Journal of Research Updates in Polymer Science, 2014, 3, 149-156 149 E-ISSN: 1929-5995/14 © 2014 Lifescience Global Characterization of Phosphate Glass Reinforced Gelatin Blend Bioactive Composite Films Kamol Dey 1,* , Poonam Alamgir 2,3 , Shahnaz Parvin 2,3 , Gulshana Mohol 2,3 , Wafa Tonny 2 , Mubarak A. Khan 2 and Ruhul A. Khan 2 1 Department of Applied & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong- 4331, Bangladesh 2 Institute of Radiation and Polymer Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Savar, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh 3 Department of Chemistry, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract: Bioactive composite films were prepared using bioresorbable phosphate glass powder and biodegradable polymer gelatin (G) through solution casting process. Biocompatible monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was used as the cross-linking agent and bioresorbable phosphate glass (PG) powder was used as reinforcement filler. The composite films were obtained at various ratios of G, PG and HEMA. The PG modified gelatin composite (PG/G) film was fabricated at a weight ratio of 12:88 while HEMA modified gelatin composite (HEMA/G) film at 50:50 ratio. On the other hand, hybrid gelatin composite film, containing both PG and HEMA, was obtained using a G/PG/HEMA ratio of 44:12:44. Incorporation of PG improved the mechanical properties of the composite films. Morphological property of the composite films was investigated by stereo microscope and it revealed that the composite films were porous in nature. The thermal behaviour of the films was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. Water uptake of the films was also performed. Keywords: Gelatin, phosphate glass, bioactive, composite films, stereo microscope. 1. INTRODUCTION Bioresorbable composite has gained tremendous interest in the field of biomaterial research. Tissue engineering has brought new challenges in this field in terms of biodegradability, biocompatibility, homo- geneity, osteoconductivity, vascularity, cell proliferation, controlled release, mechanical properties [1-3]. Both natural and synthetic polymers along with polylactic acid, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone and their copolymers, hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, hyaluronate and hyaluronate derivatives have been thoroughly studied to find a novel class of potential application in tissue engineering [4-6]. Polymer blending technique is simple and efficient to improve the properties of polymer up to a desired level and has been widely utilized in polymer modification field. It offers reduced processing cost and versatility in the selection of materials [7]. Polymer blending of compatible materials leads to substantial enhancement of mechanical and thermal performance [8-10]. A range of materials with different properties can be successfully blended to obtain fine tunable material for a particular application [11]. Various nano-reinforc- ement fillers such as silicate clay, carbon nanotubes, *Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Applied & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh; Tel: +88-031-2606001-10, 716552; Fax: +88-031-2606014; E-mail: kamolacct@gmail.com, kamoldey@cu.ac.bd graphene, calcium carbonate and phosphate glass are being extensively studied in the field of nanocom- posites. These nano fillers are capable of enhancing the mechanical and thermal performance of the polymer [12]. Our present research aims at developing a biopolymer-organic-inorganic blend composite film with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. In the present work, we chose phosphate based glass (20Na 2 O-24CaO-16MgO-40P 2 O 5 ) as a reinforcement filler because of its some important criteria regarding biomedical applications [13, 14]. The dissolution rate of the glass can be altered varying the composition to tailor the biomedical properties. The P 2 O 5 provides the backbone structure of phosphate glass and has been evolved as a promising biomaterial [15, 16]. The organic phase of hard tissues contains type I collagen [17, 18]. Gelatin is a denatured collagen and posse- sses a wide range of biomedical properties making suitable for tissue engineering [19, 20]. In the present study, HEMA is used as a hydrophilic biocompatible monomer. HEMA is a hydrophilic monomer and is using in biomedical field [21]. Poly(HEMA) has also adequate biocompatibility and uses in medical science as implant [22]. The goal of this research work is to determine the influence of PG and HEMA on the preparation of a bio-artificial polymeric material using gelatin polymer that would be used as an excellent alternative to tissue scaffold material for artificial bone tissue engineering and drug delivery.