Oriented nanofibrous membranes for tissue engineering applications: Electrospinning with secondary field control

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Electrospinning produces polymer fiber membranes using an electric field.
• Conventional fiber alignment relies on fast collector movement, limiting its use with complex geometries.
• Controlling fiber trajectory is crucial for tailoring scaffold properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the use of charged deflector plates for controlling fiber trajectory during electrospinning.
• To investigate the impact of electrical field parameters on fiber alignment.
• To assess the influence of controlled fiber alignment on scaffold mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of poly(ɛ)caprolactone (PCL) membranes using charged deflector plates.
• Systematic variation of deflector plate voltage amplitude and deflection frequency.
• Analysis of SEM images using ImageJ to quantify fiber diameter, orientation, and alignment.
• Tensile testing of electrospun scaffolds to determine mechanical properties.

Main Results:

• Higher deflector plate voltage amplitude improved fiber alignment.
• Optimal fiber alignment was achieved at low deflection frequencies (2-10 Hz).
• Fiber alignment significantly influenced scaffold tensile properties (Young's modulus and yield stress).
• The main fiber direction was consistently perpendicular to the deflection axis.

Conclusions:

• Charged deflector plates provide a feasible method for direct control of fiber trajectory in electrospinning.
• This technique offers an alternative to conventional collector movement for achieving fiber alignment.
• The study demonstrates the potential for tailoring scaffold mechanical properties through controlled fiber alignment.