Effects of Solution Viscosity on Poly(l-Lactic Acid) Porous Microtubes Fabricated by Core–Sheath Electrospinning

Abstract

Core-sheath electrospinning is a rapid microfabrication process for creating multi-layer polymer microfibers. This paper presents a process based on core-sheath electrospinning to fabricate poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) microtubes with nanopores on the tube wall. The morphology of the microtubes mimics human fenestrated capillary vessels. This study investigates the effects of the viscosities of the core and the sheath solutions on the microtube outer diameter and the nanopore size. The core solution shows a dominating influence on the microtube diameter. At the same core solution viscosity level, the microtube diameter is negatively correlated to the core-to-sheath viscosity ratio. The pore size is positively correlated to the microtube diameter. Understanding the effects of solution viscosity on microtube morphology is the prerequisite for process control and microtube product development for future biomedical applications.

Electrospinning Photocatalysis Meet In Situ Irradiated XPS: Recent Mechanisms Advances and Challenges

“…But if the viscosity gets too high, it may prevent the formation of fibers. [127,128] In general, decreasing the surface tension of the electrospinning solution will help form fibers with thinner diameters. At the same time, it is only within a proper range that the increase of solution conductivity will favor the formation of thinner fibers.…”

Effects of Viscosities and Solution Composition on Core-Sheath Electrospun Polycaprolactone(PCL) Nanoporous Microtubes

“…According to the spinneret type, the electrospinning process can be divided into needle-less, single, coaxial electrospinning [13]. Among them, coaxial is often used to produce core-sheath microfibers to obtain composite fibers or hollow structures [14]. For example, Duan and Greiner combined coaxial electrospinning with air-blowing assistance to electrospinning core-sheath fibers, metal-in-carbon fibers, and hollow fibers [12].…”

“…Previously, our group did a series of experiments to fabricate polylactic acid (PLA) nanoporous microtubes to mimic the fenestrated capillaries. Various material variables such as solvent volatility, solution viscosity, and solution composition were investigated to explore the effects on microtube diameter and nanopore size [2,8,14]. However, as one of the most widely used polymers in the biomedical and tissue engineering field, the fabrication of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoporous microtubes has yet to be made.…”