Studies regarding biodegradable nanocomposites to be used as orthopedics devices have been intensified. This work aims to investigate the influence of ND dispersion on thermal and mechanical properties of a biocomposite of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) reinforced with nanodiamonds (ND) intended to be used as orthopedics devices, with advantages as biodegradability. In order to improve its dispersion, P(3HB) has encapsulated ND in three different mass ratios: P(3HB):ND(16:1), (12:1) and (8:1). However, for all formulations, NDs are presented as agglomerates, in different intensities. In order to relate the distribution of ND within the polymer matrix and biocomposite properties, TGA, DSC, and DMA analysis were done. The formulation with higher content of ND, P(3HB):ND(8:1), presents larger aggregates; thus, decreasing its properties. With smaller and more distributed agglomerates, the 12:1 ratio composite displayed superior storage modulus and glass transition temperature, probably due to better polymer chain restriction.

Several studies of biodegradable polymers and copolymers have been carried for different applications in the biomedical area. This current study aims to develop a biocomposite to be used as an orthopedic device, using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) P(HB-HV), a biodegradable copolymer, with 94%HB and 6%HV, as matrix; and nanodiamonds (ND) with primary grains of 4-6nm, as reinforcement. The nanodiamonds were previously encapsulated by P(HB-HV) and specimens were prepared using a hydraulic press and injection molding machine, in order to evaluate which method presents a better performance. Thermal and mechanical analyses were done to compare their behavior. The biocomposite and pure P(HB-HV) samples were analyzed by flexural testing, nanoidentation, DMA, XRD, TGA. The distribution of nanodiamonds on the specimen fracture surface were investigated by SEM. The SEM micrographs allowed us to concluded that the encapsulation of nanodiamonds by P(HB-HV) was successfully performed, promoting a better interface and distribution in the polymeric matrix. The presence of ND in the polymeric matrix decreased the P(HB-HV) crystallinity, inhibiting the crystallite growth. The mechanical properties obtained from flexural test, nanoidentation and DMA of the injection-molded specimens were superior to compression-molded, due to its homogeneous and continuous structure. In vitro analysis was performed to evaluate the samples cytoxicity.

ABSTRACT Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have attracted major industrial interest as alternatives to conventional plastics. They are produced by several bacteria as cytoplasmic inclusions when nutrients are in limited supply. Among the many factors influencing bacterial growth, the effect of temperature on both specific growth rates and growth yields in terms of carbon source intake is of considerable interest. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the bacterium Burkholderia sacchari LFM 101 on growth and PHA production, using glucose, sucrose or glycerol as a carbon source, at 30 and 35 °C. The results showed that B. sacchari cultured with glucose at 35 °C presented both higher productivity and polymer yield in dried cell mass. There were no differences in growth rates (μmax) in sucrose and glucose. The growth conditions studied were not favorable to glycerol consumption due to limitations in the energy supply from glycerol.

In recent years, several studies have been developed in Brazil to produce biodegradable materials. A particular family of bacterial polymers, the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), has received special attention. PHAs are thermoplastic, biodegradable, biocompatible, are synthesised from renewable resources and can substitute petrochemical plastics in some applications. Different aspects have been focused to increase productivity and to reduce the cost of PHA production: bacterial improvement, use of industrial by-products as raw material, bioreactor design, process operation strategies, downstream process, mathematical modelling, polymer characterisation, application and biodegradability of blends. A production process was transferred to industry and studies to produce new PHA by controlling monomer composition are in progress. All these aspects are presented in this review.