Electrospinning of Hyaluronan Using Polymer Coelectrospinning and Intermediate Solvent

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan, HA) is a crucial biopolymer with significant potential in biomedical applications.
• Developing effective methods for fabricating HA-based nanostructures is essential for advancing regenerative medicine and drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present novel methods for fabricating sodium hyaluronate (HA) nanofibers using direct-current (DC) electrospinning.
• To investigate the electrospinning of pure HA and HA in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) using nonaggressive solvents.
• To analyze the influence of various parameters on HA nanofiber formation and morphology.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of sodium hyaluronate (HA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and polyethylene oxide (PEO) using a direct-current (DC) electric field.
• Utilized nonaggressive solvents suitable for life science applications.
• Fluorescent labeling of HA and PVA for visualization via fluorescence confocal microscopy.
• Systematic analysis of polymer concentration, molecular weight (Mw), viscosity, and surface tension.

Main Results:

• Identified two effective intermediate solvent mixtures that facilitate HA electrospinning.
• Examined the impact of surfactant content on HA/PVA co-electrospinning.
• Investigated the effect of HA molecular weight (Mw) on the morphology of HA/PEO nanofibers.
• Successfully fabricated fluorescently labeled HA and HA composite nanofibers.

Conclusions:

• Established viable electrospinning methods for producing sodium hyaluronate (HA) nanofibers and HA composite nanofibers using nonaggressive solvents.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of controlling nanofiber morphology through polymer selection and processing parameters.
• The developed HA nanofibers are suitable for further investigation in life science applications due to the use of safe solvents.