title: Preparation of electromechanically active silicone composites and some evaluations of their suitability for biomedical applications.
abstract: Some films based on electromechanically active polymer composites have been prepared. Polydimethylsiloxane-α,ω-diols (PDMSs) having different molecular masses (Mv=60 700 and Mv=44 200) were used as matrix in which two different active fillers were incorporated: titanium dioxide in situ generated from its titanium isopropoxide precursor and silica particles functionalized with polar aminopropyl groups on surface. A reference sample based on simple crosslinked PDMS was also prepared. The composites processed as films were investigated to evaluate their ability to act as efficient electromechanical actuators for potential biomedical application. Thus, the surface morphology of interest for electrodes compliance was analysed by atomic force microscopy. Mechanical and dielectric characteristics were evaluated by tensile tests and dielectric spectroscopy, respectively. Electromechanical actuation responses were measured by interferometry. The biocompatibility of the obtained materials has been verified through tests in vitro and, for valuable films, in vivo. The experimental, clinical and anatomopathological evaluation of the in vivo tested samples did not reveal significant pathological modifications.
authors.affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Voda 41A, Iasi 700487, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iacob
authors.affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Voda 41A, Iasi 700487, Romania.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bele
authors.affiliation: "Apollonia" University, 2 Muzicii Street, 700511 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Xenia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Patras
authors.affiliation: "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu nr. 3, Iasi 700490, Romania.
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasca
authors.affiliation: "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butnaru
authors.affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Voda 41A, Iasi 700487, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alexandru
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, Bucharest 030138, Romania.
authors.forename: Dragos
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ovezea
authors.affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Voda 41A, Iasi 700487, Romania. Electronic address: mcazacu@icmpp.ro.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazacu
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon
keywords: Artificial muscle; Biocompatibility tests; Dielectric elastomers; Electromechanical response; Fillers; Silicone composites