Structure and Performance of All-Green Electrospun PHB-Based Membrane Fibrous Biomaterials Modified with Hemin

Abstract

This work addresses the challenges concerning the development of “all-green” high-performance biodegradable membrane materials based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and a natural biocompatible functional additive, iron-containing porphyrin, Hemin (Hmi) via modification and surface functionalization. A new facile and versatile approach based on electrospinning (ES) is advanced when modification of the PHB membranes is performed by the addition of low concentrations of Hmi (from 1 to 5 wt.%). Structure and performance of the resultant {HB/Hmi membranes were studied by diverse physicochemical methods, including differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, etc. Modification of the PHB fibrous membranes with Hmi allows control over their quality, supramolecular structure, morphology, and surface wettability. As a result of this modification, air and liquid permeability of the modified electrospun materials markedly increases. The proposed approach provides preparation of high-performance all-green membranes with tailored structure and performance for diverse practical applications, including wound healing, comfort textiles, facial protective masks, tissue engineering, water and air purification, etc.

Life Cycle of Functional All-Green Biocompatible Fibrous Materials Based on Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate and Hemin: Synthesis, Service Life, and the End-of-Life via Biodegradation

“…Size distribution of the fiber diameters also becomes narrower, thus indicating the reduced scatter in the geometrical sizes of the samples. This evidence can be explained by the effect of Hemin on the efficiency of electrospinning: with the increasing concentration of iron-containing Hmi, electrical conductivity of the solution increases from 10 to 14 μS/cm and viscosity increases from 1.0 to 2.0 Pa × s . It is worth noting that the overall porosity and specific surface area of the composite PHB/Hmi samples are also markedly improved …”

“…Additionally, chemical bonds between nitrogen of the tetrapyrrole ring and carbonyl groups of PHB are formed . In other words, PHB/Hmi composite materials are characterized by a prolonged release of Hmi into the environment and can be used as efficient biomedical materials for wound healing as Hemin is credited to be an efficient antibacterial agent with respect to Gram-positive pathogens . Moreover, taking into consideration this aspect, of special concern is the process of biodegradation of biodegradable PHB containing an antibacterial Hmi component.…”

“…Size distribution of the fiber diameters also becomes narrower, thus indicating the reduced scatter in the geometrical sizes of the samples. This evidence can be explained by the effect of Hemin on the efficiency of electrospinning: with the increasing concentration of ironcontaining Hmi, electrical conductivity of the solution increases from 10 to 14 μS/cm and viscosity increases from 1.0 to 2.0 Pa × s. 31 It is worth noting that the overall porosity and specific surface area of the composite PHB/Hmi samples are also markedly improved. 31 The beneficial effect of Hmi on the quality of electrospinning is primarily concerned with an efficient solidification of the solution upon solvent evaporation, thus leading to the formation of a uniform fibrous structure with a high surface area and a sufficient free space between fibers (porosity).…”

“…This evidence can be explained by the effect of Hemin on the efficiency of electrospinning: with the increasing concentration of ironcontaining Hmi, electrical conductivity of the solution increases from 10 to 14 μS/cm and viscosity increases from 1.0 to 2.0 Pa × s. 31 It is worth noting that the overall porosity and specific surface area of the composite PHB/Hmi samples are also markedly improved. 31 The beneficial effect of Hmi on the quality of electrospinning is primarily concerned with an efficient solidification of the solution upon solvent evaporation, thus leading to the formation of a uniform fibrous structure with a high surface area and a sufficient free space between fibers (porosity). We will follow how this structural modification and highly developed surface area control not only performance and service life of the PHB/Hmi materials but also their biodegradation at the end of life.…”

“…33 In other words, PHB/Hmi composite materials are characterized by a prolonged release of Hmi into the environment and can be used as efficient biomedical materials for wound healing as Hemin is credited to be an efficient antibacterial agent with respect to Gram-positive pathogens. 31 Moreover, taking into consideration this aspect, of special concern is the process of biodegradation of biodegradable PHB containing an antibacterial Hmi component. Knowledge of the kinetics of Hemin release into the environment is important both for the performance of PHB/Hmi as antibacterial biomedical materials and for their in-soil degradation.…”