avoiding the ‘trial and error’ procedure. The effect of temperature and acrylates concentration on the rheological properties and 3D printing feasibility is contemplated. Eventually, thermal degradation is also considered. It is demonstrated that the copolymers which contain butyl acrylate comonomer, instead of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, give…