Effect of graphene and fabrication technique on the release kinetics of carvacrol from polylactic acid

Publication date: Available online 3 November 2018Source: Composites Science and TechnologyAuthor(s): Roberto Scaffaro, Andrea Maio, Francesco LoprestiAbstractPorous membranes and thin films containing poly-lactic acid (PLA), carvacrol (CRV) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were fabricated by electrospinning and solvent casting at different formulations.The systems were characterized from a mechanical, morphological, calorimetric and spectroscopic point of view. CRV release as a function of time was studied and a mathematical model was used to fit and interpret the data in order to investigate the release mechanism.The results indicate that the incorporation of GNP generally determined a simultaneous strengthening, stiffening and toughening effect, while preserving a good ductility. Furthermore, integrating GNP allowed tuning the amount and kinetics of CRV release, and proved to reduce the initial burst release effect.

Source: Composites Science and Technology - November 4, 2018 Category: Science Source Type: research