Publications by authors named "Suzana Cakic"

In this study, we developed sodium alginate-chitosan hydrogels using a microwave-assisted synthesis method, aligning with green chemistry principles for enhanced sustainability. This eco-friendly approach minimizes chemical use and waste while boosting efficiency. A curcumin:2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex was incorporated into the hydrogels, significantly increasing the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin.

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A series of polyurethanes (PU) were synthesised via one-step polymerisation without a chain extender, using toluene diisocyanate as well as a variety of soft segments composed of different macrodiols. Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL) were synthesised as a polyester type polyols to obtain soft segments. The process of varying the molar ratio of newly synthesised PDLLA in soft segments has been confirmed as a powerful tool for fine-tuning the final properties of PU.

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The purposes of this study are the polymerization of temperature-sensitive copolymers based on N-isopropyl acrylamide and 10 mol % of 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate, characterisations of their thermal, morphological and swelling properties, as well as the analysis of potential application in drug-delivery systems. Acetaminophen, the representative of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, was used as a model drug in this study. It is a common pain relief drug, which is also used for fever treatment.

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Biopolymers represent a great resource for the development and utilization of new functional materials due to their particular advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. "Intelligent gels" sensitive to different stimuli (temperature, pH, ionic strength) have different applications in many industries (e.g.

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As the mechanical properties of resin-based dental composite materials are highly relevant in clinical practice, diverse strategies for their potential enhancement have been proposed in the extant literature, aiming to facilitate their reliable use in dental medicine. In this context, the focus is primarily given to the mechanical properties with the greatest influence on clinical success, i.e.

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The objectives of this study are the synthesis of thermosensitive poly(-isopropylacrylamide--2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate), p(NiPAm-HPMet), hydrogels and the analysis of a drug-delivery system based on piroxicam, as a model drug, and synthesized hydrogels. A high pressure liquid chromatography method has been used in order to determine both qualitative and quantitative amounts of unreacted monomers and crosslinkers from polymerized hydrogels. Swelling kinetics and the order of a swelling process of the hydrogels have been analyzed at 10 and 40 °C.

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The use of fast FT-IR spectroscopy as a sensitive method to estimate a change of the crosslinking kinetics of epoxy resin with polyamine adducts is described in this study. A new epoxy formulation based on the use of polyamine adducts as the hardeners was analyzed. Crosslinking reactions of the different stoichiometric mixtures of the unmodified GY250 epoxy resin with the aliphatic EH606 and the cycloaliphatic EH637 polyamine adducts were studied using mid FT-IR spectroscopic techniques.

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The FTIR spectroscopy has been employed in this research work to monitor theprocess of nitrodope photodegradation, by measuring surfaces of bands typical of a nitrogroup. Nitric esters are subject to degradation, which is reflected on a quantitative ratio ofthe surfaces of the IR bands that originate from the nitric ester. The obtained results showthat the length of the UV rays' activity on the samples over the time periods of 240, 480and 960 minutes directly affects the spectrum appearance of the same sample before andafter the irradiation.

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