Composite yarns with antibacterial nanofibrous sheaths produced by collectorless alternating‐current electrospinning for suture applications

Abstract

Fabrication of strong antibacterial composite nanofibrous yarns (CNYs) for suture applications by using common direct current electrospinning has been technologically challenging. In this work, we have demonstrated a more straightforward and facile approach to fabricate chlorhexidine (CHX)containing antibacterial nanofibrous sheaths wounded around a polyamide core yarn using a novel collectorless alternating-current electrospinning approach. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the nanofibrous envelope was completely wrapped around the core yarn for both polymers, polyurethane, and polyamide 6 (PA6), used in this study. High-performance liquid chromatography after dissolving of the CNYs confirmed the presence of CHX in the yarns, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the amount is relatively low. The tensile properties of all the CNYs were better than of the core yarns and the CHX addition resulted in a lower envelope linear density and envelope adhesion force. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that all CNYs are thermally stable within the temperature range of interest. Cytocompatibility tests with 3T3-SA mouse fibroblast cells and antibacterial evaluations with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus showed that the CHX-containing PA6-based CNYs are biocompatible and have antibacterial properties, suggesting that these yarns can be used as functional and mechanically performant sutures.

Overview of Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…When the electrical forces become greater than the surface tension of the solution, a charged fibre jet is ejected from the Taylor cone and accelerates towards a grounded collector [27]. Furthermore, there are some electrospinning strategies, such as the use of AC highvoltage electrospinning technology [45][46][47][48]. When the applied AC voltage is used, the electric pressure tends to suppress the capillary pressure because the polarity and magnitude of AC change with respect to time.…”

“…Furthermore, there are some electrospinning strategies, such as the use of AC highvoltage electrospinning technology [45][46][47][48]. When the applied AC voltage is used, the electric pressure tends to suppress the capillary pressure because the polarity and magnitude of AC change with respect to time.…”

Preparation of biodegradable polypropylene carbonate-polylactic acid core yarn by electrospinning and its antibacterial finishing

“…Taking into account mechanical factors, it is believed that the addition of 5% concentration of benzalkonium bromide has good tensile strength, while also providing higher elongation at break and stronger tensile properties. Madheswaran et al (Madheswaran et al, 2022) used polyurethane (PU) yarns and polyamide 6 (PA6) yarns as the substrate, and wrapped a layer of antibacterial nanofiber film containing chlorhexidine (CHX) on the yarn, thereby preparing surgical sutures with good antibacterial and mechanical properties. Although the mechanical properties of the samples coated with nanofiber films in their study were improved compared with the original yarns, the breaking strength was all below 2.5N, which was not as good as that of the samples in this study.…”

The Significance of Electrical Polarity in Electrospinning: A Nanoscale Approach for the Enhancement of the Polymer Fibers' Properties

“…Due to self‐bundling, AC‐electrospinning does not require a grounded collector to produce polymer fibers. [ 96 ]…”