Direct three-dimensional imaging for morphological analysis of electrospun fibers with laboratory-based Zernike X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography

Oliveira, Cristine Santos de; González, Adriana Trompetero; Hedtke, Tobias; Kürbitz, Tobias; Heilmann, Andreas; Schmelzer, Christian E.H.; Silva, Juliana Martins de S. e

doi:10.1016/j.msec.2020.111045

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Inter- and intra-fiber porosity can be established using He-pycnometry, the results of which are exceptionally accurate to the extent that they account for much of the void space that is unusable for cell infiltration [ 40 ]. However, it is often designated as the gold standard for porosity measurement of solids.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are many instances where SEM has been used to measure fiber diameter only, as well as to qualitatively assess morphology [ 40 , 54 , 85 ]. Occasionally, it is also used to determine mean pore sizes [ 76 , 102 , 111 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zernike phase contrast nano-CT was effectively used to fully characterize the morphology of electrospun scaffolds [ 40 ], and it has even been used to characterize cell growth on such scaffolds successfully [ 132 , 133 , 134 ]. The effect of how essential thresholding is to images created by nano-CT can be seen in [ 135 ], although only fiber alignment was qualitatively assessed from this image.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Methods to Characterize Electrospun Scaffold Morphology: A Critical Review

Marquez¹,

Gareis

Días

et al. 2022

Polymers

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Electrospun scaffolds can imitate the hierarchical structures present in the extracellular matrix, representing one of the main concerns of modern tissue engineering. They are characterized in order to evaluate their capability to support cells or to provide guidelines for reproducibility. The issues with widely used methods for morphological characterization are discussed in order to provide insight into a desirable methodology for electrospun scaffold characterization. Reported methods include imaging and physical measurements. Characterization methods harbor inherent limitations and benefits, and these are discussed and presented in a comprehensive selection matrix to provide researchers with the adequate tools and insights required to characterize their electrospun scaffolds. It is shown that imaging methods present the most benefits, with drawbacks being limited to required costs and expertise. By making use of more appropriate characterization, researchers will avoid measurements that do not represent their scaffolds and perhaps might discover that they can extract more characteristics from their scaffold at no further cost.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Methods to Characterize Electrospun Scaffold Morphology: A Critical Review

Marquez¹,

Gareis

Días

et al. 2022

Polymers

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“…Imbibition fronts were, for example, inspected with the naked eye , and by averaging methods, such as small-angle X-ray scattering, dielectric spectroscopy, − neutron radiography, , gravimetry, − and opto-fluidic techniques. ,− In particular, the reliable and reproducible quantification of imbibition front widths for systems characterized by imbibition front widths ranging from a few 100 nm to a few microns has remained challenging. Recently, we reported the statistical evaluation of 3D reconstructions of AAO membranes infiltrated with polystyrene (PS), which were acquired by Zernike phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography − with submicron resolution. Here we compare the imbibition of PS into CPG, a pore model in which pores and pore walls form spongy interpenetrating networks, and into self-ordered AAO (Figure ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Straight versus Spongy: Effect of Tortuosity on Polymer Imbibition into Nanoporous Matrices Assessed by Segmentation-Free Analysis of 3D Sample Reconstructions

et al. 2022

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We comparatively analyzed imbibition of polystyrene (PS) into two complementary pore models having pore diameters of ∼380 nm and hydroxyl-terminated inorganic-oxidic pore walls, controlled porous glass (CPG) and self-ordered porous alumina (AAO), by X-ray computed tomography and EDX spectroscopy. CPG contains continuous spongy-tortuous pore systems. AAO containing arrays of isolated straight cylindrical pores is a reference pore model with a tortuosity close to 1. Comparative evaluation of the spatiotemporal imbibition front evolution yields important information on the pore morphology of a probed tortuous matrix like CPG and on the imbibition mechanism. To this end, pixel brightness dispersions in tomographic 3D reconstructions and 2D EDX maps of infiltrated AAO and CPG samples were condensed into 1D brightness dispersion profiles normal to the membrane surfaces. Their statistical analysis yielded positions and widths of the imbibition fronts without segmentation or determination of pore positions. The retardation of the imbibition front movement with respect to AAO reference samples may be used as a descriptor for the tortuosity of a tested porous matrix. The velocity of the imbibition front movements in CPG equaled two-thirds of the velocity of the imbibition front movements in AAO. Moreover, the dynamics of the imbibition front broadening discloses whether porous matrices are dominated by cylindrical neck-like pore segments or by nodes. Independent single-meniscus movements in cylindrical AAO pores result in faster imbibition front broadening than in CPG, in which a morphology dominated by nodes results in slower cooperative imbibition front movements involving several menisci. The results presented here may be relevant to applications including printing and adhesive bonding, as well as to the optimization of production and properties of engineering, construction, and hybrid materials.

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“…Submicrometre focal spot source (< 1 µm) resolutions in nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) 25 , 26 are now possible, which opens a range of opportunities for the characterisation of composite materials. Nano-CT has been used extensively when characterising biomaterials 27 – 33 , however submicron resolution is less common in dental material sciences 34 , 35 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nano-CT as tool for characterization of dental resin composites

Haugen

Qasim

Matinlinna

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Technological advances have made it possible to examine dental resin composites using 3D nanometer resolution. This investigation aims to characterize existing dental nano-hybrid and micro-hybrid resin composites through comparing and contrasting nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) with micro-CT and high-resolution SEM images. Eight commercially available and widely used dental resin composites, 2 micro-hybrid and 6 nano-hybrid were researched. Cured samples were examined and characterized using nano-CT (resolution 450 nm) and compared with micro-CT images (resolution 2 µm). Acquired images were reconstructed and image analysis was carried out to determine porosity and pore morphology. A comprehensive comparison of scanning micrograph images unsurprisingly revealed that the nano-CT images displayed greater detail of the ultrastructure of cured dental resin composites. Filler particle diameters and its volumes were lower when measured using nano-CT, porosity being higher where analysed at higher resolution. There were large variations between the examined materials. Fewer voids were found in Tetric EvoCeram and IPS Empress Direct, the smallest pores being found in Universal XTE and Tetric EvoCeram. Nano-CT was successfully used to investigate the morphology of dental resin composites and showed that micro-CT gives a lower porosity and pore size but overestimates filler particle size. There were large discrepancies between the tested composites. Evidence of porosities and pores within a specimen is a critical finding and it might have a detrimental effect on a material’s clinical performance.

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Direct three-dimensional imaging for morphological analysis of electrospun fibers with laboratory-based Zernike X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography

Cited by 9 publications

References 40 publications

Methods to Characterize Electrospun Scaffold Morphology: A Critical Review

Methods to Characterize Electrospun Scaffold Morphology: A Critical Review

Straight versus Spongy: Effect of Tortuosity on Polymer Imbibition into Nanoporous Matrices Assessed by Segmentation-Free Analysis of 3D Sample Reconstructions

Nano-CT as tool for characterization of dental resin composites

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