Ionizing radiation induced functionalization of chitosan based skin scaffolds

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Casimiro MH, Rodrigues G, Leal JP and Ferreira LM

University of Lisbon, Portugal

: J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol

Abstract

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The present work is part of a Coordinated Research Project from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and intends to engineer chitosan based matrices using ionizing radiation technology to simultaneously create/ sterilize a skin substitute that leads to tissue regeneration. Radiation processing techniques are based on the physical interaction of radiation with matter which are capable of promoting specific chemical reactions. In particular, gamma irradiation, a clean and environmental friendly technology (there is no need of solvents, initiators, high temperatures or final purifying operations once the process leads to no chemical residues) has been successfully applied over the years in the preparation/modification of polymers. By suiting the experimental conditions like irradiation method, dose rate, irradiation atmosphere, samples’ absorbed dose, reactants’ concentration, etc., it is possible to functionalize polymeric based materials, tailor its properties and adequate them to different applications (mainly through polymerization, crosslinking and/or grafting reactions). Up to the moment particular attention has been given to the correlation between the different preparation conditions and the physical, chemical, structural and biological polymeric matrices’ properties. Results show that all tested materials present a non-cytotoxic behaviour.

Biography

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