3D Micromorphology Producing within Poly(lactic acid) Skeleton Using Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids: From Particulate, Fibrous or Porous Scaffolds to Beads

Abstract

We describe herein a three-dimensionally diverse micropatterning of poly(lactic acid), as a biopolymer, using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (bmim-based RTILs), [bmim]X (X = SbF 6 , PF 6 , NTf 2 , Cl). Utilizing the hydrophobic bmim-based RTILs, [bmim]X (X = SbF 6 , PF 6 , NTf 2 ) and a phase separation technique, we were able to produce white and opaque membranes with a three-dimensional structure closely packed with particles (10-50 µm in diameter). The particlulate structure, made by the assistance of [bmim]NTf 2 and DCM, interestingly transformed to a fibrous structure by using a cosolvent, e.g., DCM/CF 3 CH 2 OH. When we used an increased amount of [bmim]NTf 2 , the particles were effectively detached and macrosized (100-500 µm in diameter) and the oval-shaped beads were obtained in a powder form. By varying the counter-anion type of the imidazolium-based RTIL, for example from NTf 2 − to Cl − , the particulate 3D-morphology was once more transformed to a porous structure. These reserch results could be potentially useful, as a method to fabricate particulate scaffolds, fibrous or porous scaffolds, and beads as a biopolymer device in diverse fields including drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and biomedical engineering.

Biological Activity of Ionic Liquids and Their Application in Pharmaceutics and Medicine

“…784 Highly porous polylactic and polycaprolactone membranes and microspheres were prepared using [(C 8 ) 3 C 1 N][Cl] or [C 4 MIM] ILs with various anions. 785,786 The polycaprolactone microspheres were subsequently modified with water-soluble carbon nanotubes and paclitaxel or NGF-containing gelatin to obtain model drug delivery systems. 787,788 IL miniemulsions were employed for the synthesis of a biocompatible branched polyphosphate nanogel.…”

“…[C 4 MIM]­[OTf], [C 4 MIM]­[Cl], [C 4 MIM]­[BF 4 ], and [C 4 MIM]­[SbF 6 ] were employed for developing tissue-compatible microporous poly­(lactic acid) scaffolds with enhanced cell adhesion properties and drug loading capacity . Highly porous polylactic and polycaprolactone membranes and microspheres were prepared using [(C 8 ) 3 C 1 N]­[Cl] or [C 4 MIM] ILs with various anions. , The polycaprolactone microspheres were subsequently modified with water-soluble carbon nanotubes and paclitaxel or NGF-containing gelatin to obtain model drug delivery systems. , IL miniemulsions were employed for the synthesis of a biocompatible branched polyphosphate nanogel …”