Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose-Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Nanocomposite Films

A series of bacterial cellulose-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanocomposite films was prepared by in situ radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), using variable amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as crosslinker. Thin films were obtained, and their physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The films showed improved translucency compared to BC and enhanced thermal stability and mechanical performance when compared to poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). Finally, BC/PHEMA nanocomposites proved to be nontoxic to human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and thus are pointed as potential dry dressings for biomedical applications. ; Andrea G. P. R. Figueiredo and Susana C. M. Fernandes thank the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (Portugal) for their Scientific Research Grants (SFRH/BPD/63219/2009 and SFRH/BPD/70119/2010, resp.), cofinancing by POPH/ESF Program. The authors thank CICECO (Pest-C/CTM/LA0011/2013) and FCT for funding within the scope of the "National Program for Scientific reequipment," Rede/1509/RME/2005, REEQ/515/CTM/2005, and University of the Basque Country for financial support (UPV/EHU, Project GIU 10/16). The authors also acknowledge the technical and human support of General Research Services (SGIker) from the UPV/EHU for the SEM analysis.