Nanoarchitectonics for Electrospun Membranes with Asymmetric Wettability

The aim of this research was to develop new electrospun membranes (EMs) based on polycaprolactone (PCL) with or without metronidazole (MET)/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) content. New nHAP with a mean diameter of 34 nm in length was synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) were used for structural characterization of precursors and EMs. The highest mechanical properties (the force at maximum load, Young’s modulus and tensile strength) were found for the PCL membranes, and these properties decreased for the other samples in the following order: 95% PCL + 5% nHAP > 80% PCL + 20% MET > 75% PCL + 5% nHAP + 20% MET. The stiffness increased with the addition of 5 wt.% nHAP. The SEM images of EMs showed randomly oriented bead-free fibers that generated a porous structure with interconnected macropores. The fiber diameter showed values between 2 and 16 µm. The fiber diameter increased with the addition of nHAP filler and decreased when MET was added. New EMs with nHAP and MET could be promising materials for guided bone regeneration or tissue engineering.

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Biocompatibility studies of polyurethane electrospun membranes based on arginine as chain extender

Journal of Materials Science Materials in Medicine ◽

10.1007/s10856-021-06581-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Georgina Alejandra Venegas-Cervera ◽

Andrés Iván Oliva ◽

Alejandro Avila-Ortega ◽

José Manuel Cervantes-Uc ◽

Leydi Maribel Carrillo-Cocom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fourier Transforms ◽

Cell Attachment ◽

Human Fibroblasts ◽

Gel Permeation Chromatography ◽

Electrospinning Process ◽

Chain Extender ◽

Cellular Interaction ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Polyurethane Membranes ◽

Electrospun Membranes

AbstractElectrospun polymers are an example of multi-functional biomaterials that improve the material-cellular interaction and aimed at enhancing wound healing. The main objective of this work is to fabricate electrospun polyurethane membranes using arginine as chain extender (PUUR) in order to test the fibroblasts affinity and adhesion on the material and the polymer toxicity. Polyurethane membranes were prepared in two steps: (i) the polyurethane synthesis, and ii) the electrospinning process. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The evaluation of PUUR as a scaffolding biomaterial for growing and developing of cells on the material was realized by LIVE/DEAD staining. The results show that the fluorescent surface area of human fibroblasts (hFB), was greater in control dense membranes made from Tecoflex than in electrospun and dense PUUR. From SEM analysis, the electrospun membranes show relatively uniform attachment of cells with a well-spread shape, while Tecoflex dense membranes show a non-proliferating round shape, which is attributed to the fiber’s structure in electrospun membranes. The cell morphology and the cell attachment assay results reveal the well spreading of hFB cells on the surface of electrospun PUUR membranes which indicates a good response related to cell adhesion.

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