Controlled three-dimensional polystyrene nano- and micro-structures fabricated by three-dimensional electrospinning

Abstract

The combination of electrospinning with 3D printing technology opens new pathways for nano- and microfabrication, which can be applied in a wide range of application. This simple and inexpensive method was proven to fabricate 3D fibrous polystyrene structures with controlled morphology and micro to nano-fibre diameter. The controllable movement of the nozzle allows precise positioning of the deposition area of the fibres during electrospinning. A programmed circular nozzle pattern results in the formation of 3D polystyrene cylinder shapes with fibre diameters down to 560 nm. The assembly of the fibrous structures starts instantaneously, and a 4 cm tall and 5 cm wide sample can be produced within a 10-minute electrospinning process. The product exhibits high stability at ambient conditions. The shape, size, and thickness of fibrous polystyrene structures can be easily controlled by tuning the process parameters. It is assumed that the build-up of 3D fibrous polystyrene structure strongly depends on charge induction and polarization of the electrospun fibres.

2D and 3D electrospinning technologies for the fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds for skin tissue engineering: A review

“…Zhang, Bai, et al, 2019) Self-assembly Arrangement or aggregation of nano-or micro-scale components without human interaction to form ordered 3D structures. (Vong et al, 2018;Yao et al, 2019) cultured on 2D membranes. Meanwhile, Ghorbani et al used a wet electrospun technique to submerged PLA NFs in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution bath (5 cm deep) to form a highly porous 3D scaffold, which had similar tensile strength to the dorsal skin of rats.…”

“…Meanwhile, Ghorbani et al used a wet electrospun technique to submerged PLA NFs in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution bath (5 cm deep) to form a highly porous 3D scaffold, which had similar tensile strength to the dorsal skin of rats. This novel electrospun dressing showed accelerated wound healing with an 85% wound contraction within 21 days in Wistar rats (Ghorbani et al, 2017 3D-bioprinted hydrogel scaffold to be used as a template for electrospinning (Miguel et al, 2019); (c) schematic of a sequential multilayering process; (d) cold-plate electrospinning process with (i) graphical depiction and (ii) experimental setup for PCL and PCL/SF electrospinning (Lee et al, 2016); (e) process for forming 3D electrospun sponges via post-process freeze-drying short fiber dispersions (Jiang, Gruen, et al, 2019); (f) Single-step 3D electrospinning, using a modified 3D printer, with 3D structure self-assembly (Vong et al, 2018) release of AgNP and good antimicrobial properties to S. aureus, whereas at the in vitro study, human fibroblasts growth was upheld. While mechanical collectors for template-assisted 3D electrospinning are desirable for certain TE applications (such as those that require tubular structures), these templates are less commonly used in skin TE.…”

“…For skin TE applications specifically, recent development in this field has been limited, although promising advancements have been made for future implementation. For instance, Vong et al modified a 3D printer with an electrospinning setup for controlled deposition of fibers (Figure 7f) (Vong et al, 2018). By the inclusion of conductive additives in the electrospinning solution, such as phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ), direct 3D build-up was achieved on the grounded collector with samples of 4 cm thickness obtained after 10 min.…”

Osteochondral Tissue Engineering: The Potential of Electrospinning and Additive Manufacturing

“…This method relies on the electrostatic polarisation of the deposited fibres, i.e., on the generation of a negative charge on the deposited fibre mats during the electrospinning process, attracting the positively charged polymer jet and working as preferential collection surfaces for the newly formed fibres [ 314 ]. Various 3D constructs with improved porosity, a thickness of several centimetres, and complex self-assembled nanostructures, such as honeycomb patterns, have been produced using this technique [ 315 , 316 , 317 , 318 ]. For further detail, several recent reviews describe thoroughly the different 3D electrospinning techniques currently in use [ 314 , 319 , 320 , 321 ].…”