Biocompatible Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)-Based Nanocomposite Fibers

Polymer based nanocomposites have found wide applications in various fields including optical, electronic and biomedical; the intriguing effects on the physicochemical properties arise from the filler choices, filler loading levels, and the interactions between the polymer matrix and the filler. Here in this study, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a biocompatible thermoplastic polymer, will be the polymer matrix and two different nanoparticulate structures including CdSe-ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) and Fe@C core-shell nanoparticles, will be the nanofillers. PMMA/QD and PMMA/Fe@C nanocomposite fibers will be prepared via the simple electrospinning technique, followed by exploration of the thermal stability, optical properties, and biocompatibility testing with a model mammalian cell line. Stereochemical structures of the polymer are believed to affect the interactions with the nanofiller and therefore the corresponding physicochemical properties and the potential use of the polymer nanocomposites. A variety of analytical tools will be used to reveal the surface morphology, determine surface functionalities, and confirm solid phase conformation changes. The biocompatibility study will be carried out using a model mammalian cell line; the cell viability and proliferation will be evaluated for both PMMA nanocomposite systems.