Structurally stable and surface-textured polylactic acid/copolymer/poly (ε-caprolactone) blend-based electrospun
Deepika Sharma1, Ahana Banerjee2, Jayanta Bhattacharyya2
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|November 6, 2022
Summary
Interface-engineered electrospun mats (EMs) using copolymer (COP) enhanced PLA/PCL blends promote bone healing. These functionalized EMs facilitate cell attachment and biomineralization for improved tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing advanced biomaterials is crucial for effective tissue regeneration, particularly for bone, cartilage, and dental applications.
- Existing materials often face challenges with biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and promoting cellular integration.
- Interface engineering of polymer blends offers a promising strategy to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop nanotextured, copolymer (COP)-mediated electrospun mats (EMs) from PLA/PCL blends for enhanced biomimetic properties.
- To investigate the impact of COP incorporation on the thermal, mechanical, and surface characteristics of the EMs.
- To evaluate the potential of these engineered EMs in promoting cell attachment and biomineralization for guided tissue healing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PLA/PCL (70:30 w/w) blend-based EMs with nanotexturing and COP mediation.
- Characterization of thermal stability, crystallinity, tensile properties, and dynamic relaxation response.
- Surface analysis including zeta potential measurement and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) ion attachment.
- In vitro assessment of L929 fibroblast cell attachment and viability.
Main Results:
- COP incorporation enhanced pliability by reducing crystallinity (12-23%) while maintaining thermal stability (300-350°C).
- Tensile strength increased by ~75% with COP, and dynamic relaxation shifted to lower temperatures.
- Zeta potential was tunable with COP content, facilitating controlled Ca2+ ion and n-HA attachment (~13% for ~5 phr COP).
- EMs with ≤5 phr COP showed uniform n-HA dispersion and promoted selective fibroblast attachment (~200% viability for ~2.5 phr COP).
Conclusions:
- Interface-engineered PLA/PCL EMs with COP show tunable surface properties and improved mechanical pliability.
- These functionalized EMs effectively support n-HA integration and enhance L929 fibroblast cell attachment.
- The developed constructs hold significant potential for augmenting biomineralization and accelerating healing in bone, cartilage, and dental applications.
