Rheology and adhesion study of all-natural polyamine-based double network bioadhesive

• Main Author: Ng, Jian Jie
• Other Authors: Terry W.J. Steele
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Biomaterials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/166284
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Wound closure is a crucial medical procedure, and for decades, sutures have been the standard method employed. However, in this ever-improving time and age, the limitations associated with sutures, such as higher infection risk, patient discomfort, and inconvenience, have motivated researchers to explore smarter alternatives like bioadhesives. Nonetheless, the current market for bioadhesives has limitations, particularly with synthetic ones that may lack biocompatibility. Additionally, natural bioadhesives often struggle to achieve high adhesion strength, making them less effective for wound closure. Therefore, the development of an all-natural bioadhesive with superior biocompatibility and high adhesion strength has been the focus of researchers. Recently, Prof Terry Steele's research group has successfully developed a polyamine-based hybrid bioadhesive with excellent lap shear adhesion strength (45.03kPa) and biocompatibility. This project is a continuation study to the newly developed adhesive, and it investigates the structure-property relationship of the three different polyamines by varying curing times and temperatures. The rheological, tack, and peel tests will be performed to evaluate the suitability of the newly developed polyamine DN hydrogel for bioadhesive applications. The study demonstrated that increasing the curing time and temperature led to an increase in both adhesion strength and viscoelastic properties. Among the three formulations tested (Putrescine, Spermidine, and Spermine), Putrescine showed the most promising results as an open wound bioadhesive. This was attributed to its low apparent viscosity (100 Pa s), short gelation time (3-4 mins), high elastic limit (30%), and high shear strength (70-90kPa). Additionally, Putrescine exhibited high adhesion strength (13 N/m) at 37 °C.