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Synthesis of Keratin-based Nanofiber for Biomedical Engineering
Published on: February 7, 2016
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Engineering highly stretchable lignin-based electrospun nanofibers for potential biomedical applications
Dan Kai1, Shan Jiang, Zhi Wei Low
1Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR, 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602, Singapore. kaid@imre.a-star.edu.sg lohxj@imre.a-star.edu.sg.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Sustainable polymers were developed by grafting poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto lignin, enhancing its blend with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). These lignin-PMMA copolymers improved nanofiber strength and biocompatibility for biomedical uses.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Sustainable Materials
Background:
- Lignin is an abundant biopolymer and renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
- Blending lignin with synthetic polymers is challenging due to its brittleness and poor dispersion.
- Developing sustainable polymers requires improving lignin's miscibility and compatibility with other plastics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafted lignin copolymers to enhance lignin's compatibility with other plastics.
- To investigate the effect of PMMA chain length on lignin copolymer properties.
- To develop and characterize biocompatible nanofibrous composites for potential biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Atom transfer radical polymerization was used to synthesize lignin-PMMA copolymers with varying lignin content (5.6%–46.1%).
- Lignin-PMMA copolymers were blended with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and fabricated into nanofibers via electrospinning.
- Mechanical properties were assessed using tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis; biocompatibility was evaluated through cell culture studies.
Main Results:
- The lignin-PMMA copolymers showed controlled PMMA chain lengths and glass transition temperatures.
- Incorporation of lignin-PMMA copolymers significantly enhanced the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and storage modulus of PCL nanofibers.
- PMMA chain length was critical for lignin miscibility in PCL, improving stiffness and ultimate elongation of nanofibers.
- The resulting PCL/lignin-PMMA nanofibers exhibited good biocompatibility, supporting human dermal fibroblast proliferation and attachment.
Conclusions:
- Lignin-PMMA copolymers effectively improve the mechanical properties and processability of lignin-based materials.
- The developed green and stretchable electrospun nanofibers demonstrate potential as biomaterial substrates for biomedical applications.
- This approach offers a sustainable pathway for utilizing lignin in advanced material design.
