Bachelors of Science in Physics double degree with Materials Science and Engineering (PHMS) alumni Bianca Rae Pasela (left) and Acelle Pearl Castillo (right) published their first scientific article entitled, “Synthesis and Characterization of Acetic Acid-Doped Polyaniline and Polyaniline–Chitosan Composite” which belongs to the special issue chitin- and chitosan- based composite materials of Biomimetics Journal, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal of biomimicry and bionics, published quarterly online by MDPI. This paper is indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.

The study revolves around the successful attempt to create a polymer composite which are prepared from the combination of two or more different materials with distinct characteristics. Polyaniline and Chitosan were combined through a straightforward method aiming to fabricate a polymer composite film with the intrinsic conducting property of polyaniline and the biodegradability and biocompatibility of chitosan. The presence of these materials in the fabricated films were analyzed and confirmed using spectroscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscope—energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The study also showed that addition of polyaniline to the natural occurring polymer, chitosan, did not significantly affect the cytotoxicity of the films through cell viability assay leaning to possible biomedical applications. 

Graphical Abstract:

This journal publication is a result of an international collaboration between Mapua University, University of the Philippines-Manila, Siliman University, Negros Oriental State University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and Synchrotron Light Research Institute of Thailand.  It is mainly funded by the 2017 Discovery-Applied Research and Extension for Trans/Inter-disciplinary Opportunities (DARETO) Cycle 2 Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Philippines.

[Read the Whole Article here]
Pasela, B.R., Castillo, A.P., et .al., (2019). Synthesis and Characterization of Acetic Acid-Doped Polyaniline and Polyaniline-Chitosan Composite. Biomimetics, 4(1), 15. doi:10.3390/biomimetics4010015

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