Tunable release of poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid) blend-based antibacterial bionanocomposites: comparative study of modified montmorillonite and graphene nanopletelets

The use of antibacterial biodegradable polymers is of great importance nowadays in medical applications. In this manuscript, poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid) blend-based antibacterial bionanocomposites were prepared by melt-processing. We use organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) as antibacterial property enhancers which are both processing platelike structure, while ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CFX center dot HCl) was chosen as a biocide. Either MMT or GNP increases the antibacterial properties during the whole study and tunes the release of CFX center dot HCl from the bionanocomposites. This was proven by agar diffusion tests and antimicrobial release measurements. The morphology of the bionanocomposites was conducted by using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and evidence of exfoliation was observed. Contact angle and water uptake of the bionanocomposites were studied showing hydrophilic performance and more percentage water uptake. The final effect on mechanical and blood compatibility was also investigated. The results reveal excellent possibility of using MMT- and GNP-modified PLA/PBAT polymer blends to tune antibacterial properties for specific biomedical applications.