The Comparison of Advanced Electrospun Materials Based on Poly(-3-hydroxybutyrate) with Natural and Synthetic Additives

Abstract

The comparison of the effect of porphyrins of natural and synthetic origin containing the same metal atom on the structure and properties of the semi-crystalline polymer matrix is of current concern. A large number of modifying additives and biodegradable polymers for biomedical purposes, composed of poly(-3-hydroxybutyrate)-porphyrin, are of particular interest because of the combination of their unique properties. The objective of this work are electrospun fibrous material based on poly(-3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), hemin (Hmi), and tetraphenylporphyrin with iron (Fe(TPP)Cl). The structure of these new materials was investigated by methods such as optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis, Electron paramagnetic resonance method, and Differential scanning calorimetry. The properties of the electrospun materials were analyzed by mechanical and biological tests, and the wetting contact angle was measured. In this work, it was found that even small concentrations of porphyrin can increase the antimicrobial properties by 12 times, improve the physical and mechanical properties by at least 3.5 times, and vary hydrophobicity by at least 5%. At the same time, additives similar in the structure had an oppositely directed effect on the supramolecular structure, the composition of the crystalline, and the amorphous phases. The article considers assumptions about the nature of such differences due to the influence of Hmi and Fe(TPP)Cl) on the macromolecular and fibrous structure of PHB.

Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Fibrous Materials Based on PHB and Modified with Hemin

“…The main contribution of the two-solution ES process of PHB–Hmi composites is due to the fact that PHB is not soluble in N,N-dimethylformamide, and Hmi is not soluble in chloroform. At the same time, the solutions mix well, forming a sufficiently homogeneous system for forming fibrous materials with a uniform distribution of Hmi in the structure [ 52 , 53 ]. Moreover, the introduction of Hmi contributed to changes in the structure of the fibers.…”

“…Exerting a significant influence on the crystallization of PHB, this modifying additive allowed to obtain the material devoid of the disadvantages of pure PHB (PHB–Hmi was more durable, with fewer defects, more uniform fibers). In addition, the significant influence of the Hmi on the molding properties of the solution makes it possible to obtain a material with a more predictable structure, which could not be obtained using other metal-containing modifying additives [ 53 ].…”

“…Polyester of natural origin—poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was used in the work [ 49 , 53 ]. PHB was used in the form of a finely dispersed powder (16F series, BIOMER, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany), characterized by 59% of crystalline phase, 206 kDa of molecular weight, 1.248 g/cm 3 of density ( Figure 1 a).…”

“…In our previous study, we described the nature of Hmi effect on the supramolecular structure of PHB formation [ 52 ]. Comparing the formulated composite with the HPB fibers supplemented with a synthetic Fe 3+ porphyrin complex, we revealed the high potential of these composite materials based on PHB–Hmi fibers [ 53 ].…”

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) 3D-Scaffold–Conduit for Guided Tissue Sprouting

“…[ 14 ]. PHB is also often used as a basic compound of composite materials [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. PHB has a number of unique biological properties: complete biodegradability to non-toxic products, biocompatibility, non-carcinogenicity, and special diffusion properties that provide sustained drug release [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”