Development and Characterization of Electropsun Poly(propylene carbonate) Ultrathin Fibers as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Abstract

Electrospinning is a desired method to produce ultrathin fibers for tissue engineering. In order to mimic the nanofibrous structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) poly(propylene carbonate) ultrathin fibers were electrospun using N,N‐dimethyl acetamide as solvent. Cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, was found to aid in the formation of beadless fibers of poly(propylene carbonate). Electrospinning parameters viz. concentration of polymer and that of the surfactant used as an additive, flow rate, electrostatic field, and effect of inner diameter of the needle were investigated and optimized. Scanning electron microscopy showed porous scaffold and fibers of diameter ranging from nano‐ to submicron range. FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis of the obtained fibers ensured the complete evaporation of solvent and optimal thermal stability of fibers for tissue engineering applications. The prepared fibers possess Young's modulus of 10.19 and 26.39 GPa with the tensile strengths of 22.11 and 21.29 MPa under dry and wet conditions, respectively. The fiber mat was measured to have a porosity of 48% and exhibited competent water retention capacity of 64%. Furthermore the scaffold was found to support the adhesion of mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts proving its mettle as a potential scaffold for tissue engineering applications.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel freeze‐dried silanated chitosan bone tissue engineering scaffold reinforced with electrospun hydroxyapatite nanofiber

“…The medium was subsequently removed and the precipitated formazan was dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (150 mL well –1 ). The optical density of the solution was read using a microplate reader (ELx808, Biotek®) at a wavelength of 570 nm …”

CO2-fixation into cyclic and polymeric carbonates: principles and applications

“…433 Three-dimensional poly( propylene carbonate) architectures were prepared via electrospinning, which readily allows the production of interconnected flexible nanofibrous structures. 432 These electrospun poly( propylene carbonate) structures displayed slightly lower thermal stability and slightly enhanced mechanical properties compared to conventional poly( propylene carbonate) ( Table 12, compare entry 2a to 1b). Additionally, cell adhesion experiments indicated proper biocompatibility of the three-dimensional poly( propylene carbonate) structures, as the cells were seen to grow, migrate and differentiate.…”

Electrospun Functional Materials toward Food Packaging Applications: A Review

“…Park et al [132] used sol-gel electrospinning to prepare pure PPC nanofibers, and found that the mechanical properties of pure PPC were significantly improved after the heat treatment at 60 • C due to the highly bonded structure of nanofibers, which was further interpreted by SEM diagram. Nagiah et al [133] obtained PPC ultrathin fibers with 10% w/v polymer solution, which have good thermal stability, mechanical properties and high porosity.…”