The main objective of this work is to develop a variety of hybrid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) micro- and nanocomposites and to investigate their thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics as a function of number of fillers and their contents percentage. In this study, 21 formulations of the composites were prepared using fillers with different sizes including micro fillers such as talc, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), as well as nano-filler (fumed silica (FS)) though the melt blending technique. The morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite samples were evaluated. The morphological study revealed negligible filler agglomerates, good matrix–filler interfacial bonding in case of combined both CaCO3 and FS into the composites. Sequentially, improvements in tensile, flexural and Izod impact strengths as a function of fillers loading in the HDPE matrix have been reported. The maximum enhancement (%) of tensile, flexural and impact strengths were 127%, 86% and 16.6%, respectively, for composites containing 25% CaCO3 and 1% FS without any inclusion of talc filler; this indicates that the types/nature, size, quantity and dispersion status of fillers are playing a major role in the mechanical properties of the prepared composites more than the number of the used fillers.
The development of wound dressing materials with appropriate specifications is still a challenge to overcome the current limitations of conventional medical bandages. In this regard, simple and fast methods are highly recommended, such as film casting. In addition, deliverable nanoparticles that can act to accelerate wound integration, such as samarium oxide (Sm2O3) and magnesium oxide (MgO), might represent a potential design with a novel compositional combination. In the present research, the casted film of cellulose acetate (CA) was mixed with different ratios of metal oxides, such as samarium oxide (Sm2O3) and magnesium oxide (MgO). The tests used for the film examination were X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM graphs of CA films represent the surface morphology of Sm2O3@CA, MgO@CA, and Sm2O3/MgO/GO@CA. It was found that the scaffolds’ surface contained a high porosity ratio with diameters of 1.5–5 µm. On the other hand, the measurement of contact angle exhibits a variable trend starting from 27° to 29° for pristine CA and Sm2O3/MgO/GO@CA. The cell viability test exhibits a noticeable increase in cell growth with a decrease in the concentration. In addition, the IC50 was determined at 6 mg/mL, while the concentration of scaffolds of 20 mg/mL caused cellular growth to be around 106%.
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