Enhanced oxidized regenerated cellulose with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for hemostasis applications

Abstract

Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (ORC) has been modified by incorporating aminated MWCNTs (MWCNT-NH₂)s. The pristine MWCNTs (pMWCNTs) were aminated which introduced aromatic amine groups on the side walls of the MWCNTs. For modification of neat ORC, the MWCNT-NH₂s were reacted with neat ORC. To explore the origin of this behavior, amination of MWCNTs, dispersion of MWCNT-NH₂s in the ORC matrix and their interfacial interactions were investigated by SEM, FT-IR and XPS. The analytical results show that during functionalization of the MWCNTs, the amine groups grafted onto the surface of the MWCNTs. In addition, the FT-IR and XPS results revealed that a relatively strong interaction existed between the aminated MWCNTs and the ORC macromolecules. The hydrophilicity test results revealed a significant increment in water uptake of the MWCNT-NH₂s/ORC composites with increasing concentration of MWCNT-NH₂s in the composites. The haemostatic evaluation of the MWCNT-NH₂s/ORC composites in rabbits shows that the aminated MWCNTs increase the rate of blood stopping and hence decrease the blood loss from injured sites.