Structurally optimized suture resistant polylactic acid (PLA)/poly (є-caprolactone) (PCL) blend based engineered...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Electrospun nanofibrous mats (ENMs) are crucial for biomedical applications.
• Fabrication of bead-free ENMs with controlled morphology and mechanical properties remains challenging.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (є-caprolactone) (PCL) blends offer tunable properties for ENMs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To structurally fabricate and optimize PLA/PCL blend-based bead-free ENMs.
• To identify optimal electrospinning parameters for minimizing bead defects and controlling fiber morphology.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties and suture retention strength of the optimized ENMs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Taguchi design of experiments (DoE) for parameter optimization.
• Investigated the effects of PCL content, N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) content, and solution concentration.
• Performed experimental validation to confirm predicted results for bead minimization and fiber diameter.

Main Results:

• Both RSM and Taguchi methods yielded identical optimal parametric combinations for minimizing bead defects.
• Optimal parameters achieved >95% accuracy in minimizing bead defects and controlling average fiber diameter.
• Solution concentration significantly influenced fiber morphology; optimized ENMs exhibited superior mechanical response and suture retention strength.
• Fine fibers in optimally designed ENMs enhanced suture resistance through cooperative network effects, preventing collapse.

Conclusions:

• RSM and Taguchi DoE are effective for optimizing electrospinning parameters to produce bead-free PLA/PCL ENMs.
• Optimized ENMs demonstrate improved structural integrity, mechanical performance, and suture retention capabilities.
• The study provides a pathway for fabricating high-performance ENMs for demanding applications.