Electroactive nanofibers based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(alkoxy anilines) produced by electrospinning has been explored for biomaterials applications. The thermoplastic polyurethane is a biocompatible polymer with good mechanical properties. The production of TPU nanofibers requires the application of high voltage during electrospinning in order to prepare uniform mats due to its weak ability to elongate during the process. To overcome this limitation, a conductive polymer can be incorporated to the process, allowing generates mats without defects. In this study, poly(o-ethoxyaniline) POEA doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) was blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by solution method. Films were produced by casting and nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning. The effect of the POEA on morphology, distribution of diameter and cell viability of the nanofibers was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of POEA in TPU provided to the mats a suitable morphology for cellular growth. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 601-607, 2017.

The synthesis of poly (o-phenetidine) (POEA) was performed via chemical oxidative method and doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. Electrospun fibers of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/poly o-phenetidine (POEA) blends were produced. Parameters such as the distance between collector and needle, as well as the applied voltage and the ratio of POEA content were evaluated. The fiber morphology, chemical structure and thermal analysis of the mats were analyzed. TPU nanofibers showed cylindrical morphology with many beads and the fiber diameter was around 330 nm. With the addition of POEA at a percentage of 30 wt% it was possible to produce uniform fibers without beads with diameters around 400 nm.