Bio- and humidity response of Novel surface functionalized filler based on lignocellulose materials

Being one of the most common renewable materials, lignocellulose materials have broad spectra of utilization, mainly as filler for polymers. Nevertheless as a natural product, lignocellulose materials have relatively high affinity to cell adhesion, proliferation and can be easy contaminated with microorganisms. Due to this fact, their use as medical biomaterials is limited and in many applications are used non-renewable synthetic polymers. We hypothesize that additional to bulk chemical modifications, surface modification by plasma treatment has a high potential to control bio- and humidity response of lignocellulose materials. In the present study, discharge generated in air and pure nitrogen with small admixture of various monomers will be used for deposition of hydrophobic coatings on lignocellulose material surfaces and their surface functionalization. The aim of the proposed work is to suggest a new functionalization of lignocellulose materials that support 1) good interfacial compatibility with common medical polymers, 2) resistance to microorganism, and 3) low water absorption. The project is planned for two years and will strength the cooperation between Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), Graz University of Technology and Centre of polymer Systems (CPS), Tomas Bata University in Zlin with benefits of excellent training opportunities to students, including to members of the research institutes. Both PIs are active in the international scientific community. The synergy in background and complementary strengths will be utilized and promoted through international conferences and events. The results will be published in the specialized journal such as Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Molecules and Biopolymers as well as at Websites of ICTM and CPS institutes and University Press.