Project Details
Projekt
Development of techniques for the production of 2D- and 3D-solids from polysialic acids and characterization of hierarchic self-organization structures
Applicant
Dr. Robert H. Schuster
Subject Area
Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
Term
from 2004 to 2013
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5471076
Sponges, fibers and diaphragms/films are to be manufactured by polymer chemical processing of natural and chemically modified polysialic acids. Because only few data are available to date on the physico-chemical properties of polySia, methods have to be developed that allow pilot experiments at a micro scale level. To preserve constitution and conformation of the polymer, the formation of macroscopic structures shall be attempted by precipitation techniques starting from solutions and/or suspensions. The impact of precipitating agents, critical solution temperature, electrolyte composition and concentration, which are decisive for the process, will be determined. Based on obtained data pore size and strength of the associates in the three-dimensional structures (e.g. sponges) can be influenced. In addition, precipitating agents and precipitation conditions shall be defined, which allow the formation of fiber structures. The influence of the chemical modifications on structure formation will be determined in comparison to the original polysialic acid. Microscopic analytic procedures (REM, TEM and AFM) are available to characterize the self-organization and formation of hierarchical macrostructures. Solid structures will be delivered to WP5 to analyze the compatibility with the biological systems and to WP2 for mineralization studies. The combined biological and polymer chemical information will be used to direct organic- and inorganic-chemical modifications (see WP2). Moreover, the data obtained in WP3 are essential for the scaling-up of solid scaffold formation.
DFG Programme
Research Units
