Preparation of Fibrous X-Ray Detectable Materials based on Chitosan

Yong Sik Chung1, Pyong Ki Pak1, Dae-Young Lim2, Won Seok Lyoo3

1 Department of Textile Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea

2 Technical Textile Team, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Chonan 330-825, Korea

3 School of Textile, Yeungnam University, Kyongsan 712-749, Korea

Barium sulfate(BaSO4) is an ionic compound frequently used clinically as a radio contrast agent for X-ray imaging and other diagnostic procedures. The composites of BaSO4 and chitosan are expected to provide the radiopacity and biodegradation to the implant materials. The incorporation of BaSO4 into chitosan can transform the physical shape of BaSO4 into the fibrous structure and expand the application area of both BaSO4 and chitosan. Spinning chitosan solution was prepared by dissolving the chitosan and BaCl2 into acetic acid solution. The ratio of chitosan to BaCl2 was adjusted for the final chitosan/BaSO4 proportion; 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40. By wet spinning method, the dopes were extruded through 0.1mm spinneret into NaOH and Na2SO4 aqueous solution as a coagulating bath. The fibers were washed and dried. BaSO4 was obtained through the reaction between BaSO4 and Na2SO4 in the coagulation bath and the acidic chitosan solution was also neutralized with NaOH in the coagulation bach. Thus we could obtain chitosan/BaSO4 composite fibers by coprecipitation. Fig. 1 showed XRD diffraction patterns for BaSO4 powder, chitosan/BaSO4 composite fibers(10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, 50/50), respectively. The typical peaks of BaSO4 crystal around 43° were shown. The composites exhibited broad diffraction peak due to the low degree of crystallinity. SEM observation showed level and smooth surfaces, while with an increase in BaSO4 content, it become in some degree rougher and uneven.(Fig. 2) In angiographic observation, the chitosan/BaSO4 composites fibers created the clear contrast images which become clear with an increase in BaSO4 content. We believe that the fibrous radiopaque materials can provide the radiopacity to implant in the fields of orthopaedic, dental and vascular biomaterials etc

Keywords: barium sulphate, chitosan, radiopacity, x-ray detectable yarn

[1] A.Yokoyama et al., Biomaterials. 23, 1091(2002).

[2] S. Wittaya-areekul et al., J. Pharm. 312, 113(2006).

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Fig. 1. XRD diffractogram of BaSO4 and chitosan/BaSO4 fibers. / Fig. 2. SEM photographs of chitosan/BaSO4 fibers; (a) 70/30, (b) 60/40, and (c) 50/50 chitosan/BaSO4. / Fig. 3. Angiographic images of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50 chitosan/BaSO4 fibers.