Nanocomposite electrospun fibers of poly(ε-caprolactone)/bioactive glass with shape memory properties

Abstract

Electrospun fibers of shape memory triethoxysilane-terminated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL-TES) loaded with bioactive glasses (BG) are here presented. Unloaded PCL-TES, as well as PCL/BG nanocomposite fibers, are also considered for comparison. It is proposed that hydrolysis and condensation reactions take place between triethoxysilane groups of the polymer and the silanol groups at the BG particle surface, thus generating additional crosslinking points with respect to those present in the PCL-TES system. The as-spun PCL-TES/BG fibers display excellent shape memory properties, in terms of shape fixity and shape recovery ratios, without the need of a thermal crosslinking treatment. BG particles confer in vitro bioactivity to PCL-based nanocomposite fibers and favor the precipitation of hydroxycarbonate apatite on the fiber surface. Preliminary cytocompatibility tests demonstrate that the addition of BG particles to PCL-based polymer does not inhibit ST-2 cell viability. This novel approach of using bioactive glasses not only for their biological properties, but also for the enhancement of shape memory properties of PCL-based polymers, widens the versatility and suitability of the obtained composite fibers for a huge portfolio of biomedical applications.

A Review on Manufacturing Processes of Biocomposites Based on Poly(α-Esters) and Bioactive Glass Fillers for Bone Regeneration

“…Orthopedic implants with SME could reduce the size of the surgical incision area and hence, reduce the postoperative time and possible complications [ 97 ]. Recent studies have shown the possibility of poly(α-hydroxy ester) with bioactive fillers to enhance the biological performance and shape memory properties for internal fixation systems [ 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ].…”

Advances in the Application of Electrospun Drug-Loaded Nanofibers in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers

“…In the medical field, a nanofiber-integrated negative sorting device can be used for cancer diagnosis [ 52 ]. Nanocomposites with shape-memory properties enable the fabrication of shape-programmable bone scaffolds [ 53 ]. Core–shell lipid-coated nanoparticles and nanodelivery systems of melittin can be used for cancer therapy [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Shape-Memory Materials via Electrospinning: A Review

“…With the aim of producing materials with shape-memory behavior, sometimes polymers without this property are modified in order to achieve the desired SM properties. For example, Liverani et al [163] used PCL modified at chain-ends, producing a triethoxysilaneterminated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL-TES) loaded with bioactive glasses (BG), which are capable of binding the host tissue and generating a coating of hydroxycarbonate apatite. The SiO 2 domains subsequently formed the reaction between the ends group, constituting the permanent crosslinking point.…”