No abstract

No abstract

New biobased, eco‐friendly nanocomposites were prepared from maleated polycaprolactone/soy protein isolate blend (50/50 wt/wt) with organo‐modified clay by melt compounding. The XRD, TEM, tensile, DMTA, and rheological properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the intercalated nanocomposite is formed and the silicate layers of the clay are uniformly dispersed at a nanometer scale in the polymer matrix. There is a great enhancement in tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Rheological study revealed that the nanocomposite exhibits strong shear thinning behavior and clay particles form network in the melted state of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers

This communication addresses the development of soy protein, cross-linked with furfural and blended with organoclay, Cloisite 30B (C 30B), to be used for the controlled release of cefadroxil, an antibiotic drug. The cross-linked products were characterized by FTIR to ascertain the cross-linking reaction and by SEM to understand the morphology. Swelling experiments provided important information regarding the diffusion properties of the crosslinked matrices. The in-vitro cumulative drug release was carried out at acidic as well as alkaline medium. An enhanced release profi le was observed at alkaline medium due to the fact that hydrogen bonding between the two moieties breaks down facilitating the release of the drug. Also, with increased drug loading from 15 to 25% the swelling of the polymer-drug conjugate increases, thereby facilitating the diffusion of the drug out of the polymer matrix. The kinetics of drug release has also been reported.