Tailoring of Architecture and Intrinsic Structure of Electrospun Nanofibers by Process Parameters for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Electrospinning process is commercially used to form nanofibers as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Similarities in morphology of electrospun nanofibers to the natural extracellular matrix, flexibility, and low cost of the process contribute to their use in regeneration of cartilage, ligaments/tendons, muscles, and bones. Required properties are tailored by the use of appropriate polymers: polyesters, their copolymers, blends with natural biopolymers such as gelatin, collagen, chitosan, or composites with nanoparticles. In the case of one component fibers, factors strongly influencing the final diameter of the electrospinning jet include volumetric charge density, distance between the needle and the collector, needle diameter, and viscosity. A moderate effect is exerted by initial polymer concentration, solution density, electric potential, and solvent vapor pressure. In the case of blend fibers, the w/w% ratio of mixed polymers is an additional parameter of the electrospinning process. Addition of gelatin, collagen, and/or chitosan influence the solution properties and, in consequence, fiber diameter, mechanical properties, wettability, chemical structure, crystallinity, etc. Cellular response depends on electrospun fibers' tailored morphology, chemical structure as well as mechanical properties. Electrospinning process is one of the success stories in nanotechnologies during the last few years. Understanding of electrospinning process parameters enables tailoring of electrospun nanofibers morphology, internal structure, and properties to appropriate application. This opens up new possibilities in tissue engineering.

Electrospun Composite Nanofibrous Materials Based on (Poly)-Phenol-Polysaccharide Formulations for Potential Wound Treatment

“…Thus, the lack in forming nanofibres (regardless of the used substrate) was attributed to relatively low electric conductivity, since higher conductivity would enable carrying more electrical charges during the electrospinning process. In addition, by having solutions with high-charge density, effective stretching of the Taylor cone through repulsion of one sign charges would occur [50].…”

Rapid Visualization of the Mass Distribution Profile of Electrospun Layers

“…However, there are many parameters that affect the electrospinning process and, therefore, fibre deposition such as electrospinning is a highly multi-variable method (electrode arrangement, electrostatic field formation, solution properties, atmospheric conditions, etc.) [9][10][11][12]. A research on electrospinning causalities includes measurements of various material properties including mechanical, chemical, and biophysical, as well as basic layer properties, such as fiber quality and distribution.…”