This study evaluated the wettability and water vapor permeability of composite material films (blends) formed by poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and esterified sodium alginate (ALG-e) through contact angle measurements and water vapor permeability (WVP) analysis. These analyses were conducted using specific plugins available in the ImageJ software and a goniometer developed at the Laboratory for the Development and Applications of Nanomaterials in the Amazon (LADENA).
The results indicated that the incorporation of PEG and ALG-e reduced the contact angle of the films, making them more hydrophilic. Accordingly, the PHB/PEG/ALG-e/AgNPs film exhibited the highest hydrophilicity, while the PHB/PEG/AgNPs and PHB/AgNPs films also demonstrated water affinity.
Additionally, water vapor permeability was higher in films containing PEG and ALG-e, with the PHB/PEG/ALG-e/AgNPs sample showing the greatest permeation capacity, while the other samples exhibited lower values. Despite these results, there was no statistically significant difference among the films containing PEG.
The water vapor transmission rate (WVPR) values of the samples were compatible with commercial dressings, demonstrating their potential for biomedical applications. This reinforces that modifying the polymeric matrix positively impacts wettability and water vapor permeability properties, which are essential characteristics for materials used in the field of tissue engineering dedicated to developing biocompatible antimicrobial dressings.
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